Technique for effectively providing program material in a cable television system

• US 8,713,623 B2
• Filed: 09/20/2001
• Issued: 04/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC (Charter Communications Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC (Charter Communications Incorporated)
• Inventors: Brooks, Paul D.
• Primary Examiner(s): SCHNURR, JOHN R
• Application Number:
  US09/956,688
• Publication Number:
  US 20030056217A1
• Time in Patent Office: 4,604 Days
• Field of Search: 725/46, 725/93, 725/98, 725/120
• US Class Current: 725/120
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 11/02 with bandwidth reduction H04N11/04 , H04N11/24 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 11/04 using pulse code modulation H04N11/24 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2221 being a cable television head-end CATV in broadcast systems H04H20/78
• 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 21/2408 Monitoring of the upstream path of the transmission network, e.g. client requests monitoring data switching networks utilization H04L43/0876; scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests H04L67/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/266 Channel or content management, e.g. generation and management of keys and entitlement messages in a conditional access system, merging a VOD unicast channel into a multicast channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42684 Client identification by a unique number or address, e.g. serial number, MAC address, socket ID network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming H04L61/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4383 Accessing a communication channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6405 Multicasting data broadcast and multicast in packet switching networks H04L12/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6581 Reference data, e.g. a movie identifier for ordering a movie or a product identifier in a home shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/106 for domestic distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/12 Systems in which the television signal is transmitted via one channel or a plurality of parallel channels, the bandwidth of each channel being less than the bandwidth of the television signal H04N7/24 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/16 Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/173 with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

In a cable television system in accordance with the invention, program materials are made available to subscribers in a neighborhood on an as needed basis. Specifically, when a subscriber at a set-top terminal selects a program channel to watch, the selection request is transmitted to a headend of the system. In response to such a request, a controller in the headend determines whether the material of the selected program channel has been made available to the neighborhood. If it has been made available, the controller identifies to the set-top terminal the carrier which is carrying the requested program material, and to which the set-top terminal tunes to obtain the requested program material. Otherwise, the controller assigns an unused carrier to carry the requested program material, and informs the set-top terminal of the identity of the newly assigned carrier. The controller also retires those carriers assigned for the program channels which are no longer watched by the subscribers in the neighborhood.

Claims

1. Apparatus for use at a service node of a content delivery network, said apparatus configured to controllably provide a collection of program materials to a group of terminals serviced thereby, said group of terminals each being configured to receive said collection of program materials modulated on a plurality of carriers by said service node, said apparatus comprising:

an interface configured to receive a request for a selected program material from at least one terminal, said request comprising an identification associated with said at least one terminal;

a processing element configured to responsive to said received request determine whether said selected program material is included in said collection of program materials currently being provided to said group of terminals serviced by said service node apparatus;

a first control element configured to, when it is determined that said selected program material is not included in said collection of program materials;

add said selected program material to said collection of program materials currently provided to at least one of said group of terminals by said service node apparatus; and

send a control message to said at least one terminal, said control message comprising an identification field which includes said identification associated with said at least one terminal, and an indication of a carrier associated with said selected program material; and

a second control element configured to, when it is determined that said selected program material is already included in said collection of program materials;

send said control message to said at least one terminal, said control message comprising said identification field which includes said identification associated with said at least one terminal, and said indication of said carrier associated with said selected program material;

when it is determined that said selected program material is no longer selected by any of said group of terminals, remove said selected program material from said collection of program materials; and

after a pre-set length of time, automatically remove said selected program material from said collection of program materials.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said carrier comprises a selected carrier different than said plurality of carriers being assigned to carry said selected program material when it is determined that said selected program material is not included in said collection of program materials currently being provided.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein an identity of said selected carrier is communicated to said at least one terminal via said control message.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said selected carrier is associated with a transmission channel through which said selected program material is provided.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each program material in said collection is associated with a respective one of program channels selectable by said terminals in said group.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said request comprises:

an identification associated with said at least one terminal;

a first channel identity field to identify a programming channel being requested; and

a second channel identity field to identify a previously selected programming channel being viewed at said at least one terminal.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said processing element is further configured to decrement a value corresponding to said previously selected programming channel.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said processing element is further configured to increment a value corresponding to said new programming channel.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said second channel identity field is set to a null value when said at least one terminal is first activated, said null value indicating that no previously selected programming channel exists.

10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said first channel identity field is set to a null value when said terminal is deactivated, said null value indicating that no new programming channel request exists.

11. A method for use in a content delivery network for controllably providing a collection of program materials to a group of terminals via a processing entity at a service node entity of said network, said group of terminals each being configured to receive said collection of program materials modulated on a plurality of carriers by said service node entity, said method comprising:

receiving a request for selected program material from a requesting terminal at said service node entity;

in response to said received request, said service node entity determining whether said selected program material is included in said collection of program materials currently broadcast;

when it is determined that said selected program material is not included in said collection of program materials currently broadcast, said service node entity causing said selected program material to be dynamically added to said collection of program materials currently broadcast to at least one of said group of terminals, and sending a control message to said requesting terminal, said control message configured to identify to said requesting terminal a channel upon which said selected program material will be broadcast;

when it is determined that said selected program material is already included in said collection of program materials that are currently broadcast, sending a control message to said requesting terminal, said control message configured to identify to said requesting terminal said channel upon which said selected program material is already broadcast; and

said service node entity automatically causing, at a program boundary, said selected program material to be removed from said collection of program materials currently broadcast via said service node entity.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said channel comprises a selected carrier different than said plurality of carriers being assigned to carry said selected program material when it is determined that said selected program material is not included in said collection of program materials.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said selected carrier is associated with a transmission channel through which said selected program material is provided.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein each program material in said collection is associated with a respective one of program channels selectable by said terminals in said group.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein said act of receiving said request comprises receiving:

an identification field to identify a terminal initiating said request;

a first channel identity field to identify a programming channel being requested; and

a second channel identity field to identify a previously selected programming channel being viewed at said terminal.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said act of determining comprises decrementing a value corresponding to said previously selected programming channel.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said act of determining comprises incrementing a value corresponding to said new programming channel.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

activating said at least one terminal; and

setting second channel identity field to a null value, said null value indicating that no previously selected programming channel selection exists.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

deactivating said at least one terminal; and

setting first channel identity field to a null value, said null value indicating that no new request for a programming channel exists.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein said act of automatically causing said selected program material to be removed from said collection of program materials currently broadcast at a program boundary occurs only when no requests for said program material exist.

21. In a content delivery network for providing a plurality of programming channels to a group of terminals serviced via a service node apparatus, said group of terminals each being configured to receive said plurality of programming channels modulated on a plurality of carriers by said service node apparatus, a method of operating said service node apparatus, said method comprising:

receiving at said service node apparatus a request for a selected program channel from said requesting terminal;

responsive to said request, said service node apparatus determining whether said selected program channel is included in said plurality of program channels currently being delivered;

causing said selected program channel to be dynamically assigned for delivery via a carrier assigned to carry said selected program channel when said selected program channel is not included in said collection of program channels;

otherwise, when said selected program channel is already included in said plurality of program channels, determining said carrier assigned to carry said selected program channel;

transmitting a control message to said requesting terminal, said control message identifying said requesting terminal as an intended recipient of said control message and said carrier assigned to carry said selected program channel;

receiving at said service node apparatus an indication that said requesting terminal is no longer viewing any of said plurality of program channels;

in response to receiving said indication, causing said stream associated with delivery of said selected program channel in said collection of program channels to be reclaimed by causing said selected program channel to be removed from assigned delivery; and

at a program boundary causing said stream associated with delivery of said selected program channel in said collection of program channels to be reclaimed by causing said selected program channel to be removed from assigned delivery.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising broadcasting said control message to said group of terminals.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said group of terminals are associated with a single node of said network.

24. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

determining whether a transmission channel is available for transmitting said selected programming channel; and

generating a standby message to said requesting terminal when said transmission channel is not available.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising:

waiting for said transmission channel to become available; and

notifying said requesting terminal when said transmission channel becomes available.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein said act of causing said selected program channel to be dynamically assigned comprises selecting one or more carriers that will minimize interference with one or more of said program materials currently being broadcast.

27. The method of claim 21, wherein said indication that said requesting terminal has terminated viewing any of said plurality of program channels comprises an indication that no viewer is present at said terminal.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein said indication that no viewer is present at said terminal is determined by utilizing at least one of a motion detector, an acoustic sensor, or an infrared sensor.

29. The method of claim 21, wherein said indication that said requesting terminal has terminated viewing any of said plurality of program channels comprises an indication that said terminal has been turned off.

30. Apparatus for use at a service node of a content delivery network, said apparatus configured to controllably provide a collection of program materials to a group of terminals serviced thereby, said group of terminals each being configured to receive said collection of program materials modulated on a plurality of carriers by said service node, said apparatus comprising:

an interface configured to receive a request for a selected program material from at least one terminal;

a processing element responsive to said received request configured to determine whether said selected program material is included in said collection of program materials currently being provided to said group of terminals serviced by said service node apparatus; and

a control element configured to;

when it is determined that said selected program material is not included in said collection of program materials;

add said selected program material to said collection of program materials currently provided to at least one of said group of terminals by said service node apparatus; and

send a control message to said at least one terminal, said control message comprising an indication of a carrier associated with said selected program material; and

when it is determined that said selected program material is already included in said collection of program materials send said control message to said at least one terminal, said control message comprising said indication of said carrier associated with said selected program material.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein said control element is further configured to, when it is determined that said selected program material is not included in said collection of program materials and said selected program material cannot be added to said collection of program materials, send said control message to said at least one terminal, said control message comprising said indication of a pre-set carrier associated with a pre-set program material.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said pre-set program material comprises one or more of:

commercials, infomercials, coming movie attractions, and a stand-by notice.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein said control element is further configured to:

when it is determined that said selected program material can be added, send said control message to said at least one terminal, send said control message to said at least one terminal, said control message comprising said indication of said carrier associated with said selected program material.

34. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein said processing element is further configured to, when it is determined that said selected program material is no longer selected by any of said group of terminals, remove said selected program material from said collection of program materials.

35. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein said processing element is further configured to automatically remove, after a pre-set length of time, said selected program material from said collection of program materials.

36. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein said carrier comprises a selected carrier different than said plurality of carriers assigned to carry said selected program material when it is determined that said selected program material is not included in said collection of program materials currently provided.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein an identity of said selected carrier is communicated to said at least one terminal via said control message.

38. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein said selected carrier is associated with a transmission channel through which said selected program material is provided.

39. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein each program material in said collection is associated with a respective one of program channels selectable by said terminals in said group.

40. A method for use in a content delivery network for controllably providing a collection of program materials to a group of terminals via a processing entity at a service node entity of said network, said group of terminals each being configured to receive said collection of program materials modulated on a plurality of carriers by said service node entity, said method comprising:

receiving a request for selected program material from a requesting terminal at said service node entity;

in response to said received request, said service node entity determining whether or not said selected program material is included in said collection of program materials currently broadcast;

when it is determined that said selected program material is not included in said collection of program materials currently broadcast;

said service node entity causing said selected program material to be dynamically added to said collection of program materials currently broadcast to at least one of said group of terminals; and

sending a control message to said requesting terminal, said control message configured to identify to said requesting terminal a channel upon which said selected program material will be broadcast;

or

when it is determined that said selected program material is already included in said collection of program materials that are currently broadcast sending a control message to said requesting terminal, said control message configured to identify to said requesting terminal said channel upon which said selected program material is already broadcast.

41. The method of claim 40, further comprising receiving at said service node apparatus an indication that said requesting terminal is no longer viewing any of said plurality of program channels;

and

in response to receiving said indication, causing said stream associated with delivery of said selected program channel in said collection of program channels to be reclaimed by causing said selected program channel to be removed from assigned delivery.

42. The method of claim 40, further comprising causing reclamation of, at a program boundary, said stream associated with delivery of said selected program channel in said collection of program channels, said reclamation comprising said selected program channel being removed from assigned delivery.

43. The method of claim 40, further comprising:

determining whether a transmission channel is available for transmitting said selected programming channel; and

generating a standby message to said requesting terminal when said transmission channel is not available.

44. In a content delivery network for providing a plurality of programming channels to a group of terminals serviced via a service node apparatus, said group of terminals each being configured to receive said plurality of programming channels modulated on a plurality of carriers by said service node apparatus, a method of operating said service node apparatus, said method comprising:

receiving at said service node apparatus a request for a selected program channel from said requesting terminal;

responsive to said request, said service node apparatus determining whether said selected program channel is included in said plurality of program channels currently being delivered;

implementing logic, said logic comprising;

causing said selected program channel to be dynamically assigned for delivery via a carrier assigned to carry said selected program channel when said selected program channel is not included in said collection of program channels;

otherwise, when said selected program channel is already included in said plurality of program channels, determining said carrier assigned to carry said selected program channel; and

transmitting a control message to said requesting terminal, said control message identifying said carrier assigned to carry said selected program channel.

45. The method of claim 44, further comprising said service node apparatus determining that said selected program material cannot be added to said collection of program materials;

and

based at least on said determination, transmitting said control message to said requesting terminal, said control message identifying a pre-set carrier associated with a pre-set program material.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein said pre-set program material comprises one or more of:

commercials, infomercials, coming movie attractions, and a stand-by notice.

47. The method of claim 45, further comprising when said selected program material can be added, transmitting a control message to said requesting terminal, said control message identifying said carrier assigned to carry said selected program channel.

48. The method of claim 44, further comprising receiving at said service node apparatus an indication that said requesting terminal is no longer viewing any of said plurality of program channels;

and

based at least on said indication, causing said stream associated with delivery of said selected program channel in said collection of program channels to be reclaimed by causing said selected program channel to be removed from assigned delivery.

49. The method of claim 44, further comprising, at a program boundary, causing said stream associated with delivery of said selected program channel in said collection of program channels to be reclaimed by causing said selected program channel to be removed from assigned delivery.