APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING AND OPTIMIZING DELIVERY OF CONTENT IN A NETWORK

• US 20110138064A1
• Filed: 12/04/2009
• Published: 06/09/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC (Charter Communications Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC (Charter Communications Incorporated)
• Inventors: Rieger, Remi, Brooks, Paul D.
• Granted Patent: US 9,519,728 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/228
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9577 Optimising the visualization of content, e.g. distillation of HTML documents
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25816 involving client authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25825 involving client display capabilities, e.g. screen resolution of a mobile phone optimising the visualisation of content during browsing in the Internet G06F16/9577; processing of terminal status or physical abilities in wireless networks H04W8/22; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25875 involving end-user authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; arrangements for secret or secure communication including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/433 Content storage operation, e.g. storage operation in response to a pause request, caching operations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/436 Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or one or more peripheral devices inside the home

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for delivering content to a user so as to optimize and enhance the “experience” of the content. In one embodiment, an optimization and monitoring entity (OME) is used which determines, evaluates, and provides notification and/or recommendation of alternative content delivery platforms which are available to a user. The OME receives requests for content forwarded from a content server containing information identifying requesting devices and/or subscriber accounts. The OME examines the capabilities of the registered devices, and identifies/recommends alternative devices based on e.g., video/audio quality, picture size, bandwidth availability, and/or any other additional capabilities of the client devices. A notification is then sent to the client devices indicating which of the user'"'"'s devices may receive the content alternatively, or in addition to, the requesting device. The notifications may be interactive, allowing the user to select one or more of the devices for delivery.

Claims

1. In a content delivery network comprising at least one content server, a database, and a plurality of client devices, a method for providing content to one or more of said plurality of client devices, said method comprising:

receiving a request for content from one of said plurality of client devices;

determining a subscriber account to which said one client device issuing said request has been registered;

identifying at least one other device in said database also registered to said subscriber account; and

causing generation of a notification for display on said one requesting client device, said notification showing or listing said at least one other device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said identifying at least one other device comprises identifying said at least one other device based on its ability to suitably render said requested content.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said identifying at least one other device comprises identifying said at least one other device based on its ability to suitably render said requested content better than said one client device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said identifying at least one other device comprises identifying said at least one other device based on its current availability for display of the requested content.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said identifying at least one other device comprises further identifying said at least one other device based on its ability to render said requested content better than said one client device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein if said determining indicates that said one requesting client device is not registered to a subscriber account, registering said client device to a subscriber account.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said act of registering said client device to a subscriber account comprises:

receiving information identifying said client device and said subscriber account;

associating said client device to said subscriber account; and

storing said association in said database.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said information identifying said client device comprises at least one of a MAC address and/or an IP address;

and

wherein said information identifying said subscriber account comprises at least one of an account number and a login-password combination.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein said act of associating said client device to said subscriber account comprises generating at least one data file or record.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said determining comprises utilizing a cryptographic hash of a piece of information uniquely identifying said one requesting client device, and matching this to a corresponding hash within said database.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said notification is further configured to enable a user of said requesting client device to select one or more of said at least one other devices for delivery of content thereto.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating a graphical display having representations of at least said one client device and said at least one other device; and

allowing the user to select at least one of the devices via said display.

13. Apparatus for use in a content delivery network, said apparatus comprising:

a network interface configured to communicate with a plurality of network entities;

a storage apparatus; and

a digital processor configured to run at least one computer program thereon which, when executed;

monitors content requests from a plurality of user devices, each content request comprising information identifying an individual one of said plurality of user devices;

identifies a subscriber account associated with said individual user device;

identifies a plurality of additional user devices also associated with said identified subscriber account; and

generates a notification message to send to said individual user device, said notification messages presenting a user of said individual user device with one or more options for delivery of said requested content to said plurality of identified additional devices.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said content delivery network comprises a cable television network having at least one content distribution server configured to service said content requests, said content distribution server being in data communication with said apparatus via said network interface.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said storage apparatus is in communication with said processor and configured to store a plurality of records, said records identifying a plurality of subscriber accounts and at least one user device associated with each.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said plurality of records are updated based at least in part on information received from a billing entity of said network.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said plurality of records are updated based at least in part on information received from said user devices.

18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said content requests comprise SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) requests, and said plurality of user devices comprise IP-enabled client devices adapted to support the SIP protocol.

19. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said plurality of identified additional devices are listed in said notification message according to a hierarchy, said hierarchy being determined based on one or more criteria.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said criteria comprise at least:

(i) device capabilities; and

(ii) user preferences.

