US6049569A — Method and apparatus for encoding digital video b…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 221 words

A method of encoding a digital video bit stream which includes a plurality of successively-encoded pictures, including the steps of: constructing a seamless In Point in accordance with a constraint expressed by the following equation (1): dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip ≦minimum {DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.ip, (B.sub.d /r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)}, (1) where dd f .sbsb.-- ip represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the digital video bit stream after the seamless In Point must stay in a decoder buffer before it is decoded; B d is a size of the decoder buffer; r n .sbsb.-- ip is a bit rate at which the digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the seamless In Point; and, DD thr .sbsb.-- ip represents a prescribed minimum decoding delay threshold for seamless In Points, where DD thr .sbsb.-- ip is defined by the following equation (2): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.ip =((MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)*SDD)+T.sub.p.sbsb.--.sub.i *(1-(MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip), (2) where T p .sbsb.-- i is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the seamless In Point; SDD is a prescribed splice decoding delay; and, MSR is a prescribed maximum splice rate; and, inserting the seamless In Point at a first point in the digital video bit stream at which another digital video bit stream can be spliced into the digital video bit stream.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 221 words

A method of encoding a digital video bit stream which includes a plurality of successively-encoded pictures, including the steps of: constructing a seamless In Point in accordance with a constraint expressed by the following equation (1): dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip ≦minimum {DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.ip, (B.sub.d /r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)}, (1) where dd f .sbsb.-- ip represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the digital video bit stream after the seamless In Point must stay in a decoder buffer before it is decoded; B d is a size of the decoder buffer; r n .sbsb.-- ip is a bit rate at which the digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the seamless In Point; and, DD thr .sbsb.-- ip represents a prescribed minimum decoding delay threshold for seamless In Points, where DD thr .sbsb.-- ip is defined by the following equation (2): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.ip =((MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)*SDD)+T.sub.p.sbsb.--.sub.i *(1-(MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip), (2) where T p .sbsb.-- i is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the seamless In Point; SDD is a prescribed splice decoding delay; and, MSR is a prescribed maximum splice rate; and, inserting the seamless In Point at a first point in the digital video bit stream at which another digital video bit stream can be spliced into the digital video bit stream.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 81 words

The method as set forth in claim 1, further including the steps of: determining if MSR>r n .sbsb.-- ip , selecting dd f .sbsb.-- ip to have a value≦SDD if it is determined that MSR is greater than r n .sbsb.-- ip ; and, selecting dd f .sbsb.-- ip to have a value dd r .sbsb.-- ip defined by the following equation (3) if it is determined that MSR is not greater than r n .sbsb.-- ip : dd.sub.r.sbsb.--.sub.ip =(MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)*SDD (3).

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein r n .sbsb.-- ip >MSR.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 32 words

The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein dd f .sbsb.-- ip is selected to have a value dd r .sbsb.-- ip defined by the following equation (3): dd.sub.r.sbsb.--.sub.ip =(MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)*SDD (3).

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein MSR and SDD are selected to have values that satisfy a constraint expressed by the following equation (4): MSR*SDD<B.sub.d ( 4).

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method as set forth in claim 2, wherein MSR and SDD are selected to have values that satisfy a constraint expressed by the following equation (4): MSR*SDD<B.sub.d ( 4).

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the digital video bit stream comprises an MPEG-2 compliant bit stream.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein SDD and MSR are selected to have specific values in accordance with an MPEG standard.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein SDD and MSR are selected to have specific values in accordance with SMPTE standard.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 186 words

The method as set forth in claim 1, further including the steps of: constructing a seamless Out Point in accordance with a constraint expressed by the following equation (5): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.op ≦dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.op ≦(B.sub.d /r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op), (5) where dd f .sbsb.-- op represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the digital video bit stream after the seamless Out Point must stay in a decoder buffer before it is decoded; r n .sbsb.-- op is a bit rate at which the first digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the seamless Out Point; and, DD thr .sbsb.-- op represents a prescribed minimum decoding delay threshold for seamless Out Points, where DD thr .sbsb.-- op is defined by the following equation (6): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.op =((MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op)*SDD)-T.sub.p.sbsb.--.sub.o *((MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op)-1), (6) where T p .sbsb.-- o is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the seamless Out Point; and, inserting the seamless Out Point at a second point in the digital video bit stream at which it can be spliced into another digital video bit stream.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 96 words

The method as set forth in claim 10, further including the steps of: determining if MSR>r n .sbsb.-- op ; selecting dd f .sbsb.-- op to have a value≦SDD if it is determined that MSR is not greater than r n .sbsb.-- op , within a constraint that dd f .sbsb.-- op *r n .sbsb.-- op <B d ; and, selecting dd f .sbsb.-- op to have a value dd r .sbsb.-- op defined by the following equation (7) if it is determined that MSR is greater than r n .sbsb.-- op : dd.sub.r.sbsb.--.sub.op =(MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op)*SDD (7).

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method as set forth in claim 10, wherein r n .sbsb.-- op<MSR .

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 32 words

The method as set forth in claim 10, wherein dd f .sbsb.-- op is selected to have a value dd r .sbsb.-- op defined by the following equation (7): dd.sub.r.sbsb.--.sub.op =(MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op)*SDD (7).

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method as set forth in claim 10, wherein MSR and SDD are selected to have values that satisfy a constraint expressed by the following equation (4): MSR*SDD<B.sub.d ( 4).

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 31 words

The method as set forth in claim 11, wherein MSR and SDD are selected to have values that satisfy a constraint expressed by the following equation (4): MSR*SDD<B.sub.d ( 4). 16.

Claim 17

Independent Claim 216 words

A method of encoding a digital video bit stream which includes a plurality of successively-encoded pictures, including the steps of: constructing a seamless Out Point in accordance with a constraint expressed by the following equation (1): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.op ≦dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.op ≦(B.sub.d /r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op), (1) where dd.sub..sbsb.-- op represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the digital video bit stream after the seamless Out Point must stay in a decoder buffer before it is decoded; B d is a size of the decoder buffer; r n .sbsb.-- op is a bit rate at which the digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the seamless Out Point; and, DD thr .sbsb.-- op represents a prescribed minimum decoding delay threshold for seamless Out Points, where DD thr .sbsb.-- op is defined by the following equation (2): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.op =((MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op) *SDD)-T.sub.p.sbsb.--.sub.o * ((MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op)- 1),(2) where T p .sbsb.-- o is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the seamless Out Point; SDD is a prescribed splice decoding delay; and, MSR is a prescribed maximum splice rate; and, inserting the seamless Out Point at a first point in the digital video bit stream at which it can be spliced into another digital video bit stream.

Claim 18

Independent Claim 216 words

A method of encoding a digital video bit stream which includes a plurality of successively-encoded pictures, including the steps of: constructing a seamless Out Point in accordance with a constraint expressed by the following equation (1): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.op ≦dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.op ≦(B.sub.d /r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op), (1) where dd.sub..sbsb.-- op represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the digital video bit stream after the seamless Out Point must stay in a decoder buffer before it is decoded; B d is a size of the decoder buffer; r n .sbsb.-- op is a bit rate at which the digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the seamless Out Point; and, DD thr .sbsb.-- op represents a prescribed minimum decoding delay threshold for seamless Out Points, where DD thr .sbsb.-- op is defined by the following equation (2): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.op =((MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op) *SDD)-T.sub.p.sbsb.--.sub.o * ((MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op)- 1),(2) where T p .sbsb.-- o is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the seamless Out Point; SDD is a prescribed splice decoding delay; and, MSR is a prescribed maximum splice rate; and, inserting the seamless Out Point at a first point in the digital video bit stream at which it can be spliced into another digital video bit stream.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 99 words

The method as set forth in claim 16, further including the steps of: determining if MSR>r n .sbsb.-- op ; selecting dd f .sbsb.-- op to have a value ≧SDD if it is determined that MSR is not greater than r n .sbsb.-- op , within a constraint that dd f .sbsb.-- op * r n .sbsb.-- op <B d ; and, selecting dd f .sbsb.-- op to have a value dd r .sbsb.-- op defined by the following equation (3) if it is determined that MSR is greater than r n .sbsb.-- op : dd.sub.r.sbsb.--.sub.op =(MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op)* SDD (3).

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method as set forth in claim 16, wherein r n .sbsb.-- op <MSR.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 33 words

The method as set forth in claim 16, wherein dd f .sbsb.-- op is selected to have a value dd r .sbsb.-- op defined by the following equation (3): dd.sub.r.sbsb.--.sub.op =(MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op)* SDD (3).

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method as set forth in claim 16, wherein MSR and SDD are selected to have values that satisfy a constraint expressed by the following equation (4): MSR*SDD<B.sub.d (4).

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method as set forth in claim 17, wherein MSR and SDD are selected to have values that satisfy a constraint expressed by the following equation (4): MSR*SDD<B.sub.d (4).

Claim 24

Independent Claim 157 words

A method for splicing a first digital video bit stream at an Out Point into a second digital video bit stream at an In Point, the method including the steps of: measuring dd f .sbsb.-- op ; measuring dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; computing a difference W equal to dd f .sbsb.-- op -dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; switching from the Out Point; and, after switching from the Out Point, waiting an amount of time equal to W, and then switching into the In Point; wherein dd f .sbsb.-- ip represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the second digital video bit stream after the In Point must stay in a decoder buffer before it is decoded, and dd f .sbsb.-- op represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the first digital video bit stream after the Out Point must stay in the decoder buffer before it is decoded.

Claim 25

Independent Claim 157 words

A method for splicing a first digital video bit stream at an Out Point into a second digital video bit stream at an In Point, the method including the steps of: measuring dd f .sbsb.-- op ; measuring dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; computing a difference W equal to dd f .sbsb.-- op -dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; switching from the Out Point; and, after switching from the Out Point, waiting an amount of time equal to W, and then switching into the In Point; wherein dd f .sbsb.-- ip represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the second digital video bit stream after the In Point must stay in a decoder buffer before it is decoded, and dd f .sbsb.-- op represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the first digital video bit stream after the Out Point must stay in the decoder buffer before it is decoded.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method as set forth in claim 22, wherein the step of waiting is carried out by sending null packets for the duration of the waiting time W.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 168 words

The method as set forth in claim 22, wherein the Out Point is constructed by: constructing the Out Point in accordance with a constraint expressed by the following equation (1): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.op <dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.op <(B.sub.d /r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op), (1) where B d is a size of the decoder buffer; r n .sbsb.-- op is a bit rate at which the first digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the Out Point; and, DD thr .sbsb.-- op represents a prescribed minimum decoding delay threshold for Out Points defined by the following equation (2); DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.op =((MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op)* SDD)-T.sub.p.sbsb.--.sub.o * (MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op)-1),(2) where T p .sbsb.-- o is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the Out Point; SDD is a prescribed splice decoding delay; and, MSR is a prescribed maximum splice rate; and, inserting the Out Point at a first point in the first digital video bit stream at which it can be spliced into another digital video bit stream.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 169 words

The method as set forth in claim 22, wherein the In Point is constructed by: constructing the In Point in accordance with a constraint expressed by the following equation (1): dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip <miminum {DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.ip, (B.sub.d /r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)}, (1) where B d is a size of the decoder buffer; r n .sbsb.-- ip is a bit rate at which the second digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the In Point; and, DD thr .sbsb.-- ip represents a prescribed minimum decoding delay threshold for In Points defined by the following equation (2): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.ip =((MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)* SDD)-T.sub.p.sbsb.--.sub.i * (1-MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip),(2) where T p .sbsb.-- i is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the In Point; SDD is a prescribed splice decoding delay; and, MSR is a prescribed maximum splice rate; and, inserting the In Point at a first point in the second digital video bit stream at which it can be spliced into another digital video bit stream.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 145 words

The method as set forth in claim 24, wherein the In Point is constructed by: constructing the In Point in accordance with a constraint expressed by the following equation (1); dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip <miminum {DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.ip, (B.sub.d /r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)}, (1) where r n .sbsb.-- ip is a bit rate at which the second digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the In Point; and, DD thr .sbsb.-- ip represents a prescribed minimum decoding delay threshold for In Points defined by the following equation (2): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.ip =((MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)* SDD)-T.sub.p.sbsb.--.sub.i * (1-MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip),(2 where T p .sbsb.-- i is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the In Point; and, inserting the In Point at a first point in the second digital video bit stream at which it can be spliced into another digital video bit stream.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 106 words

The method as set forth in claim 22, wherein the In Point is a seamless In Point and the Out Point is a non-seamless Out Point, whereby the switching is seamless if the following two constraints are satisfied: a) dd f .sbsb.-- op >dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; and, b) r n .sbsb.-- op>r n .sbsb.-- ip ; where r n .sbsb.-- ip is a bit rate at which the second digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the In Point; and, r n .sbsb.-- op is a bit rate at which the first digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the Out Point.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 107 words

The method as set forth in claim 22, wherein the In Point is a non-seamless In Point and the Out Point is a non-seamless Out Point, whereby the switching is seamless if the following two constraints are satisfied: a) dd f .sbsb.-- op >dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; and, b) r n .sbsb.-- op >r n .sbsb.-- ip ; where r n .sbsb.-- ip is a bit rate at which the second digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the In Point; and, r n .sbsb.-- op is a bit rate at which the first digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the Out Point.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 107 words

The method as set forth in claim 22, wherein the In Point is a non-seamless In Point and the Out Point is a seamless Out Point, whereby the switching is seamless if the following two constraints are satisfied: a) dd f .sbsb.-- op >dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; and, b) r n .sbsb.-- op >r n .sbsb.-- ip ; where r n .sbsb.-- ip is a bit rate at which the second digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the In Point; and, r n .sbsb.-- op is a bit rate at which the first digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the Out Point.

Claim 33

Independent Claim 291 words

A method for splicing a first digital video bit stream at an Out Point into a second digital video bit stream at an In Point, the method including the steps of: measuring dd f .sbsb.-- op ; measuring dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; computing a difference W equal to dd f .sbsb.-- op -dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; switching from the Out Point; streaming the second digital video bit stream at a first rate R w ≦r n .sbsb.-- op for a first time period having a duration equal to W; and, then streaming the second digital video bit stream for a second time period having a duration dd' f .sbsb.-- ip at a second rate R sp .sbsb.-- in defined by the following equation: R.sub.sp.sbsb.--.sub.in =((r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.IP * dd'.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip)-(R.sub.w *W))/dd'.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip, where dd' f .sbsb.-- ip =dd f .sbsb.-- ip -T p .sbsb.-- o ; T p .sbsb.-- o is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the Out Point; dd f .sbsb.-- ip represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the second digital video bit stream after the In Point must stay in a decoder buffer before it is decoded; dd f .sbsb.-- op represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the first digital video bit stream after the Out Point must stay in the decoder buffer before it is decoded; r n .sbsb.-- ip is a bit rate at which the second digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the In Point; and, r n .sbsb.-- op is a bit rate at which the first digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the Out Point.

Claim 34

Independent Claim 291 words

A method for splicing a first digital video bit stream at an Out Point into a second digital video bit stream at an In Point, the method including the steps of: measuring dd f .sbsb.-- op ; measuring dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; computing a difference W equal to dd f .sbsb.-- op -dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; switching from the Out Point; streaming the second digital video bit stream at a first rate R w ≦r n .sbsb.-- op for a first time period having a duration equal to W; and, then streaming the second digital video bit stream for a second time period having a duration dd' f .sbsb.-- ip at a second rate R sp .sbsb.-- in defined by the following equation: R.sub.sp.sbsb.--.sub.in =((r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.IP * dd'.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip)-(R.sub.w *W))/dd'.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip, where dd' f .sbsb.-- ip =dd f .sbsb.-- ip -T p .sbsb.-- o ; T p .sbsb.-- o is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the Out Point; dd f .sbsb.-- ip represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the second digital video bit stream after the In Point must stay in a decoder buffer before it is decoded; dd f .sbsb.-- op represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the first digital video bit stream after the Out Point must stay in the decoder buffer before it is decoded; r n .sbsb.-- ip is a bit rate at which the second digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the In Point; and, r n .sbsb.-- op is a bit rate at which the first digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the Out Point.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 114 words

The method as set forth in claim 30, wherein the Out Point is constructed by: constructing the Out Point in accordance with a constraint expressed by the following equation (1): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.op <dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.op <(B.sub.d /r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op), (1) where B d is a size of the decoder buffer; and, DD thr .sbsb.-- op represents a prescribed minimum decoding delay threshold for Out Points defined by the following equation (2): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.op =((MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op)* SDD)-T.sub.p.sbsb.--.sub.o * (MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op)-1),(2) where SDD is prescribed splice decoding delay; and, MSR is a prescribed maximum splice rate; and, inserting the Out Point at a first point in the first digital video bit stream at which it can be spliced into another digital video bit stream.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 146 words

The method as set forth in claim 30, wherein the In Point is constructed by: constructing the In Point in accordance with a constraint expressed by the following equation (1): dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip <miminum {DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.ip, (B.sub.d /r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)}, (1) where B d is a size of the decoder buffer; and, DD thr .sbsb.-- ip represents a prescribed minimum decoding delay threshold for In Points defined by the following equation (2): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.ip =((MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)* SDD)-T.sub.p.sbsb.--.sub.i * (1-MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip),(2) where T p .sbsb.-- i is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the In Point; SDD is a prescribed splice decoding delay; and, MSR is a prescribed maximum splice rate; and, inserting the In Point at a first point in the second digital video bit stream at which it can be spliced into another digital video bit stream.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 121 words

The method as set forth in claim 31, wherein the In Point is constructed by: constructing the In Point in accordance with a constraint expressed by the following equation (1): dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip <miminum {DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.ip, (B.sub.d /r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)}, (1) where DD thr .sbsb.-- ip represents a prescribed minimum decoding delay threshold for In Points defined by the following equation (2): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.ip =((MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)* SDD)-T.sub.p.sbsb.--.sub.i * (1-MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip),(2) where T p .sbsb.-- i is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the In Point; and, inserting the In Point at a first point in the second digital video bit stream at which it can be spliced into another digital video bit stream.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 59 words

The method as set forth in claim 30, wherein the In Point is a seamless In Point and the Out Point is a non-seamless Out Point, whereby the switching is seamless if the following two constraints are satisfied: a) dd f .sbsb.-- op >dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; and, b) r n .sbsb.-- op >r n .sbsb.-- ip .

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 59 words

The method as set forth in claim 30, wherein the In Point is a non-seamless In Point and the Out Point is a non-seamless Out Point, whereby the switching is seamless if the following two constraints are satisfied: a) dd f .sbsb.-- op >dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; and b) r n .sbsb.-- op >r n .sbsb.-- ip .

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 59 words

The method as set forth in claim 30, wherein the In Point is a non-seamless In Point and the Out Point is a seamless Out Point, whereby the switching is seamless if the following two constraints are satisfied: a) dd f .sbsb.-- op >dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; and, b) r n .sbsb.-- op >r n .sbsb.-- ip .

Claim 41

Independent Claim 413 words

A method for splicing a first digital video bit stream at an Out Point into a second digital video bit stream at an In Point, the method including the steps of: measuring dd f .sbsb.-- op ; measuring dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; computing a difference W equal to dd f .sbsb.-- op -dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; computing a stream bit rate R sp .sbsb.-- op according to the following equation (1): R.sub.sp.sbsb.--.sub.op =(dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip /dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.op)* r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip ; (1) determining if R sp .sbsb.-- op ≦r n .sbsb.-- op ; if it is determined that R sp .sbsb.-- op ≦r n .sbsb.-- op , then switching from the Out Point and streaming the second digital video bit stream at the rate R sp .sbsb.-- op for the duration of dd f .sbsb.-- op ; if it is determined that R sp .sbsb.-- op >r n .sbsb.-- op , then switching from the Out Point and performing a selected on of the following two possible procedures: (i) waiting an amount of time equal to W, and then switching into the In Point; or, (ii) (A) streaming the second digital video bit stream at a first rate R w ≦r n .sbsb.-- op for a first time period having a duration equal to W; and then streaming the second digital video bit stream for a second time period having a duration dd' f .sbsb.-- ip at a second rate R sp .sbsb.-- in defined by the following equation (2): R.sub.sp.sbsb.--.sub.in =((r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip * dd'.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip)-(R.sub.w *W))/dd'.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip,(2) where dd' f .sbsb.-- ip =dd f .sbsb.-- ip -T p .sbsb.-- o ; T p .sbsb.-- o is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the Out Point; dd f .sbsb.-- ip represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the second digital video bit stream after the In Point must stay in a decoder buffer before it is decoded; dd f .sbsb.-- op represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the first digital video bit stream after the Out Point must stay in the decoder buffer before it is decoded; r n .sbsb.-- ip is a bit rate at which the second digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the In Point; and, r n .sbsb.-- op is a bit rate at which the first digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the Out Point.

Claim 42

Independent Claim 413 words

A method for splicing a first digital video bit stream at an Out Point into a second digital video bit stream at an In Point, the method including the steps of: measuring dd f .sbsb.-- op ; measuring dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; computing a difference W equal to dd f .sbsb.-- op -dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; computing a stream bit rate R sp .sbsb.-- op according to the following equation (1): R.sub.sp.sbsb.--.sub.op =(dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip /dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.op)* r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip ; (1) determining if R sp .sbsb.-- op ≦r n .sbsb.-- op ; if it is determined that R sp .sbsb.-- op ≦r n .sbsb.-- op , then switching from the Out Point and streaming the second digital video bit stream at the rate R sp .sbsb.-- op for the duration of dd f .sbsb.-- op ; if it is determined that R sp .sbsb.-- op >r n .sbsb.-- op , then switching from the Out Point and performing a selected on of the following two possible procedures: (i) waiting an amount of time equal to W, and then switching into the In Point; or, (ii) (A) streaming the second digital video bit stream at a first rate R w ≦r n .sbsb.-- op for a first time period having a duration equal to W; and then streaming the second digital video bit stream for a second time period having a duration dd' f .sbsb.-- ip at a second rate R sp .sbsb.-- in defined by the following equation (2): R.sub.sp.sbsb.--.sub.in =((r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip * dd'.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip)-(R.sub.w *W))/dd'.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip,(2) where dd' f .sbsb.-- ip =dd f .sbsb.-- ip -T p .sbsb.-- o ; T p .sbsb.-- o is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the Out Point; dd f .sbsb.-- ip represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the second digital video bit stream after the In Point must stay in a decoder buffer before it is decoded; dd f .sbsb.-- op represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the first digital video bit stream after the Out Point must stay in the decoder buffer before it is decoded; r n .sbsb.-- ip is a bit rate at which the second digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the In Point; and, r n .sbsb.-- op is a bit rate at which the first digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the Out Point.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 115 words

The method as set forth in claim 37, wherein the Out Point is constructed by: constructing the Out Point in accordance with a constraint expressed by the following equation (3): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.op <dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.op <(B.sub.d /r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op), (3) where B d is a size of the decoder buffer; and, DD thr .sbsb.-- op represents a prescribed minimum decoding delay threshold for Out Points defined by the following equation (4): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.op =((MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op)* SDD))-T.sub.p.sbsb.--.sub.o * (MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op)-1),(4) where SDD is a prescribed splice decoding delay; and, MSR is a prescribed maximum splice rate; and, inserting the Out Point at a first point in the first digital video bit stream at which it can be spliced into another digital video bit stream.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 146 words

The method as set forth in claim 30, wherein the In Point is constructed by: constructing the In Point in accordance with a constraint expressed by the following equation (3): dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip <miminum {DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.ip, (B.sub.d /r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)}, (3) where B d is a size of the decoder buffer; and, DD thr .sbsb.-- ip represents a prescribed minimum decoding delay threshold for In Points defined by the following equation (4): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.ip =((MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)* SDD)-T.sub.p.sbsb.--.sub.i * (1-MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip),(4) where T p .sbsb.-- i is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the In Point; SDD is a prescribed splice decoding delay; and, MSR is a prescribed maximum splice rate; and, inserting the In Point at a first point in the second digital video bit stream at which it can be spliced into another digital video bit stream.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 121 words

The method as set forth in claim 38, wherein the In Point is constructed by: constructing the In Point in accordance with a constraint expressed by the following equation (3): dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip <miminum {DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.ip, (B.sub.d /r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)}, (3) where DD thr .sbsb.-- ip represents a prescribed minimum decoding delay threshold for In Points defined by the following equation (4): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.ip =((MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)* SDD)-T.sub.p.sbsb.--.sub.i * (1-MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip),(4) where T p .sbsb.-- i is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the In Point; and, inserting the In Point at a first point in the second digital video bit stream at which it can be spliced into another digital video bit stream.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 59 words

The method as set forth in claim 37, wherein the In Point is a seamless In Point and the Out Point is a non-seamless Out Point, whereby the switching is seamless if the following two constraints are satisfied: a) dd f .sbsb.-- op >dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; and, b) r n .sbsb.-- op >r n .sbsb.-- ip .

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 59 words

The method as set forth in claim 37, wherein the In Point is a non-seamless In Point and the Out Point is a non-seamless Out Point, whereby the switching is seamless if the following two constraints are satisfied: a) dd f .sbsb.-- op >dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; and, b) r n .sbsb.-- op >r n .sbsb.-- ip .

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 59 words

The method as set forth in claim 37, wherein the In Point is a non-seamless In Point and the Out Point is a seamless Out Point, whereby the switching is seamless if the following two constraints are satisfied: a) dd f .sbsb.-- op >dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; and, b) r n .sbsb.-- op >r n .sbsb.-- ip .

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 392 words

A video signal comprising a first digital video bit stream spliced together at an Out Point with a second digital video bit stream at an In Point, wherein: the In Point is constructed by: constructing the In Point in accordance with a constraint expressed by the following equation (1): dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip <miminum {DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.ip, (B.sub.d /r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)}, (1) where dd f .sbsb.-- ip represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the second digital video bit stream after the In Point must stay in a decoder buffer before it is decoded; B d is a size of the decoder buffer; r n .sbsb.-- ip is a bit rate at which the second digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the In Point; and, DD thr .sbsb.-- ip represents a prescribed minimum decoding delay threshold for In Points defined by the following equation (2): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.ip =((MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)*SDD)-T.sub.p.sbsb.--.sub.i *(1-MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip), (2) where T p .sbsb.-- i is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the In Point; SDD is a prescribed splice decoding delay; and, MSR is a prescribed maximum splice rate; and, inserting the In Point at a first point in the second digital video bit stream at which it can be spliced into another digital video bit stream; and, the Out Point is constructed by: constructing the Out Point in accordance with a constraint expressed by the following equation (3): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.op <dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.op <(B.sub.d /r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op), (3) where dd f .sbsb.-- op represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the first digital video bit stream after the Out Point must stay in the decoder buffer before it is decoded; r n .sbsb.-- op is a bit rate at which the first digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the Out Point; and, DD thr .sbsb.-- op represents a prescribed minimum decoding delay threshold for Out Points defined by the following equation (4): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.op =((MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op)*SDD)-T.sub.p.sbsb.--.sub.o *(MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op)-1), (4) where T p .sbsb.-- o is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the Out Point; and, inserting the Out Point at a first point in the first digital video bit stream at which it can be spliced into another digital video bit stream.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 392 words

A video signal comprising a first digital video bit stream spliced together at an Out Point with a second digital video bit stream at an In Point, wherein: the In Point is constructed by: constructing the In Point in accordance with a constraint expressed by the following equation (1): dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip <miminum {DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.ip, (B.sub.d /r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)}, (1) where dd f .sbsb.-- ip represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the second digital video bit stream after the In Point must stay in a decoder buffer before it is decoded; B d is a size of the decoder buffer; r n .sbsb.-- ip is a bit rate at which the second digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the In Point; and, DD thr .sbsb.-- ip represents a prescribed minimum decoding delay threshold for In Points defined by the following equation (2): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.ip =((MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)*SDD)-T.sub.p.sbsb.--.sub.i *(1-MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip), (2) where T p .sbsb.-- i is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the In Point; SDD is a prescribed splice decoding delay; and, MSR is a prescribed maximum splice rate; and, inserting the In Point at a first point in the second digital video bit stream at which it can be spliced into another digital video bit stream; and, the Out Point is constructed by: constructing the Out Point in accordance with a constraint expressed by the following equation (3): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.op <dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.op <(B.sub.d /r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op), (3) where dd f .sbsb.-- op represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the first digital video bit stream after the Out Point must stay in the decoder buffer before it is decoded; r n .sbsb.-- op is a bit rate at which the first digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the Out Point; and, DD thr .sbsb.-- op represents a prescribed minimum decoding delay threshold for Out Points defined by the following equation (4): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.op =((MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op)*SDD)-T.sub.p.sbsb.--.sub.o *(MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op)-1), (4) where T p .sbsb.-- o is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the Out Point; and, inserting the Out Point at a first point in the first digital video bit stream at which it can be spliced into another digital video bit stream.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 76 words

The video signal as set forth in claim 44, wherein the first and second digital video bit streams are spliced together by: measuring dd f .sbsb.-- op ; measuring dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; computing a difference W equal to dd f .sbsb.-- op -dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; switching from the Out Point; and, after switching from the Out Point, waiting an amount of time equal to W, and then switching into the In Point.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 134 words

The video signal as set forth in claim 44, wherein the first and second digital video bit streams are spliced together by: measuring dd f .sbsb.-- op ; measuring dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; computing a difference W equal to dd f .sbsb.-- op -dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; switching from the Out Point; streaming the second digital video bit stream at a first rate R w <r n .sbsb.-- op for a first time period having a duration equal to W; and, then streaming the second digital video bit stream for a second time period having a duration dd' f .sbsb.-- ip at a second rate R sp .sbsb.-- in defined by the following equation: R.sub.sp.sbsb.--.sub.in =((r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip *dd'.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip)-(R.sub.w *W))/dd'.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip, where dd' f .sbsb.-- ip =dd f .sbsb.-- ip -t p .sbsb.-- o .

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 255 words

The video signal as set forth in claim 44, wherein the first and second digital video bit streams are spliced together by: measuring dd f .sbsb.-- op ; measuring dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; computing a difference W equal to dd f .sbsb.-- op -dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; computing a stream bit rate R sp .sbsb.-- op according to the following equation (1) R.sub.sp.sbsb.--.sub.op =(dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip /dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.op)*r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip ; (1) determining if R sp .sbsb.-- op <r n .sbsb.-- op ; if it is determined that R sp .sbsb.-- op <r n .sbsb.-- op , then switching from the Out Point and streaming the second digital video bit stream at the rate R sp .sbsb.-- op for the duration of dd f .sbsb.-- op ; if it is determined that R sp .sbsb.-- op >r n .sbsb.-- op , then switching from the Out Point and performing a selected one of the following two possible procedures: (i) waiting an amount of time equal to W, and then switching into the In Point; or, (ii) (A) streaming the second digital video bit stream at a first rate R w <r n .sbsb.-- op for a first time period having a duration equal to W; and then streaming the second digital video bit stream for a second time period having a duration dd' f .sbsb.-- ip at a second rate R sp .sbsb.-- in defined by the following equation (2): R.sub.sp.sbsb.--.sub.in =((r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip *dd'.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip)-(R.sub.w *W))/dd'.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip,(2) where dd' f .sbsb.-- ip =dd f .sbsb.-- ip -t p .sbsb.-- o .

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 154 words

A video signal comprising first and second digital video bit streams spliced together by: measuring dd f .sbsb.-- op ; measuring dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; computing a difference W equal to dd f .sbsb.-- op -dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; switching from an Out Point of the first digital vide obit stream; and, after switching from the Out Point, waiting an amount of time equal to W, and then switching into an In Point of the second digital video bit stream; wherein dd f .sbsb.-- ip represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the second digital video bit stream after the In Point must stay in a decoder buffer before it is decoded, and dd f .sbsb.-- op represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the first digital video bit stream after the Out Point must stay in the decoder buffer before it is decoded.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 154 words

A video signal comprising first and second digital video bit streams spliced together by: measuring dd f .sbsb.-- op ; measuring dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; computing a difference W equal to dd f .sbsb.-- op -dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; switching from an Out Point of the first digital vide obit stream; and, after switching from the Out Point, waiting an amount of time equal to W, and then switching into an In Point of the second digital video bit stream; wherein dd f .sbsb.-- ip represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the second digital video bit stream after the In Point must stay in a decoder buffer before it is decoded, and dd f .sbsb.-- op represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the first digital video bit stream after the Out Point must stay in the decoder buffer before it is decoded.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 287 words

A video signal comprising first and second digital video bit streams spliced together by: measuring dd f .sbsb.-- op ; measuring dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; computing a difference W equal to dd f .sbsb.-- op -dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; switching from an Out Point of the first digital video bit stream; streaming the second digital video bit stream at a first rate R w <r n .sbsb.-- op for a first time period having a duration equal to W; and, then streaming the second digital video bit stream for a second time period having a duration dd' f .sbsb.-- ip at a second rate R sp .sbsb.-- in defined by the following equation: R.sub.sp.sbsb.--.sub.in =((r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip *dd'.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip)-(R.sub.w *W))/dd'.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip, where dd' f .sbsb.-- ip =dd f .sbsb.-- ip -T p .sbsb.-- o ; T p .sbsb.-- o is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the Out Point; dd f .sbsb.-- ip represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the second digital video bit stream after an In Point of the second digital video bit stream must stay in a decoder buffer before it is decoded; dd f .sbsb.-- op represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the first digital video bit stream after the Out Point must stay in the decoder buffer before it is decoded; r n .sbsb.-- ip is a bit rate at which the second digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the In Point; and, r n .sbsb.-- op is a bit rate at which the first digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the Out Point.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 287 words

A video signal comprising first and second digital video bit streams spliced together by: measuring dd f .sbsb.-- op ; measuring dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; computing a difference W equal to dd f .sbsb.-- op -dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; switching from an Out Point of the first digital video bit stream; streaming the second digital video bit stream at a first rate R w <r n .sbsb.-- op for a first time period having a duration equal to W; and, then streaming the second digital video bit stream for a second time period having a duration dd' f .sbsb.-- ip at a second rate R sp .sbsb.-- in defined by the following equation: R.sub.sp.sbsb.--.sub.in =((r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip *dd'.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip)-(R.sub.w *W))/dd'.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip, where dd' f .sbsb.-- ip =dd f .sbsb.-- ip -T p .sbsb.-- o ; T p .sbsb.-- o is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the Out Point; dd f .sbsb.-- ip represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the second digital video bit stream after an In Point of the second digital video bit stream must stay in a decoder buffer before it is decoded; dd f .sbsb.-- op represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the first digital video bit stream after the Out Point must stay in the decoder buffer before it is decoded; r n .sbsb.-- ip is a bit rate at which the second digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the In Point; and, r n .sbsb.-- op is a bit rate at which the first digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the Out Point.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 407 words

A video signal comprising first and second digital video bit streams spliced together by: measuring dd f .sbsb.-- op ; measuring dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; computing a difference W equal to dd f .sbsb.-- op -dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; computing a stream bit rate R sp .sbsb.-- op according to the following equation (1): R.sub.sp.sbsb.--.sub.op =(dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip /dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.op)*r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip ; (1) determining if R sp .sbsb.-- op <r n .sbsb.-- op ; if it is determined that R sp .sbsb.-- op <r n .sbsb.-- op , then switching from an Out Point of the first digital video bit stream and streaming the second digital video bit stream at the rate R sp .sbsb.-- op for the duration of dd f .sbsb.-- op ; if it is determined that R sp .sbsb.-- op >r n .sbsb.-- op then switching from the Out Point and performing a selected one of the following two possible procedures: (i) waiting an amount of time equal to W, and then switching into an In Point of the second digital video bit stream; or, (ii) (A) streaming the second digital video bit stream at a first rate R w <r n .sbsb.-- op for a first time period having a duration equal to W; and, then streaming the second digital video bit stream for a second time period having a duration dd' f .sbsb.-- ip at a second rate R sp .sbsb.-- in defined by the following equation (2): R.sub.sp.sbsb.--.sub.in =((r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip *dd'.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip)-(R.sub.w *W)/dd'.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip,(2) where dd' f .sbsb.-- ip =dd f .sbsb.-- ip -T p .sbsb.-- o ; T p .sbsb.-- o is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the Out Point; dd f .sbsb.-- ip represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the second digital video bit stream after the In Point must stay in a decoder buffer before it is decoded; dd f .sbsb.-- op represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the first digital video bit stream after the Out Point must stay in the decoder buffer before it is decoded; r n .sbsb.-- ip is a bit rate at which the second digital vide obit stream is normally encoded at the In Point; and, r n .sbsb.-- op is a bit rate at which the first digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the Out Point.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 407 words

A video signal comprising first and second digital video bit streams spliced together by: measuring dd f .sbsb.-- op ; measuring dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; computing a difference W equal to dd f .sbsb.-- op -dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; computing a stream bit rate R sp .sbsb.-- op according to the following equation (1): R.sub.sp.sbsb.--.sub.op =(dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip /dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.op)*r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip ; (1) determining if R sp .sbsb.-- op <r n .sbsb.-- op ; if it is determined that R sp .sbsb.-- op <r n .sbsb.-- op , then switching from an Out Point of the first digital video bit stream and streaming the second digital video bit stream at the rate R sp .sbsb.-- op for the duration of dd f .sbsb.-- op ; if it is determined that R sp .sbsb.-- op >r n .sbsb.-- op then switching from the Out Point and performing a selected one of the following two possible procedures: (i) waiting an amount of time equal to W, and then switching into an In Point of the second digital video bit stream; or, (ii) (A) streaming the second digital video bit stream at a first rate R w <r n .sbsb.-- op for a first time period having a duration equal to W; and, then streaming the second digital video bit stream for a second time period having a duration dd' f .sbsb.-- ip at a second rate R sp .sbsb.-- in defined by the following equation (2): R.sub.sp.sbsb.--.sub.in =((r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip *dd'.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip)-(R.sub.w *W)/dd'.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip,(2) where dd' f .sbsb.-- ip =dd f .sbsb.-- ip -T p .sbsb.-- o ; T p .sbsb.-- o is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the Out Point; dd f .sbsb.-- ip represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the second digital video bit stream after the In Point must stay in a decoder buffer before it is decoded; dd f .sbsb.-- op represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the first digital video bit stream after the Out Point must stay in the decoder buffer before it is decoded; r n .sbsb.-- ip is a bit rate at which the second digital vide obit stream is normally encoded at the In Point; and, r n .sbsb.-- op is a bit rate at which the first digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the Out Point.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 179 words

A video signal comprising a digital video bit stream having a seamless In Point constructed in accordance with a constraint expressed by the following equation (1): dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip ≦minimum {DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.ip, (B.sub.d /r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)}, (1) where dd f .sbsb.-- ip represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the digital video bit stream after the seamless In Point must stay in a decoder buffer before it is decoded; B d is a size of the decoder buffer; r n .sbsb.-- ip is a bit rate at which the digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the seamless In Point; and, DD thr .sbsb.-- ip represents a prescribed minimum decoding delay threshold for seamless In Points, where DD thr .sbsb.-- ip is defined by the following equation (2): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.ip =((MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)* SSD)+T.sub.p.sbsb.--.sub.i *(1-(MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip),(2) where T p .sbsb.-- i is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the seamless In Point; SDD is a prescribed splice decoding delay; and, MSR is a prescribed maximum splice rate.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 179 words

A video signal comprising a digital video bit stream having a seamless In Point constructed in accordance with a constraint expressed by the following equation (1): dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip ≦minimum {DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.ip, (B.sub.d /r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)}, (1) where dd f .sbsb.-- ip represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the digital video bit stream after the seamless In Point must stay in a decoder buffer before it is decoded; B d is a size of the decoder buffer; r n .sbsb.-- ip is a bit rate at which the digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the seamless In Point; and, DD thr .sbsb.-- ip represents a prescribed minimum decoding delay threshold for seamless In Points, where DD thr .sbsb.-- ip is defined by the following equation (2): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.ip =((MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)* SSD)+T.sub.p.sbsb.--.sub.i *(1-(MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip),(2) where T p .sbsb.-- i is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the seamless In Point; SDD is a prescribed splice decoding delay; and, MSR is a prescribed maximum splice rate.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 179 words

A video signal comprising a digital video bit stream having a seamless Out Point constructed in accordance with a constraint expressed by the following equation (1): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.op ≦dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.op ≦(B.sub.d /r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op), (1) where dd f .sbsb.-- op represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the digital video bit stream after the seamless Out Point must stay in a decoder buffer before it is decoded; B d is a size of the decoder buffer; r n .sbsb.-- op is a bit rate at which the digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the seamless Out Point; and, DD thr .sbsb.-- op represents a prescribed minimum decoding delay threshold for seamless Out Points, where DD thr .sbsb.-- op is defined by the following equation (2): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.op =((MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op)* SDD)-T.sub.p.sbsb.--.sub.o * ((MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op)-1),(2) where T p .sbsb.-- o is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the seamless Out Point; SDD is a prescribed splice decoding delay; and, MSR is a prescribed maximum splice rate.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 179 words

A video signal comprising a digital video bit stream having a seamless Out Point constructed in accordance with a constraint expressed by the following equation (1): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.op ≦dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.op ≦(B.sub.d /r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op), (1) where dd f .sbsb.-- op represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the digital video bit stream after the seamless Out Point must stay in a decoder buffer before it is decoded; B d is a size of the decoder buffer; r n .sbsb.-- op is a bit rate at which the digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the seamless Out Point; and, DD thr .sbsb.-- op represents a prescribed minimum decoding delay threshold for seamless Out Points, where DD thr .sbsb.-- op is defined by the following equation (2): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.op =((MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op)* SDD)-T.sub.p.sbsb.--.sub.o * ((MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op)-1),(2) where T p .sbsb.-- o is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the seamless Out Point; SDD is a prescribed splice decoding delay; and, MSR is a prescribed maximum splice rate.

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 337 words

A video signal, comprising: a first digital video bit stream having a seamless In Point constructed in accordance with a constraint expressed by the following equation (1): dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip ≦minimum {DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.ip, (B.sub.d /r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)}, where dd f .sbsb.-- ip represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the first digital video bit stream after the seamless In Point must stay in a decoder buffer before it is decoded; B d is a size of the decoder buffer; r n .sbsb.-- ip is a bit rate at which the first digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the seamless In Point; and, DD thr .sbsb.-- ip represents a prescribed minimum decoding delay threshold for seamless In Points, where DD thr .sbsb.-- ip is defined by the following equation (2): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.ip =((MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)* SDD)+T.sub.p.sbsb.--.sub.i * (1-(MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip),(2) where T p .sbsb.-- i is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the seamless In Point; SDD is a prescribed splice decoding delay; and, MSR is a prescribed maximum splice rate; and, a second digital video bit stream having a seamless Out Point constructed in accordance with a constraint expressed by the following equation (3): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.op ≦dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.op ≦(B.sub.d /r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op), (3) where dd f .sbsb.-- op represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the second digital video bit stream after the seamless Out Point must stay in a decoder buffer before it is decoded; r n .sbsb.-- op is a bit rate at which the second digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the seamless Out Point; and, DD thr .sbsb.-- op represents a prescribed minimum decoding delay threshold for seamless Out Points, where DD thr .sbsb.-- op is defined by the following equation (4): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.op =((MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op)* SDD)-T.sub.p.sbsb.--.sub.o * (MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op)-1),(4) where T p .sbsb.-- o is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the seamless Out Point.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 337 words

A video signal, comprising: a first digital video bit stream having a seamless In Point constructed in accordance with a constraint expressed by the following equation (1): dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip ≦minimum {DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.ip, (B.sub.d /r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)}, where dd f .sbsb.-- ip represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the first digital video bit stream after the seamless In Point must stay in a decoder buffer before it is decoded; B d is a size of the decoder buffer; r n .sbsb.-- ip is a bit rate at which the first digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the seamless In Point; and, DD thr .sbsb.-- ip represents a prescribed minimum decoding delay threshold for seamless In Points, where DD thr .sbsb.-- ip is defined by the following equation (2): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.ip =((MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)* SDD)+T.sub.p.sbsb.--.sub.i * (1-(MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip),(2) where T p .sbsb.-- i is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the seamless In Point; SDD is a prescribed splice decoding delay; and, MSR is a prescribed maximum splice rate; and, a second digital video bit stream having a seamless Out Point constructed in accordance with a constraint expressed by the following equation (3): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.op ≦dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.op ≦(B.sub.d /r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op), (3) where dd f .sbsb.-- op represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the second digital video bit stream after the seamless Out Point must stay in a decoder buffer before it is decoded; r n .sbsb.-- op is a bit rate at which the second digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the seamless Out Point; and, DD thr .sbsb.-- op represents a prescribed minimum decoding delay threshold for seamless Out Points, where DD thr .sbsb.-- op is defined by the following equation (4): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.op =((MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op)* SDD)-T.sub.p.sbsb.--.sub.o * (MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op)-1),(4) where T p .sbsb.-- o is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the seamless Out Point.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 223 words

An encoder for encoding a digital video bit stream which includes a plurality of successively-encoded pictures, including: means for constructing a seamless In Point in accordance with a constraint expressed by the following equation (1): dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip ≦minimum {DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.ip, (B.sub.d /r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)}, (1) where dd f .sbsb.-- ip represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the digital video bit stream after the seamless In Point must stay in a decoder buffer before it is decoded; B d is a size of the decoder buffer; r n .sbsb.-- ip is a bit rate at which the digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the seamless In Point; and, DD thr .sbsb.-- ip represents a prescribed minimum decoding delay threshold for seamless In Points, where DD thr .sbsb.-- ip is defined by the following equation (2): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.ip =((MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)* SDD)+T.sub.p.sbsb.--.sub.i * (1-(MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip), where T p .sbsb.-- i is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the seamless In Point; SDD is a prescribed splice decoding delay; and, MSR is a prescribed maximum splice rate; and, means for inserting the seamless In Point at a first point in the digital video bit stream at which another digital video bit stream can be spliced into the digital video bit stream.

Claim 67

Dependent Claim 223 words

An encoder for encoding a digital video bit stream which includes a plurality of successively-encoded pictures, including: means for constructing a seamless In Point in accordance with a constraint expressed by the following equation (1): dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip ≦minimum {DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.ip, (B.sub.d /r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)}, (1) where dd f .sbsb.-- ip represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the digital video bit stream after the seamless In Point must stay in a decoder buffer before it is decoded; B d is a size of the decoder buffer; r n .sbsb.-- ip is a bit rate at which the digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the seamless In Point; and, DD thr .sbsb.-- ip represents a prescribed minimum decoding delay threshold for seamless In Points, where DD thr .sbsb.-- ip is defined by the following equation (2): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.ip =((MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)* SDD)+T.sub.p.sbsb.--.sub.i * (1-(MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip), where T p .sbsb.-- i is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the seamless In Point; SDD is a prescribed splice decoding delay; and, MSR is a prescribed maximum splice rate; and, means for inserting the seamless In Point at a first point in the digital video bit stream at which another digital video bit stream can be spliced into the digital video bit stream.

Claim 68

Dependent Claim 86 words

The encoder as set forth in claim 54, further including: means for determining if MSR>r n .sbsb.-- ip ; and, means for selecting dd f .sbsb.-- ip to have a value ≦SDD if it is determined that MSR is greater than r n .sbsb.-- ip , and for selecting dd f .sbsb.-- ip to have a value dd r .sbsb.-- ip defined by the following equation (3) if it is determined that MSR is not greater than r n .sbsb.-- ip ; dd.sub.r.sbsb.--.sub.ip =(MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)* SDD (3).

Claim 69

Dependent Claim 14 words

The encoder as set forth in claim 54, wherein r n .sbsb.-- ip >MSR.

Claim 70

Dependent Claim 35 words

The encoder as set forth in claim 54, further including means for selecting dd f .sbsb.-- ip to have a value dd r .sbsb.-- ip defined by the following equation (3): dd.sub.r.sbsb.--.sub.ip =(MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)* SDD (3).

Claim 71

Dependent Claim 29 words

The encoder as set forth in claim 54, wherein MSR and SDD are selected to have values that satisfy a constraint expressed by the following equation (4): MSR*SDD<B.sub.d (4).

Claim 72

Dependent Claim 217 words

An encoder for encoding a digital video bit stream which includes a plurality of successively-encoded pictures, including: means for constructing a seamless Out Point in accordance with a constraint expressed by the following equation (1): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.op <dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.op <(B.sub.d /r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op), (1) where dd f .sbsb.-- op represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the digital video bit stream after the seamless Out Point must stay in a decoder buffer before it is decoded; r n .sbsb.-- op is a bit rate of which the digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the seamless Out Point; B d is a size of the decoder buffer; and, DD thr .sbsb.-- op represents a prescribed minimum decoding delay threshold for seamless Out Points, where DD thr .sbsb.-- op is defined by the following equation (2): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.op =((MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op)*SDD)-T.sub.p.sbsb.--.sub.o *(MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op)-1), (2) where T p .sbsb.-- o is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the seamless Out Point; SDD is a prescribed splice decoding delay; and, MSR is a prescribed maximum splice rate; and, means for inserting the seamless Out Point at a first point in the digital video bit stream at which it can be spliced into another digital video bit stream.

Claim 73

Dependent Claim 217 words

An encoder for encoding a digital video bit stream which includes a plurality of successively-encoded pictures, including: means for constructing a seamless Out Point in accordance with a constraint expressed by the following equation (1): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.op <dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.op <(B.sub.d /r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op), (1) where dd f .sbsb.-- op represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the digital video bit stream after the seamless Out Point must stay in a decoder buffer before it is decoded; r n .sbsb.-- op is a bit rate of which the digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the seamless Out Point; B d is a size of the decoder buffer; and, DD thr .sbsb.-- op represents a prescribed minimum decoding delay threshold for seamless Out Points, where DD thr .sbsb.-- op is defined by the following equation (2): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.op =((MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op)*SDD)-T.sub.p.sbsb.--.sub.o *(MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op)-1), (2) where T p .sbsb.-- o is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the seamless Out Point; SDD is a prescribed splice decoding delay; and, MSR is a prescribed maximum splice rate; and, means for inserting the seamless Out Point at a first point in the digital video bit stream at which it can be spliced into another digital video bit stream.

Claim 74

Dependent Claim 97 words

The encoder as set forth in claim 59, further including: means for determining if MSR>r n .sbsb.-- op ; and, means for selecting dd f .sbsb.-- op to have a value≧SDD if it is determined that MSR is not greater than r n .sbsb.-- op , within a constraint that dd f .sbsb.-- op *r n .sbsb.-- op <B d ; and, for selecting dd f .sbsb.-- op to have a value dd r .sbsb.-- op defined by the following equation (3) if it is determined that MSR is greater than r nop dd.sub.r.sbsb.--.sub.op =(MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op)* SDD (3).

Claim 75

Dependent Claim 14 words

The encoder as set forth in claim 59, wherein r n .sbsb.-- op <MSR.

Claim 76

Dependent Claim 33 words

The encoder as set forth in claim 59, wherein dd f .sbsb.-- op is selected to have a value dd r .sbsb.-- op defined by the following equation (3): ddr.sub.-- op=(MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op)* SDD (3).

Claim 77

Dependent Claim 29 words

The encoder as set forth in claim 59, wherein MSR and SDD are selected to have values that satisfy a constraint expressed by the following equation (4): MSR*SDD<B.sub.d (4).

Claim 78

Dependent Claim 162 words

A splicer for splicing a first digital video bit stream at an Out Point into a second digital video bit stream at an In Point, the splicer including: means for measuring dd f .sbsb.-- op and for measuring dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; means for computing a difference W equal to dd f .sbsb.-- op -dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; and, means for switching from the Out Point, and, after switching from the Out Point, waiting an amount of time equal to W, and then switching into the In Point; wherein dd f .sbsb.-- ip represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the second digital video bit stream after the In Point must stay in a decoder buffer before it is decoded, and dd f .sbsb.-- op represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the first digital video bit stream after the Out Point must stay in the decoder buffer before it is decoded.

