CATV distribution system with each channel having its own remote scheduler
First Claim
1. A cable television system with remote channel scheduling, the system comprising:
- a cable headend including a headend server for outputting first and second CATV channels to a plurality of subscribers, said first and second CATV channels carrying different video/audio programs for distribution to said plurality of subscribers in accordance with predetermined playlist schedules, wherein each said subscriber has a receiver for allowing said subscriber to choose between one of said first and second channels for view;
a video/audio file distribution station having a transmitter server for transmitting digital video/audio files in non-real time to said cable headend, said cable headend subsequently storing said received files for later distribution to said plurality of subscribers;
a first and a second scheduling station for generating said playlist schedules for said first and second channels by way of controlling the content, order, and time that said video/audio programs are output to said subscribers over each of said first and second channels, said first scheduling station controlling the playlist schedule of said first channel and said second scheduling station controlling the playlist schedule of said second channel so as to allow the video/audio output of said first and second channels to be controlled separately; and
computer means at each of said first and second scheduling stations for modifying said playlist schedules of said first and second channels respectively, said computer means also accessing said transmitter server at said file distribution station and requesting transmission of files listed on said playlist schedules from said distribution station to said cable headend whereby said headend is supplied with said files to be output via said first and second channels in accordance with said playlists generated by said first and second scheduling stations.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A cable television (CATV) system including a plurality of headends, each headend outputting different video/audio programs to subscribers by way of a plurality of channels. The playlist or scheduling data corresponding to each channel is generated and modified by a separate and distinct scheduling computer, the scheduling computers for each channel being located at different locations. Such a system allows the output of each CATV channel at different headends to be generated, modified, and controlled via separate schedulers. This is advantageous in environments where different companies control the distribution of different channels. For example, company A, which outputs its programs via channel 1 may control the channel 1 playlist from its headquarters, while company B which outputs its programs via channel 3 may control channel 3 scheduling from its headquarters, the headquarters of companies A and B of course being remote from one another thereby enabling companies A and B to control their respective channel presentation from locations of their choice.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A cable television system with remote channel scheduling, the system comprising:
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a cable headend including a headend server for outputting first and second CATV channels to a plurality of subscribers, said first and second CATV channels carrying different video/audio programs for distribution to said plurality of subscribers in accordance with predetermined playlist schedules, wherein each said subscriber has a receiver for allowing said subscriber to choose between one of said first and second channels for view; a video/audio file distribution station having a transmitter server for transmitting digital video/audio files in non-real time to said cable headend, said cable headend subsequently storing said received files for later distribution to said plurality of subscribers; a first and a second scheduling station for generating said playlist schedules for said first and second channels by way of controlling the content, order, and time that said video/audio programs are output to said subscribers over each of said first and second channels, said first scheduling station controlling the playlist schedule of said first channel and said second scheduling station controlling the playlist schedule of said second channel so as to allow the video/audio output of said first and second channels to be controlled separately; and computer means at each of said first and second scheduling stations for modifying said playlist schedules of said first and second channels respectively, said computer means also accessing said transmitter server at said file distribution station and requesting transmission of files listed on said playlist schedules from said distribution station to said cable headend whereby said headend is supplied with said files to be output via said first and second channels in accordance with said playlists generated by said first and second scheduling stations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for controlling the playlist schedules of a first and a second video/audio channel output from a CATV headend, said method comprising the steps of:
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a) generating a playlist schedule for said first channel at a first scheduling location, said first scheduling location including a first computer for generating and modifying said first channel playlist schedule; b) generating a playlist schedule for said second channel at a second scheduling location, said second scheduling location including a second computer for generating and modifying said second channel playlist schedule thereby allowing the playlist schedules of said first and second channels to be generated, modified, and controlled from different locations; c) supplying said headend from a first file distribution station digital video/audio files contained in said first and second channel playlists, said first and second computers at said first and second scheduling locations being in communication with said first file distribution station for instructing said distribution station to supply particular files to said headend; d) outputting from said CATV headend video/audio programs over said first channel to a plurality of subscribers in accordance with said first channel playlist schedule generated in step a); and e) outputting from said CATV headend video/audio programs over said second channel to said plurality of subscribers in accordance with said second channel playlist schedule generated in step b). - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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Specification