CA2237304A1 - System for decrypting television from several satellites - Google Patents

Abstract

A system and corresponding method are provided for selecting one of a plurality of simultaneously received encrypted direct broadcast satellite (DBS) signals for decryption annd viewing. A converter box or decrypting device (7) is provided with a plurality of different decrypting smart cards (41) all of which are simultaneously inserted in the converter box (43). The user or viewer scans the received signals and selects one for viewing. The different decrypting algorithms of the different smart cards (41) respectively correspond to the different encryptions of the received DBS signals so that the selected encrypted signal is decrypted by the appropriate and corresponding decrypting smart card (41) and subsequently decompressed and viewed.

Description

CA 02237304 1998-o~-11 WO97/18656 PCT~S96/17936 SY-~.TEM FOR DECRYPTING TELEVISION FROM SEVERAL SATELLITES

This invention relates to a syStem and corresponding method for receiving a plurality of differently encrypted signals, selecting one of the signals, and decrypting the selected signal for subse~uent viewing. More particularly, this invention relates to a system including a decrypting device capable of simultaneously housing a plurality of removable decrypting smart cards, each card storing a different decrypting algorithm, so that a user or viewer can scan received signals from different satellites, select one for viewing, and have ~he selected signal decrypted using the appropriate card and thereafter shown.

B~CKGRQUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of geosynchronous satellites to distribute television signals is known in the broadcasting industry and has helped revolutionize television distribution systems. As is known, there are many communications satellites encircling the earth occupying so-called "geosynchronous orbits" me~n~ng that the satellites appear to be stationary relative to fixed points on earth. These satellites receive television signals originating from earth ("uplink" signals) and retransmit the signals back to earth (retransmitted signals are called "downlinkl' signals). While such satellites -- typically employ directional antennas to transmit , CA 02237304 1998-o~-11 WO97/18656 PCT~S96/17936 downlink signals, the high altitude of the satellites enables a large portion of the earth to receive the downlink signals. Thus, a single satellite can distribute television signals to entire continents or large portions of continents, and receiving antennas on such continents are capable o~ receiviny signals from a plurality of such satellites.
Home television users or viewers obtain such satellite signals via either a satellite receiving antenna/system located at the user's residence or alternatively by way of a cable distribution network including a cable headend. In rural and remote areas where cable is unavailable or even undesirable, viewers often utilize their own satellite receiving 15 station/converting station for receiving satellite television transmissions ~rom the above-identified direct broadcast satellites (DBS). Such stations typically include a satellite receiving parabolic antenna or dish and associated motor-controlled positioning mount, as 20 well as a low noise amplifier (LNA) located at the antenna for amplifying weak signals, a LNA block converter stage for down-converting the block of transponders or channels received, a conventional satellite receiver which perform~ channel selection and 25 frequency/mode conversion, and a standard television/video monitor.
Typically, a satellite broadcast signal in a frequency range of about 12 GHz is received by a DBS
antenna such as a parabolic antenna erected outside of CA 02237304 l998-o~-ll WO97118656 PCT~S96/17936 the viewer's home. The satellite broadcast signal is converted into a BS-~F signal in a ~requency range from about 950 to 1,450 MHz and is subsequently supplied to a tuner. At the tuner, the desired satellite broadcast 5 c~nnel i8 selected from the BS-IF signal and demodulated into video and audio which are then supplied to the television set.
For example, U.S. Patent Mo. 4,796,032 discloses a satellite broadcasting receiving system including a parabolic antenna, antenna control system for directing the antenna, signal processing section, and video/audio display system. A parabolic antenna receives the television waves from the satellite towards which it is directed and forwards to the received signal to a signal 15 processing section which transforms the signal into one which can be used by the video/audio display.
Unfortunately, the user/viewer of the signal received by the system o~ the '032 patent is limited to viewing signals sent by the particular satellite at which the 20 parabolic antenna is directed. If the user/viewer wishes to view signals from another satellite, the user must actuate the antenna control section motor which repositions the parabolic antenna to receive such signals. This is a time consuming and burdensome routine 25 which must be gone through each time the viewer wishes to change satellites.
U.S. Patent No. 4,993,006 discloses a system for receiving a scrambled satellite television signal and unscrambling same for subsequent output. The CA 02237304 1998-o~-11 W097/186~6 PCT~S96/17936 unscrambling circuit in the system includes a user exchangeable plastic card which contains an electronic circult which provides the key for a corresponding unscrambling circuit. By removing one card and replacing 5 it with another, the decoding characteristics of the reception circuit can be changed. Unfortunately, the reception circuitry of the '066 patent can only receive one descrambling card at a time, and the user/viewer is limited to viewing scrambled signals which can be o descrambled by that card.
U.S. Patent No. 5,426,701 discloses a cable television converter box with a smart card connector attached thereto, the smart card storing a predetermined signal security decrypting algorithm. Unfortunately, this system, as those discussed above, is only capable of decrypting one type of signal encryption, thereby limiting the user/viewer to viewing signals capable of being decrypted with that particular smart card (e.g.
signals only from one satellite).
Accordingly, there exists a need in the art for a system/method for allowing a user at the user's residence to simultaneously receive a plurality of differently encrypted or scrambled satellite television broadcast signals ~rom different satellites, choose a particular signal for viewing, and decrypt the selected signal for subsequent viewing. There also exists a need in the art in such a system for a converter box provided with a plurality o~ different simultaneously received removable decrypting cards which allow the user to decrypt signals CA 02237304 1998-o~-11 WO97/18656 PCT~S96/17936 differently encrypted signals from multiple satellites (each satellite, for example, using a different encryption technique or algorithm), and interchange the removable cards with different decryption cards at the 5 user~s desire.
It i8 a purpose of this invention to fulfill the above-described needs, as well as other needs apparent to the skilled artisan from the following detailed description of this invention.

SUM~RY OF THE INVENTION
Generally speaking, this invention fulfills the above-described needs in the art by providing a home satellite television receiving system and corresponding method for receiving and decrypting signals transmitted 15 from a plurality of different satellites, the system comprising:
an antenna system for simultaneously receiving first and second encrypted television signals from first and second satellites respectively, said first and second 20 signals having different types of encryption;
a switch for allowing a user or viewer to select one of the first and second signals for viewing; and a decrypting device simultaneously housing first and second removable smart cards, the first smart card 25 including a memory for storing a first decrypting algorithm for decrypting the received first signal havlng the first encryption, and the second smart card including -~ a second decrypting algorithm for decrypting the received CA 02237304 Isg8-o~-ll WO97/18656 PCT~S96/l7936 second signal having the second encryption whereby the ~ignal selected ~or viewing by the user or viewer, whether the first signal or the second signal, is decrypted using the appropriate smart card and thereafter forwarded ~or viewing.
This invention further ful~ills the above-described needs in the art by providing a multiple beam array antenna system for receiving/transmitting signals of different polarity, the system comprising:
means for receiving/transmitting both linearly and circularly polarized signals at substantially the same frequency;
means for receiving/transmitting one of: (i) right-handed circularly polarized signals; (ii) le~t-handed circularly polarized signals; and (iii) linearly polarized signals; and the multiple beam array antenna system being used in conjunction with a decrypting device simultaneously housing at least one smart card including a memory for decrypting a received signal.

IN THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a block diagram of certain components making up the system/method according to an embodiment of this invention.
Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating a parabolic antenna system including a plurality of antennas in combination with the input signal interface o~ Figure 1.

CA 02237304 lss8-o~-11 W097/18656 PCT~S96/17936 Figure 3 is a block diagram of the RF tuner, demodulator, and error correction block o~ Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a block diagram of the digital data decryp~ion and descrambling block of Figure 1.
~ 5 Figures 5(a) and 5(b) are top elevational and side elevational views of one of the decrypting smart cards to be inserted into the decrypting/descrambling block of Figures 1 and 4.
Figure 6 is a block diagram of the decompression block of Figure 1.
Figure 7 is a block diagram of the video and audio modulators of Figure 1.
Figure 8 is a block diagram o~ the controller o~
Figure 1.
Figure 9 is a block diagram o~ the communications block of Figure 1.
Figure lO is a side elevational view, including remote control, of the control and status device o~
Figure 1.
Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of a multibeam array antenna which is in communication with the input signal interface of Figure 1 according to certain embodiments o~ this invention, this antenna simultaneously receiving a plurality of differently 25 encrypted signals from different satellites.
Figure 12 is a side cross-sectional view of a single antenna element of the Figure 11 array coupled to a combining waveguide.

CA 02237304 1998-o~-11 WO97/18656 PCT~S96/17936 Figure 13 is a front or rear cross-sectional view of a subarray of Figure 12 antenna elements positioned adjacent their corresponding combining subarray waveguide.
Figure 14 is a top elevational view of the plurality of antenna elements making up the plurality of subarrays of the above-identified array antenna.
Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of the Figure ll-14 antenna illustrating the different subarrays, combining waveguides, low noise amplifiers, electromagnetic lenses, and satellite selection output matrix block.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF
CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THIS INVEMTION
Referring now more particularly to the accompanying 15 drawings in which like re~erence numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views.
Figure l is a block diagram of a satellite television receiving system for receiving, selecting, decrypting, and descrambling signals transmltted from a 20 plurality of di~erent satellite~ 18 according to an embodiment of this invention. The system includes input signal inter~ace 3, radio frequency (RF) tuner, demodulator, and forward error correction system 5, digital data decrypting and descrambling device 7, 25 controller 9, communications block ll, control and status device 13 including a remote control 105, MPEG 2 decompression system 15, and video and audio modulators 17 The above-listed components are made up of hardware CA 02237304 Isg8-o~-ll WO97/18656 PCT~S96/17936 in certain embodiments, but may be made up of software according to certain alternative embodiments.
Referring now to Figures 1-2, signals 19 input to input signal interface 3 are a plurality of digitally 5 modulated radio frequency (RF) carriers ~orwarded ~rom antenna system 21. Antenna system 21 may either be a plurality of parabolic antennas (see Figure 2) or a multibeam array antenna (see Figure 11), both o~ which are designed to simultaneously receive a plurality o~
o di~erent signals ~rom di~erent satellites 18, each satellite using different encryption in many instances.
For example, a multibeam array antenna system 21 (see Figure 11) may simultaneously receive right-hand circularly polarized, left-hand circularly polarized, and 15 linearly polarized downlink signals ~rom ~irst, second, and third satellites 18 respectively, each having di~ferent encryption.
Signals 19 output ~rom antenna system 21 are at a first intermediate frequency (IF) from a plurality o~ low 20 noise block down converters (LNBs) located within antenna system 21. The multibeam array antenna or parabolic antennas of system 21 is/are directed toward a plurality of direct-to-home (DTH) direct broadcast satellites (DBS) or any other conventional satellite. LNB DC control 23 and first intermediate frequency (IF) input signal switch 25 are included in input signal inter~ace 3, with switch 25 functioning to select (in accordance with instructions) one of the plurality of IF signals received ~rom antenna system 21 ~or subsequent forwarding to the CA 02237304 l998-0~-ll WO97/18656 PCT~S96/17936 decrypting and descrambling system. Switch 25 is controlled by way of bus 27 via controller 9 and control and statu5 station 13 so that the user may scan through the received DBS signals using remote control 105 together with the user's televi8ion (or display screen) and select the desired one for viewing.
DC power supply 29 functions to power the L~3 DC
control 23 which in turn allows IF input switch 25 to be operated. The selected IF signal 31 received from antenna system 21 is forwarded from input signal interface 3 to block 5 for conventional radio frequency (RF) tuning, demodulation, and forward error correction (FEC).
As shown in Figure 3, output 31 of input siynal interface 3 reaches block 5 and ~irst enters RF tuner 33.
Tuner 33 is of conventional nature and functions to forward the selected satellite broadcast channel from the IF signal to demodulator 35. Tuner 33 is instructed by way of bus 27 as to which ~h~nn~l has been selected by the user/viewer via remote control 105, for example, at station 13. The output of tuner 33 is forwarded to demodulator 35 which samples the signal to demodulate therefrom in a known manner. Any type of conventional and compatible modulation and demodulation may be used.
The output of demodulator 35 is forwarded to forward error correction (FEC) device 37, which is conventional in nature. FEC device 37 employs the adding of systematic redundancy at the transmit end of the communication length such that errors caused by the CA 02237304 1998-o~-11 W097/186S6 PCT~S96/17936 transmission medium can be corrected by way of a known decoding algorithm. Any conventional type of known FEC
may be utilized. After being forward error corrected, data and clock output 39 of block 5 is forwarded to decrypting and descrambling station 7.
Decrypting and descrambling station 7 receives output 39 from FEC device 37, this output being a high speed digital stream which is subse~uently decrypted and descrambled in block 7. Decryption, the inverse of encryption, is the process whereby information is recovered from the publicly transmitted satellite downlink signal formatted digitally through the use of an encryption algorithm, and a selected key, from a set of possible keys appropriate for the particular encryption algorithm. In such a mAnner, confidential information controlling the descrambling process can be passed or transmitted by way of open channels provided that security is maintained for the specifics of the encryption algorithm and keys. Encryption systems can be 20 made robust to an arbitrarily high level of security through increasing cleverness and complexity.
Descrambling, on the other hand, is the process used to render the video image useless to an unauthorized viewer.
This may be accomplished in many conventional ways within 25 the transmission and reconstruction of video information.
In block 7, descrambling of the signal is a continuous process performed upon the video data frames received from FEC 37 that restores original images, this descrambling process being under the functional control CA 02237304 1998-o~-11 WO97/18656 PCT~S96/17936 of information which may be resident within smart cards 41 (in certain embodiments) removably placed within receptacles or storage slots 43.
The encryption (and decryption) key and algorithm information stored within smart cards 41 may be periodically updatable through the transmitted encrypted data channel. Both the scrambled video data channels and the encrypted data channel are contained within the satellite transmitted MPEG transport layer data stream of o the transmitted signal according to certain embodiments.
Decryption functions reside within smart cards 41 while descrambling functional elements may reside within smart cards 41 and/or external elements.
Block 7 includes high speed digital data interface 45 and a plurality of smart card receptacles 43 coupled by way of communication links/interfares 49, each receptacle 43 being conventional in nature and adapted to removably receive a single smart card 41 so that a plurality of different decryption descrambling algorithms 20 may be stored within block 7, each card 41 storing a different such algorithm appropriate for use in decrypting descrambling a particularly encrypted scrambled signal transmitted by way of satellite downlink.
The channel selected for viewing in block 5 is interfaced with the appropriate decrypting descrambling smart card by way of high speed digital data interface 45 so that the encryption scrambling technique of the selected signal corresponds to the decryption CA 02237304 1998-o~-11 WO97/18656 PCT~S96/17~36 descrambling algorithm and/or key stored on the accessed smart card 41. In such a manner, the correct decryption descrambling algorithm can be applied to the encrypted scrambled selected signal. The smart card 41 stored in each receptacle 43 in block 7 stores a different decryption algorithm 80 that the number o~ stored decrypting descrambling algorithms in block 7 is a function of the number of receptacles 43. For example, if three receptacles 43 are provided, then three different decrypting descrambling algorithms may be stored and accessed within block 7 by way o~ three smart cards 41 in view of the ~act that each receptacle 43 removably receives a single smart card 41.
After the selected signal and channel has been matched with the appropriate decrypting algorithm by way of interface 45, block 7 functions to decrypt and descramble the selected data in a known manner.
Interface 45 and receptacles 43 are controlled by way of control and status data bus 27. Inter~ace 45 includes a 20 switch and interfacing circuits to control the distribution of digital data streams and clock data as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art.
Communication links or interfaces 49 allow interface 45 to communicate with receptacles 43 thereby interfacing 25 the high speed digital data and clock loop interfaces to receptacles 43 and the information stored on smart cards 4l therein thereby linking the selected encrypted scrambled data with the corresponding smart card 41 for decrypting and/or descrambling.

