Abstract: An apparatus and method for frequency sweeping a CATV network, suitable for an upstream path frequency sweeping, is presented. A narrowband test signal is injected into the network by a generator coupled to a cable modem during a time interval allocated by the head end for the cable modem to transmit a modulated digital signal. The amplitude of the test signal is lower than the amplitude of the modulated digital signal, so as not to impair reception of said digital signal at the head end. The frequency of the test signal is swept, and the amplitude of the received test signal is measured. A telemetry or a digital signal transmission is used to communicated the values of the amplitude of the test signals between the injection and the measurement locations of the network.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for remotely controlling set-top boxes. In general, a virtual remote controller is described including a memory device and a processor. The memory device is configured to store an image file and more than one signal file. The image file defines an image of a set-top box remote controller, and each signal file defines a command to control an operation of the set-top box. The processor is configured to generate the image of the remote controller according to the image file. The image of the remote controller includes buttons, and a signal file is associated with each button. Selecting a button causes a signal defined by the signal file associated with the selected button to be transmitted from the apparatus to the respective set-top box to command the set-top box to perform an operation. A method and a computer program product are also provided for remotely controlling set-top boxes.

Abstract: In order to measure the performance of a DOCSIS upstream channel as well as to locate impairments, a special test signal is transmitted in a time slot of the upstream channel by a test instrument positioned anywhere within the CATV plant. A second test instrument, located at the termination point of the upstream plant, then detects, recovers, and processes the test signal in order to complete the measurement. The typical methods used to detect and recover bursted signals within a DOCSIS upstream channel use precise timing information transmitted in a corresponding DOCSIS downstream channel. Unfortunately, the downstream channel and thus the precise timing information are not always available to the secondary test instrument. The present invention also describes an apparatus and method for detecting a bursted test signal without the use of the DOCSIS upstream channel timing.

Abstract: A method and system of handling a call received at a call center is disclosed. The method includes determining that the call is a repeat call. The method also includes determining whether the repeat call is to receive a first treatment type. The method further includes servicing the repeat call with the first treatment type when the repeat call is determined to receive the first treatment type. The method includes servicing the repeat call with a second treatment type when the repeat call is determined to not receive the first treatment type. The second treatment type includes providing access to a self-service automated system.

Abstract: A video quality monitoring method includes a distribution server measuring first video quality index values according to a full-reference method by comparing a video, distributed from the distribution server to a client through a network, with a degraded video, generated by causing multiple scenarios of quality degradation due to the network in the video in a pseudo manner, creating characteristic data of first quality degradation values, obtained by causing the quality degradation to vary with the scenarios at regular intervals, and the first video quality index values corresponding to the respective scenarios, and transmitting the characteristic data to the client; and the client measuring a second quality degradation value in the video distributed through the network, and calculating a second video quality index value, equivalent to a value according to the full-reference method, of the distributed video from the measured second quality degradation value and the characteristic data.

Abstract: To detect movement of a depth camera in a motion capture system, readings from an accelerometer in the depth camera are processed to provide short and long term moving averages for each of the x, y and z axes. For each axis, a difference between the short and long term averages is obtained. A sum of the differences is obtained by summing the absolute value of each difference, across all three axes. This sum of differences is then compared to a threshold to determine if movement is detected. In another approach, the short and long term averages of the accelerometer readings are converted to pitch and roll values, and the pitch and roll values are separately compared to a threshold to determine if movement is detected. A tracking algorithm can be temporarily halted while movement is detected. Readings in the vertical direction can be attenuated by a scaling factor.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program for providing a cross table analysis display in a digital broadcast environment, are discussed. The method includes providing at least two metadata tables of a broadcast stream, performing a cross table analysis on the metadata tables to determine consistency between the metadata tables, and displaying the result of the cross table analysis of the metadata tables using a graphical user interface.

