Methods and apparatus for predictive capacity allocation
First Claim
1. A method of operating a content distribution network, comprising:
- obtaining first data relating to said operation of said network over a period of time;
identifying at least one correlation between said first data and a future context;
projecting at least one parameter for said future context based at least in part on said first data;
providing a plurality of programs via a multi-program transport stream (MPTS) to a plurality of devices in a service node;
removing at least one program from said MPTS based at least in part on said projection; and
restoring at least one of said at least one program to said MPTS based at least in part on a second projection.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for dynamically adjusting capacity allocation; e.g., to a group of services in a multimedia distribution network. In one embodiment, bandwidth allocation is adjusted by predicting bandwidth utilization of the group of services based on historical bandwidth utilization information. Behavioral templates and statistical models may also be employed for the predictions. The invention provides more efficient use of available bandwidth compared to conventional bandwidth allocation schemes where the overall bandwidth for a group of services is set to a constant value that is not changed frequently. The present invention further provides a bandwidth allocation method in a switched distribution network. The bandwidth allocation method allocates bandwidth such that the bandwidth required by the number of services does not exceed the allocation, i.e., the total usage falls within the allocation.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method of operating a content distribution network, comprising:
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obtaining first data relating to said operation of said network over a period of time; identifying at least one correlation between said first data and a future context; projecting at least one parameter for said future context based at least in part on said first data; providing a plurality of programs via a multi-program transport stream (MPTS) to a plurality of devices in a service node; removing at least one program from said MPTS based at least in part on said projection; and restoring at least one of said at least one program to said MPTS based at least in part on a second projection. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. Apparatus configured to allocate bandwidth in a content delivery-network having at least one server, said apparatus comprising:
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a computerized device; and at least one management process configured to run on said computerized device, said process being operative to; collect data relating to historical bandwidth demand; project, based at least in part on said collected data, bandwidth demand at some future period; allocate bandwidth within said network based at least in part on said projection; receive a request for a particular content; and when delivery of said particular content would cause a total bandwidth to exceed said allocation, subsequently reschedule delivery of a first non-time-sensitive content, yet continue to deliver a second time sensitive content. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. Apparatus configured to allocate bandwidth in a content distribution network having at least one server and a plurality of consumer premises equipment (CPE), said apparatus configured to:
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monitor bandwidth required to distribute first and second content to a subset of said plurality of CPE; predict bandwidth required to distribute said first and second content to said subset of said plurality of CPE at a first future time; allocate bandwidth to distribute a multiplex comprising said first and second content to said subset of said plurality of CPE at said future time; determine at said first future time whether available bandwidth matches said prediction; and when it is determined that said available bandwidth does not match said prediction, selectively remove said second content from said multiplex. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification