公开(公告)号：US08839317B1

公开(公告)日：2014-09-16

申请号：US13480292

申请日：2012-05-24

申请人： Remi F. Rieger ,  Tom Gonder ,  Paul D. Brooks

发明人： Remi F. Rieger ,  Tom Gonder ,  Paul D. Brooks

IPC分类号： H04N7/173 ,  H04N7/10 ,  H04N7/12 ,  G06F15/173

CPC分类号： H04N21/2385 ,  H04J3/1682 ,  H04J3/1694 ,  H04N7/10 ,  H04N21/2408 ,  H04N21/47202 ,  H04N21/6118

摘要： Methods and apparatus for providing one or more services such as video on-demand, switched digital video, or Internet services using shared bandwidth. Exemplary embodiments include methods and apparatus for providing video on-demand and switched digital video to a set of customer premise equipment devices using a first dedicated portion of the bandwidth to provide video on-demand services, a second dedicated portion of the bandwidth to provide switched digital video services, and a third portion of the bandwidth to provide both switched digital video and video on-demand services wherein the size of the bandwidth made available to provide video on-demand within the third shared portion of bandwidth varies as a function of requests for video on-demand and switched digital video services and the priorities of the new requests versus the existing operating services. Bandwidth management occurring in accordance with bandwidth sharing policies, priorities and rules generated by a bandwidth sharing mechanism.

摘要翻译： 用于使用共享带宽来提供一个或多个服务的方法和装置，例如视频点播，交换数字视频或因特网服务。 示例性实施例包括用于使用带宽的第一专用部分提供视频点播和切换数字视频到一组客户驻地设备设备以提供视频点播服务的方法和设备，带宽的第二专用部分以提供切换 数字视频服务和带宽的第三部分以提供交换数字视频和视频点播服务，其中可用于在第三共享部分带宽内提供视频点播的可用带宽的大小根据请求而变化 视频点播和转换数字视频服务以及新请求与现有运营服务的优先级。 带宽管理根据带宽共享策略，带宽共享机制生成的优先级和规则进行。

公开(公告)号：US20130097647A1

公开(公告)日：2013-04-18

申请号：US13632964

申请日：2012-10-01

申请人： Paul D. Brooks ,  Tom Gonder

发明人： Paul D. Brooks ,  Tom Gonder

IPC分类号： H04N21/2385

CPC分类号： H04N21/2385 ,  H04L41/0896 ,  H04L41/147 ,  H04L41/5051 ,  H04L41/5067 ,  H04L41/509 ,  H04N21/2402 ,  H04N21/25833

摘要： Methods and apparatus for recovery and/or utilization of bandwidth within a network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a switched architecture (e.g., broadcast switched) content-delivery network such as a cable television network. Reclamation, overflow, and/or triage logical processes are selectively applied in order to more efficiently manage bandwidth utilization within the network while maintaining user experience, and optionally achieve one or more business and/or operational goals.

摘要翻译： 用于网络内的带宽的恢复和/或利用的方法和装置。 在一个实施例中，网络包括诸如有线电视网络的交换架构（例如，广播交换）内容递送网络。 选择性地应用回收，溢出和/或分类逻辑进程，以便更有效地管理网络内的带宽利用率，同时保持用户体验，并且可选地实现一个或多个业务和/或操作目标。

公开(公告)号：US08997136B2

公开(公告)日：2015-03-31

申请号：US12841906

申请日：2010-07-22

申请人： Paul D. Brooks ,  Glen Hardin ,  Tom Gonder

发明人： Paul D. Brooks ,  Glen Hardin ,  Tom Gonder

IPC分类号： H04N7/167 ,  H04N21/61 ,  H04N21/222 ,  H04N21/236 ,  H04N21/643

CPC分类号： H04N21/64322 ,  H04N21/222 ,  H04N21/2221 ,  H04N21/23608 ,  H04N21/2381 ,  H04N21/2385 ,  H04N21/2393 ,  H04N21/25816 ,  H04N21/6125 ,  H04N21/6405

摘要： Methods and apparatus for providing packetized content to users via a bandwidth-optimized network. In one embodiment, legacy and IPTV streams are carried over the same switched digital infrastructure, and freely intermixed without regard to their encoding or type. A user's selection for IPTV content is transmitted to an IP proxy (such as a gateway apparatus or a headend server), then on to the switched digital server which causes provision of the requested content back to the proxy for formatting. The formatted content is then delivered to the requesting IP-capable device. The entire carrier class program stream is therefore available as IP-encapsulated content to the IP capable devices (and as legacy content to legacy devices) without any significant modifications to the network infrastructure or bandwidth penalty.

