Apparatus and methods for multi-stage multiplexing in a network

A method of operating a content distribution network having a plurality of multiplexing stages, comprising:

• receiving a plurality of content elements at a first of said plurality of multiplexing stages;
• generating a multiplex comprising a plurality of content streams associated with said plurality of content elements at said first multiplexing stage;
• providing said multiplex from said first multiplexing stage to a second multiplexing stage downstream from said first multiplexing stage, said act of providing comprising applying a delay to said multiplex;
• providing data relating to said multiplex and data relating to said delay from said first multiplexing stage to said second multiplexing stage in advance of said act of providing said multiplex;
• receiving via information fed-back from said second multiplexing stage, a command to dynamically switch into said multiplex an individual content element, said command being generated based at least in part on a user request for said individual content element and on said data relating to said multiplex;
• and
• causing said individual content element to be placed in said multiplex prior to said act of providing said multiplex from said first multiplexing stage to said second multiplexing stage.

A first multiplexing apparatus for use in a content distribution network, said content distribution network comprising at least one second multiplexing apparatus and at least one client device downstream of said first multiplexing apparatus, said first multiplexing apparatus comprising:

• a multiplexer configured to generate a multiplex of content elements;
• an interface configured to deliver:
• said multiplex of content elements to said second multiplexing apparatus, said delivery comprising insertion of a delay;
• and
• information regarding said multiplex and said delay to said second multiplexing apparatus;
• a receiver configured to receive feed-back information from said at least one second multiplexing apparatus, said feed-back information relating to one or more content elements requested by said at least one client device for insertion into said first multiplex;
• and
• a processor configured to run at least a computer program thereon, said computer program comprising a plurality of instructions which are configured to, when executed by said processor:
• determine whether said one or more content elements are within said multiplex of content elements;
• cause each of said one or more content elements not within said multiplex of content elements to be multiplexed by said multiplexer into said multiplex to generate a second multiplex prior to an expiration of said delay;
• and
• cause said second multiplex to be delivered to said second multiplexing apparatus.

A method of providing content over a content distribution network having at least first multiplexing process and a second multiplexing process, said second multiplexing process being disposed downstream of said first multiplexing process within a transmission path of said content distribution network, said method comprising:

• multiplexing a plurality of content elements together at said first multiplexing process to form a first multiplex;
• delivering said first multiplex to said second multiplexing process at or proximate to an expiration of a delay period;
• during said delay period providing to said second multiplexing process information relating to said first multiplex;
• receiving during said delay period, feed-back information from said second multiplexing process, said feed-back information relating to one or more second content elements requested by one or more subscribers to be inserted into said first multiplex at said second multiplexing process;
• wherein said first multiplexing process utilizes said feed-back information to dynamically switch one or more second content elements into said first multiplex prior to said delivery thereof to said second multiplexing process and substantially simultaneously with an expiration of said delay period.