Method and system for fast channel change in a DOCSIS set top gateway device
View Patent ↗A DOCSIS set-top gateway device uses multiple embedded cable modems so that one eCM can remained tuned to a frequency being used for a current two-way data session and another eCM can be used to tune to a different frequency. The other eCM that tunes to a different frequency is disabled from operating in the upstream direction to avoid conflict with the two-way eCM in communicating with a CMTS. The eCMs in the DSG are controlled by a client controller that interfaces applications local to the DSG to a central device, such as a CMTS. A message may be sent to a client application requesting content on a traffic flow using a different frequency than the two-way capable sCM. The client controller instructs the upstream-disabled eCM to tune to the different frequency, meanwhile the two-way eCM stays tuned to the current frequency.
1. A method for reducing the amount of time a subscriber communication device operates in a degraded mode, comprising:
disabling an upstream transmitter of a second cable modem device coupled to and providing at least downstream communication capability for the communication device;
configuring the communication device for two-way communication via a first cable modem device coupled to and providing two-way communication capability for the communication device; and
directing the second cable modem to change downstream channels in response to a message from a controller.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the communication device is a DOCSIS set-top gateway device.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the controller is a DOCSIS set-top gateway client controller.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the first and second cable modem devices and the communication device are enclosed by the same housing.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the message from the controller is a message instructing the second cable modem to tune to a DSG tunnel that is transmitted over a different channel than a channel to which the second cable modem is currently tuned.
6. A system for reducing the amount of time a subscriber communication device operates in a degraded mode, comprising:
means for disabling an upstream transmitter of a second embedded cable modem device coupled to and providing at least downstream communication capability for the communication device;
means for configuring the communication device for two-way communication via a first embedded cable modem device coupled to and providing two-way communication capability for the communication device; and
means for directing the second embedded cable modem to change downstream channels.
7. The system of claim 6 wherein the communication device is a DOCSIS set-top gateway device.
8. The system of claim 6 wherein the means for directing the second embedded cable modem to change channels is a DOCSIS set-top gateway client controller.
9. The system of claim 6 wherein the first and second embedded cable modem devices and the communication device are enclosed by the same housing.
10. The system of claim 6 wherein the message from the controller is a message instructing the second embedded cable modem to tune a DSG tunnel that is transmitted over a different channel than a current channel to which the second embedded cable modem is currently tuned.
11. The system of claim 6 wherein the means for disabling an upstream transmitter of the second embedded cable modem device is a software application.
12. A system for reducing the amount of time a subscriber communication device operates in a degraded mode, comprising:
first communication means for communicating downstream between a central device and the communication device, said first communication means for downstream communicating being disabled for operation in the upstream direction:
second communication means for two-way communication between the communication device and a central device; and
means for directing the first communication means to change downstream channels, said directing means being coupled to the first and second communication means.
13. The system of claim 12 wherein the first communication means is an eCM.
14. The system of claim 12 wherein the second communication means is an eCM.
15. The system of claim 12 wherein the directing means is a DOCSIS set-top gateway client controller.
16. A subscriber device for communicating with a cable television network, comprising:
a plurality of embedded cable modems, each providing downstream communication capability for the subscriber device;
all but one of the cable modems having upstream communication capability either lacking or disabled; and
one of the plurality of cable modems providing both upstream and downstream communication capability to the subscriber device.
17. The subscriber device of claim 16 wherein the subscriber device is a DOCSIS set-top gateway device.
18. The subscriber device of claim 16 wherein each of the cable modems with upstream capability lacking or disabled can respond to a message to tune to a DSG tunnel that is transmitted over a different channel than a channel to which the cable modem receiving the message is currently tuned.