CN101112045A - Distribution of digital content - Google Patents

Distribution of digital content Download PDF

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Publication number
CN101112045A
CN101112045A CN200680003674.0A CN200680003674A CN101112045A CN 101112045 A CN101112045 A CN 101112045A CN 200680003674 A CN200680003674 A CN 200680003674A CN 101112045 A CN101112045 A CN 101112045A
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China
Prior art keywords
network
title
server
network title
broadcast
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CN200680003674.0A
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Chinese (zh)
Inventor
M·巴比里
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Koninklijke Philips NV
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Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/16—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
    • H04N7/173—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
    • H04N7/17309—Transmission or handling of upstream communications
    • H04N7/17318—Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H60/00—Arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linking to broadcast information or broadcast space-time; Broadcast-related systems
    • H04H60/29—Arrangements for monitoring broadcast services or broadcast-related services
    • H04H60/31—Arrangements for monitoring the use made of the broadcast services
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L65/00—Network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communication
    • H04L65/60—Network streaming of media packets
    • H04L65/61—Network streaming of media packets for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio
    • H04L65/611—Network streaming of media packets for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio for multicast or broadcast
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/01—Protocols
    • H04L67/10—Protocols in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network
    • H04L67/1095—Replication or mirroring of data, e.g. scheduling or transport for data synchronisation between network nodes
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/21—Server components or server architectures
    • H04N21/222—Secondary servers, e.g. proxy server, cable television Head-end
    • H04N21/2221—Secondary servers, e.g. proxy server, cable television Head-end being a cable television head-end
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/23—Processing of content or additional data; Elementary server operations; Server middleware
    • H04N21/231—Content storage operation, e.g. caching movies for short term storage, replicating data over plural servers, prioritizing data for deletion
    • H04N21/23106—Content storage operation, e.g. caching movies for short term storage, replicating data over plural servers, prioritizing data for deletion involving caching operations
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/25—Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies
    • H04N21/266—Channel or content management, e.g. generation and management of keys and entitlement messages in a conditional access system, merging a VOD unicast channel into a multicast channel
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/438—Interfacing the downstream path of the transmission network originating from a server, e.g. retrieving encoded video stream packets from an IP network
    • H04N21/4383—Accessing a communication channel
    • H04N21/4384—Accessing a communication channel involving operations to reduce the access time, e.g. fast-tuning for reducing channel switching latency
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/45—Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies, resolving scheduling conflicts
    • H04N21/466—Learning process for intelligent management, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies
    • H04N21/4667—Processing of monitored end-user data, e.g. trend analysis based on the log file of viewer selections
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H60/00—Arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linking to broadcast information or broadcast space-time; Broadcast-related systems
    • H04H60/61—Arrangements for services using the result of monitoring, identification or recognition covered by groups H04H60/29-H04H60/54
    • H04H60/66—Arrangements for services using the result of monitoring, identification or recognition covered by groups H04H60/29-H04H60/54 for using the result on distributors' side
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H60/00—Arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linking to broadcast information or broadcast space-time; Broadcast-related systems
    • H04H60/76—Arrangements characterised by transmission systems other than for broadcast, e.g. the Internet
    • H04H60/81—Arrangements characterised by transmission systems other than for broadcast, e.g. the Internet characterised by the transmission system itself
    • H04H60/82—Arrangements characterised by transmission systems other than for broadcast, e.g. the Internet characterised by the transmission system itself the transmission system being the Internet
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
    • H04L12/02—Details
    • H04L12/16—Arrangements for providing special services to substations
    • H04L12/18—Arrangements for providing special services to substations for broadcast or conference, e.g. multicast

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Databases & Information Systems (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Information Transfer Between Computers (AREA)
  • Two-Way Televisions, Distribution Of Moving Picture Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

A system (100) makes a plurality of digital content titles (''network titles'') available to a plurality of stations (170, 172, 174) through a network (160). The system includes a distribution controller (102) for obtaining for each network title a corresponding measure of an audience share during a broadcast of a corresponding title (''broadcast title''). The distribution controller (102) controls the availability of the network titles in dependence on the respective measures.

