Convergence processor for media streams
US7698724B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 15, 2003 |
| Grant date | Apr 13, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 15, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N21/2665
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Multicast groups provide a mechanism to deliver simultaneous media content to a plurality of users. In streaming media systems, such as audio and video systems, each multicast recipient simultaneously receives similar content. Accordingly, each recipient must initiate transmission at the same time. A data communications device delivers multiple media streams of similar content to each of a plurality of users by converging a set of media streams and merging the converged streams onto a single stream for simultaneous delivery to each of the plurality of users from a single media stream resource. A convergence processor identifies a set of streams carrying similar content in a slightly time-shifted manner with respect to the other streams. The convergence processor filters certain streams to augment the streams to converge at a particular point, at which time the streams align respect to media content therein, and merge onto a multicast stream for the duration.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.