Patent Application
20140189755
1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to the field of wireless networks. The present disclosure relates more particularly to the field of wireless networks implemented in conjunction with set-top boxes.
2. Description of the Related Art
Portable electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, and gaming devices commonly connect to wireless networks to connect to the internet. Additionally, mobile devices often connect to cellular telephone networks in order to make telephone calls. Mobile telephone service providers often place a limit on the number of minutes that a user of a cell phone can make phone calls during a given billing period. Other cell phone plans require that a user of a smartphone pay by the minute. Telephone service providers commonly require high prices for data usage (i.e., accessing the internet) over the cellular network. Furthermore, cellular network coverage can be limited and unavailable in many locations.
For these reasons, it is desirable to implement wireless networks having as broad a coverage as possible so that users of mobile devices can access the internet and make phone calls without surpassing their limit on data or minutes limit. Likewise it is desirable to have a wireless network with as broad a range as possible so that users of mobile electronic devices can connect to the internet in as many locations as possible.
One embodiment is a method for providing a wireless internet hotspot from a satellite dish assembly coupled to a home or other structure. The method includes connecting a set-top box to the internet by establishing a connection with a modem. The modem is connected to the internet through an internet service provider. The method further includes connecting a satellite dish assembly to the internet through the set-top box and broadcasting a wireless network signal from the satellite dish assembly. Mobile devices, such as smart-phones and tablets, within range of the wireless network signal can connect to the internet by communicating with the wireless network signal.
The satellite dish assembly can establish a larger network by communicating with other nearby satellite dish assemblies which are also connected to the internet through respective set-top boxes. A network of linked satellite dish assemblies connected to the internet and acting as wireless hotspots can allow an authorized mobile device to connect to the internet through the network covering a very large area. As the mobile device moves through the area covered by the network, the mobile device's internet connection can be seamlessly passed from one satellite dish assembly to another.
The modem 30 is connected to an internet service provider, not illustrated in
The television receiver 22 receives media content from the satellite dish assembly 24. The satellite dish assembly 24 receives the media content from one or more satellite transponders in orbit above the earth. The satellite transponders provide one or more media content channels to the satellite dish assembly 24, which passes the media content to the television receiver 22. A user of the television receiver 22 can operate the television receiver 22 to display media content on the television 26.
The television receiver 22 and the satellite dish assembly 24 are further configured to pass internet signals between each other. The satellite dish assembly 24 thus can access the internet through the television receiver 22 connected to the modem 30. The satellite dish assembly 24 in turn broadcasts a wireless network signal. A user of a mobile electronic device in range of the wireless internet signal from the satellite dish assembly 24 can log into the wireless network and access the internet through the satellite dish assembly 24.
The satellite dish assembly 24, therefore, acts as a wireless hotspot allowing mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, gaming devices, etc., to connect to the internet. Authorized mobile electronic devices can connect to the internet through the signal broadcast by the satellite dish assembly 24.
In one embodiment the satellite dish assembly 24 has two antennas. The first antenna is the dish portion and feedhorn which receive the satellite signals. The second antenna is a conductive portion of the satellite dish assembly that transmits the wireless signal. The satellite dish assembly 24 thus includes a wireless network antenna and a satellite dish assembly antenna. Alternatively, the dish portion of the satellite dish assembly can act as both the wireless antenna and satellite antenna that receives the satellite signals.
In one embodiment, a resident of the home 20 can enter into an agreement with the satellite provider company that provides the satellite dish assembly 24, by which the resident of the home 20 agrees to allow the satellite dish assembly 24 to act as a wireless internet hotspot. The user agrees to supply an internet connection to the satellite dish assembly 24 and broadcast the wireless internet signal form the satellite dish assembly 24. In return, the satellite provider can agree to compensate the resident of the home 20 for sharing her internet bandwidth via the wireless hotspot created by the antenna 24.
The satellite provider can allow users of mobile electronic devices to sign up for a service whereby the user of the mobile electronic device is allowed to access wireless hotspots implemented by the satellite dish assembly 24. Whenever a user of the mobile electronic device is in range of the hotspot created by the satellite dish assembly 24, his mobile device can alert him that he is able to connect to the internet through the satellite provider's wireless internet hotspot. Alternatively, his mobile electronic device can automatically connect to the wireless hotspot.
The satellite provider can enter into an agreement with the user whereby the user can pay for access to the wireless hotspot. Because bandwidth is generally less expensive through a broadband internet service provider than through a cellular data network, it is beneficial to the user of the portable electronic device to connect to the internet through the wireless network broadcast by the satellite dish assembly 24. The user of the portable electronic device can make phone calls over the wireless network via voice over IP (VOIP). The user can also connect to the internet and access email, entertainment websites, news websites or any other kind of data commonly communicated over the internet. This can be particularly beneficial when users are outside of a cellular telephone network's coverage range.
