Methods and apparatus for distributing content within a content delivery system
First Claim
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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Accused Products
Abstract
A system controller selects a transmission mode for content distribution based upon the relative popularity of the content within the content distribution system. The system controller receives a content distribution request from a content source and detects a content distribution characteristic for content to be distributed by the content source, in response to receiving the content distribution request. When the content distribution characteristic indicates the content as being relatively popular, or frequently requested by receivers in the content distribution system, the system controller selects a one-to-many transmission mode for the content. When the content distribution characteristic indicates the content as being relatively unpopular, or infrequently requested by receivers in the content distribution system), the system controller selects a one-to-one transmission mode for the content. By selecting a transmission mode based upon the relative popularity of the content, the system controller maximizes network resources, thereby causing the network to operate economically.
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Citations
19 Claims
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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:
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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, and selecting 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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5. A device associated with a content distribution system comprising:
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at least one communications interface; a controller; and an interconnection mechanism coupling the at least one communications interface and the controller; wherein the controller is configured to; receive a content distribution request from a content source through the interface; detect, in response to receiving the content distribution request, a content distribution characteristic for content to be distributed by the content source through the interface; and select 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, when detecting, detect, 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, compare the content distribution characteristic with a threshold limit, and when selecting, select 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 wherein the controller is configured to transmit 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. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A computer program product having a computer-readable medium including computer program logic encoded thereon that, when performed on a controller in a computerized device having a coupling to at least one communications interface provides a method for performing the operations of:
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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 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, and selecting 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 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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10. A computerized device comprising:
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at least one communications interface; a controller; and an interconnection mechanism coupling the at least one communications interface and the controller; wherein the computerized device is configured to produce a means for distributing content, such means including; means for receiving a content distribution request from a content source; means for detecting, in response to receiving the content distribution request, a content distribution characteristic for content to be distributed by the content source; and means for selecting a transmission mode, from one of a first transmission mode and a second transmission mode, for 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, means for detecting comprises means for 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, and means for selecting comprises means for 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 means for 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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11. In a plurality of content sources associated with a content distribution system, a method for selecting a system controller for the content distribution system comprising the steps of:
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detecting an identifier characteristic associated with each of the plurality of content sources; and selecting one content source from the plurality of content sources as the system controller within the content distribution system based upon the identifier characteristic, the system controller configured to; receive a content distribution request from a content source, detect, in response to receiving the content distribution request, a content distribution characteristic for content to be distributed by the content source, and select a transmission mode, from one of a first transmission mode and a second transmission mode, for 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, the system controller, when detecting, is configured to detect, 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, the system controller is configured to compare the content distribution characteristic with a threshold limit, and the system controller, when selecting, is configured to select 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 transmit 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. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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12. A device associated with a content distribution system comprising:
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at least one communications interface; a controller; and an interconnection mechanism coupling the at least one communications interface and the controller; wherein the controller is configured to; detect an identifier characteristic associated with each of the plurality of content sources; and select one content source from the plurality of content sources as the system controller within the content distribution system based upon the identifier characteristic, the system controller configured to; receive a content distribution request from a content source, detect, in response to receiving the content distribution request, a content distribution characteristic for content to be distributed by the content source, and select a transmission mode, from one of a first transmission mode and a second transmission mode, for 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, when detecting, detect, 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, compare the content distribution characteristic with a threshold limit, and when selecting, select 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 transmit 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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13. A computer program product having a computer-readable medium including computer program logic encoded thereon that, when performed on a controller in a computerized device having a coupling to at least one communications interface provides a method for performing the operations of:
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detecting an identifier characteristic associated with each of the plurality of content sources; and selecting one content source from the plurality of content sources as the system controller within the content distribution system based upon the identifier characteristic, the system controller configured to; receive a content distribution request from a content source, detect, in response to receiving the content distribution request, a content distribution characteristic for content to be distributed by the content source, and select a transmission mode, from one of a first transmission mode and a second transmission mode, for 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, when detecting, detect, 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, compare the content distribution characteristic with a threshold limit, and when selecting, select 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 transmit 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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Specification