Abstract:
The present invention solves the above problems by attaching a cellular phone receiver to the set-top-box. This cellular phone receiver has a modem to transmit data between the subscriber&#39;s box and a cellular network. The cellular network may relay the data to the pay-television distributor. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to television converter devices. More specifically, the invention provides a method and apparatus for wirelessly communicating to a television converter device.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The prior art includes various devices which can be used to receive pay-television signals. Pay television service involves a pay television distributor sending television signals to subscribers. These subscribers are given or pay for a television converter. Television converters are commonly known as cable boxes or satellite television set-top-boxes. These boxes receive and decode the pay-television signal for authorized display on a television set or monitor.  
         [0003]     Many of the pay-television distributors need to receive communications from set-top-boxes. Communications may include pay-per-view purchase records or other types of information. These communications may be shown on the television or may affect the operation of the set-top-box.  
         [0004]     Many current pay-television systems utilize a phone line connected to the set-top-box. The phone line acts as a communications pathway between the pay-television distributor and the subscriber. It is desirable to provide an alternative communications pathway where a phone line is not available or not connected. Sometimes the subscriber installs the television system or set-top-box where a phone line is not available. In recent years, many people have switched exclusively to wireless or cellular phones and may not have a residential telephone line to communicate to the pay-television distributor. In other installations, the subscriber fails to or forgets to connect the phone line. In some situations, the subscriber may simply refuse to install the phone line. Thus, there exists a need to provide a communications pathway between the subscriber and the pay-television distributor that does not rely on a landline phone. There also exists a need for a communications pathway between the set-top-box to the pay-television distributor that cannot be inadvertently or intentionally disconnected by a subscriber.  
         [0005]     Some subscribers who do not have access to a landline phone line may nevertheless also wish to connect a landline telephone unit for use with this alternative communications pathway. A need therefore exists to permit the use of a subscriber&#39;s conventional landline telephone unit via the alternative communications pathway.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention solves the above problems by attaching a wireless phone device and antenna to the set-top-box. This wireless phone system transmits data between the subscriber&#39;s box and a wireless network. The cellular network may relay the data to the pay-television distributor. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]      FIG. 1  is a high level block diagram of a system using a television converter and a wireless device of an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  is a high level block diagram of a television converter of an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0009]      FIG. 3  illustrates one embodiment of a wireless back channel.  
         [0010]      FIG. 4  illustrates another embodiment of a wireless back channel.  
         [0011]      FIG. 5  illustrates yet another embodiment of a wireless back channel.  
         [0012]      FIG. 6  illustrates the logical steps of one embodiment of a method for utilizing a wireless back channel.  
         [0013]      FIG. 7  illustrates the logical steps of a second embodiment of a method for utilizing a wireless back channel.  
         [0014]      FIG. 8  is a high level block diagram of a system using a television converter, wireless device and an attached telephone base station of an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
       [0015]     For clarification, the drawings use a nomenclature for reference numerals that has two parts. The first part of the reference numeral is the drawing number, and it is followed by the second part, a two digit identifier (drawing  1  uses  1   xx ; drawing  3  uses  3   xx ). For example, two reference numerals in drawing  1  may be “ 102 ” and “ 104 .” A reference numeral in one drawing may be referred to in subsequent drawings; the same reference numeral in later drawings refers to the same item.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]     In this specification, the present invention will be described using methods and systems related to subscriber satellite television service. This specific description is not meant to limit the invention to that one embodiment. The present invention may also be applicable to cable television systems, broadcast television systems or other television systems. The present invention is also described in terms of digital video recording (DVR) devices. The present invention may also be applicable to digital-versatile-disc (DVD) recording devices or other television recording devices. One skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention can apply elsewhere.  
         [0017]     As a general matter, the disclosure uses the term “signal.” One skilled in the art will recognize that the signal may be any digital or analog signal. Those signals may include, but are not limited to, a bit, a specified set of bits, an A/C signal, or a D/C signal. Uses of the term “signal” in the description may include any of these different interpretations. It will also be understood to one skilled in the art that the term “connected” is not limited to a physical connection but can refer to any means of communicatively or operatively coupling two devices.  