Description

The distribution of digital content
Invention field
The present invention relates to a kind of method, be used to make a plurality of digital content titles can obtain by network for a plurality of stations.The invention further relates to a kind of system, be used to make a plurality of digital content titles can obtain by network for a plurality of stations.
Background of invention
Traditionally, use broadcast system to be broadcast to receiving station such as the content of Voice ﹠ Video, broadcast system for example is terrestrial broadcast, wired broadcasting or broadcasting-satellite system.Increase ground day by day, digital content also is distributed (distribute) via wide area network, especially via the Internet.Should for example can comprise video-on-demand service or such as the audio/video (A/V) that is for example provided via distribution of network by RealOne player and Windows Media player.Network can be a centralized distribution network, based on dissemination system or equity (P2P) network of CDN.
In centralized distribution approach, centralized server is configured to supports client stations access digital content, for example content of multimedia.Client by network from server retrieves (retrieve) content.Data can be passed several routers and be passed access provider's server.This router/server can be carried out metadata cache so that the very fast visit to content to be provided, and this content is fetched from centralized server earlier.Caching system comprises buffer memory, and it is faster than the background memory of server usually.For example, buffer memory can be made up of RAM, and the backstage memory is made up of hard disk array or tape array.Because buffer memory is more expensive, buffer memory includes only the subclass of the head stack that can be fetched by website.Which title cache controller controls in buffer memory.Use so-called cache policy for this purpose, such as " least recently used (LeastRecently Used) ", " first-in first-out (First IN; First Out) " etc., as proposing with SEMANTIC CACHING at for example ChandaDharap, in greater detail, be incorporated into this by reference in the U.S. Patent Application Serial Number of under PCT, announcing as WO01/13265 09/374694 (attorney docket PHA23737).This document relates to based on resource semanteme (semantic) type and cache resources.Cache management strategy customizes for each semantic type, uses different buffer memory policies for different semantic types.The semantic type multidate information that can be supposed to comprise such as news and weather, uses the active cache policy, and wherein the resource in buffer memory is based on this resource duration in buffer memory and selected and replace.On the contrary, the semantic type static resource that can be supposed to comprise, such as encyclopedic (encyclopedic) information, use more conservative cache policy, such as LRU (use recently (LastRecently Used)) and LFU (least often use (Least Frequently Used)), it is independent of resource basically and remains on duration in the buffer memory.In addition, some semantic types are such as the email message of communication, news group messages etc., can use the buffer memory policy of multiple strategy combination, wherein resource develops into the more static cache of the more not dynamic buffering policy that has increase from the active cache that has the dynamic buffering policy.Relation between the semantic content type and the buffer memory policy that will be associated with the type can be determined in advance, perhaps can directly be determined by the user, perhaps can be historical and determine based on the user about the mutual form (profiling) of user and resource to small part.
In content distributing network (CDN) scheme, by what Akamai disposed, a large amount of servers are configured in the edge of network such as for example.Centralized server is distributed to partial content the Edge Server that this content can be offered fast client stations.For this purpose, edge router is positioned near the terminal use.Therefore partial content is replicated at Edge Server.This control that is replicated in replication strategy is carried out down, and replication strategy determines which title should be replicated on which Edge Server.Criterion (criteria) can be load and network proximity (network proximity).Being distributed in of Email by CDN for example proposed with EMAIL DISTRIBUTION ON THE EDGE by Peter Kaars, announce under PCT as WO03/032599, be incorporated into this U.S. Patent Application Serial Number 09/900561 (attorney docket: be described US000171) by reference.This patent document relates to and making it possible to via data network electronic content distribution to the ISP of a plurality of addresses.In order to accomplish that like this server separately is identified, via its with delivery of content to separately group between a plurality of addresses.Send separately the server of being copied to of content then.Other address of the individual copies that server separately can send content address to the group separately is for example based on the relevant e-mail address of the address in the group separately.Therefore, this has described by carrying out replication strategy and has come the distribute digital content by CDN, and this replication strategy is driven by user's transmission request, and this request was sent by the user before content reality can obtain.
In equity (P2P) distribution approach, each its resource (such as memory) of equity station contribution is given network in the P2P network.Equity station also is client stations usually, (has for example passed through network) and obtain to want the content title that presents.The example of P2P dissemination system is Napster, CentreSpan, Vtrails and Kazaa.Owing to do not need the carrying cost of private server and network also quite low, the P2P network allows to share content by big group with low-down cost.In order to improve the performance of known P2P network, replication of titles is absolutely necessary.How many replication of titles product replication strategy need can be determined and where those titles are placed on.Duplicate and to quicken the content distribution and improve robustness.
Great majority duplicate the title that high demand is arranged with the buffer memory strategies favor.Therefore some delay in the actual demand amount that adapts to title is inevitably, if title not by the net distribution long enough to obtain enough knowledge for the title demand.The scheme of WO03/032599 is suitable for such title, and wherein, in fact the forecast demand amount of asking based on the user before this title reality can obtain represents the actual demand amount during distributing.
For complete, also propose with DIGITAL CONTENTCATERING SERVICE, come forth and be incorporated into this U.S. Patent Application Serial Number 09/971474 (attorney docket US018166) by reference as US20030069964 referring to Eugene Shteyn and Jean Moonen.This document relates to via network provides electronic content information.The consumer can ask before the selectable final term of consumer the specific part via the network delivery content.Provide service (catering seervice) under the control of data traffic bandwidth form, before final term, finishing this transmission on the subnetwork at least then.The arrangement of transmitting final term makes service can optimize the use of the network bandwidth when keeping service quality.
Summary of the invention
A target of the present invention provides a kind of improved method and system of described type, has wherein reduced making the delay of title in can fully obtaining.
The invention provides a kind of method, make a plurality of (preferably numeral) content title (being known as " network title " hereinafter) can obtain by network for a plurality of stations.This method is included as each network title and obtains corresponding audience ratings (audience share) measurement during corresponding title (being known as " broadcast titles " hereinafter) broadcasting; Available with basis SURVEYING CONTROL NETWORK network title separately.
The inventor has realized that many multimedia titles were broadcasted in one or another kind of mode before feasible can obtaining by network.Typically, measure audience ratings for broadcasting.This audience ratings for example be used to determine via same channel before the title broadcasting, afterwards or between the advertising rate of commercials.Use the available of taking the photograph title in the ground Control Network before this measurement rather than when more knowing available is adapted when demand becomes with it, this can reduce delay significantly when being adapted to correct demand level.Verified is that very welcome title can be given in the high available in the network during broadcasting.
The TV audience ratings uses many sample households to measure by national broadcasters associations or its hetero-organization usually.Increase ground day by day, this audience ratings is being measured (for example per minute) measurement in real time of tissue quilt and can obtained " immediately ".It for example is the broadcast viewer investigation portion (BARB) of UK that such measurement is organized.According to the measure of dependent claims 2, audience ratings is measured by communication system (for example the Internet) and is received from measuring system, and this measuring system is for measuring corresponding audience ratings by each title of broadcast system broadcasting.By this way, the audience ratings of measurement can be used to the available of title in the Control Network apace.This is at first broadcasting and making soon that after broadcasting the title that can download is useful especially.The example of this title is news broadcast.By the share that the audience ratings replacement of using actual measurement is predicted, available can be adjusted to " immediately " situation about not expecting.For example, if important media event takes place, news broadcast will be probably than the welcome download in highland.
According to the measure of dependent claims 3, between network title and broadcast titles, set up related.This association may be that title is identical (also being can download in the situation about obtaining in news broadcast for example).For film, title does not need identical.For example, broadcast titles can be shorter than network title.But content even also do not need identical may being correlated with.For example, if film comes into question and the preview demonstration in the broadcast program, the audience ratings that this program acquisition is high relatively, this can be used as actual film also will be welcome indication for downloading.
According to the measure of dependent claims 4, the cache policy in the audience share measure influences server, for example high audience ratings means: keep the copy of title in buffer memory, low audience ratings means: do not keep in buffer memory.
According to the measure of dependent claims 5 and 6, measuring influences replication strategy.For example, high audience ratings causes high degree of replication, and low audience ratings meaning low degree duplicates.
According to the measure of dependent claims 8, give nearest broadcast titles with priority.Especially, the broadcast titles with the high television ratings that is caused by special event (for example outstanding sports performance, accident etc.) will be welcome especially for downloading in the short time after broadcasting relatively.
According to the measure of dependent claims 9, the equity station in the P2P network can be limited being stored in the visit of the network title with the corresponding measurement on the predetermined threshold in the equity station.By this way, reciprocity station can be controlled demand that it can not be downloaded and floods and reach the degree that influences local mission performance unfriendly.
In order to satisfy one object of the present invention, be used to make a plurality of digital content titles (hereinafter being known as " network title ") can comprise the distribution controller by the system that network obtains, be used to each network title to obtain the corresponding measurement of audience ratings during corresponding title (being hereinafter referred to as " broadcast titles ") broadcasting for a plurality of websites; And be used for available according to separately SURVEYING CONTROL NETWORK network title.
In order to satisfy one object of the present invention, the server that uses in system comprises that background memory is used for the storage networking title; Buffer memory is used to provide the subclass of the network title of storage is visited quickly; Be used for carrying out cache policy with cache controller according to the measurement of the network title separately that is stored in memory.
In order to satisfy one object of the present invention, wherein network comprises the reciprocity dissemination system that has a plurality of stations, and the station of using in system comprises the memory that is used for storing a plurality of network title and is used to limit the controller of the visit of the network title with the corresponding measurement on predetermined threshold that memory is stored.
The solution of the present invention based on the available of audience ratings, can combine with the scheme of US20030069964 above-mentioned to distribute bandwidth under the Combination Control of the final term of the audience ratings of measuring and consumer's request.For example, can be used to provide the final term scheme therefrom selecting, make the further bandwidth of optimization in the system of US20030069964 like this for the high television ratings of the content of specific part.
The accompanying drawing summary
These and other aspect of the present invention also becomes with reference to the accompanying drawings obviously by example and is illustrated, wherein
Fig. 1 is the block diagram according to centralized distribution of the present invention system;
Fig. 2 is the block diagram according to CDN of the present invention;
Fig. 3 is the block diagram according to P2P dissemination system of the present invention;
Embodiment
Fig. 1 is the relation according to the block diagram of system 100 of the present invention and it and other system.System 100 makes a plurality of digital content titles (being called as " network title " hereinafter) can obtain by network 160 for a plurality of stations (being depicted as station 170,172 and 174).Network is wide area network preferably, in particular the Internet.System 100 comprises distribution controller 102.Distribution controller 102 obtains corresponding audience ratings measurement during the broadcasting (being called as " broadcast titles " hereinafter) at corresponding title for each network title.In an embodiment of the invention, distribution controller 102 obtains audience ratings from audience ratings measuring system 150.This measuring system 150 itself is known, is used to measure the TV audience ratings.These audience ratings use the sample households that much receives broadcasting to measure by national broadcasters associations or other tissue usually.In the example of Fig. 1, title is broadcast to a plurality of broadcasting receivers by broadcast system, is depicted as receiver 130,132 and 134.Broadcasting can use suitable broadcast technology to take