Generation, distribution and use of content metadata in a network

• US 20090028192A1
• Filed: 07/24/2007
• Published: 01/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC (Charter Communications Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC (Charter Communications Incorporated)
• Inventors: Rieger, Remi, Brooks, Paul D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,625,607 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/535
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/42 Arrangements for resource management
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/78 CATV [Community Antenna Television] systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/73 using meta-information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2353 specifically adapted to content descriptors, e.g. coding, compressing or processing of metadata
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23608 Remultiplexing multiplex streams, e.g. involving modifying time stamps or remapping the packet identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23655 Statistical multiplexing, e.g. by controlling the encoder to alter its bitrate to optimize the bandwidth utilization
• 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 21/4344 Remultiplexing of multiplex streams, e.g. by modifying time stamps or remapping the packet identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6377 directed to server one-way streaming services wherein the source is controlled by the destination H04L65/613
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/658 Transmission by the client directed to the server
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/22 Adaptations for optical transmission

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for utilizing information (e.g., metadata) relating to content in a multimedia distribution network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a hybrid fiber coax (HFC) cable network, and the information comprises metadata relating to the bitrate profile of deterministic content such as stored video. Content sources, or the network operator themselves, generate the metadata which may then be used by the operator to adjust or optimize the operation of the network; e.g., more efficiently allocate the program to a multiplex. Network apparatus adapted to implement the metadata functionality and related business methods are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of operating a content-based network, comprising:

receiving bitrate metadata associated with first content at an apparatus of said network; and

allocating bandwidth in said network using at least said apparatus, said allocating being based at least in part on said metadata.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

encoding said first content to produce an encoded content; and

generating said bitrate metadata based at least in part on said act of encoding.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said first content comprises variable bitrate content.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said apparatus comprises a multiplexing apparatus, and said metadata is conveyed to said multiplexing apparatus with said encoded content.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein said bitrate metadata comprises the instantaneous bit rate of said encoded content.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein said bitrate metadata comprises at least one peak bitrate of said first content.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein said act of generating is performed by the operator of said cable television network.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein said act of generating is performed by the distributor of said first content.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said act of allocating comprises performing at least one of:

(i) determining which of a plurality of QAMs that said first content will be assigned to; and

(ii) determining whether said first content will have its bitrate adjusted.

10. Apparatus for use in controlling multiplexing operations performed by a multiplexer in a content-based network, the apparatus comprising:

a computerized device in data communication with said multiplexer; and

at least one management process capable of being run on said computerized device, said process being operative to;

receive bandwidth metadata associated with a plurality of content;

project, based at least in part on said bandwidth metadata, required bandwidth at some period in the future; and

perform at least one of program and bandwidth allocation within said network for said plurality of content based at least in part on said projection.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a database in data communication with said computerized device, said database comprising bandwidth metadata associated with at least a portion of said plurality of content.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said network comprises a cable television network, and said computerized device is disposed at a headend of said network.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said network comprises a broadcast switched architecture (BSA) cable television network, and said computerized device comprises a device disposed at a switching hub of said network.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said apparatus further comprises multiplexing and switching apparatus adapted to receive said plurality of content.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said bandwidth metadata for said plurality of content is received prior to receiving said plurality of content.

16. Apparatus for use in controlling the allocation of programs to one or more transports within a content-based network, the apparatus comprising:

a computerized device; and

at least one management process capable of being run on said computerized device, said process being operative to;

receive bandwidth metadata associated with a plurality of content;

project, based at least in part on said bandwidth metadata, required bandwidth at some period in the future; and

perform at least one of program and bandwidth allocation within said network for at least a portion of said plurality of content based at least in part on said projection.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said at least one of program and bandwidth allocation comprises determining which of a plurality of program multiplexes to which to add a given program stream.

18. A method of operating a cable network, comprising:

Encoding a program stream to produce encoded content;

generating metadata associated with the encoding of said program stream;

providing said metadata to a multiplexing and switching controller;

configuring at least one aspect of said multiplexing based at least in part on said metadata;

multiplexing said encoded content with a plurality of other encoded content to produce a multiplexed output; and

conveying said multiplexed output to a plurality of subscribers on said network.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said encoded content comprises variable bit rate content.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein said metadata comprises the instantaneous bit rate of at least a portion of said encoded content.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein said configuring at least one aspect of said multiplexing based at least in part on said metadata comprises determining the allocation of encoded content to at least one QAM of said network.

22. Apparatus for providing content to a content based network, comprising:

encoder apparatus adapted to encode content;

generator apparatus in data communication with said encoder apparatus, said generator apparatus adapted to generate data relating to said encoding of said content; and

interface apparatus in data communication with generator apparatus, said interface apparatus adapted to receive said data and transmit it to a multiplexing apparatus for use in a multiplexing process.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said encoder, generator and interface apparatus are disposed at the headend of a cable television network.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said data comprises bitrate metadata.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising a second interface apparatus in data communication with said encoder apparatus, said second interface adapted to receive content from a content source.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said encoder, generator, interface apparatus, and second interface apparatus are disposed at the headend of a cable television network, and said content source is disposed at another location.

27. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said encoder apparatus comprises a variable rate encoder.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said variable rate encoder is selectively controlled using at least data sent back from said multiplexing apparatus.

29. Storage apparatus comprising a computer-readable medium, said medium containing a plurality of instructions, said instructions comprising a computer program capable of being run on a computerized device, said program being operative to:

receive bandwidth metadata associated with a plurality of content to be distributed within a content-based network;

project, based at least in part on said bandwidth metadata, required bandwidth within said network at some period in the future; and

perform bandwidth allocation within said network for said plurality of content based at least in part on said projection.

30. A method of optimizing the operation of a network, comprising:

predicting bandwidth demand for at least a first time in the future

determining the actual bandwidth required by at least one program at said at least first time, said at least one program being part of a multiplex, said multiplex being delivered over at least one of a plurality of QAMs; and

adjusting at least one of;

(i) the program allocation to said QAMs, and (ii) the bitrate used in transmitting said at least one program, based at least in part on said acts of determining and predicting.

31. A method of doing business within a content-based network having both content sources and at least one service provider, the method comprising:

receiving metadata relating to a content element from at least one of said sources, said data specifying minimum quality of service (QoS) requirement for carriage of said content element on said network;

carrying said content element on said network in accordance with said requirements based at least in part on said metadata; and

exchanging consideration between said at least one source and service provider, said consideration comprising at least said carriage of said content element on said network.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein said requirements comprise minimum bitrate or bandwidth requirements.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein said consideration further comprises payment by said at least one service provider to said at least one content source.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein said consideration further comprises provision of an audit or log of actual transmission data relating to said QoS requirements by said service provider to said content source.

35. A method of operating a content-based network having both a content source and at least one service provider, the method comprising:

identifying at least one criterion associated with the delivery of content elements over said network;

providing said at least one criterion to said content source;

encoding a content element by said source so as to at least substantially comply with said at least one criterion; and

providing metadata relating to said encoded content element from said source to said service provider.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising multiplexing said content element with at least one other content element based at least in part on said metadata.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein said identifying comprises identifying at least one criterion which enhances the efficiency of at least one multiplexing process of said network.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein said encoding so as to substantially comply comprises adjusting the bitrate of said encoding.

39. A content distribution system adapted for the transmission of a plurality of programs over a cable network, comprising:

a plurality of encoder apparatus;

a multiplexing apparatus, said multiplexing apparatus receiving said programs generated by said plurality of encoder apparatus;

wherein said encoder apparatus and said multiplexing apparatus communicate through at least one signal path, said communication comprising information used by said multiplexing apparatus in creating an output multiplex based on said programs.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein said encoder apparatus is disposed at a headend of said network.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein said multiplexing apparatus is disposed at a distribution hub of said network.

42. The system of claim 39, wherein said at least one signal path comprises an in-band feed-forward path.

43. The system of claim 39, wherein said at least one signal path carries metadata related to minimum acceptable bandwidths for at least one of said programs.

44. The system of claim 39, wherein said multiplexing apparatus further comprises a switching apparatus configured to switch at least one of said programs to an output port thereof, said output port adapted to carry a program stream for modulation over a single RF channel.

45. Multiplex apparatus adapted for the transmission of a plurality of content elements over a cable network, comprising:

first multiplexing apparatus adapted to receive said plurality of content elements from one or more sources, and create at least one output multiplex based thereon;

a controller which performs a process in communication with said first multiplexing apparatus and controls at least one aspect of said first apparatus in the creation of said output multiplex; and

a data interface adapted to communicate data between said first multiplexing apparatus and a second multiplexing apparatus within said network, said data comprising information which allows bandwidth or rate shaping to be applied by at least one of said first and second multiplexing apparatus.

46. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein said data communicated between said first multiplexing apparatus and said second apparatus comprises feed-forward bitrate data sent from said first multiplexing apparatus to said second apparatus.

47. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein said data communicated between said first multiplexing apparatus and said second apparatus comprises feed-back bitrate data sent from said second multiplexing apparatus to said first apparatus.

48. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein said one or more sources comprise an encoder and a metadata generator, said generator being in data communication with said first multiplexing apparatus, said first multiplexing apparatus utilizing metadata created by said generator in said control of at least one aspect of said first apparatus in the creation of said output multiplex.

49. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein said one or more sources comprise an encoder and a metadata generator, said generator being in data communication with said first multiplexing apparatus, said first multiplexing apparatus passing at least a portion of metadata created by said generator through to said second multiplexing apparatus.

50. A method of providing a plurality of programs via a cable distribution network having encoder apparatus and a multiplexing apparatus, said multiplexing apparatus receiving said plurality of programs generated by said encoder apparatus, the method comprising communicating at least one feed-forward signal between said encoder apparatus and said multiplexing apparatus, said signal comprising information used in configuring the operation of said multiplexing apparatus in response to actions taken at said encoder apparatus.