Variable Rate Program Stream Bandwidth Reclamation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network technologies fail to effectively utilize the bandwidth reclaimed from removing null or stuffing data from variable bit rate streams, leading to inefficiencies in bandwidth management and reduced network performance, especially in content-based networks like cable television systems.

Innovation Solution

The method involves receiving variable-rate content streams, determining constant bit rates, inserting null data, transmitting these streams, removing the null data, and inserting additional data into the recovered streams to optimize bandwidth utilization, allowing for the delivery of secondary content over existing network infrastructure without significant modifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If null data is removed from variable bit rate streams, then bandwidth is reclaimed, but the reclaimed bandwidth cannot be effectively utilized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth utilization efficiencyVSAvoidnetwork service capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes null data packets from variable bit rate streams to reclaim bandwidth, then recovers and utilizes this reclaimed bandwidth by inserting secondary content streams. This two-step process of discarding unnecessary data and recovering the resulting capacity directly resolves the contradiction between bandwidth efficiency and service capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables a single network infrastructure to simultaneously carry both primary content streams and secondary content streams over the same physical medium. By making the network capable of handling multiple types of content delivery concurrently, the system increases overall service capacity without requiring additional infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If additional data is inserted into recovered streams, then network capacity is expanded, but infrastructure modifications are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork service capacityVSAvoidinfrastructure modification requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines primary content delivery and secondary content delivery into a single unified network stream. By merging these functions and transmitting them together over the same infrastructure without requiring separate physical networks or complex modifications, the system expands capacity while minimizing infrastructure changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The network infrastructure automatically handles the insertion and transmission of secondary content streams without requiring manual reconfiguration or significant modifications. The system leverages existing network capabilities to self-serve the additional content delivery function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of energy

If variable bit rate streams are transmitted, then bandwidth efficiency is improved, but bandwidth allocation becomes unpredictable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth consumption efficiencyVSAvoidbandwidth allocation predictability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes null data packets from variable bit rate streams, separating the essential content from the non-essential padding data. This extraction process reclaims predictable bandwidth that can then be reliably allocated for secondary content, resolving the unpredictability issue while maintaining the bandwidth efficiency of variable rate transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS8559465B2Apparatus and methods for utilizing variable rate program streams in a network

Publication Date: 2013.10.15 TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLC

AI summary

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.