US 6,408,436 B1 · Method and apparatus for cross-connection of video signals

A switched telecommunication access system comprising:

a switched multicasting station for transmitting video data in response to receiving a video data request signal;
and
a plurality of gateway devices coupled to the switched multicasting station, said gateway devices sending video data request signals to said switched multicasting station and receiving video data from said switched multicasting station, at least one gateway device of said plurality of gateway devices comprising:
a controller for sending a video data request signal to said switched multicasting station and for routing video data received from said switched multicasting station in response to the video data request signal;
and
a plurality of video decoders coupled to said controller for decoding the video data received from said switched multicasting station;
wherein one stream of video data representing a video program on a particular channel is sent from said switched multicasting station to one gateway device of said plurality of gateway devices even when the video program on the particular channel is requested for display on more than one display device coupled to said one gateway device, further wherein the one stream of video data representing the video program on the particular channel is used to display the video program on the more than one display device coupled to said one gateway device requesting the video program, the more than one display device requesting the video program, further wherein for the particular channel, the one stream of video data includes one copy, rather than multiple copies, of the video program on the particular channel.

4 more elements

A switched telecommunication access system comprising:

a switched multicasting station for transmitting video data in response to receiving a video data request signal;
and
a plurality of gateway devices coupled to the switched multicasting station, said gateway devices sending video data request signals to said switched multicasting station and receiving video data from said switched multicasting station, at least one gateway device of said plurality of gateway devices comprising:
a plurality of video decoders for decoding video data received from said switched multicasting station;
and
a controller for sending a video data request signal to said switched multicasting station and for routing video data received from said switched multicasting station in response to the video data request signal, said controller comprising:
a plurality of selectors, each selector of said plurality of selectors receives a plurality of video data streams and in response to a control signal from said controller selects one video data stream of the plurality of video data streams for transmission to one of said plurality of video decoders, wherein each of said plurality of selectors is coupled to one corresponding video decoder of said plurality of video decoders;
and
a plurality of buffers, each selector of said plurality of selectors is coupled to each buffer of said plurality of buffers for receiving the plurality of video data streams from said plurality of buffers, wherein each incoming video data stream is assigned to a first available buffer of said plurality of buffers such that video data in the incoming video data stream is stored in the first available buffer.

6 more elements

A switched telecommunication access system comprising:

a switched multicasting station for transmitting video data in response to receiving a video data request signal;
and
a plurality of gateway devices coupled to the switched multicasting station, said gateway devices sending video data request signals to said switched multicasting station and receiving video data from said switched multicasting station, at least one gateway device of said plurality of gateway devices comprising:
a plurality of video decoders for decoding video data received from said switched multicasting station;
and
a controller for sending a video data request signal to said switched multicasting station and for routing video data received from said switched multicasting station in response to the video data request signal, said controller comprising:
a plurality of buffers;
and
a plurality of transport generators, wherein each buffer of said plurality of buffers is coupled to one corresponding transport generator of said plurality of transport generators, and each said buffer receives video data representing a video program requested for display on a display device corresponding to said one corresponding transport generator, stores the video data, and sends the video data to said one corresponding transport generator, further wherein each transport generator of said plurality of transport generators is coupled to one corresponding video decoder of said plurality of video decoders, each said transport generator receives video data from a corresponding buffer and forwards the video data to said one corresponding video decoder.

6 more elements

A gateway device comprising:

a plurality of video decoders for decoding video data;
and
a controller for sending a video data request signal and for routing video data received in response to the video data request signal, said controller comprising:
a plurality of buffers;
and
a plurality of transport generators, wherein each buffer of said plurality of buffers is coupled to one corresponding transport generator of said plurality of transport generators, and each said buffer receives video data representing a video program requested for display on a display device corresponding to said one corresponding transport generator, stores the video data, and sends the video data to said one corresponding transport generator, further wherein each transport generator of said plurality of transport generators is coupled to one corresponding video decoder of said plurality of video decoders, each said transport generator receives video data from a corresponding buffer and forwards the video data to said one corresponding video decoder.

