Methods and apparatus for identifying signal degradation in a receiver

1. A method for operating a receiving device, the method comprising:

recording over time a plurality of first signal strength values of a signal received by a receiving device;

recording over time a plurality of second signal strength values of the received signal;

calculating a signal strength gradient between first signal strength values and corresponding second signal values;

learning a set of decision values utilized to identify various types of signal interference, set of decision values based on previously associated causes of the various types of signal interference;

comparing a signal strength gradient value to a learned decision value; and

outputting for presentation a message responsive to the comparison of the signal strength gradient value to the learned decision value, the message indicating to a user a degradation of the signal and a possible cause of the degradation of the signal, the message further discouraging the user from contacting customer service.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

identifying a signal loss condition of the signal;

wherein outputting for presentation the message is further performed responsive to identifying the signal loss, the output including a clickable icon.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining whether a time difference between the first time and the second time is less than a second decision value;

wherein outputting for presentation the message is performed responsive to determining that the signal strength difference is greater than the first decision value and determining that the time difference is less than the second decision value.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the first signal strength is performed responsive to initially receiving the received signal.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first time and the second time are within a single viewing session and wherein the message indicates the existence of signal degradation caused by weather conditions.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:

identifying the weather conditions based on the signal strength difference and an elapsed time between the first time and the second time;

querying a server to download weather information associated with the weather conditions; and

outputting for presentation to the user the weather information.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the weather information comprises a weather map.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the weather information comprises an emergency alert message.

9. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:

identifying the weather conditions based on the signal strength difference and an elapsed time between the first time and the second time; and

outputting for presentation to the user a warning regarding the weather condition.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein an elapsed time between the first time and the second time is between multiple viewing sessions and wherein the message indicates the existence of signal degradation caused by a physical obstruction between an antenna associated with the receiving device and a transmitting device transmitting the signal.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the physical obstruction comprises foliage growing in front of the antenna.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the receiving device comprises a satellite receiver and the signal comprises a satellite signal.

13. A receiving device comprising:

a communication interface operable to receive a signal associated with a satellite based transmission; and

control logic operable to:

record a plurality of signal strength values of the signal over time;

calculate a signal strength gradient between the recorded plurality of signal strength values;

learn a plurality of decision values that identify various types of signal degradation, the plurality of decision values based on previous associations of signal degradation to causes of the signal degradation;

compare at least one signal strength difference to a learned first decision value; and

output for presentation a message responsive to comparing the at least one signal strength difference to the learned first decision value, the message indicating to a user a degradation of the signal and a possible cause of the degradation of the signal, the message further discouraging the user from contacting customer service.

14. The receiving device of claim 13 , wherein the control logic is further operable to identify a signal loss condition of the signal and output the message responsive to identifying the signal loss condition.

15. The receiving device of claim 13 , wherein the control logic is further operable to determine whether a time difference between the first time and the second time is less than a second decision value and output for presentation the message responsive to determining that the signal strength difference is greater than the first decision value and determining that the time difference is less than a second decision value.

16. The receiving device of claim 13 , wherein the control logic is operable to determine the first signal strength responsive to initially receiving the received signal.

17. The receiving device of claim 13 , wherein the first time and the second time are within a single viewing session and wherein the message indicates the existence of signal degradation caused by weather conditions.

18. The receiving device of claim 13 , further comprising:

a storage medium operable to store recorded television content;

the control logic operable to output the recorded television content for presentation by a presentation device and output the message in association with the recorded television content.

19. The receiving device of claim 13 , wherein an elapsed time between the first time and the second time is between multiple viewing sessions and wherein the message indicates the existence of signal degradation caused by a physical obstruction between an antenna associated with the receiving device and a transmitting device transmitting the signal.

20. The receiving device of claim 13 , wherein the receiving device comprises a satellite receiver and the signal comprises a satellite signal.

21. A satellite receiver comprising:

a communication interface operable to receive a satellite signal and extract data from the satellite signal; and

control logic operable to:

measure a plurality of signal strengths of the signal over a period of time;

calculate a signal strength gradient between the plurality of signal strengths over the period of time;

identify a signal loss of the satellite signal;

learn a plurality of decision values, each decision value identifying a type of signal degradation, the set plurality of decision values based on associations of signal degradation to identified causes of the signal degradation;

determine whether the signal strength gradient is greater than at least one learned decision value; and

output for presentation a message responsive to determining that the signal strength gradient is greater than the at least one learned decision value, the message indicating to a user a degradation of the signal and a possible cause of the degradation of the signal, the message further discouraging the user from contacting customer service.

22. The satellite receiver of claim 21 , wherein a first of the plurality of signal strengths is measured responsive to the communication interface locking onto the received signal.

23. The satellite receiver of claim 21 , wherein the period of time is within a single viewing session and wherein the message indicates the existence of signal degradation caused by weather conditions.

24. The satellite receiver of claim 21 , wherein the period of time spans multiple viewing sessions and wherein the message indicates the existence of signal degradation caused by a physical obstruction between an antenna associated with the satellite receiver and a satellite transmitting the signal.

25. The satellite receiver of claim 21 , wherein the communication interface is operable to receive television programming from first and second satellites, the first satellite signal is associated with a first satellite, the control logic is operable to generate an electronic programming guide identifying programming receivable from the first the second satellites, the electronic programming guide including an indicator regarding the temporary unavailability of a first portion of the television programming receivable from the first satellite.