Advanced, self-balancing video multiplexer system

• US 7,804,856 B2
• Filed: 05/06/2005
• Issued: 09/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Imagine Communications Limited (Gores Broadcast Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: RGB Networks, Inc. (Gores Broadcast Holdings LLC)
• Inventors: Tom, Adam, Monta, Peter, Krause, Edward A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Moe; Aung S
• Assistant Examiner(s): Haile; Feben
• Application Number:
  US11/123,677
• Publication Number:
  US 20050276284A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,971 Days
• Field of Search: 370485-487, 370537-538, 370/540, 725/25, 725/31, 725 86- 87, 725 91- 95, 725104-105, 725/109, 725/111, 725114-117, 725143-147, 709227-229, 380/200, 380/210, 380/212, 713/150, 713/168, 713/176
• US Class Current: 370/486
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/611 for multicast or broadcast systems for broadcast or conference H04L12/18; arrangements for broadcast or distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/00; arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time H04H60/00; selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS], H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/765 intermediate
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/80 Responding to QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/146 Data rate or code amount at the encoder output
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/40 using video transcoding, i.e. partial or full decoding of a coded input stream followed by re-encoding of the decoded output stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/48 using compressed domain processing techniques other than decoding, e.g. modification of transform coefficients, variable length coding [VLC] data or run-length data motion estimation in a transform domain H04N19/547; processing of decoded motion vectors H04N19/513
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/61 in combination with predictive coding
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2225 Local VOD servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23103 using load balancing strategies, e.g. by placing or distributing content on different disks, different memories or different servers storage management G06F3/0604; allocation of resources considering the load in multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/505; techniques for rebalancing the load in a distributed system G06F9/5083; access to distributed or replicated servers, e.g. load balancing, in data networks H04L67/1001
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23424 involving splicing one content stream with another content stream, e.g. for inserting or substituting an advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2347 involving video stream encryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23608 Remultiplexing multiplex streams, e.g. involving modifying time stamps or remapping the packet identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2365 Multiplexing of several video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23655 Statistical multiplexing, e.g. by controlling the encoder to alter its bitrate to optimize the bandwidth utilization
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2383 Channel coding or modulation of digital bit-stream, e.g. QPSK modulation arrangements for detecting or preventing errors in the information received by adapting the channel coding H04L1/0009; analogue front ends or means for connecting modulators, demodulators or transceivers to a transmission line H04L27/0002
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2385 Channel allocation H04N21/266 takes precedence; Bandwidth allocation H04N21/24 takes precedence ; allocation of channels according to the instantaneous demands of the users in time-division multiplex systems H04J3/1682; admission control, resource allocation in open networks H04L12/5692; arrangements for maintenance or administration in data switching networks involving bandwidth and capacity management H04L41/0896; negotiating bandwidth in wireless networks H04W28/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2405 Monitoring of the internal components or processes of the server, e.g. server load allocation of resources in multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/50; performance measurement of computer activity G06F11/34
• 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 21/26606 : for generating or managing entitlement messages, e.g. Entitlement Control Message [ECM] or Entitlement Management Message [EMM] arrangements for conditional access to broadcast information or to broadcast-related services H04H60/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26613 : for generating or managing keys in general key distribution for secret or secure communication involving central third party, e.g. key distribution center [KDC] or trusted third party [TTP] H04L9/083; network support of key management H04L63/06; key management for network security in communication control or processing H04W12/04
• 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 21/4347 : Demultiplexing of several video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44016 : involving splicing one content stream with another content stream, e.g. for substituting a video clip
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 : for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6118 : involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/63345 : by transmitting keys key distribution for secret or secure communication H04L9/08; network support of key management H04L63/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 : involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/1675 : Providing digital key or authorisation information for generation or regeneration of the scrambling sequence pseudo-random number generators in general G06F7/58
• 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

Abstract

An advanced video multiplexer system designed and optimized for next generation on-demand video distribution is described. The system optimizes identifies a multi-program transport stream best able to accommodate new seesions based upon Quality of Service (QoS) and QAM utilization ratios. MPTS channels are rebalanced via re-grouping and transrating as necessary to optimize bandwidth utilization. Multiple video formats are supported via built-in transcoding. The multiplexer manages encryption resources and supports new sessions using previously allocated encryption resources where possible. Sessions can be grouped into encryption channels either by using a single authorization tier per channel policy, or by requiring all clients of the group to be in physically separated service groups. Encryption channels can be released when a channel no longer serves any clients or when one or more other channels that have been assigned the same entitlement can accommodate any remaining clients.

