Bandwidth allocation for a television program delivery system

• US 7,207,055 B1
• Filed: 02/03/1997
• Issued: 04/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Comcast IP Holdings I LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sedna Patent Services LLC
• Inventors: Bonner, Alfred E., Hendricks, John S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lonsberry; Hunter B
• Application Number:
  US08/794,637
• Time in Patent Office: 3,725 Days
• Field of Search: 725/91, 725/92, 725/93, 725/94, 725 95- 97, 725/114, 725/115, 725/116, 725/117, 725/103, 725/45, 725/63, 725/105, 725/87, 725/109, 725/126, 725/146, 348/385.1, 348/387.1, 348/723, 348/722, 370/480, 370/485, 370/486, 370/487
• US Class Current: 725/95
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/02 Arrangements for relaying broadcast information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/38 Arrangements for distribution where lower stations, e.g. receivers, interact with the broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/42 Arrangements for resource management
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/04 Studio equipment; Interconnection of studios
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/06 Arrangements for scheduling broadcast services or broadcast-related services
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/23 using cryptography, e.g. encryption, authentication, key distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/31 Arrangements for monitoring the use made of the broadcast services
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/66 for using the result on distributors' side
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/57 Arrangements for indicating or recording the number of the calling subscriber at the called subscriber's set at the operator set in a manual exchange H04M5/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2181 comprising remotely distributed storage units, e.g. when movies are replicated over a plurality of video servers distributed storage of data in networks, e.g. transport arrangements for network file system [NFS], storage area networks [SAN] or network attached storage [NAS], H04L67/1097
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/21815 comprising local storage units
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2187 Live feed
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2221 being a cable television head-end CATV in broadcast systems H04H20/78
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23608 Remultiplexing multiplex streams, e.g. involving modifying time stamps or remapping the packet identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2362 Generation or processing of Service Information [SI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2381 Adapting the multiplex stream to a specific network, e.g. an Internet Protocol [IP] network transmission of MPEG streams over ATM H04L12/5601
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2389 Multiplex stream processing, e.g. multiplex stream encrypting
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2393 involving handling client requests scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests H04L67/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/252 Processing of multiple end-users' preferences to derive collaborative data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 : Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/258 : Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics, processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data arrangements for services using the result on the distributing side of broadcast systems H04H60/66; profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/30
• 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 21/26208 : the scheduling operation being performed under constraints
• 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 21/26258 : for generating a list of items to be played back in a given order, e.g. playlist, or scheduling item distribution according to such list retrieval of multimedia data based on playlists G06F16/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26283 : for associating distribution time parameters to content, e.g. to generate electronic program guide data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2668 : Creating a channel for a dedicated end-user group, e.g. insertion of targeted commercials based on end-user profiles information retrieval from the Internet by querying with filtering and personalisation G06F16/9535; arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast H04H20/10; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; adaptation of message content in packet-switching networks H04L51/063
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 : User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42206 : characterized by hardware details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 : Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42653 : for processing graphics
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4312 : involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4314 : for fitting data in a restricted space on the screen, e.g. EPG data in a rectangular grid
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4316 : for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4331 : Caching operations, e.g. of an advertisement for later insertion during playback
• 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 21/4345 : Extraction or processing of SI, e.g. extracting service information from an MPEG stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/435 : Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4363 : Adapting the video stream to a specific local network, e.g. a Bluetooth® network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4381 : Recovering the multiplex stream from a specific network, e.g. recovering MPEG packets from ATM cells transmission of MPEG streams over ATM H04L12/5601
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4385 : Multiplex stream processing, e.g. multiplex stream decrypting
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44204 : Monitoring of content usage, e.g. the number of times a movie has been viewed, copied or the amount which has been watched monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; protecting generic digital content where the protection is independent of the precise nature of the content G06F21/10; arrangements for monitoring the use made of the broadcast services in broadcast systems H04H60/31
• 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 21/443 : OS processes, e.g. booting an STB, implementing a Java virtual machine in an STB or power management in an STB
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 : involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; 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 21/454 : Content or additional data filtering, e.g. blocking advertisements
• 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 21/4668 : for recommending content, e.g. movies
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 : End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/472 : End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content end-user interfaces for retrieving video data from a database G06F16/739; network services for supporting unicast streaming H04L65/612
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 : for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47211 : for requesting pay-per-view content payment schemes payment architectures or payment protocols G06Q20/00, G07F
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47214 : for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; notification of incoming messages in packet switching networks H04L51/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4755 : for defining user preferences, e.g. favourite actors or genre retrieval personalisation and generation of user profiles for the retrieval of video data G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 : Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4786 : e-mailing message switching systems, e.g. electronic mail systems H04L51/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4788 : communicating with other users, e.g. chatting arrangements for providing for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms, to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1813; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 : End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4821 : using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64307 : ATM
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6543 : for forcing some client operations, e.g. recording remote booting in general G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6547 : comprising parameters, e.g. for client setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 : involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8146 : involving graphical data, e.g. 3D object, 2D graphics
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8586 : by using a URL processing chained hypermedia data for information retrieval G06F16/94; information retrieval from the Internet by using URLs G06F16/955; URL in broadcast information H04H20/93; Web-based protocols H04L67/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/445 : for displaying additional information H04N5/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/44504 : Circuit details of the additional information generator, e.g. details of the character or graphics signal generator, overlay mixing circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/45 : Picture in picture , e.g. displaying simultaneously another television channel in a region of the screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/602 : for digital sound signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/088 : the inserted signal being digital
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0882 : for the transmission of character code signals, e.g. for teletext circuits for the digital non-picture data signal H04N7/035
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0884 : for the transmission of additional display-information, e.g. menu for programme or channel selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0887 : for the transmission of programme or channel identifying signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/10 : Adaptations for transmission by electrical cable H04N7/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/102 : Circuits therefor, e.g. noise reducers, equalisers, amplifiers H04N7/108 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 : by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/165 : Centralised control of user terminal subsequent to an upstream request signal H04N7/17345; Registering at central by two-way working H04N7/17309
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/173 : with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17336 : Handling of requests in head-ends
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17354 : in an intermediate station common to a plurality of user terminals

Abstract

This invention is a method of allocating bandwidth for a television program delivery system. This method selects specific programs from a plurality of programs, allocates the selected programs to a segment of bandwidth, and continues to allocate the programs until all the programs are allocated or all of the available bandwidth is allocated. The programs may be selected based on a variety of different factors or combination of factors. The selected programs may also be prioritized so that higher priority programs are distributed before lower priority programs in case there is not enough bandwidth to transmit all of the programs. This invention allows a television program delivery system to prioritize a large number of television programs and distribute these programs based on their priority levels. The invention also permits a television program delivery system to dynamically allocate bandwidth over time or based on marketing information, such as consumer demand.

Claims

1. A method of allocating bandwidth to a plurality of programs, each of said programs corresponding to one of a plurality of categories, said method comprising the steps of:

prioritizing each of said programs by assigning to each of said programs one of a plurality of priority levels, said plurality of priority levels including a high priority level and progressively lower priority levels;

dividing said bandwidth so that each program category receives a segment of said bandwidth;

allocating a portion of said segments of bandwidth to high priority level programs in each category; and

continuing said allocating step with progressively lower priority levels programs until at least one of the following conditions occurs;

all of said programs are allocated, and

all of said bandwidth is allocated,

wherein each priority level includes a different set of programs from a variety of categories, and wherein the high priority level includes a first finite number of programs from each of the plurality of categories and a lower priority level includes a second finite number of different programs from each of the plurality of categories.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of allocating includes dynamically changing the bandwidth allocation over time.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of prioritizing uses an algorithm to weigh programs watched information when determining a program'"'"'s priority.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of prioritizing uses an algorithm to weigh marketing information when determining a program'"'"'s priority.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the high priority level corresponds to programs included in one cable television service and a lower priority level corresponds to programs included in a different cable television service.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the high priority level corresponds to cable television programs and a lower priority level corresponds to pay-per-view programs.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein an even lower priority level corresponds to high definition television programs.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the high priority level corresponds to sports-related television programs and a lower priority level corresponds to news-related television programs.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein an even lower priority level corresponds to documentaries.

24. The method according to claim 2, wherein the step of dynamically changing the bandwidth allocation over time includes varying the compression ratio of at least one of the selected programs.

25. The method according to claim 2, wherein the step of dynamically changing the bandwidth allocation over time includes allocating bandwidth to at least one of the selected programs based on an amount of changes within at least one of the selected programs over time.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein said changes occur frame to frame.

27. The method according to claim 25, wherein said changes are changes in visual detail.

61. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of prioritizing uses an algorithm to weigh consumer demand when determining a program'"'"'s priority.

62. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of allocating includes dynamically changing the bandwidth allocation on demand.

63. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of allocating includes dynamically changing the bandwidth allocation based on consumer demand.

64. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of allocating includes dynamically changing the bandwidth allocation in real-time.

10. A method of transmitting a plurality of programs to a cable headend, each of said plurality of programs corresponding to one of a plurality of categories, said method comprising the steps of:

prioritizing each of said programs by assigning to each of said programs one of a plurality of priority levels, said plurality of priority levels including a high priority level and progressively lower priority levels;

forming a plurality of signals, each of said signals comprising programs corresponding to a single priority level;

appending a header to each of said signals, wherein said header identifies said priority level for a corresponding signal, thereby enabling recognition by said cable headend;

dividing bandwidth so that each program category receives a segment of said bandwidth;

allocating a portion of said segments of bandwidth to signals comprising high priority level programs in each category;

continuing said allocating step with signals comprising progressively lower priority level programs until at least one of the following conditions occurs;

all of the signals are allocated; and

all of said bandwidth is allocated; and

transmitting each of said headers and said corresponding signals to said cable headend,

wherein each priority level includes a different set of programs from a variety of categories, and wherein the first priority level includes a first finite number of programs from each of the plurality of categories and the second priority level includes a second finite number of remaining programs from each of the plurality of categories.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of

digitizing each of said headers and said corresponding signals into digitized signals;

compressing the digitized signals into compressed signals, and

combining the compressed signals with a program information signal.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the high priority level corresponds to programs included in a cable television service and a lower priority level corresponds to programs included in a different cable television service.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the high priority level corresponds to cable television programs and a lower priority level corresponds to pay-per-view programs.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the high priority level corresponds to sports-related television programs and a lower priority level corresponds to news-related television programs.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the high priority level corresponds to television programs available during a specified period of time and a lower priority level corresponds to television programs available during a different period of time.

28. The method according to claim 10, wherein the step of allocating includes dynamically changing the bandwidth allocation overtime.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein the step of dynamically changing the bandwidth allocation includes varying a compression ratio of at least one of the selected programs.

30. The method according to claim 28, wherein the step of dynamically changing the bandwidth allocation includes allocating bandwidth to at least one of the selected programs based on an amount of changes within at least one of the selected programs over time.

65. The method of claim 10, wherein said step of allocating includes dynamically changing the bandwidth allocation on demand.

66. The method of claim 10, wherein said step of allocating includes dynamically changing the bandwidth allocation based on consumer demand.

67. The method of claim 10, wherein said step of allocating includes dynamically changing the bandwidth allocation in real-time.

16. A method of transmitting programs to a plurality of transponders, said method comprising the steps of:

prioritizing each of said programs by assigning to each of said programs one of a plurality of priority levels, said plurality of priority levels including a high priority level and progressively lower priority levels;

forming a plurality of signals, each of said signals comprising programs corresponding to a single priority level;

allocating a portion of bandwidth to signals comprising high priority level programs;

continuing said allocating step with signals comprising progressively lower priority level programs until at least one of the following conditions occurs;

all of the signals are allocated; and

all of said bandwidth is allocated; and

transmitting said plurality of signals to said plurality of transponders so that none of said transponders receives more than one of said signals.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of appending a header to each of said signals, wherein said header identifies said priority level for a corresponding signal, thereby enabling recognition by said transponder.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the steps of:

digitizing each of said headers and said corresponding signals into digitized signals;

compressing the digitized signals into compressed signals; and

combining the compressed signals with a program information signal.

19. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of dynamically changing bandwidth allocation for at least one of said signals.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the step of dynamically changing the bandwidth allocation includes varying a compression ratio of at least one of the selected programs.

21. The method according to claim 19, wherein the step of dynamically changing the bandwidth allocation includes allocating bandwidth to at least one of the selected programs based on an amount of changes within at least one of the selected programs over time.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein said changes occur frame to frame.

23. The method according to claim 21, wherein said changes are changes in visual detail.

31. The method according to claim 19, wherein said changes occur frame to frame.

32. The method according to claim 19, wherein said changes are changes in visual detail.

68. The method of claim 19, wherein said bandwidth allocation is dynamically changed on demand.

69. The method of claim 19, wherein said bandwidth allocation is dynamically changed based on consumer demand.

70. The method of claim 19, wherein said bandwidth allocation is dynamically changed in real-time.

33. A computer assisted packaging system for allocating bandwidth to a plurality of programs, each of the programs corresponding to one of a plurality of categories, comprising:

a central processing unit for selecting the programs and also for dividing the bandwidth so that each of the program categories receives a segment of the bandwidth;

a delivery control processor unit connected to said central processing unit; and

a multiplexer connected to said delivery control processor unit for allocating a portion of said segments of bandwidth to the selected programs in at least one of the categories,

wherein said central processing unit dynamically changes the bandwidth by varying a number of the selected programs within at least one of the selected categories.

34. The system according to claim 33, further comprising a video/audio equipment connected to said central processing unit for dynamically changing the bandwidth allocation over time.

35. The system according to claim 34, wherein said video/audio equipment dynamically changes the bandwidth allocation by changing a compression ratio of at least one of the selected programs, whereby programs with higher compression ratios require lower bit rates and less bandwidth, and programs with lower compression ratios require higher bit rates and more bandwidth.

36. The system according to claim 34, wherein the step of dynamically changing the bandwidth allocation over time includes allocating bandwidth to at least one of the selected programs based on an amount of changes within at least one of the selected programs over time.

37. The system according to claim 36, wherein said changes occur frame to frame.

38. The system according to claim 36, wherein said changes are changes in visual detail.

39. The system according to claim 33, wherein said central processing unit further comprises an algorithm for selecting said programs.

40. A computer assisted packaging system for allocating bandwidth to a plurality of programs according to claim 33, wherein said central processing unit further assigns priority levels to the programs by assigning to each of said programs a priority level from a plurality of priority levels, said plurality of priority levels includes a high priority level and progressively lower priority levels and also for dividing the bandwidth so that each program category receives a segment of the bandwidth;

and

said multiplexer further allocates a portion of said segments of bandwidth to selected programs in each of the categories with highest of said priority levels and continues to allocate segments of bandwidth to progressively lower priority level programs in each of the categories.

41. The system according to claim 40, further comprising a video/audio equipment connected to said central processing unit for dynamically changing the bandwidth allocation over time.

42. The system according to claim 41, wherein said video/audio equipment changes the bandwidth allocation over time by changing a compression ratio of at least one of the selected programs, whereby programs with higher compression ratios require lower bit rates and less bandwidth, and programs with lower compression ratios require higher bit rates and more bandwidth.

43. The system according to claim 41, wherein the step of dynamically changing the bandwidth allocation over time includes allocating bandwidth to at least one of the select -d programs based on an amount of changes within at least one of the selected programs over time.

44. The system according to claim 43, wherein said changes occur frame to frame.

45. The system according to claim 43, wherein said changes are changes in visual detail.

46. The system according to claim 40, wherein said central processing unit further comprises an algorithm for assigning said priority levels.

47. The system according to claim 40, wherein said central processing unit appends a header to all the selected programs with the same priority level, wherein said appended header identifies said priority level for the program.

71. The system of claim 33, further comprising video/audio equipment connected to said central processing unit for dynamically changing the bandwidth allocation on demand.

72. The system of claim 33, further comprising video/audio equipment connected to said central processing unit for dynamically changing the bandwidth allocation based on consumer demand.

73. The system of claim 33, further comprising video/audio equipment connected to said central processing unit for dynamically changing the bandwidth allocation in real-time.

74. The method of claim 40, further comprising video/audio equipment connected to said central processing unit for dynamically changing the bandwidth allocation on demand.

75. The system of claim 40, further comprising video/audio equipment connected to said central processing unit for dynamically changing the bandwidth allocation based on consumer demand.

76. The system of claim 40, further comprising video/audio equipment connected to said central processing unit for dynamically changing the bandwidth allocation in real-time.

