Disney patents backup network to keep critical video streams running
This patent describes a system that sends important video content over two separate digital networks at the same time. If the primary network fails, the system can switch to the backup network to ensure the content keeps flowing to its destination.
In the filing’s own words
In one implementation, a content distribution network includes a first plurality of communication paths for Internet Protocol (IP) signals, a router providing a second plurality of communication paths for non-IP signals, and a plurality of signal sources and a plurality of signal destinations. Each signal source is linked to a respective one signal destination by a respective first communication path of the first plurality of communication paths. Each of one or more of the signal sources designated as a protected source is further linked to the respective one signal destination by a second communication path of the second plurality of communication paths. The content distribution network distributes content in one of a first mode in which the first communication path and the second communication path carry the same content contemporaneously, or a second mode in which only the second communication path carries that content.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A content distribution network comprising: a first communication network providing a first plurality of communication paths for Internet Protocol (IP) signals, the first communication network supported by a first broadcast controller (BC) and a first network control (NC) module; a second communication network providing a second plurality of communication paths for IP signals, the second communication network supported by a second BC and a second NC module; and a plurality of signal sources and a plurality of signal destinations, each signal source of the plurality of signal sources being linked to a respective one signal destination of the plurality of signal destinations by a respective first communication path of the first plurality of communication paths; wherein a subset of one or more signal sources of the plurality of signal sources is identified as a protected source, each of the one or more protected sources being further linked to the respective one signal destination by a second communication path of the second plurality of communication paths; wherein the content distribution network is configured to distribute content in one of a first mode in which the first communication path and the second communication path carry a same content contemporaneously, or a second mode in which only the second communication path carries the same content.
Facts
- Company
- Disney (Disney Enterprises, Inc.)
- Official title
- Resilient content distribution network
- Patent number
- US12754684B2
- Application number
- 19243317
- Filed
- Jun 19, 2025
- Granted
- Oct 6, 2026
- Inventors
- 4
- Claims
- 12
Classified under
G06F 3/064 Physics & computingG06F 3/0604 Physics & computingG06F 3/0652 Physics & computingG06F 3/0679 Physics & computingMore from Disney in Networks & wireless
Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.