Frame bit-size allocation for seamlessly spliced, variable-encoding-rate, compressed digital video signals

A controller for allocating a bit size for a current frame in a group of pictures of a first compression-encoded digital video signal that is to be spliced following transmission of the group of pictures with a second compression-encoded digital video signal, wherein the signals are spliced during a switching interval that begins a predetermined switching time after commencement of encoding the current frame of the first signal, and the spliced signals are buffered by a decoder buffer and then decoded by a decoder, the controller comprising:

• means for determining, prior to encoding the current frame, a minimum bit size for the current frame for preventing an overflow of the current frame from the decoder buffer to the decoder;
• and
• means for allocating a bit size for the current frame in accordance with the determined minimum bit size for the current frame;
• wherein when the second signal has a predetermined maximum variable bit-encoding rate and the current frame is not decoded until after the predetermined switching time, the minimum bit size is determined in accordance with the predetermined maximum bit-encoding rate of the second signal.

A method of allocating a bit size for a current frame in a group of pictures of a first compression-encoded digital video signal that is to be spliced following transmission of the group of pictures with a second compression-encoded digital video signal, wherein the signals are spliced during a switching interval that begins a predetermined switching time after commencement of encoding the current frame of the first signal, and the spliced signals are buffered by a decoder buffer and then decoded by a decoder, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) determining, prior to encoding the current frame, a maximum bit size for the current frame for preventing an underflow of the current frame from the decoder buffer to the decoder;
• and
• (b) allocating a bit size for the current frame in accordance with the determined maximum bit size for the current frame;
• wherein when the second signal has a variable bit-encoding rate and the current frame is not decoded until after the predetermined switching time, step (a) comprises step of:
• (c) determining the maximum bit size in accordance with an estimate of the decoder buffer fullness at the predetermined switching time.

A method of allocating a bit size for a current frame in a group of pictures of a first compression-encoded digital video signal that is to be spliced following transmission of the group of pictures with a second compression-encoded digital video signal, wherein the signals are spliced during a switching interval that begins a predetermined switching time after commencement of encoding the current frame of the first signal, and the spliced signals are buffered by a decoder buffer and then decoded by a decoder, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) determining, prior to encoding the current frame, a minimum bit size for the current frame for preventing an overflow of the current frame from the decoder buffer to the decoder;
• and
• (b) allocating a bit size for the current frame in accordance with the determined minimum bit size for the current frame;
• wherein when the second signal has a predetermined maximum variable bit-encoding rate and the current frame is not decoded until after the predetermined switching time, step (b) comprises the step of:
• (c) determining the minimum bit size in accordance with the predetermined maximum bit-encoding rate of the second signal.

A computer readable storage medium comprising computer executable instructions for causing a controller to allocate a bit size for a current frame in a group of pictures of a first compression-encoded digital video signal that is to be spliced following transmission of the group of pictures with a second compression-encoded digital video signal, wherein the signals are spliced during a switching interval that begins a predetermined switching time after commencement of encoding the current frame of the first signal, and the spliced signals are buffered by a decoder buffer and then decoded by a decoder, wherein the instructions cause the controller to perform the steps of:

• (a) determining, prior to encoding the current frame, a maximum bit size for the current frame for preventing an underflow of the current frame from the decoder buffer to the decoder;
• and
• (b) allocating a bit size for the current frame in accordance with the determined maximum bit size for the current frame;
• wherein when the second signal has a variable bit-encoding rate and the current frame is not decoded until after the predetermined switching time, step (a) comprises step of:
• (c) determining the maximum bit size in accordance with an estimate of the decoder buffer fullness at the predetermined switching time.

A computer readable storage medium comprising computer executable instructions for causing a controller to allocate a bit size for a current frame in a group of pictures of a first compression-encoded digital video signal that is to be spliced following transmission of the group of pictures with a second compression-encoded digital video signal, wherein the signals are spliced during a switching interval that begins a predetermined switching time after commencement of encoding the current frame of the first signal, and the spliced signals are buffered by a decoder buffer and then decoded by a decoder, wherein the instructions cause the controller to perform the steps of:

• (a) determining, prior to encoding the current frame, a minimum bit size for the current frame for preventing an overflow of the current frame from the decoder buffer to the decoder;
• and
• (b) allocating a bit size for the current frame in accordance with the determined minimum bit size for the current frame;
• wherein when the second signal has a predetermined maximum variable bit-encoding rate and the current frame is not decoded until after the predetermined switching time, step (b) comprises the step of:
• (c) determining the minimum bit size in accordance with the predetermined maximum bit-encoding rate of the second signal.