Patent ID: 8789119
Filing Date: 2014-07-22
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A statistical remultiplexer, comprising: a buffer for storing metadata associated with a stream of video on demand (VOD) program content, wherein the metadata is linked to at least one time code in the stream of VOD program content, wherein the metadata is different than subscriber metadata in the stream of VOD program content and the metadata is removed from the stream of VOD program content at a video edge distribution hub, wherein the statistical remultiplexer is configured to multiplex a plurality of variable bit rate channels into a single transport stream having a maximum bandwidth, the statistical remultiplexer being further configured to vary a portion of the maximum bandwidth allocated to a particular one of the channels based on information provided by the metadata associated with the stream of VOD program content, wherein the buffer stores ten or less frames of the VOD program content, wherein the metadata is received from a source of the VOD program content with the stream of VOD program content and the metadata provides a summary of future performance parameters for specific channels such that the statistical remultiplexer allocates future bandwidth in response to a video on demand function request, wherein the statistical remultiplexer is configured to receive the VOD program content in a nonlinear viewing sequence, the statistical remultiplexer being adapted to utilize the metadata to determine bandwidth allocation for the non-linear viewing sequence such that system latency is less than about one second in response to a VOD function request, and wherein the statistical remultiplexer is configured to re-encode a particular stream to meet a future bandwidth limitation.