3 more elements

A switched telecommunication access system comprising:

means for transmitting video data in response to receiving a video data request signal;
and
a plurality of means for receiving video data coupled to said means for transmitting, wherein said plurality of means for receiving send video data request signals to said means for transmitting and receive video data from said means for transmitting, at least one means for receiving of said plurality of means for receiving comprising:
means for controlling operation of said at least one means for receiving, wherein said means for controlling sends a video data request signal to said means for transmitting and routes video data received from said means for transmitting in response to the video data request signal;
and
a plurality of means for decoding video data received from said means for transmitting, said plurality of means for decoding coupled to said means for controlling;
wherein one stream of video data representing a video program on a particular channel is sent from said means for transmitting to one means for receiving of said plurality of means for receiving even when the video program on the particular channel is requested for display on more than one display device coupled to said one means for receiving, further wherein the one stream of video data representing the video program on the particular channel is used to display the video program on the more than one display device coupled to said one means for receiving requesting the video program, the more than one display device requesting the video program, further wherein for the particular channel, the one stream of video data includes one copy, rather than multiple copies, of the video program on the particular channel.

4 more elements

A switched telecommunication access system comprising:

means for transmitting video data in response to receiving a video data request signal;
and
a plurality of means for receiving video data coupled to said means for transmitting, wherein said plurality of means for receiving send video data request signals to said means for transmitting and receive video data from said means for transmitting, at least one means for receiving of said plurality of means for receiving comprising:
a plurality of means for decoding video data for decoding video data received from said means for transmitting;
and
means for controlling operation of said at least one means for receiving, said means for controlling coupled to said plurality of means for decoding video data, wherein said means for controlling sends a video data request signal to said means for transmitting and routes video data received from said means for transmitting in response to the video data request signal, said means for controlling comprising:
a plurality of means for selecting, wherein each means for selecting of said plurality of means for selecting receives a plurality of video data streams and in response to a control signal from said means for controlling selects one video data stream of the plurality of video data streams for transmission to one means for decoding of said plurality of means for decoding, wherein each of said plurality of means for selecting is coupled to one corresponding means for decoding of said plurality of means for decoding;
a plurality of means for storing video data;
and
means for processing video data coupled to said plurality of means for storing;
wherein each means for selecting of said plurality of means for selecting is coupled to each means for storing of said plurality of means for storing, each means for selecting of said plurality of means for selecting in response to a control signal from said means for processing selects video data received from one of said plurality of means for storing for transmission to one of said plurality of means for decoding, wherein each incoming video data stream is assigned to a first available means for storing of said plurality of means for storing such that video data in the incoming video data stream is stored in the first available means for storing.

8 more elements

A switched telecommunication access system comprising:

means for transmitting video data in response to receiving a video data request signal;
and
a plurality of means for receiving video data coupled to said means for transmitting, wherein said plurality of means for receiving send video data request signals to said means for transmitting and receive video data from said means for transmitting, at least one means for receiving of said plurality of means for receiving comprising:
a plurality of means for decoding video data for decoding video data received from said means for transmitting;
and
means for controlling operation of said at least one means for receiving, said means for controlling coupled to said plurality of means for decoding video data, wherein said means for controlling sends a video data request signal to said means for transmitting and routes video data received from said means for transmitting in response to the video data request signal, said means for controlling comprising:
a plurality of means for storing video data;
and
a plurality of transport generators, wherein each means for storing of said plurality of means for storing is coupled to one corresponding transport generator of said plurality of transport generators, and each said means for storing receives video data representing a video program requested for display on a display device corresponding to said one corresponding transport generator, stores the video data, and sends the video data to said one corresponding transport generator, further wherein each transport generator of said plurality of transport generators is coupled to one corresponding means for decoding of said plurality of means for decoding, each said transport generator receives video data from a corresponding means for storing and forwards the vide data to said one corresponding means for decoding.

6 more elements

A gateway device comprising:

a plurality of means for decoding video data;
and
means for controlling operation of the gateway device, said means for controlling coupled to said plurality of means for decoding video data, wherein said means for controlling sends a video data request signal and routes video data received in response to the video data request signal, said means for controlling comprising:
a plurality of means for selecting, wherein each means for selecting of said plurality of means for selecting receives a plurality of video data streams and in response to a control signal from said means for controlling selects one video data stream of the plurality of video data streams for transmission to one means for decoding of said plurality of means for decoding, wherein each of said plurality of means for selecting is coupled to one corresponding means for decoding of said plurality of means for decoding;
a plurality of means for storing video data;
and
means for processing video data coupled to said means for storing;
wherein each means for selecting of said plurality of means for selecting is coupled to each means for storing of said plurality of means for storing, each means for selecting of said plurality of means for selecting in response to a control signal from said means for processing selects video data received from one of said plurality of means for storing for transmission to one of said plurality of means for decoding, wherein each incoming video data stream is assigned to a first available means for storing of said plurality of means for storing such that video data in the incoming video data stream is stored in the first available means for storing.

5 more elements

A gateway device comprising:

a plurality of means for decoding video data;
and
means for controlling operation of the gateway device, said means for controlling coupled to said plurality of means for decoding video data, wherein said means for controlling sends a video data request signal and routes video data received in response to the video data request signal, said means for controlling comprising:
a plurality of means for storing video data;
and
a plurality of transport generators, wherein each means for storing of said plurality of means for storing is coupled to one corresponding transport generator of said plurality of transport generators, and each said means for storing receives video data representing a video program requested for display on a display device corresponding to said one corresponding transport generator, stores the video data, and sends the video data to said one corresponding transport generator, further wherein each transport generator of said plurality of transport generators is coupled to one corresponding means for decoding of said plurality of means for decoding, each said transport generator receives video data from a corresponding means for storing and forwards the video data to said one corresponding means for decoding.

3 more elements

A method of operating a switched video telecommunication access system having a switched multicasting station and a plurality of gateway devices, where a gateway device may be coupled to a plurality of display devices, said method comprising:

receiving a first request for video data from a gateway device, wherein the video data is video data on a first channel, and further wherein the first request is for displaying a video program represented by the video data on the first channel on a first display device coupled to the gateway device;
receiving a second request for the video data from the gateway device, wherein the second request is for displaying the video program represented by the video data on the first channel on a second display device coupled to the gateway device;
and
sending one stream of video data representing the video data on the first channel from the switched multicasting station to the gateway device for displaying the video program represented by the video data on the first and second display devices, wherein the one stream of video data is used to display the video program on the first and second display devices, wherein the one stream of video data includes one copy, rather than multiple copies, of the video data on the first channel.

1 more element

A method of operating a switched video telecommunication access system having a switched multicasting station and a plurality of gateway devices, where a gateway device may be coupled to a plurality of display devices, said method comprising:

receiving a first request for video data from a gateway device, wherein the video data is video data on a first channel;
receiving a second request for the video data from the gateway device;
sending the video data on the first channel from the switched multicasting station to the gateway device in response to at least one of the first request and the second request;
storing the video data in a first video buffer available for storing the video data;
reformatting the video data into video data serial packets;
sending the video data serial packets to a plurality of selectors;
selecting at a first selector of the plurality of selectors the video data serial packets for transmission to a first video decoder coupled to a first display device;
and
selecting at a second selector of the plurality of selectors the video data serial packets for transmission to a second video decoder coupled to a second display device.

6 more elements

A method of multicasting video data to a plurality of display devices coupled to a gateway device, said method comprising:

sending a first request for video data, wherein the first request is for displaying a video program represented by the video data on a first channel on a first display device coupled to the gateway device;
sending a second request for the video data, wherein the second request is for displaying the video program represented by the video data on the first channel on a second display device coupled to the gateway device;
and
receiving one stream of video data representing the video data on the first channel for displaying the video program represented by the video data on the first and second display devices, wherein the one stream of video data is used to display the video program on the first and second display devices, further wherein the one stream of video data includes one copy, rather than multiple copies, of the video data on the first channel.

1 more element

A switched telecommunication access system comprising:

a switched multicasting station, wherein said switched multicasting station transmits video data in response to receiving a video data request signal;
and
a plurality of gateway devices coupled to the switched multicasting station, wherein said gateway devices send video data request signals to said switched multicasting station and receive video data from said switched multicasting station, at least one gateway device of said plurality of gateway devices comprising:
a plurality of Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPEG) decoders;
and
a controller coupled to said plurality of MPEG decoders, said controller comprising:
a processor;
and
a gateway application specific integrated circuit (gateway ASIC) coupled to said processor, said gateway ASIC comprising:
a plurality of buffers;
a plurality of MPEG transport generators, each MPEG transport generator of said plurality of MPEG transport generators is coupled to one corresponding buffer of said plurality of buffers and receives data from said one corresponding buffer;
and
a plurality of multiplexers, each multiplexer of said plurality of multiplexers is coupled to each MPEG transport generator of said plurality of MPEG transport generators, each multiplexer of said plurality of multiplexers is coupled to one corresponding MPEG decoder of said plurality of MPEG decoders and in response to a control signal from said processor selects data received from one MPEG transport generator of said plurality of MPEG transport generators for transmission to said one corresponding MPEG decoder;
wherein one stream of video data representing a video program on a particular channel is sent from said switched multicasting station to one gateway device of said plurality of gateway devices even when the video program on the particular channel is requested for display on more than one display device coupled to said one gateway device.

11 more elements

A switched telecommunication access system comprising:

a switched multicasting station, wherein said switched multicasting station transmits video data in response to receiving a video data request signal;
and
a plurality of gateway devices coupled to the switched multicasting station, wherein said gateway devices send video data request signals to said switched multicasting station and receive video data from said switched multicasting station, at least one gateway device of said plurality of gateway devices comprising:
a plurality of Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPEG) decoders;
and
a controller coupled to said plurality of MPEG decoders, said controller comprising:
a processor;
and
a gateway application specific integrated circuit (gateway ASIC) coupled to said processor, said gateway ASIC comprising:
a plurality of buffers;
a plurality of MPEG transport generators, each MPEG transport generator of said plurality of MPEG transport generators is coupled to one corresponding buffer of said plurality of buffers and receives a video data stream from said one corresponding buffer;
and
a plurality of multiplexers, each multiplexer of said plurality of multiplexers is coupled to each MPEG transport generator of said plurality of MPEG transport generators and receives a plurality of video data streams from said plurality of MPEG transport generators, each multiplexer of said plurality of multiplexers is coupled to one corresponding MPEG decoder of said plurality of MPEG decoders and in response to a control signal from said processor selects one video data stream of the plurality of video data streams for transmission to said one corresponding MPEG decoder.

10 more elements

A gateway device comprising:

a plurality of Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPEG) decoders;
and
a controller coupled to said plurality of MPEG decoders, wherein said controller sends a video data request signal and routes video data received in response to the video data request signal, said controller comprising:
a processor;
and
a gateway application specific integrated circuit (gateway ASIC) coupled to said processor, said gateway ASIC comprising:
a plurality of buffers;
a plurality of MPEG transport generators, each MPEG transport generator of said plurality of MPEG transport generators is coupled to one corresponding buffer of said plurality of buffers and receives a video data stream from said one corresponding buffer;
and
a plurality of multiplexers, each multiplexer of said plurality of multiplexers is coupled to each MPEG transport generator of said plurality of MPEG transport generators and receives a plurality of video data streams from said plurality of buffers, each multiplexer of said plurality of multiplexers is coupled to one corresponding MPEG decoder of said plurality of MPEG decoders and in response to a control signal from said processor selects one video data stream from the plurality of video data streams for transmission to said one corresponding MPEG decoder.

7 more elements

Method and apparatus for cross-connection of video signals

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Method and apparatus for cross-connection of video signals

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Abstract

Claims90