METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR FORMAT SELECTION FOR NETWORK OPTIMIZATION
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Method and apparatus for optimizing network bandwidth utilization by delivering to users only the minimum number of programs required by service provider policies. In one embodiment, the method comprises switching some users from lower quality versions of programs to higher quality versions of the same programs, and removing those lower quality versions of programs from a given service group. In another embodiment, some users are switched from higher quality versions of programs to lower quality versions of those same programs, and the higher quality versions of programs removed from a given service group.
65 Citations
65 Claims
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1-32. -32. (canceled)
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33. A method of operating a content distribution network having a plurality of consumer premises equipment (CPE) associated therewith, comprising:
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providing a plurality of programs for delivery over said network, at least a portion of said programs being provided in at least two formats; controllably switching at least some CPE of said network from a first one of said at least two formats to a second one of said at least two formats for a given program, said switching being based at least in part on one or more operational conditions associated with said network; and removing at least said first one of said formats from programming being delivered over said network. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A method of operating a content distribution network, comprising:
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making available at least first and second versions of a program; identifying at least one bandwidth surplus on said network; determining a persistence associated with said at least one surplus; and based at least in part on said identifying and determining, selecting one of said first or second versions for delivery over said network. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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49. A method of operating a content delivery network, comprising:
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delivering at least first and second versions of a program to a plurality of users; identifying at least one projected bandwidth surplus or deficiency on said network; and selectively switching ones of said plurality of users from said first version to said second version, or from said second version to said first version, based at least in part on said projected surplus or deficiency. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51, 52)
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53. A method of utilizing bandwidth on a content-based network, comprising:
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evaluating the bandwidth available on said network; generating a version of a program delivered to at least one user device over said network, said generating based at least in part on said evaluating; and selectively substituting said generated version of said program for another version of said program that is delivered over said network. - View Dependent Claims (54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59)
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60. A method of operating a content delivery network, comprising:
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delivering a first version of a program stream to at least one user of said network; providing a second version of said program stream, said second version being encoded differently than said first version; identifying at least one time where said second version can be substituted for said first version; and substituting said second version for said first version at least at said one time so as to achieve at least one operational goal. - View Dependent Claims (61, 62, 63, 64, 65)
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Specification