CA 02237304 Isg8-o~-ll WO97/18656 PCT~S96/17936 After descrambling and decryption, output 51 (descrambled and decrypted) of block 7 ls forwarded to conventional MPEG 2 decompression block 15. MPEG 2 decompression statlon 15 i8 shown in more detail in 5 Figure 6. Block 15 includes conventional MPEG 2 circuits 53, video RAM 55, audio RAM 57, MPEG audio unit 59, and MPEG video unit 61, all of which are conventional in nature. Output 63 of MPEG 2 circuits 53 is forwarded as a wideband data output while outputs 65 and 67 of MPEG
o video and MPEG audio respectively are forwarded to video and audio modulators 17 (~ee Figure 7) so that the decompressed signals may be further processed for viewing.
Video and audio modulator block 17 is shown in 15 detail in Figure 7. This block include~ audio digital to analog converter 69, NTSC video modulators 71, and phase alternation line (PAL) block 73 The outputs of digital to analog converter 69, NTSC (National Television Systems Committee) video modulators 71, and PAL 73 are forwarded 20 to the viewer's television set or display for viewing by the viewer/user.
Referring now to Figures 5(a) and 5(b), top and side elevational views of a smart card 41 respectively, it may be seen that each removable smart card 41 is 25 substantially planar in nature and includes area 75 for electronics and area 77 ~or connectors. ~ conventional PCMCIA or ISO 7816, for example, may be located in area 77 for communicating with interface 45 by way o~
receptacle 43 and communication link/inter~ace 49. The CA 02237304 1998-o~-11 wosl/l8656 PCT~S96/17936 electroniCs area 75 on each card 41 may be formed in a known mAnne~ so as to include the required decryption algorithm circuitry.
Flgure 8 is a block diagram of controller 9. As shown, controller 9 includes a typical microprocessor 81, RAM 83, EPROM 85, EEPROM 87, and interface system 89 for allowing the memories to communicate with microprocessor 81. Microprocessor 81 is in communication with bus 27 so that controller 9 may communicate with input signal interface 3, block 5, descrambler and decrypter 7, MPEG 2 decompressor 15, control and status block 13, and communications block ll. Input signal switching in interface 3 by way of switch 25 is accomplished by use of control signals originating from controller 9 according to certain embodiments. When the user at control and status station 13 desires to view a particular channel, controller 9 outputs data to interface 3 in order to instruct interface 3 and switch 25 therein to select the particular signal/satellite for viewing and subsequent 20 forwarding to block 5 and block 7. Each of the memories and microprocessor in controller 9 as shown in Figure 8 are conventional in nature and may be purchased commercially (or may be implemented using software).
Figure 9 is a block diagram of communications block ll which includes modem 93 (conventional in nature) and UART 95, also conventional in nature. Modem 93 and UART
95 are in communication with bus 27 as well as outside communications channels and devices by way of outputs 97.
Communications block ll by way of modem 93 and UART 95 CA 02237304 1998-o~-11 WO97/18656 PCT~S96/17~36 permit the set top box of this invention to communicate with other electrical components outside of the system such as phone lines, etc., by way o~ outputs 97.
CommunicatiOnS block 11 optionally may be u~ed to receive remote control signals from the user.
Figure 10 is a side elevational schematic view of control and status unit 13 and bus 27. Control and status unit 13 includes a conventional box housing and including front panel controllers 99, ~ront panel status o indicator (liquid crystal display, ~or example) 101, and remote control IR or RF receiver 103. Remote control 105 i~ used to instruct the set top box system by way of wireless link 107 of instructions from the user. By way of remote control 105, the user may select particular 15 satellites and then ~h~nn~ls for viewing. Remote control 105 may be of the infrared (IR) or radio frequency (RF) wireless type. Display 101 may indicate, ~or example, which channel is being currently viewed by the viewer and from which satellite. Front panel controllers or control 20 switches 99 are provided so as to allow the user to manually select different channels or satellites instead of using remote control 105 as discussed above.
Figure 11 is a perspective exploded view o~ a multibeam array antenna for simultaneously receiving 25 signals (RH, LH, and linear ~or example) ~rom different satellites. The multibeam array antenna shown in Figure 11 is more fully described in U.S. Serial No. 08/299,376, the disclosure o~ which is incorporated herein by reference. This array antenna system or a plurality of CA 02237304 l998-o~-ll WO97/18656 PCT~S96/17936 parabolic antennas (see Figure 2) may make up antenna system 21 which is in communication with the set top box of this invention.
As shown, Figure 11 illustrates the multiple beam 5 array antenna system adapted to receive signals in about the 10.70 - 12.75 GHz range. The antenna array portion includes a plurality of helical subarrays made up of antenna elements 1, element or antenna mounting plate 203, signal combining waveguides 205 (one waveguide 205 o per subarray), and protective housing or radome 8.
Housing 8 provides environmental protection to elements 1 and is transparent to frequency fields existing at the antenna aperture. Figure 12 shows a single antenna element 1 connected to mounting plate 203 and signal 15 summing or combining subarray waveguide 205. Each antenna element 1 includes tapered dielectric rod or mandrel 213 which is made of an injection moldable plastic such as Delrin. A single wire or ~oil conductor 215 is wound around dielectric mandel 213 in a helical 20 fashion. Conductor 15 performs the primary electrical receiving/transmitting function of each antenna element 1. Each antenna element 1 is provided in a cup aperture 211 milled out of plate 203. Mandrel 213 of each element 1 includes cylindrical extension 225 protruding from its 25 base so as to allow each mandrel to be affixed to plate 203 via an aperture in the plate, thereby allowing output probe 221 (which i8 attached to conductor 215) to extend into the confines of rectangular signal summing waveguide 205.

CA 02237304 lss8-o~-ll WO97/18656 PCT~S96/17936 As shown in Figure 14, the signal receiving antenna array of certain embodiments is made up of a plurality of subarrays, each subarray having its own waveguide 205.
Each subarray may be made up of four similarly wound (either right-handed circularly polarized or left-handed circularly polarized) helical elements 1. The antenna system may include twenty-four separate non-symmetrical subarrays in order to form a fan-shaped beam, the twenty-four subarrays being made up of twelve right-handed o circularly polarized subarrays and tweleve left-handed circularly polarized subarrays interleaved with one another. The provision o~ both right and left-handed circularly polarized subarrays allows the illustrated phased array antenna system to receive signals from dif~erent satellites emitting either right or left-handed circularly polarized signals, or linearly polarized (horizontal or vertical) signals. Cover plate 233 seals the rear or lens side of waveguides 205. Apertures in plate 233 through which probes 231 extend are ~illed with dielectric material 235.
Figure 15 is a schematic of the multi-beam array antenna according to certain embodiments. As shown, the signal is received by either the right-handed or left-handed subarray elements 1 or both. Thereafter, the signals received by the elements are sum~ed in the appropriate waveguide 205, the combined signals of each subarray then being sent to a low noise amplifier 239.
After amplification, the signals from the left-handed subarrays are sent to electromagnetic lens 555 while the , CA 02237304 l998-0~-ll WO 97tl8656 PCT/US96/1?936 signals from the right-handed helical subarrays are sent to electromagnetic lens 553. Satellite selection matrix output block 69 in connection with the set top box discussed above then allows the user to select from which 5 satellite(s) he wishes to receive signals. The outputs from both lenses 553 and 555 may be tapped so as to result in the receiving of a signal from a satellite havlng linear polarization. Ports 663 ~input) and 665 ~output) of the lenses may be designed so that the o angular increments of beam scans of each lens is about 4~. By combining the use of lenses 553 and 555, the user may receive satellite signals from anywhere in the antenna's scanning range o~ either lens in any polarization sense. The scanning capability of the 15 system is bounded by the capability of the lenses and the array. Lenses 553 and 555 are time-delay devices designed to scan on the basis of optical path lengths, their radiated or scanned beams being substantially fixed in space. The constrained lenses also include a plurality of radiators to collect energy at the lens back face and to re-radiate energy from the front face. In accordance with the described lens design, the lenses in combination with the antenna system allow the system to select a single beam or a group of beams for reception for home satellite television viewing. Right-handed circularly polarized satellite signals, left-handed ~ circularly polarized satellite signals, and linearly polarized satellite signals within the scanned field of view may be accessed either individually or in groups.

