System and method for dynamically allocating stream identifiers in a multi-encryption transport system
AssigneeCisco Technology, Inc.
InventorsNeil B. Buchen, Thomas C. Wilson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention is suitable for use in a multi-encrypted system that dynamically allocates stream identifiers in a second stream depending upon the identifiers in a first stream. The first stream is monitored and counters are incremented with the presence of an identifier. The count for each of the counters is then received. Using the count, a control processor then assigns or revises identifiers in the second stream.
Claims8
A communications system for transmitting a multi-encrypted transport stream, the multi-encrypted transport stream including an incumbent stream, an overlay stream and a clear stream, each of the streams including a plurality of programs each having a program number and a plurality of packets each having a packet identifier, the communications system comprising:
- a device for dynamically allocating program numbers and packet identifiers associated with the overlay stream depending upon the program numbers and packets identifiers present in the incumbent stream, the device comprising:
- monitoring means for monitoring and detecting the program numbers and packet identifiers present in the incumbent stream wherein the monitoring means comprises counters for incrementing a program number value and a packet identifier value when present in the incumbent stream;
- processing means for assigning unused program numbers and packet identifiers to packet associated with the overlay stream wherein the processing means detects any unused counters and subsequently assigns an associated unused counter value as one of a program number and a packet identifier in the overlay stream, and
- wherein the monitoring means continuously monitors the incumbent stream for any changes in program number and packet identifiers, and when changes occur, the processing means checks for conflicts and subsequently reassigns the overlay packet having a conflicting program number or a conflicting packet identifier to another unused program number and packet identifier.
A method for transmitting a multi-encrypted transport stream, the multi-encrypted transport stream including an incumbent stream, an overlay stream and a clear stream, each of the streams including a plurality of programs each having a program number and a plurality of packets each having a packet identifier, the method comprising:
- dynamically allocating, by a device, program numbers and packet identifiers associated with the overlay stream depending upon the program numbers and packets identifiers present in the incumbent stream;
- monitoring and detecting, by the device, the program numbers and packet identifiers present in the incumbent stream;
- assigning, by the device, unused program numbers and packet identifiers to packet associated with the overlay stream;
- continuously monitoring, by the device, the incumbent stream for any changes in program number and packet identifiers;
- in response to detecting changes in program number and packet identifiers,
- checking, by the device, for conflicts, and
- reassigning the overlay packet having a conflicting program number or a conflicting packet identifier to another unused program number and packet identifier;
- incrementing, by counters in the device, a program number value and a packet identifier value when present in the incumbent stream;
- detecting, by the device, any unused counters;
- and
- subsequently assigning an associated unused counter value as one of a program number and a packet identifier in the overlay stream.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.