Abstract:
A receiver control is configured to receive signal receive level data from a plurality of signal receivers. The receiver control determines if a signal receive level is lower than expected. In response to determining that the signal receive level is lower than expected, it is determined if an alternate signal is available via an alternate signal path. In response to determining that an alternate signal is available, an instruction is transmitted to one of the plurality of signal receivers with an indication that the alternate signal is to be received via the alternate signal path. The receiver control transmits the alternate signal via the alternate signal path to the one of the plurality of signal receivers experiencing lower than expected signal receive levels in one embodiment. The receiver can resume utilizing an original signal via an original signal path when the signal receive level of the original signal returns to expected levels.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates generally to satellite broadcast receivers, and more particularly to automated signal analysis and reporting among radio frequency (RF) receiver devices. 
         [0002]    Consumers can receive broadcasts via satellite using direct broadcast satellite (DBS) radio frequency (RF) receivers. These consumers have a satellite dish installed at their residence for receiving signals from a satellite. The satellite dish transmits broadcast signals to a signal receiver. The signal receiver converts the broadcast signal into a display signal which is output to a consumer&#39;s display, such as a television. 
         [0003]    Broadcast signals from the satellite can be disrupted by a variety of obstructions such as aircraft and atmospheric events. Those signal disruptions can affect the quality of content viewed by a user. For example, signal disruption can cause pixilation of a displayed video. Signal disruptions often require troubleshooting. In addition, the restoration process to reestablish a disrupted or lost signal can be long and cumbersome. As a result, consumers can become frustrated with signal disruptions. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In one embodiment, a method for operating a receiver server includes receiving signal receive level data from a plurality of signal receivers for an original signal via an original signal path. In one embodiment, the original signal is a radio frequency signal from a satellite and the original signal path is from the satellite to a dish associated with the plurality of signal receivers. It is determined if a signal receive level is lower than expected. In response to determining that the signal receive level is lower than expected, it is determined if an alternate signal is available via an alternate signal path. In response to determining that an alternate signal is available, an instruction is transmitted to one of the plurality of signal receivers with an indication that the alternate signal is to be obtained via the alternate signal path. A receiver server transmits the alternate signal via the alternate signal path to the one of the plurality of signal receivers experiencing lower than expected signal receive levels. The alternate signal can be transmitted via the alternate signal path using out-of-band communications. In one embodiment, the instruction also includes a timer value that indicates a period of time that the alternate signal is to be received via the alternate signal path. The timer value, in one embodiment, is based on an amount of time over which a prior signal disruption occurred. In one embodiment, the receiver control receives an indication that the signal receive level is at an expected value. In response, an instruction is transmitted to the one of the plurality of signal receivers that includes an indication that the original signal is to be received via the original signal path. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  depicts a direct broadcast satellite system according to an embodiment; 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment; and 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  depicts a high-level block diagram of a computer. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0008]      FIG. 1  depicts a direct broadcast satellite (DBS) system  100 . Content server  102  stores content for broadcast to consumers. For example, content server  102  can store movies, television shows, commercials, etc. for broadcast to consumers. The content is typically ordered and edited prior to broadcast in accordance with a broadcast schedule. Content server  102  is in communication with transmitter  104 . Content server  102  transmits a signal to transmitter  104  comprising content. Transmitter  104  is a device configured to transmit a radio frequency (RF) signal to a satellite. As shown in  FIG. 1 , transmitter  104  transmits broadcast signal  106  to satellite  108  based on the signal received from content server  102 . Satellite  108  is configured to receive broadcast signal  106  and retransmit the signal as broadcast signal  110  to a plurality of receivers located in a large geographic area (e.g. North America, the United States, or a portion of the United States). 
         [0009]    Broadcast signal  110  can be received by multiple geographic locations.  FIG. 1  depicts residence  112  having dish  114  for receiving broadcast signal  110 . Typically, a residence, such as residence  112  will have a single dish, such as dish  114 , which is installed and adjusted to receive signals from one or more satellites, such as satellite  108 . Dish  114  can be any type of antenna for receiving an RF signal such as broadcast signal  110 . Dish  114  transmits broadcast signal  110  to RF signal switch and distribution device  116  (also referred to as RF signal switch  116 ). RF signal switch  116  is configured to replicate broadcast signal  110  and transmit the signal to one or more signal receivers, such as signal receivers  118 ,  122 ,  126 ,  130 . RF signal switch  114  can also be configured to convert broadcast signal  110  into a format compatible with a signal receiver. 
