Patent ID: 6191806
Filing Date: 2001-02-20
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A video jukebox management system for use by a cable supplier that broadcasts on-request video program services across a plurality of cable heads, said system comprising;a plurality of video programs, wherein each of said video programs is capable of being played through a plurality of video sources;control means for selectively scheduling the playing of each of said plurality of programs through at least a selected one of said plurality of video sources;control means for selectively assigning each of said cable head ends to one of a number of said video sources, wherein the number of video sources is dependent upon the amount of video requests received by the cable supplier;means for varying said number of said video sources in response to a number of video requests such that each requested video program is viewed by a corresponding requester within a reasonable time period; andmeans for assigning said cable heads to said video sources to balance customer request queue among said number of said video sources.