         [0018]     As another general matter, the disclosure uses the terms “television converter,” “receiver,” “set-top-box,” “television receiving device,” “television receiver,” “television recording device,” “satellite set-top-box,” “satellite receiver,” “cable set-top-box,” “cable receiver,” and “television tuner” to refer interchangeably to a converter device or electronic equipment that has the capacity to acquire, process and distribute one or more television signals transmitted by broadcast, cable, telephone or satellite distributors. “Digital video recorder (DVR)” and “personal video recorder (PVR)” refer interchangeably to devices that can digitally record and play back television signals and that may implement trick functions including, but not limited to, fast-forward, rewind and pause. As set forth in this specification and the figures pertaining thereto, DVR and PVR functionality or devices may be combined with a television converter. The signals transmitted by these broadcast, cable, telephone or satellite distributors may include, individually or in any combination, internet, radio, television or telephonic data or information. One skilled in the art will recognize that a television converter device may be implemented as an external self-enclosed unit, a plurality of external self-enclosed units or as an internal unit housed within a television. One skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention can apply to analog and digital satellite set-top-boxes.  
         [0019]     As yet another general matter, it will be understood by one skilled in the art that the term “television” refers to a television set or video display that may contain an integrated television converter device (e.g., an internal cable-ready television tuner housed inside a television) or, alternatively, that is connected to an external television converter device (e.g., an external set-top-box connected via cabling to a television). A further example of an external television converter device is the EchoStar Dish PVR 721, Part Number 106525, combination satellite set-top-box and PVR. For the remainder of this disclosure, specific embodiments will be described using a television converter device that implements satellite technology.  
         [0020]     Finally, as a general matter, it should be understood that satellite television signals may be very different from broadcast television or other types of signals. Satellite signals may include multiplexed, packetized, and modulated digital signals. Once multiplexed, packetized and modulated, one analog satellite transmission may carry digital data representing several television stations or service providers. Some examples of service providers include HBO™, CSPAN™, ABC™, CBS™, or ESPN™. In satellite television, a service provider can also be compared to a “channel.” 
         [0021]     The term “channel,” as used in this description, carries a different meaning from its normal connotation. In broadcast television, different analog signals of a television station may be carried on a carrier frequency and its sub-channels. A tuner in a television may then acquire and process these signals. In broadcast television, the term channel has thus become synonymous with the sub-channel or the station on that sub-channel. The normal connotation of the term “channel” is therefore not always appropriate to describe satellite television transmissions where multiple stations may be multiplexed onto a single carrier frequency. Satellite television distributors, however, may organize the satellite data into a group of different “virtual channels.” These virtual channels give the impression that the satellite television programs are placed in normal channels that are organized by service provider. This impression may assist user operation of the satellite set-top-box since it models an analog television or analog receiving device. The virtual channels may appear in the electronic program guide (EPG) data and the user may choose programming by selecting a virtual channel. For instance, the user can select HBO, which may be on virtual channel  300 , or CSPAN, which may be on virtual channel  210 . These service providers or virtual channels are not necessarily carried in the same signal being sent from the same satellite. EPG data may come from a service provider (e.g., HBO), content provider (e.g., Disney), a third party (e.g., TV Guide) or from another outside entity.  
         [0022]     Thus, in satellite television service a channel may not be the same as in broadcast television service. Rather, channels may be more properly termed service providers in satellite television service. The term “channel” will be used in this description to describe the service providers and the virtual channels they may occupy.  
         [0023]      FIG. 1  presents an embodiment of a home entertainment system  102  that includes a television converter device  100  in the form of a satellite set-top-box. Generally, the satellite set-top-box  100  may receive one or more television signals from a cable television distributor (not shown), from a broadcast television distributor (not shown) or from a satellite television distributor  104 . As a preferred embodiment, home entertainment system  102  receives signals from satellite television distributor  104 . One skilled in the art will recognize that set-top-box  100  may also receive video-digital subscriber line (DSL), DSL, Internet, wireless and other signals from content or video distributors. The satellite set-top-box  100  may process television signals and may send the processed signals to peripheral electronic devices, such as a monitor or television  120 . The satellite set-top-box  100  also may accept commands from a remote control  126  or other peripheral electronic devices. More detail about the functionality of the satellite set-top-box  100  is provided below.  
