Apparatus and method for analyzing bitstreams

Claim 2

Apparatus for evaluating a bitstream having a plurality of packets, where the packets carry time-elements, said apparatus comprising: a buffer for receiving one or more of the plurality of packets; a counter, coupled to said buffer, for recording a plurality of timestamps for the received packets, where each of said timestamps records a reception time of one of said packets; a processor, couple to said buffer, for evaluating the time-elements carried by said packets by using said timestamps from said counter; and a memory coupled to said processor, for storing said plurality of timestamps simultaneously from said counter.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said processor evaluates said time-elements in real time.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprises: an interrupt controller, coupled to said counter, for sending an interrupt to said processor, to indicate that a new timestamp has been recorded by said counter.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprises: a buffer controller, coupled to said buffer, for controlling said buffer in response to a control signal from said processor.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each of said timestamp records a reception time of a beginning of one of said packets.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein said processor analyzes said time-elements to detect a Program Clock Reference (PCR) jitter.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein said processor analyzes said time-elements to detect a PCR gap.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein said processor analyzes said time-elements to detect a PCR discontinuity.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein said processor analyzes said time-elements to detect an inter-arrival time of Service Information (SI).

Claim 11

Method for evaluating a bitstream having a plurality of packets, where the packets carry time-elements, said method comprising the step of: a) receiving one or more of the plurality of packets into a buffer; b) recording a plurality of timestamps for said received packets, where each of said timestamps records a reception time of one of said packets; c) using a processor to evaluate the time-elements carried by said packets by using said timestamps; and d) simultaneously storing said plurality of timestamps into a memory.

Claim 12

Method for evaluating a bitstream having a plurality of packets, where the packets carry time-elements, said method comprising the step of: a) receiving one or more of the plurality of packets into a buffer; b) recording a plurality of timestamps for said received packets, where each of said timestamps records a reception time of one of said packets; c) using a processor to evaluate the time-elements carried by said packets by using said timestamps; and d) simultaneously storing said plurality of timestamps into a memory.

Claim 13

The method of claim 10 , wherein said evaluating said time-elements step (c) is performed in real time.

Claim 14

The method of claim 10 , wherein said storing step (d) stores said plurality of timestamps into a table in said memory.

Claim 15

The method of claim 10 , further comprising the step of: (b′) sending an interrupt to said processor to indicate that a new timestamp has been recorded.

Claim 16

The method of claim 10 , wherein each of said timestamp records a reception time of a beginning of one of said packets.

Claim 17

The method of claim 14 , wherein said processor analyzes said time-elements to detect a Program Clock Reference (PCR) jitter.

Claim 18

The method of claim 14 , wherein said processor analyzes said time-elements to detect a PCR gap.

Claim 19

The method of claim 14 , wherein said processor analyzes said time-elements to detect a PCR discontinuity.

Claim 20

The method of claim 14 , wherein said processor analyzes said time-elements to detect an inter-arrival time of Service Information (SI).

Claim 21

A decoding system for decoding and evaluating a bitstream having a plurality of packets, where the packets carry time-elements, said decoding system comprising: a decoder; and a bitstream analyzer, coupled to said decoder, wherein said bitstream analyzer comprises: a buffer for receiving one or more of the plurality of packets; a counter, coupled to said buffer, for recording a plurality of timestamps for the received packets, where each of said timestamps records a reception tune of one of said packets; a processor, coupled to said buffer, for evaluating the time-elements carried by said packets by using said timestamps from said counter; and a memory, coupled said processor, for storing said plurality of timestamps simultaneously from said counter.

Claim 22

A decoding system for decoding and evaluating a bitstream having a plurality of packets, where the packets carry time-elements, said decoding system comprising: a decoder; and a bitstream analyzer, coupled to said decoder, wherein said bitstream analyzer comprises: a buffer for receiving one or more of the plurality of packets; a counter, coupled to said buffer, for recording a plurality of timestamps for the received packets, where each of said timestamps records a reception tune of one of said packets; a processor, coupled to said buffer, for evaluating the time-elements carried by said packets by using said timestamps from said counter; and a memory, coupled said processor, for storing said plurality of timestamps simultaneously from said counter.

Claim 23

A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions, the plurality of instructions including instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps comprising of: a) receiving one or more of the plurality of packets into a buffer; b) recording a plurality of timestamps for said received packets, where each of said timestamps records a reception time of one of said packets; c) using a processor to evaluate the time-elements carried by said packets by using said timestamps; and d) simultaneously storing said plurality of timestamps into a memory.

Claim 24

A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions, the plurality of instructions including instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps comprising of: a) receiving one or more of the plurality of packets into a buffer; b) recording a plurality of timestamps for said received packets, where each of said timestamps records a reception time of one of said packets; c) using a processor to evaluate the time-elements carried by said packets by using said timestamps; and d) simultaneously storing said plurality of timestamps into a memory.

Claim 25

The computer-readable medium of claim 20 , wherein said evaluating said time-elements step (c) is performed in real time.

Claim 26

The computer-readable medium of claim 20 , wherein said storing step (d) stores said plurality of timestamps into a table in said memory.

Claim 27

The computer-readable medium of claim 20 , further comprising the step of: (b′) sending an interrupt to said processor to indicate that a new timestamp has been recorded.

Claim 28

The computer-readable medium of claim 20 , wherein each of said timestamp records a reception time of a beginning of one of said packets.

Claim 29

The computer-readable medium of claim 24 , wherein said processor analyzes said time-elements to detect a Program Clock Reference (PCR) jitter.

Claim 30

The computer-readable medium of claim 24 , wherein said processor analyzes said time-elements to detect a PCR gap.

Claim 31

The computer-readable medium of claim 24 , wherein said processor analyzes said time-elements to detect a PCR discontinuity.

Claim 32

The computer-readable medium of claim 24 , wherein said processor analyzes said time-elements to detect an inter-arrival time of Service Information (SI).