Video on demand management system
AssigneeConcurrent Computer Corporation
InventorsFred J. Allegrezza, Phillip A. Gabler, Robert C. Gaydos, Jr., Ludwig Clifford Lewis, II, Kirk L. Somers
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A video on demand (VOD) asset management system (100). Content is moved within the VOD system in accordance with predetermined variables such that certain content, such as that which is in high demand, is located on a server (120, 125) which is nearer to a subscriber (130), and content which is in lesser demand is located on a server (110, 115) which is more remote from the subscriber. Content may also be duplicated or moved within the system based upon other variables such as demographics of the subscriber, whether there is an advertising campaign for the content, and the age of the content.
Claims32
A method of managing content for a video on demand (VOD) system, the VOD system comprising a plurality of VOD servers, the plurality of VOD servers containing a plurality of content files, some VOD servers being located nearer to a customer than more remote VOD servers, the method comprising:
- automatically monitoring the demand for the content files;
- determining whether the demand for a content file on a VOD server of the plurality VOD serves has a predetermined quality by determining whether an advertising campaign is associated with the content file;
- and
- where there is the advertising campaign separate from and associated with the content file, performing:
- determining a different content file on a nearer VOD server that can to be moved to a more remote VOD server;
- moving the different content file to the more remote VOD server;
- and
- moving the content file to the nearer VOD server based only upon the advertising campaign being associated with the content file.
A method of managing content for a video on demand (VOD) system, the method comprising:
- monitoring a characteristic of a content file on a VOD region server, the characteristic consisting essentially of whether a separate advertising campaign is associated with the content file;
- where the characteristic is true,
- i. performing the steps of:
- 1. determining a different content file on a nearer VOD server that can to be moved to a more remote VOD server;
- 2. moving the different content file to the more remote VOD server;
- and
- 3. moving the content file having the characteristic to the nearer VOD server, wherein the nearer VOD server comprises a node VOD server nearer customers to whom the advertising campaign is directed;
- and
- ii. else, if it is determined that the characteristic is false, then moving the content file to the more remote VOD server.
A system for managing video on demand (VOD) content, the system comprising:
- a. a VOD library server coupled to a plurality of VOD region servers;
- b. a first VOD region server from the plurality of VOD region servers, wherein the first VOD region server is coupled to a plurality of VOD headend servers;
- c. a first VOD headend server from the plurality of VOD headend servers, wherein the first VOD headend server is coupled to a plurality of VOD node servers;
- d. a first VOD node server from the plurality of VOD node servers, wherein the first VOD node server is coupled to a plurality of subscriber devices;
- and
- e. an asset management system comprising a processor programmed to perform the steps of:
- i. monitoring a characteristic of a content file that resides on one of the first VOD region server, the first VOD headend server, or the first VOD node server, the characteristic consisting essentially of an indication of an advertising campaign being associated with and separate from the content file;
- ii. determining whether the characteristic of the content file is true or false;
- 1. if it is determined that the characteristic is true, performing the steps of:
- a. determining a different content file on a nearer VOD server that can to be moved to a more remote VOD server;
- b. moving the different content file to the more remote VOD server;
- and
- c. moving the content file to the nearer VOD server;
- and
- 2. else, if it is determined that the characteristic is false, then moving the content file to the more remote VOD server.
A method of managing content for a video on demand (VOD) system, the VOD system comprising a plurality of VOD servers, some VOD servers being located nearer to a customer than more remote VOD servers, the method comprising:
- determining whether there is an advertising campaign, separate from and associated with a content file;
- determining a nearer VOD server corresponding to locations of advertising campaign dollar investment;
- determining a different content file on the nearer VOD server that can to be moved to a more remote VOD server;
- moving the different content file to the more remote VOD server;
- and
- moving the content file to the nearer VOD server based upon only the advertising campaign being associated with the content file.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.