Abstract: In one embodiment, a network device analyzes an encoded video stream using black detection before splicing video into the encoded video stream. When black data is detected, the network device determines whether insertion of a black intra frame with the spliced video will improve viewing upon decoding. The network device may also determine whether a splicing boundary indication included in the encoded video stream is accurate based on an observed transition between the detected black data and other data, and compensate the video splice accordingly.

Abstract: Techniques are provided to perform seamless or non-seamless ad insertion using a low-complexity process. Delay is introduced into a transport stream to prevent decoder buffer overflow. Delay buildup in the transport stream is reduced by removing pre-identified redundant or near redundant frames. Pre-identification of frames for removal reduces the processing required at the splice points, while maintaining a minimum overall delay in the transport stream.

Abstract: Techniques are provided to perform seamless or non-seamless ad insertion using a low-complexity process. Delay is introduced into a transport stream to prevent decoder buffer overflow. Delay buildup in the transport stream is reduced by removing pre-identified redundant or near redundant frames. Pre-identification of frames for removal reduces the processing required at the splice points, while maintaining a minimum overall delay in the transport stream.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a network device analyzes an encoded video stream using black detection before splicing video into the encoded video stream. When black data is detected, the network device determines whether insertion of a black intra frame with the spliced video will improve viewing upon decoding. The network device may also determine whether a splicing boundary indication included in the encoded video stream is accurate based on an observed transition between the detected black data and other data, and compensate the video splice accordingly.

Abstract: An adapter is provided with intelligence that allows it to separate the header parts of a packet being received from the payload it carries, and in most cases move the payload directly into a destination buffer at the application layer or file system layer. Copies by the intermediate layers of the protocol stack are bypassed, reducing the number of times that the payload of a communication must be copied by the host system. At the network interface, a plurality of packets is received, and the payload of each is bypassed directly into the target destination buffer. The network interface device identifies the packets which are in the sequence of packets carrying payload to be stored in the target buffer by the flow specification carried with such packets. Also, the packets carrying data payload for the file include a sequence number or other identifier by which the network interface is able to determine the offset within the target buffer to which the packet is to be stored.

Abstract: A method and system for efficiently servicing a peripheral component event. In one embodiment of the present invention, peripheral component events are coalesced. The time interval between succeeding peripheral component events is determined. This time interval is then compared to a time threshold. This process continues until the time interval between succeeding peripheral component events meets or exceeds the time threshold. Once the time interval between succeeding peripheral component events meets or exceeds the time threshold, an interrupt is generated. By appropriately selecting a time threshold, idle periods are identified. Thus, the present invention generates interrupts when idle conditions exist, optimizing the generation of interrupts. By optimizing the generation of interrupts, the number of interrupts generated is reduced, minimizing the CPU overhead associated with the servicing of interrupts.

Abstract: An interface card for a network or other communication channel, with limited intelligence, is implemented using a relatively slower, and lower cost embedded processor, supported by dedicated hardware logic for the purposes of intercepting certain packets being received via the network or communication channel. The interface comprises the first port on which incoming data is received at the data transfer rate of the network, a buffer coupled to the port that stores received packets, and a second port coupled with the buffer through which transfer of packets to the host is executed. Packet filters are coupled to the first port which identifies packets being stored in the buffer that have one of the plurality of variant formats. A processor is coupled with the buffer as well, and is responsive to the packet filter to process identified packets in the buffer.

Abstract: A method and system for efficiently servicing a peripheral component event. In one embodiment of the present invention, peripheral component events are coalesced. The time that a peripheral component event has been stored is determined. This time interval is then compared to a storage time threshold. This process continues until the time that a peripheral component event has been stored meets or exceeds the storage time threshold. Once time that a peripheral component event has been stored meets or exceeds the storage time threshold, an interrupt is generated. By appropriately selecting a storage time threshold, the generation of interrupts is optimized. As a result, the present invention optimizes the generation of interrupts, reducing the frequency with which interrupts are generated, and minimizing the CPU overhead associated with the servicing of interrupts.

Abstract: A method and system for efficiently servicing a peripheral component event. In one embodiment of the present invention, peripheral component events are coalesced. A peripheral component such as, for example, a network interface card generates a first interrupt when the number of coalesced peripheral component events meets a quantity threshold. In the present embodiment, a peripheral component driver such as, for example, a network interface card driver then services the first peripheral component event. In one embodiment of the present invention, the peripheral component then services any existing coalesced peripheral component event (or events) that has not yet generated a respective interrupt. The service of peripheral component events is monitored for determining the quantity of peripheral component events not serviced. The number of peripheral component events not serviced is then used to vary the quantity threshold.

Abstract: An adapter is provided with intelligence that allows it to separate the header parts of a packet being received from the payload it carries, and in most cases move the payload directly into a destination buffer at the application layer or file system layer. Copies by the intermediate layers of the protocol stack are bypassed, reducing the number of times that the payload of a communication must be copied by the host system. At the network interface, a plurality of packets is received, and the payload of each is bypassed directly into the target destination buffer. The network interface device identifies the packets which are in the sequence of packets carrying payload to be stored in the target buffer by the flow specification carried with such packets. Also, the packets carrying data payload for the file include a sequence number or other identifier by which the network interface is able to determine the offset within the target buffer to which the packet is to be stored.

Abstract: A method by which a pair of communicating network equipment drivers can determine if the equipment they control such as a network adapter or a switch port are directly connected by a single network cable, is applicable to network protocols which include a link active signaling technique as part of the physical layer specification. The method includes determining whether the link is in a first state in which there is only one device coupled to the link without intervening devices which are members of a particular class, or in a second state in which there may be more than one device coupled to the link without intervening devices which are members of the particular class. If the link is in the first state, then a physical layer test involving the physical layer link active signaling mechanism is executed to ensure that the responding device is coupled to the same link without intervening devices that are not members of the particular class.

Abstract: A method is provided for sending data from a data source executing a network protocol such as the TCP/IP protocol stack, which includes a process for generating headers for packets according to the network protocol. The method includes sending such data on a network through a smart network interface. The network protocol defines a datagram in the data source, including generating a header template and supplying a data payload. The datagram is supplied to the network interface. At the network interface, a plurality of packets of data are generated from the datagram. The plurality of packets include respective headers, such as TCP/IP headers, based on the header template, and include respective segments of the data payload. The network interface supports packets having a pre-specified length, and the data payload is greater than the pre-specified length, such as two to forty times larger or more.

Abstract: An adapter is provided with intelligence that allows it to separate the header parts of a packet being received from the payload it carries, and in most cases move the payload directly into a destination buffer at the application layer or file system layer. Copies by the intermediate layers of the protocol stack are bypassed, reducing the number of times that the payload of a communication must be copied by the host system. At the network interface, a plurality of packets is received, and the payload of each is bypassed directly into the target destination buffer. The network interface device identifies the packets which are in the sequence of packets carrying payload to be stored in the target buffer by the flow specification carried with such packets. Also, the packets carrying data payload for the file include a sequence number or other identifier by which the network interface is able to determine the offset within the target buffer to which the packet is to be stored.