Patent ID: 7603691

Claim:
A host device for interfacing with a point of deployment (POD) module in an open cable diagnosing system, the host device comprising: a plurality of sub-systems configured to receive a descrambled broadcasting signal from the POD module, and to decode the descrambled signal; and a microprocessor configured to control operations of the plurality of sub-systems, wherein the microprocessor is configured to perform a specific set of diagnostic functions upon receiving a diagnostic request object from the POD module, and to transmit a diagnostic confirmation object back to the POD module in accordance with a diagnostic resource, wherein the diagnostic resource defines at least one diagnostic request object and at least one diagnostic confirmation object, wherein the diagnostic resource defines the diagnostic request object and the diagnostic confirmation object, wherein the diagnostic request object includes a plurality of identifiers, each identifier being assigned to one of plural functional units in the host device to be checked for a corresponding diagnostic status, and wherein the diagnostic confirmation object includes state information about each of the functional units.