aioTV, a Denver-based maker of video software and HDMI “pass-through” boxes, said it has scored a patent for metadata normalization and video playback, elements that can help MVPDs and other providers offer a blend of linear, on-demand and OTT video.
The patent (U.S. No. 9,027,065) describes a “Method and system for creating video channels for delivery of content from multiple platforms,” was filed on March 18, 2014, and issued on May 5, 2015.
“The system includes a package generation module by which a service provider may define a package of both traditional and OTT channels to offer to subscribers in a unified programming interface,” the patent filing notes. “When a user uses the interface to select a set of video channels, the system compiles the set of the video channels in a subscriber package of both television and OTT channels.”
According to Mike Earle, aioTV’s CEO, MVPDs are struggling with the massive amount of metadata coming at them from an increasing number of sources.
“This patent and the associated methods in our metadata normalization engine are key to solving an industry wide problem that has immediate attention on it all the way to the C suites in these companies,” he said.
Last fall, aioTV and Midcontinent Communications announced they were working on a “strategic project” that will enable the MSO to pair traditional live TV services with a new UI that will also support over-the-top video applications and services. Under that plan, Midcontinent will link legacy, QAM-only set-tops (many from U.K.-based supplier Pace plc) to aioTV’s Android-powered, IP-connected “PassBox” via an HDMI cable.
