System and method for distributing video with targeted advertising using switched communication networks
First Claim
1. A method of delivering video via a switched communication network comprising:
- transmitting one or more program streams from a head end node to one or more egress nodes via the switched network; and
inserting one or more advertisements into the one or more program streams at the one or more egress nodes for delivery to individual subscribers such that a particular subscriber receives a program stream with an advertisement that corresponds to demographic characteristics of that particular subscriber.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method are provided for delivering broadcast-quality video with targeted advertising to viewers over the switched communication network, thereby providing a viable alternative to traditional cable, over-the-air, and direct broadcast satellite delivery systems. According to one embodiment, program streams with appropriately inserted splice points are transmitted from a network head end node to one or more egress nodes via a switched network. Demographically-targeted advertising is then inserted into the program streams at the egress nodes for subsequent delivery to individual subscribers. More specifically, targeted advertising is inserted in a program stream using a splicing method that employs adaptive synchronization to align splice points in the program and advertising streams that are being spliced together. By appropriately aligning splice points, broadcast-quality video transmission via switched networks is achieved. Because the switched network only carries program streams while advertising is inserted at the edges of the network, programs with demographically-targeted advertising can be delivered to many different subscribers without the need for using the bandwidth of the switched network to carry a unique program and advertising stream for each demographic group from the head end node. In one embodiment, the mechanism for delivery to the viewer'"'"'s home or corporate office is via existing copper (e.g., twisted pair) or fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) using xDSL or Ethernet access technologies and the like.
344 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of delivering video via a switched communication network comprising:
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transmitting one or more program streams from a head end node to one or more egress nodes via the switched network; and
inserting one or more advertisements into the one or more program streams at the one or more egress nodes for delivery to individual subscribers such that a particular subscriber receives a program stream with an advertisement that corresponds to demographic characteristics of that particular subscriber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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12. In a video distribution network including a head end node, one or more egress nodes, a service management system, and a switched communication network, wherein the head end node supplies one or more program streams via the switched communication network to the one or more egress nodes, a system for delivering video comprising:
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at an egress node, a router for receiving the one or more program streams, a storage element for storing advertisements, and a splicer element for inserting one or more of the stored advertisements into the one or more program streams for delivery to individual subscribers, wherein a particular subscriber receives a program stream with an advertisement that corresponds to demographic characteristics of that particular subscriber.
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20. A system for delivering video via a switched communication network comprising:
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a head end node for transmitting one or more program streams via the switched network; and
at least one egress node for receiving the one or more program streams, the egress node including a splicer element for inserting one or more advertisements into the one or more program streams at the egress node for delivery to individual subscribers, such that a particular subscriber receives a program stream with an advertisement that corresponds to demographic characteristics of that particular subscriber. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification