Method and apparatus for video on demand asset management
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Abstract
A master scheduler system and method automatically operate and/or coordinate operation of a plurality of relatively independent systems, including manual systems, to function as an NVOD system to provide automating diverse operations for supporting and maintaining an NVOD system. The master scheduler system and method may also be applied to automate manual processes of analog-based and digital broadcast based service. The master scheduler receives, processes, and disseminates NVOD schedule-related information for end-to-end NVOD service; that is, sending video from a back-end which stores video data to a head-end for viewing by a user. The master scheduler also provides operations support for the NVOD system, such as maintaining the head-end configuration, allocating channels, performing asset management, performing content management, etc. The master scheduler provides validation of scheduling information by comparing information such as programmed schedules, asset metadata, and data obtained by measuring asset parameters, for example duration.
67 Citations
27 Claims
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1-9. -9. (canceled)
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10. A near-video-on-demand (NVOD) system arranged to provide video content to a plurality of subscribers, the NVOD system comprising:
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a video server arranged to store the content in a memory;
a head-end arranged to distribute the content from the video server to the plurality of subscribers over a plurality of channels using staggered transmission of the content;
an electronic program guide (EPG) provider system;
a business support system;
a management processor including a graphic user interface (GUI) to allow an administrator to monitor and control the content of the video server; and
a master scheduler including;
a schedule management system arranged to receive and validate a schedule from a schedule provider, and being responsive to commands from an administrator for processing the validated schedule to generate a finalized schedule of programming events;
a schedule distributor arranged to distribute a finalized schedule of programming events to the video server, the EPG provider system, and the business support system; and
a content manager arranged to monitor and control the loading of assets into the video server according to the finalized schedule. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for controlling a near-video-on-demand (NVOD) system, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a schedule from a schedule provider;
validating the schedule;
processing the schedule to generate a finalized schedule;
receiving assets including content;
loading the assets into a video server according to the finalized schedule;
distributing the finalized schedule to the video server, to a business support system, and to an electronic program guide system; and
transmitting the content using staggered transmission over a plurality of channels to subscribers of the NVOD system. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for validation of scheduling information comprising:
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receiving at a master scheduler said scheduling information from a schedule provider;
receiving an asset from an asset provider;
loading said asset into a video server;
obtaining asset information from said video server;
comparing said asset information to said scheduling information;
identifying a variance of said asset information to said scheduling information. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification