Patent Publication Number: US-2004054771-A1

Title: Method and apparatus for the remote retrieval and viewing of diagnostic information from a set-top box

Description:
COPYRIGHT STATEMENT  
       [0001] All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and of other countries. Portions of the material in this patent document are also subject to protection under the maskwork registration laws of the United States and of other countries. The owner of the copyright and maskwork rights has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the United States Patent and Trademark Office file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright and maskwork rights whatsoever.  
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
       [0002] 1. Field of the invention  
       [0003] The present invention relates generally to set-top boxes, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus which enables a user to remotely retrieve and view diagnostic information from a set-top box.  
       [0004] 2. Background of the Invention  
       [0005] A set-top box is a device that is connected to a television set (TV) or is integrated into the TV and enables a user to enhance the functionality of the TV. Set-top boxes are used, for instance, to retrieve a cable signal, to retrieve a program guide, to control the recording and playback of certain television signals, to use the Internet, and to otherwise allow the user to have an enhanced experience when using the TV. Set-top boxes, as with all electrical devices, occasionally need maintenance and repair. Moreover, set-top boxes are devices that are part of an interconnected network, and as network devices their status must be monitored regularly in order to diagnose network issues and software bugs that occasionally occur.  
       [0006] Currently, to diagnose and view the details describing a problem either with the set-top box itself or with its network connection, a technician must go to the location of the set-top box and query the device for information necessary to diagnose the problem. Alternatively, a phone operator must instruct a person at the location of the set-top box to manually perform the queries and relay the information to the operator. The first technique is disadvantageous because it requires the time and expense associated with a driver physically going to a distant location to diagnose the problem, even if the problem might be solved without going to that location.  
       [0007] The second technique is disadvantageous because it requires the assistance of a middle-person, who has no technical knowledge of querying a set-top box, who does not own the set-top box, who might not be able to properly perform the queries needed to diagnose the problem, and who ordinarily does not need to know the procedure for diagnosing a set-top box. Before further discussing these drawbacks, an overview of set-top boxes is provided.  
       [0008] Set-Top Boxes  
       [0009] A set-top box is typically connected to a conventional TV and controlled by a hand-held remote control device. The set-top box provides a graphical user interface (GUI) by which a user can easily access both standard television programming and interactive content, using the conventional television set as an audio and visual output device. Interactive content includes, for instance, web pages, audio, and video, any of which may originate from the Internet. Some interactive data may be embodied in a markup language, such as Hypertext Mark-up Language (HTML) or extensible Markup Language (XML). The set-top box might utilize web browser software to allow the user to access and download interactive content.  
       [0010]FIG. 1 illustrates a system, which includes a set-top box  10  that is connected to a conventional TV  20  via a transmission line  30 . TV signals are received by the set-top box  10  via transmission line  40 , which may be connected to either an antenna or a cable television outlet. Set-top box  10  receives conventional AC power through a line  50 . Set-top box  10  receives user input entered from a handheld remote control  60  over a wireless link  70 . Wireless link  70  may be an infrared (IR) link, a radio frequency (RF) link, or any other suitable type of link.  
       [0011] A bi-directional data path  80  is provided to set-top box  10 , through which set-top box  10  can access the Internet  91  via Intranet  90 . Bi-directional data paths  80  and  81  typically comprise RF networks across which set-top box  10  is able to communicate with Internet  91  via Intranet  90 . Set-top box  10  also includes an input area  95 . Either input area  95 , or remote control  60 , or both contain functionality for querying the state of set-top box  10  in order to retrieve diagnostic information. When set-top box  10  is queried, a user is able to determine and diagnose problems and maintenance issues with set-top box  10 .  
       [0012]FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the internal components of set-top box  10 . Note that FIG. 2 is intended to be a conceptual diagram and does not necessarily reflect the exact physical construction and interconnections of these components. Set-top box  10  includes processing and control circuitry  200 , which controls the overall operation of the system. Coupled to the processing and control circuitry  200  are a TV tuner  210 , a memory device  220 , a communication device  230 , a remote interface  240 , and a diagnostic functionality block  250 . TV tuner  210  receives the television signals on transmission line  260 , which may originate from an antenna or a cable television outlet. Processing and control circuitry  200  provides audio and video output to TV set  20  via a line  270 . Remote interface  240  receives signals from remote control  60  via wireless connection  70 . Communication device  230  is used to transfer data between set-top box  10  and one or more remote processing systems, such as a web server  280 , via a data path  290 .  
       [0013] Processing and control circuitry  200  may include one or more of devices such as general-purpose microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), various types of signal conditioning circuitry, including analog-to-digital converters, digital-to-analog converters, input/output buffers, etc. Memory device  220  may include one or more physical memory devices, which may include volatile storage devices, non-volatile storage devices, or both. For example, memory  220  may include both random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), various forms of programmable and/or erasable ROM (e.g., PROM, EPOM, EEPROM, etc.), flash memory, or any combination of these devices.  
       [0014] Diagnostic functionality  250  (which may comprise a software process, hardware, or a combination of both) is configured to query one or more internal states of set-top box  10  and the status of its network connection in order to diagnose, detect, and display information relating to maintenance and repair issues. Diagnostic functionality  250  operates, for instance, by an input signal being presented by remote control  60  to remote interface  240  and then to diagnostic functionality  250  via processing and control circuitry  200 . The input signal is used to instruct diagnostic functionality  250  as to which diagnostic states to query. The results of the query are presented as output on TV screen  20  via line  270 . Alternatively, a direct interface (not shown) may be used to perform an analogous operation at diagnostic functionality  250 .  
       [0015] Communication device  230  may be a conventional telephone (POTS) modem, an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) adapter, a Digital Subscriber Line (xDSL) adapter, a cable television modem, or any other suitable data communication device. Note that in various other embodiments, other components may be added to the system, either as components of set-top box  10  or as peripheral devices. Such components might include, for example, a keyboard, a mass storage device, or a printer. Such components may be connected via a physical connection or by a wireless connection (e.g., a wireless keyboard).  
       [0016] Querying and Viewing Diagnostic Information  
       [0017] Currently, to diagnose the problem that requires the maintenance, repair, or intervention a cable technician must go to the location of the set-top box and query the device in order to view the information necessary to diagnose the problem.  
       [0018] Alternatively, a phone operator must instruct a person at the location of the set-top box to manually perform the queries and relay the information to the operator. For instance, a problem needing intervention could be as simple as parental control being activated on a channel, and the viewer not recognizing this state. The viewer would simply need to enter their parental control PIN to get out of this state, however, currently diagnosing this situation requires one of the two disadvantageous procedures described above.  
       [0019] Once the internal diagnostics of the box or its network state are understood, an action to fix the problem or intervene can take place. This includes, for instance, repairs or changes at the location of the set-top box, or signals sent to the set-top box from a remote location across a network. For example, if a box is experiencing macro-blocking of digital pictures (e.g., bad digital pictures), one would have to go to the location of the box to detect if the signal levels are low (i.e., it is a network problem) or if a lower level software problem is to blame.  
       [0020] Querying and viewing the internal diagnostics of the set-top box at the location of the box is disadvantageous because of the time and expense associated with a driver physically going to a distant location to diagnose the problem. This is especially true when the problem is solved simply with signals sent from a remote location, as is the case with macro-blocking or with a mistakenly installed PIN.  
       [0021] It is also disadvantageous to have a phone operator instruct the user of the box in querying and viewing its internal diagnostics because it requires the assistance of a middle-person, who has no technical knowledge of querying a set-top box, who does not own the set-top box, and who might not be able to properly perform the queries needed to diagnose the problem. Furthermore, it is undesirable to allow the user of the box to understand how to query the diagnostics of the box, since this is a function of the box provider, owner, or repair person.  
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
       [0022] Embodiments of the present invention are directed toward the remote retrieval and viewing of diagnostic information from a set-top box. According to the present invention, a network is used to facilitate the querying of the diagnostics of a set-top box and its network connection. In response, the set-top box returns its diagnostic information across the network to the requesting user where they are viewed. The diagnostic information allows an operator to remotely diagnose problems and/or maintenance issues with the system, hardware, or network.  
       [0023] In one embodiment, a GUI is used wherein a user inputs a unique identifier for the set-top box. The unique identifier is used to locate the set-top box on the network and to instruct it as to which diagnostics are needed. In another embodiment, a web browser is used to implement the GUI as a web page, which may be formatted using HTML, XML, or any other suitable web-based technology. The GUI includes at least an area for the input of the set-top box&#39;s unique identifier as an IP address, a MAC address, or a set-top box serial number. Diagnostic information includes, for instance, a system summary, an identity, feature authorizations, versions, network configurations, tuning information, RF network information, MPEG information, hardware information, memory, system information, channel information, program guide events information, broadcast file system (BFS) information, pay-per-view (PPV) information, entitlement management message (EMM) status, passthru messages, last reset state information, media on demand (MOD) information, MOD purchases, and MOD events.  
       [0024] In another embodiment, the network structure where the invention takes place includes a first network layer having an application server (which may be a general purpose computer) connected to multiple set-top boxes in an intranet and a second network layer where a second server is connected to the application server. The second network layer includes, for instance, the world wide web or an internal intranet. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
     [0025] The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only:  
     [0026]FIG. 1 is a diagram that illustrates a system that includes a set-top box.  
     [0027]FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the internal components of a set-top box.  
     [0028]FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of one embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0029]FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of another embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0030]FIG. 5 is a functional diagram showing the structure of a network where an embodiment of the present invention can be implemented.  
     [0031]FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of the present invention that uses web pages.  
     [0032]FIG. 7 is a user interface screen in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
     [0033] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to the remote retrieval and viewing of information from a set-top box. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the remote retrieval and viewing of information from a set-top box according to one embodiment. At block  300 , a user (a customer service representative or other technician, for instance) accesses a GUI and inputs a unique identifier for the set-top box. At block  310 , a connection is made over a network between a computer and the set-top box. This may occur, for instance, by an RF network that is established between the set-top and a local intranet, wherein data is transferred over the RF network from the set-top to a computer connected to the intranet and vice-versa. In another embodiment, a local or global computer network (e.g., the Internet) is connected to the intranet and the data exchange may occur between a computer connected to the Internet and the set-top box via the RF network.  
     [0034] At block  320 , the user queries the diagnostics of the set-top box. At block  330 , the set-top box returns its diagnostic information to the user. At block  340 , the user views the set to box diagnostic information. In one embodiment, when the user views the diagnostic information it is in the same form it is in when it is viewed directly at the location of the set-top box.  
     [0035]FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing how an embodiment of the present invention can be used to facilitate the service, repair, or intervention into a situation where a set-top box needs to be accessed. At block  400 , a user (a customer service representative or other technician, for instance) accesses a GUI and inputs a unique identifier for the set-top box. At block  410 , a connection is made between the user&#39;s computer and the set-top box. At block  420 , the user queries for the diagnostics of the set-top box. At block  430 , the set-top box returns its diagnostic information to the user. At block  435  the user views the diagnostic information. At block  440 , the user determines whether the diagnostic information reveals a state that can be corrected remotely. If so, at block  450  the user corrects the problem remotely. Otherwise, at block  460 , a technician is sent to the location of the box to address the issue.  
     [0036]FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the structure of an interconnected network that is used to implement the present invention. One or more set-top boxes  500   a - 500   e  are connected to as cable outlet in the wall of their house  510   a - 510   e , which in turn is connected to a node at the street  520   a - c . Note that multiple boxes might be connected to the same node. All of the nodes at the street  520   a - c  in turn are connected to an application server  530 . Application server may be a general purpose computer or other suitable server. This forms a first network layer  540  that is traditionally considered an intranet.  
     [0037] The diagram of first network layer  540  is for purposes of example only. One skilled in the art will recognize that nodes  520   a - c  may be RF nodes or some other suitable node. Also between nodes  520   a - c  and application server  530  there may be modulators, demodulators, routers, and switches (not shown) depending on the network topology. Moreover, application server  530  may have one or more connections to other servers  599 , wherein other servers  599  may share data with application server  530  that enables it to communicate with a specific set-top box  500   a - e.    
     [0038] A second network layer  550 , which comprises an Internet or another Intranet is connected to first network layer  540 . Second network layer  550  includes an optional server  560  connected to the application server  530 , which acts as an intermediary for one or more client computers  570   a  and  570   b  to access the set-top boxes  500  by using a GUI  580   a  and  580   b . In the absence of the optional server  560 , the clients  570  connect directly to network layer  540  via application server  530  as shown by dotted lines  590   a  and  590   b . GUIs  580   a  and  580   b  include input areas  595   a  and  595   b  that at least provide for the specification of a unique identifier that allows the client to access any particular set-top box on the network.  
     [0039] GUI  
     [0040] In one embodiment, the GUI used in conjunction with the present invention comprises a web page, which may be in HTML, XML, or in another suitable format. This embodiment of the present invention is shown with respect to FIG. 6. At block  600  of FIG. 6, a user starts a web browser capable of displaying a web page on a client computer. At block  610 , the location of the web page is obtained where the GUI is located. This is accomplished, for instance, by specifying a unique uniform resource locator (URL) for the web page. At block  620 , the user specifies a unique identifier for the set-top box, such as an IP address, a MAC address, or a serial number.  
     [0041] At block  630 , the user accesses the GUI and determines which internal diagnostic characteristics are needed from the set-top box. At block  640 , the browser uses the selected internal diagnostic characteristics and makes a request to an application server by running a common gateway interface (CGI) script. At block  650 , the CGI script is executed on the application server. At block  660 , the application server tells the set-top box which internal diagnostic characteristics to locate depending on the contents of the executing CGI script. At block  670 , the set-top box gathers the requested internal diagnostic characteristics and returns them to the application server. At block  680 , the application server formats the set-top box&#39;s response into HTML, XML, or another suitable format and at block  690 , the response is shown at the web browser of the user&#39;s client computer.  
     [0042] An example of a GUI that is used in one embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 7. Web browser  700 , displays a web page  705 , when directed to the appropriate address  710 . Web page includes an input area  715  configured to receive a unique identifier  720  associated with a set-top box. Unique identifier  720  is used to locate the desired set-top box on a network. GUI also includes a diagnostic information selection area  730  and a diagnostic information viewing area  725 .  
     [0043] Diagnostic information selection area  730  includes for instance, links to other addresses that when selected will access other web pages showing various diagnostic information for the set-top box. These web pages may be displayed, for instance in diagnostic information viewing area  725  and may also optionally be in a format to that which is displayed directly at the location of the set-top box.  
     [0044] Depending upon the application, diagnostic information selection area  730  includes links relating to a system summary, an identity, a feature authorization, versions, network configuration, tuning, RF network, MPEG information, hardware information, memory, system information, channel application information, program guide events, BFS, PPV and authorization information, PPV past NVRAM, PPV pending NVRAM, PPV event, EMM status, passthru messages, and last reset state information. These links are described in more detail below.  
     [0045] Diagnostic Information  
     [0046] In one embodiment, the diagnostic information shown in diagnostic information selection area  730  has various types of diagnostic information organized into categories. Table 1 shows each of the categories and gives an overview of what each category is used for.  
                   TABLE 1                        Category   Use                  System   Summarizes important information from other       Summary   diagnostics screens       Identity   Identifies the set-top box on the network including           the IP and MAC addresses       Feature   System features for which this set-top box is       Authorization   authorized       Versions   Current software and operating system versions           residing on the set-top.       Network   Set-top network configuration information       Configuration       Tuning   This screen provides tuning information and allows           the user to tune to specific channels       RF Network   Information about the RF network, the Forward Data           Channel (FDC), Reverse Data Channel (RDC), QAM,           etc.       MPEG   PID information and other details about the MPEG       Information   stream for the current digital channel       Hardware   Results of hardware testing called the power-on self       Information   test (POST) of the set-top box       Memory   Summary of total and available set-top box memory       System   Information about the total number of services,       Information   channels, channel types, etc.       Channel   Application programming interface (API) version       Application   number of the channel application API and the date       Information   and time when it was last launched       Program Guide   Information about interactive program guide (IPG)       Events   events, such as when the IPG data was loaded and           how many events are included in the loaded IPG data       BFS   Various diagnostics about the BFS, including the total           bytes of data read from in-band and out-of-band           carousels; information about when certain common           files were most recently read, if any errors occurred           when they were read; and some performance           information useful for fine-tuning the BFS data           carousel rates       PPV and   Number of PPV purchases, PPV credits, and       Authorization   information about poll requests       Information       PPV Past    lnformation about past PPV purchases       NVRAM PPV   lnformation about pending PPV purchases       Pending NVRAM       PPV Event   Information about a currently tuned PPV event or the           last tuned-to PPV event       EMM Status   Information about the entitlement management           messages (EMMs)       Passthru   Information about Passthru messages       Messages       Last Reset State   Information about the last time a set-top box was       Info   reset                  
 
     [0047] System Summary  
     [0048] If a user selects the system summary link from diagnostic information selection area  730 , a screen is shown that allows an operator to quickly check the status of the system. In one embodiment, the screen includes the information shown in Table 2.  
                   TABLE 2                       Field   Shows                  Service   Whether the system information and BFS information was       State   received (Ready) or not (Default Analog)       Tuner   Whether the signal was found and the modulation mode of       State   the signal. For analog, this field shows WaitingSync, then           FoundSync. For digital channels, this field firstshows           WaitingQAM and then FoundQAM. The modulation mode can           be analog, QAM 64, QAM 128, QAM 256, Not Tuned, or Error           FoundQAM Sync acquired, enabling digital TV viewing           FoundSync Sync acquired, enabling analog TV viewing Ready           Set-top and tuner in idle mode, not in use Suspending           Deactivation request is made, waiting for resources to           respond WaitingQAMWaiting to complete QAM tuning,           enabling digital TV viewing WaitingSync Waiting to acquire           sync, enabling analog TV viewing       RF    Set-top&#39;s MAC address of RF (cable) port       MAC       Addr       RF IP   Set-top&#39;s IP address of RF (cable) port as assigned by the       Addr   DNCS. You can ping this address from the DNCS to see if the           set-top is active on the network. If the address is 0, the set-           top could not get the address from the headend. If the user-           to-network configuration (U-N Config) field shows Broadcast,           the address is 0 because the set-top could not respond to           the headend. If the set-top loses its address the screen does           not update this field to 0 until you reboot the set-top. In this           case it stores the PPV purchases up to the credit limit until it           can send them to the headend       Hub ID   The ID of the hub this set-top is connected to. The DNCS can           support multiple hubs. Each hub may have its own channel           lineup       Tuner   Frequency that the unit is currently tuned to and the signal           level of the channel. The field shows the frequency in MHz, and           the signal level and modulationmode as analog, QAM-64, QAM-           128, or QAM-256. An acceptable range is between −16 dBmV           to +15 dBmV. The recommended operating range           is between 10 dBmV and +10 dBmV. If the digital power level           is out of range, it displays as &gt; Range (higher than +15           dBmV) or &lt; Range (lower than −15 dBmV). The set-top does           not measure power levels when it tunes to analog channels,           and thus does not display this information for analog           channels       FDC   Frequency and signal level of the Forward Data Channel           (FDC). An acceptable range is between −16 dBmV and +15           dBmV. The recommended operating range is between −10           dBmV and +10 dBmV       RDC   Frequency and signal level of the transmitter for the Reverse           Data Channel (RDC). An acceptable range is between +25           dBmV and +55 dBmV. A recommended operating range is           between +27 dBmV and +53 dBmV, depending on the           equipment location within the cable plant       QAM   Average signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio of QAM signal, indicating       average   the quality of the signal. 25 to 35 is adequate       SNR       Tuner   Bit error rate (BER) average since last tune. This is the       BER   number of erroneous bits divided by the total number of bits       average   transmitted over the same period. This shows the quality of           digital channels. This field is not applicable for analog           channels. Nominal values are &lt; 1 × 10 − 9. Typical is           1 × 10 − 6 + 0 to 1 × 10 − 7. Anything worse than 1 × 10 − 3           should be looked at.       Video   Number identifying the video packet identifier (PID) for this       PID   channel. Not applicable for analog channels       Audio   Number identifying the audio PID for this channel. Not       PID   applicable for analog channels       SI   Whether system information was received (yes or no) and           when it was last generated (date). The system information is           a single tuning table which maps thesource IDs to           frequencies and PIDs. The DNCS generates this information,           broadcasts it, and the set-top listens for it. If the date is           incorrect, the set-top may have been unable to get a system           information update, or the information may have been           changed on the DNCS; this causes the lineup to be incorrect       BFS   Whether the BFS directory was located on the network and its           directory structure cached into set-top memory. This           typically happens at reset once or twice every hour. If the BFS           read date is older than half an hour, the set-top may have a           stale BFS directory. In this case, reboot the set-top to obtain           files       U-N   State of the U-N Config, indicating whether there is two-way       Config   communication between the set-top and headend Unknown           Error condition Not connected Set-top cannot hear the           headend or respond (the cable plant is Down or the cable is           not connected to the wall) Interactive Two-way           communication, set-top can hear and respond to Headend           Broadcast Set-top can listen to headend but cannot           respondNote: broadcast can be a normal state in a network           that is not two-way capable and does not provide IPPV.                  
 
     [0049] Identity Information  
     [0050] If a user selects the identity information link from diagnostic information selection area  730 , a screen is shown that allows an operator to identify the set-top on the network. In one embodiment, the screen includes the information shown in Table 3.  
                   TABLE 3                       Field   Shows                  Ethernet IP   Provides the set-top&#39;s ethernet IP address. This field       Address   shows 10.1.1.1 by factory default if the address is not           changed by the DNCS.       RF IP Address   Provides the set-top&#39;s IP address of RF (cable) port as           assigned by the DNCS. You can ping this address to see           if the set-top is active on thenetwork. If the address is           0, the set-top could not get the address from the           headend. If the U-N Config field shows broadcast, the           address is 0 because the set-top could not respond to           the headend. If the set-top loses its address the screen           does not update this field to 0 until you reboot the set-           top. In that case it stores the PPV purchases up to the           credit limit until it can send them to the headend       Ethernet MAC   Provides the set-top&#39;s ethernet MAC address which can       Address   be used for cable-modem type applications       RF MAC   Provides the set-top&#39;s MAC address of RF (cable) port.       Address   This is the primary identifier that headend operators           use to identify the set-top on the network; for           example, when they send addressed messages to           individual set-tops via the DNCS, system administrator,           or billing system. Each set-top has a unique RF MAC           address that never changes       Secure Micro   Provides the MAC address of the secure micro chip in           the set-top       Smart Card   Provides the MAC address of the smart card in the set-           top (if installed)       Hub ID   Provides the ID of the hub this set-top is connected to.           The DNCS can support multiple hubs. Each hub may           have its own channel lineup       Region   Provides the region associated with the channel lineup           region/hub tree       Configuration   Provides the region associated with the feature       Region   configuration region/hub tree                  
 
     [0051] Feature Authorization Information  
     [0052] If a user selects the feature authorization information link from diagnostic information selection area  730 , a screen is shown that allows an operator to test the set-top box for authorization features from the service provider. This information displays on the feature authorization screen. For each feature, this screen shows YES, NO, or YES (NO CHECK).  
     [0053] When a feature shows YES, it indicates that the set-top has been authorized at the headend for the package representing this feature. You can enable certain features such as the program guide or IPPV per set-top via the billing system, authorizing certain packages for each subscriber. When a feature shows YES (NO CHECK), it indicates that the set-top is authorized for this feature. This setting indicates that the system is configured to allow all set-tops to have free access to this feature without checking for specific authorization. When a feature shows NO, it indicates that the set-top is not authorized for this package, so the feature is unavailable on this set-top. In one embodiment, the feature authorization screen includes the information shown in Table 4.  
     [0054] [t5] 
                   TABLE 4                       Field   Shows                  Guide   Whether the set-top is enabled to display program guide           and channel banner information       VCR   Whether the set-top is enabled to use a VCR controller       Controller   device       Active Box   Whether the set-top is active or not. Cable operators can           turn off cable features for a set-top in the event of           subscriber non-payment. This puts the set-top in brick           mode; it does not offer any authorized features       IPPV   Whether the set-top is enabled to use IPPV       Force PIN   Whether the set-top is enabled for force PIN. When a set-           top has a force PIN, the subscriber cannot disable the           purchase PIN and must use it to make purchases       Reading   Whether the set-top is reading from NVRAM. When a set-       From   top is reading from NVRAM, it is unable to get the       NVRAM   information from the BFS and gets settings from the last           file stored in NVRAM. When a set-top is not reading from           NVRAM, it is reading from the BFS and is using the latest           settings                  
 
     [0055] Version Information  
     [0056] If a user selects the version information link from diagnostic information selection area  730 , a screen is shown that allows an operator to check the set-top&#39;s current software versions, including versions for the service provider&#39;s software and the operating system software (e.g., PowerTV). This information is provided on the versions screen. One embodiment of the information provided at the versions screen is shown in Table 5.  
     [0057] [t3] 
                   TABLE 5                       Field   Shows                  OS Version   Version number of the operating system currently           running on this set-top       Resident   Name and version number of system software, the       Application   resident application       Version       OS Date   Date and time when the OS version was built       Resident   Date and time when system software was built       Application       Date       Secure Micro   Version number of Secure Micro devices in mask ROM           and non-volatile memory       Smart Card   Version number of smart card device in mask ROM and           non-volatile memory (if smart card is installed). This           field shows &lt;None&gt; if the Smart Card feature is           unavailable       Last Cold Boot   Date and time when the set-top was last plugged in to           power up the set-top. A dash (-) indicates that system           clock was unavailable when the set-top booted       Last Warm   Date and time when the set-top was last turned on       Boot   using the power button on the set-top front panel or           the CBL button on the remote. A dash (-) indicates that           the system clock was unavailable when the set-top           booted       Current Time   Current date and time. If this field shows xx/xx/xxxx,           the set-top has not successfully connected to the           headend network to receive a time synchronization           message                  
 
     [0058] Network Configuration Information  
     [0059] If a user selects the network configuration information link from diagnostic information selection area  730 , a screen is shown that allows an operator to check how the set-top box communicates to the network. This information displays on the network configuration screen. One embodiment of the information provided at the network configuration screen is shown in Table 6.  
     [0060] [t6] 
                   TABLE 6                       Field   Shows                  Ethernet   Provides the set-top&#39;s ethernet IP address. This field shows       IP   10.1.1.1 by factory default if the address is not changed by       Address   the DNCS.       RF IP   Provides the set-top&#39;s IP address of RF (cable) port as       Address   assigned by the DNCS. You can ping this address to see if           the set-top is alive. If theaddress is 0, the set-top could not           get the address from the headend. If U-N Config shows           broadcast, the address is 0 because the set-top could not           respond to the headend. If the set-top loses its address the           screen does not update this field to 0 until you reboot the           set-top. In that case it stores the PPV purchases up to the           credit limit until it can send them to the headend       Primary   Provides the set-top&#39;s IP address for IP networking. Usually       IP   this is the same as the RF IP address       Address       Ethernet   Provides the mask used for ethernet IP address       Mask       RF Mask   Provides the mask used for RF IP address       Primary   Provides the mask used for primary address. Usually this       Mask   field shows the same information as the RF Mask field       DAVIC   Provides the current DAVIC connection status. Connected 2-       State   way is the usual status. There are 17 other states (Booting,           Searching Channels, Provisioning, Unauthorized, etc.), many           of which are not seen because they happen very quickly.                  
 
     [0061] If a user selects the tuning information link from diagnostic information selection area  730 , a screen is shown that allows an operator to see information about the channel that the set-top is currently tuned to. This information includes the frequency and the modulation mode. The tuning screen also enables tuning to channels, frequencies, and source IDs. In one embodiment, the tuning information screen shows the following information for the currently tuned channel shown in Table 7.  
     [0062] [t7] 
                   TABLE 7                        Field   Shows                  Display   Shows the display channel number (DCN), which is the       Channel   number assigned in the channel lineup at the headend;           viewers use this number to tune       EIA   Channel number according to Electronic Industries       Channel   Association (EIA) standards. This only exists for analog           channels       Source ID   Source ID of the displayed channel as entered in the DNCS           source provisioning       Tune to   Center frequency of the analog or digital channel to which       Frequency   the set-top is currently tuned (Not Tuned means that           parental control is activated)       Tuning   Tuning mode of the channel to which the set-top is       Mode   currently tuned. This can be analog, QAM-64, QAM-128,           or QAM-256       Program   MPEG program that the set-top is currently tuned to       Number   (digital only)       Video PID   Number identifying the video PID for this channel. Not           applicable for analog channels       Audio PID   Number identifying the audio PID for this channel. Not           applicable for analog channels       AC-3   Whether the stream contains Dolby AC-3 audio           compression information. Not available for analog           channels       Channel   The state of the channel: Authorized - Available channel       Status   on this set-top Clear to air - Non-encrypted channel           Subscription - Encrypted channel authorized by           subscription Free Preview - Channel authorized due to           preview window on current PPV event Purchased Event —           Authorized (purchased) PPV event Not Tuned - Tuner is           not tuned (parental control may be enabled)                  
 
     [0063] RF Network Information  
     [0064] If a user selects the RF network information link from diagnostic information selection area  730 , a screen is shown that allows an operator to see tuner frequency information, FDC frequency and signal level information, and RDC frequency and signal level information. In one embodiment, the RF network information screen shows the following information shown in Table 8.  
     [0065] [t8] 
                   TABLE 8                       Field   Shows                  Tuner   Center frequency for the channel the set-top is           currently tuned to and the power level of the signal.           For example, the center frequency is 63 if the           frequency bandwidth is from 60 to 66. An           acceptable power level is −16 dBmV to +15 dBmV.           The recommended operating range is between −10 dBmV           and +10 dBmV. If the level is out of range,           this field shows &lt;Range or&gt; Range. The set-top           does not measure power levels when it tunes to           analog channels, and thus does not display this           information for analog channels (Not Tuned means           that parental control is activated)       FDC   Frequency and signal level of the out-of-band FDC           channel. An acceptable range is between −16 dBmV           and +15 dBmV. The recommended operating range           is between −10 dBmV and +10 dBmV       RDC   Frequency and signal level of the set-top&#39;s           transmitter of the out-of-band RDC channel. An           acceptable range is between +25 dBmV and +55 dBmV.           A recommended operating range is between           +27 dBmV and +53 dBmV, depending on the           equipment location within the cable plant       Tuning Mode   Tuning mode of the channel the set-top is currently           tuned to. This can be analog, QAM-64, QAM-128,           QAM-256, N/A, or Not Tuned if parental control is           enabled       QAM   Corrected and uncorrected errors in blocks and the       Corr/Uncorr/   total number of seconds during which the errors       Sec   occurred. This shows the quality of the digital signal           and can be used to calculate the BER       Tuner BER   BER average since last tune. This is the number of       average   erroneous bits divided by the total number of bits           transmitted over the same period. This shows the           quality of digital channels. This field is not           applicable for analog channels. Nominal values are &lt;           1 × 10 − 9. Typical is 1 × 10 − 6 to 1 × 10 − 7.           Anything worse than 1 × 10 − 3 must belooked at       QAM Main   Normalized main tap coefficient used for calibrating       Tap   data path delay or frequency response       QAM average   Average signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of QAM signal,       SNR   indicating the quality of the signal. 25 to 35 is           adequate, higher is better. Not applicable for analog           channels       FDC corr/   Corrected bytes and uncorrected blocks of the out-       uncorr/bytes   of-band FDC channel and the total number of bytes           received       FDC BER   Average BER for the FDC channel. This is the number       average   of erroneous bits divided by the total number of bits           transmitted over the same period       RDC Range   Amount of time it takes to send a packet from the       Delay   set-top to the headend       RDC   Number of RDC retransmissions, indicating that the       retransmissions   set-top has detected that the headend did not           respond to a message and therefore the set-top           retransmitted the message. The set-top can check           downstream QAM and the FDC path, but it cannot           check if the headend received the correct message in           the reverse path. It can only detect that the headend           did not respond as expected       Return Path   Average time (in milliseconds) that it takes to get a           TCP/IP “ping” message back from the headend, plus           a count of the number of packets lost and sent. If           this field shows an error number, check the           operating system documentation or a UNIX manual.           The errors are standard IP networking messages. If           this field shows ERROR: IP address not configured,           the operator did not set the IP address of the device           at the headend that needs to be pinged. The set-           topdoes not ping any device when this message           shows                  
 
     [0066] MPEG Information  
     [0067] If a user selects the MPEG information link from diagnostic information selection area  730 , a screen is shown that allows an operator to check information about the current MPEG. This information is only available for digital channels. In one embodiment, the MPEG information screen shows the information shown in Table 9.  
     [0068] [t9] 
                   TABLE 9                       Field   Shows                  Video PID   Number identifying the video PID for the MPEG stream       Audio PID   Number identifying the audio PID for the MPEG stream       PMT PID   PID number of the Program Map Table (PMT)       PCR PID   PID number for the Program Clock Reference (PCR).           PCR is used to synchronize the encoder/transmitter           and the decoder/receiver, and is transmitted in the           transport stream periodically       Discontinuity   Sum of audio and video PID discontinuities detected on       Count   the MPEG stream; 0 is ideal, smaller is better       PCR Lock   Status of the PCR lock       Status       Last PTS   Presentation time stamp (PTS) received. PTS is used to           synchronize the encoder/transmitter and the           decoder/receiver (similar to PCR)       PEI   Packet Error Indication counter indicating the number           of errors detected in the MPEG stream before reaching           the BIP       PER   Pipeline Error counter indicating the number of errors           reported by the MPEG decoding chip       SER   Severe Error counter indicating the number of severe           errors reported by the MPEG decoding chip       RST   Reset counter indicating the number of times the           software driver restarted the MPEG decoding process                  
 
     [0069] Tuning Information  
     [0070] If a user selects the tuning information link from diagnostic information selection area  730 , a screen is shown that provides tuning information about the current channel on the tuning information screen. In one embodiment, the tuning information screen shows the information shown in Table 10.  
     [0071] [t10] 
                   TABLE 10                       Field   Shows                  AppID   Number identifying the application which last controlled           theTuner       Priority   Whether the last tuning request was primary or secondary       Request   The type of the last tuning request (such as source ID,       Type   frequency, or EIA)       State   The current state of the TV tuning resource: Active Resource           is active Denied Resource was denied Notified Resource was           asked to suspend but has not yet responded Processing           Resource is moving between suspended and active states           Suspended Resource is currently suspended WaitingPAT Set-           top is locating MPEG program information, phase 1           WaitingPMT Set-top is locating MPEG program information,           phase 2       Tuner   Whether the signal was found. For analog, this field shows       State   WaitingSync, then FoundSync. For digital, this field first           shows WaitingQAM and then foundQAM. FoundQAM Sync           acquired, enabling digital TV viewing FoundSync Sync           acquired, enabling analog TV viewing Ready Set-top and           tuner not in use Suspending Deactivation request is made,           waiting for resources to respond WaitingQAM Waiting to           complete QAM tuning, enabling digital TV viewing           WaitingSync Waiting to acquire sync, enabling analog TV           viewing       SAP   Whether Secondary Audio Programming (SAP) is present on       Present   this channel       Stereo   Whether stereo audio is present on this channel       Present       HubID   Number identifying the hub this set-top is connected to       Channel   Type of channel plan (HRC, IRC, or standard)       Plan       PMT   Number of elements in the program map table       PID   PID number of the video PID and the state. This field only       number   shows information for digital channels       (video)       PID   PID number of the audio PID, the state, and the available       number   languages. The bullet indicates which language is currently       (audio)   selected. This field only shows information for digital           channels                  
 
     [0072] Hardware Information  
     [0073] If a user selects the hardware information link from diagnostic information selection area  730 , a screen is shown that includes test information for the set-top hardware. When the set-top starts up, various hardware components are tested. This test is called the POST. The results of the testing are shown in the hardware information screen. In one embodiment, the following information shown in Table 111 is viewable in the hardware information screen.  
     [0074] [t11] 
                   TABLE 11                       Field   Shows                  MAC   Whether the Media Access Controller (MAC) passed the           test       TVP   Whether TVP passed the test       BCM   Whether the Broadcom (BCM) QAM demodulator and           Forward Error Correction (FEC) chip passed the test       BGATE   Whether BGATE passed the test       BTSC   Whether the Broadcast Television Systems Committee           (BTSC) audio circuitry passed the test       AC-3   Whether the multi-channel audio compression (AC-3)           chip passed the test       RAM   Whether the RAM passed the test       I2C   Whether the Inter-IC control bus interface (I2C) passed           the test       NVM   Whether the non-volatile memory passed the test       ROM   Whether the ROM checksum passed the test       Checksum       Flash   Whether the flash checksum passed the test       Checksum       Eagle   Whether the Eagle DRAM passed the test       DRAM       Front Panel   Whether the front panel passed the test       RF Modem   Whether the RF modem passed the test       Ethernet   Whether the Ethernet passed the test. This field shows           N/A if this set-top does not have the ethernet option           available       SCSI   Whether the SCSI card passed the test       UARTs   Whether the Universal/Asynchronous Receiver           Transmitters (UARTs) passed the test       SPI   Whether the serial/parallel interface passed the test       VCXO   Whether the Voltage Controlled Crystal Oscillator port           (VCXO) passed the test       Hardware   Number indicating the hardware revision. You can use this       Rev   number to compare multiple set-tops if some work and           others do not. Confirm this number with the DNCS           database       MAC   Version of the MAC       Version       BIP Version   BIP version       TVP   TVP version       Version       AC-3   Version of the AC-3       Version       BCM   Version of the BCM       Version       BGATE   Version of the BGATE       Version                  
 
     [0075] Memory Information  
     [0076] If a user selects the memory information link from diagnostic information selection area  730 , a screen is shown that includes information about the set-top&#39;s memory. Table 12 shows the information presented at this screen according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0077] [t12] 
                   TABLE 12                       Field   Shows                  Total System   Set-top&#39;s total RAM available for use in bytes       RAM       Free   Set-top&#39;s current free system RAM in bytes       Largest   Set-top&#39;s current largest contiguous amount of free           system RAM       Lowest   Set-top&#39;s lowest amount of free system RAM recorded           to date since the last reboot       When   Date, time, and channel watched when lowest recorded           system RAM occurred       Total Video   Set-top&#39;s total video RAM in bytes       RAM       Free   Set-top&#39;s free video RAM in bytes       Largest   Set-top&#39;s largest contiguous amount of free video RAM           to date       Lowest   Set-top&#39;s lowest amount of video RAM recorded to date       When   Date, time and channel watched when the lowest           amount of video RAM was recorded       Free Events   The number of free operating system event structures           available application use                  
 
     [0078] System Information  
     [0079] If a user selects the system information link from diagnostic information selection area  730 , a screen is shown that includes information such as the total number of services in the channel lineup, the total number of channels allocated, and how many of those channels are designated as surfable, video, PPV, or split. Table 13 shows the information presented at this screen according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0080] [t13] 
                   TABLE 13                       Field   Shows                  AspMgr   Status of the Asp manager (OK, unavailable, or counting       Status   when it is analyzing the channel lineup information)       Total   Number indicating the total number of services       Services       Total   Number indicating the total number of channels       Channels       Surfable   Number indicating the total number of surfable channels       Video   Number indicating the total number of video channels       PPV   Number indicating the total number of PPV channels       Split   Number indicating the total number of split channels       Last 5   Date, time, error codes, and handling parameters of the       anomalies   last five anomalies. If the errors occur multiple times this           is indicated, for example x2. An anomaly is something           unexpected, an exception to the rule. After a reboot only           the most recent two anomalies appear                  
 
     [0081] Channel Application Information  
     [0082] If a user selects the channel application information link from diagnostic information selection area  730 , a screen is shown that includes information about the most recently launched external channel application. This is an application of which the code is downloaded from the BFS instead of being resident in the set-top and launched from ROM, such as Music Choice or PPV. In one embodiment, the information shown at the channel application screen is shown in Table 14.  
     [0083] [t14] 
                   TABLE 14                       IPG           information   Example                  Launched   Date and time when the external application was last           attempted to be loaded from the BFS       Last Error   Error codes or other indications given by the application           that prevented the application from launching on this           platform. The most common messages are listed below.           File Not Found Application URL indicated in the service           table could not be located on the BFS Incompatible           Version Number Version of the external application on           the BFS is too new or too old to be compatible with this           version Incompatible Platform Incorrect type of           application for this platform. Most External applications           are compatible across all configurations, but in certain           special cases there are specific versions of the           application       Last Error At   Date and time when the last error occurred       URL   The filename and/or path name indicating the Uniform           Resource Locator (URL) on the BFS where the application           was launched       API Ver   Version number of the current Channel App API.                  
 
     [0084] Program Guide Event Information  
     [0085] If a user selects the program guide event information link from diagnostic information selection area  730 , a screen is shown that includes information about interactive program guide (IPG) events on the IPG screen. In one embodiment, the information-shown at the IPG screen is shown in Table 15. [t15] 
                   TABLE 15                       Information   Example                  Number of IPG screen items   0       Date when the IPG events were loaded   May 17, 1999       Date and time the IPG data was loaded in-band (ib)   loaded 5/17       or out-of-band (oob)   12:27 ib       Action that caused the IPG data to be loaded   Boot       Number of total events of IPG data available in this   1681 events       day&#39;s data       Number of PPV events available in this day&#39;s data   1118 ppvEvents                  
 
     [0086] BFS Information  
     [0087] If a user selects the BFS information link from diagnostic information selection area  730 , a screen is shown that includes information including how much total data has been read from in-band and out-of-band carousels. The BFS screen also includes information about when certain common files were most recently read, if any errors occurred when they were read, and some performance information useful for fine-tuning the BFS data carousel rates. In one embodiment, the information shown at the BFS screen is shown in Table 16.  
     [0088] [t16] 
                   TABLE 16                       Information   Example                  Total Data Read   Total number of bytes read from the BFS       Total IB Read   Total number of bytes read from the in-band           carousel       Total OOB Read   Total number of bytes read from the out-of-           band carousel       Regions   Date, time, and version of the last region file           (regions.dat) read from the BFS       Feat   Date, time, and version of the last feature           authorization file read from the BFS       VCR   Date, time and version of the last VCR file           read from the BFS       Config   Date, time, and version of the last           configuration file read from the BFS       Logos   Date, time, and version of the last logo file           read from the BFS       ASP   Date, time, and version of the last           application management file read from the           BFS       Channel   Date, time, and version of the last channel           file read from the BFS       Language   Date, time, and version of the last language           file read from the BFS       IPG   Date, time, and version of the last IPG file           read from the BFS       Other (for   Date, time, and version of the last indicated       example, engine.PAS)   file read from the BFS, for example           CHECKERS.PAS                  
 
     [0089] PPV and Authorization Information  
     [0090] If a user selects the PPV and authorization information link from diagnostic information selection area  730 , a screen is shown that includes information about PPV and authorization transactions, such as how many PPV credits are available, information about poll requests and purchased entitlements. The cable company assigns a number of credits to each customer to avoid non-payment of PPV purchases. The PPV and authorization information is shown on the PPV information screen. Information about past and pending PPV purchases is on the PPV Past and PPV Pending NVRAM screens. The PPV Event screen shows information about PPV events in general. In one embodiment, the PPV authorization and information screen includes the information shown in Table 17.  
     [0091] [t17] 
                   TABLE 17                       Field   Shows                  PPV Credits   Number of PPV credits available       Last Poll   Date and time when the set-top received the last       RequestReceived   PPV purchasespoll request from the billing system       Last Poll Request   Date and time when the set-top replied to the last       Sent   poll request       Poll Request   The amount of time that the poll reply is delayed on       Reply Delay   a delayedRequest       Last Poll Request   The type of poll request for the last poll (Delayed,       Type   Immediate, ora dash if no poll was received on this           boot)       Responding To   Whether or not the set-top responded to the last       Last Poll   poll. All set-topsreceive a PPV event poll request           from the DNCS hourly. If thesecure micro for a set-           top does not have any unacknowledged PPV           information to send back to the DNCS, it does not           reply and thus the Responding to Last Poll field           shows NO. If there is some PPV activity to report, the           field shows YES. When a set-top is specifically           polled (not the hourly broadcast poll), it always           responds.       Last PPV enabled   Why a set-top may be in IPPV or RPPV mode1 way       check   set-top is IPPV mode2 way set-top is in PPV           modeFEAT set-top is enabled to use IPPV-FEAT set-           top is disabled for IPPVDNCS PPV is enabled           (determined by DNCS setting on the secure           elements page-DNCS PPV is disabled       Last PM   The last purchase manager (PM) exception received       exception       Purchase   ID numbers of the entitlements that were purchased       entitlement IDs   and not yet collected or completed                  
 
     [0092] Past and Pending PPV Purchases  
     [0093] If a user selects the past and pending PPV purchases link from diagnostic information selection area  730 , a screen is shown that includes information about PPV purchases and the storage of this information in the set-top&#39;s NVRAM. There are two areas of NVRAM: pending and past. You can find the past information on the PPV Past NVRAM screen, and the pending information on the PPV Pending NVRAM screen. The PPV Pending NVRAM screen contains information about upcoming purchased events or purchased events currently in progress. The PPV Past NVRAM screen shows a history of PPV purchases. The information shown in PPV pending screen according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown in Table 18.  
     [0094] [18] 
                   TABLE 18                       Field   Shows                  Info For Slot   Slot number of the pending PPV purchase for which           information displays on the screen (there are eight slots           available). Press the left or right arrow button to cycle           between slots       Timer Is   Date and time when the NVRAM timer goes off       Going Off At       Timer Type   Type of timer. A rollover timer shows the time when the           event is moved from the pending to the past area. A           purchase timer applies to a PPV program that goes to the           secure micro. An error timer is a timer that alerts the           viewer of an error when it goes off. A collection timer           shows the time the timer is removed from NVRAM           because the viewer did not acknowledge the error       Entitlement   Entitlement ID for the event as assigned by the DNCS       ID       Service   Service index for the service and the channel number       Index       IPG Start   IPG start time of the purchased event. This is used to       Time   check if an event is blocked       IPG Duration   IPG duration of the purchased event in minutes. This is       (Minutes)   used to check if an event is blocked       PPV Start   Date and time when the PPV event starts       Time       PPV   Duration of the PPV event in minutes       Duration       (Minutes)       Cancel Time   Date and time up to when the viewer can cancel the           purchase       SM Open   Date and time when the secure micro window opens to       Time   allowpurchasing of the event       SM Close   Date and time when the secure micro window closes       Time   andpurchasing is no longer possible       Error Code   Error code if the timer type is error or collection                  
 
     [0095] Some of the information shown in the PPV past NVRAM screen according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown in Table 19  
     [0096] [t19] 
                           TABLE 19                                   Field   Shows                          Info For Slot   Slot number of the past PPV purchase for which               information displays on the screen           PPV Start Time   Time the PPV program started           Service Index   Service index for the service displayed for this               channel and the channel number           PPV Duration   Duration of the PPV program in minutes           Minutes)                      
 
     [0097] PPV Events  
     [0098] If a user selects the PPV events link from diagnostic information selection area  730 , a screen is shown that includes information about the last PPV program that the viewer accessed. Table 20 shows some of the information that is shown on this screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0099] [t20] 
                   TABLE 20                       Field   Shows                  Event Time   Date and time the event starts as defined by the PPV           package (not the IPG start time)       Event   Duration of the event as defined by the PPV package (not       Duration   the IPG duration) and the purchase price of the event as           shown to the viewer       Entitlement   Entitlement ID of the event as assigned by the DNCS       ID       SM Open   Date and time when the secure micro window opens to       Time   allow purchasing of the event       SM Close   Date and time when the secure micro window closes and       Time   purchasing is no longer possible       Advertise   Date and time when the advertising window opens and       Open   displays the PPV buy screen       Advertise   Date and time when the advertising window closes and       Close   no longer displays the PPV buy screen       Phone Open   Date and time when the reservation phone number is           displayed       Phone Close   Date and time when the reservation phone number is no           longer displayed       Preview   Date and time when the preview window opens and       Open   displays a free preview of the program inside the inset       Preview   Date and time when the preview window closes and no       Close   longer displays the free preview       Cancel Time   Date and time up to when the viewer can cancel the           purchase       Phone   Phone number to call to purchase the event if this is a       Number   reservation PPV program as displayed to the viewer                  
 
     [0100] EMM In formation  
     [0101] If a user selects the EMM information link from diagnostic information selection area  730 , a screen is shown that includes information about the EMMs. Table 21 shows some of the information that is shown on this screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0102] [t21] 
                   TABLE 21                       Field   Shows                  Num Valid   Number of valid EMMs received since last reboot       EMMs       Status   Powerkey status. This field can show the following           options: Ready Powerkey is initialized, set-top is           ready for use Waiting EMM Waiting for EMM Waiting           for GBAM Waiting for the time GBAM Waiting EUT           Waiting for the Entitlement Unit Table to be loaded       In Band Open   Whether in-band staging is currently in progress       State       Expires   Date and time when the set-top&#39;s Powerkey           authorization expires if not refreshed by the DNCS.           The DNCS refreshes all authorized set-tops once a           day and the authorization lasts approximately 30           days       EMM   Total number of received and valid EMMs designated           for this set-top       Time GBAM   Total number of received and valid time GBAMs       Prch GBAM   Number of received and valid GBAMs for purchased           PPV events       App GBAM   Total number of received and valid application GBAMs       Ext GBAM   Total number of received and valid extended event           GBAMs       ECM   Total number of received and valid entitlement           control messages (ECM)       Last EUT   Date and time when the settop last read the EUT file           on the BFS. The EUT file contains PPV entitlement IDs           and other encryption and authorization information.           The file is updated a few times an hour; any time           entry of over 30 minutes could indicate a problem       Last DDS   Date and time of last DDS       Last FPM   Date and time of the last request for the Forward           Purchase Message (FPM)       CA Time   Authenticated date and time received via Time           GBAMs. This field should match the current time as           reported on the LEDs       Update   Whether a new EUT has been detected on the network       Pending -   and has been queued up to read. This field shows       EUT   True while the settop is reading the new file and           awaiting its installation. This field usually shows False       Prog Start   Date and time when the decryption for the current           encrypted program started. If you tune away from the           channel and tune back, the value resets to the current           time, not when the movie began. An MPEG glitch or           conditional access interruption may also reset this           value       Prog End   Date and time when decryption on the previous           encrypted event stopped. Typically, for a PPV event           that runs from 8:00 to 9:48, the start time is 8:00 (or           later if you joined the event in progress), and the end           time is 9:48       DDS   Whether an update is pending for DDS       Decrypt Status   Current status of the encrypted video signal (OK,           Blackout, Not Authorized, No ECMs). Other messages           may be seen under certain error conditions       Late Keys   Number of times that a program key decryption           operation occurs after the program data arrives at the           set-top. Macroblocking is a common artifact of this           situation       Worst ECM   Worst time (in milliseconds) between ECM read           operations       Num ISE Fails   Number of times the internal secure micro failed a           command       Last Fail Cmd   Last command that failed on the internal secure micro       Timeouts/Cmd   Number of communication timeouts with the internal           secure micro       Last Purch   Entitlement ID, date, and time of last PPV purchase       Attempt   attempt       Last Purch   Entitlement ID, date, and time of last PPV purchase       Success   success       Last   Last purchase device used and result       Device/Result       Current EID   Current Entitlement ID authorizing the program       ECM PID   ECM PID for current program (0 indicates clear-to-air)       EAID Flags   EAID = Entitlement Agent ID for internal secure           micro. /Has the EAID been installed? (1 = yes,           0 = no) D Digital Enabled A Analog Enabled In           Interactive Enabled Ip IPPV EnabledThe last four           messages are specific checkbox flags in the DNCS           DHCT GUI for each individual set-top. For a properly           staged box, all these fields should be set to 1       EAID ESE   Same as the EAID Flags field, but applying to the ESE           (external security interface, i.e. Smart Card). These all           show 0 for current generation set-tops                  
 