Abstract: A system and method for real-time monitoring of programming content transmission over a broadcast network. The identification and analysis of data embedded within a broadcast signal allows a broadcaster to determine whether or not their content is actually being broadcast over the network as intended. The embedded data may include various information and indicators, such as proprietary tags, included in the signal. Real-time monitoring may occur across single or multiple channels, narrow or wide geographic areas, be based on various demographic or other characteristics, and may be monitored by content providers or others.

Abstract: A method of providing internet protocol television (IPTV) diagnostics. The method includes receiving customer premise equipment (CPE) information from a diagnostic applications program interface (API) executing in a CPE. The CPE information is stored in a database. An issue is detected with the CPE and the CPE information in the database corresponding to the CPE experiencing the issue is accessed. The issue is resolved in response to the CPE information the database.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques for allowing a customer support agent to remotely analyze a television receiver. A television receiver is communicatively coupled to a customer support center through a communication network. A customer support agent remotely accesses the television receiver and the television receiver transmits video content to the customer support center through the communication network. The video output is outputted to the customer support agent at the customer support center for analysis of the television receiver.

Abstract: The present invention provides a test device and a method enabling automatic detection of an imbalance in a power level of a digital channel. The test device includes an attenuator, a tuner, a demodulator, and an evaluation unit. According to the method, a plurality of channels are attenuated at a plurality of attenuation levels, by means of the attenuator. A digital channel is selected from the plurality of channels, by means of the tuner. A modulation error ratio (MER) of the digital channel is measured at the plurality of attenuation levels, by means of the demodulator. A variation of the MER of the digital channel with attenuation level is then evaluated, by means of the evaluation unit, to detect an imbalance in a power level of the digital channel.

Abstract: An IPTV receiver and a method for managing video functionality and video quality on a screen in the IPTV receiver are disclosed. Herein, a method includes downloading a widget application from a server, executing the downloaded widget application at a browser, requesting a video test stream through the executed widget application to the server and managing the video functionality and the video quality on the screen using the video test stream.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method, device, and system for verifying a video path between a source device and a destination device. The destination device may receive a video signal including at least one video test pattern from the source device via a network. The destination device may automatically judge that a video path exists if the received video signal meets at least one predetermined criteria.

Abstract: One exemplary aspect is advanced multimedia communications via OCAP using customer specific profiles resident in the STB for service application management. Additional aspects relate to service application management including filtering, controlling the display of content associated with one or more service applications, performing an action based on the service application, scheduling a communication based on the service application and initiating a request for service based on, for example, a detected problem. Still further aspects relate to managing information associated with a service application received at a STB including initiating a communication to a support representative.

Abstract: A broadcast capable file system is disclosed. In a method, a server may receive a file request from a requesting client and prepare a broadcast response to the file request. The broadcast response may be directed to a group of clients of which the requesting client is a member. In another method, at least one of the clients of the group of clients may submit a file request to the server. Each of the clients of the group may receive a broadcast response to the file request. The broadcast capable file system may be implemented between a server computing device and multiple client computing devices. The server computing device and multiple client computing devices may be included in a network testing system.

Abstract: Techniques to remotely monitor and control operations performed by one or more head-ends (or servers) in an information distribution system. In one implementation, a monitor and control unit communicates with various elements (e.g., an IPG service manager and a session manager) within each head-end to receive information relating to the operations of the head-end. This information may include status and/or indications of possible error conditions relating to (1) various operations (e.g., encoding, multiplexing, and so on) performed by the head-end, and (2) the transport streams being transmitted from the head-end. The received information may then be forwarded to one or more remote devices (e.g., pagers, cellular phones, PDAs) designated to receive the information. Response messages may also be received from the remote devices and forwarded to the appropriate head-end, which may adjust its operation as indicated by commands included in the messages.

Abstract: In one embodiment consistent with the invention, an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) information collector device has an Internet interface for communication with an aggregator via the Internet and for communication with IPTV service providers. A processor functions to carry out a process of: conducting a query of an IPTV service and at least one IPTV channel supplied thereby; gathering quality of service (QOS) information from the at least one IPTV channel of the IPTV service as a result of the query; and reporting the QOS service to an aggregator device. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: Methods and systems of transporting media signals to user devices as a function of users associated therewith and to allocating assets in such systems as a function of users receiving the media signals so as to permit signals, assets, and other features to be directed, allocated, and otherwise distributed as a function of the users associated therewith.

Abstract: Arrangement and method for managing set-top boxes used by customers of a content service provider includes at least one automated tester each arranged to couple to set-top boxes and subject each set-top box to a series of automated tests to determine whether each set-top box is functioning properly or requires subsequent repair, and a processor unit coupled to each automated tester for receiving test results therefrom and monitoring testing of set-top boxes via the automated tester(s). Each automated tester is located at a testing facility maintained by the content service provider. A database stores the test results from the automated tester(s) and enables generation of customized reports about the set-top boxes tested by the automated tester(s). A billing system is coupled to each automated tester and to the processor unit and coordinates invoicing for testing performed by the automated tester(s) and repair of set-top boxes at a repair facility.

Abstract: A signal detection circuit for an Ethernet physical layer transceiver (PHY) device includes a first capacitor AC coupling a signal on the first receive terminal of the Ethernet PHY device to a first node; a second capacitor AC coupling a signal on the second receive terminal to a second node; re-biasing resistors for re-biasing the AC-coupled signals on the first and second nodes; first and second gain stages for amplifying the AC coupled signals; and a peak detect circuit. The peak detect circuit includes first and second diodes receiving the amplified signals from the gain stages to charge a peak detect capacitor. The signal detection circuit includes a comparator for comparing the voltage on the peak detect capacitor to a reference voltage and providing an output signal being indicative of the presence or absence of a signal on the first and second receive terminals of the Ethernet PHY device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for problem detection related to received Internet data, video data, and voice data are disclosed. A method may include monitoring, at a set top box device, Internet data to detect a first problem related to the Internet data. The method may further include monitoring, at the set top box device, video data to detect a second problem related to the video data. The method may include automatically taking a first action upon detecting the first problem and automatically taking a second action upon detecting the second problem.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for diagnosing 3D state information, and a broadcast receiver. One embodiment of a cable broadcast receiver according to the invention comprises: a cable set-top box that receives a request for 3D state information diagnosis from a communication device and requests 3D state information collection from a digital broadcast receiver according to the request; and the digital broadcast receiver that collects 3D state information and transfers the collected 3D state information to the cable set-top box according to the request from the cable set-top box, wherein the cable set-top box transfers the 3D state information collected and transferred by the digital broadcast receiver to a cable headend through the communication device and receives a 3D broadcast service based on the 3D state information transmitted from the cable headend.

Abstract: Included are embodiments of a method for detecting errors in a set top terminal (STT). At least one embodiment of a method includes receiving error data related to at least one error that occurred in at least one STT and comparing the received error data to at least one signature file, the at least one signature file including a pattern related to at least one documented error. Additional embodiments of the method may also include in response to determining that the received error data does not match the pattern related to at least one documented error, creating a new signature file, the new signature file including at least one pattern associated with the received error data.

Abstract: An apparatus can include a modem and a conditioning device can be provided and coupled at a signal transmission line of a CATV system at a premise of a user according to embodiments of the application. The apparatus can provide selected information (e.g., Table 1) upstream for use that can improve operations or increase capabilities at one or more users.

Abstract: One or more of a topology location test and a distance test are applied to determine if a CPE device has moved in a cable plant. An indication of service fraud is provided if the CPE topology location or distance test indicate an unauthorized CPE device move.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a fault in a hybrid fiber coax (HFC) cable network segment. A two-way client uses a two-way query interface to acquire information indicative of the two-way operational status of subscriber CPE units associated with a subscriber number from a two-way validation server. Using the operational status of the subscriber CPE units, a fault may be associated with either the CPE units or with network facilities other than the two or more CPE units.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting leakage of a digital CATV channel signal from a CATV system. The digital CATV channel signal is amplitude modulated with a tag signal having a frequency in the range of about 3 Hz to about 35 Hz, and coupled to the CATV system. At a point of leakage from the CATV system, the amplitude modulated digital CATV channel signal can be detected using a leakage detector capable of recovering the tag signal.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for identifying and locating points of impairment in a cable plant, such as that used for cable television (CATV). The methods utilize both known characteristics of signals as well as propagation times in free space and within the cable in conjunction with accurate determination of locations at which measurements are taken. The methods can be applied to both RF cable leaks as well as points of ingress of interference.

Abstract: A method of detecting potential video traffic interference at a video head-end of a video distribution network is disclosed and includes detecting, at a video head-end, a signal populating an ultra high frequency (UHF) white space frequency. The method also includes determining that a strength of the signal is equal to or greater than a threshold signal strength. Further, the method includes sending an alert from the video head-end to a network management system. The alert indicates that the UHF white space frequency is populated by a signal having a potential to interfere with video traffic delivered via the video head-end.

Abstract: The present invention relates to testing signals on a coaxial home network that carries a digital video signal. It has direct application to testing so-called Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) standards-compliant networks and applies to similar networks. In one mode, a computerized device joins the MoCA network and relays signals intended for a set-top-box to the STB. In another mode, the computerized device joins the MoCA network instead of the STB and tests signal strength, attenuation and similar physical layer characteristics.

Abstract: Picture having a band of 6 MHz is distributed to the set-top box (STB) 14 via the compression encoder 11, the distribution server 12, and the network 13. The low-pass filter 151 in the picture quality monitoring apparatus 15 removes high-frequency components of an inputted digital signal and inputs luminance signal, the band of which is limited to 4 MHz, into the PSNR calculator 153. The Y/C separator 152 separates a luminance signal from NTSC analog composite signal, which are sent out from the set-top box 14. The separated luminance signal has a band of 4 MHz. The PSNR calculator 153 calculates PSNR between the luminance signal from the low-pass filter 151 and the luminance signal from the Y/C separator 152.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting and geo-locating signal ingress interferences in a cable distribution network comprising a head station for transmitting content to subscribers at frequencies within a network bandwidth. The system comprises a vehicle mounted geo-locating device for generating geo-location data indicating the geographical position of a vehicle, and a vehicle mounted transmitter for transmitting a radio-frequency signal comprising said geo-location data at a frequency within the network bandwidth as the vehicle travels within the geographical area of the network. If an ingress exists in the network, the ingress signal sent from onboard the vehicle would leak into the network to be received and detected by a receiver at the head station of the cable distribution network. A server is used to process the data extracted by the receiver to produces reports and maps reflecting ingress points in a geographical area.

Abstract: A replacement pathway in an STB is utilized to determine loss of packets and delivery error during reception of media broadcasts, and to retrieve replacement data from one or more replacement media servers. The retrieval of the replacement data is performed during playback of the received media broadcasts. The communication of media broadcast incorporates delays to accommodate the retrieval of replacement data. Alternatively, received broadcast media streams are buffered to enable retrieval of replacement data and to provide seamless presentation of media content in the media broadcasts. The replacement media server performs access authentication operations during replacement data retrieval. The replacement media server is accessed via markup language, for example, HTML and/or XML, based interfaces and/or dedicated APIs.

Abstract: In one system embodiment, a first receive-and-process (RP) system and a second RP system, the first and second RP systems each configured to receive a first broadcast stream corresponding to a service, the broadcast stream comprising either a raw Internet protocol (IP) stream or a non-IP stream, and each further configured to derive a first Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) stream and a second RTP stream, respectively, based on the first broadcast stream, the first and second RTP streams having stream parameters in common, the first and second RP systems each further configured to provide respective first and second RTP Control Protocol (RTCP) reports, the first and second RTCP reports based on the derived first and second RTP streams, the first and second RTCP reports each comprising information associated with a viewer experience, the respective information having a common benchmark as a basis for comparison.

