Abstract:
A system and method for providing signals from a plurality of satellites to a plurality of receiving units is disclosed. The system and method of the present invention make efficient use of multi-switches to enable multiple receiving units to seamlessly alternate between channels of various satellite signals, and optionally between satellite signals and terrestrial antenna signals. In basic form, first and second receptors, such as DISH satellite LNBs, are connected to input ports of primary Digital Broadcast System multi-switches having multiple input ports and output ports. The output ports of the first such primary multi-switch are conductively connected to first input ports of at least two secondary multi-switches, and the output ports of the second such primary multi-switch are conductively connected to second input ports of the same secondary multi-switches. The outputs of the secondary multi-switches are provided to receiving units. The multi-switches are matched such that poling and circuitry components are compatible and enable the seamless alternation between channels originating from different signals.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The present invention relates to a system and method for providing satellite signals to multiple receiving units, and more specifically to a system and method for efficiently utilizing multi-switches to provide signals from a plurality of satellites to a plurality of receiving units such that transitions are transparent to viewers. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Traditionally, satellites for transmitting numerous television channels are stationed in orbit, generally over the equator, and remain substantially stationary with respect to the Earth. Signals from any single satellite may contain many channels, however, a signal from any one satellite will not contain all available broadcasts. Commonly, signals from as many as three or four satellites may be desirable to serve a single viewer or a single building complex. 
   Satellite signals are typically collected using a Digital Sky Highway antenna, or DISH antenna, aligned with the target satellite. DISH antennae are generally shaped parabolically to focus the signal at a focal point. A Low Noise Block (LNB) receptor is placed at the focal point of the DISH antenna to receive the radio wave signals and transform them into high frequency electrical signals. The signals are divided into two components; a horizontal component and a vertical component. 
   Various system configurations for transmitting signals from multiple satellites to multiple receiving units exist. Furthermore, local channels are often desired, and thus such systems include means for transmitting signals from a terrestrial antenna to the same receiving units. At high frequencies, signal splitters are undesirable due to substantial power loss. Therefore, many of these configurations require multiple DISH antennae, or other costly equipment. 
   The most basic system configuration for transmitting signals from a single satellite and a single terrestrial antenna to a single receiving unit is shown in Prior Art  FIG. 5 . The system  10  includes a DISH antenna  15  having an LNB  20 , and signal lines  25  connecting the LNB  20  to an AB switch  30 . The AB switch  30  is typically a slide switch which must be manually operated. A terrestrial antenna  35  also provides a signal via signal line  40  to AB switch  30 . The AB switch outputs a combined signal via line  45  which is decombined by decombiner  50 , and received by receiving unit  55 . This configuration is limited to providing signals to a single receiving unit, and must be manually switched between the satellite signal and the local signal. 
   This basic system is modified in Prior Art  FIG. 6  to allow a single receiving unit to receive signals from two satellites and local channels. A second DISH antenna  16  having LNB  17  is added to the system. The three signals are fed into an ABC switch  32 , which is typically a three-position slide switch. This system allows a single receiving unit to receive signals from two different satellites and local channels, however, the viewer still must manually switch between the two satellite signals and local channels. 
   System configurations for providing signals to multiple receiving units typically employ Digital Broadcast System (DBS) multi-switches having multiple input ports and either a single output port, or multiple output ports. DBS multi-switches are powered switches which have a poling cycle at which signals are sampled from different inputs. Caution must be taken to match the poling and circuitry characteristics of the multi-switches with the components of the system to produce desired results. 
   The Prior Art system shown in  FIG. 7  illustrates the transmission of two satellite signals to two different receiving units without the need for a manual switching device. A signal component from each DISH antenna is fed into an input of each multi-switch  60  and  65 . Both signal components are required in order to receive a usable signal, however, the signal from one signal component line is sent back up the same line and down the other line, enabled by power from the receiver. Thus, each multi-switch receives both signal components from both satellites. Adding further receiving units with such a system would require additional satellite DISH antennae. 
   Prior Art  FIG. 8  illustrates a system configuration which enables signals from two satellites to be received by up to four receiving units using only two DISH antennae, and without the need for manual switching. This system makes use of dual LNB receptors  70  and  75 . Satellite DISH antennae utilizing dual LNBs receive signals from two different satellites, and focus them to two dual LNB components respectively. Thus, each dual LNB has 4 signal component lines extending therefrom. 
   Prior Art  FIG. 9  illustrates a system configuration in which signals from three satellites are transmitted to up to four receiving units. The system uses three DISH antennae and a powered multi-switch  80  receiving power from an external power supply  85 . Adding more receiving units to this system requires further DISH antennae or other costly equipment. 
   Finally, Prior Art  FIG. 10  illustrates a system configuration in which signals from up to four satellites and one terrestrial antenna are fed into a multi-switch having nine input ports and eight output ports. Up to eight receiving units will receive signals from all sources, however, adding additional receiving units requires additional DISH antenna, and such large multi-switch units are costly. 
   Solutions for serving multiple receiving units have focused around additional DISH antennae and expensive multi-switches having multiple ports which require complicated circuitry. The greater the demands on the system, the more costly and complicated it becomes. Therefore, an efficient system and method for transmitting multiple signals to multiple receiving units in which the switching is transparent to the viewer would be desirable. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In view of the insufficiencies discussed above, it is an object of the present invention to provide an efficient system and method for transmitting multiple satellite signals, and optionally a terrestrial antenna signal, to multiple receiving units in such a manner that switching between signals is transparent to the viewer. 
   It is another objective of the present invention to provide a system and method for transmitting multiple satellite signals to multiple receiving units which reduces the need for duplicative DISH antennae. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system and method for transmitting multiple satellite signals to multiple receiving units which reduces the need for expensive equipment such as DBS multi-switches having numerous input and output ports. 
   It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a system and method for transmitting multiple satellite signals to multiple receiving units in which two satellite signals and optionally one terrestrial antenna signal are seamlessly transmitted to up to four receiving units using only two DISH antennae and minimizing the size and expense of required multi-switches. 
   It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a system and method for transmitting multiple satellite signals to multiple receiving units in which two satellite signals and optionally one terrestrial antenna signal are seamlessly transmitted to up to eight receiving units using two primary multi-switches with two, or optionally three, input ports and eight output ports. 
   It is still another object of the present invention to provide a system and method for transmitting multiple satellite signals to multiple receiving units in which signals from three satellites and optionally one terrestrial antenna are seamlessly transmitted to up to eight receiving units using two DISH antennae and two primary multi-switches with two, or optionally three, input ports and eight output ports. 
   It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a system and method for transmitting multiple satellite signals to multiple receiving units in which signals from three satellites and optionally one terrestrial antenna are seamlessly transmitted to up to a variable number of receiving units in which two of the three satellite signals are transmitted to each receiving unit, using three DISH antennae and three primary multi-switches with two, or optionally three, input ports and eight output ports. 
   It is additionally an object of the present invention to provide a system and method for transmitting multiple satellite signals to multiple receiving units in which one regular DISH antenna and one twin LNB are used, and two multi-switches are used. 
   It is finally another object of the present invention to provide a system and method for transmitting multiple satellite signals to multiple receiving units in which outputs from a primary set of multi-switches are fed into inputs of a secondary set of multi-switches such that the poling and circuitry characteristics of the secondary and primary multi-switches are compatible to allow seamless switching. 
   In view of the above objects, the system and method of the present invention, in basic form, includes at least two receptors for receiving signals from at least two satellites. The signals are divided into two components, usually a horizontal component and a vertical component. The components of one of the signals are fed into the input ports of a first primary DBS multi-switch, and the components of the other signal are fed into the input ports of a second primary DBS multi-switch. Optionally, a terrestrial antenna signal is also fed into another input port of each of the primary multi-switches. These primary multi-switches are preferably provided with power via external power supplies. The outputs of the primary multi-switches are each fed to a secondary multi-switch such as a switch having two input ports and one output port each. 
   DBS multi-switches are designated by the number of input ports and output ports present by following the letters “SW” with a first digit representing the number of input ports, and a second digit representing the number of output ports. For example, an SW21 has two input ports and one output port. An SW34 has three input ports and four output ports. 
   Thus, the primary multi-switches described above may be SW24 or SW34 switches, and the secondary switches may be SW21 switches. Each secondary multi-switch receives one output from each of the primary multi-switches. The output of each secondary switch is fed to a receiver, the line optionally having a decombiner prior to the receiver if a terrestrial antenna signal is included in order to separate the terrestrial signal from the satellite signals. 
   The result of the configuration of the present invention is that the switching between satellite signals, and between satellite signals and terrestrial signal is transparent to the viewer, allowing for seamless transitions. 
   Heretofore, it has not been known that the poling and circuitry characteristics of various DBS multi-switches would be compatible in such a way that they could be combined in the manner disclosed by the present invention. However, if DBS switches are selected in such a manner that such compatibility is achieved, such a system allows for an efficient and cost effective solution for providing multiple satellite signals to multiple receiving units. 
   Other embodiments consistent with the principles of the present invention include but are not limited to the following: First, the use of SW28 or SW38 switches as primary switches and SW21 switches as secondary switches allows signals from two satellites and optionally one terrestrial antenna to be seamlessly distributed to up to eight receiving units. Second, the use of a twin LNB along with a regular LNB in conjunction with SW28 or SW38 primary switches and SW21 secondary switches allows signals from three different satellites and optionally one terrestrial antenna signal to be seamlessly distributed to up to eight receiving units. Furthermore, the use of three LNBs, three SW28 or SW38 primary switches, and SW21 secondary switches allows for three satellite signals and optionally one terrestrial signal to be distributed in combinations of two satellite signals and optionally one terrestrial signal to a variable number of receiving units depending on desired configuration. Finally, one embodiment of the present invention involves one twin LNB and one regular LNB being fed directly to two SW 21  switches to allow seamless distribution of three satellite signals to two receiving units. 
   It is contemplated that the principles of the present invention can be extended to numerous configurations and variations in order to create various solutions. 
   Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the following drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1A  is a schematic component diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 1B  is a schematic component diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2A  is a schematic component diagram of a third embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2B  is a schematic component diagram of a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3A  is a schematic component diagram of a fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3B  is a schematic component diagram of a sixth embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4A  is a schematic component diagram of a seventh embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4B  is a schematic component diagram of a eighth embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic component diagram of a prior art system for providing signals to a receiving unit. 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic component diagram of another prior art system for providing signals to a receiving unit. 
       FIG. 7  is a schematic component diagram of yet another prior art system for providing signals to a receiving unit 
       FIG. 8  is a schematic component diagram of a further prior art system for providing signals to a receiving unit. 
       FIG. 9  is a schematic component diagram of a yet a further prior art system for providing signals to a receiving unit. 
       FIG. 10  is a schematic component diagram of still a further prior art system for providing signals to a receiving unit. 
       FIG. 11  is a schematic component diagram of a ninth embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspects of the invention to the embodiments illustrated. 
   A system  100  for providing signals from a plurality of satellites to a plurality of receiving units is disclosed. First and second receptors  110  are provided for receiving first and second satellite signals, respectively. The receptors  110  are preferably Low Noise Block components (LNBs) which are placed at or near the focal point of a parabolic satellite DISH to optimize reception of a satellite signal, however, it is contemplated that any suitable receptor component capable of receiving a satellite signal could be utilized. Furthermore, it is contemplated that two separate LNB components could be replaced by a dual LNB component, thus eliminating the need for one DISH antenna. Thus, when separate receptors are referred to herein, such terms are defined to encompass a dual LNB component. 
   First and second signal component lines  120  are provided in order to create conductive paths from the first and second satellite signals to input ports  130  of first and second primary multi-switches  140 , respectively. By signal component line and conductive path, it is meant any conductive element capable of transmitting a signal, including possible further components being placed within the path. It is contemplated and within the scope of the invention that such lines or conductive paths may include amplifiers, and maybe extended over a portion of a building and tapped before connecting to an input port  130 . Furthermore, all terms which reference “lines,” as used herein, including but not limited to signal component lines, transmission lines, output lines, and conductive paths, are defined to include within the scope of their definition a wireless path, so long as a signal is transmitted in usable form from a starting point to an ending point. Such a wireless path is contemplated to be implemented via wireless audio/video senders, transmitters, and receivers, or any other suitable components. It is also to be understood that any additional components within the “lines,” as defined herein are included within the definition of the above terms, as additional components within a line remains within the contemplated and claimed scope of the present invention. 
