Semi-automatic satellite locator system

A method of positioning a satellite dish adapted to be connected to a satellite receiver, the satellite dish including a feedhorn and a signal converter disposed relative to a focal point of the satellite dish, the signal converter supplying an output signal for the satellite receiver, the satellite dish further including an elevation drive system and an azimuth drive system operably connected to move the satellite dish, the method comprising:

• providing a controller that is operably connected to the elevation drive system of the satellite dish and to the azimuth drive system of the satellite dish;
• causing the elevation drive system to elevate the satellite dish in response to an elevation command corresponding to a geographic location of the satellite dish that is input into the controller;
• causing the azimuth drive system to rotate the satellite dish about a vertical axis in response to a directional indication that is input into the controller;
• viewing a television monitor operably connected to the satellite receiver;
• using the controller to stop the azimuth drive system to stop rotating the satellite dish upon locating an appropriate signal on the receiver monitor;
• storing a position of a first known satellite;
• storing a position of a second known satellite;
• and
• jumping from the second known satellite to the first known satellite by depressing a first key on the controller.

A method of positioning a satellite dish adapted to be connected to a satellite receiver, the satellite dish including a feedhorn and a signal converter disposed at a focal point of the satellite dish, the signal converter supplying an output signal for the satellite receiver, the satellite dish further including an elevation drive system and an azimuth drive system operably connected to move the satellite dish, the method comprising:

• providing a controller that is operably connected to the elevation drive system of the satellite dish and to the azimuth drive system of the satellite dish;
• using the controller to cause information related to a location of a plurality of known satellites to be stored;
• causing the elevation drive system to elevate the satellite dish in response to an elevation command corresponding to a geographic location of the satellite dish that is input into the controller;
• causing the azimuth drive system to rotate the satellite dish about a vertical axis in response to a directional indication that is manually input into the controller;
• and
• using the controller to jump between at least two of the plurality of known satellites by causing the azimuth drive system to stop rotation based on the information stored for the at least two of the plurality of known satellites.

A method of providing a satellite dish adapted to be connected to a satellite receiver and a television monitor, the method comprising:

• providing a satellite dish including a feedhorn and a signal converter disposed relative to a focal point of the satellite dish, the signal converter supplying an output signal for the satellite receiver, the satellite dish further including an elevation drive system and an azimuth drive system operably connected to move the satellite dish, the satellite dish being configured to:
• cause the elevation drive system to elevate the satellite dish in response to an elevation command corresponding to a geographic location of the satellite dish;
• cause the azimuth drive system to rotate the satellite dish about a vertical axis in response to a directional indication;
• cause the azimuth drive system to stop rotating the satellite dish upon locating an appropriate signal from a service provider on the receiver monitor based upon an observation of the television monitor as viewed by a user and store a position of the satellite dish as a position of a first known satellite of the service provider;
• cause the azimuth drive system to rotate the satellite dish about a vertical axis in response to a directional indication that is provided to the satellite dish;
• cause the azimuth drive system to stop rotating the satellite dish upon locating an appropriate signal from the service provider on the receiver monitor based upon an observation of the television monitor as viewed by a user and store a position of the satellite dish as a position of a second known satellite of the service provider;
• and
• cause the satellite dish to jump from the second known satellite to the first known satellite based on the position of the first known satellite and the position of the second known satellite in response to an manual input signal provided by a user.

A satellite dish adapted to be connected to a satellite receiver and a television monitor comprising:

• a satellite dish including a feedhorn and a signal converter disposed relative to a focal point of the satellite dish, the signal converter supplying an output signal for the satellite receiver, the satellite dish further including an elevation drive system and an azimuth drive system operably connected to move the satellite dish;
• means for causing the elevation drive system to elevate the satellite dish in response to an elevation command corresponding to a geographic location of the satellite dish;
• means for causing the azimuth drive system to rotate the satellite dish about a vertical axis in response to a directional indication;
• means for causing the azimuth drive system to stop rotating the satellite dish upon locating an appropriate signal from a service provider on the receiver monitor based upon an observation of the television monitor as viewed by a user and store a position of the satellite dish as a position of a first known satellite of the service provider;
• means for causing the azimuth drive system to rotate the satellite dish about a vertical axis in response to a directional indication that is provided to the satellite dish;
• means for causing the azimuth drive system to stop rotating the satellite dish upon locating an appropriate signal from the service provider on the receiver monitor based upon an observation of the television monitor as viewed by a user and store a position of the satellite dish as a position of a second known satellite of the service provider;
• and
• means for causing the satellite dish to jump from the second known satellite to the first known satellite based on the position of the first known satellite and the position of the second known satellite in response to an manual input signal provided by a user.