Patent · US Active

Generation, distribution and use of content metadata in a network

US9706234B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
93References
27Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 6, 2014
Grant dateJul 11, 2017
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 5, 2034

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04N21/658
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for utilizing information (e.g., metadata) relating to content in a multimedia distribution network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a hybrid fiber coax (HFC) cable network, and the information comprises metadata relating to the bitrate profile of deterministic content such as stored video. Content sources, or the network operator themselves, generate the metadata which may then be used by the operator to adjust or optimize the operation of the network; e.g., more efficiently allocate the program to a multiplex. Network apparatus adapted to implement the metadata functionality and related business methods are also disclosed.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.