Claim 79

Dependent Claim 162 words

A splicer for splicing a first digital video bit stream at an Out Point into a second digital video bit stream at an In Point, the splicer including: means for measuring dd f .sbsb.-- op and for measuring dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; means for computing a difference W equal to dd f .sbsb.-- op -dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; and, means for switching from the Out Point, and, after switching from the Out Point, waiting an amount of time equal to W, and then switching into the In Point; wherein dd f .sbsb.-- ip represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the second digital video bit stream after the In Point must stay in a decoder buffer before it is decoded, and dd f .sbsb.-- op represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the first digital video bit stream after the Out Point must stay in the decoder buffer before it is decoded.

Claim 80

Dependent Claim 164 words

The splicer as set forth in claim 64, wherein the Out Point is constructed by: constructing the Out Point in accordance with a constraint expressed by the following equation (1): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.op <dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.op <(B.sub.d /r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op), (1) where B d is a size of the decoder buffer; r n .sbsb.-- op is a bit rate at which the first digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the Out Point; and, DD thr-op represents a prescribed minimum decoding delay threshold for Out Points defined by the following equation (2): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.op =(MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op)*SDD)-T.sub.p.sbsb.--.sub.o *)MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op)-1), where T p .sbsb.-- o is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the Out Point; SDD is a prescribed splice decoding delay; and, MSR is a prescribed maximum splice rate; and, inserting the Out Point at a first point in the first digital video bit stream at which it can be spliced into another digital video bit stream.

Claim 81

Dependent Claim 168 words

The splicer as set forth in claim 64, wherein the In Point is constructed by: constructing the In Point in accordance with a constraint expressed by the following equation (1): dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip <miminum {DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.ip, (B.sub.d /r.sub.ip)}, (1) where B d is a size of the decoder buffer; r n .sbsb.-- ip is a bit rate at which the second digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the In Point; and, DD thr .sbsb.-- ip represents a prescribed minimum decoding delay threshold for In Points defined by the following equation (2): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.ip =((MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)*SDD)-T.sub.p.sbsb.--.sub.i *(1-MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip), (2) where T p .sbsb.-- i is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the In Point; SDD is a prescribed splice decoding delay; and, MSR is a prescribed maximum splice rate; and, inserting the In Point at a first point in the second digital video bit stream at which it can be spliced into another digital video bit stream.

Claim 82

Dependent Claim 144 words

The splicer as set forth in claim 65, wherein the In Point is constructed by: constructing the In Point in accordance with a constraint expressed by the following equation (1) dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip <miminum {DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.ip, (B.sub.d /r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)}, (1) where r n .sbsb.-- ip is a bit rate at which the second digital vide obit stream is normally encoded at the In Point; and, DD thr .sbsb.-- ip represents a prescribed minimum decoding delay threshold for In Points defined by the following equation (2): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.ip =((MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)*SDD)-T.sub.p.sbsb.--.sub.i *(1-MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip), (2) where T p .sbsb.-- i is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the In Point; and, inserting the In Point at a first point in the second digital video bit stream at which it can be spliced into another digital video bit stream.

Claim 83

Dependent Claim 107 words

The splicer as set forth in claim 64, wherein the In Point is a seamless In Point and the Out Point is a non-seamless Out Point, whereby the switching is seamless if the following two constraints are satisfied: a) dd f .sbsb.-- op >dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; and, b) r n .sbsb.-- op >r n .sbsb.-- ip ; wherein r n .sbsb.-- op is a bit rate at which the first digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the Out Point; and, r n .sbsb.-- ip is a bit rate at which the second digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the In Point.

Claim 84

Dependent Claim 107 words

The splicer as set forth in claim 64, wherein the In Point is a non-seamless In Point and the Out Point is a non-seamless Out Point, whereby the switching is seamless if the following two constraints are satisfied: a) dd f .sbsb.-- op >dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; and, b) r n .sbsb.-- op >r n .sbsb.-- ip ; wherein r n .sbsb.-- op is a bit rate at which the first digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the Out Point; and, r n .sbsb.-- ip is a bit rate at which the second digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the In Point.

Claim 85

Dependent Claim 107 words

The splicer as set forth in claim 64, wherein the In Point is a non-seamless In Point and the Out Point is a seamless Out Point, whereby the switching is seamless if the following two constraints are satisfied: a) dd f .sbsb.-- op >dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; and, b) r n .sbsb.-- op >r n .sbsb.-- ip ; wherein r n .sbsb.-- op is a bit rate at which the first digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the Out Point; and, r n .sbsb.-- ip is a bit rate at which the second digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the In Point.

Claim 86

Dependent Claim 298 words

A splicer for splicing a first digital video bit stream at an Out Point into a second digital video bit stream at an In Point, the splicer including: means for measuring dd f .sbsb.-- op and for measuring dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; means for computing a difference W equal to dd f .sbsb.-- op -dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; means for switching from the Out Point; and, means for streaming the second digital video bit stream at a first rate R 2 ≦r n .sbsb.-- op for a first time period having a duration equal to W, and, for then streaming the second digital video bit stream for a second time period having a duration dd' f .sbsb.-- ip at a second rate R sp .sbsb.-- in defined by the following equation: R.sub.sp.sbsb.--.sub.in =((r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip *dd'.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip)-(R.sub.w *W)/dd'.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip, where dd' f .sbsb.-- ip =dd f .sbsb.-- ip -T p .sbsb.-- o ; T p .sbsb.-- o is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the Out Point; dd f .sbsb.-- ip represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the second digital video bit stream after the In Point must stay in a decoder buffer before it is decoded; dd f .sbsb.-- op represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the first digital video bit stream after the Out Point must stay in the decoder buffer before it is decoded; r n .sbsb.-- ip is a bit rate at which the second digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the In Point; and, r n .sbsb.-- op is a bit rate at which the first digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the Out Point.

Claim 87

Dependent Claim 298 words

A splicer for splicing a first digital video bit stream at an Out Point into a second digital video bit stream at an In Point, the splicer including: means for measuring dd f .sbsb.-- op and for measuring dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; means for computing a difference W equal to dd f .sbsb.-- op -dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; means for switching from the Out Point; and, means for streaming the second digital video bit stream at a first rate R 2 ≦r n .sbsb.-- op for a first time period having a duration equal to W, and, for then streaming the second digital video bit stream for a second time period having a duration dd' f .sbsb.-- ip at a second rate R sp .sbsb.-- in defined by the following equation: R.sub.sp.sbsb.--.sub.in =((r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip *dd'.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip)-(R.sub.w *W)/dd'.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip, where dd' f .sbsb.-- ip =dd f .sbsb.-- ip -T p .sbsb.-- o ; T p .sbsb.-- o is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the Out Point; dd f .sbsb.-- ip represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the second digital video bit stream after the In Point must stay in a decoder buffer before it is decoded; dd f .sbsb.-- op represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the first digital video bit stream after the Out Point must stay in the decoder buffer before it is decoded; r n .sbsb.-- ip is a bit rate at which the second digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the In Point; and, r n .sbsb.-- op is a bit rate at which the first digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the Out Point.

Claim 88

Dependent Claim 144 words

The splicer as set forth in claim 71, wherein the Out Point is constructed by: constructing the Out Point in accordance with a constraint expressed by the following equation (1): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.op <dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.op <(B.sub.d /r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op), (1) where B d is a size of the decoder buffer; and, DD thr .sbsb.-- op represents a prescribed minimum decoding delay threshold for Out Points defined by the following equation (2): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.op =((MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op)*SDD)-T.sub.p.sbsb.--.sub.o *(MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op)-1), (2) where T p .sbsb.-- o is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the Out Point; SDD is a prescribed splice decoding delay; and, MSR is a prescribed maximum splice rate; and, inserting the Out Point at a first point in the first digital video bit stream at which it can be spliced into another digital video bit stream.

Claim 89

Dependent Claim 145 words

The splicer as set forth in claim 71, wherein the In Point is constructed by: constructing the In Point in accordance with a constraint expressed by the following equation (1): dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip <miminum {DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.ip, (B.sub.d /r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)}, (1) where B d is a size of the decoder buffer; and, DD thr .sbsb.-- ip represents a prescribed minimum decoding delay threshold for In Points defined by the following equation (2): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.ip =((MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)*DSS)-T.sub.p.sbsb.--.sub.i *(1-MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip), (2) where T p .sbsb.-- i is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the In Point; SDD is a prescribed splice decoding delay; and, MSR is a prescribed maximum splice rate; and, inserting the In Point at a first point in the second digital video bit stream at which it can be spliced into another digital video bit stream.

Claim 90

Dependent Claim 120 words

The splicer as set forth in claim 72, wherein the In Point is constructed by: construction the In Point in accordance with a constraint expressed by the following equation (1): dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip <miminum {DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.ip, (B.sub.d /r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)}, (1) where DD thr .sbsb.-- ip represents a prescribed minimum decoding delay threshold for In Points defined by the following equation (2): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.ip =((MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)*SDD)-T.sub.p.sbsb.--.sub.i *(1-MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip), (2) where T p .sbsb.-- i is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the In Point; and, inserting the In Point at a first point in the second digital video bit stream at which it can be spliced into another digital video bit stream.

