The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 22, 2003
Filed:
Nov. 20, 1998
Aidan J. Smyth, San Francisco, CA (US);
Christopher Goode, Menlo Park, CA (US);
Diva Systems Corp., Redwood City, CA (US);
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.