Patent ID: 7739717

Claim:
A method of performing diagnostics at a customer site in a satellite TV broadcast system, comprising: storing a number of tests related to an integrated receiver decoder (IRD) and an outdoor unit (ODU) on the IRD; in response to a self test request, said IRD executing a sequence of the tests to determine performance characteristics of the IRD and ODU and a remedial action, wherein said sequence of the tests comprises a plurality of the following stored tests: an even and odd polarity LNB voltage test comprising said IRD measuring the even and odd polarity LNB voltage supplied by the IRD to the ODU, if said LNB voltage is not in compliance with a specification said IRD generating an on-screen display (OSD) message and a service provider message; an even and odd polarity LNB current test comprising said IRD measuring the even and odd polarity LNB current supplied by the IRD to the ODU, if said LNB current is not in compliance with a specification said IRD generating an OSD message and a service provider message; a tone test comprising said IRD measuring the tone frequency and amplitude supply by the IRD, if said frequency or amplitude are not in compliance with a specification said IRD generating an OSD message and a service provider message; a telephone test comprising said IRD checking for a dial tone on a phone line connected to the IRD, if no dial tone is detected said IRD generating an OSD message and a service provider message; said access card test comprising said IRD reading the access card IRD number, if unsuccessful said IRD generating an OSD message and a service provider message; a receiver ID test comprising said IRD reading the IRD ID, if unsuccessful said IRD generating an OSD message and a service provider message; a hard drive test comprising said IRD test for both space and health of the drive, if hard drive is full or unhealthy said IRD generating an OSD message and a service provider message; an odometer test comprising said IRD reading the date the IRD was first activated; and a signal level test comprising said IRD retrieving the current IRD antenna configuration and measuring the even and odd polarity signals for each satellite, if any signal level is unacceptable said IRD generating an OSD message and a service provider message; said IRD recording the performance characteristics and remedial action in a test report; said IRD communicating the test report back to a satellite service provider; and performing the remedial action.