Method and apparatus for multiplexing video programs for improved channel utilization
US5862140A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 21, 1995 |
| Grant date | Jan 19, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 21, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N21/2365
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus multiplexing several encoded program streams into a single multiplex suitable for transmission over a data channel, the streams typically including video and audio. According to one embodiment of the invention, high data channel utilization is achieved by determining the order of sending data packets of program streams into the data channel. According to this embodiment, whenever data is to be sent into the data channel, a determination is made of which packet to send or append to the multiplex, said determination by selecting a channel that has a decoder buffer that is not approaching a full state, and said next packet is appended to said multiplex. The method further includes selecting a channel that substantially balances the decoder buffers of the decoders with which the program streams are decodeable.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.