Method and apparatus for encoding and formatting data representing a video program to provide multiple overlapping presentations of the video program

A method of receiving a repeatedly transmitted data stream comprising the interleaved elements of N subsequences of data, wherein each of the N subsequences corresponds to a different temporal portion of the same video program, each of the N subsequences of data comprising an ordered sequence of elements representative of a contiguous portion of a video program, said method of receiving comprising the steps of:

• selecting the elements corresponding to a particular subsequence of data during each repetition of the transmitted data stream;
• reconstructing the portion of the video program corresponding to the elements of said selected subsequences;
• concatenating each of said reconstructed portions to form a continuous presentation of the video program;
• and
• repeating said steps of selecting, reconstructing, concatenating until the entire program has been presented;
• wherein the repeatedly transmitted data stream includes unique segment identification numbers assigned to each of the N consecutive subsequences in sequentially increasing order, and wherein said step of selecting is performed by selecting the elements of the subsequence corresponding to the lowest segment identification number during the first repetition, and the elements of the subsequence corresponding to the next higher segment identification number during each repetition thereafter.

A method of receiving a repeatedly transmitted data stream comprising the interleaved elements of N subsequences of data, wherein each of the N subsequences corresponds to a different temporal portion of the same video program, each of the N subsequences of data comprising an ordered sequence of elements representative of a contiguous portion of a video program, said method of receiving comprising the steps of:

• selecting the elements corresponding to a particular subsequence of data during repetition of the transmitted data stream;
• reconstructing the portion of the video program corresponding to the elements of said selected subsequences;
• and
• concatenating each of said reconstructed portions to form a continuous presentation of the video program;
• and
• repeating said steps of selecting, reconstructing, concatenating until the entire program has been presented;
• wherein the repeatedly transmitted data stream includes unique segment identification numbers assigned to each of the N consecutive subsequences in sequentially increasing order, and wherein each of the assigned segment identification numbers is decremented by one during each subsequent repetition of the data stream, and wherein said step of selecting is performed by selecting the elements of the subsequence corresponding to the same segment identification number during each of said repetitions.

A method of receiving a repeatedly transmitted data stream comprising the interleaved elements of N subsequences of data, wherein each of the N subsequences corresponds to a different temporal portion of the same video program, each of the N subsequences of data comprising an ordered sequence of elements representative of a contiguous portion of a video program, said method of receiving comprising the steps of:

• selecting the elements corresponding to a particular subsequence of data during each repetition of the transmitted data stream;
• reconstructing the portion of the video program corresponding to the elements of said selected subsequences;
• and
• concatenating each of said reconstructed portions to form a continuous presentation of the video program;
• wherein the repeatedly transmitted data stream includes unique segment identification numbers assigned to each of the N consecutive subsequences in sequentially increasing order, and wherein said step of selecting is performed by selecting the elements of the subsequence corresponding to an arbitrarily specified segment identification number, and wherein said arbitrarily specified segment identification is thereafter increased for the purpose of advancing forward into the video program at a faster than normal rate.

A method of receiving a repeatedly transmitted data stream comprising the interleaved elements of N subsequences of data, wherein each of the N subsequences corresponds to a different temporal portion of the same video program, each of the N subsequences of data comprising an ordered sequence of elements representative of a contiguous portion of a video program, said method of receiving comprising the steps of:

• selecting the elements corresponding to a particular subsequence of data during each repetition of the transmitted data stream;
• reconstructing the portion of the video program corresponding to the elements of said selected subsequences;
• and
• concatenating each of said reconstructed portions to form a continuous presentation of the video program;
• wherein the repeatedly transmitted data stream includes unique segment identification numbers assigned to each of the N consecutive subsequences in sequentially increasing order, and wherein said step of selecting is performed by selecting the elements of the subsequence corresponding to an arbitrarily specified segment identification number, and wherein said arbitrarily specified segment identification is thereafter decreased for the purpose of advancing backwards into the video program.

An apparatus for formatting and distributing overlapping presentations of the same video program comprising:

• partitioning logic for receiving a data stream comprising an ordered sequence of data representative of the video program, said partitioning logic for segmenting said data stream into N data segments each made up of a plurality of data elements;
• interleaving logic in communication with said partitioning logic for interleaving the data elements of the N data segments to produce an interleaved data stream so that adjacent elements in the interleaved data stream originate from different data segments in non-interleaved form;
• and
• transmitting logic for repeatedly transmitting the interleaved data stream over a video program distribution medium for a predetermined period of time to at least one receiver that is capable of reassembling the data segments in non-interleaved form.

An apparatus for formatting and distributing overlapping presentations of the same video program comprising:

• partitioning logic for receiving a data stream comprising an ordered sequence of data representative of the video program, said partitioning logic for segmenting said data stream into N data segments each made up of a plurality of data elements;
• interleaving logic in communication with said partitioning logic for interleaving the data elements of the N data segments to produce an interleaved data stream;
• and
• digital encoding logic for compressing said data stream, said digital encoding logic coupled to provide said data stream to said partitioning logic in a compressed state;
• a storage device coupled to receive and store said interleaved data stream for subsequent distribution to at least one receiver that is capable of reassembling the data segments in non-interleaved form;
• and
• a plurality of N digital encoders, each coupled to receive and encode one of said N data segments and responsive to feedback from the transmission channel wherein said interleaved data stream is statistically multiplexed;
• a packet multiplexer coupled to receive compressed data segment information from said N digital encoders for generating an interleaved output stream;
• and
• a channel buffer coupled to buffer said interleaved output stream and to provide said feedback to said digital encoders.

An apparatus for formatting and distributing overlapping presentations of the same video program comprising:

• partitioning logic for receiving a data stream comprising an ordered sequence of data representative of the video program, said partitioning logic for segmenting said data stream into N data segments each made up of a plurality of data elements;
• interleaving logic in communication with said partitioning logic for interleaving the data elements of the N data segments to produce an interleaved data stream;
• and
• digital encoding logic for compressing said data stream, said digital encoding logic coupled to provide said data stream to said partitioning logic in a compressed state;
• a storage device coupled to receive and store said interleaved data stream for subsequent distribution to at least one receiver that is capable of reassembling the data segments in non-interleaved form;
• and
• at least a second storage device, said interleaving logic including logic for splitting said interleaved data stream between said storage devices.

A receiver for receiving a repeatedly transmitted data stream comprising interleaved elements of N data segments, each of the N data segments comprising a sequence of elements representative of portions of the same video program, said receiver comprising:

• data selection circuitry for receiving from the data stream the elements corresponding to a particular segment of data during each repetition of the repeatedly transmitted data stream;
• video translation circuitry coupled to receive the selected elements for reconstructing the portion of the video program corresponding to the elements of the selected segment;
• and
• presentation circuitry for concatenating reconstructed portions of the selected segment for continuous presentation of said video programs;
• wherein adjacent elements in the data stream originate from different data segments.