United States Patent (19)
`Lawler
`
`USOO5905522A
`Patent Number:
`11
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`5,905,522
`May 18, 1999
`
`54) RESOURCE ALLOCATION METHOD FOR
`INTERACTIVE TELEVIDEO SYSTEM
`
`75 Inventor: Frank A. Lawler, Seattle, Wash.
`73 Assignee: Microsoft Corporation, Redmond,
`Wash.
`
`21 Appl. No.: 08/521,359
`22 Filed:
`Aug. 31, 1995
`(51) Int. Cl." ....................................................... H04N 7/14
`52 U.S. Cl. ............................................ 348/7; 398/200.47
`58 Field of Search ............................... 348/7, 6, 12, 13;
`395/200.09, 200.47
`
`56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,008,447 4/1991 Farry et al. ................................. 348/7
`5,436,653
`7/1995 Ellis et al. .....
`... 455/2
`5,515,511
`5/1996 Nguyen et al. .....
`... 348/7
`5,583,864 12/1996 Lightfoot et al. ...
`... 348/7
`5,583,994 12/1996 Rangan ..............
`... 348/7
`5,606,359 2/1997 Yonden et al. ........................... 348/12
`
`Primary Examiner Victor R. Kostak
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Klarquist Sparkman Campbell
`Leigh & Whinston, LLP
`57
`ABSTRACT
`The present invention includes a method of delivering
`programming over an interactive television or televideo (IT)
`System. The IT System includes a central control node that
`delivers programming to multiple Subscribers or viewers.
`Each viewer has a video display set (e.g., a television
`receiver) and an associated interactive controller in commu
`nication with the central control node and that is responsive
`to input from the viewer for controlling programming on the
`video display set. With reference to a preferred embodiment,
`the method of this invention includes allocating dedicated
`programming Services among the viewers associated with
`the IT System. The dedicated programming Services may be
`allocated according to the available resources of the IT
`System, the relative values of different dedicated program
`ming Services, or both. As a result, the method of this
`invention minimizes disruption of dedicated programming
`Services and particularly those of highest value or priority.
`
`21 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`STORE PROGRAMMING RESOURCE DATA
`
`REQUEST DEDICATED PROGRAMMING
`
`120
`
`24
`
`DETERMINE PREFERRED MEDUM
`AND PREFERRED RESOURCES FOR
`THE RECQUESTED DEDICATED
`PROGRAMMING
`
`126
`
`
`
`IT SYSTEM
`HAVE RESOURCES
`AVAILABLE
`?
`
`IDENTIFY ALTERNATIVE
`MEDIUM FOR RECQUESTED
`DEDICATED PROGRAMMING
`
`
`
`TRANSMIT REQUESTED
`DEDICATED PROGRAMMING
`IN PREFERRED MEDUM
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Akamai Ex. 1006
`Akamai Techs. v. Equil IP Holdings
`IPR2023-00332
`Page 00001
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`
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`IPR2023-00332 Page 00002
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`May 18, 1999
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
`
`5,905,522
`
`FIG. 2
`
`
`
`ANALOG
`DEMODULATOR
`
`DIGITAL
`DECODER
`
`NETWORK
`INTERFACE
`
`COMMUNICATION
`INTERPREATION
`SYSTEM
`
`MEMORY
`SYSTEM
`
`2O
`
`66
`
`62a
`
`CPU
`
`72
`GRAPHICS
`SUBSYSTEM
`
`74
`
`VIDEO
`PROCESSOR
`SUBSYSTEM
`70
`
`INFRARED INPUT
`AND DECODER
`
`IPR2023-00332 Page 00003
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 18, 1999
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
`
`5,905,522
`
`FIG. 4
`
`STORE PROGRAMMING RESOURCE DATA
`
`12O
`
`REGUEST DEDICATED PROGRAMMING
`
`DETERMINE PREFERRED MEDUM
`AND PREFERRED RESOURCES FOR
`THE REGUESTED DEDICATED
`PROGRAMMING
`
`124
`
`126
`
`DOES
`YES
`IT SYSTEM
`HAVE RESOURCES
`AVAILABLE
`p
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`IDENTIFY ALTERNATIVE
`MEDIUM FOR REGUESTED
`DEDICATED PROGRAMMING
`
`
`
`TRANSMIT REQUESTED
`DEDICATED PROGRAMMING
`IN PREFERRED MEDIUM
`
`IPR2023-00332 Page 00004
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 18, 1999
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
`
`5,905,522
`
`FIG. 5
`STORE PROGRAMMING RESOURCE DATA
`
`150
`
`REGUEST DEDICATED PROGRAMMING
`
`154
`
`DETERMINE REGUIRED RESOURCES AND
`PRIORITY FOR RECRUESTED DEDICATED PROGRAMMING
`
`
`
`NO
`
`
`
`-160
`IT SYSTEM
`HAVE RECRUIRED
`RESOURCES
`AVAILABLE
`?
