FLAT ANTENNA AND SATELLITE SIGNAL TRANSMITTING SYSTEM INCLUDING THE FLAT ANTENNA

Abstract

 A flat antenna may include a signal receiver provided in a plate shape and configured to receive a satellite signal through one face of the signal receiver, a signal processor configured to output a first signal obtained through amplification and frequency conversion performed on the satellite signal or a second signal obtained by converting the first signal to Internet protocol (IP) data corresponding to an IP-based transmission, and a signal tracker configured to control a direction in or an angle at which one face of the signal receiver faces based on the first signal after the first signal is received, and wherein the signal processor may include a plurality of ports from which the first signal or the second signal is output.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0055953 filed on April 21, 2015, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0078496 filed on June 3, 2015, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

[0002] Embodiments relate to a flat antenna and a satellite signal transmitting system including the flat antenna, and more particularly, to a flat antenna and a satellite signal transmitting system including the flat antenna that may effectively track a satellite signal from a satellite signal received by a signal receiver and control a location of the signal receiver to allow the signal receiver to receive the satellite signal.

2. Description of the Related Art

[0003] A wave in an ultrahigh or higher frequency band has an extremely short wavelength and a characteristic similar to that of light. Thus, to effectively receive and transmit such a wave in the ultrahigh or higher frequency band, an antenna having directivity improved using an optical principle and a principle of a megaphone concentrating a sound wave has been manufactured and used. The antenna includes, for example, a horn antenna, a parabolic antenna, a radio wave lens antenna, and a slot antenna that may pierce a hole directly through a waveguide.

[0004] An antenna for receiving a satellite broadcast is broadly classified into a parabolic antenna and a flat antenna based on a shape. In comparison to the parabolic antenna that is widely used now, the flat antenna has been receiving a great attention because the flat antennal is smaller in size and more simply installed than the parabolic antenna, and because the flat antenna may be installed indoors and receive a radio wave.

[0005] For example, Korean Patent Registration No. 10-0313264 and Korean Patent Publication No. 2002-0015428 disclose a flat antenna.

[0006] The microstrip flat antenna may receive a radio wave by a plurality of patches arranged in a microstrip form through pattern processing performed on a conductor layered on one side of a thin insulating sheet, and use an emitter plate configured to rapidly change the received radio wave to a current signal collected through a strip path connecting the patches.

SUMMARY

[0007] An aspect provides a flat antenna and a satellite signal transmitting system including the flat antenna that may effectively track a satellite signal and effectively control a location of a signal receiver by adding a port to a signal processor without eliminating an existing port, for example, a legacy.

[0008] The flat antenna and the satellite signal transmitting system including the flat antenna may effectively use a space of a back face of the signal receiver in which the signal processor is provided, and thus reduce a size of the flat antenna and enhance an aesthetic value of an appearance.

[0009] The flat antenna and the satellite signal transmitting system including the flat antenna may prevent a loss of a signal received by the signal receiver and may thus improve a transmission rate using a relatively simple structure.

[0010] The flat antenna and the satellite signal transmitting system including the flat antenna may include an Internet protocol (IP) allocator configured to distribute and transmit a signal received by the signal receiver through a network to multiple users simultaneously through various media, and provide a network or power.

[0011] The flat antenna may be customized because various devices may be attachable to or detachable from a back face of the flat antenna based on a demand from a user. The flat antenna and satellite signal transmitting system including the flat antenna may receive information obtained outdoors and facilitates the use of the received data for various purposes.

[0012] The flat antenna and the satellite signal transmitting system including the flat antenna and may be used to provide a wider application of a home network system.

[0013] According to an aspect, there is provided a flat antenna including a signal receiver provided in a plate shape and configured to receive a satellite signal through one face of the signal receiver, a signal processor configured to output a first signal obtained through amplification and frequency conversion performed on the satellite signal or a second signal obtained by converting the first signal to IP data corresponding to an IP-based transmission, and a signal tracker configured to control a direction in or an angle at which the one face of the signal receiver faces based on the first signal, after the first signal is received. The signal processor may include a plurality of ports from which the first signal or the second signal is output.

[0014] The signal tracker may include a communication device to which the first signal is transmitted, and a display device connected to the communication device and configured to output the first signal as an image signal. Whether the satellite signal is tracked may be determined by the image signal output from the display device.

[0015] The signal tracker may further include a signal tracking element configured to adjust the direction in which the one face of the signal receiver faces based on the image signal output from the display device. The signal tracking element may adjust at least one of an elevation angle, an azimuth, and a skew that determine the direction in which the signal receiver faces.

[0016] The plurality of ports may include a first signal output port configured to transmit the first signal to a first terminal, and a second signal output port configured to transmit the second signal to a second terminal.

[0017] The plurality of ports may further include a power supply port configured to supply power to a terminal.

[0018] The signal processor may include a signal amplifying element configured to amplify the satellite signal received from the signal receiver, a frequency converting element configured to convert a frequency of the amplified satellite signal, and an IP converting element configured to convert, to the IP data, a satellite signal obtained through the converting of the frequency by the frequency converting element.

[0019] According to another aspect, there is provided a satellite signal transmitting system including a flat antenna including a signal receiver configured to receive a satellite signal, a signal processor configured to process the satellite signal received from the signal receiver, and a signal tracker configured to track the satellite signal based on a signal processed by the signal processor, and an IP allocator provided inside or outside the flat antenna and configured to transmit the signal processed by the signal processor to a plurality of terminals. A signal transmitted to the signal tracker and a signal transmitted to the IP allocator may be different from each other.

[0020] The signal tracker may include a communication device to which the signal processed by the signal processor is transmitted, a display device connected to the communication device and configured to output an image signal, and a signal tracking element configured to adjust a direction in which the signal receiver faces based on the image signal output from the display device.

[0021] The signal processor may include a signal amplifying element configured to amplify the satellite signal received from the signal receiver, a frequency converting element configured to convert a frequency of the amplified satellite signal, an IP converting element configured to convert, to IP data, a satellite signal obtained by converting the frequency by the frequency converting element.

[0022] The signal processor may include a plurality of ports. The plurality of ports may include a first signal output port configured to output, to the signal tracker, the satellite signal obtained through amplification and frequency conversion performed by the signal amplifying element and the frequency converting element, and a second signal output port configured to output, to the IP allocator, an IP data signal obtained through conversion by the IP converting element.

[0023] The flat antenna may be connected to a sensor, an air analyzer, a camera, a sharer, or a home automation server, and information obtained from the sensor, the air analyzer, the camera, the sharer, or the home automation server may be transferred through the flat antenna.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] These and/or other aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a satellite signal transmitting system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a flat antenna included in a satellite signal transmitting system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a flat antenna included in a satellite signal transmitting system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the flat antenna of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the flat antenna of FIG. 3 in which a signal tracker is provided according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a flat antenna including an Internet protocol (IP) allocator provided in a back face of the flat antenna according to an embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a simultaneous reception of a satellite signal through various media in a home according to an embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating various devices that may be connected to the flat antenna of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a home network that may be implemented through a flat antenna according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. Embodiments are described below to explain the present disclosure by referring to the figures.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a satellite signal transmitting system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a flat antenna included in a satellite signal transmitting system according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a flat antenna included in a satellite signal transmitting system according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a rear view of the flat antenna of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the flat antenna of FIG. 3 in which a signal tracker is provided according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a flat antenna including an Internet protocol (IP) allocator provided in a back face of the flat antenna according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a simultaneous reception of a satellite signal through various media in a home according to an embodiment.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 1, a satellite signal transmitting system 10 includes a satellite 100, a flat antenna 200, an IP allocator 300, and a terminal 400.

[0028] The satellite 100 may transmit various sets of information to the earth while revolving around the earth along an orbital path.

[0029] The satellite 100 may be classified into various types for various purposes of use, for example, a communication satellite, a broadcasting satellite, a meteorological satellite, a scientific satellite, a navigational satellite, an earth observation satellite or a remote-sensing satellite, a technology development satellite, and a military satellite.

[0030] The various sets of information observed by the satellite 100 may be transmitted to the earth as a radio wave. Hereinafter, descriptions will be provided with an example of a satellite signal as an image signal associated with satellite broadcasting.

[0031] The satellite signal may be received by the flat antenna 200.

[0032] The flat antenna 200 refers to an antenna in which an open aperture configured to receive a satellite signal is provided as a flat surface. In comparison to a parabolic antenna, a gain may increase and determining a location for installation may be less restricted.

[0033] Referring to FIGS. 2 through 5, the flat antenna 200 includes a signal receiver 210, a signal processor 220, and a signal tracker 230.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 3, the flat antenna 200 is provided in a shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0035] However, the shape of the flat antenna 200 is not limited to the illustrated shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, and thus any shape or structure that may effectively receive a satellite signal may be available. For example, the shape of the flat antenna 200 may vary depending on an area in which the flat antenna 200 is installed or an antenna gain required for the flat antenna 200.

[0036] The flat antenna 200 may be fixed to a location at which the flat antenna 200 is required to be installed or may not be fixed to the location. For example, when the flat antenna 200 is provided in a means of transportation such as a vehicle or a train, an area in which the flat antenna 200 is to be located may vary depending on a movement of the means of transportation.

[0037] The signal receiver 210 may be provided on one face, for example, a frontal face, of the flat antenna 200, and receive a satellite signal directly from the satellite 100.

[0038] A waveguide (not shown) may be formed in the signal receiver 210 to guide the satellite signal received from the satellite 100. That is, the satellite signal received by the frontal face of the signal receiver 210 may be transferred to an internal space of the signal receiver 210 through the waveguide.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 4, the signal processor 220 may be provided on a back face of the flat antenna 200.

[0040] The signal processor 220 includes a signal amplifying element 222, a frequency converting element 224, and an IP converting element 226.

[0041] The signal amplifying element 222 may amplify the satellite signal received from the signal receiver 210 because most of satellite signals received from the signal receiver 210 is extremely weak.

[0042] The frequency converting element 224 may convert a frequency of the satellite signal amplified by the signal amplifying element 222 to a standardized intermediate frequency. The intermediate frequency may be standardized as, for example, 950 megahertz (MHz) to 2,150 MHz in general, and thus may enable compatibility with devices.

[0043] The signal amplifying element 222 and the frequency converting element 224 may be embodied as, for example, a low noise block downconverter (LNB), and a frequency mixer (not shown) and a local oscillator (LO) (not shown) may be embedded in the LNB to convert the frequency.

[0044] The IP converting element 226 may be embodied as, for example, an IP server.

[0045] A satellite signal obtained through the amplification performed by the signal amplifying element 222 and the frequency conversion performed by the frequency converting element 224 may be transferred to the IP converting element 226.

[0046] The IP converting element 226 may convert the satellite signal to IP data corresponding to an IP-based transmission. For example, the IP converting element 226 may demodulate the received satellite signal and convert the demodulated satellite signal to the IP data. In detail, the IP converting element 226 may convert a modulated radio frequency (RF) image signal from one of a digital video broadcasting-satellite (DVB-S) layer and a DVB-S-second generation (DVB-S2) layer to an IP transmission layer.

[0047] For signal transmission between the signal receiver 210 and the signal processor 220, the signal processor 220 may include a plurality of guides (not shown).

[0048] The plurality of guides may include a first guide and a second guide.

[0049] The first guide may guide the satellite signal received by the signal receiver 210 to the signal amplifying element 222 and the frequency converting element 224. The second guide may guide, to the IP converting element 226, the satellite signal obtained through the amplification by the signal amplifying element 222 and the frequency conversion by the frequency converting element 224.

[0050] The plurality of guides may further include a third guide configured to guide the satellite signal received by the signal receiver 210 directly to the IP converting element 226.

[0051] As described above, the signal processor 220 may be provided on the back face of the flat antenna 200, and thus an external exposure of the signal processor 220 may be prevented and an aesthetic value of an external appearance of the flat antenna 200 may be enhanced.

[0052] In addition, since the signal receiver 210 and the signal processor 220 are provided in an integral form, the flat antenna 200 may become thinner and may thus have a more compact structure. Thus, a loss of a satellite signal received by the flat antenna 200 may be prevented and an antenna gain may be improved.

[0053] For example, when the signal receiver 210 and the signal processor 220 are provided separately, the signal receiver 210 and the signal processor 220 may need to receive a signal through a wire or wirelessly, and thus a transmission rate of the signal may decrease and a spatial restriction may occur when installing the flat antenna 200.

[0054] The signal processor 220 may include a plurality of ports to transmit a signal obtained through processing performed by the signal processor 220 to the terminal 400. The terminal 400 may be a plurality of terminals.

[0055] The plurality of ports may include a first signal output port P1, a second signal output port P2, and a third signal output port P3.

[0056] The first signal output port P1 may output, to a first terminal, a first signal that is the satellite signal obtained through the amplification by the signal amplifying element 222 and the frequency conversion by the frequency converting element 224.

[0057] Here, the first terminal may be a communication device 232 such as, for example, a set-top box 420. The satellite signal obtained through the amplification by the signal amplifying element 222 and the frequency conversion by the frequency converting element 224 may be output to a display device 234 such as, for example, a television (TV) 430, through the communication device 232.

[0058] The communication device 232 and the display device 234 may be included in the signal tracker 230, and the first signal output port P1 may output the signal to the signal tracker 230 from the signal processor 220.

[0059] The first signal output port P1 may also be referred to as a legacy because the first signal output port P1 is connected to an existing terminal, for example, the set-top box 420.

[0060] The second signal output port P2, or an IP data output port, may output, to a second terminal, a second signal that is the satellite signal obtained by converting the first signal transmitted to the IP converting element 226 to the IP data corresponding to the IP-based transmission.

[0061] Here, the second terminal may be the IP allocator 300, for example, a router. The IP data obtained through the converting performed by the IP converting element 226 may be transmitted to the terminal 400, which is a plurality of terminals included in a network, for example, the TV 430, a computer, a mobile device 410, through the IP allocator 300.

[0062] The third signal output port P3 may output, to a third terminal, an IP data signal obtained through the IP converting element 226. Here, a signal output through the second signal output port P2 and a signal output through the third signal output port P3 may be identical to or different from each other. In addition, the third terminal may be different from the second terminal. For example, when the second terminal is an IP allocator provided indoors, the third terminal may be an IP allocator provided outdoors.

[0063] The third signal output port P3 may be a port additionally provided to the flat antenna 200 to transmit the IP data to the third terminal that is additionally provided, and may also be referred to as a power over Ethernet (PoE).

[0064] Although the plurality of ports includes, for example, the first signal output port P1, the second signal output port P2, and the third signal output port P3, examples are not limited thereto. Thus, various changes and modifications may be made to the number of ports and a device or a terminal to which such ports are connected.

[0065] As described above, since the signal processor 220 includes the plurality of ports, the flat antenna 200 may be compatible with an existing terminal, and also may transmit a signal to various terminals.

[0066] The plurality of ports may include a power supply port.

[0067] The power supply port may be provided as a separate port. Alternatively, the first signal output port P1, the second signal output port P2, or the third signal output port P3 may function as the power supply port.

[0068] The power supply port may supply power to the IP allocator 300 or the terminal 400. In detail, the power supply port may supply power to the communication device 232 and the display device 234 of the signal tracker 230 that are connected to the first signal output port P1, and the IP allocator 300 and the terminal 400 that are connected to the second signal output port P2. Thus, the power supply port may autonomously supply power to various terminals connected to the flat antenna 200, and the terminals may operate without another power line connected to the terminals.

[0069] Further, the plurality of ports may facilitate tracking a satellite signal from the satellite 100 and effectively controlling a direction in which the signal receiver 210 faces. This is because the first signal output terminal P1 is not eliminated and still stays even when the third signal output port P3 is added to the signal processor 220. A further detailed description of the foregoing will be provided hereinafter.

[0070] The signal tracker 230 may control the direction in which the signal receiver 210 faces based on a signal transmitted from the signal processor 220.

[0071] For example, the signal tracker 230 includes the communication device 232, the display device 234, and the signal tracking element 236.

[0072] The first signal output through the first signal output port P1 may be received by the communication device 232. Here, the first signal may be the signal obtained by amplifying the satellite signal received from the signal receiver 210 and converting the frequency of the received satellite signal.

[0073] As described above, since the first signal output port P1 is connected to the communication device 232, the first signal may be output to the display device 234 connected to the communication device 232, for example, the TV 430.

[0074] In addition, the display device 234 is connected to the communication device 232, and may output, as an image signal, the first signal received from the communication device 232.

[0075] Here, whether the satellite signal is tracked may be determined based on the image signal output from the display device 234. For example, whether the signal receiver 210 receives an optimal satellite signal may be determined based on the image signal output from the display device 234.

