Method and apparatus for network bandwidth conservation

• US 20090007199A1
• Filed: 08/28/2008
• Published: 01/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC (Charter Communications Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Michael L. La Joie
• Inventors: La Joie, Michael L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,094,656 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/95
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/33 Arrangements for monitoring the users' behaviour or opinions
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2801 Broadband local area networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23439 for generating different versions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2385 Channel allocation H04N21/266 takes precedence; Bandwidth allocation H04N21/24 takes precedence ; allocation of channels according to the instantaneous demands of the users in time-division multiplex systems H04J3/1682; admission control, resource allocation in open networks H04L12/5692; arrangements for maintenance or administration in data switching networks involving bandwidth and capacity management H04L41/0896; negotiating bandwidth in wireless networks H04W28/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2402 Monitoring of the downstream path of the transmission network, e.g. bandwidth available traffic monitoring in data switching networks H04L43/00; monitoring data switching networks utilization H04L43/0876
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2407 Monitoring of transmitted content, e.g. distribution time, number of downloads arrangements for monitoring programmes for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26216 involving the channel capacity, e.g. network bandwidth admission control, resource allocation in open networks H04L12/5692; flow control in packet networks H04L47/10; establishing a schedule or organising the servicing of application requests taking into account QoS H04L67/61
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26241 involving the time of distribution, e.g. the best time of the day for inserting an advertisement or airing a children program
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26275 for distributing content or additional data in a staggered manner, e.g. repeating movies on different channels in a time-staggered manner in a near video on demand system
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44222 Analytics of user selections, e.g. selection of programs or purchase activity monitoring of user selections in data processing systems G06F11/34; arrangements for monitoring the user's behaviour or opinions in broadcast systems H04H60/33
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17309 Transmission or handling of upstream communications

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for conserving bandwidth within a network based on two or more different service levels. In an exemplary embodiment, programming that is simulcast on two or more program channels is mapped to one physical channel during periods when the programming is scheduled at only one service level (e.g., standard definition), thereby conserving bandwidth on the network that would otherwise be consumed by the simultaneous broadcast on the two or more channels. When the programming service level becomes heterogeneous across the channels (e.g., SD and HD simulcast), physical channel(s) supporting the HD content are provided within a local service area only “on-demand” using, for example, a switched digital channel allocation. Accordingly, no HD broadcast occurs within a given area until at least one user requests it, thereby further conserving network bandwidth.

Claims

1-34. -34. (canceled)

35. A method of operating CPE within a content-based network, comprising:

receiving a plurality of scheduling information regarding programming to be broadcast, said information identifying a first period when said programming is scheduled substantially simultaneously on first and second program channels;

receiving, during said first period, user commands to tune to said first or second program channels; and

selectively tuning, based at least in part on said information, to a single physical channel irrespective of which program channel is selected.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein said single physical channel comprises an RF QAM within a cable television network.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein said single physical channel is associated with a first level of service, and wherein a second physical channel is associated with a second level of service, and further wherein said selectively tuning only occurs for programming at said first level of service.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein said first level of service comprises standard definition (SD) programming, and said second level of service comprises high definition (HD) programming.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein said first service level comprises content encoded differently than content of said second service level.

40. The method of claim 35, wherein said act of selectively tuning comprises utilizing mapping data comprising metadata rendered in a user-extensible computer language.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein said mapping data comprises data relating said first and second program channels to said single physical channel, and said selective tuning to said single physical channel conserves bandwidth on said network.

42. A method of operating a cable network carrying content encoded according to first and second service levels to a plurality of CPE operatively coupled to said network, the method comprising:

scheduling said content encoded at said first service level onto first and second user channels of said network during a first period;

assigning both said first and second user channels to a first physical channel during said first period;

scheduling said content encoded at said first service level onto said first user channel during a second period;

scheduling said content encoded at said second service level onto said second user channel during a second period; and

assigning, during said second period, said first user channel to said first physical channel, and said second user channel to a second physical channel;

wherein said first and second periods do not substantially overlap in time.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein said first and second service levels comprise standard definition (SD) and high definition (HD), respectively.

44. The method of claim 42, wherein said first and second service levels comprise high definition (HD) and some other service level, respectively.

45. The method of claim 42, further comprising defining a relationship between at least said second user channel and said first physical channel, said relationship comprising a mapping between said second user channel and at least one of a QAM, PID, or TSID.

46. The method of claim 42, further comprising selectively tuning during said first period, said act of tuning comprising:

receiving a plurality of scheduling information at said at least one CPE; and

selectively tuning based at least in part on said scheduling information.

47. CPE adapted for use within a cable network, comprising:

an interface configured to receive content encoded according to a first service level, and also encoded according to a second service level, from said network;

processing apparatus operatively coupled to said interface and adapted to decode said encoded content signals received via said interface; and

logic operative to;

map a plurality of program channels scheduled to carry said content encoded according to said first service level to a first physical channel during a first period; and

map a first portion of said plurality of program channels to a designated physical channel, and a second portion of said plurality of program channels to another physical channel, during a second period.

48. The CPE of claim 47, wherein said first and second service levels comprise standard definition (SD) and high definition (HD), respectively.

49. The CPE of claim 47, wherein said first and designated physical channels comprise the same RF channel within a cable television network.

50. The CPE of claim 47, wherein said first and second periods do not substantially overlap.

51. The CPE of claim 47, wherein said first period comprises a program simulcast on said plurality of program channels.

52. The CPE of claim 51, wherein said program simulcast comprises an SD/SD simulcast, and said plurality of program channels comprises two program channels.

53. The CPE of claim 47, wherein said first portion of said plurality of program channels comprises two simulcast channels, said two simulcast channels carrying content encoded at said first service level.

54. The CPE of claim 53, wherein said second portion comprises a single program channel carrying content encoded at said second service level.

55. The CPE of claim 47, wherein said interface comprises a wideband RF tuner adapted to receive said encoded content signals over a plurality of RF carriers in substantially simultaneous fashion, said plurality of RF carriers collectively acting as at least one of said first, designated, or another physical channels.

56. A method of providing near-VOD HD service over a cable network, comprising:

scheduling a broadcast program and a simulcast thereof;

assigning a physical channel for carrying said simulcast;

providing a multiplex on said physical channel, said multiplex carrying a plurality of time-shifted copies of said simulcast;

receiving said multiplex at a CPE; and

selectively accessing one or more of said copies in response to a request from a user of said CPE.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein said broadcast program comprises a program presented according to a first level of service and said simulcast comprises a program presented according to a second level of service;

wherein said program presented according to a first service level is carried on a physical channel and assigned automatically and without user request.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein said first service level comprises standard definition and said second service level comprises high definition.

59. A method of doing business within a cable network, comprising:

offering at least one program at a first service level during a first period on a plurality of program channels; and

offering said at least one program at a first service level on a first of said plurality of program channels, and at a second service level on a second of said plurality of program channels, during a second period;

wherein access to said second program channel during said second period is restricted to only a subset of the users within said network.

60. The method of claim 59, wherein:

if a requesting user is part of said subset, mapping said first of said plurality of program channels to a first physical channel, and said second of said plurality of program channels to a second physical channel; and

if said requesting user is not part of said subset, mapping said first and second of said plurality of program channels to a common physical channel.

61. The method of claim 59, wherein said first service level comprises standard definition (SD), and said second service level comprises high definition (HD).

62. The method of claim 59, wherein said subset comprises a portion of said users within said network that have a more expensive or premium service package than those not part of said subset.

63. The method of claim 59, wherein said subset comprises a portion of said users within said network that have paid a one-time fee for said access.

64. The method of claim 61, wherein said subset comprises a portion of said users within said network that have HD-capable CPE.