Method and apparatus for high bandwidth data transmission in content delivery networks
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An on-demand server apparatus configured to provide data over a content delivery network, comprising:
- an interface for communication with at least one client device; and
a processor configured to run at least one computer program thereon, said computer program comprising a plurality of instructions which are configured to, when executed, cause said on-demand server apparatus to;
receive at least one non-content related data structure at a head-end distribution server from at least one data source;
process data contained within said non-content related data structure into a packet stream;
create a descriptive structure configured to describe said non-content related data structure;
establish a dedicated on-demand session on an in-band downstream transmission pathway from said head-end distribution server to said at least one client device based on a request received from software configured to operate on said at least one client device;
transmit a plurality of time-shifted copies of said non-content related data structure over said in-band downstream transmission pathway within a multiplexed transport stream and as part of said dedicated on-demand session;
monitor one or more retransmission requests in order to determine a transmission efficiency; and
when said transmission efficiency is at or above a determined threshold, incrementally increase a rate at which said plurality of time-shifted copies of said non-content related data structure are transmitted until said transmission efficiency falls below said determined threshold.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for delivering data over extant infrastructure within a content-based network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a cable network, and the infrastructure comprises that nominally used for on-demand (OD) services such as VOD. The method includes the allocation of dedicated end-to-end network resources via a “session request, as well as data flow control and packet size adaptation, by a data server based on feedback from the requesting/receiving client device (e.g., DSTB) within the network. Mechanisms for retransmission requests for error recovery are also provided.
132 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An on-demand server apparatus configured to provide data over a content delivery network, comprising:
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an interface for communication with at least one client device; and a processor configured to run at least one computer program thereon, said computer program comprising a plurality of instructions which are configured to, when executed, cause said on-demand server apparatus to; receive at least one non-content related data structure at a head-end distribution server from at least one data source; process data contained within said non-content related data structure into a packet stream; create a descriptive structure configured to describe said non-content related data structure; establish a dedicated on-demand session on an in-band downstream transmission pathway from said head-end distribution server to said at least one client device based on a request received from software configured to operate on said at least one client device; transmit a plurality of time-shifted copies of said non-content related data structure over said in-band downstream transmission pathway within a multiplexed transport stream and as part of said dedicated on-demand session; monitor one or more retransmission requests in order to determine a transmission efficiency; and when said transmission efficiency is at or above a determined threshold, incrementally increase a rate at which said plurality of time-shifted copies of said non-content related data structure are transmitted until said transmission efficiency falls below said determined threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A server apparatus configured to provide data over a content delivery network, comprising:
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a data interface configured to enable communication with a first client device; and a processor apparatus in data communication with said data interface and configured to run at least one computer program thereon, said at least one computer program comprising a plurality of instructions which are configured to, when executed, cause said server apparatus to; receive at least one non-content related data structure from at least one data source; process data contained within said non-content related data structure into a packet stream; create a descriptive structure configured to describe said non-content related data structure; establish a session on a downstream transmission pathway from said distribution server to said at least one client device based on a request received from software configured to operate on said first client device; transmit a plurality of time-shifted copies of said non-content related data structure over said downstream transmission pathway; monitor one or more retransmission requests in order to determine a transmission efficiency; and when said transmission efficiency is at or below a determined threshold, reduce a rate at which said plurality of time-shifted copies of said non-content related data structure are transmitted by a dynamically determined amount; wherein said transmission efficiency is inversely proportional to errors produced by said rate. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for providing data over a content delivery network, comprising:
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receiving at least one non-content related data structure at a network distribution server from at least one data source; generating a packet stream by at least processing data contained within said non-content related data structure; creating metadata describing said non-content related data structure; receiving a request generated by software operating on at least one client device in data communication with said content delivery network; based at least in part on said request, establishing a session on a dedicated in-band downstream transmission pathway from said network distribution server to said at least one client device; and transmitting a plurality of time-shifted copies of said non-content related data structure over said dedicated in-band downstream transmission pathway within a multiplexed transport stream and as part of said session; monitoring one or more retransmission requests in order to determine a transmission efficiency; and when said transmission efficiency is at or below a determined threshold, reducing by a dynamically determined amount a rate at which said plurality of time-shifted copies of said non-content related data structure are transmitted; wherein said transmission efficiency is inversely proportional to errors produced by said rate. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification