Patent attributes
The “swarming” behavior of multimedia content distribution network subscribers—numerous, near-simultaneous requests for the same content by different users—is predicted, based on analysis of past viewing habits. Users are grouped based on correlations in the multimedia content requested and the time at which it is requested. When a set of users of a group requests particular multimedia content, that content is autonomously distributed, via a shared distribution channel, to the terminal equipment of all users in the group, where it is buffered. As other users in the group request the same multimedia content, an initial portion is distributed to each requesting user via an individual channel. As the rendered content catches up to the buffered content, the terminal equipment switches from the content delivered via the individual distribution channel to the buffered content. The individual distribution is then terminated, and the individual distribution channel released.
