Optimized Delivery Techniques

Abstract

Systems and methods are described that relate to on-demand compression for electronic data, such as media content, through a communication pathway. The communication pathway may be configured to multicast media content to a plurality of end-users in a service group. In certain embodiments, the service group may comprise a service group node having a quadrature amplitude modulation device. Optimization techniques may be applied a network including the communication pathway and/or to the media content. In some examples, it may be determined whether a bandwidth utilization threshold is satisfied. The determination may be based on, at least in part, by measurements taken at one or more electronic devices located throughout a network or system. If the threshold is not met, the network and/or the media content may be optimized using a first technique. If the threshold is met, the network and/or the media content may be optimized using a second technique.

1 . A method comprising:
 optimizing, based on a first bandwidth utilization threshold of a network and using a first optimization technique, the network for delivery of media content to an end device;   determining, based on a first quantity of data transmitted during a first time period, that a second bandwidth utilization threshold of the network has been satisfied; and   optimizing, using a second optimization technique, the network for delivery of media content to the end device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining, based on a second quantity of data transmitted during a second period, that a reduced bandwidth utilization level of the network has been satisfied; and   disengaging, based on the reduced bandwidth utilization level being satisfied, the second optimization technique.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining, based on a second quantity of data transmitted during a second period, that a reduced bandwidth utilization level of the network has been satisfied; and   reducing, based on the reduced bandwidth utilization level being satisfied, an intensity level of the second optimization technique.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second bandwidth utilization threshold exceeds the first bandwidth utilization threshold. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the determining that the second bandwidth utilization threshold of the network has been satisfied comprises:
 determining that sending one or more content items would cause a slowdown in content delivery via the network.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the determining that the second bandwidth utilization threshold of the network has been satisfied comprises:
 determining that a bandwidth utilization level of the network meets or exceeds the second bandwidth utilization threshold for a period of time.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first optimization technique and the second optimization technique each comprises one or more of:
 utilizing additional network devices for delivery of media content to the end device,   adjusting a portion of a communication pathway used for delivery of media content to the end device, or   altering a level of bandwidth available to one or more additional devices associated with the network.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second optimization technique comprises optimizing the media content for delivery to the end device. 
     
     
         9 . A method comprising:
 sending, based on a first bandwidth utilization threshold of a network and to an end device, a first portion of a content item, wherein the first portion is optimized using a first optimization technique;   determining, based on a first quantity of data transmitted during a first time period, that a second bandwidth utilization threshold of the network has been satisfied; and   sending, to the end device, a second portion of the content item, wherein the second portion is optimized using a second optimization technique.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 determining, based on a second quantity of data transmitted during a second period, that a reduced bandwidth utilization level of the network has been satisfied; and   sending, based on the reduced bandwidth utilization level being satisfied and to the end device, a second content item optimized using the first optimization technique.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 determining, based on a second quantity of data transmitted during a second period, that a reduced bandwidth utilization level of the network has been satisfied; and   reducing, based on the reduced bandwidth utilization level being satisfied, an intensity level of the second optimization technique.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the second bandwidth utilization threshold exceeds the first bandwidth utilization threshold. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the determining that the second bandwidth utilization threshold of the network has been satisfied comprises:
 determining that sending one or more content additional portions of the content item would cause a slowdown in content delivery via the network.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the determining that the second bandwidth utilization threshold of the network has been satisfied comprises:
 determining that a bandwidth utilization level of the network meets or exceeds the second bandwidth utilization threshold for a period of time.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first optimization technique and the second optimization technique each comprises one or more of:
 adjusting a bit-rate for sending portions of the content item,   engaging a compression protocol configured to compress portions of the content item, or   selecting, for sending portions of the content item, a file preconfigured with adjustable parameters.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the second optimization technique comprises optimizing the network for sending the second portion of the content item. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus comprising:
 one or more processors; and   memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to:
 optimize, based on a first bandwidth utilization threshold of a network and using a first optimization technique, the network for delivery of media content to an end device; 
 determine, based on a first quantity of data transmitted during a first time period, that a second bandwidth utilization threshold of the network has been satisfied; and 
 optimize, using a second optimization technique, the network for delivery of media content to the end device. 
   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the apparatus to:
 determine, based on a second quantity of data transmitted during a second period, that a reduced bandwidth utilization level of the network has been satisfied; and   disengage, based on the reduced bandwidth utilization level being satisfied, the second optimization technique.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the apparatus to:
 determine, based on a second quantity of data transmitted during a second period, that a reduced bandwidth utilization level of the network has been satisfied; and   reduce, based on the reduced bandwidth utilization level being satisfied, an intensity level of the second optimization technique.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the second bandwidth utilization threshold exceeds the first bandwidth utilization threshold. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the determining that the second bandwidth utilization threshold of the network has been satisfied comprises:
 determining that sending one or more content items would cause a slowdown in content delivery via the network.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the determining that the second bandwidth utilization threshold of the network has been satisfied comprises:
 determining that a bandwidth utilization level of the network meets or exceeds the second bandwidth utilization threshold for a period of time.   
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the first optimization technique and the second optimization technique each comprises one or more of:
 utilizing additional network devices for delivery of media content to the end device,   adjusting a portion of a communication pathway used for delivery of media content to the end device, or   altering a level of bandwidth available to one or more additional devices associated with the network.   
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the second optimization technique comprises optimizing the media content for delivery to the end device. 
     
     
         25 . An apparatus comprising:
 one or more processors; and   memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to:
 send, based on a first bandwidth utilization threshold of a network and to an end device, a first portion of a content item, wherein the first portion is optimized using a first optimization technique; 
 determine, based on a first quantity of data transmitted during a first time period, that a second bandwidth utilization threshold of the network has been satisfied; and 
 send, to the end device, a second portion of the content item, wherein the second portion is optimized using a second optimization technique. 
   
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the apparatus to:
 determine, based on a second quantity of data transmitted during a second period, that a reduced bandwidth utilization level of the network has been satisfied; and   send, based on the reduced bandwidth utilization level being satisfied and to the end device, a second content item optimized using the first optimization technique.   
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the apparatus to:
 determine, based on a second quantity of data transmitted during a second period, that a reduced bandwidth utilization level of the network has been satisfied; and   reduce, based on the reduced bandwidth utilization level being satisfied, an intensity level of the second optimization technique.   
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the second bandwidth utilization threshold exceeds the first bandwidth utilization threshold. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the determining that the second bandwidth utilization threshold of the network has been satisfied comprises:
 determining that sending one or more content additional portions of the content item would cause a slowdown in content delivery via the network.   
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the determining that the second bandwidth utilization threshold of the network has been satisfied comprises:
 determining that a bandwidth utilization level of the network meets or exceeds the second bandwidth utilization threshold for a period of time.   
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the first optimization technique and the second optimization technique each comprises one or more of:
 adjusting a bit-rate for sending portions of the content item,   engaging a compression protocol configured to compress portions of the content item, or   selecting, for sending portions of the content item, a file preconfigured with adjustable parameters.   
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the second optimization technique comprises optimizing the network for sending the second portion of the content item. 
     
     
         33 . One or more non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions that, when executed, cause:
 optimizing, based on a first bandwidth utilization threshold of a network and using a first optimization technique, the network for delivery of media content to an end device;   determining, based on a first quantity of data transmitted during a first time period, that a second bandwidth utilization threshold of the network has been satisfied; and   optimizing, using a second optimization technique, the network for delivery of media content to the end device.   
     
     
         34 . The one or more non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 33 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause:
 determining, based on a second quantity of data transmitted during a second period, that a reduced bandwidth utilization level of the network has been satisfied; and   disengaging, based on the reduced bandwidth utilization level being satisfied, the second optimization technique.   
     
     
         35 . The one or more non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 33 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause:
 determining, based on a second quantity of data transmitted during a second period, that a reduced bandwidth utilization level of the network has been satisfied; and   reducing, based on the reduced bandwidth utilization level being satisfied, an intensity level of the second optimization technique.   
     
     
         36 . The one or more non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 33 , wherein the second bandwidth utilization threshold exceeds the first bandwidth utilization threshold. 
     
     
         37 . The one or more non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 33 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause determining that the second bandwidth utilization threshold of the network has been satisfied by causing:
 determining that sending one or more content items would cause a slowdown in content delivery via the network.   
     
     
         38 . The one or more non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 33 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause determining that the second bandwidth utilization threshold of the network has been satisfied by causing:
 determining that a bandwidth utilization level of the network meets or exceeds the second bandwidth utilization threshold for a period of time.   
     
     
         39 . The one or more non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 33 , wherein the first optimization technique and the second optimization technique each comprises one or more of:
 utilizing additional network devices for delivery of media content to the end device,   adjusting a portion of a communication pathway used for delivery of media content to the end device, or   altering a level of bandwidth available to one or more additional devices associated with the network.   
     
     
         40 . The one or more non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 33 , wherein the second optimization technique comprises optimizing the media content for delivery to the end device. 
     
     
         41 . One or more non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions that, when executed, cause:
 sending, based on a first bandwidth utilization threshold of a network and to an end device, a first portion of a content item, wherein the first portion is optimized using a first optimization technique;   determining, based on a first quantity of data transmitted during a first time period, that a second bandwidth utilization threshold of the network has been satisfied; and   sending, to the end device, a second portion of the content item, wherein the second portion is optimized using a second optimization technique.   
     
     
         42 . The one or more non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 41 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause:
 determining, based on a second quantity of data transmitted during a second period, that a reduced bandwidth utilization level of the network has been satisfied; and   sending, based on the reduced bandwidth utilization level being satisfied and to the end device, a second content item optimized using the first optimization technique.   
     
     
         43 . The one or more non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 41 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause:
 determining, based on a second quantity of data transmitted during a second period, that a reduced bandwidth utilization level of the network has been satisfied; and   reducing, based on the reduced bandwidth utilization level being satisfied, an intensity level of the second optimization technique.   
     
     
         44 . The one or more non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 41 , wherein the second bandwidth utilization threshold exceeds the first bandwidth utilization threshold. 
     
     
         45 . The one or more non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 41 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause determining that the second bandwidth utilization threshold of the network has been satisfied by causing:
 determining that sending one or more content additional portions of the content item would cause a slowdown in content delivery via the network.   
     
     
         46 . The one or more non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 41 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause determining that the second bandwidth utilization threshold of the network has been satisfied by causing:
 determining that a bandwidth utilization level of the network meets or exceeds the second bandwidth utilization threshold for a period of time.   
     
     
         47 . The one or more non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 41 , wherein the first optimization technique and the second optimization technique each comprises one or more of:
 adjusting a bit-rate for sending portions of the content item,   engaging a compression protocol configured to compress portions of the content item, or   selecting, for sending portions of the content item, a file preconfigured with adjustable parameters.   
     
     
         48 . The one or more non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 41 , wherein the second optimization technique comprises optimizing the network for sending the second portion of the content item. 
     
     
         49 . A system comprising:
 a computing device; and   an end device,   wherein the computing device comprises:
 one or more first processors; and 
 first memory storing first instructions that, when executed by the one or more first processors, cause the computing device to:
 optimize, based on a first bandwidth utilization threshold of a network and using a first optimization technique, the network for delivery of media content to an end device; 
 determine, based on a first quantity of data transmitted during a first time period, that a second bandwidth utilization threshold of the network has been satisfied; and 
 optimize, using a second optimization technique, the network for delivery of media content to the end device, and 
 
   wherein the end device comprises:
 one or more second processors; and 
 second memory storing second instructions that, when executed by the one or more second processors, cause the end device to:
 receive, via the optimized network, the media content. 
 
   
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 49 , wherein the first instructions, when executed by the one or more first processors, further cause the computing device to:
 determine, based on a second quantity of data transmitted during a second period, that a reduced bandwidth utilization level of the network has been satisfied; and   disengage, based on the reduced bandwidth utilization level being satisfied, the second optimization technique.   
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 49 , wherein the first instructions, when executed by the one or more first processors, further cause the computing device to:
 determine, based on a second quantity of data transmitted during a second period, that a reduced bandwidth utilization level of the network has been satisfied; and   reduce, based on the reduced bandwidth utilization level being satisfied, an intensity level of the second optimization technique.   
     
     
         52 . The system of  claim 49 , wherein the second bandwidth utilization threshold exceeds the first bandwidth utilization threshold. 
     
     
         53 . The system of  claim 49 , wherein the first instructions, when executed by the one or more first processors, cause the computing device to determine that the second bandwidth utilization threshold has been satisfied by causing the computing device to:
 determine that sending one or more content items would cause a slowdown in content delivery via the network.   
     
     
         54 . The system of  claim 49 , wherein the first instructions, when executed by the one or more first processors, cause the computing device to determine that the second bandwidth utilization threshold has been satisfied by causing the computing device to:
 determine that a bandwidth utilization level of the network meets or exceeds the second bandwidth utilization threshold for a period of time.   
     
     
         55 . The system of  claim 49 , wherein the first optimization technique and the second optimization technique each comprises one or more of:
 utilizing additional network devices for delivery of media content to the end device,   adjusting a portion of a communication pathway used for delivery of media content to the end device, or   altering a level of bandwidth available to one or more additional devices associated with the network.   
     
     
         56 . The system of  claim 49 , wherein the second optimization technique comprises optimizing the media content for delivery to the end device. 
     
     
         57 . A system comprising:
 a first computing device; and   a second computing device,   wherein the first computing device comprises:
 one or more first processors; and 
 first memory storing first instructions that, when executed by the one or more first processors, cause the first computing device to:
 send, based on a first bandwidth utilization threshold of a network and to the second computing device, a first portion of a content item, wherein the first portion is optimized using a first optimization technique; 
 determine, based on a first quantity of data transmitted during a first time period, that a second bandwidth utilization threshold of the network has been satisfied; and 
 send, to the second computing device, a second portion of the content item, wherein the second portion is optimized using a second optimization technique, and 
 
   wherein the second computing device comprises:
 one or more second processors; and 
 second memory storing second instructions that, when executed by the one or more second processors, cause the second computing device to:
 receive, from the first computing device, the optimized second portion of the content item. 
 
   
     
     
         58 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein the first instructions, when executed by the one or more first processors, further cause the first computing device to:
 determine, based on a second quantity of data transmitted during a second period, that a reduced bandwidth utilization level of the network has been satisfied; and   send, based on the reduced bandwidth utilization level being satisfied and to the second computing device, a second content item optimized using the first optimization technique.   
     
     
         59 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein the first instructions, when executed by the one or more first processors, further cause the first computing device to:
 determine, based on a second quantity of data transmitted during a second period, that a reduced bandwidth utilization level of the network has been satisfied; and   reduce, based on the reduced bandwidth utilization level being satisfied, an intensity level of the second optimization technique.   
     
     
         60 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein the second bandwidth utilization threshold exceeds the first bandwidth utilization threshold. 
     
     
         61 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein the first instructions, when executed by the one or more first processors, cause the first computing device to determine that the second bandwidth utilization threshold of the network has been satisfied by causing the first computing device to:
 determine that sending one or more content additional portions of the content item would cause a slowdown in content delivery via the network.   
     
     
         62 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein the first instructions, when executed by the one or more first processors, cause the first computing device to determine that the second bandwidth utilization threshold of the network has been satisfied by causing the first computing device to:
 determine that a bandwidth utilization level of the network meets or exceeds the second bandwidth utilization threshold for a period of time.   
     
     
         63 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein the first optimization technique and the second optimization technique each comprises one or more of:
 adjusting a bit-rate for sending portions of the content item,   engaging a compression protocol configured to compress portions of the content item, or   selecting, for sending portions of the content item, a file preconfigured with adjustable parameters.   
     
     
         64 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein the second optimization technique comprises optimizing the network for sending the second portion of the content item.