James Allen Clark - Cumming GA, US John Robert Horrobin - Cumming GA, US
Assignee:
Cisco Technology, Inc. - San Jose CA
International Classification:
H04N 7/16
US Classification:
725 10, 725109, 725110, 725111, 709219, 709231
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for monitoring use patterns or services available information in video distribution networks. A network termination unit receives the video content through a port, demodulates and decodes the signals to produce display signals. The display signals are displayed on a viewing device connected to the network termination unit and the network termination unit monitors the use patterns and/or services available information of the viewing device. The unit then formats the use patterns or services available information into use pattern network packets and transmits them. A content analyzer receives use pattern packet from a network termination unit and decode them to access the data. The content analyzer then analyzes the use patterns and/or services available information and characterizes the unit. The characterization of the unit is then used to target content to that unit.