Systems and methods for dynamic bit/bandwidth allocation
View Patent ↗Embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods enabling the send or “push” side of a cable transmission to dynamically obtain additional and/or temporary capacity. Bits and/or bandwidth of transmitted content is restricted by the service provider allowing gaps in the capacity to be filled with value-added content such as advertising, additional supplemental data feeds, or other media content.
1. A method comprising:
monitoring an available capacity in a content delivery network configured to transmit a video stream and an Internet protocol (IP) stream to a plurality of receivers;
determining an amount of unused capacity within the delivery network;
dynamically reallocating, on a push basis, the unused capacity to the Internet protocol (IP) stream, the amount of unused capacity expanding the capacity of the Internet protocol (IP) stream; and
transmitting supplemental content in real-time or near real-time over the Internet protocol (IP) stream within the expanded capacity of the content delivery network;
wherein the supplemental content comprises interactive content;
wherein a return path bandwidth is pre-allocated and the unused capacity within the delivery network comprises bandwidth other than the pre-allocated return path bandwidth.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising dynamically reallocating the amount of unused capacity based upon allocation criteria selected from the group consisting of: channel selection, time of day, expansion duration, expansion expiration, allocation for pre-purchased advertising, allocation for positioned advertising, allocation for multiple feeds, and allocation for internet protocol streams.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving a selection to view the supplemental content.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the supplemental content comprises alternative views of a main broadcast program.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising de-allocating the unused bandwidth responsive to expiration of a time limit.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the video signals are configured to transmit MPEG signals.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the interactive content comprises multiple camera angles.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the return path bandwidth comprises a portion of bandwidth dedicated to signals and information sent from a set-top box back to the content delivery network.
9. A method comprising:
monitoring an available capacity in a content delivery network configured to transmit a video stream and an Internet protocol (IP) stream to a plurality of receivers;
determining an amount of unused capacity within the delivery network;
dynamically reallocating, on a push basis, the unused capacity to the Internet protocol (IP) stream, the amount of unused capacity expanding the capacity of the Internet protocol (IP) stream; and
transmitting supplemental content in real-time or near real-time over the Internet protocol (IP) stream within the expanded capacity of the content delivery network;
wherein a return path bandwidth is pre-allocated and the unused capacity within the delivery network comprises bandwidth other than the pre-allocated return path bandwidth.
10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising dynamically reallocating the amount of unused capacity based upon allocation criteria selected from the group consisting of: channel selection, time of day, expansion duration, expansion expiration, allocation for pre-purchased advertising, allocation for positioned advertising, allocation for multiple feeds, and allocation for internet protocol streams.
11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising receiving a selection to view the supplemental content.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the supplemental content comprises alternative views of a main broadcast program.
13. The method of claim 9 , further comprising de-allocating the unused bandwidth responsive to expiration of a time limit.
14. The method of claim 9 , wherein the video signals are configured to transmit MPEG signals.
15. A system comprising a processor and a memory, the memory storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to perform operations comprising:
monitoring an available capacity in a content delivery network configured to transmit a video stream and an Internet protocol (IP) stream to a plurality of receivers;
determining an amount of unused capacity within the delivery network;
dynamically reallocating, on a push basis, the unused capacity to the Internet protocol (IP) stream, the amount of unused capacity expanding the capacity of the Internet protocol (IP) stream; and
transmitting supplemental content in real-time or near real-time over the Internet protocol (IP) stream within the expanded capacity of the content delivery network;
wherein a return path bandwidth is pre-allocated and the unused capacity within the delivery network comprises bandwidth other than the pre-allocated return path bandwidth.
16. The system of claim 15 , further comprising dynamically reallocating the amount of unused capacity based upon allocation criteria selected from the group consisting of: channel selection, time of day, expansion duration, expansion expiration, allocation for pre-purchased advertising, allocation for positioned advertising, allocation for multiple feeds, and allocation for internet protocol streams.
17. The system of claim 15 , further comprising receiving a selection to view the supplemental content.
18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the supplemental content comprises alternative views of a main broadcast program.
19. The system of claim 15 , further comprising de-allocating the unused bandwidth responsive to expiration of a time limit.
20. The system of claim 15 , wherein the video signals are configured to transmit MPEG signals.
21. The system of claim 15 , wherein the interactive content comprises multiple camera angles.
22. The system of claim 15 , wherein the return path bandwidth comprises a portion of bandwidth dedicated to signals and information sent from a set-top box back to the content delivery network.