         [0024]     To further describe the home entertainment system, embodiments relating to receiving satellite television signals will be explained in more detail. A satellite television distributor  104  may transmit one or more satellite television signals  128  to one or more satellites  106 . Satellite television distributors may utilize several satellites  106  to relay the satellite television signals to a subscriber. Each satellite  106  may have several transponders. Transponders transmit the signal  130  from the satellite to the subscriber. For example, these signals  130  may be transmitted at a frequency of 2150 Mhz.  
         [0025]     A transponder may also polarize the transmitted signal  130  in several ways. One form of polarization in satellite transmissions is circular polarization. For example, transponders of satellite  106  may transmit two signals (together as signal  130 ) on the same transponder, one signal that is right-hand polarized and another signal that is left-hand polarized. In other words, two signals may be simultaneously transmitted with opposite polarizations. The opposite polarizations may prevent interference. One skilled in the art will recognize that other ways of polarizing signals are possible.  
         [0026]     The polarized signals can be received at satellite communication device  108 . The satellite communication device  108  may include one or more of the components that follow. One component of satellite communication device  108  may be a satellite dish. A satellite dish can focus the signal on one or more low-noise block filters (LNBF), also referred to as low-noise block down converters (LNBDC). The LNBFs may de-polarize and initially process the signal. This initial processing may include filtering noise from the signal and down-converting the signal. Down-conversion is sometimes required to transmit the signal  110  through certain cables, such as coaxial cables. The signal  110  arrives at the television converter device  100  via cabling. One skilled in the art will recognize that other methods and other systems of delivering the satellite signal  110  to the satellite set-top-box  100  may be possible.  
         [0027]     A common connection to television converter device  100  and home entertainment system  102  is a phone line (explained below). However, embodiments of television converter device  100 , in accordance with the present invention, may not include or use a landline phone connection. In a preferred embodiment, the television converter device  100  may instead use a wireless antenna  112  and a wireless device  118  that can receive or send signals  132  to a wireless phone tower  134 . The wireless phone tower  134  may relay the signals  132  to a wireless telecommunications network (not shown) that may then send the signals  132  to satellite television distributor  104 . In a preferred embodiment, a two-way data-capable wireless communication device such as a cellular phone or similar electronics may be used for the wireless device  118 . The wireless device  118  may include a data capable cellular modem or other data capable device. Two examples of wireless devices  118  are the Motorola StarTac 8600 or the Nokia 7160 cellular telephones. The wireless device  118  can be used by the television converter  100  to communicate with one or more of the pay-television distributors. These communications may include requesting pay-per-view programming, reporting of purchases (for example, pay-per-view purchases), obtaining updates to subscriber programming, receiving updates to software on the satellite set-top-box  100 . One skilled in the art will recognize that there may be other uses for this wireless connection. One skilled in the art will also recognize that the phone line (not shown) and the combination of the wireless device  118  and antenna  112  are not mutually exclusive connections to the set-top-box  100 . In other embodiments, the set-top-box  100  may include both a phone line and the combination of a wireless device  118  and wireless antenna  112 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 2  provides a high level block diagram for the satellite television converter device  100 ,  200  with DVR functionality in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0029]     The signal  110 ,  204  that arrives at the satellite set top box  200  may undergo extensive processing. The television converter  200  may include one or more tuner devices  206  that may receive a satellite signal  204 . In this embodiment, tuner device  206  acquires a satellite signal  204  from satellite television distributor  104 . Tuner device  206  may initially process the satellite signal  204 . Tuner device  206  may also receive subscriber commands in the form of signals from control electronics unit  202 . Signals from control electronics unit  202  may include, but is not limited to, a signal to tune to a transponder as part of the process of selecting a certain channel for viewing on a peripheral device. One skilled in the art would recognize that the tuner device  206  may include fewer, more, or different components.  
         [0030]     After receiving the signal  204 , one of the first steps may be to demodulate  208  the signal  204 . The signal  204  may arrive as an analog signal that “carries” data (e.g., data is modulated onto the analog signal). Demodulation  208  may be accomplished by reversing the modulation process. Modulation can be done in several ways. Modulation may include amplitude modulation (AM) or frequency modulation (FM). If the carried data is digital, modulation methods include, but are not limited to, biphase-shift keying (BPSK), quadraphase-shift keying (QPSK), or eight-phase shift keying (8PSK). One skilled in the art will recognize that other methods of modulating and demodulating the signal  204  may be possible. Another one of the first steps may also be to error check  208  signal  204 . One example of error checking  208  is forward error-checking. Forward error-checking (FEC)  208  may include, but is not limited to, inspecting parity bit or bits that may accompany signal  204 . One skilled in the art will recognize that many methods for error checking are possible. For the purposes of discussion, an embodiment using digital data will be discussed below. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that systems with analog data or combined analog and digital data are also possible and contemplated herein.  
         [0031]     In this embodiment, satellite set-top-box  200  contains control electronics unit  202  that receives satellite signal  204 . One skilled in the art will recognize that control electronics  202  may receive other signals, including, but not limited to, signals from a cable or broadcast television distributor. One example of a control electronics unit  202  is the STMicroelectronics STi5517 Low-Cost Interactive Set-top Box Decoder, Part No. 7424736A. In a preferred embodiment, control electronics unit  202  includes discrete electronic components combined into a single circuit with a shared bus  210 . In other embodiments, control electronics unit  202  may be configured differently. For example, one or more of the control electronics unit  202  components in set-top-box  200  may be combined or omitted. The control electronics unit  202  may use a custom ASIC, such as from the LSILogic G11 family, or FPGA, such as from the Altera Stratix™ family. As a further example, one or more of the control electronics unit  202  components in set-top-box  200  may not share a bus  210 , but may nonetheless be operatively connected by some other means. One skilled in the art will recognize that other configurations of set-top-box  200  and control electronics unit  202  are possible and within the scope of this invention. One skilled in the art will further recognize that some components of set-top-box  200  and control electronics unit  202  may be implemented in hardware or software. The control electronics unit  202  may operate under the control of a software program, firmware program, or some other program stored in memory or control logic. One skilled in the art will also recognize that the control electronics unit  202  may include other electronic components or structures to mediate or process signals.  
         [0032]     Control electronics unit  202  may contain one or more central-processing-units (CPUS)  212  or processors. A preferred embodiment of control electronics unit  202  contains a single CPU  212  that is operatively connected to the shared bus. In one embodiment, CPU  212  may be used, among other things, for logical operations for set-top-box  200  functions including, but not limited to, channel selection, recording control, EPG display and control and system maintenance. Examples of commercially available CPUs  212  include the STMicroelectronics Enhanced ST20 32-bit VL-RISC, Motorola 68000 or Intel Pentium processors. One skilled in the art will recognize that the CPU  212  may be integrated with memory or other discrete electronics components.  
         [0033]     Control electronics unit  202  may also contain one or more volatile memory components  214 . Volatile memory components  214  may include, but are not limited to, one or more SDRAM memory chips. Similarly, control electronics unit  202  may contain non-volatile memory components  216 . Non-volatile memory  216  may include one or more memory chips, including, but not limited to, ROM, SRAM, SDRAM and Flash ROM. One skilled in the art will recognize that volatile memory  214  and non-volatile memory  216  may be integrated within other electronics components. One skilled in the art will also recognize that other memory components may be included within set-top-box  200  and control electronics unit  202 . One skilled in the art will recognize that memory  214 ,  216  may be used for many purposes, including, but not limited to, storing EPG data and storing data for use by CPU  212 .  
         [0034]     In a preferred embodiment, signal  204  is in digital form (e.g., a digital stream) after demodulation and error correction. For example, digital stream  204  may use, but is not limited to using, the digital video broadcasting (DVB) transport standard. The digital stream  204  may be multiplexed and therefore require demultiplexing by XPORT Engine  222 . Demultiplexing, or demuxing, may include separating the bits of data into separate digital data streams. The digital streams may be packetized. Thus, the multiplexing of the separate digital data streams may not be bit-by-bit but packet-by-packet. The packet size may vary or may be constant. After demuxing  222  the packets, the separate digital data streams may be reassembled by placing related packets together in a continuous data stream  204 .  
