Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for modifying the data rate of a video signal are provided. A compressed video signal is received. A closed-loop transrating path for modifying a data rate of the video signal and an open-loop transrating path for modifying the data rate of the video signal are provided. One of the open-loop transrating path or the closed-loop transrating path is selected for modifying the data rate of at least a portion of the video signal. Pixel quantization error control may be provided in the closed loop transrating path.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for inserting overlay content into a video signal are provided. An overlay content signal containing overlay content is received. In addition, a compressed video signal is received from a video source and decoded. An insertion window portion of the decoded video signal is identified. The overlay content signal and the insertion window portion of the decoded video signal are processed to produce a modified insertion window portion of the video signal. The video signal and the modified insertion window portion are then processed to produce a modified video signal. The data rate of the video signal may be modified during the overlay content insertion process.

Abstract: Methods are provided for inserting advertisements or the like and/or to perform grooming functions for a video, audio and/or data stream. Video programming is received in a network stream. Alternate content, such as advertisements, is received in content stream. The content stream is preconditioned to provide an entrance point therein for splicing the network stream to the content stream. Preconditioning of the content stream can also be performed to provide an exit point for splicing back to the network stream when the alternate content (e.g., advertisements) has concluded.

Abstract: A system and method are described for greatly increasing the number of services that can be encrypted with existing conditional access equipment. The method is most useful when many digitally compressed programs are encrypted at the same time. Only the most critical components of each compressed video, audio, or data stream are selected and then sequenced into a single stream. Additional formatting causes this sequence of segments from multiple sources to appear as a single continuous stream to the conditional access system. Once this stream has been encrypted, it is demultiplexed and the components are restored and re-sequenced into their respective programs. Messages such as the Entitlement Control Messages that are inserted into the stream by the encryption system, are also adjusted and included with each of the reconstructed programs.

Abstract: An advanced video multiplexer system designed and optimized for next generation on-demand video distribution is described. The system optimizes identifies a multi-program transport stream best able to accommodate new sessions based upon Quality of Service (QoS) and QAM utilization ratios. MPTS channels are rebalanced via re-grouping and transrating as necessary to optimize bandwidth utilization. Multiple video formats are supported via built-in transcoding. The multiplexer manages encryption resources and supports new sessions using previously allocated encryption resources where possible. Sessions can be grouped into encryption channels either by using a single authorization tier per channel policy, or by requiring all clients of the group to be in physically separated service groups. Encryption channels can be released when a channel no longer serves any clients or when one or more other channels that have been assigned the same entitlement can accommodate any remaining clients.

Abstract: An SDRAM convolutional interleaver with two paths. Symbols are assigned to a given one of the two paths, then are sorted to minimize (to one) a number of breaks in a sequential Interleaver write address. After sorting, the symbols are stored staggered in SRAM and burst written to SDRAM. Before writing to SDRAM, data is accumulated for four symbols at a time, and the data is written four symbols wide to optimize SDRAM access time. 8 bit symbols are written 32 bits at a time to SDRAM.

Abstract: The present invention provides a balanced video distribution system, as well as corresponding methods and apparatus, which utilize feedback from the channel multiplexers as well as rate estimation and predictive rate control. Packets of a video stream are received at an input buffer. A transmission deadline is determined for the packets. A fullness level of the input buffer is also determined. A future time at which said packets can be transmitted may be estimated based on the buffer fullness level. A bit rate of the video stream can be adjusted based on the estimated future time and the transmission deadline. For example, the bit rate may be adjusted in proportion to a difference between the estimated future time and the transmission deadline.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for licensing service providers to process video, audio and/or multimedia content using a video processing device. A license key indicative of a license for an amount of bandwidth is generated. The license key is used at the video processing device to enforce the license based on whether there is sufficient licensed bandwidth available to accommodate a newly created output transport stream. If there is sufficient licensed bandwidth available, processing of the newly created output transport stream is allowed. If there is insufficient licensed bandwidth available, processing of the newly created output transport stream is denied. The service providers are charged a license fee to use the video processing equipment based on the licensed bandwidth.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for managing the insertion of overlay content into a video signal are provided. A video signal is received from a video source. In addition, overlay content is provided in one or more overlay content signals. A tag is appended to the video signal and/or the overlay content signals. The tag contains identifying information. Overlay content selected from one of the overlay content signals may then be inserted into the video signal in accordance with the identifying information to produce a modified video content. The identifying information may comprises various types of information identifying the source or subject matter of the overlay content or video signal, the destination of the overlay content or video signal, information identifying the geographic region where the overlay content is to be inserted, or key words or other information to enable matching of the overlay content with an appropriate video signal.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for modifying the data rate of a video signal are provided. A compressed video signal is received. A closed-loop transrating path for modifying a data rate of the video signal and an open-loop transrating path for modifying the data rate of the video signal are provided. One of the open-loop transrating path or the closed-loop transrating path is selected for modifying the data rate of at least a portion of the video signal. Pixel quantization error control may be provided in the closed loop transrating path.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for inserting overlay content into a video signal are provided. An overlay content signal containing overlay content is received. In addition, a compressed video signal is received from a video source and decoded. An insertion window portion of the decoded video signal is identified. The overlay content signal and the insertion window portion of the decoded video signal are processed to produce a modified insertion window portion of the video signal. The video signal and the modified insertion window portion are then processed to produce a modified video signal. The data rate of the video signal may be modified during the overlay content insertion process.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the processing of multiple data streams with common resources. More particularly, this invention relates to a technique for time-multiplexed processing o, for example, multiple digital video programs. In one embodiment, an exemplary method provides for time-multiplexed processing of a set of digital streams includes storing each received packet in a random access memory. For each stream, the deadline for the arrival of the next packet at the receiver is determined and a priority based on the deadline is assigned. The stream with the highest assigned priority is identified as an identified stream. In some embodiments, the processing state of the identified stream is then restored. One or more packets of data corresponding to the identified stream are retrieved from random access memory to produce retrieved packets. The processing state is saved after the retrieved packets have been processed.

Abstract: Wideband, direct-to-RF multi channel QAM modulation is described whereby IFFT processing is employed to modulate a plurality of encoded symbol streams in parallel onto a like plurality of uniformly spaced carriers. A high-frequency master clock and high-performance, high-frequency D/A converters are employed. The IFFT modulation process yields a multi-channel multiplex at an intermediate “baseband” frequency. The multi-channel multiplex is then synchronously converted to analog form and synchronously frequency shifted upward by one-half the master clock frequency using a quadrature doubly-balanced mixing scheme. The resultant multi-channel encoded multiplex occupies a frequency band centered around one half the master clock frequency. Multi-rate techniques can be employed to yield high-speed digital processing from digital logic incapable of operating directly at the master clock frequency.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the processing of multiple data streams with common resources. More particularly, this invention relates to a technique for time-multiplexed processing of, for example, multiple digital video programs. In one embodiment, an exemplary method provides for time-multiplexed processing of a set of digital streams includes storing each received packet in a random access memory. For each stream, the deadline for the arrival of the next packet at the receiver is determined and a priority based on the deadline is assigned. The stream with the highest assigned priority is identified as an identified stream. In some embodiments, the processing state of the identified stream is then restored. One or more packets of data corresponding to the identified stream are retrieved from random access memory to produce retrieved packets. The processing state is saved after the retrieved packets have been processed.

Abstract: An advanced multiplexer designed and optimized for next generation on-demand video distribution is described. Features and capabilities include auto-discovery, channel-staggering and compatibility with static Virtual Channel Tables (VCTs). The multiplexer system facilitates auto-discovery by inserting identifiers into MPTSs (Multi-Program Transport Streams). These identifiers are echoed back to the multiplexer by the client set-top thereby indicating correspondence between modulators, service groups, and clients. When modulating multiple channels, FEC frames (Forward Error Correction frames) are staggered across channels to reduce correlation and clipping in the IFFT processor.