Apparatus and methods for carrier allocation in a communications network
First Claim
1. A method of operating a computerized network controller apparatus in a digital content network to allocate radio frequency (RF) spectrum using at least a modulator apparatus, the method comprising:
- receiving, at a data communication interface of the computerized network controller apparatus, data identifying each of (i) a prioritized portion of the RF spectrum, and (ii) a non-prioritized portion of the RF spectrum;
receiving, at the data communication interface of the computerized network controller apparatus via the digital content network, data indicative of one or more user requests for content from one or more computerized user devices;
isolating the prioritized portion of the RF spectrum from a carrier selection algorithm operative to control the modulator apparatus, the carrier selection algorithm configured to allocate RF carriers for delivery of digital content based at least in part on the receipt of the data indicative of the one or more user requests for content;
causing utilization of the non-prioritized portion of the RF spectrum to dynamically service a first request of the one or more user requests for content, the first request corresponding to first digitally rendered content, the causing utilization of the non-prioritized portion of the spectrum based at least in part on a determination that the first digitally rendered content is not currently delivered on the prioritized portion of the RF spectrum; and
causing utilization of the prioritized portion of the RF spectrum to service a second request of the one or more user requests for content, the second request corresponding to second digitally rendered content, the prioritized portion of the spectrum not subject to allocation of RF carriers for delivery of the second digitally rendered content based on receipt of the data indicative of the one or more user requests for content.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In a cable television system, a specific carrier is assigned to deliver programming content of a program channel to a service area for a period, defined as a function of viewership of the program channel during that period. For example, the program channel is assigned the specific carrier during the time when it has a generally strong viewership. Otherwise, the program channel is assigned a carrier on an as needed basis, i.e., only when one or more subscribers in the service area request such a program channel. Viewing statistics are generated to identify viewership patterns or viewing habits of the subscribers in the service area with respect to a given program channel. In another embodiment, based on the viewing statistics, popular and unpopular programs, program elements, program lineups, program channels are identified on a temporal and/or regional basis.
317 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of operating a computerized network controller apparatus in a digital content network to allocate radio frequency (RF) spectrum using at least a modulator apparatus, the method comprising:
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receiving, at a data communication interface of the computerized network controller apparatus, data identifying each of (i) a prioritized portion of the RF spectrum, and (ii) a non-prioritized portion of the RF spectrum; receiving, at the data communication interface of the computerized network controller apparatus via the digital content network, data indicative of one or more user requests for content from one or more computerized user devices; isolating the prioritized portion of the RF spectrum from a carrier selection algorithm operative to control the modulator apparatus, the carrier selection algorithm configured to allocate RF carriers for delivery of digital content based at least in part on the receipt of the data indicative of the one or more user requests for content; causing utilization of the non-prioritized portion of the RF spectrum to dynamically service a first request of the one or more user requests for content, the first request corresponding to first digitally rendered content, the causing utilization of the non-prioritized portion of the spectrum based at least in part on a determination that the first digitally rendered content is not currently delivered on the prioritized portion of the RF spectrum; and causing utilization of the prioritized portion of the RF spectrum to service a second request of the one or more user requests for content, the second request corresponding to second digitally rendered content, the prioritized portion of the spectrum not subject to allocation of RF carriers for delivery of the second digitally rendered content based on receipt of the data indicative of the one or more user requests for content. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 15)
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9. A computerized controller apparatus configured for controlling a modulator apparatus, the modulator apparatus configured for radio frequency (RF) spectrum allocation in a digital content delivery network, the computerized controller apparatus comprising:
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at least one data interface configured for data communication with the digital content delivery network; processor apparatus in data communication with the at least one data interface; and storage apparatus in data communication with the processor apparatus, the storage apparatus comprising at least one computer program stored thereon, the at least one computer program comprising a plurality of instructions configured to, when executed by the processor apparatus, cause the computerized controller apparatus to; identify each of (i) a prioritized portion of the RF spectrum, and (ii) a non-prioritized portion of the RF spectrum, the prioritized portion of the RF spectrum unavailable for dynamic allocation of carriers; receive, at the at least one data interface via the digital content delivery network, data indicative of one or more user requests for first digital content from one or more computerized user devices; access data indicative of current carrier information; determine whether the first digital content is carried on at least one carrier of (i) one or more permanent carriers in the prioritized portion of the RF spectrum, or (ii) one or more current carriers in the non-prioritized portion of the RF spectrum; based at least in part on a determination that the first digital content is carried on the at least one carrier of the one or more permanent carriers in the prioritized portion of the RF spectrum or the one or more current carriers in the non-prioritized portion of the RF spectrum, cause provision of tuning data for the at least one carrier to each of the one or more computerized user devices; based at least in part on a determination that the first digital content is not carried on the at least one carrier of the one or more permanent carriers in the prioritized portion of the RF spectrum or the one or more current carriers in the non-prioritized portion of the RF spectrum; cause dynamic allocation, via the modulator apparatus, of at least one new carrier in the non-prioritized portion of the RF spectrum to carry the first digital content; and cause provision of tuning data for the at least one new carrier in the non-prioritized portion of the RF spectrum to each of the one or more computerized user devices. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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16. A computerized controller apparatus for controlling modulator apparatus configured for radio frequency (RF) spectrum allocation in a digital content delivery network, the computerized controller apparatus comprising:
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at least one data interface configured for data communication with the digital content delivery network; processor apparatus in data communication with the at least one data interface; and storage apparatus in data communication with the processor apparatus, the storage apparatus having at least one computer program stored thereon, the at least one computer program comprising a plurality of instructions configured to, when executed by the processor apparatus, cause the computerized controller apparatus to; receive, at the at least one data interface via the digital content network, data indicative of one or more user requests for content from one or more computerized user devices via the digital content network, the data indicative of the one or more user requests comprising at least a first user request for first digital content; access data indicative of current carrier information for each of (i) a prioritized portion of the RF spectrum, and (ii) a non-prioritized portion of the RF spectrum; determine whether the first digital content is carried on at least one carrier of (i) one or more permanent carriers in the prioritized portion of the RF spectrum, or (ii) one or more current carriers in the non-prioritized portion of the RF spectrum; based at least in part on a determination that the first digital content is not carried on the at least one carrier of one or more permanent carriers in the prioritized portion of the RF spectrum or the one or more current carriers in the non-prioritized portion of the RF spectrum; cause the modulator apparatus to utilize a carrier selection algorithm for dynamic allocation of at least one new carrier in the non-prioritized portion of the RF spectrum to carry the first digital content, the prioritized portion of the RF spectrum unavailable to the carrier selection algorithm; and cause provision of tuning data for the at least one new carrier in the non-prioritized portion of the RF spectrum to the one or more computerized user devices. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification