Method and apparatus for network bandwidth conservation
First Claim
1. A method of operating a network carrying information to a plurality of users at a first service level, comprising:
- scheduling said information at said first service level onto first and second user channels of said network simultaneously, at least said first user channel having a first physical channel associated therewith;
defining a mapping between at least said first physical channel and said second user channel;
broadcasting said information over both of said first physical channel and a second physical channel;
selectively tuning at least one of said users to only said first physical channel in response to said at least one user attempting to tune to either of said first and second user channels based at least in part on said relationship; and
selectively terminating said broadcast of said information on said second physical channel based at least in part on said act of selectively tuning.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for conserving bandwidth within a network based on two or more different service levels. In an exemplary embodiment, programming that is simulcast on two or more program channels is mapped to one physical channel during periods when the programming is scheduled at only one service level (e.g., standard definition), thereby conserving bandwidth on the network that would otherwise be consumed by the simultaneous broadcast on the two or more channels. When the programming service level becomes heterogeneous across the channels (e.g., SD and HD simulcast), physical channel(s) supporting the HD content are provided within a local service area only “on-demand” using, for example, a switched digital channel allocation. Accordingly, no HD broadcast occurs within a given area until at least one user requests it, thereby further conserving network bandwidth.
110 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method of operating a network carrying information to a plurality of users at a first service level, comprising:
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scheduling said information at said first service level onto first and second user channels of said network simultaneously, at least said first user channel having a first physical channel associated therewith; defining a mapping between at least said first physical channel and said second user channel; broadcasting said information over both of said first physical channel and a second physical channel; selectively tuning at least one of said users to only said first physical channel in response to said at least one user attempting to tune to either of said first and second user channels based at least in part on said relationship; and selectively terminating said broadcast of said information on said second physical channel based at least in part on said act of selectively tuning. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of operating a network carrying information to a plurality of users at a first service level, comprising:
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scheduling said information at said first service level onto first and second user channels of said network simultaneously during a first prescribed time, at least said first user channel having a first physical channel associated therewith; defining a relationship between said first physical channel and said second user channel; scheduling said information at a second service level onto said second user channel for broadcast at a second prescribed time; during said first prescribed time, selectively tuning at least one of said users to only said first physical channel in response to said at least one user attempting to tune to either of said first and second user channels; and during said second prescribed time, not tuning to said first physical channel in response to said at least one user attempting to tune to either of said first and second user channels. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. CPE adapted for use within a cable network, comprising:
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an interface configured to receive encoded content signals from said network; processing apparatus operatively coupled to said interface and adapted to decode said encoded signals received via said interface; and at least one computer program running on said CPE, said at least one program being adapted to; receive a plurality of mapping data during a first period when programming is scheduled substantially simultaneously on first and second program channels of said network, said mapping data relating said first and second program channels to a first physical channel; receive, during said first period, user commands to tune to said first or second program channels; selectively cause tuning of said interface, based at least in part on said data, to said first physical channel regardless of whether said user commands request tuning to said first or said second program channel; and generate second signals for transmission over said network, said second signals being configured to initiate the establishment of a session with said CPE during a second period when said programming is scheduled on said first and second program channels, yet at different service levels on each. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of operating a digital settop box comprising a radio frequency tuner within a hybrid fiber-coax (HFC) cable television network, comprising:
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receiving a plurality of scheduling information regarding programming to be broadcast, said information identifying a first period when said programming is scheduled substantially simultaneously on first and second program channels; receiving metadata at said settop box relating said first and second program channels to a first physical channel, said first physical channel comprising a QAM (quadrature amplitude modulated) channel; receiving, during said first period, user commands to tune to said first or second program channels; and selectively tuning, based at least in part on said information, to said first physical channel irrespective of whether said user commands said settop box to tune to said first or said second channel; wherein said act of selectively tuning comprising using said tuner to tune to said QAM. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. CPE adapted for use within a cable network, comprising:
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means for receiving encoded content signals from said network; processing apparatus operatively coupled to said means for receiving, and adapted to decode said encoded signals received via said means for receiving; and logic means adapted to; receive a plurality of mapping data during a first period when programming is scheduled substantially simultaneously on first and second program channels of said network, said mapping data relating said first and second program channels to a first physical channel; receive, during said first period, user commands to tune to said first or second program channels; selectively cause tuning of said means for receiving, based at least in part on said data, to said first physical channel regardless of whether said user commands request tuning to said first or said second program channel; and generate second signals for transmission over said network, said second signals being configured to initiate the establishment of a session with at least said CPE during a second period when said programming is scheduled on said first and second program channels, yet at different service levels on each.
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22. A method of operating a network carrying information to a plurality of users at a first service level, comprising:
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scheduling said information at said first service level onto first and second user channels of said network simultaneously, at least said first user channel having a first physical channel associated therewith; scheduling information at a second service level onto said second user channel for broadcast at a prescribed time; defining a relationship between said first physical channel and said second user channel; broadcasting said information only over said first physical channel, said broadcasting only over said first physical channel conserving bandwidth on said network; and selectively tuning at least one of said users to only said first physical channel in response to said at least one user attempting to tune to either of said first and second user channels based at least in part on said relationship; wherein said act of selectively tuning comprises evaluating, when said act of tuning is performed, whether said information at said second service level is scheduled onto said second user channel, and if so, then not tuning to said first physical channel. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification