Methods and apparatus for transmitting video streams on a packet network
AssigneeCisco Technology, Inc.
InventorXiaomei Liu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided for converting video packets into IP packets. Video packets including null packets associated with timing information are received at a network entity coupling a video network to an IP network. Video packets are selectively combined into IP packets to allow transmission of video data onto the IP network in an efficient and effective manner. Null packets used to maintain timing information in the video network are removed. Mechanisms are provided for maintaining timing information even without transmitting extraneous packets.
Claims29
A method for converting video packets into internet protocol (IP) packets, the method comprising:
- receiving a plurality of video packets, the plurality of video packets associated with a video transport reference time stamp, the video transport reference time stamp providing timing information relative to a video source clock;
- filtering the plurality of video packets to select a subset of the video packets;
- combining the subset of video packets into an IP packet having an IP reference time stamp corresponding to the video transport reference time stamp;
- determining offset information for multiple video packets in the subset of video packets;
- incorporating the offset information into the IP packet;
- and
- transmitting the IP packet.
A gateway coupling a video network to an IP network, the gateway comprising:
- a video network interface configured to receive video packets, the video packets associated with a video transport reference time stamp, the video transport reference time stamp providing timing information relative to a video source clock associated with the sender of the video packets;
- a processor configured to filter the video packets to select a subset of the video packets and combine the subset of video packets into an IP packet having an IP reference time stamp corresponding to the video transport reference time stamp, the processor further configured to determine offset information for multiple video packets in the subset of video packets;
- an IP network interface configured to transmit the IP packet along with the offset information onto the IP network.
A network device for converting video packets into internet protocol (IP) packets, the network device comprising:
- means for receiving a plurality of video packets, the plurality of video packets associated with a video transport reference time stamp, the video transport reference time stamp providing timing information relative to a video source clock;
- means for filtering the plurality of video packets to select a subset of the video packets;
- means for combining the subset of video packets into an IP packet having an IP reference time stamp corresponding to the video transport reference time stamp;
- means for determining offset information for multiple video packets in the subset of video packets;
- and
- means for incorporating the offset information into the IP packet.
A computer readable storage medium encoded therein with a computer executable program for converting video packets into internet protocol (IP) packets, the computer executable program comprising instructions for:
- receiving a plurality of video packets, the plurality of video packets associated with a video transport reference time stamp, the video transport reference time stamp providing timing information relative to a video source clock;
- filtering the plurality of video packets to select a subset of the video packets;
- combining the subset of video packets into an IP packet having an IP reference time stamp corresponding to the video transport reference time stamp;
- determining offset information for multiple video packets in the subset of video packets;
- and
- sending the offset information onto the IP network.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.