MPEG decoder system and method having a unified memory for transport decode and system controller functions
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. An MPEG decoder system which includes a single memory for use by transport, decode and system controller functions, comprising:
- a channel receiver for receiving and MPEG encoded stream;
transport logic coupled to the channel receiver which demultiplexes one or more multimedia data streams from the encoded stream;
a system controller coupled to the transport logic which controls operations within the MPEG decoder system;
an MPEG decoder coupled to receive one or more multimedia data streams output from the transport logic, wherein the MPEG decoder operates to perform MPEG decoding on the multimedia data streams; and
a memory coupled to the MPEG decoder, wherein the memory is used by the MPEG decoder during MPEG decoding operations, wherein the memory stores code and data useable by the system controller which enables the system controller to perform control functions within the MPEG decoder system, wherein the memory is used by the transport logic for demultiplexing operations;
wherein the MPEG decoder is operable to access the memory during MPEG decoding operations;
wherein the transport logic is operable to access the memory to store and retrieve data during demultiplexing operations; and
wherein the system controller is operable to access the memory to retrieve code and data during system control functions.
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Abstract
An MPEG decoder system and method for performing video decoding or decompression which includes a unified memory for multiple functions according to the present invention. The video decoding system includes transport logic, a system controller, and MPEG decoder logic. The video decoding system of the present invention includes a single unified memory which stores code and data for the transport, system controller and MPEG decoder functions. The single unified memory is preferably a 16 Mbit memory. The MPEG decoder logic includes a memory controller which couples to the single unified memory, and each of the transport logic, system controller and MPEG decoder logic access the single unified memory through the memory controller. The video decoding system implements various frame memory saving schemes, such as compression or dynamic allocation, to more efficiently use the memory. In one embodiment, the memory is not required to store reconstructed frame data during B-frame reconstruction, thus considerably reducing the required amount of memory for this function. Alternatively, the memory is only required to store a portion of the reconstructed frame data. In addition, these savings in memory allow portions of the memory to also be used for transport and system controller functions. The present invention thus provides a video decoding system with reduced memory requirements.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An MPEG decoder system which includes a single memory for use by transport, decode and system controller functions, comprising:
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a channel receiver for receiving and MPEG encoded stream; transport logic coupled to the channel receiver which demultiplexes one or more multimedia data streams from the encoded stream; a system controller coupled to the transport logic which controls operations within the MPEG decoder system; an MPEG decoder coupled to receive one or more multimedia data streams output from the transport logic, wherein the MPEG decoder operates to perform MPEG decoding on the multimedia data streams; and a memory coupled to the MPEG decoder, wherein the memory is used by the MPEG decoder during MPEG decoding operations, wherein the memory stores code and data useable by the system controller which enables the system controller to perform control functions within the MPEG decoder system, wherein the memory is used by the transport logic for demultiplexing operations; wherein the MPEG decoder is operable to access the memory during MPEG decoding operations; wherein the transport logic is operable to access the memory to store and retrieve data during demultiplexing operations; and wherein the system controller is operable to access the memory to retrieve code and data during system control functions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for performing video decoding in an MPEG decoder system which includes a single memory for use by transport, decode and system controller functions, the method comprising:
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receiving an MPEG encoded stream; demultiplexing one or more multimedia data streams from the encoded stream, wherein said demultiplexing one or more multimedia data streams from the encoded stream operates using a first unified memory; performing MPEG decoding on the multimedia data streams, wherein said performing MPEG decoding operates using said first unified memory; and a system controller controlling operations within the MPEG decoder system, wherein said controlling operations accesses code and data from said first unified memory; wherein said demultiplexing one or more multimedia data streams, said performing MPEG decoding, and said controlling operations each use said first unified memory. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A video decoder system which includes a single memory for use by transport, decode and system controller functions, comprising:
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a channel receiver for receiving an encoded video stream; transport logic coupled to the channel receiver which demultiplexes one or more multimedia data streams from the encoded stream; a system controller coupled to the transport logic which controls operations within the video decoder system; a video decoder coupled to receive one or more multimedia data streams output from the transport logic, wherein the video decoder operates to perform video decoding on the multimedia data streams; and a memory coupled to the video decoder, wherein the memory is used by the video decoder during video decoding operations, wherein the memory stores code and data useable by the system controller which enables the system controller to perform control functions within the video decoder system, wherein the memory is used by the transport logic for demultiplexing operations; wherein the video decoder is operable to access the memory during video decoding operations; wherein the transport logic is operable to access the memory to store and retrieve data during demultiplexing operations; and wherein the system controller is operable to access the memory to retrieve code and data during system control functions. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification