QUEUE-BASED HEAD-END ADVERTISEMENT SCHEDULING METHOD AND APPARATUS

摘要

In one embodiment, a method of transmitting streaming media and advertisements to viewers at a plurality of viewer nodes is disclosed in which a plurality of viewer groups are created. Each viewer node is assigned to one of the plurality of viewer groups, wherein the assigning includes creating an advertising group map disclosing an advertising group to which each viewer belongs and transmitting the advertising group map to each viewer node. At the head end, at least one media stream is received including media content. A plurality of presentation streams is formed, each presentation channel corresponding to one of the viewer groups, by replicating the at least one media stream, each presentation channel including the media content and advertisements, wherein the advertisements replace previously scheduled advertisements. Each of the presentation channels is transmitted to at least one viewer node in said viewer group corresponding to said presentation channel.

主权项

1. A method of transmitting streaming media and advertisements to viewers at a plurality of viewer nodes, the method comprising:
creating a plurality of viewer groups, members of the viewer groups being based on at least one characteristic of the viewers, the at least one characteristic being relevant to advertising; assigning each viewer node to one of the plurality of viewer groups, wherein the assigning includes creating an advertising group map disclosing an advertising group to which each viewer belongs and transmitting the advertising group map to each viewer node; receiving at the head end at least one media stream including media content; forming a plurality of presentation streams, each presentation channel corresponding to one of the viewer groups, by replicating the at least one media stream, each presentation channel including the media content and advertisements, wherein the advertisements replace previously scheduled advertisements; and transmitting each of the presentation channels to at least one viewer node in said viewer group corresponding to said presentation channel.