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Technique for providing programming content through a communications network having limited bandwidth

  • US 9,736,512 B2
  • Filed: 12/08/2014
  • Issued: 08/15/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2001
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. Apparatus configured to controllably deliver programming content associated with a program source in response to requests from a plurality of terminals in a service area, said apparatus comprising:

  • an interface configured to receive said requests;

    a memory configured to store a first set of statistics generated based on data obtained from first ones of said requests received during a first time interval; and

    processing apparatus configured to;

    identify, based on said first set of statistics, that a first program source has previously attained a threshold level of demand in said service area at an identified period of time within said first time interval; and

    based on said identification, assign a selected communication channel to deliver first programming content associated with said first program source to said service area during said identified period of time, said communication channel not reassigned to a different program source when there are no user requests for said programming content nor users currently tuned to said programming content;

    wherein said previous attainment of said threshold level of demand comprises a number of terminals accessing said program source being greater than a pre-determined threshold, said predetermined threshold dependent on a total number of terminals in said service area; and

    wherein said processing apparatus is further configured to reassign a second communication channel to said different program source from a second program source in a condition where;

    (i) there are no user requests for a second programming content associated with said second program source, nor (ii) users currently tuned to said second program source, said second program source having not previously attained said threshold level of demand in said service area at said identified period of time within said first time interval.

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