     [0103] Passthru Messages  
     [0104] If a user selects the passthru messages link from diagnostic information selection area  730 , a screen is shown that includes information about passthru messages. One embodiment of the present invention shows the information in Tables 22 and 23 this screen is selected.  
     [0105] [t22] 
                   TABLE 22                       Information   Example                  Time   Date and time when the set-top received the message       Type   Type of message. EAS indicates that the message was an           emergency alert system (EAS) message.           BFSFileHasChanged is a message that indicates to the           set-top that some files on the BFS have changed. The           set-top then reads the new files. ResetPIN indicates a           message with an instruction to the set-top to change one           of its PINs                  
 
     [0106] [t26] 
                   TABLE 23                       This type of           message   Can have these descriptions                  EAS   EAS indicates this is an EAS message. A number           indicates the message ID. A three-letter code           indicates the code of the message       BFSFileHasChanged   First word of BFSFileHasChanged description           indicates when the set-top must read in the new           file: Now indicates the new file must be read in           immediately Pwr indicates the new file must be           read in when the set-top is powered off Time           indicates the new file must be read no later than           the time passed ChChg indicates the new file           must be read when the viewer changes the           channelSecond part of the description indicates           which updated files theset-top must read: Ch/           indicates that the set-top must read the channel           lineup information (chaninfo) A/indicates that the           set-top must read the services file (aspinfo) Vcr/           indicates that the set-top must read the file with           the VCR code listing (VCR_CODE.DAT) Cfg/           indicates that the set-top must read the           configuration file (settop.cfg) Ipg/indicates that           the set-top must read the IPG data Fea/indicates           that the set-top must read the feature           authorization file (featauth.dat)       ResetPIN   First part indicates which PIN to affect: Prch           instructs the set-top to affect the purchase PIN           Blck instructs the set-top to affect the blocking           PINSecond part indicates what action the set-top           must take: Enble instructs the set-top to enable           the PIN Dsble instructs the set-top to disable the           PIN                  
 
     [0107] Last Reset Information  
     [0108] If a user selects the last reset information link from diagnostic information selection area  730 , a screen is shown that includes information about the last time a set-top was reset. The last reset information screen shows information gathered the last time the set-top rebooted due to the system watchdog timer having expired. This information will only be valid if the system initiated the reboot. The last reset information is used mostly to report reboots to the service provider. One embodiment of the present invention shows the information in Table 24 when this screen is selected.  
     [0109] [t24] 
                   TABLE 24                       Field   Shows                  Reset   The date and time at the last watchdog reboot. If there       Occurred At   is no valid information stored, this field indicates this           and all other fields are not available       Free Sys   The amount of free system memory available at the last       Mem   watchdog reboot       Free Vid   The amount of free video memory available at the last       Mem   watchdog reboot       Service ID   The ID of the service that was running when the reboot           occurred       Free Events   The number of free events available at the last watchdog           reboot       Last Passthru   The time when the last Passthru message was received       Time   before the watchdog reboot occurred. If no Passthru           message was received, this field shows a dash       Last Passthru   The type of Passthru message that last occurred before       Type   the watchdog reboot. If no Passthru message was           received, this field shows a dash       Global App   The global application that was current at the watchdog           reboot       Prev Global   The global application that was current just prior to the       App   one indicated in the Global App field above       Last Glob   Swap The time at which the last swap of global       App   applications occurred       Semaphore   A series of numbers indicating which Passport       Bitmap   semaphores were held at the watchdog reboot (0           indicates no semaphores held, 1 indicates a semaphore           was held)                  
 
     [0110] MOD Information  
     [0111] If a user selects the MOD information link from diagnostic information selection area  730 , a screen is shown that includes information about MOD. One embodiment of the present invention shows the information in Table 25 when this screen is selected.  
     [0112] [t23] 
                   TABLE 25                       Field   Shows                  Last Message   A description of the last MOD errorCONN:IP:PORT           connection to server failedVCONN:IP:PORT           connection to video pump failedNO ASSET: OID/TID           no assets for the OID TID comboSESS: RSN/RSP           SessionSetup failure DSMCCReason/Response codes       Last Error   When the last MOD error was sent       Server IP   IP address of the server       UDP Port   Port number where heartbeats are sent       Async Notify   Port number where ModDaemon listens for async       Port   messages from the server       Session Gateway   IP address of the session gateway       Service Group   Value of the service group (NFI)       ModServer   Pinging updates from the settop to the server       (ping)       SessionGateway   Pinging updates from the settop to the session       (ping)   gateway                  
 
     [0113] MOD Purchases  
     [0114] If a user selects the MOD purchases link from diagnostic information selection area  730 , a screen is shown that includes information about purchases of the MOD. One embodiment of the present invention shows the information in Table 26 when this screen is selected.  
     [0115] [t25] 
                   TABLE 26                       Field   Shows                  Purchases   Number of MOD purchases. This field may show additional           purchase information in the following formatMM/DD HH: MI           Title (month/day/hour: minutes)PID OID TID BilledFlag           (1 = billed; 0 = not billed)                  
 
     [0116] MOD Events  
     [0117] If a user selects the MOD events link from diagnostic information selection area  730 , a screen is shown that includes information about the last MOD program the viewer accessed. One embodiment of the present invention shows the information in Table 27 when this screen is selected.  
     [0118] [t27] 
                   TABLE 27                       Field   Shows                  MOD data built   Date and time when MOD data was generated in           month/date hours:minutes format       NumTitles   Number of titles in the current modbfs file       NumOffers   Number of offers in the current modbfs file.       NumOffersTitles   Number of offers-titles in the current modbfs files.           This may include offers with multiple titles attached.       NumPlaylists   Number of playlists in the current modbfs file       NumAssets   Number of assets in the current modbfs file       NumServices   Number of MOD service channels in the current           modbfs file       NumServSch   Number of MOD service schedules in the current           modbfs file (NFI)                  
 
     [0119] Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus the scope of this invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.