         [0035]     Each of the separate digital data streams may also be encoded. Encoding is a method for representing data. Encoding may allow the data to be compressed. Compression can provide the system with increased bandwidth. One skilled in the art will recognize that several different encoding formats are possible. In satellite television, encoding formats may include the MPEG or MPEG2 standards. Beyond the raw data, the separate digital data streams may include forward error correction, headers, checksums, or other information. All of this different information may be included in the digital television signal  204  processed by the satellite set-top-box  100 . Control electronics unit  202  may therefore include one or more video processing units  218  that, among other video processing operations, may decode encoded signal  204 . In a preferred embodiment, video processing unit  218  may include, but is not limited to, a graphics processor, MPEG-2 decoder and a display compositor with separate on-screen display (OSD) control for peripheral devices. One skilled in the art will recognize that video processing unit  218  may also include other electronics, including, but not limited to, alpha blending, antialiasing, antiflutter and antiflicker filters, memory and video-rendering components.  
         [0036]     Another discrete electronic component of control electronics unit  202  may be a video encoder unit  220 . Video encoder unit  220  may work in combination with or independently from video processing unit  218 . Video encoding unit  220  may encode digital stream  204  for output to one or more peripheral devices, including, but not limited to, a television. For example, video encoding unit  220  may encode digital stream  204  for RGB, CVBS, Y/C and YUV outputs. Encoding may allow program data to be compressed. As a preferred embodiment, video encoder  220  may translate digital stream into a signal using the NTSC, PAL or SECAM standards. One skilled in the art will recognize that video encoder unit  220  may include other functionality, may be integrated into other electronic components of satellite set-top-box  200 , and may encode digital stream  204  using other standards, including, but not limited to, MPEG and MPEG2.  
         [0037]     Control electronics unit  202  may also include one or more hard drive interfaces  226  and hard drives  232 . In a preferred embodiment, television converter device  200  contains one hard drive interface  226  and hard drive  232 . Hard drive  232  may be used for many purposes, including, but not limited to, storing recorded programs, buffering currently-playing programs (e.g., buffering a program may allow a user to pause or rewind a program), storing EPG data, storing commands or functions for the control electronics unit  202 , storing timers or record events, and storing data for other devices within or connected to the satellite set-top-box  200 . As another example, hard drive  232  may be used to temporarily store data for processing by CPU  212 . In this example, the hard drive  232  may allow the processor  212  to separate EPG data arriving as part of digital stream  208 . One skilled in the art will recognize that other storage devices and interfaces may be substituted for hard drive interface  226  and hard drive  232  and are within the scope of this invention. One skilled in the art will also recognize that hard drive interface  226  and hard drive  232  may separately or together include an integrated memory (e.g., a memory buffer, commonly known referred to as cache) and additional processing components or logic. One skilled in the art will also recognize that hard drive interface  226  may be integrated into peripheral interface  224  (described below). Finally, one skilled in the art will recognize that hard drive  232  may be external and connected to satellite set-top-box  200 . For example, an external hard drive  232  may be connected to satellite set-top-box  200  using USB 2.0 or IEEE 1394 (FireWire) connections. Such an external hard drive may include a screen for portable viewing of programming stored on it.  
         [0038]     An audio processing unit  228  may also be part of the control electronics unit  202 . Audio processing unit  228  may decode the digital stream  204  for output to peripheral devices, including, but not limited to, a stereo, television speakers or portable audio or video players. For example, audio processing unit  228  may decode MPEG-1 layers I/II and layer III, Dolby Digital, Dolby ProLogic, SRS/TruSurround encoded audio in digital stream  204 . Audio processing unit  228  may include one or more processors, memory components or digital to audio converter (DAC) systems. One skilled in the art will recognize that other audio processing components and functionality may be accomplished using audio processing unit  228 .  
         [0039]     A satellite set-top-box  200  may be connected to one or more peripheral electronic devices through peripheral interface  224 . These peripheral devices may include a stereo (not shown), television  230 , smart card  236 , VCR (not shown), or other devices. In a preferred embodiment, home entertainment system  102  minimally contains, but is not limited to, a television  230  and smart card  236 . Television  230  may serve many purposes, including, but not limited to, displaying television programming, displaying the EPG, displaying timer conflicts, and displaying other types of data, graphics and programming. Peripheral devices may receive and/or send signals from the satellite set-top-box  200 . For instance, the television  230  may receive video and audio signals and a stereo may receive only audio signals. A camcorder (not shown), on the other hand, may send video or audio signals to the satellite set-top-box  100  or receive audio and video signals from the set-top-box to record. As another example, peripheral interface  224  may include a processor or other electronic components to permit an interface to content security devices such as an external “smart card.” In this example, peripheral interface  224  may then encrypt or decrypt content for output to other peripheral devices. Thus, peripheral interface  224  may perform one or more functions for multiple peripheral devices, including, but not limited to, the synchronous or asynchronous transfer of data between different peripheral devices (e.g., decrypting content using a smart card peripheral device and outputting decrypted content to a television at the same time). One skilled in the art will recognize that the peripheral devices may include many types of commercially available electronic devices.  
         [0040]     The home entertainment system  102  may also include a remote control  126 ,  234  peripheral device, also sometimes referred to as a remote. The remote control  234  may be used to send commands to the satellite set-top-box  200 . The remote control  234  may send commands via a wireless connection using, for example, infrared or UHF transmitters within the remote control  234 . One example of an embodiment of a remote controller  234  is the EchoStar Technologies Corporation 721 Platinum Plus Remote, Part Number 121150, that includes an IR transmitter and an ultra high frequency (UHF) transmitter. The remote control  234  may be able to send signals to other peripheral electronic devices that form part of the home entertainment system  102 , including, but not limited to, a television, stereo, VCR, or DVD player. The set-top-box  200  may also be able to send signals to the remote control  234 , including, but not limited to, signals to configure the remote control  234  to operate other peripheral devices in home entertainment system  102 . In some embodiments, the remote control  234  has a set of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). Some remote controls may include Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) or other screens. The remote control may include buttons, dials, or other man-machine interfaces. While the remote control  234  may often be the common means for a subscriber to communicate with the satellite set-top-box  200 , one skilled in the art will recognize that other means of communicating with the set-top-box  200  are available, including, but not limited to attached keyboards, front panel buttons or touch screens.  
         [0041]     The satellite set-top-box  200  may also include a remote control interface (not shown). A remote control interface may include any means for the user to communicate to the satellite set-top-box  200 , and may be implemented using the peripheral interface  224  of control electronics unit  202  or by connecting a peripheral remote control interface device. In a preferred embodiment, a remote control interface may receive commands from one or more different remote controls  234 . Remote control  234  may use infrared, UHF, or other communications technology. The remote control interface may therefore translate an input from the user into a format understandable by the control electronics unit  202 . The translation systems may include, but are not limited to, electronic receivers and electronic relays. One skilled in the art will recognize that other means to receive and translate user inputs are possible.  
         [0042]     Another peripheral device and connection to the satellite set-top-box  200  may include a phone line (not shown) and modem (not shown). Set-top-box  200  may use a modem and phone line to communicate with one or more outside entities or systems (e.g., satellite television distributor  104 ). The phone line may carry local or long-distance telephone service. One skilled in the art will recognize that the phone line may also carry other services, including, but not limited to, DSL service. These communications may include requesting pay-per-view programming, obtaining updates to subscriber programming (e.g., updating EPG data), or receiving updates to software on the satellite set-top-box  200 . For example, the phone line may communicate with the satellite set-top-box  200  using an RJ-11 style telephone connection. One skilled in the art will recognize that there are many other uses for this phone line connection. For example, EPG data may be transmitted to set-top-box  200  via phone line or in the satellite signal  204 . One skilled in the art will recognize that the EPG data may be transmitted to set-top-box  200  by various other methods, systems and outside entities. Also, one skilled in the art will recognize that a phone line connection to satellite distributor  104  may represent other communication connections, including, but not limited to, wireless, Internet, or microwave communications connections. Another function of the phone line may be to periodically receive the EPG data.  
