Method and apparatus for receiving broadcast entertainment transmissions at a moving receiver station
US5990928A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 30, 1997 |
| Grant date | Nov 23, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 30, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04B7/18508
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The disclosure describes a moving receiver station capable of receiving broadcast entertainment signals from a first geostationary satellite associated with a first program provider, or from a second geostationary satellite associated with a second program provider. The receiver station is part of an aircraft and includes a tracking antenna and switching and control system that locks the tracking antenna on either the first or second satellite. The switching and control system receives position information, program attribute information and satellite coverage area information to determine when the aircraft is leaving one coverage area and entering another. The switching and control system switches the antenna to the second satellite when the aircraft enters the second coverage area, and limits the availability of received programming based on whether the aircraft is leaving the first coverage area or entering the second coverage area.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.