Patent ID: 6980529

Claim:
A method of selecting a particular multi-switch port from a plurality of multi-switch ports for association with a current network identifier and a current polarity designator in a direct-to-home satellite receiver system, the method comprising: receiving the current network identifier, the current polarity designator, and a satellite frequency, the satellite frequency being associated with the current network identifier and the current polarity designator; tuning the direct-to-home satellite receiver system to the satellite frequency; placing a first multi-switch port from the plurality of multi-switch ports into a selected state by generating a first control signal indicative of the first multi-switch port; determining if a first predetermined marker pattern is acquired within a first predetermined time period while the first multi-switch port is in the selected state; placing a second multi-switch port from the plurality of multi-switch ports into a selected state by generating a second control signal indicative of the second multi-switch port; determining if a second predetermined marker pattern is acquired within a second predetermined time period while the second multi-switch port is in the selected state; associating first data indicative of the second multi-switch port with second data indicative of the current network identifier and the current polarity designator; and recording the first data and the second data in a memory device if the second predetermined marker pattern is acquired within the second predetermined time period.