NETWORK MANAGER FOR CABLE TELEVISION SYSTEM HEADENDS

摘要

A novel network manager that monitors and manages cable headend components and set top terminals in a television delivery system is described. The invention coordinates the reception of programming and control signals at a headend, storing signals for intelligent selection and distribution. The invention uses a receiver, a work station, a program control information processing component, a network management CPU, databases, control software and an instruction memory. The invention uses these components to manage headend components, such as signal reception equipment, an authorization component, a file server, MPEG decoders, buffers and modulators. The invention is particularly useful in processing upstream subscriber communications. The invention accommodates various system services, including near video on demand (NVOD), virtual video on demand (VVOD), video on demand (VOD), interactive program services, program suggestion features, advertisement targeting, standard and custom menus, and data spooling and text overlaying.