Data stream control system for associating counter values with stored selected data packets from an incoming data transport stream to preserve interpacket time interval information

A data storage system that selectively stores a series of selected data packets from an incoming data transport stream and that plays back and transmits the stored series of selected data packets to an outgoing data transport stream, the data storage system comprising:

• a data storage system controller that generates at least one packet filter parameter in response to user input, the at least one packet filter parameter identifying the series of selected data packets;
• a transport stream input interface that receives the incoming data transport stream comprising selected data packets having interpacket time intervals between the selected data packets;
• a command interface that receives the at least one packet filter parameter from the data storage system controller;
• a programmable data packet filter coupled to the command interface and transport stream input interface, the programmable data packet filter transmitting the series of selected data packets in response to the packet filter parameter and the incoming data transport stream;
• a storage device that stores the selected data packets;
• a storage interface coupled to the programmable data packet filter and to the storage device, the storage interface transmitting the selected data packets to the storage device and receiving stored selected data packets from the storage device;
• a counter that provides counter values for the selected data packets, each counter value representing a time of reception of a respective selected data packet, whereby the counter value is stored in association with the respective selected data packet to preserve information regarding the interpacket time intervals of the series of selected data packets from the incoming data transport stream;
• a timing restorer that receives the stored selected data packets from the storage interface and that receives the counter values stored in association with the respective selected data packets, the timing restorer transmitting the stored selected data packet at a time of transmission responsive to the respective counter value;
• and
• a transport stream output interface coupled to the timing restorer and the outgoing data transport stream, whereby the transport stream output interface receives the stored series of selected data packets from the timing restorer, and the outgoing data transport stream receives the stored series of selected data packets from the transport Stream output interface with interpacket time intervals which substantially match the corresponding interpacket time intervals of the series of selected data packets from the incoming data transport stream.

A method of selectively storing a series of selected data packets from an incoming data transport stream, the series of selected data packets having interpacket time intervals between the selected data packets, the method comprising:

• receiving at least one packet filter parameter identifying the series of selected data packets;
• receiving the incoming data transport stream;
• storing the series of selected data packets in response to the packet filter parameter and the incoming data transport stream;
• providing counter values for the selected data packets, each counter value representing a time of reception of a respective selected data packet;
• and
• storing the counter value in association with the respective selected data packet, thereby preserving information regarding the interpacket time intervals of the series of selected data packets from the incoming data transport stream.

A method of selectively storing and playing back a series of selected data packets from an incoming data transport stream, the series of selected data packets having interpacket time intervals between the selected data packets, the method comprising:

• receiving at least one packet filter parameter identifying the series of selected data packets;
• receiving the incoming data transport stream;
• storing the series of selected data packets in response to the packet filter parameter and the incoming data transport stream;
• providing counter values for the selected data packets, each counter value representing a time of reception of a respective selected data packet;
• storing the counter value in association with the respective selected data packet, thereby preserving information regarding the interpacket time intervals of the series of selected data packets from the incoming data transport stream;
• playing back the stored selected data packets;
• receiving the counter value stored in association with the respective selected data packets;
• and
• transmitting the stored selected data packet at a time of transmission responsive to the respective counter value, whereby the stored series of selected data packets are transmitted with interpacket time intervals which substantially match the corresponding interpacket time intervals of the series of selected data packets from the incoming data transport stream.