Receiver and a transmitter

Abstract

A receiver is described for a testing device for a data stream in which the data stream comprises a plurality of encoded data components. The receiver comprises an input for inputting a plurality of encoded data components, a processor for processing the plurality of encoded data components; and a plurality of outputs each for outputting a processed one of the plurality of encoded data components. The receiver is arranged, such that, in use, a plurality of encoded data components received at the input are processed by the processor and a processed one of the plurality of encoded data components is output from one of the plurality of outputs. This arrangement provides computational efficiency.

1 . A transmitter for transmitting a data stream, the transmitter comprising a test strategy appender, which appends a test strategy for testing at least a component of the data stream to the data stream. 
     
     
         2 . The transmitter according to  claim 1 , wherein the data stream is a television signal. 
     
     
         3 . The transmitter according to  claim 2 , wherein the data stream is a digital television signal. 
     
     
         4 . The transmitter according to  claim 1 , wherein the test strategy appender appends the test strategy to at least a component of the data stream for interactive content. 
     
     
         5 . The transmitter according to  claim 1 , wherein the test strategy appender integrates the test strategy to at least a component of the data stream for interactive content. 
     
     
         6 . The transmitter according to  claim 1 , wherein the test strategy appender appends the test strategy to at least a component of the data stream separate from at least the component of the data stream for interactive content. 
     
     
         7 . The transmitter according to  claim 6 , wherein the test strategy comprises an indication of the identity of the interactive content for testing. 
     
     
         8 . The transmitter according to  claim 1 , wherein the test strategy comprises at least one of: an indication of the correct operation of interactive content; an indication of the identity of the interactive content; and an indication of the time scheduled for the interactive content. 
     
     
         9 . A system comprising:
 a transmitter for transmitting a data stream, the transmitter comprising a test strategy appender, which appends a test strategy for testing at least a component of the data stream to the data stream; and   a report collator for periodically receiving and collating test results as a result of implementation of the test strategy.   
     
     
         10 . A receiver for receiving a data stream to which a test strategy for testing at least a component of the data stream is appended, the receiver comprising a test reader for reading the test strategy and a test transmitter for transmitting the test strategy to a test implementer. 
     
     
         11 . The receiver according to  claim 10 , wherein the receiver further comprises a test implementer for implementing the test strategy. 
     
     
         12 . The receiver according to  claim 10 , wherein the data stream is a television signal. 
     
     
         13 . The receiver according to  claim 12 , wherein the data stream is a digital television signal. 
     
     
         14 . The receiver according to  claim 10 , wherein the data stream comprises interactive content.