System and method for detecting and correcting a defective transmission channel in an interactive information distribution system
First Claim
1. A method for detecting and correcting failure of a channel to transmit a data stream in an information distribution system, the information distribution system comprising a plurality of set top terminals and a plurality of digital video modulators the method comprising the steps of:
- automatically detecting a transmission error in a first communication channel;
determining whether the first communication channel upon which the transmission error was detected is defective;
re-assigning transmission of the data stream to one or more other channels by using a digital video modulator other than the digital video modulator that carries the defective channel; and
automatically signaling replacement of the modulator that carries the defective channel.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An interactive information distribution system according to the present invention includes a session control manager having a defective channel detection module, a channel re-allocation module, and a replacement-signaling module. The session control manager is coupled to receive signals from the plurality of set top boxes, and coupled to control the digital video modulators and the assignment of communication channels to nodes. The defective channel detection module receives signals from the plurality of set top boxes, and based on the error rate and other factors determines if any of the communication channels used by the digital video modulators are defective. Upon determining that a particular communication channel is defective, the defective channel detection module signals the channel re-allocation module. The channel re-allocation module re-allocates the streams being transmitted over the defective communication channel so that they are transmitted over the other unaffected and non-defective communication channels. The replacement signaling module also identifies the defective digital video modulator and transmits this information to the network management system which in response follows a pre-defined procedure such as paging service personnel to replace the defective digital video modulator. A method for detecting and correcting a defective transmission channel is also part of the present invention.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method for detecting and correcting failure of a channel to transmit a data stream in an information distribution system, the information distribution system comprising a plurality of set top terminals and a plurality of digital video modulators the method comprising the steps of:
-
automatically detecting a transmission error in a first communication channel;
determining whether the first communication channel upon which the transmission error was detected is defective;
re-assigning transmission of the data stream to one or more other channels by using a digital video modulator other than the digital video modulator that carries the defective channel; and
automatically signaling replacement of the modulator that carries the defective channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
determining whether all the failures on the first communication channel are due to the same set top terminal; and
determining that the first communication channel is not defective if all the failures on the first communication channel are due to the same set top terminal.
-
-
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining whether the first communication channel is defective includes the steps of:
-
determining whether other channels are experiencing the same failure rate as the first communication channel; and
determining that the first communication channel is not defective if the other channels are experiencing the same failure rate as the first communication channel.
-
-
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of re-assigning transmission of the data stream to one or more other channels includes rate multiplexing the data stream over other channels and rate adjusting other data streams.
-
13. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of re-assigning transmission of the data stream to one or more other channels includes the steps of:
-
determining the digital video modulator servicing the first communication channel;
determining whether another digital video modulator with an available channel; and
transmitting the data stream over the available channel of the other digital video modulator.
-
-
14. In a video-on-demand system having a plurality of communication channels for transmitting a plurality of data streams, an apparatus for detecting and correcting errors in a first transmission channel, the apparatus comprising:
-
a defective channel detection module having an input and at least one output, the input of the defective channel detection module coupled to receive signals from a plurality of set top terminals, the defective channel detection module determining whether the first transmission channel is defective and generating a signal identifying the first transmission channel as defective and a current stream being transmitted on the first transmission channel; and
a channel re-allocation module having an input and an output, the input of the channel re-allocation module coupled to the output of the defective channel detection module, the channel re-allocation module controlling the system to provide the current stream on a transmission channel other that the first transmission channel in response to the signal from the defective channel detection module, the output of the channel re-allocation module coupled to control the use of transmission channels in the system; and
a replacement-signaling module having an input and an output, the input of the replacement-signaling module coupled to an output of the defective channel detection module, the output of the replacement-signaling module coupled to provide signals to a network management system, the replacement-signaling module signaling a particular digital video modulator as defective to the network management system in response to a signal from the defective channel detection module. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification