IP Library Granted Patent US 8,627,382
Granted Patent B2
US 8,627,382 · App. 12/846,699 · Granted Jan 7, 2014

Multiple dwelling unit satellite television delivery system

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,627,382
App. No.
12/846,699
Granted
Jan 7, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems for delivering satellite signals to multiple dwelling units (MDUs). A system in accordance with the present invention comprises an antenna for receiving the satellite signals, a conversion unit, coupled to the antenna, for stacking the satellite signals onto a single cable, a distribution unit, coupled to the conversion unit, wherein the distribution unit distributes the stacked satellite signal to a plurality of outputs, and at least one customer device, coupled to an output of the plurality of outputs, wherein each unit in the MDU uses the customer device to destack the stacked satellite signals for delivery to a receiver.

Claims (29)

1. A system for delivering satellite signals to multiple dwelling units (MDUs), comprising:

a conversion unit for stacking received satellite signals onto a single cable, wherein the conversion unit includes a combiner having circuitry to separately adjust each of the satellite signals to a uniform signal strength as determined at an output of the conversion unit prior to stacking the received satellite signals onto the single cable; and

a distribution unit, coupled to the output of the conversion unit, wherein the distribution unit distributes the stacked satellite signal to a plurality of outputs, wherein each output of the plurality of outputs of the distribution unit provides the stacked signal to a customer device for destacking.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising at least one customer device, coupled to an output of the distribution unit, for selectively delivering the destacked satellite signal to at least one receiver.

3. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a second conversion unit, series-coupled to the conversion unit to cascade the conversion unit with the second conversion unit to accept the received satellite signals via the conversion unit, and a second distribution unit, coupled to the second conversion unit.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the second conversion unit stacks the satellite signals and the second distribution unit provide the satellite signals stacked by the second conversion unit to a second plurality of outputs.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the conversion unit further receives additional signals.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the additional signals comprise off-air television signals.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the additional signals further comprise internet signals.

8. A system for delivering satellite signals to a Multiple Dwelling Unit (MDU), comprising:

conversion means for stacking received satellite signals onto a single cable, including a combiner for separately adjusting each of the received satellite signals to a uniform signal strength as determined at an output of the conversion means prior to stacking the received satellite signals onto the single cable;

distribution means coupled to the output of the conversion means, for distributing the stacked satellite signal to a plurality of outputs, each of the plurality of outputs comprising a single output cable; and

customer means coupled to the plurality of single output cables in a respective manner, for destacking the stacked satellite signals and for delivering the destacked satellite signals to a receiver.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the customer means selectively delivers the destacked satellite signal to a plurality of receivers based on commands received from a receiver in the plurality of receivers.

10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the conversion means further receives additional signals.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the additional signals comprise off-air television signals.

12. The system of claim 10 , wherein the additional signals further comprise internet signals.

13. The system of claim 8 , wherein the conversion means and distribution means are mounted in a cabinet in the MDU separate from any customer means in the MDU.

14. A method of delivering satellite signals to a Multiple Dwelling Unit (MDU), comprising:

in a conversion unit for stacking received satellite signals onto a single cable, the conversion unit including a combiner having circuitry for separately adjusting each of the received satellite signals:

separately adjusting, via the combiner, each of a plurality of received satellite signals to a uniform signal strength as determined at a single cable;

stacking, via the combiner the adjusted received satellite signals onto the single cable;

distributing the stacked satellite signal to a plurality of outputs, each of the plurality of outputs comprising a single output cable;

destacking the stacked satellite signals; and

delivering the destacked satellite signals to a receiver.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein delivering the destacked satellite signals comprises selectively delivering the destacked satellite signal to a plurality of receivers based on commands received from a receiver in the plurality of receivers.

16. The method of claim 14 , further comprising receiving additional signals and stacking the additional signals onto the single cable.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the additional signals comprise off-air television signals.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the additional signals further comprise internet signals.

Assignments (6)
SUCCESSION OF AGENCY IN PATENT SECURITY INTERESTS Recorded Oct 3, 2025
From: UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH (AS SUCCESSOR TO CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH)
To: UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH
Reel/Frame 072994/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 25, 2024
From: DIRECTV, LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 066371/0690 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 5, 2021
From: DIRECTV, LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A. AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 058220/0531 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 3, 2021
From: DIRECTV, LLC
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 057695/0084 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 29, 2021
From: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.
To: DIRECTV, LLC
Reel/Frame 057020/0134 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 26, 2021
From: SHAH, DIPAK M.; NORIN, JOHN L.
To: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.
Reel/Frame 056974/0872 →