CN1367942A - Method and apparatus for optimally orienting satellite dish - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and apparatus for optimally orienting a satellite dish of a satellite television system to receive signals from more than one satellite. The satellite television system includes a satellite dish, a plurality of low noise block converters (LNBs), a receiver and a television set. The device generates an on-screen display with signal strength indications for more than one satellite. In operation, the user executes the dish adjustment software on the satellite receiver, and the receiver displays a graphical interface on the television screen. The interface includes a plurality of radio buttons, one for each satellite. In another embodiment of the present invention, a third radio button is provided to perform the fine adjustment process.

Description

Method and apparatus for optimally directional satellite dish antenna

public background

1. Field of invention

This invention relates to satellite television systems and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus for optimally orienting a satellite dish antenna for receiving signals from a plurality of satellites.

2. Description of prior art

A satellite television receiver system includes a satellite dish, a low noise block switch (LNB), a receiver, and a television. The satellite dish and LNB are far away from the receiver, for example, the dish and LNB are on the roof and the receiver is indoors. In order to point the dish at an appropriate satellite, the receiver generates an on-screen display. The display shows the received signal strength, enables one to adjust the antenna, and also produces a tone that varies with signal strength. Then, the user can point the antenna and move the antenna until a high pitched tone is heard. The user then views the relative signal strength, eg, a number between 0 and 100 that identifies received signal strength. This allows the dish to be aligned with the satellite.

The disadvantage of the first generation of satellite TV receiver systems was that the dish antenna received signals from a single satellite. More recent advanced satellite TV systems use an elliptical dish antenna with multiple LNBs that can receive signals from multiple satellites. However, orienting a dish to receive signals from multiple satellites is quite complicated. To date, no method has been developed for a user to optimally orient an elliptical satellite dish to receive signals from multiple satellites.

Therefore, in today's art, there is a need for a method and apparatus for optimally orienting a satellite dish to receive signals from multiple satellites.

Summary of the invention

The disadvantages associated with the prior art are overcome by a method and apparatus for optimally orienting a satellite dish in a satellite television system to receive signals from more than one satellite. A satellite television system consists of a satellite dish, low noise switches (LNBs), a receiver and a television. The device generates an on-screen display showing a signal strength display for more than one satellite. In operation, the user executes a dish orientation software on the satellite receiver, and the monitor on the receiver displays an interactive graphical display. The display includes a plurality of radio buttons, one for each satellite. Additionally, in another embodiment of the present invention, a third generation radio button is provided to facilitate the "fine tuning" process.

When a satellite radio button is selected, a first signal strength display (eg, a bar with a 0-100 range) shows the relative signal strength of the first satellite. Adjust the elevation and azimuth of the satellite dish to increase the signal strength. Once the signal strength reaches a level that allows the Forward Error Correction (FEC) process to lock, the text "Signal Locked" appears on the display. The user then selects the second radio button for the second satellite, and uses the second radio button to adjust the antenna angle until the "Signal Locked" text appears. Then select the first radio button to ensure the satellite signal strength is still locked. If the signal is not locked, the user must adjust the dish antenna to re-lock. Once both signals are locked, the receiver receives and demodulates the satellite signals from both satellites.

This embodiment adds a further radio button to fine tune the satellite signal strength to achieve a balance between the signals, ie to obtain equal signal strength for each satellite signal. In fine mode, the receiver automatically changes the satellite selection. In this way, the receiver switches periodically between satellites. This allows the user to "twist" the general pitch and azimuth adjustments during these periods to achieve maximum signal strength for each satellite.

Additionally, to assist the user in adjusting the dish, each signal strength display can be accompanied by a sound whose pitch/frequency increases with signal strength.

Brief description of the drawings

The present invention can be easily understood by reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the figure,

Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a satellite television system;

Figure 2 shows an on-screen display for optimal orientation of a satellite dish for a map system; and

Figure 3 shows a flow chart for optimally orienting a satellite dish according to the present invention.

For ease of understanding, the reference numerals used to identify the same elements in the figures are the same.

A detailed description

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a satellite television system 100 . The system 100 includes a plurality of satellites 102A and 102B, a satellite dish 104 , a plurality of low noise block converters 106A and 106B, a receiver 108 and a television 110 . To orient satellite dish 104 , the receiver detects the signal strength received by antenna 108 and displays the signal strength on television 110 within graphic display 120 . By adjusting the elevation and azimuth of the dish while monitoring the display 120, the user can optimally orient the dish 104 to monitor signals from multiple satellites.

Receiver 108 includes systems and subsystems for monitoring and displaying satellite programming. However, these parts of the receiver are not essential to the invention and are therefore not included in FIG. 1 . The portion of the receiver embodying the invention includes a signal detector 124 , a central processing unit (CPU) 112 , a memory 114 , I/O circuitry 116 , support circuitry 118 , and a display generator 122 . The signal detector 124 (eg, tuner) monitors the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the signal received on each satellite and generates a digital value representative of the SNR of the signal received by the dish antenna 104 . The SNB is assumed to be proportional to the signal power received by the dish antenna. The detected signal strength is sent to CPU 112 for display generation.

CPU 112 is comprised of memory 114 , I/O circuitry 116 and support circuitry 118 . Memory 114 random access memory, read only memory, removable memory device and mass storage. Memory 114 stores software routines executed by CPU 112 to generate on-screen displays used to facilitate satellite dish orientation. I/O circuitry 116 provides a well-known interface by which a user can enter information into receiver 108 by remote control. Support circuitry 118 includes well-known circuitry such as cache memory, clock circuits, power supplies, and the like. Receiver 108 also includes display generator 122 which generates graphics to aid the user in orienting satellite dish 104 for the on-screen display.

FIG. 2 shows an on-screen display 120 for assisting a user in orienting a satellite dish in a two-satellite system. The display 120 includes an operation selection area 208 , a first satellite information area 200 , a second satellite information area 202 , a fine tuning information area 204 , and a satellite positioning information area 206 .

Operation selection area 208 includes a series of selectable buttons to facilitate entry of information into the receiver. Button selection is performed through a control device such as an infrared remote control, panel buttons, wireless keyboard and mouse. Button 210 creates a request to the user to select the type of satellite dish they are using, ie, a multi-satellite dish or a single-satellite dish. If the user selects a dish antenna that can only receive signals from a single satellite, a prior art input screen for a single satellite tuning display is displayed to the user. The multi-satellite selection will display 120.

To identify a satellite's approach in space, users must enter their zip code, city, or latitude and longitude. This information is entered by selecting one of the buttons 212, 214 and 216 and entering the requested information.

Once all the information has been entered, the user selects the single table button 218 to return to the display 120 . The receiver uses the user's position information to look up a table for a position near the midline of the sky between the two satellites relative to the user's position. The centerline position information is displayed in the satellite position information area 206 . The user can use this information as a starting approximate pointing of the dish to the satellite. To assist the user, satellite dishes have azimuth (relative to the horizon) and elevation scales marked on the antenna mount.

To obtain precise dish orientation, the user selects a satellite radio button 220 or 222 associated with a satellite information field 200 or 202 . The satellite information area 200 to 222 includes a single field strength meter, a digital current signal strength value, a peak signal strength value, a sensor identification number, and signal lock indicating text. These displays are discussed below in conjunction with FIG. 3 . Suffice it to say that each zone is used to acquire a signal lock as the azimuth and elevation adjustments to the satellite dish are made.

Once a signal lock is obtained, the user may also select the fine tune radio button 224 to proceed with the fine tune process. The fine-tuning process automatically alternates between satellite selections. For example, it can be alternated every 4 seconds. When each satellite information field is active, the user can "twist" the dish orientation to optimize the signal strength for that "active" satellite. Repeated twists and turns of the dish orientation will result in optimum signal strength for both satellites.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a process 300 for optimally orienting a satellite dish of the present invention. Process 300 begins at step 302 and ends at step 304 . At step 304, the user selects the type of satellite dish to be used, ie, single or multiple satellite dish. If single, the process begins with a prior art single satellite dish orientation process 306 . In the case of multiple satellite dishes, the process goes from step 304 to step 308. At step 308, the user is prompted to enter his location information, ie to enter his zip code, city or latitude and longitude. At step 310, the user selects the Signal Meter button. At step 312, the user selects the satellite radio button associated with one of the satellites. At step 314, the user adjusts the orientation of the dish antenna so that the signal strength in the signal strength display increases. The adjustment process continues until the satellite information field indicates the position where the signal is locked. To facilitate adjustment by one person, the receiver produces a tone with a frequency or pitch that increases as the signal strength increases. In this way, the user can make adjustments without looking at the display.

At step 316, process 300 asks if the dish has been oriented to all satellites such that all satellite signals are locked. If all dishes are to be adjusted for other satellites, the routine begins at step 312 where the user selects another satellite's radio button and adjusts the dish until a lock is obtained.

Once all satellite signals are locked, the user may proceed to adjust the dish using steps 312, 314 and 316 to maximize the received signal strength from each satellite, and then exit along path 326. In effect, users want the "best compromise" from multiple signals. To begin the fine tuning process, the user selects the fine tune radio button at step 318 and begins the 300 process at step 320 . At step 320, the process periodically toggles through the satellite information field, and at step 322, the user adjusts the dish. The above-mentioned process is switched between satellites, for example, switched every 4 seconds. Thus, the user can maximize the signal strength of one satellite within 4 seconds, and then maximize the signal strength of another satellite within another 4 seconds, thus maximizing the signal strength received by all satellites. The above process ends at step 324 .

Briefly, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for orienting a satellite dish in a satellite television system so that the signal strength of multiple satellites can be received.

Although various embodiments incorporating the teachings of the present invention have been shown and described in detail, those skilled in the art can readily conceive of other and different embodiments incorporating the teachings of the present invention.

Claims (11)

1. a directed satellite dish antenna comes the method from a plurality of satellite received signals, comprises step:

Produce a screen display that comprises to the signal strength signal intensity table of each satellite;

From defend menu, select a particular satellite;

Adjust the angle of pitch and the azimuth of satellite dish antenna while the signal strength signal intensity table that monitors selected satellite; With

Select other satellites and while monitoring that the signal strength signal intensity table of selected satellite adjusts the teledish of satellite.

2. the method for claim 1 also comprises step:

Determining when that teledish is directed to makes receiver obtain locking to the signal of all satellites; With

Automatically changing satellite comes satellite dish antenna further directed.

3. the method for claim 2, the step of wherein changing satellite automatically are the cycle conversions.

4. satellite dish antenna of an orientation comes the device from a plurality of satellite received signals, comprising:

Be used for producing the device that comprises the screen display of the signal strength signal intensity table of each satellite;

Be used for from a satellite menu, selecting the device of a particular satellite;

Be used for while the definite angle of pitch and the azimuthal device of showing to adjust satellite dish antenna of the signal that monitors selected satellite; With

Select other satellites and while monitoring that the signal strength signal intensity table of selected satellite adjusts the device of satellite dish antenna.

5. the device of claim 4 also comprises step:

Be used for determining when that teledish is directed to the device that receiver is all locked the signal of all satellites; With

Be used on one side automatically between satellite the conversion device of orienting satellite dish shape antenna on one side.

6. the device of claim 5 is wherein automatically changed between satellite at the device of changing between the satellite periodically.

7. show on a screen, comprising:

A plurality of optional satellite informations district, each zone comprises a signal strength signal intensity table.

8. show on the screen of claim 7 that wherein each zone also comprises a semaphore lock indication.

9. the indication of claim 7 also comprises

A selectable accurate adjustment district.

10. show on the screen of claim 7, also comprise:

The satellite position information district that center line orientation between the satellite that is provided is provided.

11. demonstration also comprises an information input area on the screen of claim 7.

Images