Methods and apparatus for business-based network resource allocation

• US 8,813,143 B2
• Filed: 02/26/2008
• Issued: 08/19/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC (Charter Communications Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Time Warner Enterprises LLC
• Inventors: Hasek, Charles A.
• Primary Examiner(s): HANCE, ROBERT J
• Application Number:
  US12/072,637
• Publication Number:
  US 20090217326A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,366 Days
• Field of Search: 725/95, 725/96
• US Class Current: 725/96
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23439 for generating different versions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/238 Interfacing the downstream path of the transmission network, e.g. adapting the transmission rate of a video stream to network bandwidth; Processing of multiplex streams hybrid fiber coaxial [HFC] networks for downstream channel allocation for video distribution H04L12/2801; flow control in packet networks H04L47/10; real-time communication protocols in data switching networks H04L65/00; scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests H04L67/60
• 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 21/2543 Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25435 involving characteristics of content or additional data, e.g. video resolution or the amount of advertising
• 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 21/25833 involving client hardware characteristics, e.g. manufacturer, processing or storage capabilities allocation of resources considering hardware capabilities in multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/5044; allocation of resources considering software capabilities in multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/5055
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25841 involving the geographical location of the client retrieval from the Internet by querying based on geographical locations G06F16/9537; arrangements for identifying locations of receiving stations in broadcast systems H04H60/51; location of the user terminal in data switching networks H04L67/52; services making use of the location of users or terminals in wireless networks H04W4/02; locating users or terminals in wireless networks H04W64/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25883 being end-user demographical data, e.g. age, family status or address arrangements for identifying locations of users in broadcast systems H04H60/52
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/472 End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content end-user interfaces for retrieving video data from a database G06F16/739; network services for supporting unicast streaming H04L65/612
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6118 involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17336 Handling of requests in head-ends

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for optimizing the distribution and delivery of content within a content-based network based on e.g., business or revenue considerations. In one embodiment, the network comprises a cable television network that utilizes a Global Session Resource Manager (GSRM). The GSRM processes subscriber program viewing requests to identify options available to fulfill the request (including, e.g., providing free on-demand (FOD), standard definition on-demand (SVOD), and/or high definition on-demand (HDVOD) content), and evaluate these options to determine the one that optimizes network revenue or profit. The GSRM performs this identification and evaluation process by considering various parameters including network resource (e.g., bandwidth) availability, and different revenue and profit implications for different classes of service, the individual or collective demographic or other profile of network subscribers, and other business or operational rules programmed by the operator of the network. Business methods based on such network optimization are also described.

Claims

1. A method of operating a content distribution network having a plurality of consumer premises equipment (CPE) associated therewith, comprising:

receiving a plurality of requests for content delivery from said plurality of CPE of said network, said plurality of requests comprising a first request for content from a first device in a first service class and a second request for said content from a second device in a second service class;

obtaining a first plurality of information relating to monetary costs and resource utilization costs associated with servicing respective ones of said plurality of requests;

obtaining a second plurality of information relating to monetary revenue and other benefits derived from servicing respective ones of said plurality of requests;

evaluating said first and second plurality of information for at least a portion of said plurality of requests; and

in instances of constrained network bandwidth, preferentially prioritizing said first request over others of said requests for resource allocation based at least in part on said evaluating and migrating said second device in said second service class to a stream for providing said content according to said first service class, said first service class comprising a class configured to receive a higher quality content stream than said second service class comprising a class configured to receive a lower quality content stream.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said network comprises an on-demand delivery infrastructure, and said act of evaluating is performed by a session resource management (SRM) software entity associated with said on-demand infrastructure.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said plurality of requests comprise at least one request for each of (i) free on-demand (FOD) content;

(ii) subscription video on-demand (SVOD) content, and (iii) high definition video on-demand (HDVOD) content.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said plurality of requests comprise at least one request for each of (i) free on-demand (FOD) content;

(ii) subscription video on-demand (SVOD) content, and (iii) high definition video on-demand (HDVOD) content, and said resource being allocated comprises bandwidth.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising allocating said resource from one of a plurality of different sources within said network, said sources being associated with different content delivery modes.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said resource comprises bandwidth, and said different content delivery modes comprise on-demand and switched broadcast delivery modes.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said act of evaluating comprises evaluating at least one of said first and second plurality of information against a predetermined threshold value.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

allocating said resource based at least in part on said act of evaluating;

subsequent to said act of allocating, re-evaluating said first and second plurality of information for at least a portion of then-existing ones of said requests; and

dynamically re-allocating said resource based at least in part on said act of re-evaluating.

