Apparatus and methods for multi-stage multiplexing in a network
AssigneeTime Warner Cable Inc.
InventorsWilliam L. Helms, Paul D. Brooks
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for performing multiplexing of video or other content (e.g., programs) within a network using feed-back from a subsequent digital program insertion stage, and/or feed-forward information from a prior multiplexing stage. In one embodiment, the network comprises a hybrid fiber coax (HFC) cable network having headend and hub-based statistical multiplexing stages, and communication between the two stages is used to improve the visual quality performance and bandwidth utilization of the output multi-program stream during conditions where downstream content is inserted into the transport stream. Business methods associated with the various multiplexing features described above are also disclosed.
Claims38
A method of providing advertising or promotions over a content delivery network having at least first and second multiplexing stages disposed within said content delivery network, said method comprising:
- multiplexing a plurality of first content elements together at the first multiplexing stage to form a first multiplex;
- and
- providing feed-back information to said first multiplexing stage from the second multiplexing stage within said content delivery network, said second multiplexing stage being downstream in a transmission path from said first multiplexing stage;
- wherein said feed-back information relates to one or more secondary content elements to be inserted into said first multiplex at said second multiplexing stage in order to form a second multiplex;
- and
- wherein said first multiplexing stage utilizes said feed-back information to adjust at least one parameter associated with an operation of said first multiplexing stage in order to accommodate said one or more inserted secondary content elements.
A method of providing content to a plurality of users within a content delivery network having at least first and second multiplex stages, comprising:
- providing opportunities for content insertion within one or more designated distribution zones of said content delivery network;
- receiving requests for said content insertion;
- generating a first content multiplex at said first multiplexing stage;
- and
- inserting content into said first multiplex within selected ones of said distribution zones based at least in part on said requests;
- wherein said act of generating is based at least in part on information relating to said act of inserting fed back from said second multiplexing stage to said first multiplexing stage.
A multiplexing apparatus for use within a content delivery network, said content delivery network having at least one second multiplexing apparatus disposed therein, said multiplexing apparatus
- configured to generate a first multiplex comprising a plurality of content elements;
- and
- said multiplexing apparatus comprising a receiver, said receiver configured to receive feed-back information from said at least one second multiplexing apparatus, said second multiplexing apparatus being downstream in a transmission path from said multiplexing apparatus, and said feed-back information relating to one or more secondary content elements to be inserted into said first multiplex at said second multiplexing apparatus during formation of a second multiplex;
- and
- wherein said multiplexing apparatus is further configured to utilize said feed-back information to adjust at least one parameter associated with said generation of said first multiplex in order to accommodate said one or more inserted secondary content elements.
A multiplexing apparatus for use in a content delivery network having at least first and second multiplexing apparatuses, said multiplexing apparatus configured to generate a first content multiplex and said multiplexing apparatus comprising:
- a receiver configured to receive one or more requests for content insertion, said requests comprising requests for content insertion to devices within one or more designated distribution zones of said content delivery network;
- and
- a transmitter configured to transmit said first content multiplex to said second multiplexing apparatus, said second multiplexing apparatus configured for insertion of said content into said first multiplex within selected ones of said designated distribution zones based at least in part on said one or more requests;
- wherein said receiver is further configured to receive information relating to said insertion of said content from said second multiplexing apparatus;
- and
- wherein said multiplexing apparatus is further configured to utilize said information relating to said insertion of said content at least in part to generate said first content multiplex.
A method of providing primary and secondary content over a content distribution network having at least first multiplexing process and a second multiplexing process, the 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 primary content elements together at the first multiplexing process to form a first multiplex;
- and
- providing feed-back information to said first multiplexing process from the second multiplexing process, said feed-back information relating to one or more secondary content elements to be inserted into said first multiplex at said second multiplexing process in order to form a second multiplex;
- wherein said first multiplexing process utilizes said feed-back information to adjust at least one parameter associated with an operation of said first multiplexing process in order to accommodate said one or more inserted secondary content elements.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.