Data multiplexing in MPEG server to decoder systems

A method for communicating private application data, along with audio and video data, from a source location to a destination location, the method comprising steps of:

• encoding the audio data in accordance with an audio compression algorithm to produce encoded audio data;
• encoding the video data in accordance with a video compression algorithm to produce encoded video data;
• packetizing the encoded audio data to produce packets of encoded audio data, each of the packets of encoded audio data having a header which includes a first packet identification number;
• packetizing the encoded video data to produce packets of encoded video data, each of the packets of encoded video data having a header which includes a second packet identification number;
• packetizing the private application data to produce packets of private application data, each of the packets of private application data having a header which includes a third packet identification number;
• multiplexing the packets of private application data, encoded audio data, and encoded video data to produce a packet stream;
• and
• transmitting the packet stream from the source location to the destination location.

A device for communicating private application data, along with audio and video data, from a source location to a destination location, the device comprising:

• a preprocessor having an input provided with private application data for establishing the maximum bandwidth anticipated for communicating the private application data and fixing a private application data area accordingly;
• an audio encoder having an input accepting audio data and an output providing compressed audio data;
• an audio packetizer, having an input coupled with the output of the audio encoder and an output providing packets of encoded audio data, each of the packets of encoded audio data having a header portion and a payload portion, each header portion accommodating private application data in accordance with the output of the preprocessor;
• a video encoder having an input accepting video data and an output providing compressed video data;
• a video packetizer, having an input coupled with the output of the video encoder and an output providing packets of encoded video data, each of the packets of encoded video data having a header portion and a payload portion, each header portion accommodating private application data in accordance with the output of the preprocessor;
• a stream server having a first input coupled with the output of the audio packetizer, a second input coupled with the output of the video packetizer, a third input provided with the private application data, and an output, for inserting private application data provided at its first input into the headers of the packets of encoded audio data and of the packets of encoded video data to form stuffed audio and video packets, respectively, for multiplexing the stuffed audio and video packets to form a packet stream, and for providing the packet stream to its output;
• and
• a communication link, the communication link having a first end, at the source location, coupled with the output of the stream server, and a second end at the destination location.

A device for communicating private application data, along with audio and video data, from a source location to a destination location, the device comprising:

• an audio encoder having an input provided with audio data and an output, for encoding the audio data provided at its input in accordance with an audio compression algorithm to produce encoded audio data, and for providing the encoded audio data to its output;
• a video encoder having an input provided with video data and an output, for encoding the video data at its input in accordance with a video compression algorithm to produce encoded video data, and for providing the encoded video data to its output;
• a first packetizer having an input coupled with the output of the audio encoder and an output for producing packets of encoded audio data, each of the packets of encoded audio data having a header which includes a first packet identification number, and for providing the packets of encoded audio data to its output;
• a second packetizer having an input coupled with the output of the video encoder and an output, for producing packets of encoded video data, each of the packets of encoded video data having a header which includes a second packet identification number, and for providing the packets of encoded data to its output;
• a third packetizer having an input provided with the private application data, and an output;
• for packetizing the private application data provided at its input to produce packets of private application data, each of the packets of private application data having a header which includes a third packet identification number, and for providing the packets of private application data to its output;
• a stream server having a first input coupled with the output of the first packetizer, a second input coupled with the output of the second packetizer, a third input coupled with the output of the third packetizer, and an output, for multiplexing the packets of private application data, encoded audio data, and encoded video data to produce a packet stream, and for providing the packet stream to its output;
• and
• a communication link having a first end, at the source location, coupled with the output of the stream server, and a second end at the destination location, and for transmitting the packet stream from the source location to the destination location.