9. A method of doing business via a content-based network, comprising:

providing a plurality of on-demand service classes, each of said classes having a different revenue implication for said network;

receiving a first request for e from a first device in said first service class, said first service class comprising high definition (HD);

receiving a second request for said content from a second device in said second service class, said second service class comprising standard definition (SD); and

preferentially allocating resources within said network to said HD service class based at least in part on a business rule, said business rule comprising evaluating said different revenue implications with respect to a desired business goal;

wherein said preferential allocation includes migrating said second device to a stream for providing said content according to said HD service class, during times of constrained network bandwidth.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said desired business goal comprises maximized revenue.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said act of preferentially allocating comprises dynamically evaluating a plurality of requests for delivery of services within said plurality of on-demand service classes, and prioritizing said requests.

12. A method of operating a content distribution network having a plurality of consumer premises equipment (CPE) associated therewith, comprising:

receiving a first request for content from a first CPE in a first service class comprising a first quality content stream, and receiving a second request for said content from a second CPE in a second service class comprising a second quality content stream, said second quality being lower than said first quality;

evaluating a plurality of information relating to monetary costs and resource utilization costs associated with servicing said first and second requests; and

during instances of constrained network bandwidth, prioritizing said first request over said second request for resource allocation based at least in part on said evaluating, and migrating said second device in said second service class to a stream for providing said content according to said first service class.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said first quality content stream comprises standard definition (SD) content, and said second quality content stream comprises high definition (HD) content.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising assigning respective first and second weights to said first and second requests based at least in part on said act of evaluating.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising prioritizing allocation of bandwidth for servicing said second request over said first request when said weight of said second request is greater than said weight of said first request.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein said plurality of information comprises a first cost-benefit implication for said network, and a second cost-benefit implication for said network.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein said plurality of information comprises a class having a first quality-of-service (QoS) level, and a second QoS level which is higher than said first level.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein said plurality of information comprises a first service type comprising free on-demand (POD) content having a first cost-benefit model, and a second service type comprising subscription video on-demand (SVOD) content having a second cost-benefit model.

19. A server apparatus configured for use in an on-demand content delivery network, comprising:

a processor;

a storage device in data communication with said processor; and

a computer program disposed on said storage device and operative to run on said processor, said program comprising a plurality of instructions which, when executed, cause said server apparatus to;

receive at least a first and second session requests;

evaluate said first and second session requests with respect to at least one of a financial benefit associated with service of said requests, and a network cost associated with service of said requests; and

during instances of constrained network bandwidth, preferentially prioritize said first session request over said second session request based at least in part on said evaluation, and migrate at least one second device associated to said second session request and in a second service class to a stream configured to provide content according to a first service class, said first service class comprising a service class configured to receive a higher quality content stream than that received by said second service class.

20. The server apparatus of claim 19, wherein said at least one computer program comprises a session resource manager (SRM) process, and said server apparatus comprises a VOD server.

21. The server apparatus of claim 19, wherein said resource comprises bandwidth and said plurality of instructions are further configured to, when executed, cause said server apparatus to dynamically optimize said bandwidth via an assignment of high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) program streams to a plurality of available QAMs within said network.

22. The server apparatus of claim 19, wherein said first and second session requests comprise at least one request for (i) free on-demand (FOD) content;

(ii) subscription video on-demand (SVOD) content, (iii) standard definition video on-demand (SVOD), and (iv) high definition video on-demand (HDVOD) content.

23. The server apparatus of claim 19, wherein said plurality of instructions are further configured to, when executed, cause said apparatus to evaluate at least one of said financial benefit and network cost against a predetermined threshold value.

24. The server apparatus of claim 19, wherein said plurality of instructions are further configured to, when executed, cause said apparatus to assign respective first and second weights to said first and second requests based at least in part on said evaluation of said request.

25. The server apparatus of claim 24, wherein said resource comprises bandwidth and said plurality of instructions are further configured to, when executed, cause said apparatus to prioritize allocation of said bandwidth for service of said second request over said first request when said weight of said second request is greater than said weight of said first request.