Hybrid digital/analog multimedia hub with dynamically allocated/released channels for video processing and distribution
US5515511A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 6, 1994 |
| Grant date | May 7, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 6, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L2012/6486
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A multimedia distribution network combines the flexibility of digital video and digital networks with the low cost, high bandwidth, and isochronous capabilities of analog video distribution. At the heart of the network is a hybrid digital/analog multimedia hub, called a C-box, which provides connectivity to digital networks, both local area and wide area, with the necessary video compression and decompression, composition engines for multiple video streams and analog/digital conversions of the multiple video streams for connectivity to an analog video distribution network for delivery to end user workstations. The C-box receives multiple compressed digital video streams, decompresses the video streams, converts the decompressed video streams to analog, and delivers the converted analog signals to workstations via an analog cable television (CATV) network. The amount of video processing (e.g., compression and decompression) power required is proportional to the number of active video streams instead of the number of attached end user workstations. The analog channels over which the converted analog signals are transmitted are dynamically allocated, and once the analog signals have b…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.