Method and apparatus for identifying a signal route for delivery of video-on-demand to a subscriber terminal
US8418214B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 12, 2001 |
| Grant date | Apr 9, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 3, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N21/6405
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for identifying an appropriate video signal path is provided for delivery of video-on-demand (VOD) data to a subscriber in a VOD system. The signal path may be a portion of an hybrid fiber optic and cable (HFC) network so that other signal paths in the HFC network may service subscribers in other areas. Because each path need not service every area, the total bandwidth provided by the VOD server need not be provided to every area so that the bandwidth provided to each area can be commensurate with the needs of that area. When a subscriber requests VOD programming, the identification received by the subscriber's terminal from the VOD server is returned to the server along with the request. From the identification, the VOD server may determine the area in which the requesting subscriber is located and the VOD server may then transmit the requested programming to the area in which the subscriber is located for reception by the subscriber.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.