         [0043]     The peripheral interface  224  of satellite set-top-box  200 , in accordance with the present invention, includes a wireless phone interface  238 . One skilled in the art will recognize that the wireless phone interface  238  may be embodied in hardware or software. One skilled in the art will also recognize that the wireless phone interface  238  may be integrated with another component or components of the satellite set-top-box  200 . In this embodiment, the satellite set-top-box  200  includes a wireless phone interface  238  to communicate with a wireless phone device  240  that is externally connected to satellite set-top-box  200 . In other embodiments, the wireless phone interface  238  may include connections to one or more wireless phone devices  240  that are integrated within television converter device  200 . The wireless phone interface  238  may transmit signals in DiSeqC protocol to the wireless phone device  240 . One skilled in the art will recognize that other protocols are possible for device communication with a wireless phone device  240 . The wireless phone device  240  may need to translate the DiSeqC protocol messages into a wireless transmission protocol. Wireless transmission protocols may include, but are not limited to, Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS), Advanced Radio Data Information Service (ARDIS), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD), Digital Advanced Mobile Phone System (D-AMPS), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Mobitex, Personal Communications Services (PCS), RAM Mobile Data, ReFLEX, Short Message Service (SMS), or Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA). One skilled in the art will recognize that other wireless transmission protocols are possible. A person skilled in the art will also recognize that the wireless phone device  240  may perform other functions.  
         [0044]      FIGS. 3-5  all relate to the physical mounting of the wireless phone device  314  and antenna  316 . A typical satellite communications device  108  may include some or all of the components in  FIGS. 3-5 . These components may include a satellite dish  306  and a feedhorn  308  mounted on a mast  310 . The mast  310  can be mounted to the structure of the subscriber&#39;s home or business (not shown). The feedhorn  308  holds the low-noise block filter (LNBF)  312 . A cable  318  functions as the communications pathway between the LNBF  312  and the satellite set-top-box  302 . In the embodiment, the satellite set-top-box  302  resides inside the subscriber&#39;s home or business while the other parts are outside the structure. This separation of the components is represented by the dotted line  304 .  
         [0045]     The wireless antenna  316  and wireless device  314  may be mounted or housed in several ways. One possibility is shown in  FIG. 3 . In this configuration, the wireless device  314  is housed at LNBF  312 . The casing of the LNBF  312  protects both the electronics for the LNBF  312  and the wireless device  314 . Some embodiments may have the wireless device  314  and the LNBF  312  as an integrated set of electronics, while other embodiments may separate the electronics. The wireless antenna  316  in this embodiment is mounted at LNBF  312 . This configuration of the antenna  316  may require little additional cabling to connect the antenna to the satellite set-top-box. One skilled in the art will recognize that the antenna  316  may be mounted in other places, either on other components or somewhere else on the subscriber&#39;s structure. For example, the antenna  316  may be mounted within the structure housing the LNBF  312 .  
         [0046]     A second configuration is shown in  FIG. 4 . Here, the wireless device  414  is again housed at LNBF  412 . However, the antenna  416  is now mounted at the mast  410  rather than the LNBF  412 . This situation may allow the antenna  416  to obtain a better positioning for sending and receiving signals. A cable  417  may be used to send the wireless signals from the separated antenna  416  to the wireless device  414 . One skilled in the art will recognize that cable  417  may be housed in or along mast  410 .  
         [0047]     Another configuration is shown in  FIG. 5 . The wireless device  514  and the antenna  516  may be housed between the LNBF  512  and the satellite set-top-box  502 . Since the system may be preexisting, it may not be possible to place the wireless device  514  in the housing with the LNBF  512 . Thus, an external installation may be required. Using the existing cabling, the wireless device  514  may be placed in the circuit with the satellite set-top-box  502  and the LNBF  512 . No further wiring may need to be installed. The wireless device  514  may then send wireless signals and relay any communications between the LNBF  512  and the satellite set-top-box  502 . In another embodiment, this configuration may have a wireless antenna  516  located separate from the wireless device  514 . One skilled in the art will recognize other techniques for mounting and installing the wireless device  514  and antenna  516 .  
         [0048]      FIG. 6  shows one embodiment of a method for providing information from a television converter to a pay television distributor in accordance with the present invention. For example, a subscriber may send pay-per-view requests or other information to a pay television distributor. Pay television distributors, as discussed earlier, may include, but are not limited to, cable or satellite television distributors. In this embodiment, the television converter at a subscriber location receives and decodes  602  television content. Signal processing devices for receiving and decoding television content may include, but are not limited to, demodulators, decoders, demultiplexers, data packet selectors and conditional access processing. One skilled in the art will recognize that other devices, structures or techniques for receiving and decoding television content are possible. The television converter then collects  604  information to send to the pay television distributor. Information collected  604  at the television converter may include, but is not limited to, pay-per-view requests, account information or requests to change service. One skilled in the art will also recognize that information may contain non-television content, including, but not limited to, television converter usage data. Collected information  604  is stored  606  in memory at the television converter. One skilled in the art will recognize that memory may include, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, magnetic, optical, removable or other storage devices. The collected information  604  is then wirelessly transmitted  608  from the television converter to a pay television distributor via one or more communications networks. One skilled in the art will recognize that many communications networks are possible, including, but not limited to, wireless phone networks, switched phone networks, cable networks, the Internet and proprietary data networks.  
         [0049]     Some information may originate from the pay television distributor. In another embodiment, corresponding to  FIG. 7 , the television converter  100  may receive information sent to the subscriber by the pay television distributor. Information may include, but is not limited to, software updates, changes in service, account information, responses to pay-per-view requests or various other data. Pay television distributors may send information to one or more wireless phone numbers or known wireless devices. Information from pay television distributors is transmitted  702  through a communications network to a wireless network. The information transmitted to a wireless network  702  may then be transmitted  704  to the wireless antenna. One skilled in the art will recognize that the information transmitted from the pay television distributor to the subscriber may be encoded, converted, processed, transformed and translated by different communications and signaling protocols.  
         [0050]     The wireless antenna receives and relays  706  the information to the wireless device. The information received and relayed  706  by the wireless antenna may be in the form of a signal that is analog, digital or some combination thereof. This information signal may be encoded and require processing by the wireless device prior to delivery to the television converter  100 . The wireless device then processes or translates  708  the information signal using some wireless signal protocol. These wireless signal protocols may include, but are not limited to, 802.11, WiMAX, AMPS, ARDIS, CDMA, CDPD, D-AMPS, FDMA, GSM, Mobitex, PCS, RAM Mobile Data, ReFLEX, SMS, or TDMA. The wireless device may also translate the signal into DiSeqC or another similar protocol. The wireless device then sends  710  the information to the television converter  100 . The television converter  100  can then process  712  the information. One skilled in the art will recognize that other structures or techniques for communicating with a wireless device are possible.  
         [0051]     As is evident from the embodiments of  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a two-way communications pathway may be possible between the subscriber and pay television distributor. One skilled in the art will recognize that other structures or techniques for communicating with a distributor are possible.  
         [0052]      FIG. 8  shows another embodiment of a home entertainment system  802  with an attached telephone base station  836 . The components and structures described in the embodiment described in  FIG. 8  depart from the embodiment described in  FIG. 1  only insofar as the addition of an attached telephone base station  836  and short-range mobile phone  838 . A telephone base station  836  is attached to the satellite set-top-box  100 ,  800  to permit use of a home telephone system with the wireless device  818  and wireless antenna  812 . In this embodiment, a short-range mobile phone  838  is wirelessly connected to the base station. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), a traditional corded telephone (not shown) and a phone line (not shown) may be used in place of or in combination with the short-range mobile phone  838  and telephone base station  836 . The mobile phone  838  may be any type of cordless or portable phone transmitting on several frequencies such as 900 MHz or 2.4 GHz. One skilled in the art will recognize that other cordless phone transmission frequencies are possible. One skilled in the art will also recognize that other types of landline phones or customer premises equipment (CPE) may be used with the satellite set-top-box.  
         [0053]     The mobile phone  838  can transmit the telephone signal to the base station  836 . The base station  836  may act as a relay. After receiving the telephone signal, the base station  836  may send the signal to the satellite set-top-box  800 . The base station  836  may communicate with the satellite set-top-box  800 , for example, using an RJ-11 style telephone connection. The satellite set-top-box  800  may send the telephone signal to the wireless device  818  and wireless antennae  812  for transmission, for example, through the wireless network to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). Thus, the wireless device  818  may be used for data and voice transmissions. In another embodiment, the base station  836  may send the telephone signal directly to the wireless device  818 . In this way, the satellite set-top-box  800  may be bypassed. One skilled in the art will recognize other methods for attaching the base station  836  or local telephone to the system.