摘要翻译： 通过带宽优化网络向用户提供打包内容的方法和装置。 在一个实施例中，传统和IPTV流在相同的交换数字基础设施上承载，并且在不考虑其编码或类型的情况下自由混合。 用户对IPTV内容的选择被发送到IP代理（例如网关装置或头端服务器），然后被发送到切换的数字服务器，该数字服务器将请求的内容提供给代理进行格式化。 然后将格式化的内容传送到请求IP的设备。 因此，整个运营商级程序流可作为IP封装的内容提供给具有IP能力的设备（以及作为传统设备的传统内容），而无需对网络基础架构或带宽损失进行任何重大修改。

公开(公告)号：US08281352B2

公开(公告)日：2012-10-02

申请号：US12152749

申请日：2008-05-15

申请人： Paul D. Brooks ,  Tom Gonder

发明人： Paul D. Brooks ,  Tom Gonder

IPC分类号： H04N7/173

CPC分类号： H04N21/2385 ,  H04L41/0896 ,  H04L41/147 ,  H04L41/5051 ,  H04L41/5067 ,  H04L41/509 ,  H04N21/2402 ,  H04N21/25833

摘要： Methods and apparatus for recovery and/or utilization of bandwidth within a network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a switched architecture (e.g., broadcast switched) content-delivery network such as a cable television network. Reclamation, overflow, and/or triage logical processes are selectively applied in order to more efficiently manage bandwidth utilization within the network while maintaining user experience, and optionally achieve one or more business and/or operational goals.

摘要翻译： 用于网络内的带宽的恢复和/或利用的方法和装置。 在一个实施例中，网络包括诸如有线电视网络的交换架构（例如，广播交换）内容递送网络。 选择性地应用回收，溢出和/或分类逻辑进程，以便更有效地管理网络内的带宽利用率，同时保持用户体验，并且可选地实现一个或多个业务和/或操作目标。

公开(公告)号：US20080320540A1

公开(公告)日：2008-12-25

申请号：US12152749

申请日：2008-05-15

申请人： Paul D. Brooks ,  Tom Gonder

发明人： Paul D. Brooks ,  Tom Gonder

IPC分类号： H04N7/173

CPC分类号： H04N21/2385 ,  H04L41/0896 ,  H04L41/147 ,  H04L41/5051 ,  H04L41/5067 ,  H04L41/509 ,  H04N21/2402 ,  H04N21/25833

摘要： Methods and apparatus for recovery and/or utilization of bandwidth within a network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a switched architecture (e.g., broadcast switched) content-delivery network such as a cable television network. Reclamation, overflow, and/or triage logical processes are selectively applied in order to more efficiently manage bandwidth utilization within the network while maintaining user experience, and optionally achieve one or more business and/or operational goals.

摘要翻译： 用于网络内的带宽的恢复和/或利用的方法和装置。 在一个实施例中，网络包括诸如有线电视网络的交换架构（例如，广播交换）内容递送网络。 选择性地应用回收，溢出和/或分类逻辑进程，以便更有效地管理网络内的带宽利用率，同时保持用户体验，并且可选地实现一个或多个业务和/或操作目标。

公开(公告)号：US09398346B2

公开(公告)日：2016-07-19

申请号：US11800093

申请日：2007-05-04

申请人： Paul D. Brooks ,  Remi Rieger

发明人： Paul D. Brooks ,  Remi Rieger

IPC分类号： H04N21/472 ,  H04N21/61 ,  H04N21/6373 ,  H04N7/167 ,  H04N7/173 ,  H04N21/2543 ,  H04N21/418

CPC分类号： H04L41/0896 ,  H04L41/147 ,  H04N7/1675 ,  H04N7/17318 ,  H04N21/2543 ,  H04N21/4181 ,  H04N21/47202 ,  H04N21/6118 ,  H04N21/6168 ,  H04N21/6373

摘要： Methods and apparatus for dynamically adjusting capacity allocation; e.g., to a group of services in a multimedia distribution network. In one embodiment, bandwidth allocation is adjusted by predicting bandwidth utilization of the group of services based on historical bandwidth utilization information. Behavioral templates and statistical models may also be employed for the predictions. The invention provides more efficient use of available bandwidth compared to conventional bandwidth allocation schemes where the overall bandwidth for a group of services is set to a constant value that is not changed frequently. The present invention further provides a bandwidth allocation method in a switched distribution network. The bandwidth allocation method allocates bandwidth such that the bandwidth required by the number of services does not exceed the allocation, i.e., the total usage falls within the allocation.

摘要翻译： 动态调整容量分配的方法和装置; 例如，涉及多媒体分发网络中的一组服务。 在一个实施例中，通过基于历史带宽利用信息预测该组服务的带宽利用率来调整带宽分配。 行为模板和统计模型也可用于预测。 与传统的带宽分配方案相比，本发明提供了可用带宽的更有效的使用，其中一组服务的总带宽被设置为不频繁变化的常数值。 本发明还提供一种交换分配网络中的带宽分配方法。 带宽分配方法分配带宽，使得服务数量所需的带宽不超过分配，即总使用量落在分配内。

公开(公告)号：US20130279914A1

公开(公告)日：2013-10-24

申请号：US13451396

申请日：2012-04-19

申请人： Paul D. Brooks

发明人： Paul D. Brooks

IPC分类号： H04J14/00 ,  H04J14/02 ,  H04J14/08

CPC分类号： H04Q11/0067 ,  H04Q11/0071

摘要： Apparatus and methods for providing content to devices in a content distribution network. In one embodiment, a hybrid fiber/coax network provides optical signals to an amplification and combination node, the signals which are converted to radio frequency (RF) signals and transmitted to a series of cascading amplification and combination apparatus. The converted signals are combined with legacy RF signals at the combination apparatus, and distributed further downstream to serviced premises as well as other portions of the network cascade. Time division techniques are used to mitigate interference between the various amplification and combination nodes within the cascade. The programmable time division devices allow for rapid spectrum reallocation, and for insertion of different content at each different node of the network.

摘要翻译： 用于向内容分发网络中的设备提供内容的装置和方法。 在一个实施例中，混合光纤/同轴电缆网络向放大和组合节点提供光信号，这些信号被转换成射频（RF）信号并被发送到一系列级联放大和组合装置。 转换的信号与组合装置的传统RF信号相结合，并进一步分布在下游到服务场所以及网络级联的其他部分。 时分技术用于减轻级联中各种放大和组合节点之间的干扰。 可编程时分器件允许快速频谱重新分配，并允许在网络的每个不同节点插入不同的内容。

公开(公告)号：US20130198796A1

公开(公告)日：2013-08-01

申请号：US13361856

申请日：2012-01-30

申请人： Paul D. Brooks ,  Robert Harris

发明人： Paul D. Brooks ,  Robert Harris

IPC分类号： H04N21/61

CPC分类号： H04N21/6118 ,  H04J14/0298 ,  H04L12/2801 ,  H04L12/2898 ,  H04N21/2383 ,  H04N21/436

摘要： Methods and apparatus for the delivery of content in a network via a user premises gateway device in communication with one or more user devices. The gateway device receives content from an optical network (e.g., EPON), processes the content onto one or more communication channels, and delivers it to the user devices. In one variant, the gateway includes switching functionality to receive all available programs, or only a portion thereof, and providing specific ones on an as-needed basis to the user device(s) via the channels. Video on Demand (VOD) and pay-per-view (PPV) as well as other unicast services may also be provided by the gateway apparatus. A DOCSIS or other data channel, as well as a dedicated guide data channel, may be among the provided channels.

摘要翻译： 用于经由与一个或多个用户设备通信的用户驻地网关设备在网络中传送内容的方法和装置。 网关设备从光网络（例如，EPON）接收内容，将内容处理到一个或多个通信信道上，并将其传送到用户设备。 在一个变型中，网关包括切换功能以接收所有可用的程序，或者仅仅是其一部分，并且经由信道在用户设备的基础上根据需要提供特定的程序。 视频点播（VOD）和按次付费（PPV）以及其他单播服务也可以由网关装置提供。 DOCSIS或其他数据信道以及专用指南数据信道可以在所提供的信道之中。

公开(公告)号：US07889765B2

公开(公告)日：2011-02-15

申请号：US11291328

申请日：2005-11-30

申请人： Paul D. Brooks ,  Remi Rieger

发明人： Paul D. Brooks ,  Remi Rieger

IPC分类号： H04J3/07

CPC分类号： H04N7/17309 ,  H04L12/2801 ,  H04L2007/045 ,  H04N21/2221 ,  H04N21/235 ,  H04N21/23611 ,  H04N21/435 ,  H04N21/6118

摘要： Apparatus and methods for transparently using otherwise wasted bandwidth associated with variable-rate program streams to deliver additional content. In one embodiment, the network comprises a broadcast switched architecture (BSA), and the program streams are loaded up to a target rate using “null” packets and then delivered over the network infrastructure to a plurality of hub sites. The streams are then unloaded to reproduce the original variable streams, and the bandwidth vacated by removal of the null packets used as the transport mechanism for additional (e.g., non time-sensitive) content to be delivered to the subscribers. The process can also be substantially automated and anticipatory (through, e.g., transmission of null bit insertion data downstream). The invention can also advantageously be implemented with minimal modifications to existing infrastructure, and supports business and operational supervisory processes. Network server, QAM modulator, and CPE apparatus implementing the aforementioned methodologies are also disclosed.

摘要翻译： 用于透明地使用与可变速率节目流相关联的浪费带宽以递送附加内容的装置和方法。 在一个实施例中，网络包括广播交换架构（BSA），并且使用“零”分组将节目流加载到目标速率，然后通过网络基础设施传递到多个集线器站点。 然后卸载流以再现原始可变流，并且通过移除用作传递机制的空分组腾出的带宽用于附加（例如，非时间敏感）内容被递送给订户。 该过程也可以基本上自动化和预期（通过例如下位的无效位插入数据的传输）。 本发明还可以有利地以对现有基础设施的最小修改来实现，并且支持业务和操作监督过程。 还公开了实现上述方法的网络服务器，QAM调制器和CPE装置。

公开(公告)号：US20090031384A1

公开(公告)日：2009-01-29

申请号：US11880945

申请日：2007-07-24

申请人： Paul D. Brooks ,  Remi Rieger

发明人： Paul D. Brooks ,  Remi Rieger

IPC分类号： H04N7/173

CPC分类号： H04N21/2405 ,  H04N21/23439 ,  H04N21/2402 ,  H04N21/26216 ,  H04N21/47202 ,  H04N21/64792 ,  H04N21/6582

摘要： Method and apparatus for optimizing network bandwidth utilization by delivering to users only the minimum number of programs required by service provider policies. In one embodiment, the method comprises switching some users from lower quality versions of programs to higher quality versions of the same programs, and removing those lower quality versions of programs from a given service group. In another embodiment, some users are switched from higher quality versions of programs to lower quality versions of those same programs, and the higher quality versions of programs removed from a given service group.

摘要翻译： 通过向用户传递服务提供商策略所需的最少数量的程序来优化网络带宽利用率的方法和装置。 在一个实施例中，该方法包括将一些用户从较低质量版本的程序切换到相同程序的较高质量版本，以及从给定服务组中移除那些较低质量的程序版本。 在另一个实施例中，一些用户从较高质量版本的程序切换到相同程序的较低质量版本，以及从给定服务组移除的较高质量版本的程序。