Satellite broadcast receiving and distribution system

• US 8,165,520 B2
• Filed: 05/13/2009
• Issued: 04/24/2012
• 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:
  US12/464,969
• Publication Number:
  US 20100122301A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,077 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

The present invention provides for a satellite system that will permit for the transmission of signals of two different frequencies and polarities to be transmitted simultaneously, also the system will accommodate two different polarity commands from two or more different sources at the same time. The satellite system of the present invention includes a satellite dish or antenna that receive signals. These received signals are then transmitted to a converter. A head-in frequency processor is coupled to the converter. This head-in frequency processor enables the different frequencies and polarities 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 receiver is connected to a source. This unique design and configuration provides for the system that will permit for satellite broadcasting to occur in locations that are not in the line-of-sight path to the satellites. Accordingly, the satellite system of the present invention will permit satellite broadcasting in high-rises, hospitals, condominiums, schools, and the like.

Claims

1. Satellite broadcast receiving equipment for receiving satellite broadcast signals of first and second polarizations, said receiving equipment in use providing received satellite broadcast signals to a plurality of satellite receivers which supply desired broadcasts to respective sources, the equipment comprising:

a satellite dish structured to receive the satellite broadcast signals of first and second polarizations;

a head-in processor for being coupled to the satellite dish, the head-in processor including a low-noise block converter and having an output for connection to a cable, said head-in processor supplying received satellite broadcast signals to the plurality of satellite receivers over the cable;

said head-in processor including a converter configured to convert frequency-overlapping signals of first and/or second polarizations the satellite dish receives into non-interfering signals and in use apply said converted non-interfering signals simultaneously to the cable via the output, the processor enabling multiple different frequencies and polarizations to be supplied simultaneously to the plurality of satellite receivers via said cable;

the plurality of satellite receivers each having a cable connection for in use being coupled to the cable, the plurality of satellite receivers each controlling selection of polarization on the cable to be provided thereto by sending a command via the cable connection thereof so the satellite receiver can obtain and provide desired broadcast signals to a source coupled to said satellite receiver.

2. The satellite broadcast receiving equipment as in claim 1 further including a power source for in use being coupled to said cable, said power source in use injecting power onto said cable.

3. The satellite broadcast receiving equipment as in claim 1 wherein said converter in use provides for said received satellite signals of different polarizations to be converted separately and independently to said satellite receivers.

4. The satellite broadcast receiving equipment as in claim 1 wherein said converter is structured to selectively convert said signals to each said satellite receiver via said cable.

5. The satellite broadcast receiving equipment as in claim 4 further including at least one polarity switch for in use being connected to switch between polarizations to be selectively converted to said satellite receivers.

6. The satellite broadcast receiving equipment as in claim 1 wherein said converter includes a first mixer structured to convert said signals of a first polarization to a desired first frequency range and second mixer structured to convert said signals of a second polarization to a desired second frequency range different from and not overlapping the first frequency range.

7. The satellite broadcast receiving equipment of claim 1 wherein said converter is structured to convert to avoid the forbidden conversion area.

8. A frequency translation method for implementation by satellite broadcast signal receiving equipment of the type that in use receives satellite broadcast signals in the form of frequency-overlapping signals from a satellite of first and second polarizations and supplies received satellite broadcast signals to a plurality of satellite receivers each of which supply selected broadcasts to a respective television, said frequency translation method comprising:

low noise block frequency converting received broadcast signals of first and second polarizations into plural frequency-converted polarization blocks;

converting the plural frequency-converted polarization blocks to be simultaneously conveying by a common cable to the plurality of satellite receivers such that said converted blocks don'"'"'t overlap in frequency or otherwise interfere with one another on said cable; and

enabling each of the plurality of satellite receivers to command selection of a polarization block conveyed on said cable to be supplied thereto so the satellite receivers can each thereby provide desired selected satellite broadcasts to associated televisions.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said cable comprises a coaxial cable.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein said enabling includes switching independently for each of the plurality of receivers.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein at least one of said plural polarization blocks falls within 950 MHz to 1450 MHz.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein another of said plural polarization blocks occupies a frequency range that is lower than 950 MHz.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein another of said plural blocks occupies a frequency range that is higher than 1450 MHz.

14. The method of claim 8 wherein said low noise block frequency converting includes down frequency converting a block and said converting includes further converting the same block.

15. The method of claim 8 wherein said selection comprises further frequency converting.

16. The method of claim 8 wherein said converting avoids a forbidden conversion area.

17. The method of claim 8 further including inserting power onto said cable.

18. The method of claim 8 wherein said plural polarization blocks comprise transponders.

19. The method of claim 8 further including connecting the cable to a splitter.

20. A method for conveying received differently-polarized satellite broadcasts for selection by remote receiver equipment via a common cable, said method comprising:

receiving, over the air with a satellite dish antenna, frequency-overlapping satellite broadcast signals having first and second polarizations;

frequency down converting some of said received satellite broadcast signals and providing non-interfering signals;

conveying the non-interfering signals of different polarizations over the common cable to a plurality of remote satellite receivers each coupled to said common cable; and

enabling each of said remote satellite receivers to command polarization is to be supplied thereto so that different ones of said remote satellite receivers can cause selection of different polarizations such that a first remote satellite receiver can be selectively supplied with at least one transponder derived from first polarization and a second remote satellite receiver can simultaneously be selectively supplied with at least one transponder derived from the first or second polarization.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein said frequency down converting comprises low noise block conversion.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein said applying comprises diplexing.

23. The method of claim 20 further including avoiding a forbidden conversion area.

24. The method of claim 20 wherein said enabling comprises switching between polarizations at least in part in response to commands from said remote satellite receivers.

25. A method of receiving and distributing satellite signals comprising:

receiving first and second satellite transponders over the air from at least one satellite;

low noise block converting said received transponders;

frequency converting said low noise block converted first transponder in a first direction;

frequency converting said low noise block converted second transponder in a second direction different from said first direction;

applying said frequency converted first and second transponders onto the same cable for conveyance to remote satellite receiving equipment; and

switching between transponders for application to said remote receiver equipment in response to commands said remote satellite receiver equipment applies to said same cable.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein said first transponder has a first polarization and said second transponder has a second polarization different from said first polarization.

27. The method of claim 25 wherein said first transponder has a lefthand polarization and said second transponder has a righthand polarization.

28. The method of claim 25 wherein said first transponder has a vertical polarization and said second transponder has a horizontal polarization.

29. The method of claim 25 wherein said first direction is up.

30. The method of claim 25 wherein said first direction is down.

31. The method of claim 25 wherein said first direction is up followed by down.

32. A system for receiving and distributing satellite signals comprising:

a satellite antenna that receives first and second satellite transponders of different polarizations over the air from at least one satellite;

a low noise block converter that low noise block converts said received transponders;

a frequency processor that frequency converts said low noise block converted first transponder in a first direction and frequency converts said low noise block converted second transponder in a second direction different from said first direction;

a further element that applies said frequency converted first transponder and the second transponder onto the same cable for conveyance to remote satellite receiving equipment; and

a switch that switches between transponders for application to said remote receiver equipment in response to a command said remote satellite receiver equipment applies to said same cable.

33. The system of claim 32 wherein said satellite antenna receives said first and second transponders at different polarizations.

34. The system of claim 32 wherein said further element comprises a splitter.

35. The system of claim 32 wherein said low noise block converter amplifies.

36. The system of claim 32 wherein said first direction comprises up and said second direction comprises down.

37. The system of claim 32 wherein said first direction comprises down and said second direction comprises up followed by down.