# US 2019/0174164 A1 · Method And Apparatus For Satellite Television Service With Alternate Delivery Capabilities > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0174164 A1 - Document ID: US20190174164A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/256,161 - Filed: 2019-01-24 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-02-10 - Assignees: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.; AT&T Mobility II LLC - Applicants: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.; AT&T Mobility II LLC - Inventors: Christopher P. Gilboy; Matthew Pitz - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190174164A1 ## CPC - H04N 21/266: Channel or content management, e.g. generation and management of keys and entitlement messages in a conditional access system, merging a VOD unicast channel into a multicast channel - H04H 40/90: specially adapted for satellite broadcast receiving - H04H 60/11: Arrangements for counter-measures when a portion of broadcast information is unavailable - H04H 60/82: the transmission system being the Internet - H04N 21/2181: {comprising remotely distributed storage units, e.g. when movies are replicated over a plurality of video servers (distributed storage of data in networks, e.g. transport arrangements for network file system [NFS], storage area networks [SAN] or network attached storage [NAS], H04L67/1097)} - H04N 21/2743: Video hosting of uploaded data from client - H04N 21/6143: {involving transmission via a satellite} - H04N 21/6193: {involving transmission via a satellite (arrangements for data linking, networking or transporting, or for controlling an end to end session in a satellite broadcast system H04B7/18526)} - H04N 21/647: Control signaling between network components and server or clients; Network processes for video distribution between server and clients, e.g. controlling the quality of the video stream, by dropping packets, protecting content from unauthorised alteration within the network, monitoring of network load, bridging between two different networks, e.g. between IP and wireless {(real-time session protocols H04L65/1101)} - H04H 2201/37: via a different channel - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - H04H: BROADCAST COMMUNICATION (multiplex communication H04J; pictorial communication aspects of broadcast systems H04N) ## Abstract A distribution system for transmitting media content programs to premises equipment via a satellite transmission path addresses signal degradation caused by atmospheric conditions and other factors. Upon detection of a degradation of the satellite signal, the system may begin transmitting the content using an alternative signal path, such as a terrestrial IP network. The satellite transmission path is brought back on line after the satellite link is restored. Alternatively, the system may begin recording the signal in the media distribution system for transmission via the satellite link after the link is restored. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for transmitting a subject media content program to a premises equipment, comprising: by a media distribution network server, receiving authentication information from the premises equipment indicating that the premises equipment is associated with a satellite service subscription and is further associated with a backup delivery service subscription designating a threshold minimum satellite reception quality level associated with a satellite transmission path to the premises equipment and further designating a backup media stream resolution associated with the premises equipment; by the media distribution network server, transmitting to the premises equipment, via the satellite transmission path, a plurality of media content programs including the subject media content program; by the media distribution network server, receiving a first message from the premises equipment indicating that a satellite reception quality level of the satellite transmission path is below the threshold minimum satellite reception quality level associated with the premises equipment, the first message including an identification of the subject media content program; by the media distribution network server, in response to receiving the first message from the premises equipment and to receiving the authentication information, transmitting the subject media content program to the premises equipment using a terrestrial network, the transmitting being at the backup media stream resolution associated with the premises equipment; by the media distribution network server, receiving a second message from the premises equipment indicating that the satellite reception quality level of the satellite transmission path is above the threshold minimum satellite reception quality level; and by the media distribution network server, in response to receiving the second message from the premises equipment, discontinuing the transmitting of the subject media content program to the premises equipment using the terrestrial network. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: by the media distribution network server, receiving a selection of the backup media stream resolution associated with the premises equipment, the selection being from a plurality of available backup media stream resolutions. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the backup delivery service is priced according to the backup media stream resolution. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the backup media stream resolution associated with the premises equipment is selected from a group of line resolutions consisting of 1080, 720 and 480 line resolutions. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the backup delivery service is priced according to the threshold minimum satellite reception quality level. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the terrestrial network comprises one or more media selected from a group consisting of a land-based Internet protocol network, a wireless 4G long term evolution (LTE) network, a land-based cable network, a land-based fiber network and a land-based hybrid fiber/cable (HFC) network. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the first and second messages further comprises receiving the first and second messages via the terrestrial network. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the threshold minimum satellite reception quality level is a rate parameter based on received forward error bits. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the subject media content program is a program currently being viewed using the premises equipment. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the subject media content program is a program currently being recorded or scheduled to be recorded using the premises equipment. ### Claim 11 A computer-readable storage device having stored thereon computer readable instructions for transmitting a subject media content program to a premises equipment, wherein execution of the computer readable instructions by a processor causes the processor to perform operations comprising: receiving authentication information from the premises equipment indicating that the premises equipment is associated with a satellite service subscription and is further associated with a backup delivery service subscription designating a threshold minimum satellite reception quality level associated with a satellite transmission path to the premises equipment and further designating a backup media stream resolution associated with the premises equipment; transmitting to the premises equipment, via the satellite transmission path, the subject media content program; receiving a first message from the premises equipment indicating that a satellite reception quality level of the satellite transmission path is below the threshold minimum satellite reception quality level associated with the premises equipment, the first message including an identification of the subject media content program; in response to receiving the first message from the premises equipment and to receiving the authentication information, transmitting the subject media content program to the premises equipment using a terrestrial network, the transmitting being at the backup media stream resolution associated with the premises equipment; receiving a second message from the premises equipment indicating that the satellite reception quality level of the satellite transmission path is above the threshold minimum satellite reception quality level; and in response to receiving the second message from the premises equipment, discontinuing the transmitting of the subject media content program to the premises equipment using the terrestrial network. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The computer-readable storage device of claim 11, the operations further comprising: receiving a selection of the backup media stream resolution associated with the premises equipment, the selection being from a plurality of available backup media stream resolutions. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The computer-readable storage device of claim 11, wherein the backup delivery service is priced according to the backup media stream resolution. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The computer-readable storage device of claim 11, wherein the backup media stream resolution associated with the premises equipment is selected from a group of line resolutions consisting of 1080, 720 and 480 line resolutions. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The computer-readable storage device of claim 11, wherein the backup delivery service is priced according to the threshold minimum satellite reception quality level. ### Claim 16 A media content satellite distribution system comprising: a premises equipment, a media distribution network server including a processor; a satellite transmission connection connecting the media distribution network server with the premises equipment; a terrestrial network connecting the media distribution network server with the premises equipment; and a computer-readable storage device having stored thereon computer readable instructions for transmitting a subject media content program to the premises equipment, wherein execution of the computer readable instructions by a processor causes the processor to perform operations comprising: receiving authentication information from the premises equipment indicating that the premises equipment is associated with a satellite service subscription and is further associated with a backup delivery service subscription designating a threshold minimum satellite reception quality level associated with the satellite transmission connection to the premises equipment and further designating a backup media stream resolution associated with the premises equipment; transmitting to the premises equipment, via the satellite transmission connection, a plurality of media content programs including the subject media content program; receiving a first message from the premises equipment indicating that a satellite reception quality level of the satellite transmission connection is below the threshold minimum satellite reception quality level associated with the premises equipment, the first message including an identification of the subject media content program; in response to receiving the first message from the premises equipment and to receiving the authentication information, transmitting the subject media content program to the premises equipment using the terrestrial network, the transmitting being at the backup media stream resolution associated with the premises equipment; receiving a second message from the premises equipment indicating that the satellite reception quality level of the satellite transmission connection is above the threshold minimum satellite reception quality level; and in response to receiving the second message from the premises equipment, discontinuing the transmitting of the subject media content program to the premises equipment using the terrestrial network. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The media content satellite distribution system of claim 16, the operations further comprising: receiving a selection of the backup media stream resolution associated with the premises equipment, the selection being from a plurality of available backup media stream resolutions. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The media content satellite distribution system of claim 16, wherein the backup delivery service is priced according to the backup media stream resolution. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The media content satellite distribution system of claim 16, wherein the backup media stream resolution associated with the premises equipment is selected from a group of line resolutions consisting of 1080, 720 and 480 line resolutions. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The media content satellite distribution system of claim 16, wherein the backup delivery service is priced according to the threshold minimum satellite reception quality level.