The Directv Group, Inc.

Hughes Electronics Corporation

James D Allen

David J Kuether

Raynold M Kahn

Robert G Arsenault

Thomas H James

Arthur Robert Tilford

Gilbert Zaldivar

Philip I Siegel

Richard F Purpura

Methods and apparatuses for selectively displaying a video program are disclosed. A system for selectively displaying a video program in accordance with the present invention comprises a transmission station, including a server for attaching information to the video program, a plurality of satellites receiving at least an uplink signal which includes the information and the video program from the transmission station and producing a downlink signal based on the uplink signal, an antenna, the antenna receiving the downlink signal, and at least one receiver, coupled to the antenna, for receiving the downlink signal and interpreting the information in the downlink signal, wherein the at least one receiver selectively displays the video program based on at least the interpreted information.

Infrastructure for interactive television applications

A method and apparatus for coupling an Integrated Receiver Decoder (IRD) to a telephone line via a coaxial cable used for delivering direct broadcast satellite signals to the IRD. One embodiment comprises a port coupler, coupled to a telephone line and to the coaxial cable, and a client unit, coupled between the port coupler and the IRD, wherein the port coupler connects the IRD to the direct broadcast satellite signals and connects the IRD to the phone line via the client unit, and at least satellite signals, satellite control signals, telephone data signals, and telephone system protocol signals travel on the coaxial cable between the client unit and the port coupler.

Method and apparatus for connecting satellite receiver telephone modems over coaxial cable

A combination of new hardware at the subscriber site, hardware and services at the satellite broadcasting center and new installation procedures provide a cost-effective approach for verifying 'callback' functionality. The required test and monitoring hardware may be provided as an external test CAM and call progress monitor (CPM) or integrated into the IRD. The satellite broadcast center is provided with a call responder & data test system (CRDTS) that is set up to automatically receive and evaluate test calls over a back channel and a call recording system (CRS) that records the test results and notifies the billing center of a successful installation. The installer installs the dish and IRD, verifies 'callback' functionality by placing a test call that is evaluated by the CRDTS, and then calls a customer service representative (CSR) to complete the service authorization process. The CSR checks the CRS to verify that the &#x201c;callback&#x201d; function is operational and authorizes payment to the installer.

System and method for evaluating callback functionality in a satellite television network

An IRD is provided with expanded self-test capabilities, both hardware and software, that will provide standardized and more precise diagnostics. The IRD runs a sequence of tests to determine the fitness of the IRD and the health of the ODU. As the tests are completed, the results are displayed on-screen and written to a report. If a test fails, the appropriate remedial action such as 'reset to factory default settings', 'service call' or &#x201c;replace IRD, access card, modem, ODU&#x201d; is also written to the report. The IRD appends the test report to a header message and forwards it to the service provider. The satellite service provider archives the report, modifies the header message to provide customer contact information and the responsible dealer, and forwards the file to the service dealer. To improve service and accountability, the dealer may send an acknowledgement back to the service provider and customer.

System and method for performing diagnostics for a customer IRD in a satellite television system

A communication signal adapter is connected between a portable satellite signal receiver/decoder and a wireless local area network (LAN) transceiver to enable wireless communication between the portable satellite signal receiver/decoder and a wireless LAN. The adapter includes a modem interface adapter and a communications processor that converts information, such as callback data and viewer statistical data, developed by the satellite signal receiver/decoder in a proprietary format, to a data format that is suitable for transmission via the wireless LAN transceiver and then provides the converted data to the wireless LAN transceiver for communication to the LAN. The adapter also includes a microprocessor that controls text insertion control circuitry which is used to convert data signals, such as text messages, delivered from the wireless LAN into signals that are suitable for display on a television and which also inserts the converted text messages into a video signal developed by the portable satellite signal receiver/decoder for display on a standard television.

Adapter and method for use in a portable communication signal receiver system

A portable device for receiving satellite signals and displaying the signals as video. Preferably, the device includes a portable supporting member such as a hinged enclosure case, a satellite antenna, and a display monitor. The satellite antenna is preferably of a flat configuration and is mounted to the support, and the display monitor is preferably a flat video screen mounted to the same support. The required satellite receiver electronics and video decoder may be mounted to the portable support and powered by one or more batteries to provide an integrated and easily transported system to receive and view video relayed by satellite. A PCMCIA card slot and a microcontroller can be provided with the device to provide additional features such as cellular modem use, PCS wireless access, RS-232 port emulation, or GPS position location.

Portable satellite earth station

A method and system for controlling a heating device mounted on e.g. a satellite receiver antenna is disclosed. The method includes the steps of determining whether the signal strength is degrading, determining whether a temperature is below a threshold temperature, and operating a heating device on the antenna only if the signal is degrading and the temperature is below the threshold. The system includes a temperature sensor that samples a relevant temperature, a device that measures a signal strength of a signal received by the antenna, logic in communication with the temperature sensor and the measuring device for determining whether both the signal strength is degrading and the sample temperature is below a threshold temperature, and a control or switch device for operating a corrective device, such as a heater. The system and method herein automatically turns on an antenna heating device or other device to melt snow or frost accumulated on the receiver antenna upon detecting a loss of signal strength and a sufficiently low temperature.

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Westlake Village, CA, United States of America

James D Allen