Generation, distribution and use of content metadata in a network
First Claim
1. An apparatus for use in controlling multiplexing operations performed by a single-stage multiplexer in a content delivery network, said apparatus comprising:
- a computerized device in data communication with said single-stage multiplexer; and
at least one management process configured to run on said computerized device, said management process comprising a plurality of instructions which are configured to when executed;
receive metadata describing individual bandwidth requirements associated with respective ones of a plurality of content;
project, based at least in part on said metadata, said bandwidth requirements for said respective ones of said plurality of content at some period in the future; and
cause bandwidth allocation to be performed at said single-stage multiplexer for said plurality of content based at least in part on said projection;
wherein said bandwidth allocation comprises selection of an optimal version of individual ones of said plurality of content from among a plurality of previously generated content versions for inclusion in a multiplex generated by said single-stage multiplexer; and
wherein each of said plurality of previously generated content versions comprises a version of said individual ones of said plurality of content encoded to utilize a different amount of bandwidth.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for utilizing information (e.g., metadata) relating to content in a multimedia distribution network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a hybrid fiber coax (HFC) cable network, and the information comprises metadata relating to the bitrate profile of deterministic content such as stored video. Content sources, or the network operator themselves, generate the metadata which may then be used by the operator to adjust or optimize the operation of the network; e.g., more efficiently allocate the program to a multiplex. Network apparatus adapted to implement the metadata functionality and related business methods are also disclosed.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. An apparatus for use in controlling multiplexing operations performed by a single-stage multiplexer in a content delivery network, said apparatus comprising:
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a computerized device in data communication with said single-stage multiplexer; and at least one management process configured to run on said computerized device, said management process comprising a plurality of instructions which are configured to when executed; receive metadata describing individual bandwidth requirements associated with respective ones of a plurality of content; project, based at least in part on said metadata, said bandwidth requirements for said respective ones of said plurality of content at some period in the future; and cause bandwidth allocation to be performed at said single-stage multiplexer for said plurality of content based at least in part on said projection; wherein said bandwidth allocation comprises selection of an optimal version of individual ones of said plurality of content from among a plurality of previously generated content versions for inclusion in a multiplex generated by said single-stage multiplexer; and wherein each of said plurality of previously generated content versions comprises a version of said individual ones of said plurality of content encoded to utilize a different amount of bandwidth. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of operating a content distribution network, comprising:
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receiving a plurality of single program content streams at an apparatus for controlling multiplexing operations of said content distribution network; receiving bitrate metadata associated with said plurality of single program content streams at said apparatus for controlling multiplexing operations of said content distribution network, said bitrate metadata comprising information describing at least a minimum acceptable bitrate associated with respective ones of said plurality of single program content streams on a per-segment basis; and selecting an optimal version of individual ones of said plurality of single program content streams from among a plurality of previously generated content versions for inclusion in a multiplex generated by a single-stage multiplexer based at least in part on said bitrate metadata, each of said plurality of previously generated content versions comprising a different bandwidth requirement. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of operating a cable network, said cable network comprising a multiplexing and switching controller for generating a multiplexed output and a plurality of subscribers, said method comprising:
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encoding a program stream to produce encoded content; generating metadata associated with said encoding of said program stream, said metadata relating to a peak bitrate of said encoded content; providing said metadata to said multiplexing and switching controller for generating said multiplexed output; configuring at least one aspect of said multiplexed output based at least in part on said metadata related to said peak bitrate of said encoded content; selecting an optimal version of said encoded content from among a plurality of previously generated content versions of said encoded content each configured to utilize a different bandwidth for inclusion in said multiplexed output; and conveying said multiplexed output to said plurality of subscribers of said network for use thereby. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. An apparatus for providing content to a content distribution network, comprising:
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encoder apparatus configured to encode a plurality of content versions each of which utilize a different amount of bandwidth; generator apparatus in data communication with said encoder apparatus, said generator apparatus configured to generate metadata files comprising information relating to a bitrate of respective ones of said encoded plurality of content versions; and interface apparatus in data communication with generator apparatus, said interface apparatus configured to receive said metadata files and transmit them to a multiplexing apparatus; wherein said information relating to said bitrate is utilized by said multiplexing apparatus to allocate individuals ones of said encoded plurality of content versions to one or more multiplexes, said allocation comprising selection of an optimal version of said respective ones of said encoded plurality of content versions from among said encoded plurality of content versions; and wherein said generator apparatus further comprises logic to look ahead within said encoded plurality of content versions to select at least portions thereof for which said generation of said metadata files is required, said generator apparatus configured to generate metadata files for said selected portions of said encoded plurality of content versions, said metadata files comprising information regarding a minimum acceptable bitrate for each of said selected portions of said encoded plurality of content versions. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification