CATV communication system for changing first protocol syntax processor which processes data of first format to second protocol syntax processor processes data of second format
First Claim
1. A settop terminal for a CATV communication system having a headend and at least one settop terminal, wherein the settop terminal uses a central processing unit and associated memory for processing communication data comprising:
- a protocol syntax processor, for processing communication data of a first format between the headend and the settop terminal; and
an adaptive protocol processor for enabling the settop terminal to process communication data of a second different format, including;
means for receiving data through the protocol syntax processor;
means for constructing a new protocol syntax processor from said data;
means for testing said new protocol syntax processor; and
means for rerouting communication data from the protocol syntax processor to said new protocol syntax processor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An adaptive protocol CATV communication system is embodied in a decentralized communication arrangement, wherein the communicating nodes are located at various points within the CATV system. Each communicating node has two protocol syntax processing components: 1) a protocol syntax processor (PSP) which is a downloadable software component that processes of incoming frames; and 2) an adaptive protocol processor which is a fixed software component that oversees the replacement of an old PSP with a new PSP. A master node initiates the migration from an old PSP to a new PSP by sending the new PSP image frames to a slave node. After the new PSP image is complete, the slave node enters a verification mode to test the new PSP. The master node sends special test frames to the slave node to verify the operability of the new PSP by using the old PSP. The results of the verification are conveyed back to the master node to take the appropriate actions. The CATV system remains fully operational for the duration of the PSP upgrade since the frequencies allocated for video programming differ from the frequencies allocated for data transmission.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A settop terminal for a CATV communication system having a headend and at least one settop terminal, wherein the settop terminal uses a central processing unit and associated memory for processing communication data comprising:
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a protocol syntax processor, for processing communication data of a first format between the headend and the settop terminal; and an adaptive protocol processor for enabling the settop terminal to process communication data of a second different format, including; means for receiving data through the protocol syntax processor; means for constructing a new protocol syntax processor from said data; means for testing said new protocol syntax processor; and means for rerouting communication data from the protocol syntax processor to said new protocol syntax processor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A CATV communication network having at least one headend unit and a plurality of settop terminals;
- said headend unit for controlling communication with said plurality of settop terminals via a plurality of selected protocol formats;
said settop terminals having a central processing unit and an associated memory;
the network comprising;said headend unit having; means for transmitting communications in a first protocol format to said settop terminals; and means for transmitting data in said first protocol format to enable a settop terminal to receive and process communications in a second protocol format; and
each said settop terminal having;a protocol syntax processor for processing data in said first protocol format; and adaptive protocol processor means for enabling the settop terminal to process data in said second protocol format, including; means for receiving processor construction data in said first protocol format; means for constructing a new protocol syntax processor for processing data in said second protocol format from said processor construction data; means for testing said new protocol syntax processor; and means for rerouting communications from said protocol syntax processor to said new protocol syntax processor. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
- said headend unit for controlling communication with said plurality of settop terminals via a plurality of selected protocol formats;
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22. A method for changing protocol syntax processors from a first protocol syntax processor which processes data of a first format to a second protocol syntax processor which processes data of a second format without interrupting operation of a data transmission system comprising:
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receiving data in said first format through said first protocol syntax processor; constructing a new protocol syntax processor from said received data; testing said second protocol syntax processor; and rerouting data from said first protocol syntax processor to said second protocol syntax processor. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification