US5652749A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for segmentation and time synchronization of the transmission of a multiple program multimedia data stream
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1996-07-25
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Granted: 1997-07-29
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Expires: 2016-07-25
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus are provided for segmenting a multiple program multimedia digital data stream for transmission over a distribution communications network. Each program multimedia digital data stream includes sequential transport system (TS) packets with program clock references (PCRs) at a set time interval and a program identification (PID) associated with the PCRs. The multiple program multimedia digital data stream is received. The TS packets are decoded to identify the program clock references (PCRs). A selected number N of TS packets are identified. The multimedia digital data stream into frames responsive to both the identified number N of TS packets and the identified PCRs. A program identification (PID) associated with one of the PCRs is selected for timing the transmission of segmented multiple program multimedia digital data stream. A time interval following an identified PCR associated with the selected program identification PID is identified and compared with the set time interval between the program clock references (PCRs). Responsive to the identified time interval being greater than the set time interval, a new program identification (PID) is selected for timing the transmission of segmented multiple program multimedia digital data stream.
Inventors
- 👤 David William Davenport
- 👤 Gary Scott Delp
- 👤 Jeffrey James Lynch
- 👤 Kevin G. Plotz
- 👤 Philip Lynn Leichty
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 22:00
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/20; H04N21/23; H04N21/238; H04N21/2381; H04N21/242; H04N21/40; H04N21/43; H04N21/4302; H04N21/4305; H04N21/438; H04N21/4381; H04N21/60; H04N21/63; H04N21/643; H04N21/64307; H04Q; H04Q11/00; H04Q11/04; H04Q11/0428; H04Q11/0478; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/54; H04L12/56; H04L12/5601; H04L2012/5614; H04L2012/5616; H04L2012/5638; H04L2012/5646; H04L2012/5652; H04L2012/5664; H04N21/47; H04N21/472; H04N21/47202
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
Apparatus for segmenting a multiple program multimedia digital data stream for transmission over a distribution communications network, each program multimedia digital data stream including sequential transport system (TS) packets with at least one program clock reference (PCR) included within a set time interval and a program identification (PID) associated with the PCRs comprising: means for decoding said TS packets to identify the program clock references (PCRs); means for identifying a selected number N of TS packets; means for segmenting said multimedia digital data stream into frames responsive to both said identified number N of TS packets and said identified PCR; means for selecting a program identification (PID) associated with one of the PCRs for timing the transmission of segmented multiple program multimedia digital data stream; means for identifying a time interval following an identified PCR associated with said selected program identification PID; and means for comparing said identified time interval with the set time interval between the program clock references (PCRs); and means responsive to said identified time interval being greater than the set time interval for selecting a new program identification (PID) associated with one of the PCRs for timing the transmission of segmented multiple program multimedia digital data stream.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
201 words
Apparatus for segmenting a multiple program multimedia digital data stream for transmission over a distribution communications network, each program multimedia digital data stream including sequential transport system (TS) packets with at least one program clock reference (PCR) included within a set time interval and a program identification (PID) associated with the PCRs comprising: means for decoding said TS packets to identify the program clock references (PCRs); means for identifying a selected number N of TS packets; means for segmenting said multimedia digital data stream into frames responsive to both said identified number N of TS packets and said identified PCR; means for selecting a program identification (PID) associated with one of the PCRs for timing the transmission of segmented multiple program multimedia digital data stream; means for identifying a time interval following an identified PCR associated with said selected program identification PID; and means for comparing said identified time interval with the set time interval between the program clock references (PCRs); and means responsive to said identified time interval being greater than the set time interval for selecting a new program identification (PID) associated with one of the PCRs for timing the transmission of segmented multiple program multimedia digital data stream.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
88 words
Apparatus for segmenting a multiple program multimedia digital data stream as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for segmenting said multimedia digital data stream into frames responsive to both said identified number N of TS packets and said identified PCR include means for transforming said multimedia digital data stream TS packets directly into fixed size Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) cells; said ATM cells being transmitted over the distribution communications network and being reassembled into said multimedia digital data stream frames by a decoder/receiver coupled to the network.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus for segmenting a multiple program multimedia digital data stream as recited in claim 2 wherein said means for identifying said time interval following said identified PCR associated with said selected program identification PID include counter means for identifying a number of said ATM cells transmitted following said identified PCR.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus for segmenting a multiple program multimedia digital data stream as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for identifying said time interval following said identified PCR associated with said selected program identification PID include means for comparing the result of a target transmission time minus a base rate counter value with the set time interval.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus for segmenting a multiple program multimedia digital data stream as recited in claim 1 further include means responsive to said means for selecting a new PID for updating an offset value, said offset value used for timing the transmission of a digital data stream containing PCRs.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
180 words
A method for segmenting a multimedia data stream for transmission over a distribution communications network, said multimedia data stream including sequential transport system (TS) packets with at least one program clock reference (PCR) included within a set time interval, said method comprising the steps of: decoding said TS packets to identify the program clock references (PCRs); identifying a selected number N of TS packets; and segmenting said multimedia digital data stream into frames responsive to both said identified selected number N of TS packets and said identified PCR; selecting a program identification (PID) associated with one of the PCRs for timing the transmission of segmented multiple program multimedia digital data stream; identifying a time interval following an identified PCR associated with said selected program identification PID; comparing said identified time interval with the set time interval between the program clock references (PCRs); and selecting a new program identification (PID) associated with one of the PCRs for timing the transmission of segmented multiple program multimedia digital data stream responsive to said identified time interval being greater than the set time interval.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
180 words
A method for segmenting a multimedia data stream for transmission over a distribution communications network, said multimedia data stream including sequential transport system (TS) packets with at least one program clock reference (PCR) included within a set time interval, said method comprising the steps of: decoding said TS packets to identify the program clock references (PCRs); identifying a selected number N of TS packets; and segmenting said multimedia digital data stream into frames responsive to both said identified selected number N of TS packets and said identified PCR; selecting a program identification (PID) associated with one of the PCRs for timing the transmission of segmented multiple program multimedia digital data stream; identifying a time interval following an identified PCR associated with said selected program identification PID; comparing said identified time interval with the set time interval between the program clock references (PCRs); and selecting a new program identification (PID) associated with one of the PCRs for timing the transmission of segmented multiple program multimedia digital data stream responsive to said identified time interval being greater than the set time interval.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method for segmenting a multiple program multimedia digital data stream as recited in claim 6 wherein the steps of selecting said PID and selecting said new PID include the step of decoding said TS packets to identify the current PID associated with one of said identified PCRs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method for segmenting a multiple program multimedia digital data stream as recited in claim 6 wherein said step of segmenting said multimedia digital data stream includes the step of transforming said multimedia digital data stream TS packets directly into fixed size Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) cells.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method for segmenting a multiple program multimedia digital data stream as recited in claim 8 wherein said step of identifying said time interval includes the step of counting a number of said ATM cells transmitted following said identified PCR.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method for segmenting a multiple program multimedia digital data stream as recited in claim 6 wherein said step of identifying said time interval includes the step of comparing the result of a target transmission time minus a base rate counter value with the set time interval.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method for segmenting a multiple program multimedia digital data stream as recited in claim 8 further includes the step of updating an offset value responsive to selecting said new PID, said offset value used for timing the transmission of a digital data stream containing PCRs.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
116 words
A system for communicating a stream of multiple program multimedia digital data comprising: a distribution communications network; multimedia server means for receiving and segmenting the multiple program multimedia digital data stream and transmitting said segmented multiple program multimedia digital data stream over said distribution communications network; said multimedia server means including segmenting means for segmenting said stream into frames responsive to both an identified selected number N of TS packets and an identified PCR and means for selecting a program identification (PID) associated with one of the PCRs for timing the transmission of segmented multiple program multimedia digital data stream; and receiver means coupled to said distribution communications network for receiving the multimedia digital data stream.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
116 words
A system for communicating a stream of multiple program multimedia digital data comprising: a distribution communications network; multimedia server means for receiving and segmenting the multiple program multimedia digital data stream and transmitting said segmented multiple program multimedia digital data stream over said distribution communications network; said multimedia server means including segmenting means for segmenting said stream into frames responsive to both an identified selected number N of TS packets and an identified PCR and means for selecting a program identification (PID) associated with one of the PCRs for timing the transmission of segmented multiple program multimedia digital data stream; and receiver means coupled to said distribution communications network for receiving the multimedia digital data stream.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-07-28 | 2001-01-27 | 2001-07-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-07-28 | 2005-01-27 | 2005-07-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-07-28 | 2009-01-27 | 2009-07-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |