초록 ▼

Systems that distribute live television programs to passengers of an aircraft by way of satellites of a direct broadcast satellite (DBS) system when the aircraft is in range of the satellites and distributes time-delayed television programs when the aircraft is out of range of the satellites. The pr

Systems that distribute live television programs to passengers of an aircraft by way of satellites of a direct broadcast satellite (DBS) system when the aircraft is in range of the satellites and distributes time-delayed television programs when the aircraft is out of range of the satellites. The present invention provides for real-time reception and storage of live television programs in a storage medium (in compressed digital format) and presentation to passengers during that time when the aircraft is within the coverage area of satellites. The stored programming is distributed to the passengers later in the flight, when the aircraft is out of range of the satellites. The stored programming includes all channels transmitted by the satellites. Thus, a large number of programs are made available to the passengers on a time-delay basis. A low-cost system is disclosed that distributes a single television channel to overhead monitors and headphones. A method of providing delayed distribution of television programs from satellites of a direct broadcast satellite system to passengers on an aircraft is also disclosed.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A satellite television system that distributes television programs to passengers on an aircraft derived from direct broadcast satellites, said system comprising:an antenna that comprises steering means for steering the antenna toward the satellites in response to control

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A satellite television system that distributes television programs to passengers on an aircraft derived from direct broadcast satellites, said system comprising:an antenna that comprises steering means for steering the antenna toward the satellites in response to control signals supplied thereto;antenna control means for providing the control signals to the antenna and for processing status signals derived from the antenna to steer the antenna so that it is locked onto encoded RF signals transmitted by the satellite, and for downconverting the encoded RF signals to provide encoded left hand and right hand circularly polarized RF signals that correspond to a plurality of encoded television channels;a receiver coupled to the antenna control means for processing the downconverted encoded RF signals to provide encoded video and audio output signals corresponding to at least one television channel;a storage medium coupled to the receiver for storing the encoded video and audio signals;a modulator coupled to the receiver for selectively modulating the downconverted encoded video and audio signals when the aircraft is within a coverage area of the satellites, and the stored encoded video and audio signals when the aircraft is outside the coverage area of the satellites; anda video and audio distribution system coupled to the modulator for distributing the modulated and encoded video and audio signals for viewing by the passengers.