[0076] In detail, referring to FIG. 5, the signal tracking element 236 may operate when the tracking of a satellite signal is required to receive an optimal satellite signal.

[0077] The signal tracking element 236 is a component configured to adjust an actual direction in which the signal receiver 210 faces. For example, the signal tracking element 236 may adjust at least one of an elevation angle, an azimuth, and a skew that indicate the direction in which the signal receiver 210 faces.

[0078] The elevation angle indicates an angle at which the frontal face of the signal receiver 210 faces the satellite 100. The azimuth indicates a direction of the satellite 100 as four cardinal points, north, south, east, and west, based on the frontal face of the signal receiver 210. The skew indicates an angle formed between a polarized wave received through the frontal face of the signal receiver 210 and the ground.

[0079] The signal tracking element 236 may be manually implemented by a user, or automatically implemented when an actuator (not shown) is provided in the flat antenna 200.

[0080] For example, the actuator may include a plurality of motors connected to a bottom of the flat antenna 200. Through the actuator, the elevation angle of the flat antenna 200 may be automatically adjusted in a range of 15° to 90°, and the skew may be automatically adjusted in a range of -60° to 60°.

[0081] Although the flat antenna 200 is illustrated as being fixed to a predetermined location, a current location of the flat antenna 200 may need to be considered based on, for example, a global positioning system (GPS) signal, when the flat antenna 200 is provided in a mobile device. Thus, a GPS may be provided in the signal tracking element 236.

[0082] In addition, since a plurality of terminals is connected to the flat antenna 200, the satellite 100 from which the signal receiver 210 receives an optimal satellite signal may be discovered based on information received from the plurality of terminals, and the front face of the signal receiver 210 may face the discovered satellite 100.

[0083] When a user selects the satellite 100, a location of the satellite 100 from the plurality of terminals may be explored, and the front face of the signal receiver 210 may face the satellite 100.

[0084] To track a satellite signal, the plurality of terminals may include the terminal 400, which is a plurality of terminals, connected to the IP allocator 300, in addition to the communication device 232 and the display device 234 of the signal tracker 230.

[0085] For example, the signal tracking element 236 of the signal tracker 230 may operate by referring to the information obtained from the plurality of terminals connected to the IP allocator 300.

[0086] As described above, the signal tracker 230 may track an optimal satellite signal through various methods, and control the direction in which the signal receiver 210 faces.

[0087] Referring to FIG. 5, when the signal tracking element 236 is provided on a lower portion of the flat antenna 200, the signal amplifying element 222 configured to amplify the satellite signal received from the signal receiver 210 and the frequency converting element 224 configured to convert the frequency of the amplified satellite signal may be provided in the back face of the flat antenna 200, and the IP converting element 226 configured to convert the satellite signal obtained through the frequency conversion by the frequency converting element 224 and the IP allocator 300 configured to allocate an IP address to the terminal 400 may be provided in a support provided on a bottom of the signal tracking element 236.

[0088] However, similar to the signal amplifying element 222 and the frequency converting element 224, the IP converting element 226 and the IP allocator 300 may be provided in the back face of the flat antenna 200.

[0089] The flat antenna 200 including the signal receiver 210, the signal processor 220, and the signal tracker 230 may be connected to the IP allocator 300.

[0090] The IP allocator 300 may be a hardware and software device configured to help communication between one communication network and another communication network by connecting at least two networks, and may have a function of converting an address between communication networks or converting a protocol properly.

[0091] The IP allocator 300 may forward, to the allocated IP address, the satellite signal obtained through the conversion by the IP converting element 226, and thus may allow the terminal 400 to output the satellite signal.

[0092] Although the IP allocator 300 is described as a component separate from the terminal 400, it may be obvious that the IP allocator 300 is included in the terminal 400.

[0093] In addition, a signal output from the signal processor 220 may be transmitted to the terminal 400, for example, various terminals such as a mobile device, a set-top box, a TV, and a sensor, and a camera.

[0094] Referring to FIG. 6, the signal processor 220 of the flat antenna 200 may include a port configured to output a plurality of IP signals, for example, the second signal output port P2 and the third signal output port P3, and thus may transmit a signal to the IP allocator 300 that may be provided indoors and the IP allocator 300 that may be provided outdoors.