   Preferably, the signal component lines  120  transmit vertical and horizontal components of the signal via coaxial or other suitable cable. Primary multi-switches  140  may be any suitable DBS multi-switch, including but not limited to SW24, SW34, SW28, SW38, SW98, or any other suitable DBS multi-switch. In one preferred embodiment, primary multi-switches  140  are SW24, or optionally SW34 switches. 
   Primary multi-switches  140  are preferably externally powered by power supplies  150 . In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of signal transmission lines  160  extend from output ports  170  to provide a conductive paths such that a first line  160  provides a path from a first output port  170  of a first primary multi-switch  140  to a first input port  180  of a first secondary multi-switch  190 , a second signal transmission line  160  provides a conductive path from a second output port  170  of the first primary multi-switch  140  to a first input port  180  of a second secondary multi-switch  190 , a third signal transmission line  160  provides a conductive path from a first output port  170  of the second primary multi-switch  140  to a second input port  180  of the first secondary multi-switch  190 , and a fourth signal transmission line  160  provides a conductive path from a second output port  170  of the second primary multi-switch  140  to a second input port  180  of the second secondary multi-switch  190 . 
   A first additional line  195  provides a conductive path from an output port  200  of the first secondary multi-switch  190  to a first receiving unit  210 , and a second additional line  195  provides a conductive path from an output port  200  of the second secondary multi-switch  190  to a second receiving unit  210 . 
   The primary multi-switches  140  and secondary multi-switches  190  must be selected such that poling cycles and circuitry characteristics of the secondary multi-switches  190  are compatible with the primary multi-switches  140 , and wherein the receiving units  210  are enabled to seamlessly alternate between the first and second satellite signals. 
   Preferably, the pattern of the configuration is extended, as shown in  FIG. 1A , such that two satellite signals are distributed to up to four receiving units  210 . It is further contemplated that lines  160  and lines  195  are any suitable conductive elements, and include optional inclusion of additional components, such additional components being considered part of the line or conductive path. Receiving units  210  are preferably receivers or decoders for use with a television set or other viewing device. 
   In another preferred embodiment, a terrestrial antenna receptor  300  provides a signal to an additional input port  130  of each of the primary multi-switches  140 . In this embodiment, decombiners  310  for separating the satellite signals from the terrestrial antenna signal is included in output lines  195 . A splitter  320  may be used to divide the terrestrial signal into two lines for feeding into the additional input ports  130 . 
   In a further preferred embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 2A , primary multi-switches  140  are SW28 or SW38 switches such that two satellite signals and optionally one terrestrial signal are seamlessly distributed to up to eight receiving units  210 . 
   In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , one of the receptors  110  is replaced with a twin receptor unit  330 . The twin receptor unit is a component which receives signals from two different satellites, and includes an internal switching mechanism. In such an embodiment, the internal switching mechanism and the primary and secondary multi-switches  140  and  190  must be compatible to allow for seamless switching between signals. In this embodiment, three satellite signals, and optionally one terrestrial signal are seamlessly distributed to up to eight receiving units  210 . 
   In yet a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, a system  100  for providing signals from a plurality of satellites to a plurality of receiving units  210  comprises a first receptor  110  for receiving a first signal from a first satellite, a second receptor  110  for receiving a second signal from a second satellite, a third receptor  110  for receiving a third signal from a third satellite, a first, second, and third primary multi-switch  140  each having a plurality of input ports  130  and a plurality of output ports  170 , two signal component lines  120  extending from each of the receptors  110  providing conductive paths to respective input ports  130  of the primary multi-switches  140 . Both signal component lines  120  from each of the receptors  110  are connected to the input ports  130  of a respective single primary multi-switch  140 . A set of at least two secondary multi-switches  190  each has a plurality of input ports  180  and at least one output port  200 . A first transmission line  160  provides a conductive path from a first output port  170  of a first primary multi-switch  140  to a first input port  180  of a first secondary multi-switch  190 . A second transmission line  160  provides a conductive path from a second output port  170  of the first primary multi-switch  140  to a first input port  180  of a second secondary multi-switch  190 . A third transmission line  160  provides a conductive path from a first output port  170  of a second primary multi-switch  140  to a second input port  180  of the first secondary multi-switch  140 . A fourth transmission line provides a conductive path from a first output port  170  of the third primary multi-switch  140  to a second input port  180  of the second secondary multi-switch  190 . A first output line  195  provides a conductive path from at least one output port  200  of the first secondary multi-switch  190  to a first receiving unit  210 , and a second output line  195  provides a conductive path from at least one output port  200  of the second secondary multi-switch  190  to a second receiving unit  210 . Again, the poling cycles and circuitry characteristics of the secondary multi-switches  190  must be compatible with the primary multi-switches. In this embodiment, the first receiving unit  210  is enabled to seamlessly alternate between the first and second satellite signals, and the second receiving unit is enabled to seamlessly alternate between the first and third satellite signals. 
   Optionally extending this embodiment, a fifth transmission line  160  provides a conductive path from a second output port  170  of the second primary multi-switch  140  to a first input port  180  of a third secondary multi-switch  190 , and a sixth transmission line  160  provides a conductive path from a second output port  170  of the third primary multi-switch  140  to a second input port  180  of the third secondary multi-switch  190 . A third output line  195  provides a conductive path from at least one output port  200  of the third secondary multi-switch  190  to a third receiving unit  210 , wherein the third receiving unit  210  is enabled to seamlessly alternate between the second and third satellite signals. A terrestrial antenna signal can optionally be added to this embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 4B . 
   Still another embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 , includes a first receptor  110  for receiving a first signal from a first satellite, a twin receptor unit  330  for receiving a second signal from a second satellite and a third signal from a third satellite wherein the twin receptor unit  330  comprises an internal switching mechanism, a first and a second multi-switch  400  each having a first and second input port  410  and an output port  420 , a first signal component line  430  providing a conductive path from the twin receptor unit  330  to the first input port  410  of the first multi-switch  400 , a second signal component line  430  providing a conductive path from the twin receptor unit  330  to the first input port  410  of the second multi-switch  400 , a third signal component line  430  providing a conductive path from the first receptor  110  to the second input port  410  of the first multi-switch  400 , a fourth signal component line  430  providing a conductive path from the first receptor  110  to the second input port  410  of the second multi-switch  400 , and output lines  440  providing conductive paths from each of the output ports  420  to receiving units  210 , wherein poling cycles and circuitry characteristics of the multi-switches  400 , and the internal switching mechanism are compatible, and wherein said receiving units  210  are enabled to seamlessly alternate between the first, second, and third satellite signals. 
   In the method of the present invention, the system, in its various embodiments as described above, is provided. The variations of the system are equally applicable to the method for providing signals from a plurality of satellites to a plurality of receiving units of the present invention. 
   As such, a method for providing signals from a plurality of satellites to a plurality of receiving units is disclosed comprising the steps of providing a first receptor for receiving a first signal from a first satellite, providing a second receptor for receiving a second signal from a second satellite, providing a set of primary multi-switches each having a plurality of input ports and a plurality of output ports, providing two signal component lines extending from each of said receptors to provide conductive paths to respective ones of said input ports of said primary multi-switches, wherein both signal component lines from each of said receptors are connected to the input ports of a respective single one of said primary multi-switches, providing a set of secondary multi-switches each having a plurality of input ports and at least one output port, providing at least two transmission lines which provide conductive paths from at least two of said output ports of a first one of said primary multi-switches each to a first one of said input ports of different ones of said secondary multi-switches, providing at least two additional transmission lines which provide conductive paths from at least two of said output ports of a second one of said primary multi-switches each to a second one of said input ports of said different ones of said secondary multi-switches, and providing output lines from each of said at least one output port of said secondary multi-switches which provide conductive paths to each of a plurality of receiving units, wherein poling cycles and circuitry characteristics of said secondary multi-switches are compatible with said primary multi-switches, and wherein said receiving units are enabled to seamlessly alternate between said first and second satellite signals. 
   As discussed, the optional elements and further embodiments as described above with respect to the system of the present invention are incorporated into the method of the present invention by providing each of the components or elements as indicated above. 
   While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention, and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying claims.