Generation, distribution and use of content metadata in a network
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising a storage non-transitory computer readable medium configured to store a computer program thereon, said computer program comprising a plurality of instructions which are configured to, when executed by a processor apparatus:
- receive bandwidth metadata associated with a plurality of content to be distributed within a content distribution network;
project, based at least in part on said bandwidth metadata, a required bandwidth within said content distribution network at a future period;
perform bandwidth allocation within said content distribution network for said plurality of content based at least in part on said projection;
cause construction of one or more multi-channel program multiplexes, said one or more multi-channel program multiplexes configured to deliver at least one of said plurality of content to one or more client devices; and
enable or disable one or more clamp functions on an amount or type of said at least one of said plurality of content to be added to said one or more multi-channel program multiplexes;
wherein said one or more clamp functions comprise a reduction of a maximum bit rate of said at least one of said plurality of content.
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Accused Products
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
27 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising a storage non-transitory computer readable medium configured to store a computer program thereon, said computer program comprising a plurality of instructions which are configured to, when executed by a processor apparatus:
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receive bandwidth metadata associated with a plurality of content to be distributed within a content distribution network; project, based at least in part on said bandwidth metadata, a required bandwidth within said content distribution network at a future period; perform bandwidth allocation within said content distribution network for said plurality of content based at least in part on said projection; cause construction of one or more multi-channel program multiplexes, said one or more multi-channel program multiplexes configured to deliver at least one of said plurality of content to one or more client devices; and enable or disable one or more clamp functions on an amount or type of said at least one of said plurality of content to be added to said one or more multi-channel program multiplexes;
wherein said one or more clamp functions comprise a reduction of a maximum bit rate of said at least one of said plurality of content. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of optimizing operation of a network, comprising:
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receiving bandwidth metadata; predicting a bandwidth demand for at least a first future time via a server apparatus; determining, via said server apparatus, an actual bandwidth required by at least one program at said first future time, said at least one program being a part of a multiplex, said multiplex being delivered over at least one of a plurality of quadrature amplitude modulated (QAM) channels; and adjusting, via said server apparatus, an allocation of said at least one program across one or more of said plurality of QAM channels based at least in part on said predicted bandwidth at said first future time and said determined actual bandwidth at said first future time; using said bandwidth metadata to perform a re-allocation of said one or more of said plurality of QAM channels after a transmission of said multiplex has begun, wherein said re-allocation is performed in accordance with one or more quality of service (QoS) floor requirements, said one or more floor requirements comprising one or more requirements to maintain at least portions of said at least one program at or above a prescribed level of picture quality. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of operating a content distribution network having both a content source and at least one service provider, said method comprising:
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identifying at least one criterion which enhances efficiency of at least one multiplexing process of said network via a server apparatus; providing said at least one criterion which enhances efficiency of said at least one multiplexing process of said network to said content source via said server apparatus; causing said content source to encode at least one content element so as to comply with said at least one criterion which enhances efficiency of said at least one multiplexing process of said network prior to said content source providing said at least one content element to said at least one multiplexing process; and receiving metadata relating to said at least one content element from said content source via said server apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. A content distribution system configured to transmit a plurality of programs over a network, comprising:
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encoder apparatus configured to generate said plurality of programs; and a multiplexing apparatus, said multiplexing apparatus configured to receive said plurality of programs generated by said encoder apparatus; wherein said encoder apparatus and said multiplexing apparatus communicate through at least one signal path, said communication comprising information used by said multiplexing apparatus to create an output multiplex; and wherein said at least one signal path is further configured to deliver metadata related to at least one of a minimum and/or a maximum acceptable bandwidth for at least one of said plurality of programs to said multiplexing apparatus; wherein said encoder apparatus is further configured to encode said at least one of said plurality of programs so as to comply with at least one criterion determined to enhance efficiency of at least one multiplexing process of said network prior to said encoder apparatus providing said at least one of said plurality of programs to said multiplexing apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method of optimizing operation of a network, comprising:
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receiving bandwidth metadata comprising information relating to a bitrate over time of at least one program versus time metadata; based at least in part on said bandwidth metadata, predicting a bandwidth demand for at least a first future time via a server apparatus; determining, via said server apparatus, an actual bandwidth required by said at least one program at said first future time, said at least one program being a part of a multiplex, said multiplex being delivered over at least one of a plurality of quadrature amplitude modulated (QAM) channels; based at least in part on said predicted bandwidth at said first future time and said determined actual bandwidth at said first future time, projecting at least one switch of said at least one of a plurality of QAM channels from a first carrier to a second carrier; and using said bandwidth metadata to perform said at least one switch of said at least one of said plurality of QAM channels after a transmission of said multiplex has begun, wherein said at least one switch is performed in accordance with one or more quality of service (QoS) floor requirements, said one or more floor requirements comprising one or more requirements to maintain at least portions of said at least one program at or above a prescribed level of picture quality.
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Specification