[0095] Here, the IP allocator 300 may be provided indoors and also provided outdoors when being provided in the back face of the flat antenna 200. That is, the IP allocator 300 may be provided both indoors and outdoors. In addition, the IP allocator 300 may be provided in an integrated form along with the signal receiver 210, the signal processor 220, and the signal tracker 230 in the flat antenna 200.

[0096] For example, when the IP allocator 300 is embedded in the flat antenna 200, the signal processor 220 of the flat antenna 200 may include a signal amplifying element, a frequency converting element, an IP converting element, and an IP allocator.

[0097] In such an example, the IP allocator may wirelessly receive and transmit a signal with the flat antenna 200 or the terminal 400.

[0098] Further, the port of the signal processor 220 may be connected to the terminal 400 such as, for example, an IP camera provided outdoors, and receive a signal from the IP camera.

[0099] Here, the terminal 400 provided outdoors is not limited to the IP camera, and various sensors, for example, a humidity sensor and an air purity sensor, may also be provided as an example of the terminal 400. Information obtained from the IP camera or the sensors may be transmitted to another terminal or the signal tracker 230 to be usefully applied.

[0100] As described above, the plurality of ports may supply a network or power to various terminals such as, for example, the IP camera and the various sensors.

[0101] A plurality of terminals, for example, the terminal 400, may be connected to the IP allocator 300.

[0102] The plurality of terminals may include, for example, the mobile device 410 such as a smartphone and a tablet PC, and the set-top box 420, and the TV 430.

[0103] For the mobile device 410, a signal transmitted from the IP allocator 300 may be relayed through an application (A) and output to the mobile device 410.

[0104] That is, the signal transmitted from the IP allocator 300 through the application (A) may be converted or executed to be output to the mobile device 410.

[0105] For the set-top box 420 or the TV 430, a signal transmitted from the IP allocator 300 may be transmitted to the TV 430 through the set-top box 420.

[0106] The set-top box 420 is a device connected to the TV 430, and configured to receive a signal input from an external source, convert the received signal adequately, and display a result of the conversion on the TV 430. In general, the set-top box 420 may be required to use a next-generation interactive multimedia communication service, for example, a video on demand (VoD), an image plate homeshopping, and a network game.

[0107] However, the plurality of terminals is not limited to the examples described in the foregoing, and other various terminals may be included.

[0108] Referring to FIG. 7, a satellite signal may be received simultaneously through various media in a house using the satellite signal transmitting system 10.

[0109] In detail, a signal may be transmitted from the flat antenna 200 to the IP allocator 300, and the signal may be transmitted from the IP allocator 300 to the terminal 400 through a wired or wireless network system in the house.

[0110] For example, a signal may be transmitted from the IP allocator 300 to at least one game console, at least one TV, or at least one PC through a local area network (LAN).

[0111] Alternatively, a signal may be transmitted from the IP allocator 300 to at least one smartphone or at least one tablet PC through a wireless LAN (WLAN).

[0112] That is, different signals or same signals may be simultaneously transmitted from the IP allocator 300 to various terminals, for example, eight terminals, within the premises in which a network is formed through a wire or wirelessly.

[0113] According to example embodiments described herein, a flat antenna and a satellite signal transmitting system including the flat antenna may effectively track a satellite signal and control a location of a signal receiver by adding a port to a signal processor without eliminating an existing port, for example, a legacy.

[0114] In addition, since the signal processor is provided in a back face of the signal receiver, a space of the back face of the signal receiver may be effectively used, a size of the flat antenna may be reduced, and an aesthetic value of an appearance of the flat antenna may be improved. In addition, a relatively simple structure of the flat antenna may prevent a loss of a signal received by the signal receiver and improve a transmission rate.

[0115] Further, since the signal receiver and the signal processor are provided in an integrated form, a satellite signal received by the flat antenna may be transmitted to an IP allocator through a single cable, and a signal received by the signal receiver through a network may be simultaneously distributed to various users through various media.

[0116] Hereinafter, an example of a connection of various devices to a flat antenna, and an example of customization based on a demand from a user will be described.

[0117] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating various devices that are connected to the flat antenna 200 of FIG. 3. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a home network that may be implemented through a flat antenna according to an embodiment.

[0118] Referring to FIG. 8, the flat antenna 200 may be connected to various devices, for example, a sensor A, an air analyzer B, a camera C, a sharer D, and a home automation server E.

[0119] The various devices may be selectively provided in a back face of the flat antenna 200 based on a request from a user, or provided separately from the flat antenna 200 through a wired or wireless connection to the flat antenna 200.

[0120] However, the various devices connected to the flat antenna 200 are not limited the examples described in the foregoing, and other devices such as, for example, a speaker, a fine dust measurer, and a pollution detector, may be connected to the flat antenna 200.

[0121] The sensor A may be provided indoors or outdoors, and the sensor A may include, for example, a gas sensor, a humidity sensor, a temperature sensor, a sunshine sensor, a pipe leak sensor, an illumination sensor, an access sensor, and an antitheft sensor.

[0122] For example, a broad schematization of a nationwide annual mean precipitation and a yellow dust or dust concentration distribution may be obtained through the sensor A connected to the flat antenna 200, and verification of a regional sunshine amount may be performed through the sunshine sensor, and results of the foregoing may be applied to farming.

[0123] In detail, referring to FIG. 9, the various sensors are provided indoors and externally transfer information.

[0124] For example, a gas sensor may sense smoke or carbon monoxide, and raise an alarm or send a warning through a cellular phone or e-mail.

[0125] A humidity sensor provided in a diaper may provide a notification that the diaper is wet before an infant wakes up.

[0126] A pipe leak sensor may report a pipe leak.

[0127] A home appliance sensor may provide a notification of a time for putting a laundry into a laundry dryer from a washing machine through a text message, or of a lapse of a cooking time set for an oven or an arrival of a selected temperature for cooking a turkey.

[0128] An illumination sensor may operate when a user enters a room, and may detect presence of the user.

[0129] An access sensor may send a text message indicating an entry of somebody into a house or an activity of somebody in a room of the house.

[0130] A temperature sensor may sense a room temperature, and remotely control heating and air-conditioning using a smart thermostat.

[0131] As described above, through the connection between the flat antenna 200 and the various indoor sensors, various sets of indoor information may be transferred to a person present outdoors, and thus various implementations and applications of a home network may be achieved.

[0132] In addition, the flat antenna 200 may provide a network or power through a port, and thus an additional cabling between inside and outside the flat antenna 200 may not be required for the connection of various devices.

[0133] When the sharer D or the home automation server E is connected to the flat antenna 200, information about all outdoor information may enter the network, and the information may be used as various sets of big data.

[0134] For example, based on location information of the flat antenna 200, an operator may collect data on a compliance rate and an installation distribution of antennas of the operator in a sales area, and big data on a most viewed channel and a viewing time of subscribers in the area, and use the collected data to configure a channel schedule and channels.

[0135] Alternatively, an external network may be used through the sharer D or the home automation server E connected to the flat antenna 200. For example, through a home network, a humidity of the ground may be verified wirelessly and an automatic water system may operate, an automatic roof may be opened or closed, and a monitoring system may be applied through a closed-circuit television (CCTV) and an infrared sensor. In addition, unconstrained interworking with all automated outdoor systems may be enabled indoors.

[0136] As described above, according to example embodiments, a flat antenna and a satellite signal transmitting system including the flat antenna may receive a satellite signal, and also readily provide power or a network to various devices through a connection to the various devices without an additional cabling or a deformation of the flat antenna.

[0137] According to example embodiments described herein, a flat antenna and a satellite signal transmitting system including the flat antenna may effectively track a satellite signal and effectively control a location of a signal receiver by adding a port to a signal processor without eliminating an existing port, for example, a legacy.

[0138] The flat antenna and the satellite signal transmitting system including the flat antenna may effectively use a space of a back face of the signal receiver in which the signal processor is provided, and thus may reduce a size of the flat antenna and enhance an aesthetic value of an appearance.

[0139] The flat antenna and the satellite signal transmitting system including the flat antenna may prevent a loss of a signal received by the signal receiver and may thus improve a transmission rate using a relatively simple structure.

[0140] The flat antenna and the satellite signal transmitting system including the flat antenna may include an IP allocator configured to distribute and transmit a signal received by the signal receiver through a network to multiple users simultaneously through various media, and provide a network or power.

[0141] The flat antenna may be customized because various devices may be connected thereto based on a demand from a user.

