Thomson Licensing

Interdigital Madison Patent Holdings

Brian David Bajgrowicz

Mark Alan Schultz

John James Fitzpatrick

David Glen White

Andrew E Bowyer

John Joseph Curtis, Iii

Jeffrey Owen Allender

Steven Francis Fraser

Andrew Eric Bowyer

Jeff Owen Allender

The present invention concerns a method and associated apparatus for reducing the time required to scan an incoming satellite transmission power spectrum for available signals and to determine the characteristics of those signals. The frequency range of interest is scanned in narrow slices to determine approximate input power within each slice. Center frequencies and symbol rates of individual transponders are then estimated based upon these input power approximations.

Algorithm for improving transponder scanning in a satellite set-top box

A method for detecting errors in a digital multimedia receiver system is disclosed including the steps of receiving a packetized bitstream representing a video program from at least one of a plurality of transponders in the receiver system, the packetized bitstream periodically including a marker packet having data relating to a continuity counter value, and counting each occurrence of the marker packet in a first counter. The continuity counter value is evaluated at the occurrence of each counting and a second counter is incremented if each continuity counter value is one higher than a previously evaluated continuity counter value. It is determined whether a valid bitstream is being received by comparing values of the first and second counters at predetermined time intervals.

Error detection and recovery in a digital multimedia receiver system

Receivers using multiple tuners may introduce crosstalk between signals provided to the tuners. The disclosed embodiments relate to a method and apparatus for detecting and preventing crosstalk. A method is described that includes providing a signal to a first signal processing path, tuning to a channel in the signal provided through the first signal processing path, tuning to the channel in the signal through a second signal processing path, and determining that crosstalk exists if the channel is present on the second signal processing path. An apparatus is also described containing means for providing a signal to a first signal processing path, tuning to a channel in the signal provided through the first signal processing path, tuning to the channel in the signal through a second signal processing path, and determining that crosstalk exists if the channel is present on the second signal processing path.

Method and apparatus for detection and prevention of crosstalk in a multiple tuner receiver

A method of processing an LNB power supply output signal comprising providing an LNB selection signal to select a first of the plurality of LNB signals as the input signal, superimposing a tone onto the LNB selection signal to select a second of the plurality of LNB signals as the input signal, providing a first transponder selection voltage to select a first set of transponders within the input signal, providing a second transponder selection voltage to select a second set of transponders within the input signal, and activating an adaptive load to preserve the tone if the second of the plurality of LNB signals is selected.

Satellite LNB power supply adaptive load

A set top box is described including multiple tuners and an apparatus and method for controlling signal level. The apparatus includes a signal splitter for splitting signal power of a signal between an input and at least two outputs, a controller coupled to an output, and a circuit controlled by the controller and selectively coupled to the signal splitter for altering a signal transfer response characteristic of the signal. The method describes controlling the signal level of signals outputted by a signal splitter including determining a signal quality characteristic of one of the output signals and altering a signal response in the signal splitter in response to comparing the signal quality characteristic to a predetermined signal quality characteristic threshold.

Apparatus and method for signal level control

A set top box () arrangement includes transmitting circuitry () for transmitting a message and an emulated reply to the message, and receiver circuitry () for receiving the control message and comparing the control message to the emulated reply to the message. The transmitted message and emulated reply message are each a digital satellite equipment control message. The emulated reply message that was received is compared with the reply that was transmitted to verify 22 kHz tone operation of a low noise block downconverter power supply.

Verifying 22 kHz tone operation in a set-top box

An RF multiple switching apparatus, such as one included in or coupled to a broadcast satellite signal receiver, having a plurality of multiple RF signal input ports for receiving respective ones of a plurality of RF signals, such as broadcast satellite television signals, utilizes a relative signal strength indicator, such as an automatic gain control signal, to determine the difference between the actual input signal that is present at one of the plurality of signal input ports and a false signal that appears to be present at another signal input port of the plurality of signal input ports due to the RF signal bleeding between the multiple signal input ports. During a setup configuration determination or routine, the switching apparatus steps through each RF signal input, extracts pertinent transmission network (such as a satellite transmission network) information, determines a relative signal strength indicator for the RF signal, and compares the obtained information. Setup data for each RF signal input is stored according to the comparison.

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Marion, IN, United States of America

Brian David Bajgrowicz