Method for real-time identification and diagnosis of video network problems for digital cable and IPTV service providers
First Claim
1. A method for use by a video service provider for identifying a network problem in a video network used by said video service provider to transmit video signals to customers thereof, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) receiving, from one or more of said customers of said video service provider, one or more corresponding real-time on-line reports of a video quality problem with one of said video signals, the one of said video signals having been received from said service provider at one or more customer premises and the video quality problem therewith being that said one of said video signals is of insufficient quality, each of said customer premises having located thereat a video display control apparatus for receiving and displaying said video signal, the real-time on-line reports of said video quality problem each having been reported by a corresponding one of said customers with use of a user interface associated with said corresponding video display control apparatus; and
(b) identifying a topological location in said video network where a potential network problem exists based on(i) said one or more received real-time on-line reports of said video quality problem with said one of said video signals, and(ii) information relating said one or more of said customers to corresponding topological locations within said video network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for identifying video network problems for digital cable and IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) service providers based on real-time on-line video quality monitoring by customers. A video quality problem reporting button is provided on each customer'"'"'s set-top box and/or on a remote control unit therefor, which is used by the customer to report a video quality degradation problem to the service provider. Based on an aggregation of video quality problem reports by a plurality of customers, and based on geographical and topological information regarding these customers in connection with knowledge of the network topology, a network management system of the service provider advantageously identifies, locates, and potentially diagnoses a network problem.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A method for use by a video service provider for identifying a network problem in a video network used by said video service provider to transmit video signals to customers thereof, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) receiving, from one or more of said customers of said video service provider, one or more corresponding real-time on-line reports of a video quality problem with one of said video signals, the one of said video signals having been received from said service provider at one or more customer premises and the video quality problem therewith being that said one of said video signals is of insufficient quality, each of said customer premises having located thereat a video display control apparatus for receiving and displaying said video signal, the real-time on-line reports of said video quality problem each having been reported by a corresponding one of said customers with use of a user interface associated with said corresponding video display control apparatus; and (b) identifying a topological location in said video network where a potential network problem exists based on (i) said one or more received real-time on-line reports of said video quality problem with said one of said video signals, and (ii) information relating said one or more of said customers to corresponding topological locations within said video network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification