Adaptive video encoder for two-layer encoding of video signals on ATM (asynchronous transfer mode) networks

A method of adapting video encoding parameters used by an encoder to encode an original video signal including frames, each frame containing at least one image representation, into high and low-priority bit-streams as a output for transmission on an ATM network in packetized cells, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving said transmitted packetized cells including said high and low priority bit-streams, where encoding parameters used to encode said low-priority bit-stream are adapted in response to a representation of a level of cell loss on said ATM network and said adaptation is independent of said encoding of said high-priority bit-stream;
• depacketizing said transmitted cells to obtain said encoded frames;
• monitoring a level of cell loss occurring in each of said encoded frames;
• generating a representation of said level of cell loss for each of said encoded frames;
• and
• transmitting said representation of said level of cell loss to said encoder on said ATM network.

Apparatus for adapting video encoding parameters used by an encoder to encode an original video signal including frames, each frame containing at least one image representation, as an output for transmission on an ATM network, said apparatus comprising:

• means for encoding each of said frames into high-priority and low-priority bit-streams;
• means for packetizing said encoded frames into cells, said packetizing means outputting said cells for transmission on said ATM network;
• means for depacketizing said cells to obtain said encoded frames;
• means for monitoring a level of cell loss occurring in each of said encoded frames;
• means for generating a representation of said level of cell loss for each of said encoded frames;
• means for transmitting said representation of said level of cell loss to said encoder on said ATM network;
• and
• means for adapting encoding parameters used to encode said low-priority bit-stream in response to said representation of said level of cell loss, where said means for adapting is independent of said means for encoding said high-priority bit-stream.

Apparatus for adapting video encoding parameters used by an encoder to encode an original video signal including frames, each frame containing at least one image representation, into encoded version having high and low-priority bit-streams as packetized output for transmission on an ATM network in cells, the apparatus comprising:

• means for receiving said transmitted cells including said high and low priority bit-streams, where encoding parameters used to encode said low-priority bit-stream are adapted in response to a representation of a level of cell loss on said ATM network and said means for adaptation is independent of said means for encoding said high-priority bit-stream;
• means for depacketizing said transmitted cells to obtain said encoded frames;
• means for monitoring a level of cell loss occurring in each of said encoded frames;
• means for generating a representation of said level of cell loss for each of said encoded frames;
• and
• means for transmitting said representation of said level of cell loss to said encoder on said ATM network.