Real-Time Video Transmission System

• US 20090094657A1
• Filed: 10/03/2008
• Published: 04/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SMSC Europe GmbH (Microchip Technology Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: SMSC Europe GmbH (Microchip Technology Incorporated)
• Inventors: Zhang, Wen, Miller, Martin, Knapp, David
• Granted Patent: US 9,118,937 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/118
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/0626 plesiochronous multiplexing systems, e.g. plesiochronous digital hierarchy [PDH], jitter attenuators
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23602 Multiplexing isochronously with the video sync, e.g. according to bit-parallel or bit-serial interface formats, as SDI
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2383 Channel coding or modulation of digital bit-stream, e.g. QPSK modulation arrangements for detecting or preventing errors in the information received by adapting the channel coding H04L1/0009; analogue front ends or means for connecting modulators, demodulators or transceivers to a transmission line H04L27/0002
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/242 Synchronization processes, e.g. processing of PCR [Program Clock References] arrangements for synchronising broadcast or distribution via plural systems in broadcast distribution systems H04H20/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4342 Demultiplexing isochronously with video sync, e.g. according to bit-parallel or bit-serial interface formats, as SDI
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/647 Control signaling between network components and server or clients; Network processes for video distribution between server and clients, e.g. controlling the quality of the video stream, by dropping packets, protecting content from unauthorised alteration within the network, monitoring of network load, bridging between two different networks, e.g. between IP and wireless real-time session protocols H04L65/1101
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64792 Controlling the complexity of the content stream, e.g. by dropping packets intermediate media network packet handling H04L65/765; proxy provisioning conversion or adaptation for reducing the amount or size of exchanged application data H04L67/5651; negotiation of resources in wireless networks H04W28/16

Abstract

A system for transferring real-time video data over a network comprises a video source, a video encoder for encoding and compressing video data supplied by the video source and a first network interface controller for transmitting compressed video data on the network. Furthermore a second network interface controller for receiving compressed video data from the network, a video decoder for decoding the video data received by the second network interface controller, and an image processor for processing and/or displaying the decoded video data from the video decoder are provided. The network controllers are configured for transmitting and receiving data in a continuous data stream which is synchronized with a clock signal and in a format which prescribes a pulse sequence of individual bit groups of which at least one is used for video data.

Claims

1. Real-time video transmission system comprising at least:

a video source for supplying video data;

a video encoder for encoding and compressing video data supplied by the video source;

a first network interface controller for transmitting compressed video data into a network having a network clock;

a second network interface controller for receiving the compressed video data from the network;

a video decoder for decoding the video data received by the second network interface controller;

a video sink for at least one of processing and displaying the decoded video data from the video decoder, wherein the video sink is configured to generate a video clock signal, and to transmit this video clock signal to the second network interface controller;

wherein the second network interface controller is configured to relay the video clock signal via the network to the first network interface controller;

wherein the first network interface controller is configured to receive the video clock signal from the second network interface controller and to relay the video clock signal to the video source; and

the video source is configured to generate video data synchronized with the video clock signal from the first network interface controller.

2. Real-time video transmission system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the video encoder and the video decoder is designed for using I-frames only.

3. Real-time video transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the first network interface controller is configured for transmitting and the second network interface controller is configured for receiving data in a continuous data stream which is synchronized with the network clock and in a format which prescribes a pulse sequence of individual bit groups of which at least one is used for video data.

4. Real-time video transmission system according to claim 3, wherein the data stream comprises data frames having at least a synchronous or isochronous data region.

5. Real-time video transmission system according to claim 4, wherein the synchronous data region comprises a plurality of bit groups preferably having identical length, which are assigned to a specific network node.

6. Real-time video transmission system according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the bit groups is assigned to a first network node comprising the video source, and to a second network node comprising the video sink.

7. Real-time video transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the first network interface controller and the second network interface controller are configured for synchronous video data transfer or isochronous data transfer via the network.

8. Real-time video transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the network has a ring structure.

9. Real-time video transmission system comprising at least:

a video source for supplying video data;

a video encoder for encoding and compressing video data supplied by the video source;

a first network interface controller for transmitting compressed video data into a network having a network clock, wherein the first network interface controller is configured to generate a clock signal which is synchronized with the network clock, and to transmit the clock signal to the video source;

a second network interface controller for receiving the compressed video data from the network;

a video decoder for decoding the video data received by the second network interface controller;

a video sink for at least one of processing and displaying the decoded video data from the video decoder;

wherein the video source is configured to generate video data synchronized with the clock signal from the first network interface controller;

wherein the second network interface controller is configured to generate a clock signal which is synchronized with the network clock, and to transmit the clock signal to the video sink as a video synchronization clock; and

wherein the video sink is synchronized with the clock signal from the second network interface controller.

10. Real-time video transmission system according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the video encoder and the video decoder is designed for using I-frames only.

11. Real-time video transmission system according to claim 9, wherein at least one network node is provided for generating a network clock with which the network interface controllers can synchronize.

