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Methods and apparatus for distributing content within a content delivery system

  • US 7,222,185 B1
  • Filed: 10/03/2002
  • Issued: 05/22/2007
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2002
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. In a system controller for a content distribution system, a method for selecting a content distribution mode comprising the steps of:

  • receiving a content distribution request from a content source;

    detecting, in response to receiving the content distribution request, a content distribution characteristic for content to be distributed by the content source; and

    selecting a transmission mode, from one of a first transmission mode and a second transmission mode, for distributing the content within the content distribution system based upon the content distribution characteristic, the first transmission mode being a one-to-one transmission and the second transmission mode being a one-to-many transmission,detecting comprises detecting, in response to receiving the content distribution request, the content distribution characteristic for content to be distributed by the content source, the content distribution characteristic indicating a number of receivers that request the content over a period of time,in response to detecting, comparing the content distribution characteristic with a threshold limit, andselecting comprises selecting a one-to-many transmission mode for distributing the content within the content distribution system when the content distribution characteristic satisfies the threshold limit and selecting a one-to-one transmission mode for distributing the content within the content distribution system when the content distribution characteristic does not satisfy the threshold limit; and

    further comprising the step of transmitting a transition marker to at least one receiver associated with the content distribution system, the transition marker indicating a switching of content distribution between the first transmission mode and the second transmission mode.

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