Apparatus and methods for utilizing statistical multiplexing to ensure quality of service in a network

• US 20090207866A1
• Filed: 02/19/2008
• Published: 08/20/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC (Charter Communications Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC (Charter Communications Incorporated)
• Inventors: Cholas, Chris, Hasek, Charles A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,300,541 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/505
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2801 Broadband local area networks
• 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 21/2541 Rights Management protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10; security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43072 of multiple content streams on the same device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4383 Accessing a communication channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44209 Monitoring of downstream path of the transmission network originating from a server, e.g. bandwidth variations of a wireless network arrangements for maintenance or administration in data switching networks involving bandwidth and capacity management H04L41/0896

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for utilizing bitrate or other data associated with statistically multiplexed video (e.g., programs) or other content within a network to ensure quality of service (QoS) at a subscriber premises or local network. In one embodiment, the present invention provides improved multiplexing apparatus and methods that allow a consumer premises device to obtain QoS data and employ that data to enforce and maintain one or more QoS policies. In another embodiment of the present invention, an improved consumer premises device is provided which is adapted to receive a multiplexed program stream and subsequently demultiplex and time stamp the resulting single program streams. The time stamps are then utilized to generate QoS data which is utilized to enforce and maintain a QoS policy. Business methods associated with the various features described above are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A multiplexing apparatus adapted for the transmission of a plurality of content elements over a network, said apparatus comprising:

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

a process in communication with said multiplexing element, said process being adapted to;

evaluate at least one aspect of at least one of said plurality of content elements;

generate data based at least in part on said evaluation;

wherein said multiplexing element is further adapted to incorporate said generated data into said at least one output multiplex for extraction and use by a receiving device associated with said network.

2. The multiplexing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is located at a headend entity.

3. The multiplexing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one aspect comprises bandwidth information associated with said content elements.

4. The multiplexing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one aspect comprises transport information associated with said content elements.

5. The multiplexing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one aspect comprises picture or video quality information associated with said content elements.

6. The multiplexing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said process comprises a software process located substantially within said multiplexing apparatus.

7. The multiplexing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said process is located remote to said multiplexing apparatus.

8. The multiplexing apparatus of claim 7, wherein said communication comprises a direct hardwired data interface.

9. The multiplexing apparatus of claim 7, wherein said communication comprises an interface operative to use a packetized protocol.

10. The multiplexing apparatus of claim 7, wherein said communication comprises a wireless interface.

11. The multiplexing apparatus of claim 7, wherein said communication comprises an optical fiber interface.

12. The multiplexing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said multiplexing element is further adapted to incorporate said generated data into said at least one output multiplex in the form of metadata.

13. The multiplexing apparatus of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of said metadata utilizes proprietary syntax.

14. The multiplexing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said multiplexing element and said process collectively comprise an integrated circuit having software adapted to run thereon.

15. The multiplexing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said generated data is associated with a private program identifier (PID) associated with a multiplexed transport stream (MPTS).

16. Consumer premises equipment (CPE), comprising:

a tuner, said tuner adapted to receive a multiplex, said multiplex comprising a plurality of content elements and descriptive data relating to at least one aspect of at least one content element;

a demultiplexer, said demultiplexer further comprising a program ID (PID) filter, said PID filter adapted to locate and retrieve said data; and

a processor element, said processor element adapted to utilize said data to implement at least one quality of service (QoS) policy for said content element.

17. The CPE of claim 16, wherein said tuner comprises a wideband tuner, said wideband tuner adapted to receive a plurality of different multiplexed transports distributed across multiple RF channels.

18. The CPE of claim 16, wherein said data relating to at least one aspect comprises bandwidth requirement information of said content element.

19. The CPE of claim 16, wherein said data relating to at least one aspect comprises transport information of a multiplexed transport stream carrying said content element.

20. The CPE of claim 16, wherein said data relating to at least one aspect comprises picture quality or resolution data for said at least one content element.

21. The CPE of claim 16, wherein said processor element comprises an integrated circuit having a computer program capable of running thereon.

22. The CPE of claim 16, further comprising a data interface to a personal media device (PMD), said PMD being adapted to render said content according to said at least one QoS policy.

23. The CPE of claim 16, wherein said at least one QoS policy comprises a UPnP-compliant QoS policy.

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

at least one content source, said content source adapted to provide a plurality of content elements;

a statistical multiplexing apparatus, said statistical multiplexing apparatus adapted to;

receive said plurality of content elements;

generate data relating to said at least one aspect of said plurality of content elements;

create at least one output multiplex based on said plurality of content elements and said data; and

a consumer premises device, said premises device adapted to;

receive said at least one output multiplex;

demultiplex said output multiplex into individual content elements;

utilize said data to enforce at least one quality of service (QoS) policy for at least one of said individual content elements.

25. The content distribution system of claim 24, wherein said at least one aspect comprises the bandwidth required for said content elements.

26. The content distribution system of claim 24, wherein said statistical multiplexing apparatus comprises a plurality of statistical multiplexing apparatus associated with a respective plurality of network nodes.

27. The content distribution system of claim 26, wherein at least one of said plurality of statistical multiplexing apparatus is associated with a cable headend, and at least one of said plurality of apparatus is associated with a cable distribution hub downstream of said headend.

28. The content distribution system of claim 24, wherein said statistical multiplexing apparatus comprises a wideband multiplex apparatus, said wideband apparatus adapted to multiplex a transport stream onto two or more carriers.

29. The content distribution system of claim 28, wherein said wideband apparatus comprises:

a first process adapted to selectively extract content data packets associated with a plurality of different programs from a plurality of N input queues; and

a second process adapted to selectively allocate said extracted content data packets to a plurality of M RF channels;

wherein the packets associated with at least one of said plurality of different programs are distributed across multiple ones of said M RF channels.

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

receiving a plurality of content elements from at least one content source;

generating data based at least in part on at least one aspect of said plurality of content elements;

generating at least one output multiplex based at least in part on said plurality of content elements and said data;

providing said output multiplex to a consumer premises device;

demultiplexing said output multiplex into individual content elements; and

utilizing said data to configure a quality of service policy for at least one of said individual content elements.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein said act of generating at least one output multiplex comprises generating an output multiplex by a first entity and subsequently modifying said output multiplex by a second entity.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein said first entity comprises a headend statistical multiplexer.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein said second entity comprises at least one hub within said network.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein said modification comprises incorporating said data into said output multiplex.

35. The method of claim 30, further comprising evaluating the bandwidth requirements of at least one of said plurality of content elements.

36. A method of doing business within a content-based network, comprising:

providing an output multiplex of program content having associated quality of service information;

providing to a subscriber of said network apparatus for demultiplexing said program content and for selectively utilizing said quality of service information; and

ensuring a quality of service for said subscriber based at least in part on said selective utilization of said quality of service information.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein said quality of service information comprises at least one of information selected from the group consisting of:

(i) bandwidth requirement information;

(ii) multiplex transport information;

(iii) picture quality or resolution information related to said program content, and (iv) security or encryption requirements.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein said ensuring a quality of service comprising implementing a QoS policy compliant with the UPnP standard.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein said demultiplexing apparatus comprises a settop box, and said QoS policy is enforced within a personal media device (PMD) in data communication with said settop box using a UPNP protocol.

40. Consumer premises equipment (CPE), comprising:

a tuner adapted to receive a multiplexed transport;

a demultiplexer element, said demultiplexer adapted to;

demultiplex said multiplexed transport to derive a plurality of program streams; and

affix a time stamp to at least a portion of said program streams;

a process, said process adapted to;

map said program streams; and

generate data based at least in part on at least one aspect of said program stream; and

a processor, said processor adapted to utilize said data to configure one or more parameters to establish at least one quality of service policy for at least one of said program streams.

41. The CPE of claim 40, wherein said tuner comprises a wideband tuner, said wideband tuner adapted to receive a plurality of different transports distributed across multiple RF channels.

42. The CPE of claim 40, wherein said at least one aspect of said program streams comprises bandwidth requirement information of said program streams.

43. The CPE of claim 40, wherein said at least one aspect of said program streams comprises multiplexed transport information.

44. The CPE of claim 40, wherein said process and said processor comprise at least one integrated circuit having a software program adapted to run thereon.

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

generating at least one output multiplex based at least in part on a plurality of content elements;

providing said output multiplex to a consumer premises device;

demultiplexing said output multiplex into a plurality of demultiplexed content elements;

affixing time stamps to respective ones of packets within at least one of said demultiplexed content elements;

utilizing said time stamps to evaluate at least one aspect of said demultiplexed content elements;

generating data based at least in part on said evaluating; and

utilizing said data to provide at least one quality of service policy for at least one of said demultiplexed content elements.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein said act of generating at least one output multiplex comprises generating an output multiplex by a first entity and subsequently modifying said output multiplex by a second entity.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein said first entity comprises a headend statistical multiplexer and said second entity comprises at least one hub within said network.

48. The method of claim 45, wherein said act of evaluating at least one aspect of said plurality of content elements comprises evaluating the bandwidth requirements of said plurality of content elements.