APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR REDUCED SWITCHING DELAYS IN A CONTENT DISTRIBUTION NETWORK

• US 20130046849A1
• Filed: 08/19/2011
• Published: 02/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC (Charter Communications Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC (Charter Communications Incorporated)
• Inventors: Gaedtke, Jason, Wolf, Ethan
• Granted Patent: US 9,264,508 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/217
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/568 Storing data temporarily at an intermediate stage, e.g. caching
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2183 Cache memory caches in web servers or browsers G06F16/9574; intermediate storage and caching in data networks H04L67/568
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/251 Learning process for intelligent management, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies details of learning user preferences for the retrieval of video data in a video database G06F16/739; computer systems using learning methods G06N3/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4331 Caching operations, e.g. of an advertisement for later insertion during playback
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4384 involving operations to reduce the access time, e.g. fast-tuning for reducing channel switching latency
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64322 IP

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for providing reduced channel switching delays in a content distribution network. In one embodiment, switching delays are reduced by caching background content at reduced quality and/or resolution. A manager entity is provided which manages which, and how many, background channels are cached. Additionally, the manager entity may classify each device in the network according a status thereof. When a particular device is in one status or mode, background content is cached; however, when the device is in another status or mode, it will no longer require background content caching. The provision of background content and the determination of a status may be based on for example the user or device behavior and patterns, user preferences or favorites, bandwidth availability, time of day, subscription level, type of program, recentness of channel change requests on the device (or associated devices), etc.

Claims

1. A method for providing reduced channel changing latency in a content delivery network, said method comprising:

receiving a request for first content from a user of a first device in communication with the network;

providing said requested first content;

caching a plurality of second content, a selection of said plurality of second content based at least in part on content selections by said user;

receiving a request for one of said plurality of cached second content;

delivering said requested one of said cached second content, said delivery thereof comprising increasing at least one quality of said cached version thereof; and

caching an updated plurality of second content, said updated plurality of second content based at least in part on said request for said one of said plurality of cached second content;

wherein said act of caching said second content enables said delivery of said requested one of said cached second content to be performed substantially immediately after said request therefore is received.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said selection of said plurality of second content is based at least in part on content selections by said user that occurred prior to said request for first content.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said selection of said plurality of second content is based at least in part on said request for said first content.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising upon receiving said request for said first content, placing said first device in an active status, said active status triggering said caching of said plurality of second content.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said content delivery network comprises a packet-based network capable of delivery of Internet Protocol (IP) packets, and said first content and cached second content are delivered to said user using IP packets.

6. An apparatus for providing reduced channel changing latency in a content delivery network, said apparatus comprising:

at least one network interface;

a storage entity; and

a processor configured to run at least one computer program thereon, said computer program, when executed;

accesses first information relating to a status of a user device in said network;

when said user device has a first status, accesses second information relating to a user profile associated therewith; and

utilizes said second information to select one or more of a plurality of content for caching for said user device.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said computer program is further configured to, when executed:

receive updated second information substantially in response to a selection of one of said cached plurality of content; and

utilize said updated second information to select an additional one or more of said plurality of content for caching.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said storage entity comprises said first and said second information stored therein.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said first status comprises an active status, said active status being determined at least by detected activity at said user device.

10. A method for providing reduced channel changing latency in a content distribution network, said method comprising:

providing first content to a user device in communication with the network, said user device having a first status with respect to its activity in the network;

receiving from said user device a request for second content;

determining whether to change said first status of said user device to a second status;

providing said requested second content; and

when it is determined that said status of said user device is to be changed to said second status, caching third content, said caching of said third content comprising preparing said third content for delivery to said user with reduced latency.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

receiving from said user device a request for third content; and

re-determining whether to change said first status of said user device to a second status.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

receiving from said user device a request for fourth content;

determining whether said requested fourth content is among said cached plurality of third content; and

if said requested third content is not among said cached plurality of third content, updating a plurality of information for selecting said cached plurality of third content.

13. A method for providing bandwidth efficient reduced channel changing latency in a content delivery network, said method comprising:

providing first content to a user device;

caching second content, said cached second content able to be provided to said user device upon request therefore with reduced latency; and

after a criterion for inactivity of said user device has been met, cease caching said second content.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

receiving from said user device a request for second content after said criterion for inactivity has been met;

determining whether said user device should be placed in an active status based on said request; and

when it is determined to place said user device in said active status, caching third content.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein said criterion being met comprises expiration of a predetermined amount of time without any user interaction with said user device.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein said criterion being met comprises receipt of a signal or message indicating that said user device has been powered down.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein said criterion being met comprises expiration of a predetermined amount of time without a certain type of user interaction with said user device occurring.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said certain type of user interaction comprises channel change activity.

19. A method of providing Internet Protocol (IP) based content over a content distribution network with reduced latency, the method comprising:

caching content which it is anticipated that a user of the network will request next at a reduced level of quality; and

when a channel change is made by the user selecting the cached content;

immediately increasing said in quality of the cached content; and

providing the increased quality content to a device associated with the user, as well as updated cached content.