System and method for content transmission network selection

• US 9,232,272 B2
• Filed: 05/19/2014
• Issued: 01/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Koch, Robert A., Gray, James H
• Primary Examiner(s): Featherstone, Mark D
• Assistant Examiner(s): Thomas, Jason
• Application Number:
  US14/280,729
• Publication Number:
  US 20140337907A1
• Time in Patent Office: 596 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2347 involving video stream encryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2381 Adapting the multiplex stream to a specific network, e.g. an Internet Protocol [IP] network transmission of MPEG streams over ATM H04L12/5601
• 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 21/26208 the scheduling operation being performed under constraints
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26216 involving the channel capacity, e.g. network bandwidth admission control, resource allocation in open networks H04L12/5692; flow control in packet networks H04L47/10; establishing a schedule or organising the servicing of application requests taking into account QoS H04L67/61
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/266 Channel or content management, e.g. generation and management of keys and entitlement messages in a conditional access system, merging a VOD unicast channel into a multicast channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2665 Gathering content from different sources, e.g. Internet and satellite
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64322 IP
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6587 Control parameters, e.g. trick play commands, viewpoint selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

A content transmission selection system is disclosed. The content transmission selection system receives requests from viewers for specific video content items. Using characteristics of the designated content item, the content transmission selection system determines whether to transmit the content item over a broadcast network or a broadband network.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving, by a system comprising a processor, a request for viewing video content at a media processor device;

determining, by the system, a number of requests for the video content from a plurality of media processor devices;

determining, by the system, whether the plurality of media processor devices are communicatively coupled to both a broadband network and a broadcast network according to a plurality of account profiles that are associated with the plurality of media processor devices;

identifying, by the system, playback command features available with the video content responsive to the plurality of media processor devices being communicatively coupled to both the broadcast network and the broadband network;

selecting, by the system, a transmit network as one of the broadcast network or the broadband network according to the playback command features and the number of requests; and

transmitting, by the system, the video content to the media processor device according to the transmit network that is selected.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of selecting, by the system, the transmit network is further performed according to whether the media processor device is communicatively coupled to the broadcast network or the broadband network responsive to the plurality of media processor devices being communicatively coupled to the broadcast network or the broadband network but not both.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the playback command features comprise one of a fast forward control, a rewind control, a pause control, a video recorder control, or any combination thereof.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising formatting, by the system, the video content for transmission according to the transmit network that is selected.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the video content is encapsulated in a spooler file and routed through a transport multiplexer for transmission via the broadcast network.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the video content is encapsulated in a TCP/IP packet stream and routed through a switch fabric for transmission via the broadband network.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting, by the system, a notification of transmission characteristics to the media processor device according to the transmit network that is selected.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the transmission characteristics comprise one of a time of transmission, transponder characteristics, stream characteristics, or any combination thereof.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the media processor device performs monitoring for the video content according to the transmission characteristics.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

maintaining, by the system, the account profiles, wherein the account profiles comprise routing information for the plurality of media processor devices.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving, by the system, a number representing an amount of money bid for viewing the video content, wherein the step of selecting, by the system, the transmit network is further performed according to the amount of money bid.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the request is not received from the media processor device.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising estimating a cost of transport for one of the broadcast network, the broadband network, or any combination thereof, wherein the step of selecting, by the system, the transmit network is further performed according to the cost that is estimated.

14. A device, comprising:

a memory to store executable instructions; and

a processor coupled to the memory, wherein the executable instructions, when executed by the processor, facilitate performance of operations comprising;

receiving a list of available content items from a media provider;

receiving a selection of media content from the list;

transmitting the selection to the media provider, wherein the media provider determines a number of requests for the selection from a plurality of media processor devices, wherein the media provider determines a playback command feature for the selection, wherein the media provider determines whether the device is communicatively coupled to both a broadband network and a broadcast network according to an account profile that is associated with the device, and wherein the media provider selects a transmit network as one of the broadband network or the broadcast network for delivery of the selection of media content according to the number of requests and the playback command characteristic responsive to the device being communicatively coupled to both the broadband network and the broadcast network;

receiving the selection from the media provider via the transmit network; and

presenting the selection at a display device.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the playback command feature comprises one of a fast forward control, a rewind control, a pause control, a video recorder control, or any combination thereof.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein the media provider further selects the transmit network according to whether the device is communicatively coupled to one of the broadband network or the broadcast network but not both.

17. A machine-readable storage device, comprising executable instructions which when executed by a processor at a media device to facilitate operations comprising:

receiving a selection of media content from a list of available content;

transmitting the selection to a media provider, wherein the media provider determines whether the media device is communicatively coupled to both a broadband network and a broadcast network, wherein the media provider selects a transmit network for delivery of the selection of media content according to a number of requests received at the media provider for the media content and according to a playback command feature that is available for the media content responsive to the media device being communicatively coupled to both the broadband network and the broadcast network; and

receiving the selection from the media provider for presentation at a display device of the media device.

18. The machine-readable storage device of claim 17, wherein the media provider determines the number of requests for the selection from a plurality of media processor devices and wherein the media provider determines a playback command characteristic for the selection.

19. The machine-readable storage device of claim 17, wherein the playback command feature comprises one of a fast forward control, a rewind control, a pause control, a video recorder control, or any combination thereof.