Apparatus and methods for multi-stage multiplexing in a network
US7602820B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 1, 2005 |
| Grant date | Oct 13, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 1, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04Q2213/13376
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for performing multiplexing of video or other content (e.g., programs) within a network using feed-back from a subsequent digital program insertion stage, and/or feed-forward information from a prior multiplexing stage. In one embodiment, the network comprises a hybrid fiber coax (HFC) cable network having headend and hub-based statistical multiplexing stages, and communication between the two stages is used to improve the visual quality performance and bandwidth utilization of the output multi-program stream during conditions where downstream content is inserted into the transport stream. Business methods associated with the various multiplexing features described above are also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.