System and method for detecting and correcting a defective transmission channel in an interactive information distribution system
US6598229B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 20, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jul 22, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 20, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N21/44209
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
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 res…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.