Flexible, configurable, hierarchical system for distributing programming
First Claim
1. A method for selectively supplying one of (a) a first media signal from a first media source, the first media signal having at least one break indication signal, and (b) a second media signal from a second media source, to a distribution network, the method comprising steps of:
- a) detecting the at least one break indication signal of the first media signal;
b) querying a schedule database based on (i) a channel indicator corresponding to the first media source and (ii) a time, to retrieve a media file identification;
c) retrieving, from the second media source, compressed media data corresponding to the media file identification;
d) decoding the compressed media data to generate decompressed media data;
e) generating the second media signal from the decompressed media data;
f) providing the first media signal from the first media source to a first input of a switch;
g) providing the second media signal to a second input of the switch; and
h) selectively providing one of the first and second media signals to the distribution network by controlling the switch based on the at least one break indication signal.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A flexible and configurable system for distributing media (or programming) to one or more distribution networks. The system includes a media server, at least one server interface unit, a first communications path coupling the media server and a server interface unit, distribution network interface unit(s), and a second communications path coupling a server interface unit and the distribution network interface unit(s). The media server stores files of encoded (e.g., compressed) media data and files of scheduling information. Each of the distribution network interface unit(s) conditions received media data for transmission over the distribution network(s) which may be analog and/or digital distribution networks.
637 Citations
66 Claims
-
1. A method for selectively supplying one of (a) a first media signal from a first media source, the first media signal having at least one break indication signal, and (b) a second media signal from a second media source, to a distribution network, the method comprising steps of:
-
a) detecting the at least one break indication signal of the first media signal; b) querying a schedule database based on (i) a channel indicator corresponding to the first media source and (ii) a time, to retrieve a media file identification; c) retrieving, from the second media source, compressed media data corresponding to the media file identification; d) decoding the compressed media data to generate decompressed media data; e) generating the second media signal from the decompressed media data; f) providing the first media signal from the first media source to a first input of a switch; g) providing the second media signal to a second input of the switch; and h) selectively providing one of the first and second media signals to the distribution network by controlling the switch based on the at least one break indication signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. In a system having a compressed media server, a server interface unit, and a plurality of distribution network interface units, a method for selectively supplying one of (a) a first media signal from a first media source, the first media signal having at least one break indication signal, and (b) a second media signal derived from compressed media data from the compressed media server, to a distribution network via one of the plurality of distribution network interface units, the method comprising steps of:
-
a) detecting, at one of the plurality of distribution network interface units, the at least one break indication signal; b) communicating a message, indicating a detection of the at least one break indication signal, from the one of the plurality of distribution network interface units to the compressed media server; c) retrieving, at the compressed media server, compressed media data based on the message; d) communicating, via the server interface unit, the compressed media data from the compressed media server to the one of the plurality of distribution network interface units; e) decoding, at the one of the plurality of distribution network interface units, the compressed media data to form decoded media data; f) generating, at the one of the plurality of distribution network interface units, the second media signal from the decoded media data; g) providing, at the one of the plurality of distribution network interface units, the second media signal to a first input of a controllable switch; h) providing, at the one of the plurality of distribution network interface units, the first media signal from the first media source to a second input of the controllable switch; and i) controlling the switch to selectively providing one of (a) the first media signal from the first media source and (b) the second media signal, to the distribution network based on the at least one break indication signal. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
-
-
45. A system for selectively supplying one of (a) a first media signal from a first source, the first media signal having at least one break indication signal, and (b) a second media signal, to a distribution network, the system comprising:
-
a) a plurality of distribution network interface units, each of the plurality of distribution network interface units including; i) a break detector, having an input receiving the first media signal from the first source, for detecting the at least one break indication signal, and having an output outputting a break detection signal; ii) a message generator, having an input receiving the break detection signal output by the break detector, for generating a message in response to the received break detection signal, and having an output for outputting the generated message; iii) a decoder, having an input for receiving compressed media data, for decoding compressed media data to provide decoded media data, and an output for outputting the decoded media data; iv) a generator, having an input provided with the decoded media data output by the decoder, for generating the second media signal, and having an output for outputting the second media signal; v) a controllable switch having a first input for receiving the second media signal output by the generator, a second input provided with the first media signal, a control input, and an output coupled with the distribution network; and vi) a switch control unit for generating a switch control signal, and having an output, coupled with the control input of the controllable switch, for outputting the switch control signal; b) a server interface unit; c) a first communications path between the server interface unit and each of the plurality of network distribution interface units; d) a compressed media server including; i) a storage unit for storing compressed media data; ii) a media retrieval unit having an input for receiving messages generated by the message generators of the plurality of distribution network interface units, for retrieving compressed media data from the storage unit based on messages accepted at its input, and having an output for communicating the retrieved compressed media data to the decoders of the plurality of distribution network interface units, based on the messages received at its input; e) a second communications path between the compressed media server and the server interface unit, wherein, the retrieved compressed media data output by the media retrieval unit are communicated to the decoders of the plurality of distribution network interface units via the second communications path, the server interface unit, and the first communications path. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66)
-
Specification