Telecommunications – Wireless distribution system – Receiver for satellite broadcast
Reexamination Certificate
1997-09-04
2001-07-10
Kincaid, Lester G. (Department: 2682)
Telecommunications
Wireless distribution system
Receiver for satellite broadcast
C455S557000, C455S012100, C725S066000, C725S121000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06259891
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(a) Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to communication systems and, more particularly, to a portable communication signal adapter that enables communication between a portable communication signal receiver/decoder and a wireless local area network.
(b) Description of Related Art
Due to advances in satellite technology, including, for example, increased signal strength and reduced antenna size, communication signal receiver systems, such as satellite television signal receivers, are becoming increasingly more compact and easily transportable. As a result, satellite television reception is no longer restricted to permanent installations. In particular, portable satellite television signal receiver systems can now be installed in recreational vehicles, such as campers and boats, to provide satellite access to the mobile community.
Currently available mobile communication signal receiver systems (such as mobile satellite television signal receiver systems) generally require, at a minimum, a parabolic dish or other antenna that can typically be repositioned for maximum reception, a satellite communication signal decoder (such as an integrated receiver/decoder (IRD)), a television monitor and a portable power supply. The antenna receives the satellite signal which is then passed through a coaxial cable to the IRD where it is converted to a format suitable for display on a television monitor. In advanced portable satellite receiver systems, the receiver components may be housed within a single unit to further augment transportability.
However, portable satellite receiver technology presents challenges that are not typically encountered by viewers with permanently installed receiver systems. For example, callback data including subscriber billing information and viewing statistics is not easily retrieved from the mobile community because retrieval requires a communication link between the mobile subscriber's portable IRD and the service provider's callback system. Modern cellular telephone systems that enable wireless data transfer via cellular modem technology offer one possible communication method for callback data retrieval. However, to effect such communication, a satellite television signal subscriber must also subscribe to a cellular telephone service and the mobile television subscriber must be situated within the telephone service territory to effect the data transfer.
Furthermore, known portable satellite signal receiver systems are generally limited to receiving information provided by the satellite service with which they are associated. Satellite services, which tend to cover large geographic regions, typically only provide standard broadcast programming and are unlikely to supply local information or other information targeted specifically to the mobile subscriber. The mobile subscriber would benefit, however, from access to a supplemental information system that has localized storage and distribution capabilities. For example, a campground inhabitant would benefit from having access to information about local tourist events, campground site availability, local automobile service stations, etc.
One localized storage and distribution network that is currently available utilizes local area network (LAN) technology to enable multi-user access to local information. In a typical LAN configuration, a server stores user specific information that may be accessed via a connected terminal. While, in some instances, wireless LANs are available to distribute information to standard computer terminals, wireless LANs are not presently accessible to portable IRDs due to incompatibilities between their respective protocols. Therefore, these LAN systems are not accessible by the mobile satellite television signal subscriber without an additional standard computer terminal specifically configured for communication with a wireless LAN.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a communication signal adapter enables wireless communication between a portable communication signal integrated receiver/decoder (IRD), such as a mobile (IRD), and a wireless local area network to enable a mobile subscriber to send billing information, requests for programming changes, etc. to the communication signal service provider.
Preferably, the communication signal adapter of the present invention is coupled between a wireless local area network (LAN) transceiver unit and a communication signal receiver/decoder, to convert information signals generated by the communication signal receiver/decoder into a format that is compatible with the protocol of the LAN transceiver unit. To perform the conversion, the adapter includes an input port for receiving an information signal from the communication signal receiver/decoder, a processor that converts the information signal to a format that is compatible with the protocol of the LAN transceiver unit and an output port through which the converted information signal is delivered to the LAN transceiver unit.
The information signal may comprise billing information and/or viewer statistical information related to the communication signal receiver/decoder and may be in a tone coded telephone signal format which the processor converts to a binary format used by the transceiver unit. Preferably, the transceiver unit communicates with a wireless LAN network which may, in turn, be coupled to a standard telephone network. In such a case, the LAN transceiver unit communicates with a television signal service provider to supply billing information and/or viewer statistical information to the service provider.
The adapter of the present invention may also be coupled to a display device, such as a television, and may be capable of combining a communication signal, such as a television or other video signal, generated by the communication signal receiver/decoder, with a data signal, such as a text message or an electronic mail (e-mail) message provided by the transceiver unit. To combine the communication and data signals, the adapter may include a processor coupled between a memory and text insertion circuitry. Preferably, the text insertion circuitry includes a text format controller that converts the text message into a video format, a switch that enables text insertion in a first position and that inhibits text insertion in a second position, and a picture-in-picture text insertion unit. When the switch is set so that text insertion is disabled, the video signal generated by the receiver/decoder is passed through the adapter unaltered. Otherwise, the picture-in-picture text insertion unit inserts the formatted text message into the video signal generated by the receiver/decoder and provides such combined signal to a television for display.
If desired, the communication signal receiver/decoder may control the adapter. In such a case, the adapter converts a control signal generated by the communication signal receiver/decoder to a format that is compatible with the protocol of the processor and transfers the decoded signal to the processor to cause the processor to effect, for example, message retrieval and display.
The present invention combines the wide area broadcast capability of satellite systems with the “local” nature of wireless LAN or other local wireless distribution capabilities to provide a seamless, personalized data distribution system to the end user. In particular, the system improves upon the versatility of conventional satellite receiver systems by supporting the distribution of locally generated/personalized data that has been integrated with non-local information intended for the general public or general satellite service subscriber.
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patent: 58
Crook John A.
Hughes Electronics Corporation
Kincaid Lester G.
Sales Michael W.
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