`
`156
`
`162
`
`164
`
`TRANSMIT REQUESTED
`OUEUE DEDICATED
`PROGRAMMING FOR DELIVERY DEDICATED PROGRAMMING
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`66
`DELIVERY NYES
`WITHIN DELAY
`THRESHOLD
`
`
`
`168
`
`
`
`TRANSMIT PROGRAMMING WHEN
`OF HIGHEST PRIORITY
`
`17O
`DELIVER NOTICE OF
`UNAVAILABLE RESOURCES
`
`IPR2023-00332 Page 00005
`
`

`

`5,905,522
`
`1
`RESOURCE ALLOCATION METHOD FOR
`INTERACTIVE TELEVIDEO SYSTEM
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention relates to interactive television or
`televideo systems and, in particular, to a method of allocat
`ing System resources for delivering programming to View
`CS.
`
`2
`A consequence of Such a System configuration is that
`Viewer demands for dedicated programming Services will
`Sometimes exceed the IT System resources from providing
`Such Services. Under these circumstances, Some requests for
`dedicated programming Services would not be met. In Some
`possible implementations, excessive demands on the dedi
`cated programming Service could result in disruption of
`programming delivery to Some or all viewers. However,
`disruption of programming is highly undesirable.
`In other implementations, dedicated programming Ser
`vices could be provided on a first-come, first-served basis
`according to the Sequence in which Viewers request the
`dedicated programming Services. However, different dedi
`cated programming Services are expected to have premiums
`asSociated with them. For example, transmission of a con
`ventional preview available from the POD service might
`generate for the IT System operator 10 units of revenue that
`is paid as an advertising fee by the programming provider.
`In contrast, a current-release motion picture available from
`the VOD service might generate for the IT system operator
`200 units of revenue that is paid by the viewer requesting the
`programming. Accordingly, a disadvantage of a first-come,
`first-Served basis of allocating resources is that dedicated
`programming of relatively low value (e.g., previews could
`dominate the dedicated programming Service to the exclu
`Sion of higher value programming (e.g., full-length
`programming).
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention includes a method of allocating
`resources of an interactive television or televideo (IT) sys
`tem for delivering programming to Viewers. The IT System
`includes a central control node that delivers programming to
`multiple subscribers or viewers. Each viewer has a video
`display Set (e.g., a television receiver) and an associated
`interactive controller that is in communication with the
`central control node and responsive to input from the viewer
`for controlling programming on the Video display Set.
`With reference to a first preferred embodiment, the
`method of this invention includes allocating dedicated pro
`gramming Services among the viewers associated with the
`IT System. Dedicated programming Services, Such as a
`Video-on-demand Service, provide dedicated programming
`Viewers at times they request and are contrasted with con
`ventional universal programming Services.
`Dedicated programming available from the dedicated
`programming Service typically has a preferred format Such
`as, for example, a high-resolution digital Video signal that
`corresponds to a S-VHS quality video signal. The IT system
`identifies the resources, referred to as preferred resources,
`for delivering the programming in the preferred format.
`The IT system also identifies alternative resources for
`delivering the programming in an alternative format that
`requires fewer IT System resources. For example, an alter
`native format to the preferred high-resolution digital video
`Signal format could be a conventional-resolution digital
`Video Signal that corresponds to a Standard VHS quality
`Video signal. Such an alternative format could require only
`one-half the level of Some resources required by the pre
`ferred format.
`Whenever a viewer requests a dedicated programming
`service, the IT system identifies the IT system resources that
`are available and compares them with the preferred
`resources required to deliver the dedicated programming in
`the preferred format. If it has at least the preferred resources
`available, the IT System delivers the Selected programming
`
`15
`
`45
`
`50
`
`25
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`Conventional cable and Satellite television transmission is
`evolving into interactive television or televideo (IT) sys
`tems. IT systems combine the video broadcast capability
`characteristic of conventional broadcast television with
`computer-executed applications or programming responsive
`to input from viewers. By Some estimates, programming
`available from IT systems under development could include
`the equivalent of 500 channels of video broadcasting and
`unlimited numbers of interactive applications.
`Conventional television broadcasting transmits a common
`or universal video signal Simultaneously to all viewers
`asSociated with the network. In traditional aerial television
`broadcasting, each television Station transmits a television
`Signal corresponding to the programming available on one
`channel. In traditional cable television broadcasting, a cable
`television network operator receives Video signals from
`multiple Separate television Stations or providers and
`rebroadcasts the various video signals on different channels
`of the cable television network. In both types of traditional
`broadcasting, the broadcaster controls the Schedule for trans
`mitting the universal television programming.
`In contrast to Such centralized Scheduling of conventional
`universal television programming, IT systems provide dedi
`cated programming Services that transmit dedicated pro
`gramming to individual viewers at times they request. An
`35
`example of Such dedicated programming Services is Some
`times referred to as video-on-demand (VOD). A VOD
`Service transmits dedicated programming (e.g., a motion
`picture) to a viewer at a time requested by the viewer. A
`related dedicated programming Service is preview-on
`40
`demand (POD). A POD service functions in cooperation
`with a VOD service, for example, to provide viewers with
`dedicated previews of programming available from the
`VOD service.
`In one IT System implementation, available dedicated
`programming is Stored in a digital format within a memory
`System in the IT System. In response to the viewer request,
`the IT System retrieves the Selected programming from the
`memory System and transmits the programming to the
`Viewer. In this type of implementation, the IT System uses a
`Variety of IT System components Such as computer
`processors, memory Systems, and programming transmis
`Sion Systems to deliver programming to viewers.
`IT System components or resources, like any physical
`System, have capacity limits. IT Systems typically will not
`include resources Sufficient to provide universal Simulta
`neous transmission of dedicated programming to all viewers
`Subscribing to the System. Such resources would be uneco
`nomical and unnecessary because of the low probability that
`all Subscribers would request dedicated programming Ser
`vices simultaneously. Accordingly, IT Systems will include
`resources for providing dedicated programming transmis
`Sion at Some partial level of viewer usage, probably not
`exceeding regular peak levels of Service. AS an estimate it is
`expected IT Systems could have resources to provide Simul
`taneous transmission of programming to between 10 and 40
`percent of System Subscribers.
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`IPR2023-00332 Page 00006
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`

`

`5,905,522
`
`3
`to the viewer in the preferred format. If it has available at
`least the alternative resources, but not the preferred
`resources, the IT System delivers the Selected programming
`to the viewer in the alternative format.
`In this first embodiment, resources for the dedicated
`programming Services are allocated according to the avail
`able resources of the IT system. In addition or alternatively,
`resources for the dedicated programming Services may be
`allocated according to the relative values or priorities of
`different dedicated programming Services. As a result, this
`invention can minimize disruption of dedicated program
`ming Services and provide for delivery of programming with
`the highest value or priority.
`The foregoing and other features and advantages of
`preferred embodiments of the present invention will be more
`readily apparent from the following detailed description,
`which proceeds with reference to the accompanying draw
`IngS.
`
`15
`
`4
`box. Although it is shown distinct from video display set 18,
`interactive station controller 20 could alternatively be inte
`gral with video display set 18.
`Interactive Station controllers 20 receive programming
`from central control node 12 and control the associated
`Video display Sets 18 in accordance with the programming.
`Controlling Video display Set 18 of a conventional analog
`type may include, for example, delivering an analog video
`Signal directly to Video display Set 18 for display, converting
`a digital Video signal to a Suitable analog form for display,
`or executing a computer application that includes displayS
`on display set 18.
`Interactive station controllers 20 transmit digital informa
`tion to and receive digital information from central control
`node 12. The digital information typically relates to appli
`cations executed by processors residing at control node 12
`and station controller 20.
`Preferably, network 14 carries bidirectional communica
`tion between station controllers 20 and central control node
`12. Alternatively, communication between Station control
`lers 20 and central control node 12 can be carried by
`different communication Systems. For example, program
`ming from central control node 12 to station controllers 20
`could be carried on a Satellite downlink while Station con
`trollers 20 send information to central control node 12 on a
`terrestrial modem link. An exemplary embodiment of central
`control node 12 is described in greater detail below.
`FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of an exemplary one
`of interactive station controllers 20 for controlling video
`display Set 18 and communicating with central control node
`12. Station controller 20 includes a terminal 60 that delivers
`communication or information from central control node 12
`to a communication interpretation System 62 having, for
`example, an analog television demodulator 62a, a digital
`Video decoder 62b, and a digital network communication
`interface 62c.
`Demodulator 62a functions as a conventional television
`tuner for Selecting one of multiple conventional analog
`Video signals received from central control node 12 at input
`60. Video decoder 62b functions as a digital equivalent of
`demodulator 62a for Selecting one of multiple digital video
`signals received at input 60 from central control node 12.
`Network communication interface 62c communicates with
`central control node 12 with digital information carried over
`baseband frequencies. The baseband frequencies may be
`below the conventional analog video signal frequencies,
`above the digital Video signal frequencies, or between the
`frequencies of analog or digital Video Signals.
`A central processing unit (CPU) 66 in conjunction with a
`memory System 68 controls operation of Station controller
`20. CPU 66 is responsive to an infrared receiver and decoder
`system 70 that receives user input from a hand-held viewer
`control unit 71 (FIG. 4) and delivers the input to CPU 66.
`For example, CPU 66 controls selection of analog- or
`digital-based programming or applications delivered from
`central control node 12, accesses, activates, or executes
`Selected applications, or delivers information to or requests
`information from central control node 12.
`A graphics subsystem 72 is controlled by CPU 66 to form
`graphics images, including interactive System user interface
`images, on Video display Set 18. A video processor Sub
`system 74, also controlled by CPU 66, provides control in
`the rendering of Video imagery, including decompressing
`digital Video signals and Sizing and positioning a video
`display window.
`A mixer 76 receives a video display signal from video
`processor Subsystem 74 and graphics image Signals from
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an interactive televideo
`system used for the preferred embodiment of this invention.
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an interactive Station
`controller used for the preferred embodiment of this inven
`tion.
`FIG. 3 is a plan diagram of a viewer control unit for
`providing viewer input to the interactive Station controller of
`FIG. 2.
`FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a first preferred method of
`allocating resources of an interactive televideo System for
`delivering dedicated programming to viewers.
`FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a second preferred method of
`allocating resources of an interactive televideo System for
`delivering dedicated programming to viewers.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`FIGS. 1 and 2 are directed to an interactive television or
`televideo (IT) system 10 as an operating environment for
`preferred embodiments of the present invention. For pur
`poses of simplicity and clarity, IT system 10 is described
`with reference to widely available Systems and Standards,
`including conventional analog television receivers and
`cable-based video networks.
`It will be appreciated, however, that the particular com
`ponents of IT system 10 may be implemented with a variety
`of conventions, Standards, or technologies without departing
`from the underlying concepts of the present invention. The
`term televideo is used to emphasize the applicability of this
`invention beyond Standard television-based Systems. AS two
`examples, the conventional analog television receivers and
`cable-based video network referred to in FIGS. 1 and 2
`could be implemented as digital Video receivers and a
`Satellite downlink transmission System, respectively.
`FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of an interactive
`televideo (IT) system 10 having a central control node 12
`that transmits programming over a network 14 to multiple
`viewer Stations (e.g., homes) 16. The programming may
`60
`include standard analog video broadcasts (e.g., NTSC, PAL
`or SECAM), digital or digitally encoded video broadcasts
`(e.g., MPEG1 or MPEG2), or digital information related to
`computer-executed applications.
`Each Viewer Station 16 includes at least one video display
`Set 18 (e.g., a television receiver) and an interactive station
`controller 20, which is Sometimes referred to as a Set-top
`
`65
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`
`50
`
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`IPR2023-00332 Page 00007
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`S
`graphics Subsystem 70 and delivers a mixed image Signal to
`video display set 18. Mixer 76 provides compositing, mask
`ing and blending of display signals from two or more image
`Sources Such as, for example, a digital Video signal and
`locally-generated graphics or an analog video signal and a
`bitmap image received from central control node 12.
`Referring to FIG. 3, viewer control unit 71 includes an
`infrared transmitter window 89 through which control unit
`71 emits infrared signals to infrared input 70 of station
`controller 20. A directional control keypad 90 allows a
`viewer to transmit signals for moving a cursor (i.e., an
`indication of position, not shown) rendered on display
`screen 78 of video display set 18. The cursor may be
`rendered on display Screen 78 as a graphic character or icon
`or by changing the graphic characteristics of display inter
`face features where the cursor is positioned. The viewer may
`initiate or activate command options by depressing an action
`key 91, may enter numeric values with numeric key pad 92,
`and may acceSS user interface menu by depressing a menu
`key 93.
`IT System 10 provides a variety of programming Services
`including conventional television broadcasting and trans
`mission of dedicated programming Services. The latter are
`characterized as being activated in response to requests or
`other communications from a viewer. The dedicated pro
`gramming Services typically are provided by IT System 10 as
`or in conjunction with computer-executed applications that
`include video-on-demand (VOD), preview-on-demand
`(POD), audio-on demand (AOD), and games or other inter
`active applications.
`AS described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, IT
`system 10 employs a CPU 66, memory system 68, and
`programming transmission systems (e.g., central control
`node 12 and transmission network 14) to deliver Program
`ming to each viewer station 20. CPU 66, memory system 68,
`and the programming transmission System are resources of
`IT system 10 that have finite capacity, like any physical
`components.
`Capacity limitations associated with the programming
`transmission System, Sometimes referred to as the network
`bandwidth capacity, include the total Volume of Signals or
`data that can be carried on network 14, the rate at which data
`or signals are delivered over network 14, and the number of
`available dedicated programming Service channels within
`central control node 12. The network bandwidth capacity
`can be reached, for example, when there are large numbers
`of dedicated programming Service requests or other IT
`System communications, all available dedicated program
`ming Service channels are being used, and the Volume of
`information carried on IT system 10 delays delivery of
`programming or portions of it below levels acceptable to
`Viewers. Consequences of reaching the network bandwidth
`capacity are that dedicated programming and other infor
`mation cannot be delivered to a viewer or is intermittently
`delayed Such that the Video display quality is unacceptable.
`The capacity of memory system 68 can be met when, for
`example, too many application threads are executed Simul
`taneously by CPU 66 in station controller 20, too many
`high-resolution graphics are loaded into memory 68, and too
`much of a high resolution audio Segment is loaded in
`memory system 68. The capacity of CPU 66 can be met
`when, for example, too many processor cycles are required
`to run existing or requested processing threads. Conse
`quences of meeting the capacity of memory System 68 or
`CPU 66 include an inability to execute a requested appli
`cation or to allocate memory for an audio or graphic portion
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`6
`of a Service requested by the viewer, thereby interrupting
`acceptable delivery of the programming.
`In a first preferred embodiment of this invention, dedi
`cated programming Services are provided Selectively in a
`preferred medium or format or an alternative medium or
`format according to the availability of IT System resources.
`The preferred format of dedicated programming Services
`typically provides higher resolution or quality at the expense
`of greater IT System resources requirements. The alternative
`format provides the dedicated programming Services at a
`lower resolution or quality that requires fewer IT System
`CSOUCCS.
`In accordance with this invention, an alternative format of
`dedicated programming Service is used when IT System 10
`lacks the resources required to provide the Service in the
`preferred format. Table 1 lists examples of preferred and
`corresponding alternative modes of dedicated programming
`Services.
`
`TABLE 1.
`
`Preferred and Alternative Modes
`
`Preferred Format
`
`S-VHS quality MPEG stream
`24-bit graphic
`code resource for graphics
`animation sequence
`
`CD-quality sound
`
`8-bit graphic
`
`Alternative
`Format
`
`VHS quality MPEG
`Stream
`8-bit graphic
`code resource for
`final image of
`graphics
`animation
`sequence
`telephone-quality
`sound
`1-bit black and
`white dithered
`graphic
`
`Table 1 lists for each preferred format one corresponding
`alternative format of the same class (i.e., video, graphics,
`audio). However, a preferred format could have a hierarchy
`of alternative formats in different classes. For example, a
`preferred format of S-VHS quality digital video for video
`on-demand previews could have a first alternative format of
`VHS quality digital Video, and Subsequent alternative modes
`in the form of 24-bit graphics and 8-bit graphics. The
`availability of alternative formats requiring fewer IT system
`resources than the preferred format allows IT system 10 to
`provide dedicated programming Services in the absence of
`sufficient IT system resources to deliver the preferred format
`in an acceptable manner.
`FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing a first preferred embodi
`ment of a method of delivering dedicated programming
`services to viewers associated with IT system 10. In this
`embodiment, the method includes delivering dedicated pro
`gramming Services according to the IT System resources
`required to deliver the programming and the IT System
`resources that are available. Dedicated programming Ser
`vices that cannot be delivered acceptably in a preferred
`format for lack of IT system resources are delivered in an
`alternative format that requires fewer IT System resources.
`Process block 120 indicates that IT system 10 stores
`programming resource data representing the resources of IT
`System 10 required to deliver dedicated programming avail
`able from the dedicated programming Service. The resources
`of IT System 10 required for delivering the programming can
`include, for example, availability of predetermined network
`bandwidth of IT system 10 relating to capacities of network
`
`IPR2023-00332 Page 00008
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`5,905,522
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`8
`
`TABLE 3A-continued
`
`7
`14, central control node 12, and viewer Stations 16, amounts
`of memory in memory system 68 of station controller 20,
`and processing capacity of CPU 66 in station controller 20.
`The programming resource data preferably are arranged
`as a programming resource database that is stored within 5
`central control node 12 and includes: a “MediaType' object
`that identifies the medium as being of a class, for example,
`Video, audio, bitmap, animation/vector drawing code, a
`“MediaMoniker' object that identifies a pathname to or
`address of the medium (exemplary pathnames are listed), a 10
`“RAMRequirement’ object that identifies the minimum
`memory requirements to Store the media in memory System
`68 of station controller 20, a “Bandwidth Requirement”
`object that identifies the minimum transmission bandwidth
`of network 14 needed to deliver the media so that it can be 15
`rendered for the viewer in an acceptable manner, a “Pro-
`ceSSorRequirement object that identifies a relative number
`of processor cycles required to process the media In a
`manner acceptable to viewers, and an “AlternativeMedia”
`object that points to alternative objects having fewer 20
`resource requirements. Table 2 Summarizes the program
`ming resource database objects.
`
`ss
`
`Field
`
`Value
`
`Bandwidth Requirement
`Processor Requirement
`Comment
`
`3072 Kbps
`50%
`3.0 Mbps MPEG video, approx. S
`VHS resolution
`
`AlternativeMedia
`
`13824
`
`Field
`ObjectID
`MediaType
`MediaMoniker
`RAMRequirement
`Bandwidth Requirement
`Processor Requirement
`Comment
`
`TABLE 3B
`
`Value
`13824
`MPEG
`\\BigServer\video\
`ShoddyVideo.mpg
`512K
`1500 Kbps
`25%
`1.5 Mbps MPEG video, approx.
`VHS resolution
`13900
`
`TABLE 2
`
`25
`
`AlternativeMedia
`
`An obiect structure for managing media retrieval
`Object I.D.
`Explanation
`MediaType
`bitmap, audio, video,
`animation?vector drawing
`definition, etc.
`pathname to or address of
`actual media
`minimum RAM needed to store
`media at station controller
`minimum bandwidth needed to
`deliver media quickly enough
`to viewer station
`minimum cycles available to
`process drawing or animation
`quickly enough at viewer
`station
`pointer to alternative object
`with less resource
`requirements
`
`MediaMoniker
`
`RAMRequirement
`
`Bandwidth Requirement
`
`Processor Requirement
`
`AlternativeMedia
`
`Tables 3A-3F list exemplary programming resource data
`base entries for display media ranging from a high resolution
`-hi
`digital video format to a 1-bit monochrome image display
`format. Tables 3A-3F show the differing system resource
`requirements for each medium and are related hierarchically
`as Successive preferred and alternative media, as indicated
`by the ObjectID values identifying the media and listed in 50
`the AlternativeMedia objects. For example, the high-
`resolution digital video signal format in Table 3A has
`ObjectID value 13823 and lists as the AlternativeMedia
`value 13824, which is the ObjectID for the conventional
`digital video signal format in Table 3B. The alternative value 55
`of-1 for the 1-bit dithered monochrome format of Table 3F
`indicates that no alternative format is available for trans
`mission.
`
`Field
`
`ObjectID
`MediaType
`MediaMoniker
`RAMRequirement
`
`TABLE 3A
`
`Value
`
`13823
`MPEG
`\\BigServer\videoVArtsyVideo.mpg
`1024K
`
`60
`
`65
`
`3O
`
`Field
`
`TABLE 3C
`
`Value
`
`ObjectID
`MediaType
`MediaMoniker
`RAMRequirement
`Bandwidth Requirement
`Processor Requirement
`Comment
`
`Alternative
`Media
`
`13900
`CODE
`\\BigServer\anim\bin\Flashy Anim.exe
`256K
`512 Kbps
`20%
`code that draws an animation on the
`screen using built-in STB draw routines.
`140O2
`
`35
`
`40
`
`TABLE 3D
`
`Field
`
`Value
`
`SE
`edia Lype
`MediaMoniker
`RAMRequirement
`Batwitteet
`CNN equirement
`AlternativeMedia
`
`R
`\\BigServer\bitmap\High A
`rt.bmp
`256K
`5. Kbps
`24 bit picture
`141OO
`
`TABLE 3E
`Value
`
`Field
`
`ObjectID
`MediaType
`MediaMoniker
`
`RAMRequirement
`Bandwidth Requirement
`Processor Requirement
`Comment
`AlternativeMedia
`
`141OO
`BMP
`\\BigServer\bitmap\Po
`pArt.bmp
`84K
`168 Kbps
`10%
`8 bit picture
`14523
`
`IPR2023-00332 Page 00009
`
`

`

`5,905,522
`
`9
`
`TABLE 3F
`
`Field
`
`ObjectID
`MediaType
`MediaMoniker
`
`RAMRequirement
`Bandwidth Requirement
`Processor Requirement
`Comment
`
`AlternativeMedia
`
`Value
`
`14523
`BMP
`\\BigServer\bitmap\LO
`wArt.bmp
`12K
`20 Kbps
`5%
`1-bit picture,
`dithered black and
`white
`-1
`
`10
`bination of fees verSuS System requirements for transmitting
`the programming, and or any other criteria.
`The method of FIG. 4 has been described with specific
`reference to IT system resources in the form of availability
`of predetermined amounts of memory in memory System 68
`of station controller 20, network bandwidth of network 14,
`central control node 12, and viewer Stations 16, and pro
`cessing capacity of CPU 66 in station controller 20. It will
`be appreciated, however, that the method is Similarly appli
`cable to any components of IT system 10 that can reach their
`maximum operating capacities and constrain delivery of
`dedicated programming. Moreover, the method is applicable
`to delivering programming that is not dedicated to a par
`ticular viewer station but that utilizes similar IT system
`CSOUCCS.
`FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing a second preferred
`embodiment of a method of allocating IT System resources
`to deliver dedicated programming Services to viewers asso
`ciated with IT system 10. In this embodiment, the method
`includes delivering dedicated programming Services accord
`ing to relative priorities assigned to the programming when
`ever IT System resources are at or near their capacity.
`Dedicated programming Services assigned higher priority
`or other valuations are delivered preferentially over pro
`gramming of lower priority or valuation. In the preferred
`embodiment, all programming for which delivery is begun
`is delivered in its entirety. Accordingly, preferential delivery
`of programming relates to preferentially beginning delivery
`of dedicated programming of higher priorities. This manner
`of delivering programming minimizes Service interruptions,
`which are highly disfavored.
`Process block 150 indicates that IT system 10 stores
`programming resource data representing the resources of IT
`system 10 that are required to deliver to a viewer dedicated
`programming available from the dedicated programming
`Service. The programming resource data also includes a
`priority or other valuation of the dedicated programming.
`The programming resource data, including the valuation
`data, preferably are arranged as a programming resource
`database of the type described above with reference to FIG.
`4.
`The priority or other valuation ranks the dedicated pro
`gramming relative to other available dedicated program
`ming. The programming priority can be based upon Several
`factors including the potential revenue for delivering the
`programming. Such revenue can be received the operator of
`IT system 10 either from the viewer requesting the dedicated
`service or, in the case of a POD service, from the provider
`of t