12. Real-time video transmission system according to claim 9, wherein the first network interface controller is configured for transmitting and the second network interface controller is configured for receiving data in a continuous data stream which is synchronized with a network clock and in a format which prescribes a pulse sequence of individual bit groups of which at least one is used for video data.

13. Real-time video transmission system according to claim 12, wherein the data stream comprises data frames having at least a synchronous or isochronous data region.

14. Real-time video transmission system according to claim 13, wherein the synchronous data region comprises a plurality of bit groups preferably having identical length, which are assigned to a specific network node.

15. Real-time video transmission system according to claim 14, wherein at least one of the bit groups is assigned to a first network node comprising the video source, and to a second network node comprising the video sink.

16. Real-time video transmission system according to claim 9, wherein the first network interface controller and the second network interface controller are configured for synchronous video data transfer or isochronous video data transfer via the network.

17. Real-time video transmission system according to claim 9, wherein the network has a ring structure.

18. Real-time video transmission system comprising at least:

a video source for supplying video data;

a video encoder for encoding and compressing video data supplied by the video source;

a first network interface controller for transmitting compressed video data into a network having a network clock;

a second network interface controller for receiving the compressed video data from the network;

a video decoder for decoding the video data received by the second network interface controller;

a video sink for at least one of processing and displaying the decoded video data from the video decoder;

wherein the video source is configured to generate video data and a video clock signal synchronous with the supplied video data, and to transmit this video clock signal to the first network interface controller;

wherein the first network interface controller is configured to transmit the video clock signal via the network to the second network interface controller;

wherein the second network interface controller is configured to receive the video clock signal from the first network interface controller and to relay the video clock signal to the video sink; and

wherein the video sink is synchronized with the video clock signal from the first network interface controller.

19. Real-time video transmission system according to claim 18, wherein at least one of the video encoder and the video decoder is designed for using I-frames only.

20. Real-time video transmission system according to claim 18, wherein the first network interface controller is configured for transmitting and the second network interface controller is configured for receiving data in a continuous data stream which is synchronized with the network clock and in a format which prescribes a pulse sequence of individual bit groups of which at least one is used for video data.

21. Real-time video transmission system according to claim 20, wherein the data stream comprises data frames having at least a synchronous or isochronous data region.

22. Real-time video transmission system according to claim 21, wherein the synchronous data region comprises a plurality of bit groups preferably having identical length, which are assigned to a specific network node.

23. Real-time video transmission system according to claim 22, wherein at least one of the bit groups is assigned to a first network node comprising the video source, and to a second network node comprising the video sink.

24. Real-time video transmission system according to claim 18, wherein the first network interface controller and the second network interface controller are configured for synchronous video data transfer or isochronous data transfer via the network.

25. Real-time video transmission system according to claim 18, wherein the network has a ring structure.

26. Network node for transmitting real-time video data into a network, comprising:

a video source;

a video encoder for encoding and compressing video data supplied by the video source;

a network interface controller for transmitting compressed video data into the network, wherein the network interface controller is configured either to generate a clock signal which is synchronized with a network clock, or to receive a video clock signal from another network node, and to transmit the clock signal to the video source; and

wherein the video source is configured to generate video data synchronized with the clock signal from the network interface controller.

27. Network node according to claim 26, wherein the video encoder is designed for using I-frames only.

28. Network node for transmitting real-time video data into a network, comprising:

a video source;

a video encoder for encoding and compressing video data supplied by the video source;

a network interface controller for transmitting compressed video data into the network;

wherein the video source is configured to generate video data and a video clock signal synchronous with the supplied video data, and to transmit this video clock signal to the network interface controller; and

wherein the network interface controller is configured to relay the video clock signal via the network to another network node.

29. Network node according to claim 28, wherein the video encoder is designed for using I-frames only.

30. Network node for receiving real-time video data from a network, comprising:

a network interface controller for receiving compressed video data from the network;

a video decoder for decoding the video data;

a video sink for at least one of processing and displaying the decoded video data;

wherein the network interface controller is configured either to generate a clock signal which is synchronized with the network clock, or to receive a video clock signal from another network node, and to transmit the clock signal to the video sink; and

wherein the video sink is synchronized with the clock signal from the network interface controller.

31. Network node according to claim 30, wherein the video decoder is designed for using I-frames only.

32. Network node for receiving real-time video data from a network, comprising:

a network interface controller for receiving compressed video data from the network;

a video decoder for decoding the video data;

a video sink for at least one of processing and displaying the decoded video data, wherein the video sink is configured to generate a video clock signal, and to transmit this video clock signal to the network interface controller; and

wherein the network interface controller is configured to relay the video clock signal via the network to another network node.

33. Network node according to claim 32, wherein the video decoder is designed for using I-frames only.

34. Method for transferring real-time video data via a network, comprising the following steps:

receiving image data from a video source;

compressing the image data by means of a video encoder;

packing the compressed image data into bit groups of data frames and transmitting the data frames via a network by means of a first network interface controller;

receiving the data frames and unpacking the compressed image data from the bit groups by means of a second network interface controller;

decompressing the compressed image data by means of a video decoder; and

at least one of processing and displaying the decompressed image data by means of a video sink.