Providing Video Content to a Subscriber While Minimizing Transmission Channel Capacity

Abstract

A method for providing video content to a subscriber while minimizing transmission channel capacity that includes acquiring information corresponding to factors contributing to a perceived picture quality at a display device in communication with a set-top box, compressing video content based on the acquired information, and transmitting over a local loop the compressed video content at a bit rate based on the acquired information, the bit rate corresponding to the perceived picture quality of the video content capable of being provided by an ensemble comprised of the display device, the set-top box, and the local loop.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is a continuation of copending U.S. Utility application entitled, “Optimizing Bandwidth Utilization to a Subscriber Premises,” having Ser. No. 11 / 162,345, filed Sep. 7, 2005, which is entirely incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present invention relates to IP television and bandwidth management. More particularly, the present invention relates to individualizing the video data rate for a particular television.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]The advent of higher-bandwidth Internet services over existing communication networks has created an alternative method to deliver video programming. However, Internet Protocol, or IP, based digital video distribution is capable of utilizing network infrastructures other than those used by the traditional Internet services. IP video or IP television (IPTV) is the transmission of television signals (digital video and audio) through data networks such as, for examp...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention relates to managing and optimizing the data rate for video services over a broadband network, such as DSL. The invention addresses the challenge of delivering video over IP networks, which require significant bandwidth for transmission. The invention provides a solution for individualizing the video data rate for each television or device in a subscriber premises, by managing and optimizing the bandwidth allocation for video services. This helps to maintain high-quality video delivery and minimize the impact of network congestion. The invention also addresses the issue of oversubscribed bandwidth, which can cause video to be dropped and become corrupt due to packets being dropped. The invention provides a solution for managing and optimizing the data rate for video services over a broadband network, ensuring better video quality and efficient use of network infrastructure.

Problems solved by technology

Delivering video over IP is bandwidth intensive and, therefore, bandwidth to the home is a precious commodity due to the fact that broadband-quality video consumes a significant portion of a communication channel's data transmission capacity.

Oversubscribing bandwidth means the bandwidth a user subscribes to is not always available to them.

Therefore, audio and video becomes corrupt due to packets being dropped when a link to a subscriber is oversubscribed.

However, services delivered to the home must be perceived to be of high quality and, thus, bit-rate reduction may not always be a suitable alternative.

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