Satellite broadcast receiving and distribution system

• US 8,583,029 B2
• Filed: 03/16/2012
• Issued: 11/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Global Communications Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Global Communications Incorporated
• Inventors: Green, James A. Sr., Coker, Austin S. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vuong, Quochien B
• Application Number:
  US13/422,614
• Publication Number:
  US 20130102239A1
• Time in Patent Office: 606 Days
• Field of Search: 455/3.01, 455/3.02, 455/3.03, 455/3.04, 455/12.1, 455/14, 455/20, 455/22, 455/179.1, 455/427, 455/428, 348/E7.04, 348/E7.093, 725/63, 725/67, 725/68
• US Class Current: 455/3.02
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/63 to plural spots in a confined site, e.g. MATV [Master Antenna Television]
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/74 of satellite networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 40/90 specially adapted for satellite broadcast receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6193 involving transmission via a satellite arrangements for data linking, networking or transporting, or for controlling an end to end session in a satellite broadcast system H04B7/18526
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/106 for domestic distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/20 Adaptations for transmission via a GHz frequency band, e.g. via satellite

Abstract

A satellite system for transmission of signals of two different frequencies and polarizations simultaneously, and will accommodate two different polarity commands from different sources at the same time. The satellite system includes a satellite antenna that receives signals. A head-in frequency processor enables the different frequencies and polarizations to be transmitted simultaneously via a single coaxial cable. This single coaxial cable is coupled to a head-out receiver processor which is connected to a receiver. This configuration provides for the system that will permit for satellite broadcasting in locations that are not in the line-of-sight path to the satellites such as high-rises, hospitals, condominiums, schools, and the like.

Claims

1. A satellite distribution system comprising:

a satellite dish receiving antenna configured to be suitable for use at a dwelling, the satellite dish receiving antenna in use receiving satellite signals of first and second polarizations, the first polarization being different from the second polarization;

a low noise block converter coupled to the satellite dish receiving antenna, the low noise block converter converting the satellite signals of first and second polarizations received by the satellite dish receiving antenna;

a circuit coupled to the low noise block converter that applies the converted satellite signals of the first and second polarizations to be carried simultaneously by a common signal distribution conduit to at least one satellite receiver location within the dwelling;

at least one satellite receiver disposed at the at least one satellite receiver location within the dwelling,

the at least one satellite receiver being coupled to the common signal distribution conduit and comprising or having associated therewith a first user input device for operation by a first user within the dwelling, a second user input device for operation by a second user within the dwelling, and a further circuit(s) coupled to the first and second user input devices for selecting between signals of the first polarization and signals of the second polarization for conversion and application to satellite program presentation devices;

whereby the at least one satellite receiver independently selects, in response to the first and second user input devices, between signals of the first polarization and signals of the second polarization simultaneously carried by the common signal distribution conduit to enable presentation of different satellite programming simultaneously to the first and second users within the dwelling.

2. The satellite distribution system of claim 1 wherein the first polarization comprises horizontal and the second polarization comprises vertical.

3. The satellite distribution system of claim 1 wherein the first-mentioned circuit comprises a down converter.

4. The satellite distribution system of claim 1 wherein the first-mentioned circuit comprises an up converter.

5. The satellite distribution system of claim 1 wherein the first-mentioned circuit comprises an up converter followed by a down converter.

6. The satellite distribution system of claim 1 wherein the first-mentioned circuit comprises a first converter for further converting the first polarization signals, and a second converter for further converting the second polarization signals so that both the first and second polarization signals can be placed simultaneously on a single cable without any mishap or error.

7. The satellite distribution system of claim 1 wherein the common signal distribution conduit comprises a coaxial cable.

8. The satellite distribution system of claim 1 wherein the further circuit comprises a frequency converter.

9. The satellite distribution system of claim 1 wherein the further circuit comprises an up converter followed by a down converter.

10. A satellite distribution system comprising:

a satellite dish receiving antenna configured to be suitable for use at a dwelling, the satellite dish receiving antenna in use receiving satellite signals of first and second polarizations, the first polarization being different from the second polarization;

a low noise block converter coupled to the satellite dish receiving antenna, the low noise block converter converting the satellite signals of first and second polarizations received by the satellite dish receiving antenna;

a circuit coupled to the low noise block converter that applies the converted satellite signals of the first and second polarizations to be carried simultaneously by a single signal distribution conduit to at least a first and second satellite receiver locations within the dwelling;

a first satellite receiver disposed at the first satellite receiver location;

a second satellite receiver disposed at the second satellite receiver location within the dwelling;

each of the first and second satellite receivers comprising or having associated therewith a user input device for operation by a user and a further circuit coupled to the user input device for selecting between signals of the first polarization and signals of the second polarization carried by the single signal distribution conduit for conversion and application to a respective source to present different satellite programming simultaneously to different users within the dwelling.

11. The satellite distribution system of claim 10 wherein the first polarization comprises horizontal and the second polarization comprises vertical.

12. The satellite distribution system of claim 10 wherein the first-mentioned circuit comprises a down converter.

13. The satellite distribution system of claim 10 wherein the first-mentioned circuit comprises an up converter.

14. The satellite distribution system of claim 10 wherein the first-mentioned circuit comprises an up converter followed by a down converter.

15. The satellite distribution system of claim 10 wherein the first-mentioned circuit comprises a first converter for further converting the first polarization signals, and a second converter for further converting the second polarization signals so that both the first and second polarization signals can be placed simultaneously on the single signal distribution conduit without any mishap or error.

16. The satellite distribution system of claim 10 wherein the single signal distribution conduit comprises a coaxial cable.

17. The satellite distribution system of claim 10 wherein the further circuit comprises a frequency converter.

18. The satellite distribution system of claim 10 wherein the further circuit comprises an up converter followed by a down converter.

19. The satellite distribution system of claim 16 wherein the single cable is routed to and tapped at each of the first and second receiver locations.