Hybrid digital/analog multimedia hub with dynamically allocated/released channels for video processing and distribution
First Claim
1. A method of sharing video/audio processing resources in a multimedia video distribution system in which at least one server storing compressed video digital data is connected to a digital network and a plurality of client terminals are directly connected to the digital network and to an analog video distribution network and a hybrid hub interconnects the digital network and the analog video distribution network, the method being performed by a programmed system controller in said hybrid hub and comprising the steps of:
- receiving a client terminal request transmitted via the digital network for video information services;
dynamically selecting an available analog frequency from a pool of analog frequencies for transmission of the requested video information services;
retrieving the requested video information services as compressed video digital data from the server and decompressing and converting to analog signals the retrieved compressed video digital data;
transmitting the requested video information services on the selected analog frequency as the decompressed and converted analog signals to the requesting analog client terminal via the analog video distribution network; and
after transmitting the requested video information services, releasing the analog frequency to the pool of analog frequencies for use in transmitting other video information frequency requests.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A multimedia distribution network combines the flexibility of digital video and digital networks with the low cost, high bandwidth, and isochronous capabilities of analog video distribution. At the heart of the network is a hybrid digital/analog multimedia hub, called a C-box, which provides connectivity to digital networks, both local area and wide area, with the necessary video compression and decompression, composition engines for multiple video streams and analog/digital conversions of the multiple video streams for connectivity to an analog video distribution network for delivery to end user workstations. The C-box receives multiple compressed digital video streams, decompresses the video streams, converts the decompressed video streams to analog, and delivers the converted analog signals to workstations via an analog cable television (CATV) network. The amount of video processing (e.g., compression and decompression) power required is proportional to the number of active video streams instead of the number of attached end user workstations. The analog channels over which the converted analog signals are transmitted are dynamically allocated, and once the analog signals have been transmitted to a requesting client terminal, the channels are released for reuse.
278 Citations
15 Claims
-
1. A method of sharing video/audio processing resources in a multimedia video distribution system in which at least one server storing compressed video digital data is connected to a digital network and a plurality of client terminals are directly connected to the digital network and to an analog video distribution network and a hybrid hub interconnects the digital network and the analog video distribution network, the method being performed by a programmed system controller in said hybrid hub and comprising the steps of:
-
receiving a client terminal request transmitted via the digital network for video information services; dynamically selecting an available analog frequency from a pool of analog frequencies for transmission of the requested video information services; retrieving the requested video information services as compressed video digital data from the server and decompressing and converting to analog signals the retrieved compressed video digital data; transmitting the requested video information services on the selected analog frequency as the decompressed and converted analog signals to the requesting analog client terminal via the analog video distribution network; and after transmitting the requested video information services, releasing the analog frequency to the pool of analog frequencies for use in transmitting other video information frequency requests. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
-
-
4. A hybrid digital/analog hub for distribution of video signals in a multimedia network comprising:
-
a bus for passing digital data among attached adapters; one or more digital adapters attached to the bus for connection to a digital network including at least one server in which compressed digital video data is stored; a plurality of video compression/decompression and analog video network adapters connected to the bus and for connection to an analog video distribution network to which are attached a plurality of client terminals, the analog client terminals also being attached to the digital network; and a system controller connected to the bus, said system controller comprising a central processing unit and supporting memory and including software and hardware for controlling devices connected to adapters attached to the bus, said system controller being programmed to dynamically allocate analog frequencies for delivery of on-demand information to the analog client terminals, retrieve compressed video data from the server for decompression and conversion to analog signals by a video compression/decompression and analog video network adapter, and transmitting the converted analog signals to requesting analog client terminals. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A high performance hybrid digital/analog multimedia distribution network comprising:
-
at least one server storing compressed video data; a digital network connected to the server; an analog video distribution network; a plurality of client terminals directly connected to said analog video distribution network and to said digital network; and a hybrid hub including a bus for passing digital data among attached adapters, one or more digital adapters attached to the bus and to the digital network, a plurality of video compression/decompression and analog video network adapters connected to the bus and to the analog video distribution network, and a system controller connected to the bus, said system controller comprising a central processing unit and supporting memory and including software and hardware for controlling devices connected to adapters attached to the bus, said system controller being programmed to dynamically allocate analog frequencies for delivery of on-demand information to the analog client terminals, retrieve compressed video data from the server for decompression and conversion to analog signals by a video compression/decompression and analog video network adapter, and transmitting the converted analog signals to requesting analog client terminals. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
Specification