Claims

1. A video multiplexer system, comprising:

a session manager for establishing digital video sessions with client devices, for identifying digital video program content to be provided to said client devices, and how said digital video program content is to be encrypted;

a video server, responsive to said session manager, for providing said digital video program content, said digital video program content being further characterized by a plurality of video segments;

a multiplexer for selecting and combining said video segments into one or more multi-channel multiplexes and determining Multi Program Transport Stream (MPTS) occupancy levels;

a device to encrypt said digital video program content according to encryption parameters associated with authorization information for said digital video program content;

a device to establish authorization tiers for encrypting said digital video program content, each authorization tier corresponding to a class of programs and having a particular different encryption; and

at least one transrating module associated with said multiplexer which enables modification of at least one of a bit rate or encoding format of said digital video program content;

wherein said multiplexer;

receives a request for said digital video program content, the request identifying the authorization tier of said digital program content;

manages encryption resources and routes said digital video program content associated with new sessions for encryption via previously established encryption channels when such previously established encryption channels are compatible with encryption requirements of said new sessions and allocating new encryption channels otherwise;

combines said digital video program content for multiple clients having compatible encryption requirements associated with said authorization tier for encryption according to a specific set of the encryption parameters via the same encryption channel; and

routes said digital video program content associated with a new session and re-routes said digital video program content associated with previously established sessions to balance MPTS occupancy.

2. A video multiplexer system according to claim 1, wherein:

when the new session is established by said session manager, said multiplexer determines MPTS occupancy levels and routes said digital video program content associated with said new session to an MPTS best able to accommodate said session according to predetermined occupancy criteria.

3. A video multiplexer system according to claim 2, wherein:

said predetermined occupancy criteria include a minimum QoS requirement.

4. A video multiplexer system according to claim 2, wherein:

said predetermined occupancy criteria include QAM utilization ratios.

5. A video multiplexer system according to claim 1, wherein:

said multiplexer transrates CBR digital video program content via said at least one transrating module, converting it to VBR digital video program content consistent with QAM channel capacity.

6. A video multiplexer system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a satellite receiver providing VBR digital video program content;

wherein;

said multiplexer receives and transrates said VBR digital video program content via said at least one transrating module.

7. A video multiplexer system according to claim 6, wherein:

said multiplexer selectively replaces portions of said VBR digital video program content with other digital video program content to produce a multiplex, transrating said multiplex to maintain video quality and to match QAM channel capacity.

8. A video multiplexer system according to claim 1, further comprising:

at least one transcoder module associated with said multiplexer.

9. A video multiplexer system according to claim 8, wherein:

said digital video program content is encoded according to a first video format;

said multiplexer transcodes said digital video program content to a second video format.

10. A video multiplexer system according to claim 9, wherein:

said multiplexer selectively determines the digital video format to be routed to client devices on a client-by-client basis depending upon client capabilities established at session start-up.

11. A video multiplexer system according to claim 1, wherein:

said multiplexer groups sessions into encryption channels by service group.

12. A video multiplexer system according to claim 1, wherein:

said multiplexer groups sessions into encryption channels by authorization tier.

13. A video multiplexer system according to claim 1, wherein said digital video program content from multiple clients are combined for encryption via the same encryption channel in the event that the clients belong to the same service group within the same authorization tier.

14. A video multiplexer system according to claim 1, wherein said digital video program content from multiple clients are combined for encryption via the same encryption channel in the event that the clients correspond to different service groups.

15. A method for multiplexing digital video program content, comprising:

providing a session manager for establishing digital video sessions with client devices, for identifying digital video program content to be provided to said client devices, and how said digital video program content is to be encrypted;

providing a video server, responsive to said session manager, for providing said digital video program content, said digital video program content being further characterized by a plurality of video segments;

providing a multiplexer for selecting and combining said video segments into one or more multi-channel multiplexes and determining Multi Program Transport Stream (MPTS) occupancy levels;

providing a device to encrypt said digital video program content according to encryption parameters associated with authorization information for said digital video program content;

providing a device to establish authorization tiers for encrypting said digital video program content, each authorization tier corresponding to a class of programs and having a particular different encryption; and

providing at least one transrating module associated with said multiplexer which enables modification of at least one of a bit rate or encoding format of said digital video program content;

wherein said multiplexer;

receives a request for said digital video program content, the request identifying the authorization tier of said digital program content;

manages encryption resources and routes said digital video program content associated with new sessions for encryption via previously established encryption channels when such previously established encryption channels are compatible with encryption requirements of said new sessions and allocating new encryption channels otherwise;

combines said digital video program content for multiple clients having compatible encryption requirements associated with said authorization tier for encryption according to a specific set of the encryption parameters via the same encryption channel; and

routes said digital video program content associated with a new session and re-routes said digital video program content associated with previously established sessions to balance MPTS occupancy.