US 6,112,226 A · Method and apparatus for concurrently encoding and tagging digital information for allowing non-sequential access during playback

Abstract

A method and system for providing non-sequential access to visual information that is being digitally encoded in a digital data stream is provided. The digital data stream includes a sequence of video frame data. Each video frame data in the sequence of video frame data corresponds to a video frame of the visual information. The digital data stream is generated with an encoder. The encoder generates tag data that indicates locations of the video frame data within the digital data stream. The digital data stream is stored at a location from which the digital data stream is delivered to a client. Tag data is stored at a location from which the tag data may be used to provide the client non-sequential access to the digital data stream. A selected set of video frames within the digital data stream is selected based on the tag data in response to a request for non-sequential access by the client. A second digital data stream that includes the video frame data that corresponds to each video frame of the selected set of video frames is constructed and transmitted to the client.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A digital video delivery system comprising:

an encoder configured to receive visual information;
said encoder being configured to generate content data that represents the visual information in a digital video format;
and
said encoder being configured to generate control data in parallel with said content data, said control data indicating locations of frames contained in said content data.

1 more element

A computer-readable medium having stored thereon sequences of instructions for providing non-sequential access to visual information that is being digitally encoded in a digital data stream, wherein said digital data stream includes a sequence of video frame data, each video frame data in said sequence of video frame data corresponding to a video frame of said visual information, the sequences of instructions including instructions for performing the steps of:

while said digital data stream is being generated by an encoder, causing said encoder to generate tag data that indicates locations of said video frame data within said digital data stream;
storing said digital data stream at a location from which the digital data stream is delivered to a client;
and
storing said tag data at a location from which the tag data may be used to provide the client non-sequential access to the digital data stream.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for concurrently encoding and tagging digital information for allowing non-sequential access during playback

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for concurrently encoding and tagging digital information for allowing non-sequential access during playback

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19