US 5,652,749 A · Apparatus and method for segmentation and time synchronization of the transmission of a multiple program multimedia data stream

Abstract

Method and apparatus are provided for segmenting a multiple program multimedia digital data stream for transmission over a distribution communications network. Each program multimedia digital data stream includes sequential transport system (TS) packets with program clock references (PCRs) at a set time interval and a program identification (PID) associated with the PCRs. The multiple program multimedia digital data stream is received. The TS packets are decoded to identify the program clock references (PCRs). A selected number N of TS packets are identified. The multimedia digital data stream into frames responsive to both the identified number N of TS packets and the identified PCRs. A program identification (PID) associated with one of the PCRs is selected for timing the transmission of segmented multiple program multimedia digital data stream. A time interval following an identified PCR associated with the selected program identification PID is identified and compared with the set time interval between the program clock references (PCRs). Responsive to the identified time interval being greater than the set time interval, a new program identification (PID) is selected for timing the transmission of segmented multiple program multimedia digital data stream.

Claims12

Dependent claims

Apparatus for segmenting a multiple program multimedia digital data stream for transmission over a distribution communications network, each program multimedia digital data stream including sequential transport system (TS) packets with at least one program clock reference (PCR) included within a set time interval and a program identification (PID) associated with the PCRs comprising:

means for decoding said TS packets to identify the program clock references (PCRs);
means for identifying a selected number N of TS packets;
means for segmenting said multimedia digital data stream into frames responsive to both said identified number N of TS packets and said identified PCR;
means for selecting a program identification (PID) associated with one of the PCRs for timing the transmission of segmented multiple program multimedia digital data stream;
means for identifying a time interval following an identified PCR associated with said selected program identification PID;
and
means for comparing said identified time interval with the set time interval between the program clock references (PCRs);
and
means responsive to said identified time interval being greater than the set time interval for selecting a new program identification (PID) associated with one of the PCRs for timing the transmission of segmented multiple program multimedia digital data stream.

6 more elements

A method for segmenting a multimedia data stream for transmission over a distribution communications network, said multimedia data stream including sequential transport system (TS) packets with at least one program clock reference (PCR) included within a set time interval, said method comprising the steps of:

decoding said TS packets to identify the program clock references (PCRs);
identifying a selected number N of TS packets;
and
segmenting said multimedia digital data stream into frames responsive to both said identified selected number N of TS packets and said identified PCR;
selecting a program identification (PID) associated with one of the PCRs for timing the transmission of segmented multiple program multimedia digital data stream;
identifying a time interval following an identified PCR associated with said selected program identification PID;
comparing said identified time interval with the set time interval between the program clock references (PCRs);
and
selecting a new program identification (PID) associated with one of the PCRs for timing the transmission of segmented multiple program multimedia digital data stream responsive to said identified time interval being greater than the set time interval.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus and method for segmentation and time synchronization of the transmission of a multiple program multimedia data stream

Life of this patent

Apparatus and method for segmentation and time synchronization of the transmission of a multiple program multimedia data stream

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12