Hybrid video-on-demand based on a near-video-on-demand system
US5682597A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 15, 1995 |
| Grant date | Oct 28, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 15, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N7/17318
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system and method for Video-on-Demand (VOD) satisfying the desire of `surfers`. The process entails a server operating in a standard NVOD mode, whereby it continuously sends multiple copies of each program on separate channels. Each copy is delayed by a staggered time interval. The invention provides a way to fulfill a VOD user request asynchronous with the start of a NVOD transmission but which still makes primary use of the NVOD transmission for that requestor. The system and method combines independent server service satisfying an asynchronous request for only a short duration, usually less than or equal to the NVOD staggered time interval, and then aligns that requestor with an immediately previously commenced NVOD transmission.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.