System for resolving channel selection in a multi-channel convergence system

A computer comprising:

• a processor;
• a computer-readable medium;
• an audio/video multiplexer under control of the processor;
• a first receiver;
• a second receiver, said first and second receiver communicatively coupled to a multiplexer and inputting program signals to said multiplexer;
• a plurality of devices communicatively coupled to said multiplexer, the outputs of said multiplexer inputting programming signals to said devices;
• a software instruction set executed by the processor from the computer-readable medium to control the audio/video multiplexer;
• and
• logic to determine a conflict condition where there are requests for a first programming signal and a second programming signal from the first receiver.

A computerized convergence system comprising:

• a system audio/video multiplexer;
• a plurality of programming receivers communicatively coupled to said system audio/video multiplexer, said plurality of programming receivers each producing one or more programming signals;
• a plurality of outputs communicatively coupled to said system audio/video multiplexer;
• a multiplexer controller communicatively coupled to said system audio/video multiplexer, said multiplexer controller controlling the connections of each one of the programming receivers to each one of the plurality of outputs;
• a TV services component interfacing with the multiplexer controller, said TV services component determining the programming signals associated with each of said programming receivers and controlling said multiplexer controller to connect selected programming signals to the outputs communicatively coupled to the system audio/video multiplexer, wherein said TV services component further performs the tasks of:
• determining a conflict condition where there are requests for two programming signals from a first programming receiver;
• searching the content services component for an alternative source of programming signals from a second programming receiver;
• and
• connecting the second programming receiver to the selected output.