Claim 91

Dependent Claim 59 words

The splicer as set forth in claim 71, wherein the In Point is a seamless In Point and the Out Point is a non-seamless Out Point, whereby the switching is seamless if the following two constraints are satisfied: a) dd f .sbsb.-- op >dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; and, b) r n .sbsb.-- op >r n .sbsb.-- ip .

Claim 92

Dependent Claim 59 words

The splicer as set forth in claim 71, wherein the In Point is a non-seamless In Point and the Out Point is a non-seamless Out Point, whereby the switching is seamless if the following two constraints are satisfied: a) dd f .sbsb.-- op >dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; and, b) r n .sbsb.-- op >r n .sbsb.-- ip .

Claim 93

Dependent Claim 59 words

The splicer as set forth in claim 71, wherein the In Point is a non-seamless In Point and the Out Point is a seamless Out Point, whereby the switching is seamless if the following two constraints are satisfied: a) dd f .sbsb.-- op >dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; and, b) r n .sbsb.-- op >r n .sbsb.-- ip .

Claim 94

Dependent Claim 416 words

A splicer for splicing a first digital video bit stream at an Out Point into a second digital video bit stream at an In Point, the splicer including: means for measuring dd f .sbsb.-- op and for measuring dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; means for computing a difference W equal to dd f .sbsb.-- op -dd f .sbsb.-- ip , and for computing a stream bit rate R sp .sbsb.-- op according to the following equation (1): R.sub.sp.sbsb.--.sub.op =(dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip /dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.op)*r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip ; (1) means for determining if R sp .sbsb.-- op ≦r n .sbsb.-- op ; means for switching from the Out Point; means for streaming the second digital video bit stream at the rate R sp .sbsb.-- op for the duration of dd f .sbsb.-- op , if it is determined that R sp .sbsb.-- op ≦r n .sbsb.-- op ; and, means for performing a selected one of the following two possible procedures: (i) waiting an amount of time equal to W, and then switching into the In Point; or, (ii) (A) streaming the second digital video bit stream at a first rate R w ≦r n .sbsb.-- op for a first time period having a duration equal to W; and, (B) then streaming the second digital video bit stream for a second time period having a duration dd' f .sbsb.-- ip at a second rate R sp .sbsb.-- in defined by the following equation (2): R.sub.sp.sbsb.--.sub.in =((r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip *dd'.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip)-(R.sub.w *W))/dd'.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip,(2) where dd' f .sbsb.-- ip =dd f .sbsb.-- ip -T p .sbsb.-- o , if it is determined that R sp .sbsb.-- op >r n .sbsb.-- op ; T p .sbsb.-- o is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the Out Point; dd f .sbsb.-- ip represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the second digital video bit stream after the In Point must stay in a decoder buffer before it is decoded; dd f .sbsb.-- op represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the first digital video bit stream after the Out Point must stay in the decoder buffer before it is decoded; r n .sbsb.-- ip is a bit rate at which the second digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the In Point; and, r n .sbsb.-- op is a bit rate at which the first digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the Out Point.

Claim 95

Dependent Claim 416 words

A splicer for splicing a first digital video bit stream at an Out Point into a second digital video bit stream at an In Point, the splicer including: means for measuring dd f .sbsb.-- op and for measuring dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; means for computing a difference W equal to dd f .sbsb.-- op -dd f .sbsb.-- ip , and for computing a stream bit rate R sp .sbsb.-- op according to the following equation (1): R.sub.sp.sbsb.--.sub.op =(dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip /dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.op)*r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip ; (1) means for determining if R sp .sbsb.-- op ≦r n .sbsb.-- op ; means for switching from the Out Point; means for streaming the second digital video bit stream at the rate R sp .sbsb.-- op for the duration of dd f .sbsb.-- op , if it is determined that R sp .sbsb.-- op ≦r n .sbsb.-- op ; and, means for performing a selected one of the following two possible procedures: (i) waiting an amount of time equal to W, and then switching into the In Point; or, (ii) (A) streaming the second digital video bit stream at a first rate R w ≦r n .sbsb.-- op for a first time period having a duration equal to W; and, (B) then streaming the second digital video bit stream for a second time period having a duration dd' f .sbsb.-- ip at a second rate R sp .sbsb.-- in defined by the following equation (2): R.sub.sp.sbsb.--.sub.in =((r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip *dd'.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip)-(R.sub.w *W))/dd'.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip,(2) where dd' f .sbsb.-- ip =dd f .sbsb.-- ip -T p .sbsb.-- o , if it is determined that R sp .sbsb.-- op >r n .sbsb.-- op ; T p .sbsb.-- o is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the Out Point; dd f .sbsb.-- ip represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the second digital video bit stream after the In Point must stay in a decoder buffer before it is decoded; dd f .sbsb.-- op represents an amount of time by which a first byte of the first digital video bit stream after the Out Point must stay in the decoder buffer before it is decoded; r n .sbsb.-- ip is a bit rate at which the second digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the In Point; and, r n .sbsb.-- op is a bit rate at which the first digital video bit stream is normally encoded at the Out Point.

Claim 96

Dependent Claim 143 words

The splicer at set forth in claim 78, wherein the Out Point is constructed by: constructing the Out Point in accordance with a constraint expressed by the following equation (1): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.op <dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.op <(B.sub.d /r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op), where B d is a size of the decoder buffer; and, DD thr .sbsb.-- op represents a prescribed minimum decoding delay threshold for Out Points defined by the following equation (2): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.op =(MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op)*SDD)-T.sub.p.sbsb.--.sub.o *(MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.op)-1), (2) where T p .sbsb.-- o is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the Out Point; SDD is a prescribed splice decoding delay; and, MSR is a prescribed maximum splice rate; and, inserting the Out Point at a first point in the first digital video bit stream at which it can be spliced into another digital video bit stream.

Claim 97

Dependent Claim 144 words

The splicer as set forth in claim 78, wherein the In Point is constructed by: constructing the In Point in accordance with a constraint expressed by the following equation (1): dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip <miminum {DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.ip,(B.sub.d /r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)}, (1) where B d is a size of the decoder buffer; and, DD thr .sbsb.-- ip represents a prescribed minimum decoding delay threshold for In Points defined by the following equation (2): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.ip =((MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)*SDD)-T.sub.p.sbsb.--.sub.i *(1-MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip), (2) where T p .sbsb.-- i is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the In Point; SDD is a prescribed splice decoding delay; and, MSR is a prescribed maximum splice rate; and, inserting the In Point at a first point in the second digital video bit stream at which it can be spliced into another digital video bit stream.

Claim 98

Dependent Claim 119 words

The splicer as set forth in claim 79, wherein the In Point is constructed by: constructing the In Point in accordance with a constraint expressed by the following equation (1): dd.sub.f.sbsb.--.sub.ip <miminum {DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.ip,(B.sub.d /r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)}, (1) where DD thr .sbsb.-- ip represents a prescribed minimum decoding delay threshold for In Points defined by the following equation (2): DD.sub.thr.sbsb.--.sub.ip =((MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip)*SDD)-T.sub.p.sbsb.--.sub.i *(1-MSR/r.sub.n.sbsb.--.sub.ip), (2) where T p .sbsb.-- i is a time needed for displaying a picture which starts being displayed at a time of decoding of a last picture prior to the In Point; and, inserting the In Point at a first point in the second digital video bit stream at which it can be spliced into another digital video bit stream.

Claim 99

Dependent Claim 59 words

The splicer as set forth in claim 78, wherein the In Point is a seamless In Point and the Out Point is a non-seamless Out Point, whereby the switching is seamless if the following two constraints are satisfied: a) dd f .sbsb.-- op >dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; and, b) r n .sbsb.-- op >r n .sbsb.-- ip .

Claim 100

Dependent Claim 59 words

The splicer as set forth in claim 78, wherein the In Point is a non-seamless In Point and the Out Point is a non-seamless Out Point, whereby the switching is seamless if the following two constraints are satisfied: a) dd f .sbsb.-- op >dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; and, b) r n .sbsb.-- op >r n .sbsb.-- ip .

Claim 101

Dependent Claim 59 words

The splicer as set forth in claim 78, wherein the In Point is a non-seamless In Point and the Out Point is a seamless Out Point, whereby the switching is seamless if the following two constraints are satisfied: a) dd f .sbsb.-- op >dd f .sbsb.-- ip ; and, b) r n .sbsb.-- op >r n .sbsb.-- ip .

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2003-04-11	2003-10-11	2004-04-11	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2007-04-11	2007-10-11	2008-04-11	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2011-04-11	2011-10-11	2012-04-11	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method and apparatus for encoding digital video bit streams with seamless splice points and method and apparatus for splicing such digital video bit streams

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