The residents of the home 20, through software installed on the television receiver 22, can limit the bandwidth allotted to the satellite dish assembly 24. In this way, a resident of the home 20 can reserve a desired amount of bandwidth for home use while also allowing users of the satellite provider internet network to access the internet through the satellite dish assembly 24.
In one embodiment the television receiver 22 is a set-top box. Alternatively the television receiver 22 can be integrated part the television 26. The television receiver can also be implemented as part of the electronic device 28, for example in a video game console, a dvd player, a sound system, or other electronic device.
The satellite dish assemblies 24a-24c are also in communication with each other via the wireless internet signal and establish a single wireless network. In one example, the satellite dish assemblies 24a and 24b are in range of each other's signals and establish a wireless network with each other. The satellite dish assembly 24c is also in range of the satellite dish assembly 24a and is incorporated in the larger wireless network. Thus, although the satellite dish assemblies 24b and 24c are not directly in range of each other, they are linked together in the network by the satellite dish assembly 24a. In this way a single large wireless network can be established by wirelessly linking adjacent satellite dish assemblies.
As the person 31 continues to walk down the street, he comes into range of the signal being broadcast by the antenna 24b. Because the satellite dish assembly 24a and the satellite dish assembly 24b have established a wireless network connection with each other, the user of the portable electronic device 29 can seamlessly remain connected to the internet as he passes out of range of the satellite dish assembly 24a and into range of the satellite dish assembly 24b.
In one embodiment, the portable electronic device 29 automatically accesses the internet through the satellite dish assembly 24b when the strength of the wireless signal being broadcast by the satellite dish assembly 24b is stronger than the wireless signal being broadcast by the satellite dish assembly 24a as received by the portable electronic device 29. Alternatively, the internet connection of the portable electronic device 29 can be transferred between the satellite dish assemblies 24a-24c in another suitable manner as will be apparent to those of skill in the art in light of the present disclosure.
In one embodiment, the signals broadcast by the satellite dish assemblies 24a-24c are sufficiently strong such that a network can be established between them even if there are houses spaced between them. In this way, a very large wireless network can be established as long as there are enough satellite dish assemblies in a given neighborhood, residential area, commercial area or anywhere else. It is possible that entire cities could be covered by a massive wireless network created by a large number of satellite dish assemblies 24 linked together in a spider web fashion. Such a large network could compete with telephone data networks. Those that subscribe to the wireless internet service via their portable electronic devices 29 could be able to access more internet data and talk on the phone longer for a lower price than if they tried to access the same data and phone minutes through their cellular telephone network.
The home 20b includes a second television receiver 22b connected to a modem 30b. The modem 30b is connected to an internet service provider 32b. The television receiver 22b can access the internet service provider 32b via the modem 30b. Satellite dish assembly 24b is coupled to the television receiver 22b. The satellite dish assembly 24b connects to the internet service provider 32b through the modem 30b via the television receiver 22b. The satellite dish assembly 24b is a wireless hotspot and broadcasts a wireless internet signal.
The satellite dish assemblies 24a, 24b establish a network connection between each other by sharing wireless internet signals. The satellite dish assemblies 24a, 24b therefore broadcast data signals to each other establishing a network connection and identifying devices connected to the network. In addition to the network signal passed between the satellite dish assemblies 24a, 24b, the satellite dish assemblies 24a, 24b broadcast a network signal allowing a mobile device 29 to connect to the internet through the satellite dish assemblies 24a, 24b. When the mobile device 29 is in range of the signal broadcast by the satellite dish assembly 24a, the mobile device 29 can connect to the network established by the satellite dish assemblies 24a, 24b. If the mobile device is in range of the satellite dish assembly 24a but not in range of the antenna 24b, then the mobile device 29 communicates wirelessly with the satellite dish assembly 24a. The mobile device 29 can access the internet service provider 32a via the satellite dish assembly 24a.
In one embodiment, the satellite dish assembly 24a continuously broadcasts the network identification signal. When the mobile device 29 receives the network identification signal, the mobile device 29 can broadcast a request to log into the network 33. The mobile device 29 can broadcast identification codes including login information allowing the mobile device 29 to access the network 33. The satellite dish assembly 24a can pass the login information from the mobile device 29 to the modem 30a and to the internet through the internet service provider 32a. Login verification can be performed via the internet. When it is determined that the mobile device 29 is authorized to access the network 33, the mobile device 29 can access the internet service provider 32a through the satellite dish assembly 24a as described previously.
While the mobile device 29 is accessing the internet through the satellite dish assembly 24a, the satellite dish assembly 24a broadcasts a signal to the satellite dish assembly 24b indicating that the mobile device 29 is connected to the network 33. When the mobile device 29 comes into range of both the satellite dish assembly 24a and the satellite dish assembly 24b, access to the internet for the mobile device 29 can be passed to the satellite dish assembly 24b without interruption of service. For example, when the mobile device 29 is in range of the antenna 24b, the mobile device 29 can access the internet through the internet service provider 32b via the antenna 24b. The antenna 34b can alert any other satellite dish assembly 24i that the mobile device 29 is accessing the internet through the satellite dish assembly 24b. In this manner, the mobile device 29 can continue to access the internet through the network 33 as the signal is passed through whichever antenna is closest to the mobile device 29.
Alternatively, the network 33 can be configured such that the bandwidth required by the mobile device 29 can be passed to whichever satellite dish assembly 24a or 24b has the most available bandwidth.
When multiple mobile devices 29 are connected to the network 33, the satellite dish assemblie 24a, 24b or other antennas can pass the signals from the mobile devices 29 amongst themselves so that the satellite dish assembly with the highest available bandwidth can provide a bandwidth to each of the mobile devices 29. The network 33 can pair more devices on satellite dish assembly 24a than on satellite dish assembly 24b if satellite dish assembly 24a has the greater available bandwidth. Many other schemes and protocols can be implemented for apportioning bandwidth to mobile devices 29 connected to the network 33 as will be apparent in light of the present disclosure.
The wireless antenna 34 is coupled to a base of the satellite dish assembly 24. The antenna 34 connects to the internet through a modem 30 by way of the television receiver 22. As described previously, the television receiver 22 is coupled to the modem 30 which can access the internet through an internet service provider 32. The television receiver 22 is coupled to the satellite dish assembly 24 and can allow the satellite dish assembly 24 to access the internet through the modem 30. The wireless antenna 34, in particular, can broadcast a wireless internet signal allowing the satellite dish assembly to act as an internet hotspot as described previously. A person using a mobile device 29 can access the internet by connecting to the wireless network that is broadcast by the antenna 34.
While the satellite dish assembly 24 has been described as having a separate antenna 34 for broadcasting the wireless internet signal, in one embodiment the satellite dish assembly 24 itself acts as the antenna that broadcasts the wireless internet signal. In such an embodiment, a conductive portion of the satellite dish assembly 24 can act as an antenna transmitting and receiving wireless internet signals. The satellite dish assembly 24, therefore, can simultaneously acts as a receiver for satellite signals from a satellite transponder as well as an antenna for transmitting and receiving a wireless internet signal locally. In one embodiment the dish portion 35 both receives the satellite signals and transmits the wireless internet signal. The dish portion 35 thus can act as both a both satellite signal antenna and a wireless internet signal antenna. Other methods for implementing a wireless antenna 34 with a satellite dish assembly 24 can be implemented as will be apparent to those of skill in the art in light of the present disclosure.
At step 44, the satellite dish assembly 24 communicates with other satellite dish assemblies, which are, in turn, connected to other set-top boxes. In this manner, the satellite dish assembly 24 can establish the wireless network with other set-top boxes through the other satellite dish assemblies. At step 46, a mobile device 29 receives the wireless internet signal from the satellite dish assembly 24 and transmits an identification signal to the satellite dish assembly 24. The satellite dish assembly 24 receives the identification signal and passes the identification signal to the television receiver 22. The television receiver 22 receives the identification signal from the satellite dish assembly 24 and extracts an identification code from the identification signal. The identification code identifies the mobile device 29 as a device authorized to access the wireless network. The mobile device 29 is then authorized to access the internet by joining the wireless network. The mobile device 29 can access the internet by communicating wirelessly with the satellite dish assembly 24. The satellite dish assembly 24 communicates with other satellite dish assemblies and identifies what devices are connected to the network. Thus, all of the satellite dish assemblies connected to the satellite dish assembly 24 know which devices are currently connected to the wireless network. When the mobile device 29 passes into range of another satellite antenna 24 broadcasting the internet signal, the mobile device 29 can be seamlessly transferred to the other satellite dish assembly and can access the internet through the other satellite dish assembly.
In one embodiment, a user of the mobile electronic device 29 registers the mobile electronic device 29 by entering personal information and submitting payment through the application 50. Thereafter, the mobile electronic device 29 is authorized to access the wireless network 33 created by the satellite dish assembly 24 in connection with the television receiver 22. After the user has registered the mobile electronic device to be able to use the wireless networks 33, data is sent to the satellite provider including an identification profile that identifies the user and the mobile electronic device 29 as being authorized to access the wireless network 33. In one embodiment, when a user of the mobile electronic device 29 is in range of the wireless network 33, identification codes are sent from the mobile electronic device 29 to the television receiver 22 through the satellite dish assembly 24. The television receiver 22 can determine if the mobile electronic device 29 is authorized by transmitting the identification information over the internet to the satellite provider company, which can then affirm authorization of the mobile electronic device 29 to use the wireless network 33.
The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments.
These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. For example, while the pairing signal and the control signals have been described as being issued in different frequency bands, in one embodiment the pairing signal is issued in the same frequency band as the control signals, but the pairing signal is transmitted at a much lower power than the control signals so as to only be received by one of the set-top boxes 24, 26. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.
