Iptv diagnostics system

Abstract

A method of testing a video decoding device connected to an IPTV service, the IPTV service having a server, the method comprising tuning the video decoding device to a first channel of the IPTV service, the video decoding device receiving the first channel and decoding video from the first channel, the video decoding device collecting data concerning the decoded video and sending the data to the server, detuning the video decoding device from the first channel, the server analyzing the data to generate results; and the server displaying the results.

1 - 82 . (canceled) 
     
     
         83 . A method of testing multiple video decoding devices connected to an IPTV service, the IPTV service having a business logic server, the method comprising:
 during installation or testing of the IPTV service, initiating installation or testing by the business logic server, including:
 the business logic server sending messages to the multiple video decoding devices to cause the multiple video decoding devices to tune to a respective channel or channels of the IPTV service; 
 each of the multiple video decoding devices receiving the respective channel or channels and decoding video from the respective channel or channels; 
 each of the video decoding devices collecting data concerning the respective decoded video and sending the data to the business logic server; 
 the business logic server analyzing the data to generate results; and 
 the business logic server storing and displaying the results. 
   
     
     
         84 . The method of  claim 83  further comprising, after receiving the collected data, the business logic server sending a detuning message to each of the multiple video decoding devices to cause the multiple video decoding devices to detune from the respective channel or channels. 
     
     
         85 . The method of  claim 83  in which the multiple video decoding devices are caused to tune to the same channel at the same time. 
     
     
         86 . The method of  claim 85  further comprising the business logic server determining that an installer has tuned a video decoding device of the multiple video decoding devices to a selected channel and the business logic server auto-tuning each of the other video decoding devices of the multiple video decoding devices to the selected channel. 
     
     
         87 . The method of  claim 85  further comprising the business logic server automatically selecting a test channel and auto-tuning each of the multiple video decoding devices to the test channel. 
     
     
         88 . The method of  claim 83  further comprising, prior to sending messages to cause tuning of the multiple video decoding devices, the business logic server sending a detuning message to each of the multiple video decoding devices to cause the multiple video decoding devices to detune, and then causing the multiple video decoding devices to tune to different respective channels. 
     
     
         89 . The method of  claim 88  in which the business logic server causes the multiple video decoding devices to tune to the different respective channels automatically without manual intervention. 
     
     
         90 . The method of  claim 83  in which one or more video decoding devices of the multiple video decoding devices also are caused by the business logic server to record video during the test. 
     
     
         91 . The method of  claim 90  wherein the one or more video decoding devices are caused to record video received on respective further channels different from the respective channel or channels to which the multiple video decoding devices are tuned. 
     
     
         92 . The method of  claim 83  further comprising the business logic server detecting that a recording is already in progress on a first video decoding device of the multiple video decoding devices, the recording being of video received on a first channel, the business logic server tuning each of the multiple video decoding devices to a respective channel or channels different from the first channel. 
     
     
         93 . The method of  claim 92  in which one or more video decoding devices of the multiple video decoding devices are also caused by the business logic server to record video during the installation or testing, wherein the one or more video decoding devices are tuned to respective further channels different from the channel or channels to which the multiple video decoding devices are tuned, and different from the first channel, the recording in progress not being disturbed. 
     
     
         94 . The method of  claim 91  further comprising deleting the recordings caused by the business logic server. 
     
     
         95 . The method of  claim 83  further comprising the business logic server checking whether a recording by any of the multiple video decoding devices is in progress and proceeding with testing depending on finding that there are no recordings in progress. 
     
     
         96 . The method of  claim 95  further comprising the business logic server checking whether a recording is scheduled to start within a time duration, and in which the business logic server proceeds with testing depending on finding that there are no recordings in progress and that there are no recordings scheduled to start within the time duration. 
     
     
         97 . The method of  claim 96  in which the time duration is an estimated testing duration. 
     
     
         98 . A business logic server for connection to multiple video decoding devices for receiving an IPTV service, the business logic server being configured to test the multiple video decoding devices by carrying out the steps of:
 sending messages to the multiple video decoding devices to cause the multiple video decoding devices to tune to a respective channel or channels of the IPTV service;   causing each of the multiple video decoding devices to receive the respective channel or channels and decoding video from the respective channel or channels;   receiving data collected by each of the video decoding devices concerning the respective decoded video;   analyzing the data to generate results; and   storing and displaying the results.