CA 02237304 lss8-05-11 WO9M8656 pcT~s96/17s36 Thus, either a single or a plurality of such satellite signals may be simultaneously received and accessed at substantially the same frequency. As discussed above, the antenna array system of Figures 11-15 is used in conjunction with the set top box of Figures 1-10.
once given the above disclosure, therefore, various other modifications, features, or improvements will become apparent to the skilled artisan. Such other features, modifications, and improvements are thus considered a part of this invention. The scope of which is to be determined by the following claims.

Claims (13)

WE CLAIM:

1. A home satellite television receiving system for receiving and decrypting signals transmitted from a plurality of different satellites, the system comprising:
an antenna system for simultaneously receiving first and second encrypted television signals from first and second satellites respectively, said first and second signals having different types of encryption whereby said first signal has a first encryption and said second signal has a second encryption;
a switch for allowing a user or viewer to select one of said first and second signals for viewing;
a decrypting device simultaneously housing first and second removable smart cards, said first smart card including a memory for storing a first decrypting algorithm for decrypting said received first signal having said first encryption, and said second smart card including a second decrypting algorithm for decrypting said received second signal having said second encryption whereby the signal selected for viewing by the user or viewer, whether said first signal or said second signal, is decrypted using the appropriate smart card and thereafter forwarded for viewing.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising an input signal interface for receiving said first and second encrypted signals from said antenna system and outputting the selected signal to said decrypting device, said input signal interface including said switch.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising means for RF tuning, demodulating, and forward error correcting (FEC) disposed between said input signal interface and said decrypting device, said means for RF tuning, demodulating and FEC forwarding the selected signal to said decrypting device in the form of a digital data stream.

4. The system of claim 3, further comprising means for decompressing the decrypted selected television signal and subsequently forwarding the decompressed signal to a video output for viewing; and wherein said first and second cards store first and second decryption keys respectively.

5. The system of claim 4, further comprising a controller in communication with said input signal interface, said decrypting device, said means for RF
tuning, demodulating, and FEC, and said means for decompressing, said controller for operating said switch thereby allowing the user to select a signal and satellite for viewing.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said first and second encrypted signals are direct broadcast satellite (DBS) signals.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a third smart card having a third decrypting algorithm removably receivable in said decrypting device so that when said antenna system simultaneously receives three differently encrypted television signals, the viewer or user can select any one of the three for decrypting and viewing.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said antenna system includes a multibeam array antenna which simultaneously receives and forwards said first and second signals which are at substantially the same frequency, the first signal being right-handed polarized and the second signal being left-handed polarized.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said antenna system comprises first and second parabolic or dish antennas for receiving said first and second signals respectively.

10. A method of receiving a plurality of satellite signals and selecting one of the plurality, the method comprising the steps of:
simultaneously receiving first and second differently encrypted signals from first and second satellites respectively;
selecting one of the first and second signals;
selecting one of first and second removable simultaneously accessible decryption cards for decrypting the selected satellite signal, the first and second decryption cards having first and second different decrypting algorithms corresponding to the first and second received signals respectively;
decrypting and descrambling the selected signal using the selected decryption card; and using the decrypted and descrambled signal.

11. A television receiving system including an array antenna receiving system in combination with a set top box, comprising:
a first group of right-handed circularly polarized subarrays, each such subarray having a plurality of right-handed circularly polarized antenna elements, and a second group of left-handed circularly polarized subarrays, each such left-handed subarray having a plurality of left-handed circularly polarized antenna elements;
wherein said subarrays of said first and second groups are arranged in an interleaved or alternating fashion and may receive substantially the same frequencies;
a first electromagnetic lens for receiving signals from said first group of subarrays and a second electromagnetic lens for receiving signals from said second group of subarrays;
means for manipulating said first and second electromagnetic lenses so as to enable said system to receive right-handed circularly polarized signals, left-handed circularly polarized signals, and linearly polarized signals within the scanning field of the system; and a decrypting device in communication with said subarrays and said lenses, said decrypting device including means for storing a first decrypting algorithm for decrypting a signal received from at least one of the lenses, and means for decrypting the received signal so that the signal may be viewed by the viewer on a television or the like.

12. A television receiving system including multiple beam array antenna system in combination with a decrypting device for receiving signals of different polarity, the system comprising:
means for receiving both linearly and circularly polarized signals at substantially the same frequency;
means for receiving at least one of: (i) right-handed circularly polarized signal; (ii) left-handed circularly polarized signals; and (iii) linearly polarized signals; and a decrypting device including means for storing decrypting data, and means for decrypting a signal received from the multiple array antenna system so that the decrypted signal may be viewed by a viewer on a television or the like.

13. The system of claim 12, further including means for simultaneously receiving multiple beams and multple polarities of the circular and linear type both simultaneously and at substantially the same frequency, and means for simultaneously accessing a plurality of different satellites thus allowing the user to utilize signals of different polarities from the different satellites at the same time.