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. An apparatus comprising:
a processor; and
a memory, the memory storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus to:
monitor an available capacity in a content delivery network, the content delivery network being configured to transmit a video stream and an Internet protocol (IP) stream to a plurality of receivers;
determine an amount of unused capacity within the content delivery network;
dynamically reallocate, 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
transmit 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, and
wherein a return path bandwidth is pre-allocated and the unused capacity within the content delivery network comprises bandwidth other than the pre-allocated return path bandwidth.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is further configured to dynamically reallocate 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 apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is further configured to receive a selection to view the supplemental content.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the supplemental content comprises alternative views of a main broadcast program.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is further configured to de-allocate the unused bandwidth responsive to expiration of a time limit.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the video signals are configured to transmit MPEG signals.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the interactive content comprises multiple camera angles.
8. The apparatus 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. An apparatus comprising:
a processor; and
a memory, the memory storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus to:
monitor an available capacity in a content delivery network, the content delivery network being configured to transmit a video stream and an Internet protocol (IP) stream to a plurality of receivers;
determine an amount of unused capacity within the content delivery network;
dynamically reallocate, 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
transmit 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 content delivery network comprises bandwidth other than the pre-allocated return path bandwidth.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the apparatus is further configured to dynamically reallocate 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 apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the apparatus is further configured to receive a selection to view the supplemental content.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the supplemental content comprises alternative views of a main broadcast program.
13. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the apparatus is further configured to de-allocate the unused bandwidth responsive to expiration of a time limit.
14. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed, cause an apparatus to:
monitor an available capacity in a content delivery network, the content delivery network being configured to transmit a video stream and an Internet protocol (IP) stream to a plurality of receivers;
determine an amount of unused capacity within the content delivery network;
dynamically reallocate, 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
transmit 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 content delivery network comprises bandwidth other than the pre-allocated return path bandwidth.
15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the apparatus to dynamically reallocate 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.
16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the apparatus to receive a selection to view the supplemental content.
17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16 , wherein the supplemental content comprises alternative views of a main broadcast program.
18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the apparatus to de-allocate the unused bandwidth responsive to expiration of a time limit.
19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14 , wherein the supplemental content comprises multiple camera angles.
20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14 , 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.