# US 2014/0157345 A1 · Dynamic management of audiovisual and data communications > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0157345 A1 - Document ID: US20140157345A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/067,630 - Filed: 2013-10-30 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2011-06-06 - Assignees: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC - Applicants: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC - Inventors: Amit Garg; Tom Brown - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140157345A1 ## CPC - H04N 21/4621: {Controlling the complexity of the content stream or additional data, e.g. lowering the resolution or bit-rate of the video stream for a mobile client with a small screen (arrangements for using the results of monitoring on user's side in broadcast systems H04H60/65; flow control in packet networks H04L47/10)} - H04L 12/185: {with management of multicast group membership} - H04N 21/6168: {involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem} - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) ## Abstract A device, system and method are provided to dynamically manage bandwidth for audiovisual communications and content distribution. The device, system and method may include dynamic qualification of content or channels for distribution in accordance with one or more distribution models, such as a broadcast distribution model and a narrowcast distribution model (e.g., a multicast distribution model and/or a unicast distribution model). In some embodiments, the qualification may be based on demand as reflected in requests for, or access to, content from user terminals. In some embodiments, based on changes in demand for content, a requalification of the content in terms of one or more distribution models may take place. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system comprising: a first device configured to provide content to a plurality of population pools; a plurality of second devices, wherein each of the plurality of second devices is configured to provide content to a different population pool of the plurality of population pools; and a service manager configured to: determine whether a number of the plurality of population pools accessing a first content item provided by the first device falls below a predetermined threshold; and in response to determining that the number of the plurality of population pools accessing the first content item falls below the predetermined threshold, assign the first content item provided by the first device to be provided by at least one of the plurality of second devices for a predetermined timeframe. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one third device coupled to the first device and the plurality of second devices, wherein the third device is configured to transmit the first content item from at least one of the first device and the plurality of second devices to at least one of the plurality of population pools. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of second devices is configured to provide content according to a unicast distribution model. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of second devices is configured to provide a video on demand lineup. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein an initial assignment is performed on the first content item prior to the assignment. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the service manager is further configured to: after the predetermined timeframe ends, reassign the first content item to be provided by the first device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the predetermined timeframe corresponds to a duration of the first content item. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the assignment comprises assigning the first content item to be provided by the second devices corresponding to the population pools accessing the content. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the service manager is further configured to: in response to the assignment, assign a second content item provided by one or more of the plurality of second devices to be provided by the first device for the predetermined timeframe. ### Claim 10 A method comprising: distributing a first content item according to a first distribution model; determining that a number of user terminals accessing the first content item exceeds a threshold; responsive to determining that the number of user terminals accessing the first content item exceeds the threshold, assigning the first content item to be distributed according to a second distribution model different from the first distribution model; and responsive to assigning the first content item to be distributed according to the second distribution model, determining that the first content item and a second content item comprise paired content items and assigning the second content item to be distributed according to a third distribution model. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the second distribution model comprises a narrowcast distribution model, and wherein the determining that the number of user terminals exceeds a threshold comprises determining that the number of user terminals is less than or equal to a threshold value. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the second distribution model comprises a broadcast distribution model, and wherein the determining that the number of user terminals exceeds a threshold comprises determining that the number of user terminals is greater than or equal to a threshold value. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the third distribution model is the same as the second distribution model. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the third distribution model is the same as the first distribution model. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein: assigning the first content item to be distributed according to the second distribution model comprises assigning the first content item to be distributed according to the second distribution model for a first predetermined time, and assigning the second content item to be distributed according to the third distribution model comprises assigning the second content item to be distributed according to the third distribution model for a second predetermined time. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the second predetermined time is the same as the first predetermined time. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the first predetermined time comprises a duration of the first content item, and wherein the second predetermined time comprises a duration of the second content item. ### Claim 18 A method comprising: determining whether a number of population pools accessing a first content item falls below a predetermined threshold; and in response to determining that the number of population pools accessing the first content item falls below the predetermined threshold, assigning the first content item from being provided by a first device configured to provide content to the population pools to be provided by at least one of a plurality of second devices configured to provide content to a different population pool of the population pools for a predetermined timeframe. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, further comprising: after the predetermined timeframe ends, reassigning the first content item to be provided by the first device. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, further comprising: in response to the assignment, assign a second content item provided by one or more of the plurality of second devices to be provided by the first device for the predetermined timeframe.