Broadcast service channel optimization for TV services

• US 9,497,494 B1
• Filed: 02/29/2008
• Issued: 11/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/29/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Clearwire Ip Holdings LLC (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Original Assignee: Clearwire Ip Holdings LLC (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Sun, Yaojun, Cai, Zheng, Qu, Jing, Manroa, Arun
• Primary Examiner(s): Hsu, Alpus H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Houshmand, Hooman
• Application Number:
  US12/040,532
• Time in Patent Office: 3,182 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/74 measures in reaction to resource unavailability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/806 Broadcast or multicast traffic
• 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 65/80 Responding to QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/222 Secondary servers, e.g. proxy server, cable television Head-end provisioning of proxy services in data packet switching networks H04L67/56
• 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 21/2402 Monitoring of the downstream path of the transmission network, e.g. bandwidth available traffic monitoring in data switching networks H04L43/00; monitoring data switching networks utilization H04L43/0876
• 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 21/6131 involving transmission via a mobile phone network wireless downlink channel access H04W74/006
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64322 IP
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64723 Monitoring of network processes or resources, e.g. monitoring of network load traffic related reporting in data switching networks H04L43/062
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64738 Monitoring network characteristics, e.g. bandwidth, congestion level data switched network analysis H04L41/14; monitoring functioning in data switched networks H04L43/0817; flow control in packet networks H04L47/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0289 Congestion control load shedding arrangements in network planning H04W16/08; performing reselection for handling the traffic H04W36/22; wireless traffic scheduling H04W72/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices

Abstract

The use of broadcast channels for television programming on a wireless telecommunications data network is optimized. Proxy servers at base stations receive more programming than can be broadcast by the base station. Programming then is queued for changes in broadcast content. Management servers coordinate the broadcasts across multiple sectors so that centralized control is possible. Management servers operate in conjunction with necessary gateways on the connectivity services network to route content to access service network. Quality of service (QoS) guarantees are actualized by centrally managing the broadcast of requested content from the proxy servers. Handoffs are possible from one area to another by coordinating the broadcasts across access service networks.

Claims

1. One or more nontransitory computer-readable media having computer-usable instructions embodied thereon for performing a method of optimizing a broadcast of streaming media content in a bandwidth-constrained network, wherein the network includes a plurality of broadcast base stations, wherein each broadcast base station includes a media-proxy server and a base-station controller, the method comprising:

communicating streaming media content from an application server to the plurality of media-proxy servers, wherein each media-proxy server is capable of receiving more instances of streaming media content than its respective broadcast base station is capable of broadcasting;

at a first base station that includes a first media-proxy server, receiving from a wireless user device a user request associated with a user to broadcast a new instance of streaming media content that requires additional bandwidth;

determining whether bandwidth is available at the first base station to broadcast the new instance of streaming media content;

when bandwidth is available at the first base station, communicating the user request from a first base-station controller to the first media-proxy server to broadcast the new instance of streaming media content, and broadcasting the new instance of streaming media content from the first base station;

when bandwidth is not available at the first base station, denying the request to broadcast the new instance of streaming media content;

transmitting information about the user request, the availability of bandwidth, and the streaming media content to a broadcast-management server (BMS), wherein the BMS coordinates broadcasts across multiple access networks;

utilizing the BMS to centrally manage requests and broadcasts on the multiple access networks, wherein managing requests and broadcasts includes,

A) when the request to broadcast the new instance of streaming media content is denied at the first base station, then determining whether a Quality of Service (QoS) guarantee requires bandwidth to be available for the user request,

B) when bandwidth is required to be available for the user request, then

i) determining an existing broadcasting channel to be reallocated to accommodate the user request, wherein the existing broadcast channel is currently being used to transmit a second instance of streaming media content to a second user,

ii) terminating the second instance that is being transmitting to the second user, and

iii) reallocating the existing broadcast channel to accommodate the user request.

2. The media of claim 1, wherein the network is a data network utilizing wireless microwave access.

3. The media of claim 2, wherein the streaming media content is television programming.

4. The media of claim 3, wherein managing includes determining the total number of users receiving each broadcast channel to determine if bandwidth should be allocated for a subsequent request of new content.

5. The media of claim 4, wherein managing further includes:

determining guaranteed quality of service (QoS) levels for users requesting television programming;

allocating bandwidth for subsequent requests based on QoS levels.

6. The media of claim 5, wherein managing further includes:

determining if users who are receiving television programming are moving toward an adjacent area serviced by a different base station; and

if bandwidth is available at the different base station, broadcasting the television programming from the different base station prior to the user entering the adjacent area.

7. One or more nontransitory computer-readable media having computer-usable instructions embodied thereon for performing a method of increasing an efficiency of broadcasting television content from a base station, wherein the base station includes a base-station controller and a video-media-proxy (VMP) server, the method comprising:

at the VMP server, receiving streaming-television content, wherein the VMP server is capable of receiving an amount of streaming-television content that is greater than an amount of bandwidth available at the base station for television broadcasting;

at the base station, receiving from a wireless user device a user request for desired television content that requires additional bandwidth to broadcast;

at the base station, determining whether bandwidth is available to satisfy said user request for the desired television content that requires additional bandwidth to broadcast;

at the base station, if bandwidth is available, then broadcasting the desired television content;

at the base station, if bandwidth is not available, then denying the request; and

sending data associated with the user request, bandwidth allocation, and broadcast from the base station to a broadcast-management server (BMS), wherein the BMS coordinates broadcasts across multiple access networks, wherein when bandwidth is not available, the BMS disconnects a second user that is receiving streaming media content on an existing broadcast channel and reallocates the existing broadcast channel to accommodate the user request.

8. The media of claim 7, wherein the base station is part of a data network utilizing wireless microwave access.

9. The media of claim 7, wherein the data network is divided into a connectivity service network and one or more access service networks.

10. The media of claim 9, wherein the connectivity service network includes the broadcast-management server and one or more multi-media gateways.

11. The media of claim 10, wherein the broadcast-management server is logically connected to a multi-media gateway.

12. The media of claim 9, wherein each of the access service networks are connected to adjacent access service networks by access service network gateways.

13. The media of claim 7, wherein one or more video streaming servers provide the television content.

14. The media of claim 13, wherein the one or more video streaming servers send the television content to the VMP servers via a multi-media gateway.

15. A system for enhancing the availability and delivery of television content in a data network that utilizes wireless microwave access, the system comprising:

a plurality of video media proxy (VMP) servers, wherein each VMP server is associated with a base station operating on the data network; and

a broadcast-management server that communicates with the VMP servers, wherein the broadcast-management server sends and receives data regarding requests for television content, bandwidth availability, and streaming instances of television content,

and wherein the broadcast-management server centrally manages the broadcast of television content at the base stations, wherein managing the broadcast of television content includes

A) determining whether bandwidth should be reallocated to accommodate a request for television content,

B) when bandwidth should be reallocated, selecting an instance of streaming television content in an existing broadcast channel to terminate,

C) terminating the instance of streaming television content, and

D) reallocating the existing broadcast channel to accommodate the request for television content.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of VMP servers receive television content from a multi-media gateway.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the broadcast-management server is logically connected to the multi-media gateway.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein each VMP server is logically connected to an adjacent VMP server via an access service network gateway.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein each access service network gateway provides a handoff from a first VMP server to a second VMP server in an adjacent area when the user moves from a first area to the adjacent area and bandwidth is available in the adjacent area.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein each VMP server is logically connected to a base-station controller utilized for controlling the base station with which the VMP server is associated.