# US 11,910,041 B2 · In-stream controls for national video distribution > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,910,041 B2 - Document ID: US11910041B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/973,300 - Filed: 2022-10-25 - Published: 2023-02-16 - Granted: 2024-02-20 - Earliest claimed: 2015-09-28 - Assignees: TiVo Inc. - Applicants: Tivo Corporation - Inventors: Michael Harrell; Eric Middlemist; Christopher Weaver - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11910041B2 ## CPC - H04N 21/23614: {Multiplexing of additional data and video streams (arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information H04H20/28)} - H04N 21/222: Secondary servers, e.g. proxy server, cable television Head-end {(provisioning of proxy services in data packet switching networks H04L67/56)} - H04N 21/23424: {involving splicing one content stream with another content stream, e.g. for inserting or substituting an advertisement} - H04N 21/23439: {for generating different versions} - H04N 21/235: Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors - H04N 21/2365: Multiplexing of several video streams - H04N 21/237: Communication with additional data server - H04N 21/23805: {Controlling the feeding rate to the network, e.g. by controlling the video pump} - H04N 21/2381: Adapting the multiplex stream to a specific network, e.g. an Internet Protocol [IP] network {(transmission of MPEG streams over ATM H04L12/5601)} - H04N 21/2407: {Monitoring of transmitted content, e.g. distribution time, number of downloads (arrangements for monitoring programmes for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/14)} - H04N 21/26241: {involving the time of distribution, e.g. the best time of the day for inserting an advertisement or airing a children programme} - H04N 21/2668: Creating a channel for a dedicated end-user group, e.g. insertion of targeted commercials based on end-user profiles {(information retrieval from the Internet by querying with filtering and personalisation G06F16/9535; arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast H04H20/10; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; adaptation of message content in packet-switching networks H04L51/063)} - H04N 21/6338: directed to network - H04N 21/64322: {IP} - H04N 21/8126: {involving additional data, e.g. news, sports, stocks, weather forecasts} - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract Systems and methods are described for delivering regional content for a lineup over a national network. A content provider may select a particular regional broadcast for inclusion in a regional service lineup. The content provider may be able to broadcast multiple, or even all, services nationally. At regional distribution centers, a multiplexer may select only those services that are desired for the region in response to in-stream signals. In some instances, a single region-specific version of a given service may be selected from multiple versions broadcasted nationally. The regional lineup, including the selected services, can then be multiplexed and transmitted to customers throughout the region. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method comprising: receiving a plurality of video feeds; receiving regional assignment information, wherein a piece of regional assignment information associates a first video feed of the plurality of video feeds with a region; inserting a command into a second video feed of the plurality of video feeds, wherein: the command identifies the first video feed to replace the second video feed for the region; and the command comprises a region code corresponding to the region; and transmitting the first video feed and the second video feed, wherein the second video feed comprises the command. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the regional assignment information is received via an event signaling and messaging instruction. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein inserting the command into the second video comprises inserting a society of cable telecommunications engineers (SCTE) 35 protocol command. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising generating the region code for the region using a lookup table and the received regional assignment information. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first video feed and the second video feed are transmitted to a multiplexer associated with the region. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the received plurality of video feeds comprise at least one primary feed and at least one alternate feed. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, further comprising, combining a primary feed with an alternate feed. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving the first video feed and the second video feed at a multiplexer in the region; and automatically displaying the first video feed in response to the command. ### Claim 9 An apparatus comprising: one or more processors; and memory storing computer-readable instructions, that when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to: receive a plurality of video feeds; receive regional assignment information, wherein a piece of regional assignment information associates a first video feed of the plurality of video feeds with a region; insert a command into a second video feed of the plurality of video feeds, wherein the command identifies the first video feed to replace the second video feed for the region; and transmit the first video feed and the second video feed to a multiplexer associated with the region, wherein the second video feed comprises the command. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatus receives the regional assignment information via an event signaling and messaging instruction. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatus if further caused, when inserting the command into the second video, to insert a society of cable telecommunications engineers (SCTE) 35 protocol command. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the command comprises a region code corresponding to the region. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus is further caused to generate the region code for the region using a lookup table and the received regional assignment information. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the plurality of video feeds comprise at least one primary feed and at least one alternate feed. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatus is further caused to combine a primary feed with an alternate feed. ### Claim 16 A method comprising: receiving a plurality of video feeds; receiving regional assignment information, wherein: a piece of regional assignment information associates a first video feed of the plurality of video feeds with a region; and the regional assignment information is received via an event signaling and messaging instruction; inserting a command into a second video feed of the plurality of video feeds, wherein the command identifies the first video feed to replace the second video feed for the region; and transmitting the first video feed and the second video feed, wherein the second video feed comprises the command.