Abstract: A cable modem of a CATV system includes a proxy requesting unit. The proxy requesting unit requests a set top box to send relevant information about the set top box when the cable modem is requested to send the relevant information from at least one management device connected to the cable modem via a CATV network.

Abstract: A cable modem of a CATV system includes an address monitoring unit and a proxy requesting unit. The address monitoring unit monitors an address of at least one set top box connected to the cable modem based on a content of transmission sent to the cable modem from the set top box. The proxy requesting unit requests for sending relevant information about the set top box to an address indicated by monitoring result of the address monitoring unit, when the proxy requesting unit is requested for sending the relevant information by at least one management device connected to the cable modem via a CATV network.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring direct broadcast satellite signals. In a most general embodiment, the invention (10) includes a mechanism (20) for receiving direct broadcast wireless signals encoded in accordance with a DSS transport protocol. The received signals are analyzed with respect to various parameters and an output is provided in response thereto. In a specific embodiment, the wireless signals are transmitted via satellite and plural integrated receiver decoders (20) are used, one with an associated channel, to receive the wireless signals and provide audio, video, program guide and conditional access signals in response thereto. These signals are analyzed by software (100) running on a computer (56) which outputs alarm data on the detection of anomalies in the received signals.

Abstract: A method can be used to detect a problem, isolate the cause of the problem to a particular device in which the cause resides, and potentially repairing the particular device. In one embodiment, the method can be fully automated using a system. In another embodiment, the method may be partly automated. In this particular embodiment, the system can perform most or all of the testing or diagnosis automatically. The system can perform the method until a point where human intervention is required. The problem, the cause, and particular device may be known at the time notification is sent to customer care, a workcenter, or another network operations center. With the information regarding the problem, cause and particular device, a technician or other personnel can be dispatched and repair the problem more quickly than if only the problem is provided and the technician needs to perform the testing and diagnosis.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for allowing an operating system to automatically configure and operate multiple types of the same component. According to various embodiments, characteristic information associated with a particular component, such as a tuner, can be written to a nonvolatile memory. An operating system can be configured to read characteristic information from the nonvolatile memory associated with the component. In one example, the characteristic information includes power characteristics associated with the component. By providing characteristic information in a nonvolatile memory, a single version of an operating system can configure and operate many different versions and types of the same component.

Abstract: A method involves identifying a leak location in a cable television system using a detection system, calculating a distance between the leak location and a plurality of shapes or points contained in map data to identify the nearest shape or point, and providing a piece of information corresponding to the nearest shape or point. The piece of information may be a street address or a device.

Abstract: Issuance of work orders in response to monitoring signal egress from shielding integrity flaws in a cable communication system by detecting received signal strength from a mobile receiver only during rising trends in received signal strength when the mobile receiver is in motion and tracking the maximum received signal strength peak during each rising trend. Rising trends are detected by computing two rolling averages of received signal strength sample of different lengths and offset from each other and applying a threshold to the difference between the rolling averages to provide hysteresis in switching between rising and falling trend detection. Reported peaks are then compared by proximity to each other and their circle of influence determined in accordance with respective signal strengths to determine if newly reported peaks are duplicates of previously reported peaks and duplicate reported peaks are removed or discarded.

Abstract: A combination of new hardware at the subscriber site, hardware and services at the satellite broadcasting center and new installation procedures provide a cost-effective approach for verifying “callback” functionality. The required test and monitoring hardware may be provided as an external test CAM and call progress monitor (CPM) or integrated into the IRD. The satellite broadcast center is provided with a call responder & data test system (CRDTS) that is set up to automatically receive and evaluate test calls over a back channel and a call recording system (CRS) that records the test results and notifies the billing center of a successful installation. The installer installs the dish and IRD, verifies “callback” functionality by placing a test call that is evaluated by the CRDTS, and then calls a customer service representative (CSR) to complete the service authorization process. The CSR checks the CRS to verify that the “callback” function is operational and authorizes payment to the installer.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for qualifying performance of a disk drive in a digital home communications terminal (DHCT) deployed in the field. In embodiment, among others, at least one DHCT is identified for performance testing. A disk drive performance test application is downloaded to the DHCT over a communication channel. Performance test results are received from the DHCT over the communication channel. A DHCT is designated as having a hard disk failure if the test results are below a threshold.

Abstract: A device having a test module configured to connect with a server through a cellular telephone network and a wireless area network. The test module is also configured to initiate, in the server, a diagnostic test of an Internet Protocol television network and a set-top box device. The test module is further configured to receive information indicating problems with the Internet Protocol television network and the set-top box device, and to display the information on a display.

Abstract: A system and method for determining an operational status of a segment of a hybrid fiber coax (HFC) cable network. Subscriber premises units (SPUs) connected to the HFC cable network are “pinged” and their responses recorded. The two most responsive SPUs in each node of the HFC cable network are identified. The most responsive SPU is added to a primary ping list and the next most responsive SPU is added to a secondary ping list. The SPUs on the primary list are “pinged” and their responses recorded. If an SPU on the primary list fails to respond, the secondary SPU associated with the node is pinged. If both the primary and secondary SPU associated with a node fail to respond to the “ping,” the node is identified as non-responsive. If all of the nodes associated with a modulator (or a demodulator) are identified as non-responsive, the modulator (or demodulator) is identified as “non-responsive.” Additionally, network devices are pinged and their responses noted.

Abstract: A broadcast data receiver system is provided and a method of operating the system. The system includes a first broadcast data receiver (BDR) (2) located at a first location, typically in a premises. The BDR (2) receives video, audio and/or auxiliary digital data broadcast from a remote location via cable, satellite or terrestrial means. The BDR processes the data and displays the processed data on a display screen (10) and/or audio data via speakers connected thereto. At least a second broadcast data receiver (8) is provided at least a second location typically in the same premises. One of the first and second BDRs (2, 8) is made functional by a signal received from the other of the first and second BDRs, via a telecommunications line (4) provided in the premises and connecting the first and at least second BDRs together, thereby ensuring that both BDRs are connected before operation of the two BDRs can be achieved.

Abstract: A test controller can be operable to diagnose a video condition experienced at a customer premises. The test controller can include a port coupled to the customer premises. The test controller can also include a processor operable to activate a diagnosis sequence, send a set of questions to equipment at the customer premises, and isolate a cause of the video condition to a portion of the network, in response to receiving test a video access device can include a first port coupled to particular test equipment and a second port coupled to video access devices. The test controller can be part of a system that includes methods used to diagnose the video condition experienced at the customer premises.

Abstract: A cable television diagnostic method for a cable television network consistent with certain embodiments involves sending a polling message to a plurality of modems forming a part of a plurality of television set top boxes from a cable television headend via a cable television cable connection to the set top boxes; wherein the polling message instructs the cable television set top boxes to obtain at least one operational parameter of each of the television set top boxes; receiving a plurality of response messages from the cable television set top boxes, each containing the at least one operational parameter of the television set top boxes; determining that one of the operational parameters from one of the television set top boxes is outside of a specified range of values; and aggregating the operational parameters of the plurality of set top boxes received in the response messages to determine if the same operational parameter is outside the range of specified values for more than the one of the television set

Abstract: A test system comprising: acquiring an upstream channel descriptor list; entering a pause network state when the upstream channel descriptor list is completed; and selecting a particular channel from the upstream channel descriptor list before exiting the pause network state.

Abstract: The invention concerns a remote management method enabling a distant remote management server to manage at least a distant device. In order to have a simple and reliable management, it comprises a transmission step of a CWMP command requesting a configuration of the transport and/or dejittering layers.