21. A method of providing content to a plurality of client devices each registered to a subscriber account, the method comprising:

receiving a request for content from a first one of said plurality of client devices;

determining a subscriber account to which said requesting client device is registered;

identifying a second one of said plurality of client devices also registered to said subscriber account;

providing a protocol translation engine, said engine enabling interoperability between said plurality of client devices and said requesting client device; and

generating a notification for display on said first and said second client devices, said notification enabling a user of said first and said second client devices to select delivery of content at one or more of said first and said second client devices.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said request comprises at least information uniquely identifying said first client device.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said information uniquely identifying said client device comprises at least one of an IP address or a MAC address.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein:

said act of determining said subscriber account comprises querying a database using at least said information uniquely identifying said first client device, said database comprising an association of each of said plurality of client devices to a subscriber account; and

said act of identifying said second client device comprises extracting said association from said database.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein said request comprises at least information identifying said subscriber account.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein said information identifying said subscriber account comprises at least one of (i) an account number, and (ii) a login and password combination.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein said act of determining said subscriber account comprises extracting said information from said request;

and

wherein said act of identifying said second client devices comprises querying a database using at least said information identifying said subscriber account, said database comprising an association of each of said plurality of client devices to a subscriber account.

28. The method of claim 21, wherein said notification is configured to enable a user of said first and said second client devices to select delivery of content at only those of said first and said second client devices having one more desired characteristics.

29. A computer readable apparatus comprising a medium adapted to store a computer program for the optimized delivery of content in a network, said computer program comprising instructions which, when executed:

determine an association between a plurality of client devices to a single subscriber account;

obtains content requests, one of said content requests relating to a request for content at a first one of said plurality of client devices;

evaluate one or more aspects of said plurality of client devices;

based on said evaluation, selects one or more of said plurality client devices as delivery platforms for said requested content; and

present information regarding said selected one or more client devices to a user of said first client device.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said computer program is further configured to receive a user selection of at least one of said selected client devices for delivery of said requested content.

31. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said content requests are forwarded from at least one content distribution server.

32. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said presentation of information regarding said selected client devices includes said first client device, and comprises a notification or message sent to at least said first client device for display on a display device associated therewith.

33. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said one or more aspects comprise at least one of:

device capabilities;

user preferences; and

bandwidth requirements.

34. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said selection of one or more of said plurality client devices as delivery platforms for said requested content comprises selection based at least in part on providing a higher video picture quality than that available with said first one of said client devices.

35. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said selection of one or more of said plurality client devices as delivery platforms for said requested content comprises selection based at least in part on providing a higher quality audio experience than that available with said first one of said client devices.

36. A headend apparatus for use in a content delivery network comprising at least one content server and a database comprising a plurality of records associating each of a plurality of user devices to subscriber accounts, said apparatus comprising:

a network interface configured to receive content requests directly or indirectly from said plurality of user devices;

a storage apparatus; and

a digital processor configured to run at least one computer program thereon and configured to, when executed;

examine said content requests to identify subscriber accounts associated with each request;

query said database to identify a plurality of user devices associated with a particular one of said subscriber accounts of a particular one of said content requests;

evaluate one or more aspects of said identified plurality of user devices;

based at least in part on said evaluation, select one or more of said plurality of identified user devices as delivery platforms for said requested content; and

present said selected one or more of said plurality of identified user devices to a user.

37. A method of operating a content delivery apparatus, comprising:

establishing a communication session between a content source and a first recipient device using a session-based protocol adapted for use on a packet-switched network;

transferring packetized content to said first recipient device within said session;

establishing a communication session between said content source and a second recipient device; and

switching delivery of said packetized content to said second recipient device from said first device.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein said content source comprises an IP TV (Internet Protocol television) server disposed within a content delivery network.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein said content delivery network comprises a Hybrid Fiber coaxial (HFC) cable television network, and said packetized content is delivered according to a unicast session over said HFC network via one or more QAM channels.

40. The method of claim 37, wherein said communication session established between said content source and said first recipient device, and said communication session established between said content source and the second recipient device, comprise the same communication session.

41. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

associating said first recipient device and said second recipient device within a database of a network operator; and

based at least in part on said association, notifying a user of said first recipient device that said second recipient device is available for receipt of said packetized content.

42. The method of claim 37, wherein said switching delivery of said packetized content to said second recipient device from said first device comprises the following steps, performed substantially and without further user intervention:

suspending display of said packetized content on said first recipient device or a display device associated therewith;

recording, on premises recording device, a portion of said packetized content delivered during said suspension;

resuming said display of said packetized content on said second recipient device or a display device associated therewith at a later time; and

giving the user the option to resume display of said packetized content starting with said recorded portion.

43. The method of claim 37, wherein said switching delivery of said packetized content to said second recipient device from said first device comprises the following steps, performed substantially and without further user intervention:

suspending display of said packetized content on said first recipient device or a display device associated therewith, said suspending comprising suspending delivery of said packetized content to a premises where said first recipient is located;

resuming said display of said packetized content on said second recipient device or a display device associated therewith at a later time, said resuming comprising resuming delivery of said packetized content substantially at the point within said packetized content where said suspending was invoked.