Abstract: A splicing system includes a splicer for seamlessly splicing togther digitally encoded data streams. In a preferred embodiment, the splicer preferably parses successive splice buffers of data stream data for a splice-out point and a splice-in point, closing an initial group of pictures GOP if needed. The preferred splicer further finds a new data stream real-time program clock reference PCR value for aligning new data stream decode/presentation, and aligns the new data stream start time. Concurrently, the splicer preferably uses a frame table to detect overflow and corrects such overflow by adding null packets, thereby delaying portions of data stream data. The splicer also preferably restores data stream encoding by deleting null packets, and thereby accelerating a portion of data stream data. In a further preferred embodiment, the splicer preferably uses a bit-clock schedule offset to delay or accelerate portions of data stream data.

Abstract: A system and methods are provided for presenting processed audio data and processed video data to corresponding outputs in a synchronized manner. Video and audio data from a multimedia stream are received by a processing system. The video data is processed through a video processor. The audio data is processed through an audio processor. Processed audio data is stored in memory through a VIP data port. A bus-master engine is used to delay a transfer of the audio data from memory to an output port. The delay is determined so as to allow video data enough time to be processed and output in synchronous with the audio data transferred from memory. Once the delay has been overcome, the bus-master asserts a trigger in the data bus to initiate the transfer from memory to the output port.

Abstract: An apparatus for reproducing video and audio includes a video decoder which receives video data coded by a unit of a first time length, an audio decoder which receives audio data coded by a unit of a second time length different from the first time length, and a synchronization control unit which suspends video output of said video decoder and audio output of said audio decoder, and resumes the audio output a certain time period after resuming the video output where the certain time period corresponds to a period from the suspension of the video output to the suspension of the audio output.

Abstract: A recording medium and a method of recording data on the recording medium are provided. The method of recording data includes recording a transport stream on the recording medium. The transport stream is composed of one or more predetermined units, each predetermined unit starting with at least one transport packet for carrying navigation information used to manage subsequent transport packets. The first packet of the transport packet carries only the navigation information including program clock reference (PCR) information and does not carry presentation data.

Abstract: A main control device, to which instructions for image recording from a dynamic-image terminal are transmitted, gives instructions for accumulation processing of dynamic-image information to a dynamic-image information processing device to transmit instructions for regeneration processing of dynamic-image information to the device dynamic image information processing by instructions for regeneration from a dynamic-image terminal, and to transmit to an accumulation control device instructions for transmitting regenerated dynamic-image information. The dynamic-image information processing device affixes synchronous information to accumulated dynamic-image information transmitted from the dynamic-image terminal by instructions for transmitting accumulated dynamic-image information to transmit it to the accumulation control device.

Abstract: Method, system and computer products are provided for re-mapping and interleaving transport packets of multiple transport streams for processing by a single transport demultiplexor. The re-mapping and interleaving technique ensures unique identification of transport packets associated with multiple transport streams to be multiplexed onto a transport channel for demultiplexing by a single transport demultiplexor. At least one PID re-map table is employed having re-map values indexed by n possible PID values of transport packets associated with at one transport stream of the multiple transport streams. The n possible PID values is less than or equal to the number of PID values which can be handled by the single transport demultiplexor, and is less than all possible PID values of transport packets within the multiple transport streams.

Abstract: In this invention, when frame encoded data is to be generated on the basis of data obtained by separating image data and sound data contained in frame data of a motion image and hierarchically encoding both the data, frequency subbands of the same significance level in the hierarchically image encoded data and sound data are grouped, and frame encoded data is generated by arranging these groups in descending order of significance level. This makes it possible to appropriately give scalability to both the image data and sound data already hierarchically encoded, without decoding them, and generate encoded data containing both the data. Since encoded data of image data and sound data can be transmitted by grouping them in appropriate units, the receiving side can efficiently utilize the encoded data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recording digital data streams. When a digital broadcast data stream received by a set top box is transmitted through a communication interface such as an IEEE-1394 bus to a streamer, program clock references contained in the data stream become different from the actual arrival time of the digital data stream because of different clock frequencies of the digital data stream and communication interface. The difference is compensated before the digital data stream is recorded on the streamer. The method in accordance with the present invention comprises detecting program clock references contained in received digital transport stream packets, creating the transport time reference of each transport stream packet based upon the detected program clock references and arrival times of the transport stream packets, and creating transport stream units by adding each of the created transport time reference to the associated transport stream packet.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for integrating the delivery of data from a multiplicity of sources to a set of user electronic devices that present audio, video and digital information to the user is implemented. These devices may include conventional television displays, personal computers, and other conventional audio and video equipment. Information may be received from a multiplicity of sources which may include may include digital television via terrestrial or satellite broadcast, terrestrial analog radio, and digital data exchanged via a public network, such as the Internet. The mechanism of the present invention receives the multiplicity of data streams, processes them in accordance with each stream's formatting protocols (whether an analog stream, an MPEG Transport Stream, or TCP/IP stream, for example), including any conditional access protocols, and streams the processed data, in multiplexed transport stream to the user's presentation devices via a “fat” pipe, such as a FireWire™ bus.

Abstract: A method of processing a caption for a digital video disk (DVD) includes loading a prepared caption script of a predetermined language in a caption indicator, showing a moving picture corresponding to the caption script and ascertaining the caption generation point and caption annihilation point of the shown moving picture, writing time codes corresponding to the caption generation point and the caption annihilation point and displaying a list of caption scripts and a list of time codes on the caption indicator, checking the state of the time codes and the state of a corresponding caption displayed, and correcting the state of the time codes and the state of the corresponding caption displayed, and correcting the state of the time codes and the state of the corresponding caption displayed if an error is detected, and producing the caption scripts and the time codes in a scrip file.

Abstract: There is disclosed an MPEG decoder comprising: 1) a packetized elementary stream (PES) interface for receiving a plurality of packetized elementary streams associated with a single video program; 2) a presentation time stamp (PTS) detection circuit for detecting presentation time stamps in the packetized elementary streams and extracting the presentation time stamps therefrom; and 3) a selection circuit for selecting presentation time stamps associated with a first one of the plurality of packetized elementary streams and transmitting the selected presentation time stamps to a clock generation circuit, wherein the clock generation circuit generates a first reference clock signal used by a first decoder to decode the first packetized elementary stream.

Abstract: A decoder is provided which includes a demultiplexing unit for separating a multiplexed stream into plural streams by a demultiplexing process and a decoding unit for carrying out a decoding process for one of the plural separated streams, wherein the decoder selects one of the plural separated streams to output the same to the decoding unit such that a decoding process for one stream in the decoding unit is switched to a decoding process for another stream. The decoder is thus able to decode plural streams composing a multiplexed stream with one decoding unit.

Abstract: An arrangement including a terminal for outputting at least a pair of video and acoustic signals, and a display for receiving the signals from the terminal and displaying a corresponding image, utilizes (1) a terminal modem including a multiplexer for time division multiplexing video and acoustic signals, and an input/output driver circuit for outputting the multiplexed signal, and (2) a display modem including an input/output driver circuit for inputting the multiplexed signal output from the terminal, and a demultiplexer for demultiplexing the input multiplexed signal into corresponding video and acoustic signals. The display can be connected to an optional device, and the optional device is also controlled by the terminal.

Abstract: In a transport stream decoder, a plurality of synchronization establishment circuits receive a plurality of different transport streams and a plurality of input clocks corresponding thereto, to establish synchronization between the transport streams and the input clocks. A multiple TS time-division multiplexing circuit receives outputs of two FIFO memories, converts a plurality of transport stream signals into time-division multiplexing signals synchronizing with an internal processing clock, and provides an addition of a TS identification signal indicating which one of the transport streams corresponds to each time-division multiplexing signal. Therefore, a TS decoder with suppressed circuit scale can be provided even when different types of transport streams are handled.

Abstract: To integrate audiovisual, encoded information into one predefined, frame-structured transmission standard, individual data streams are multiplexed into one or a plurality of data channels of the frame-structured transmission standard. In addition, the capabilities of the communicating terminals are exchanged.

Abstract: An encoding device includes an encoding section for generating hit streams having a variable frame length from an input audio signal, a maximum frame length of the bit streams being fixed; a storage section for storing the bit streams generated by the encoding section; and a transfer section for transferring the bit streams at a prescribed transfer rate. The storage section includes a buffer having a capacity corresponding to at least a value which is obtained by subtracting an amount of the bit streams transferable in one frame time period at a minimum possible transfer rate from a value of twice the maximum frame length.

Abstract: In a digital broadcast communications system, a higher priority component and a lower priority component are broadcast from a transmitter to a receiver. Each of these components generates a main and a supplemental signal, and each supplemental signal is advanced in time with respect to the corresponding main signal. The main and supplemental signals for both the higher and lower priority components are combined into a single signal, which is broadcast to a receiver. In the receiver, the time advanced supplemental signals are stored in a buffer to time align them with their corresponding main signals. Both main signals are processed in the normal manner in the receiver, and are also monitored to detect a fading event. When a fading event is detected, the corresponding buffered supplemental signals are substituted for the faded main signals and normal processing continues.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for storing multimedia information to a medium. In another embodiment, a method is provided for retrieving multimedia information stored on a medium.

Abstract: There is provided a method for maintaining synchronization between a transport stream and a program stream decoder during a conversion from the transport stream to a program stream. A system reference clock (SCR) is calculated from the transport stream (410). A multiplexer-rate is calculated for the program stream (480). The program stream is formed by multiplexing packetized elementary stream (PES) packets parsed from the transport stream using the calculated multiplexer-rate (480).

Abstract: Moving image signal decoder section decodes the moving image bit stream and the time stamp for reproduction transmitted from multiple separator section on a frame by frame basis and stored in input buffer and provides time control section with the time stamp for reproduction that corresponds to the decoded frame and the information on the time stamp in the header of the moving image bit stream, while storing the decoded image data in frame memory. The time control section transmits a request to image output section for outputting image data at the time specified by the time stamp for reproduction as transmitted from the moving image signal decoder section or at the time as determined on the basis of the time stamp of the moving image itself and causes the image data to be read out of the frame memory and displayed on the LCD.

Abstract: A slow decode control part divides a reference clock generated by a VCXO at a ratio of a slow speed to a normal speed. An STC circuit counts the divided clock. A time for starting decoding by an MPEG video decode part is decided by comparing a DTS included in MPEG data with the count of the STC circuit. A display time determination part determines a timing for outputting decoded data by comparing a PTS included in the MPEG data with the count of the STC circuit. Decoded data temporarily held in a frame buffer is output in response to a signal generated in a determination part on the basis of frame frequency information included in the MPEG data. Thus, slow reproduction is implemented with a high degree of freedom not limited to an integer-fractional speed without requiring a complicated circuit structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for reconfiguring protocol data for a multiplexed data stream which is reduced to carry fewer services for cable-side transmission in a cable television plant or the like. More particularly, the present invention provides methods and apparatus for reconfiguring protocol data for a desired combination of multiplexed data stream subgroups contained within an incoming high data rate data stream, such as a high data rate Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) modulated multiplexed data stream, when the incoming multiplexed data stream is reduced.

Abstract: A system (400) such as an audio and/or video system includes a multiplexed analog-to-digital converter (“ADC”) arrangement (500). The arrangement (500) includes an ADC (530) for converting first and second analog signals to first and second digital signals, respectively, and for outputting the first digital signal during a first time interval and outputting the second digital signal during a second time interval. A digital filter (550) is provided for filtering the first and second digital signals to generate first and second filtered signals, respectively, and for outputting the first and second filtered signals in a time-aligned manner during a third time interval.

Abstract: An interrupt sensitive extract byte instruction scheme is presented herein. The interrupt sensitive extract by instruction extracts bytes from data, depending on the presence of an interrupt. The extract byte instruction extracts bytes from data in the absence of the interrupt and does not extract bytes in the presence of the interrupt. The interrupt can be triggered by a set of counters that count the number of extracted bytes. By loading the counters with a particular number, the interrupt can be generated when the particular number of data bytes is extracted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for synchronizing a data stream that contains video data in which the video data includes frames. As frames are being processed, a number of frames processed is identified along with a number of frames dropped during processing. A synchronization speed is identified using the number of frames processed and the number of frames dropped. A frame is selectively dropped from the data stream based on the synchronization speed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for local recording of digital data received by a transmission network, which consists in encrypting the digital data received with a local recording key (KLEA) and in locally storing the encrypted data (7). The method is characterized in that it comprises the following steps: generating a content key (CK), combining the content key (CK) and a base key (BK) to obtain the local recording key (KLEA), storing the content key (CK) and the encrypted data (7) together with the local recording key (KLEA). The invention is particularly applicable to local recording of digital data derived from digital television broadcasting.

Abstract: An apparatus for reproducing digital information coded in a coding system, the coded digital information and a decoding program describing a decoding algorithm to decode the digital information recorded in an information recording medium, includes: a reading unit configured to read out the coded digital information and the decoding program recorded in the information recording medium; a program memory configured to store the decoding program read out from the reading unit; a signal processing unit configured to decode the digital information read out from the reading unit by the decoding algorithm of the decoding program stored in the program memory; and a conversion unit configured to convert the digital information decoded in the digital signal processing unit into a predetermined format, and to output the converted digital information.

Abstract: In an MPEG picture processing apparatus, a for-reconstructed-picture data transfer for picture data relating to the decoding performed in a video decoder is performed between the video decoder and an SDRAM, and a second type data transfer for each second type of data is performed between a local buffer and the SDRAM. The for-reconstructed-picture data transfer is preferentially performed at a fixed data transfer quantity in an optimum transfer time-period of the picture data. To preferably perform the for-reconstructed-picture data transfer, a possible data transfer quantity of each second type of data is limited to a minimum value in the optimum transfer time-period of the picture data, and the limitation for the possible data transfer quantity is weak in a non-limited time-period other than the optimum transfer time-period of the picture data.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for performing real time video/audio/data encoding on a single chip. Within the single chip, a video encoder generates encoded video data from uncompressed video data and an audio encoder generates encoded audio data from uncompressed audio data. A mux processor within the single chip generates an output stream of encoded data from the encoded video data and the encoded audio data and the sliced user data.

Abstract: A transport stream is received and recorded, and the recorded transport stream is reproduced normally. A cycle timer generates a time stamp based on a clock generated by means of a clock generation circuit that is independent of the system clock generated by means of a built-in PLL of an AV decoder, a receiver adds the time stamp to a TS packet, and the TS packet is recorded in a hard disk. On the other hand, a transmitter supplies the TS packet read out from the hard disk to the AV decoder by way of a switch, MVLink-IC, DEMUX, and FIFO memory at the timing so that the time interval between adjacent TS packets is coincident with that of the time when it was received based on the time stamp added to the TS packet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a high definition television signal (e.g., a high definition MPEG2 data stream) and re-encoding the high definition signal to create a standard definition television signal. In particular, the apparatus involves re-encoding a copy of the high definition (HD) signal into a standard definition (SD) signal and combining both the original signal and the re-encoded standard definition signal into a multiplexed signal. The provision of both an SD signal and an HD signal in the multiplexed signal enables both SD television receivers and HD television receivers to receive content initially provided as an HD signal. The re-encoding may be performed, for example, at a cable television system headend. The HD television signal may contain one or more television services (channels). The apparatus enables backward compatibility between an HD data stream and SD receivers. Legacy SD equipment and new HD equipment can be supported using the same television signal feed.

Abstract: A program guide in which a video layer includes a plurality of video objects including title objects, each title object having associated with it a channel and at least one time slot, the video layer being formed in response to a received video stream; and a graphics layer comprising a plurality of graphics objects including title overlay objects, each of the title overlay objects selectively imparting at least a visual de-emphasis to a respective title object in the video layer, the visual de-emphasis being imparted to title objects not being associated with a desired time slot.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for flexibly and reliably processing one or more MPEG signals from at least one source. The method provides for synchronizing decoded streams to a reference clock, for playing multiple streams simultaneously or for transitioning between streams in a seamless manner. The output streams can have varying formats and can include both video and audio. The structure and method further provide for the capability of skipping B frames to reach a desired reference frame quickly and to edit the MPEG streams regardless of GOP size.

Abstract: A PC-type computer has a system bus (e.g., a PCI bus) configured with a main CPU board, a statistical multiplexing (stat-mux) board, and a plurality of video/audio encoder boards, each configured to receive and compress a corresponding video/audio stream. The stat-mux board performs statistical multiplexing on the different compressed bitstreams to transmit multiple bitstreams over individual shared communication channels. Although each of the boards is configured to the system bus, each encoder board has a digital signal processor (DSP) with a synchronized serial interface (SSI) output port that is directly connected to an SSI input port on a DSP on the stat-mux board (which, in one embodiment, has four such DSPs each with six such SSI input ports). As such, (up to 24) compressed video/audio bitstreams generated on the various encoder boards can be transmitted directly to the stat-mux board without having to go through the system bus.

Abstract: A digital video transcoder-multiplexer (transmux) architecture that is fully software-implemented. The transmux includes transcoder processing elements (TPEs) that may use a very long instruction word (VLIW) media processor for performing transcoding, and de-assembly and re-assembly at a transport stream level, and a co-processor for providing de-assembly and re-assembly at an elementary stream level. The processors operate in parallel, at least in part, to optimize throughput and provide processing load balancing. A transmux architecture that is fully software implemented is provided to allow upgrading to handle new functions, fix hardware or software problems, test new processes, adapt to changing customer requirements, and so forth.

Abstract: To maintain lip-sync when a video signal has been edited or switched at a video frame boundary, the associated audio signal is advanced or retarded to the closest audio frame boundary. Any error introduced by this constraint is accumulated and carried forward to direct subsequent advance or retard decision. In this way, the cumulative error can be kept within an acceptable tolerance.

Abstract: A DS3 frame structure, video data transmitting/receiving apparatus and method for transmitting and receiving video data can minimize the transmission error during the video data transmission, and can multiplex and transmit two video signals using the DS3 formatted frame. The DS3 frame structure includes a plurality of unit frames each of which includes a frame field for controlling data transmission, an information field of signal data, and a channel coding overhead field for correcting an error in the signal data.

Abstract: The process is characterized in that it comprises:

Abstract: A synchronous decoding method for AV packets that solves the problem of asynchronous AV signals resulting from the decoding restoration of an AV packet-type bitstream. No large PTS memory is needed as an index table for a video buffer with the method. One PTS value is sampled and recorded at one time. The old PTS value is replaced in the next sampling. The rest of the unrecorded PTS data are estimated using the frame rate and the previous PTS value. This method not only simplifies the structure but also provides a smoother playing effect for an AV source with a higher error rate, rendering better noise tolerance.

Abstract: Audio data of at least two audio data groups is embedded in an ancillary data space of a serial digital video data stream by multiplexing the audio data groups to provide a serial multi-group audio data stream, and inserting the serial multi-group audio data stream into the ancillary data space of the serial digital video data stream.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a Programmable Video Recorder (PVR) receives streaming multimedia data from a data source and stores the multimedia data in a backing store. Prior to being stored, the multimedia data is assigned Presentation TimeStamps (PTS)s according to a capture graph clock that is associated with the PVR. Thereafter, system clock times that correspond with the times in which each data packet is read from the backing store are compared with the corresponding PTSs of each data packet to generate a clock scaling value that is used to slave the system clock with the capture graph clock. The clock scaling value may include the average of a plurality of scaling values that are calculated during a predetermined duration of time corresponding with the most recently read data packets.

Abstract: A stream editing system is provided which is designed to switch one of two input streams used in an editing operation to the other at an edit point set in each of the streams. The system includes two decoders and at least one encoder. In the editing operation to combine the two streams to produce a single stream, the system re-encodes only a trailing portion of one of the streams with a leading portion of the other stream which are defined across the edit points and uses the other portions of the streams as they are, thereby minimizing a deterioration in signal quality caused by the re-encoding of the streams.

Abstract: The remultiplexing apparatus includes a control information selector that selects a packet containing program control information from the inputted bit stream, a program control information editor that edits contents of the selected program control information and generates new program control information corresponding to an outputted bit stream, and a remultiplexer for multiplexing again the packet containing media information in the inputted bit stream and the program control information generated by the program control information editor.

Abstract: A multiplexing apparatus/method is characterized by inputting a plurality of data streams with which identification information of data is multiplexed, extracting the identification information multiplexed with the plurality of input data streams from the plurality of input data streams, detecting pieces of identification information, of the extracted identification information extracted, which are redundant among the respective data streams, replacing the detected identification information with new identification information, and multiplexing the plurality of data streams obtained by replacement.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for matching the rate of presentation of digital video data at a receiver/client with the rate the server is serving the data without the need of a voltage control oscillator or other hardware. An embodiment of the invention compares the presentation time at the receiver with the server elapsed time estimated from timestamp values on the served data. When the presentation time and the server elapsed time differ by an unacceptably large amount, an adjustment is made to the audio data stream to re-synchronize the presentation time with the elapsed time, which effectively also synchronizes the overall presentation rate with the overall server rate. The video data stream is then synchronized to the adjusted audio stream. The video data stream and audio data stream are converted to analog signals for presentation.

Abstract: An MPEG video decoding system and an overflow processing method are disclosed. The MPEG video decoding system does not reset the video buffer during the overflow period, which allows a decoding of the data already stored in the video buffer, thereby minimizing the loss of data due to an overflow.

Abstract: The present invention is a process in which broadcasters can supplement existing multimedia streams such as video and audio with additional multimedia streams in a coordinated and integrated way, allowing users, after reception of the broadcast stream, to select which substream to use, without requiring an upstream channel to communicate this user preference back to the server or any additional bandwidth to broadcast these additional streams.

Abstract: There is disclosed a decoder buffer capable of receiving streaming video data packets and storing the data packets in a plurality of access units. Each of the access units holds at least one data packet associated with a selected frame in the streaming video. The decoder buffer comprises: 1) a first buffer region comprising at least one access unit for storing data packets that are less immediately needed by the video decoder; and 2) a re-transmission region comprising at least one access unit for storing data packets that are most immediately needed by the video decoder. The decoder buffer, in response to a detection of a missing data packet in the re-transmission region, requests that the streaming video transmitter retransmit the missing packet.

Abstract: An MPEG-2 or other compressed video stream (CP) can be manipulated as separate information bus (IB) and coefficient (CP*) streams. The information bus stream (IB) contains motion vector information but also information derived from a previous decoding operation (14, 18) for use in a subsequent coding operation (22). Processing in the coefficient domain enables bit rate conversion without decoding to the pixel level and also simplifies the combination of MPEG layers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compressing a plurality of video sequences, where each sequence has information that is common with other video sequences. The invention ensemble encodes the video sequences into an MPEG compliant transport stream using less predicted frame information than separately encoding each video sequence. One illustrative application of the invention is efficiently encoding and transmitting a user interface such as a program guide, interactive program guide, electronic program guide, navigator and the like. The user interface is illustratively embodied in an interactive program guide (IPG).