[0142] The flat antenna and satellite signal transmitting system including the flat antenna may receive information obtained indoors or outdoors and facilitate the use of the obtained information as big data for various purposes, and may be used to provide a wider application of a home network system.

[0143] While this disclosure includes specific examples, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made in these examples without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims and their equivalents. The examples described herein are to be considered in a descriptive sense only, and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of features or aspects in each example are to be considered as being applicable to similar features or aspects in other examples. Suitable results may be achieved if the described techniques are performed in a different order, and/or if components in a described system, architecture, device, or circuit are combined in a different manner, and/or replaced or supplemented by other components or their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the disclosure is defined not by the detailed description, but by the claims and their equivalents, and all variations within the scope of the claims and their equivalents are to be construed as being included in the disclosure.

Claims

1. A flat antenna, comprising:

a signal receiver provided in a plate shape and configured to receive a satellite signal through one face of the signal receiver;

a signal processor configured to output a first signal obtained through amplification and frequency conversion performed on the satellite signal or a second signal obtained by converting the first signal to Internet protocol (IP) data corresponding to an IP-based transmission; and

a signal tracker configured to control a direction in or an angle at which the one face of the signal receiver faces based on the first signal, after the first signal is received, and

wherein the signal processor comprises a plurality of ports from which the first signal or the second signal is output.

2. The flat antenna of claim 1, wherein the signal tracker comprises:

a communication device to which the first signal is transmitted; and

a display device connected to the communication device and configured to output the fist signal as an image signal, and

wherein whether the satellite signal is tracked is determined by the image signal output from the display device.

3. The flat antenna of claim 2, wherein the signal tracker further comprises:

a signal tracking element configured to adjust the direction in which the one face of the signal receiver faces based on the image signal output from the display device, and

wherein the signal tracking element is configured to adjust at least one of an elevation angle, an azimuth, and a skew that determine the direction in which the signal receiver faces.

4. The flat antenna of claim 1, wherein the plurality of ports comprises:

a first signal output port configured to transmit the first signal to a first terminal; and

a second signal output port configured to transmit the second signal to a second terminal.

5. The flat antenna of claim 1, wherein the plurality of ports further comprises a power supply port configured to supply power to a terminal.

6. The flat antenna of claim 1, wherein the signal processor comprises:

a signal amplifying element configured to amplify the satellite signal received from the signal receiver;

a frequency converting element configured to convert a frequency of the amplified satellite signal; and

an IP converting element configured to convert, to the IP data, a satellite signal obtained through the converting of the frequency by the frequency converting element.

7. A satellite signal transmitting system, comprising:

a flat antenna comprising a signal receiver configured to receive a satellite signal, a signal processor configured to process the satellite signal received from the signal receiver, and a signal tracker configured to track the satellite signal based on a signal processed by the signal processor; and

an Internet protocol (IP) allocator provided inside or outside the flat antenna and configured to transmit the signal processed by the signal processor to a plurality of terminals, and

wherein a signal transmitted to the signal tracker and a signal transmitted to the IP allocator are different from each other.

8. The satellite signal transmitting system of claim 7, wherein the signal tracker comprises:

a communication device to which the signal processed by the signal processor is transmitted;

a display device connected to the communication device and configured to output an image signal; and

a signal tracking element configured to adjust a direction in which the signal receiver faces based on the image signal output from the display device.

9. The satellite signal transmitting system of claim 7, wherein the signal processor comprises:

a signal amplifying element configured to amplify the satellite signal received from the signal receiver;

a frequency converting element configured to convert a frequency of the amplified satellite signal; and

an IP converting element configured to convert, to IP data, a satellite signal obtained by converting the frequency by the frequency converting element.

10. The satellite signal transmitting system of claim 9, wherein the signal processor comprises a plurality of ports, and
wherein the plurality of ports comprises:

a first signal output port configured to output, to the signal tracker, the satellite signal obtained through amplification and frequency conversion performed by the signal amplifying element and the frequency converting element; and

a second signal output port configured to output, to the IP allocator, an IP data signal obtained through conversion by the IP converting element.

11. The satellite signal transmitting system of claim 7, wherein the flat antenna is connected to a sensor, an air analyzer, a camera, a sharer, or a home automation server, and
wherein information obtained from the sensor, the air analyzer, the camera, the sharer, or the home automation server is transferred through the flat antenna.

Drawing