48. A system for allocating bandwidth to a plurality of programs, each of said programs corresponding to one of a plurality of categories, comprising:

an operations center comprising a computer assisted packaging system;

said computer assisted packaging system comprising;

a central processing unit for selecting programs received from television programming sources and also for dividing said bandwidth so that each of the program categories receives a segment of the bandwidth;

a delivery control processor unit connected to said central processing unit; and

a multiplexer connected to said delivery control processor unit for allocating a portion of said segments of bandwidth to the selected programs,

wherein said central processing unit dynamically changes bandwidth by varying a number of selected programs within at least one of the selected categories.

49. The system according to claim 48, further comprising a video/audio equipment connected to said central processing unit for dynamically changing the bandwidth allocation over time.

50. The system according to claim 49, wherein said video/audio equipment dynamically changes bandwidth allocation by changing a compression ratio of at least one of the selected programs, whereby programs with higher compression ratios require lower bit rates and less bandwidth, and programs with lower compression ratios require higher bit rates and more bandwidth.

51. The system according to claim 49, wherein the step of dynamically changing the bandwidth allocation over time includes allocating bandwidth to at least one of the selected programs based on an amount of changes within at least one of the selected programs over time.

52. The system according to claim 51, wherein said changes occur frame to frame.

53. The system according to claim 51, wherein said changes are changes in visual detail.

54. The system according to claim 48 wherein said central processing unit further comprises an algorithm for selecting said programs.

55. The system according to claim 48, further comprising a video/audio equipment connected to said central processing unit for dynamically changing the bandwidth allocation over time.

56. The system according to claim 55, wherein said video/audio equipment dynamically changes bandwidth allocation by changing a compression ratio of at least one of the selected programs, whereby programs with higher compression ratios require lower bit rates and less bandwidth, and programs with lower compression ratios require higher bit rates and more bandwidth.

57. The system according to claim 55, wherein the step of dynamically changing the bandwidth allocation over time includes allocating bandwidth to at least one of the selected programs based on an amount of changes within at least one of the selected programs over time.

58. The system according to claim 57, wherein said changes occur frame to frame.

59. The system according to claim 57, wherein said changes are changes in visual detail.

60. The system according to claim 48, wherein said central processing unit further comprises an algorithm for selecting said programs.

77. The system of claim 48, further comprising video/audio equipment connected to said central processing unit for dynamically changing the bandwidth allocation on demand.

78. The system of claim 48, further comprising video/audio equipment connected to said central processing unit for dynamically changing the bandwidth allocation based on consumer demand.

79. The system of claim 48, further comprising video/audio equipment connected to said central processing unit for dynamically changing the bandwidth allocation in real-time.

80. The system of claim 48, further comprising video/audio equipment connected to said central processing unit for dynamically changing the bandwidth allocation on demand.

81. The system of claim 48, further comprising video/audio equipment connected to said central processing unit for dynamically changing the bandwidth allocation based on consumer demand.

82. The system of claim 48, further comprising video/audio equipment connected to said central processing unit for dynamically changing the bandwidth allocation.

83. A method of transmitting programs to a plurality of transponders, said method comprising the steps of:

prioritizing each of said programs by assigning to each of said programs one of a plurality of priority levels, said plurality of priority levels including a high priority level and progressively lower priority levels;

forming a plurality of signals, each of said signals comprising programs corresponding to a single priority level;

allocating a portion of bandwidth to signals comprising high priority level programs;

dynamically changing bandwidth allocation for at least one of said signals;

continuing said allocating step with signals comprising progressively lower priority level programs until at least one of the following conditions occurs;

all of the signals are allocated; and

all of said bandwidth is allocated; and

transmitting said plurality of signals to said plurality of transponders so that none of said transponders receives more than one of said signals.

84. The method according to claim 83, wherein the step of dynamically changing the bandwidth allocation induces varying a compression ratio of at least one of the selected programs.

85. The method according to claim 83, wherein the step of dynamically changing the bandwidth allocation includes allocating bandwidth to at least one of the selected programs based on an amount of changes within at least one of the selected programs over time.

86. The method according to claim 85, wherein said changes occur frame to frame.

87. The method according to claim 85, wherein said changes are changes in visual detail.

88. The method of claim 83, wherein said bandwidth allocation is dynamically changed on demand.

89. The method of claim 83, wherein said bandwidth allocation is dynamically changed based on consumer demand.

90. The method of claim 83, wherein said bandwidth allocation is dynamically changed in real-time.