Audio/Video Router

• US 20090121740A1
• Filed: 10/07/2005
• Published: 05/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thomson Licensing (Vantiva SA)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Licensing (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Hauke, Michael Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 7,774,494 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 326/30
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/07 characterised by processes or methods for the generation

Abstract

Technique for Routing digital audio and digital video signals commences by routing a digital video signal, devoid of embedded digital audio, to at least one output, typically by way of a video cross-point switch. At least one digital audio signal undergoes buffering to obtain a prescribed amount of data prior re-timing of the digital audio signal to a prescribed timing format. Following buffering and re-timing, the digital audio signal undergoes routing to at least one output, typically by way of an audio cross-point switch. When routed to outputs associated with each other, the digital audio signal undergoes embedding in the digital video.

Claims

1. A method for routing digital audio and digital video signals, comprising the steps of:

(a) routing a digital video signal, to at least one video output,

(b) buffering at least one digital audio signal;

(c) re-timing of the digital audio signal to a prescribed timing format upon buffering a prescribed amount of the digital audio signal;

(d) routing digital audio signal to at least one audio destination,

(e) embedding the digital audio in the digital video signal when the signals are routed to destinations that correspond with each other.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the digital audio signal is de-embedded from the video signal prior to buffering.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein audio signals from a plurality of sources are routed to a single destination and embedded in different groups of channels in a single output signal.

4. The method according to claim 3 wherein the ordering of the groups undergoes dynamic change.

5. The method according to claim 3 further comprising the step of reversing channels within a group.

6. The method according to claim 3 further comprising the step of summing channels within to provide a monophonic signal inserted into at least on of the channels of the group.

7. The method according to claim 2 wherein each of steps (b)-(e) is repeated for each of a plurality of audio signals embedded in the video signal.

8. The method according to claim 1 wherein the digital audio signal is re-timed compliant with an AES format.

9. The method according to claim 2 wherein the digital audio is de-embedded by the steps of:

recovering a bit clock and serial data stream from the incoming video signal;

de-serializing the bit clock and serial data stream to yield a word clock; and

a parallel data stream containing video and embedded audio; and

extracting audio data from the parallel data stream.

10. An audio/video router comprising:

a least one de-embedder circuit for de-embedding at lest one digital audio embedded in an incoming video signal to yield video signal and at least one digital audio signal buffered within the de-embedder to assure a sufficient amount of audio data;

a video cross-point switch for routing the video signal from each embedder received at a separate input of the switch to at least one switch output;

an audio cross-point switch for routing the at least one buffered digital audio signal received at a audio cross-point switch output to at least one audio cross-point switch output; and

a least one-embedder circuit for buffering the at least one digital audio routed by the audio cross-point switch and for embedding the at least one digital audio signal in the digital video signal when the digital video and at least one digital audio signal are routed to outputs associated with each other.

11. The audio/visual router according to claim 10 wherein the at least one de-embedder circuit further comprises:

means for recovering a bit clock and serial data stream from the incoming video signal;

means for de-serializing the bit clock and serial data stream to yield a word clock; and

a parallel data stream containing video and embedded audio;

means for extracting audio data from the parallel data stream;

means for buffering the extracted digital audio signal; and

means for formatting the extracted digital audio signal following buffering.

12. The audio/video router of claim 10 wherein the at least one-embedder circuit comprises:

means for recovering a bit clock and serial data stream from video signal routed by the video cross-point switch;

means for de-serializing the bit clock and serial data stream to yield a word clock; and

a parallel data stream containing the digital video signal;

means for de-serializing the digital audio signal routed by the audio cross point switch;

means for buffering the de-serialized digital audio signal;

means for inserting the buffered de-serialized audio in the parallel stream; and

means for serializing the parallel data stream containing digital video and digital audio.

13. The audio/video router of claim 11 wherein the means for buffering comprises a first-in first-out device.

14. The audio/video router of claim 10 wherein the means for buffering comprises a first-in first-out device.

15. An audio/video router comprising:

a least one de-embedder circuit for de-embedding each of a plurality of digital audio signals embedded in an incoming video signal to yield a video signal and a plurality of digital audio signal, each buffered within the de-embedder to assure a sufficient amount of audio data;

a video cross-point switch for routing the video signal received at a separate input of the switch from each embedder to at least one switch output;

an audio cross-point switch for routing the plurality of buffered digital audio signals de-embedded from the digital video signal and received at a audio cross-point switch output to at least one audio cross-point switch output; and

a least one-embedder circuit for buffering the plurality of digital audio signals routed by the audio cross-point switch and for embedding the plurality of digital audio signal in the digital video signal when the digital video and digital audio signals are routed to outputs associated with each other.