place, and comprises terrestrial broadcast, satellite broadcasting, via the broadcasting of wired system or the Web broadcast by the Internet.Receiver typically can be selected from the broadcasting that receives a plurality of whiles.Measuring system 150 is measured which title that is broadcasted and is received machine 130,132, and 134 select and/or are presented.Based on these data, measuring system 150 is determined audience ratings.Such calculating is known and will here describe in detail.Usually, be receiver 130,132 only, the subclass of 134 total quantitys is measured audience ratings.Broadcasting receiver can provide the information that needs to measuring system 150 in any suitable manner.Traditionally, telephone link is used to this.More recent ground, system uses automatically, termly via wide area network 152, is updated to the information of measuring system 150 especially by the Internet.From by receiver 130,132, in 134 data that provided, the audience ratings of the title that measuring system 150 editors are broadcasted.In a preferred embodiment, measuring system is sent to the distribution controller 102 in the system 100 with audience ratings via communication system (for example the Internet or directly connection).Replacedly, system 100 can be from receiver 130,132,134 roles that directly collect audience rating data and similarly carry out measuring system 150.Audience rating data can only provide the relative pouplarity (for example, wanting to watch the percentage of the potential quantity of beholder of this program) of program.Usually, audience rating data also comprises the beholder's of each broadcast program absolute quantity.Can be on two types the information principle as input according to system of the present invention, wherein beholder's absolute quantity provides maximum information.
Be to be understood that the measuring system 150 that can use more than one, for example each country have one or each broadcasting supplier (for example, BBC, Sky, etc.) have one.If use a plurality of measuring systems, preferably, audience ratings represents program viewing person's absolute quantity is can compare the data of different measuring system.
For example the programming by broadcast system 120 is known as broadcast titles in this specification.It can be any topic Types, for example, and the live broadcast of news program, the TV program of prerecording, or film.Content also can be an any kind, audio frequency for example, Voice ﹠ Video, or other multimedia form.Title can be identified in any suitable manner, for example uses title and/or identifier.For film, title identifier can also comprise picture publisher, director's etc. information.For live broadcast, title identifier can also comprise channel designation, as BBC1, and CNN, MTV, FoxKids etc.Broadcast titles can be done and be stored in the storage system 122 in broadcasting.Can also be live broadcast and be recorded in the picture storage system of storage system 122 in.The title that is associated with broadcast titles is caught can obtain by network 160 for station 170,172 and 174.The title that can be received (for example, downloading) by network 160 is known as network title.
On the principle audience ratings for accordingly separately broadcast titles be available.In preferred embodiment, can set up related between broadcast titles and the network title according to system of the present invention.In the situation that title at first is broadcasted and is caught with unmodified form then to obtain by network 160, this association is unessential: title is identical.Especially, for film, it is identical that title needs not be.For example, broadcast titles may be shorter than network title.In this case, preferably automatically set up related by the identifying information of broadcast titles and network title relatively (for example, movie name, it will be identical that the director waits, even content is not definite identical).It is relevant that the content of broadcast titles and network title can remain, even in the title is not another complete subclass.For example, in broadcast program, film can come into question and preview shows.In this case, human operator can be used to be based upon the link between broadcast titles and the network title.For this purpose, system 100 can have the user interface (not shown) so that human operator can be set up this connection.Preferably, the automatic technique as fingerprint recognition (fingerprinting) is used to set up this link.This technology is known, for example is used to detect little broadcast audio and/or video segment, and this fragment is from music track or film.
In case distribution controller 102 has the information about the audience ratings of each auto correlation that is used for a plurality of network title, distribution controller 102 uses these information to be controlled at the available of network title in the network 160.This available is Be Controlled in any suitable manner.Be used for the many effort of control of video title by the mechanism of the available of network about exploitation and occurred in video request program (video-on-demand) and approximate video on-demand system.These technology can be applied in according in the system of the present invention.Especially, buffer memory in network and/or replication strategy can be distributed controller 102 controls.
Fig. 1 illustrates the execution mode by the net distribution network title.In this so-called centralized distribution approach, centralized server is configured to support client stations 170,172, and 174 with access digital content.In this case, preferably distribute controller and be arranged in same device 100 (or directly being connected) with server.Client 170,172,174 fetch content by network 160 from server 100.Data can be passed several routers and be passed access provider's server (not shown).Router in network and/or access provider's server also can be carried out metadata cache so that the very fast visit to content to be provided, and fetch from centralized server before this content.This is the buffer memory of reaction (re-active) type, and it causes for be proved to be welcome (that is, being downloaded continually) available that title is higher in network.This reaction buffer memory is not a part of the present invention, but can be used in combination with the present invention.In system according to the present invention, distribution controller 102 is taken the photograph the available that ground (pro-actively) is controlled at network title in the network 160 before using viewership information.In centralized solution, server 100 comprises that background memory 104 is used for the storage networking title.Background memory 104 can be any suitable type.Especially, memory known from video on-demand system can use, such as disk array system.The available of network title can by influence from background memory 104 to network 160 bandwidth and Be Controlled.The many technology that are used for this are known, such as the most popular title of storage on the outermost sector of hard disk, use the band (striping) of higher degree etc. for most popular title.Any this technology can be used.In a preferred embodiment, server 100 comprises buffer memory 106, is used to provide the subclass of the network title of storage is visited quickly.The cache controller 108 of server 100 is carried out cache policy according to the measurement separately that is stored in the network title in the memory.For example, if buffer memory 106 has 100 network title of capacity storage, cache controller 108 can be based on the audience ratings of the broadcast titles of association, and control store has the highest estimation pouplarity in memory 104 100 network title are copied and enter in the buffer memory 106.Each new network title is stored in the memory 104, and cache controller 108 checks that the pouplarity of these titles is whether in last hundred.If like this, the title of the minimum pouplarity in buffer memory 106 is removed and new title is copied into buffer memory 106.This cache policy can combine with other suitable cache policy.Especially, the title priority that can give new network title or broadcast recently.Equally, still the title and the no longer welcome title of " always " will be removed (or more generally: reduce available) from buffer memory relatively to have high television ratings in system.Be to be understood that system according to the present invention be intended to realize new title initial the best available and can use any suitable strategy to adjust available after a while.
Fig. 2 illustrates interchangeable distributing network, wherein uses a plurality of servers.Especially, Edge Server can be as being used from known content distributing network (CDN) scheme.Centralized server 200 is distributed to partial content the Edge Server 210,212,214 that this content can be offered apace client stations.Edge Server is preferably located near the client stations.As mentioned above, partial content is at Edge Server 210,212, and 214 are replicated.This duplicates is to carry out under the control of replication strategy, and replication strategy determines which title should be replicated at which or which Edge Server.Criterion can be load and network proximity.Centralized server 200 can be described identical with the server 100 of Fig. 1 most ofly.Identical numeral is used to indicate unaltered element.In this embodiment, distribution controller 202 is controlled at Edge Server 210,212 according to audience ratings, duplicating on 214.For example, the network title that has a high television ratings before is distributed on the Edge Server of high percentage (promptly with taking the photograph, very near station 170 to 178), be replicated in (possibility farther leaving from station 170 to 178) on the less Edge Server and have the title that hangs down pouplarity.Edge Server can be mutually integrated with access provider's server, as graphic about Edge Server 210 and 212.For these Edge Servers, 170, the 172 and 174 direct accessed contents of standing do not need to pass network 160.Edge Server can also be positioned at more approaching station (for example, addressable by less router), does not need the server as the access provider.In the execution mode of Fig. 2, Edge Server 214 is such servers.This server 214 passes through addressable such as the wide area network 220 of the Internet by website then.On the principle, Edge Server 214 may can be visited in any station on network 220, but intention is only used server 214 at the station of server 214 positions (for example standing 176 and 178).In the execution mode of Fig. 2, distribution controller 202 guarantees that most popular network title copies to Edge Server 210,212 from the memory 104 of source server 200 with before being taken the photograph, on 214 separately the memory (not shown).Preferably, welcome content is pushed to Edge Server 210,212,214 before the distribution controller 202 with taking the photograph.Edge Server 210,212,214 typically will provide content to station 170,172,174,176,178 separately according to the request at indivedual stations.Should be appreciated that this to stand 170,172,174,176,178 to provide also can be automatically (for example, on the basis of subscribing, may use profile to filter etc.).It should also be understood that Edge Server 210,212,214 can also use viewership information, for example are used to improve the available of the content of its local storage for each station.Edge Server 210,212,214 can be to realize this with the central server 100 described identical modes of Fig. 1, for example by using buffer memory and cache controller (not shown in Fig. 2).
