In-stream controls for national video distribution
AssigneeAdeia Media Holdings LLC
InventorsMichael Harrell, Eric Middlemist, Christopher Weaver
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims19
A method comprising:
- receiving, by a first multiplexer, one or more streams for a slot in a service lineup,
- detecting, by the first multiplexer, that the one or more streams comprise multiplexing instructions, wherein the multiplexing instructions comprise a region code;
- determining, by the first multiplexer, that the region code corresponds to a region associated with the first multiplexer;
- detecting, by the first multiplexer, that the multiplexing instructions comprise a switch now instruction;
- in response to detecting that the multiplexing instructions comprise a switch now instruction;
- determining, by the first multiplexer, a content identifier associated with the switch now instruction;
- identifying, by the first multiplexer, a first stream associated with the content identifier;
- and
- transmitting, by the first multiplexer, the service lineup comprising the determined first stream associated with the content identifier.
An apparatus, comprising:
- control circuitry;
- and
- at least one memory including computer program code for one or more programs, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the control circuitry, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following:
- receive one or more streams for a slot in a service lineup,
- detect that the one or more streams comprise multiplexing instructions, wherein the multiplexing instructions comprise a region code;
- determine that the region code corresponds to a region associated with the apparatus;
- detect that the multiplexing instructions comprise a switch now instruction;
- in response to detecting that the multiplexing instructions comprise a switch now instruction;
- determine a content identifier associated with the switch now instruction;
- identify a first stream associated with the content identifier;
- and
- transmit the service lineup comprising the determined first stream associated with the content identifier.
A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions encoded thereon that, when executed by control circuitry, cause the control circuitry to:
- receive one or more streams for a slot in a service lineup,
- detect that the one or more streams comprise multiplexing instructions, wherein the multiplexing instructions comprise a region code;
- determine that the region code corresponds to a region associated with a multiplexer;
- detect that the multiplexing instructions comprise a switch now instruction;
- in response to detecting that the multiplexing instructions comprise a switch now instruction;
- determine a content identifier associated with the switch now instruction;
- identify a first stream associated with the content identifier;
- and
- transmit the service lineup comprising the determined first stream associated with the content identifier.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.