Abstract: A packet schedule timestamp is provided. A schedule information packet includes a packet schedule timestamp that represents the relative timing of data packets in a particular bitstream of a multiplexed transport stream. The schedule information packet further provides information about the timing of packets within a bitstream or multiple bitstreams before actual packet arrivals. Look-ahead processing techniques are provided to improve the efficiency of compressed bitstream storage and delivery, such as program stream to transport stream conversion and statistical multiplexing. The packet schedule information can be inserted into the bitstream it describes for transmission or storage with it. Other features, such as timing reconstruction, are also provided. The packet schedule information can be used to reconstruct the timing of the transport packets to their original state.

Abstract: Compressed digital video bitstreams are segmented into video segments. A staging processor performs transrating on the original video segments and generates several transrated output video segments. The output video segments are combined into a video block for further distribution. A bit rate switch selects among the transrated video segments from the video block to provide a statistically multiplexed output bitstream. The bit rate switch can also select local stream segments, such as advertisements, for content insertion purposes. A transprocessor including multiple encoder output features is also provided.

Abstract: A packet schedule timestamp is provided. A schedule information packet includes a packet schedule timestamp that represents the relative timing of data packets in a particular bitstream of a multiplexed transport stream. The schedule information packet further provides information about the timing of packets within a bitstream or multiple bitstreams before actual packet arrivals. Look-ahead processing techniques are provided to improve the efficiency of compressed bitstream storage and delivery, such as program stream to transport stream conversion and statistical multiplexing. The packet schedule information can be inserted into the bitstream it describes for transmission or storage with it. Other features, such as timing reconstruction, are also provided. The packet schedule information can be used to reconstruct the timing of the transport packets to their original state.

Abstract: The present invention provides a disk drive storage defragmentation system, comprising providing a cache buffer system coupled to a host system, coupling a disk drive storage system to the cache buffer system, performing a defragmentation process on the disk drive storage system utilizing the cache buffer system and servicing a data access request by the host system from the cache buffer system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for deploying two-way data communication over a one-way infrastructure are disclosed. An end user enters a control command into an input device that is capable of sending data containing the control command over a network to a content service provider. The content service provider adjusts the end user's output stream in accordance with the end user's control command. The adjusted output stream is distributed to the output display device. Further features are disclosed such as providing content descriptive metadata to the input device and/or the output display device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for efficient queuing and dequeuing using segmented output buffers comprising sub-buffers and priority queues. Output buffers are monitored for empty sub-buffers. When a newly empty sub-buffer is discovered, a refill request is enqueued in a ranked priority queue wherein the rank of the destination priority queue is based on the number of empty-sub-buffers in the requesting output buffer. All high priority refill requests are dequeued before lower priority refill requests, thereby reducing the possibility of starvation. Optionally, by using simple dequeuing criteria, such as a FIFO discipline, instead of complex algorithms designed to improve fairness, system resources may be conserved thereby improving system throughput.

Abstract: The present invention provides a disk drive storage defragmentation system, comprising providing a cache buffer system coupled to a host system, coupling a disk drive storage system to the cache buffer system, performing a defragmantation process on the disk drive storage system utilizing the cache buffer system and servicing a data access request by the host system from the cache buffer system.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for efficient queuing and dequeuing using segmented output buffers comprising sub-buffers and priority queues. Output buffers are monitored for empty sub-buffers. When a newly empty sub-buffer is discovered, a refill request is enqueued in a ranked priority queue wherein the rank of the destination priority queue is based on the number of empty-sub-buffers in the requesting output buffer. All high priority refill requests are dequeued before lower priority refill requests, thereby reducing the possibility of starvation. Optionally, by using simple dequeuing criteria, such as a FIFO discipline, instead of complex algorithms designed to improve fairness, system resources may be conserved thereby improving system throughput.