Fig. 3 illustrates another interchangeable distributing network, uses so-called equity (P2P) distribution approach.Show three equity stations 370,380 and 390.Its resource is contributed at each equity station 370,380 and 390 in the P2P network respectively, such as local storage 372,382,292.According to the present invention, the available of network title basis audience ratings Be Controlled separately in the P2P network.This can be implemented in many ways.Fig. 3 illustrates an execution mode, wherein each equity station 370,380 and 390 distribution controller 374,384 and 394 that comprise separately.Distribution controller 374,384,394 can guarantee respectively the local storage 372,382 at it, network title on 392 can be pushed to other equity station with preceding taking the photograph, with the demand that better meets expection and be increased in reciprocity station failure or robustness when being closed by the user.Equity station also is the client stations that has obtained to want the content title (for example passing through network) that presents usually.Therefore, distribution controller 374,384,394 is carried out the replication strategy that is influenced by audience ratings.Buffer memory can also be carried out in the equity station, with the server 100 described similar modes of Fig. 1.Replacement is duplicated or except that duplicating, local distribution controller 374,384,394 can also use audience ratings can not transship owing to downloading too welcome title to guarantee that local equity is stood.For this purpose, can use audience ratings to check the pouplarity of title in the past with taking the photograph.If the audience ratings of title is on threshold value, local distribution controller 374,384,394 can limit the number of downloads of that title (or all titles in its local storage).Be to be understood that along with time this restriction in the past can be removed according to actual needs.In the P2P of Fig. 3 network, main source server 300 still can have the role of control available.For example, master server 300 can push to welcome title some equity stations energetically and duplicates with beginning (kick-start).Server 300 typically also will be distributed the viewership information that combines with network title.
Any suitable combination or the mixing that it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that three main execution modes of Fig. 1 to 3 all are possible.In addition, in many actual realizations, method will use the processor of one or more suitable programmed to be performed.Typically, reciprocity station will be the traditional personal computer that is equipped with appropriate software.Server (central server and Edge Server) typically will use appropriate software to realize on the Internet service applicator platform.Being to be understood that the present invention also extends to is suitable for realizing computer program of the present invention, especially the computer program on carrier or in the carrier.This program can have following form: source code, object code, compile the code in the middle of the source and target code of form such as part, or any other is suitable for realizing the form of the method according to this invention.Carrier is any entity or the equipment of the program of can carrying.For example, carrier can comprise storage medium, such as the ROM of for example CD ROM or semiconductor ROM, or the magnetic recording media of floppy disk or hard disk for example.Carrier can be to transmit carrier further, and such as electricity or light signal, it can be transmitted via cable or optical cable or by radio or other form.When program is specifically implemented with such signal, carrier can be made up of this cable or miscellaneous equipment or device.Replacedly, carrier can be an integrated circuit, and program is embedded, and integrated circuit is suitable for carrying out or is used to carry out relevant method.
Will be appreciated that above-mentioned execution mode is illustrative rather than restriction the present invention, those skilled in the art can design many interchangeable execution modes and not break away from the scope of claims.In the claims, place any reference symbol in the bracket will not constitute restriction to claim.Use word " to comprise " and its distortion is not precluded within the element outside those that mention in the claim or the existence of step.Article before element " one " or " one " do not get rid of the existence of a plurality of this elements.The present invention can be by hardware and the computer realization by suitably programming that comprises several discrete components.In having enumerated the equipment claim of several devices, several in these devices can be specifically embodied as same hardware.Some measure is described in the dependent claims that differs from one another, and only this fact does not mean that the combination of these measures can not be used valuably.

Claims (13)

1. method that is used to make that a plurality of content title (being known as " network title " hereinafter) can obtain by network (160) for a plurality of stations (170,172,174), this method comprises:
Obtain the corresponding measurement of the audience ratings during the broadcasting of corresponding title (being hereinafter referred to as " broadcast titles ") for each network title; With
Available according to separately SURVEYING CONTROL NETWORK network title.
2. the method described in claim 1 comprises that fetching audience ratings by communication system from measuring system (150) measures, and this measuring system (150) is for measuring corresponding audience ratings by each title of broadcast system (120) broadcasting.
3. the method described in claim 2 comprises the association that is based upon between network title and the broadcast titles, and will be used as the corresponding measurement of audience ratings to the measured audience ratings of the broadcast titles that is associated for each network title.
4. the method described in claim 1, comprise making network title to obtain that this server comprises the background memory (104) that is used for the storage networking title and is used to provide the buffer memory (106) of very fast visit to the subclass of the network title of storage by at least one server (100) in the network; This method further comprises according to the measurement separately of the network title of storing in memory carries out cache policy.
5. the method described in claim 1, wherein this network comprises a plurality of servers, in particular a source server and a plurality of Edge Server (210,212,214); This method comprises that the measurement separately according to network title is controlled in the network duplicating of network title on the server.
6. the method described in claim 1, wherein network comprises the reciprocity dissemination system that has a plurality of equity stations (370,380,390); This method comprise the measurement separately according to network title be controlled at network title on a plurality of equities station before take the photograph and duplicate.
7. the method described in claim 1 wherein comprises according to the step of separately SURVEYING CONTROL NETWORK network title available providing having the very fast visit of the network title that higher audience ratings separately measures.
8. the method described in claim 7 comprises providing its respective broadcast title is visited faster in the predetermined network title that is broadcasted in the preceding time period.
9. the method described in claim 1, wherein network comprises the reciprocity dissemination systems that have a plurality of equities station; This method is included at least one equity station and limits being stored in the visit of the network title with the corresponding measurement that is higher than predetermined threshold in the equity station.
10. a computer program can be operated so that the processor enforcement of rights requires the method described in 1.
11. system (100) that is used to make that a plurality of digital content titles (being known as " network title " hereinafter) can obtain by network (160) for a plurality of stations (170,172,174); This system comprises distribution controller (102), is used to each network title to obtain the corresponding measurement of the audience ratings during the broadcasting of corresponding title (being hereinafter referred to as " broadcast titles "); And be used for available according to separately SURVEYING CONTROL NETWORK network title.
12. one kind is used in the server in the system described in the claim 11 (100); Server comprises:
Background memory (104) is used for the storage networking title;
Buffer memory (106) is used to provide the very fast visit to the subclass of the network title of storage; With
Cache controller (108) is used for carrying out cache policy according to the measurement separately of the network title of storing at memory.
13. one kind is used in the station in the system described in the claim 11 (370,380,390), wherein network comprises the reciprocity dissemination system that has a plurality of stations; The equity station comprises the memory (372,382,392) that is used to store a plurality of network title and is used for limiting and is higher than the controller (374,384,394) of visit of network title of the corresponding measurement of predetermined threshold to being stored in having of this memory.
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