         [0010]    Broadcast signal  110  is received by signal receiver  118  and is converted to a display signal for transmission to a display device, such as display device  120 . Signal receiver  118 , is a device configured to receive broadcast signal  110  and perform one or more operations to provide a display signal to display device  120 . For example, signal receiver  118  can be a set top box. Signal receivers  122 ,  126 , and  130  receive broadcast signal  110  and convert the signal to display signals for transmission to respective display devices  124 ,  128 , and  132  in a manner similar to that described above in connection with signal receiver  118  and display  120 . 
         [0011]    Signal receivers  118 ,  122 ,  126 , and  130 , in one embodiment, are also configured to determine a value for a signal receive level. The signal receive level is the strength of the signal received by a respective signal receiver. Values for signal receive levels can be measured and compared directly with reference values. In one embodiment, actual signal receive level values can be converted to values associated with an arbitrary scale. For example, signal receive level values can be converted to a value on an arbitrary scale of one to five with five being the highest. This conversion can be used to allow comparison of signal receive level values for different receivers having different ranges for actual values. For example, one signal receiver may measure signal receive levels having a range of one to ten volts while another signal receiver can have signal receive levels with a range of one to five volts. Conversion of signal receive values to an arbitrary scale can be used to allow comparison of signal receive levels having different ranges. 
         [0012]    Signal receivers  118 ,  122 ,  126 ,  130  are also configured to transmit operation data to a remote location, such as receiver server  136  via data path  135 . In one embodiment, data path  135  is a network such as the Internet. Signal receivers, in one embodiment, communicate with receiver server  136  via receiver controller  134  and data path  135 . 
         [0013]    Receiver controller  134  is configured to compile data received from signal receivers and transmit the compiled data to receiver server  136  via data path  135 . In one embodiment, receiver controller  134  is configured to compile and store data from signal receivers  118 ,  122 ,  126 , and  130  and periodically transmit the compiled data to receiver server  136  via data path  135 . 
         [0014]    Signal receivers  118 ,  122 ,  126 , and  130  and receiver controller  134  can transmit and receive various data to and from receiver server  136  via data path  135 . Data such as control data, operation data, and signal receive level data transmitted among these components are referred to as in-band communications. Control data comprises data that can be used to affect the operation of signal receivers  118 ,  122 ,  126 , and  130 . Operation data comprises data that indicates use of signal receivers  118 ,  122 ,  126 , and  130  (e.g., current channel receiver is tuned to, etc.) Signal receive level data pertains to values associated with a strength of a signal received by each of signal receivers  118 ,  122 ,  126 , and  130 . 
         [0015]    Receiver server  136  is in communication with receiver database  138  which stores information pertaining to signal receivers, such as signal receivers  118 ,  122 ,  126 , and  130 . In one embodiment, receiver server  136  and receiver database  138  are in communication with content server  102 . In such embodiments, receiver server  136  can receive content from content server  102  for transmission to signal receivers  118 ,  122 ,  126 , and  130  via an alternate signal path (described in further detail below). 
         [0016]    In one embodiment, signal disruptions can be compensated for by use of an alternate signal path such as data path  135 . Data path  135  is used for in-band communications. Additional data can be transmitted via data path  135 . Communication for transmission of data other than control data, operation data, and signal receive level data via data path  135  is referred to as out-of-band communications. 
         [0017]    Content can be transmitted to signal receivers  118 ,  122 ,  126 , and  130  from content server  102  via receiver server  136 , data path  135 , and receiver controller  134 . This alternate signal path can be used when broadcast signals  110  transmitted from satellite  108  are disrupted. Receiver controller  134  is in communication with receivers  118 ,  122 ,  126 , and  130  and with receiver server  136 . In addition, receiver server  136  and receiver database  138  are in communication with content server  102 . 
         [0018]      FIG. 2  depicts a flow chart of a method of operating receiver server  136  (shown in  FIG. 1 ), according to one embodiment. At step  202 , signal receive level data of a broadcast signal is received by receiver server  136 , in one embodiment, from one of signal receivers  118 ,  122 ,  126  or  130  via receiver controller  134 . As described above, each signal receiver determines a value of a signal receive level of the respective received signal. The method then proceeds to step  204 , where it is determined whether a signal receive level within valid performance parameters. In one embodiment, the performance parameters are based on a minimum signal receive level required to be received by a signal receiver in order to display content in an acceptable manner. For example, a minimum signal receive level can be selected so that content generated from received signals has a limited amount of pixilation or other type of video and/or audio distortion. If the signal receive level is within valid performance parameters (i.e., the signal receive level has an expected value) as determined in step  204 , the method proceeds to step  206 . At step  206 , use of the RF signal continues and the method proceeds to step  202 . If the signal receive level is not within valid performance parameters as determined in step  204  (i.e., signal receiver level is lower than expected), the method proceeds to step  208 . 
         [0019]    At step  208 , receiver server  136  determines if an alternate signal is available. For example, an alternate signal may be obtained by one or more of signal receivers  118 ,  122 ,  126  and/or  130  from receiver server  136  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) which is in communication with content server  102  (also shown in  FIG. 1 ). In one embodiment, an alternate signal is available if the content that was to be provided to a signal receiver via satellite  108  can be obtained from content server by receiver server  136 . In addition, in order for an alternate signal to be available, out-of-band communication from receiver server  136  to receiver controller  134  must have enough bandwidth to support transmission of the content. If an alternate signal is not available, the method proceeds to step  206  and use of the broadcast signal continues. If an alternate signal is available, the method proceeds to step  210  where a timer is started. In one embodiment, the timer has a value which expires after a predetermined time period. For example, the time period can represent an amount of time after which RF signals received by dish  114  normally return to a signal receive level within valid parameters (e.g., an expected signal receive level). 
         [0020]    At step  212 , the alternate signal path is used to obtain the alternate signal. In one embodiment, use of the alternate signal path is initiated by receiver server  136  transmitting instructions to receiver controller  134  to utilize the alternate signal path (i.e., the communication path between receiver server  136  and receiver controller  134 ) and also provides a timer value. At step  214 , receiver server  136  determines if the timer has expired. If the timer has not expired, the method proceeds to step  212  and use of the alternate signal path continues. If the timer has expired, the method proceeds to step  216 . At step  216 , receiver server  136  determines if the signal receive level is within valid performance parameters (e.g., an expected signal receive level). If the signal receive level is within valid performance parameters, then the method proceeds to step  206  and the use of the RF signal begins again. If the signal receive level is not within valid performance parameters (e.g., signal receive level is lower than expected), the method proceeds to step  208 . 
         [0021]    In one embodiment, method  200  continues to be performed by receiver server  136  as long as one or more of receivers  118 ,  122 ,  126 , and  130  are operating (i.e., outputting signals for display to a user). It should be noted that method  200  is described above as being performed by receiver server  136 . In one embodiment, method  200  is performed by receiver controller  134  based on data received from receiver server  136 . In one embodiment, signal receivers communicate with receiver server  136  directly. 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , signal receivers  118 ,  122 ,  126 , and  130  each receive signals from dish  114  via RF signal switch  116 . As such, certain problems can be diagnosed based on variation between signal receive levels of the receivers. For example, if one of signal receivers  118 ,  122 ,  126 , or  130  is experiencing lower than expected signal receive levels, the problem is most likely with transmission of a signal from dish  114  to the receiver with the lower than expected signal receive level and not with dish  114 . If all signal receivers connected to a common dish are experiencing lower than expected signal receive levels, the problem is most likely caused by an obstruction causing signal disruption, a problem with the dish, and/or a problem with the RF signal switch. 
         [0023]    Satellite  108 , RF signal switch  116 , signal receivers  118 ,  122 ,  126 ,  130 , displays  120 ,  124 ,  128 ,  132 , receiver controller  134 , receiver server  136 , receiver database  138 , and content server  102  can each be implemented using a computer. A high-level block diagram of such a computer is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Computer  302  contains a processor  304  which controls the overall operation of the computer  302  by executing computer program instructions which define such operation. The computer program instructions may be stored in a storage device  312 , or other computer readable medium (e.g., magnetic disk, CD ROM, etc.), and loaded into memory  310  when execution of the computer program instructions is desired. Thus, the method steps of  FIG. 2  can be defined by the computer program instructions stored in the memory  310  and/or storage  312  and controlled by the processor  304  executing the computer program instructions. For example, the computer program instructions can be implemented as computer executable code programmed by one skilled in the art to perform an algorithm defined by the method steps of  FIG. 2 . Accordingly, by executing the computer program instructions, the processor  304  executes an algorithm defined by the method steps of  FIG. 2 . The computer  302  also includes one or more network interfaces  306  for communicating with other devices via a network. The computer  302  also includes input/output devices  308  that enable user interaction with the computer  302  (e.g., display, keyboard, mouse, speakers, buttons, etc.) One skilled in the art will recognize that an implementation of an actual computer could contain other components as well, and that  FIG. 5  is a high level representation of some of the components of such a computer for illustrative purposes. 
         [0024]    The foregoing Detailed Description is to be understood as being in every respect illustrative and exemplary, but not restrictive, and the scope of the inventive concept disclosed herein is not to be determined from the Detailed Description, but rather from the claims as interpreted according to the full breadth permitted by the patent laws. It is to be understood that the embodiments shown and described herein are only illustrative of the principles of the inventive concept and that various modifications may be implemented by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the inventive concept. Those skilled in the art could implement various other feature combinations without departing from the scope and spirit of the inventive concept.