Methods and apparatus for event logging in an information network

A method of operating client equipment in operative communication with a content-based network, said equipment comprising at least at least a first application and a second application, the method comprising:

• generating first data relating to the operation of said equipment;
• receiving, at said first application, said first data;
• evaluating said first data;
• and
• selectively storing at least a portion of said first data within a storage device;
• wherein:
• said first application comprises an OCAP-compliant monitor application, and at least said acts of receiving and evaluating are performed using software entities associated with said monitor application;
• and
• said second application initiates said act of generating due to at least one event associated with said second application.

A method of operating CPE within a content-based network, said CPE comprising a resource, a trusted OCAP-compliant Java-based application adapted to communicate with a network entity, and a plurality of other software applications, the method comprising:

• evaluating said resource using said trusted application;
• and
• in response to said act of evaluating, selectively controlling the operation of one or more of said plurality of other applications;
• wherein said act of evaluating comprises evaluating said resource under at least partial control of said network entity.

An error logging system adapted for use on a set-top box having OCAP-compliant middleware, comprising:

• a plurality of entities, said plurality comprising:
• an event registration entity;
• an event submission entity;
• a priority event reporting entity;
• a network retrieval entity;
• a resource depletion registration entity;
• and
• an event database;
• wherein said middleware comprises at least one of said plurality of entities.

A method of conducting business via a cable network having a plurality of client devices operatively coupled thereto, said devices each having an event logging system comprising middleware running on said device, said middleware comprising a plurality of APIs, the method comprising:

• distributing at least one software application to ones of said plurality of devices;
• running said at least one software application on at least one of said devices to which it was distributed;
• receiving an event notification via said event logging system;
• evaluating said notification to determine a corrective action;
• and
• selectively controlling a function within said device using said event logging system, said function implementing at least a portion of said corrective action;
• wherein said act of selectively controlling comprises controlling said function via one or more of said APIs.

CPE for use in a content-based network, said CPE comprising an event handling system adapted to automatically log data relating to one or more events occurring within said CPE during operation and make such data available to a network agent, said event handling system comprising:

• (i) middleware adapted to register for and receive event notifications, and at least one API that can be used to access at least one hardware function within said CPE;
• and
• (ii) a storage device adapted to store said data;
• wherein said middleware is further adapted to selectively analyze said event notifications to identify said data to be stored within said storage device.

Apparatus adapted for operation within a cable distribution network, said apparatus comprising:

• processor means;
• storage means operatively coupled to said processor;
• middleware adapted to run on said processor means;
• a plurality of software means comprising at least (i) an event registration entity, (ii) an event submission entity, and (iii) a network interface entity;
• and
• at least one software application adapted to run on said processor means;
• wherein said apparatus is further configured, in cooperation with said middleware, to:
• identify an event relating to the operation of said apparatus from information received via at least one of said submission and registration entities;
• store information relating to said event using said storage means;
• and
• selectively provide external access to said stored information via said network interface entity.

An error logging system adapted for use on a set-top box having OCAP-compliant middleware, comprising:

• a plurality of means, said plurality comprising:
• means for event registration;
• means for event submission;
• means for priority event reporting;
• means for network retrieval;
• means for resource depletion registration;
• and
• an event database;
• wherein said middleware comprises at least one of said plurality of means.