System and method for the application of a statistical multiplexing algorithm for video encoding

• US 20030007516A1
• Filed: 07/06/2001
• Published: 01/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Scopus Network Technologies Ltd. (Harmonic Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Scopus Network Technologies Ltd. (Harmonic Incorporated)
• Inventors: Amitay, Amichay, Meron, Peretz, Magal, Hanoch, Ianconescu, Reuven, Waldman, Micha, Abramov, Yuri
• Application Number:
  US09/899,159
• Publication Number:
  US 20030007516A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/535
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2365 Multiplexing of several video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23655 Statistical multiplexing, e.g. by controlling the encoder to alter its bitrate to optimize the bandwidth utilization
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23805 Controlling the feeding rate to the network, e.g. by controlling the video pump
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2385 Channel allocation H04N21/266 takes precedence; Bandwidth allocation H04N21/24 takes precedence ; allocation of channels according to the instantaneous demands of the users in time-division multiplex systems H04J3/1682; admission control, resource allocation in open networks H04L12/5692; arrangements for maintenance or administration in data switching networks involving bandwidth and capacity management H04L41/0896; negotiating bandwidth in wireless networks H04W28/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4347 Demultiplexing of several video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6377 directed to server one-way streaming services wherein the source is controlled by the destination H04L65/613
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/658 Transmission by the client directed to the server

Abstract

A system and method are provided for statistical-multiplexing, comprising a multi-criteria optimization algorithm for video bit stream control, and an alignment of average video bit-stream rates with treatment priorities of cascaded multiplexer'"'"'s inputs. The first criterion is a grouping of the encoders in accordance with content recipient'"'"'s wishes. The second criterion involves adjusting the proportions of the average bit rates of the bit streams, wherein these proportions are represented in the form of integer-to-integer fractions, in accordance with the calculated optimal scanning arrays of a plurality of said cascaded multiplexers. The third criterion involves a definition of different bit-rate ranges for different groups of encoders and maintaining the average bit rates for each group of encoders according to flexible bit rate ranges, thereby providing the adjusting of the proportions of the average bit rates to be in said form of integer-to-integer fractions, providing a laminar bit stream finally combined as the output of the last of the cascaded multiplexers.

Claims

1. A system for statistical-multiplexing of bit stream data under control of human operator, said system having a statistical distribution of average rates, said system comprising:

a plurality of bit stream encoders arranged in groups, each of said groups having a different bit rate range for compression of content for transmission over an electronic network, each encoder having an assigned priority for processing said bit stream data;

a control computer configured to receive as input, the resulting current quality of content relative to output bit-streams of said plurality of encoders, and configured to send as output, the calculated desired bit-rates for said plurality of encoders; and

a plurality of cascaded multiplexers coupled via an electronic network to receive from said control computer a scanning array for storing the results of monitoring said output bit streams,

said control computer being programmed to control said plurality of bit stream encoders, thereby defining the relative quality of the output of said plurality of encoders.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein a desired distribution of the average bit stream rates among said plurality of encoders is fixed in alignment with said priorities, as determined by said scanning array of said plurality of cascaded multiplexers.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said scanning array of said plurality of cascaded multiplexers is fixed in alignment according to a desired distribution of the average bit stream rates among said plurality of encoders.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein a desired distribution of the average bit stream rates among said plurality of encoders and in relation to said scanning array of said plurality of cascaded multiplexers are fixed in alignment with each other.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein a desired distribution of the average bit stream rates among said plurality of encoders is kept for a pre-defined time interval.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the bit stream rates vary within limits defined by a criterion of alignment of a desired distribution of the average bit stream rates among said plurality of encoders and in relation to said scanning array of said plurality of cascaded multiplexers, whereby said limits determine available ranges of bit rates.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein each of said plurality of encoders is used for encoding content, and wherein said available variation of bit stream rates for each of said plurality of encoders is defined according to the relative quality of said content among said plurality of encoders, said relative quality being defined by said assigned priorities.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said electronic network is the Internet.

9. A method for statistical-multiplexing of the output bit stream data of a plurality of encoders arranged in groups, wherein the bit rate and the quality of content of said bit stream data is transmitted over an electronic network between a control computer and said plurality of encoders, and said bit stream data is multiplexed by plurality of cascaded multiplexers, wherein the interface for setup parameters, of said plurality of encoders and said plurality of cascaded multiplexers is under the control of a human operator via said control computer, said bit stream data having a statistical distribution of current rates, and said method comprising:

monitoring said output bit streams;

providing control information by said human operator by assigning priorities to said plurality of encoders, limitations of availabilities and scanning arrays, said scanning arrays storing the results of monitoring said output bit streams;

calculating optimal values comprising;

distribution of bit rates based on any previous transmission; and

available ranges of bit rates for said plurality of encoders and optimal scanning arrays for said plurality of cascaded multiplexers;

receiving of said bit rates from each of said encoders via said electronic network from said control computer;

achieving a resultant desired quality of said content by each of said encoders, based on said desired bit rate;

receiving as input by said control computer, via said electronic network, from said plurality of encoders, said input comprising information about the current quality of said content concerning the output of said plurality of encoders;

sending output from said control computer via said electronic network to said plurality of encoders, said output carrying feedback information about said desired bit-rates;

sending operator input information about said plurality of encoders'"'"' limitations and priorities as defined by said operator;

providing feedback information to said operator comprising;

the optimal ranges of said desired bit rates for each of said plurality of encoders; and

said optimal scanning arrays of said plurality of cascaded multiplexers, as calculated by an interactive algorithm for said priorities, limitations and scanning arrays;

passing feedback information from said interactive algorithm to said algorithm for the optimal distribution of said bit-rates; and

passing computer information about said scanning arrays to said plurality of cascaded multiplexers,

such that said output bit stream is optimized by having aligned said content of said bit stream with said priorities of said inputs of said plurality of cascaded multiplexers, and thereby varying said plurality of encoders'"'"' bit rate availabilities as functions of said plurality of encoders'"'"' output bit rates, aligned with said priorities of said plurality of cascaded multiplexer'"'"'sinputs.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein each of said cascaded multiplexers has its own associated scanning array.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein said plurality of encoders are separated into at least two groups, wherein each group has an associated optimal available range of bit rates for an associated priority.