Apparatus and methods for reduced switching delays in a content distribution network

摘要

Apparatus and methods for providing reduced channel switching delays in a content distribution network. In one embodiment, switching delays are reduced by caching background content at reduced quality and/or resolution. A manager entity is provided which manages which, and how many, background channels are cached. Additionally, the manager entity may classify each device in the network according a status thereof. When a particular device is in one status or mode, background content is cached; however, when the device is in another status or mode, it will no longer require background content caching. The provision of background content and the determination of a status may be based on for example the user or device behavior and patterns, user preferences or favorites, bandwidth availability, time of day, subscription level, type of program, recentness of channel change requests on the device (or associated devices), etc.

主权项

1. A network apparatus configured to reduce channel changing latency in a content delivery network, said network apparatus comprising:
a network interface configured to communicate with at least one user device; a storage apparatus; and a processor in data communication with said storage apparatus and said network interface, said processor configured to run at least one computer program thereon, said at least one computer program comprising a plurality of instructions which are configured to, when executed, cause said network apparatus to:
receive a request for a first item of content from said at least one user device;predict a channel change activity by said user device based at least in part on a nearness of an indicator within said requested first item of content to a current position within said first content;cache a plurality of second items of content at a reduced level of quality based at least in part on said predicted channel change activity, a number of said plurality of second content items being cached is configured to vary based at least in part on an available bandwidth in said content delivery network;receive a request for one of said plurality of cached second items of content from said at least one user device;increase at least one quality of said requested one of said plurality of cached second items of content, and immediately deliver said requested one of said plurality of cached second items of content to said user device;cache a plurality of third items of content based at least in part on said request for said one of said plurality of cached second items of content, a number of said plurality of third content items being cached is configured to vary based at least in part on said available bandwidth; andupdate said cache based at least in part on said request for said one of said plurality of cached second items of content.