Synchronized transmission of audio and video data from a computer to a client via an interface

A computer readable storage medium containing instructions which, when executed by a computer, performs data transmission flow control by performing the acts of:

• polling for a first time an interface in communication with the computer, the interface having a buffer for storing data frames received from the computer, the frames to be sent to the video client, the buffer having a fill amount that varies with the amount of data contained in the buffer, the buffer having an optimal fill amount;
• receiving a first buffer fill amount value from the interface;
• sending a plurality of frames of video and audio data in an isochronous manner to the buffer on the interface such that a delay period exists between the sending of each frame, wherein each frame of said plurality comprises at least one header, a video portion, and an audio portion;
• polling the interface a second time to determine the buffer fill amount after the plurality of frames are sent to the buffer on the interface;
• receiving a second buffer fill amount value from the interface;
• and
• if the second buffer fill amount value is smaller than the optimal fill amount, and smaller than the first buffer fill amount value, then decreasing the delay period between transmission of frames from the computer to the buffer on the interface,
• if the second buffer fill amount value is larger than the optimal fill amount, and larger than the first buffer fill amount value, then increasing the delay period between transmission of frames from the computer to the buffer on the interface.

In a system having a computer, a video client, and an interface coupled between the computer and video client that facilitates data transmission between the computer and the video client, the interface connected to the computer via a standardized bus, the interface having a buffer for storing data frames received from the computer to be sent to the video client, the buffer having a fill amount that varies with the amount of data it stores, the interface having an optimal buffer fill amount, an apparatus for performing data transmission flow control, the apparatus comprising:

• apparatus adapted to poll the interface a first time to determine the fill amount of the buffer on the interface;
• apparatus adapted to receive a first buffer fill amount value from the interface;
• apparatus adapted to send a plurality of frames of video and audio data in an isochronous manner to the buffer on the interface such that a delay period exists between the sending of each frame, wherein each frame of said plurality of frames comprises at least one header, a video portion, and an audio portion;
• apparatus adapted to poll the interface a second time to determine the buffer fill amount after the plurality of frames are sent to the buffer on the interface;
• apparatus adapted to receive a second buffer fill amount value from the interface;
• and
• apparatus adapted to if the second buffer fill amount value is smaller than the optimal fill amount, and smaller than the first buffer fill amount value, decrease the delay period between transmission of frames from the computer to the buffer on the interface,
• apparatus adapted to, if the second buffer fill amount value is larger than the optimal fill amount, and larger than the first buffer fill amount value, increase the delay period between transmission of frames from the computer to the buffer on the interface.

A device adapted for performing data transmission flow control, comprising:

• apparatus adapted to determine a first fill amount of a buffer on an interface coupled between a computer and a video client, wherein the buffer on the interface facilitates data transmission between the computer and the video client;
• apparatus adapted to send a plurality of frames of video and audio data in an isochronous manner to the buffer on the interface such that a delay period exists between the sending of each frame, wherein each frame of said plurality of frames comprises at least one header, a video portion, and an audio portion;
• apparatus adapted to determine a second fill amount of the buffer on the interface after the frames are sent to the buffer on the interface;
• and
• apparatus adapted to, if the second buffer fill amount value is smaller than an optimal fill amount of the buffer on the interface, and smaller than the first buffer fill amount value, decrease the delay period between the sending of said frames to the buffer on the interface, and if the second buffer fill amount value is larger than the optimal fill amount, and larger than the first buffer fill amount value, increase the delay period between the sending of said frames to the buffer on the interface.

A device adapted for performing data transmission flow control, comprising:

• a computer readable storage medium containing instructions which, when executed by a computer, performs the acts of:
• determining a first fill amount of a buffer on an interface between a computer and a video client, wherein the buffer on the interface facilitates data transmission between the computer and the video client;
• sending a plurality of frames of video and audio data in an isochronous manner to the buffer on the interface such that a delay period exists between the sending of each frame, wherein each frame of said plurality of frames comprises at least one header, a video portion, and an audio portion;
• determining a second fill amount of the buffer on the interface after the frames are sent to the buffer on the interface;
• and
• if the second buffer fill amount value is smaller than an optimal fill amount of the buffer on the interface, and smaller than the first buffer fill amount value, decreasing the delay period between the sending of said frames to the buffer on the interface, and if the second buffer fill amount value is larger than the optimal fill amount, and larger than the first buffer fill amount value, increasing the delay period between the sending of said frames to the buffer on the interface.

A method of performing data transmission flow control, comprising:

• determining a first fill amount of a buffer on an interface between a computer and video client, wherein the buffer on the interface facilitates data transmission between the computer and the video client;
• sending a plurality of frames of video and audio data in an isochronous manner to the buffer on the interface such that a delay period exists between the sending of each frame, wherein each frame of said plurality of frames comprises at least one header, a video portion, and an audio portion;
• determining a second fill amount of the buffer on the interface after the frames are sent to the buffer on the interface;
• and
• if the second buffer fill amount value is smaller than an optimal fill amount of the buffer on the interface, and smaller than the first buffer fill amount value, decreasing the delay period between the sending of said frames to the buffer on the interface, and if the second buffer fill amount value is larger than the optimal fill amount, and larger than the first buffer fill amount value, increasing the delay period between the sending of said frames to the buffer on the interface.