Statistical multiplexer for recording video

• US 6,091,455 A
• Filed: 01/31/1997
• Issued: 07/18/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hughes Electronics Corporation (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Hughes Electronics Corporation (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Yang, Chao-Kung
• Primary Examiner(s): BRITTON, HOWARD W
• Application Number:
  US08/792,631
• Time in Patent Office: 1,264 Days
• Field of Search: 348/387, 348/390, 348/7, 370/468, 370/477
• US Class Current: 375/240.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/124 Quantisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/14 Coding unit complexity, e.g. amount of activity or edge presence estimation H04N19/146 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/15 by monitoring actual compressed data size at the memory before deciding storage at the transmission buffer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/159 Prediction type, e.g. intra-frame, inter-frame or bidirectional frame prediction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/172 the region being a picture, frame or field
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/176 the region being a block, e.g. a macroblock
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/179 the unit being a scene or a shot
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/61 in combination with predictive coding
• 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 21/4347 Demultiplexing of several video streams

Abstract

A statistical multiplexing apparatus for permanently recording a plurality of video signals on a video generator so that video programs represented by the video signals can be repeatedly broadcast is provided with a video analyzer for analyzing a first video signal and a second video signal and generating a first compression signal and a second compression signal, a first video encoder for encoding the first video signal at a variable rate determined by the first compression signal to form a first encoded video signal, a second video encoder for encoding the second video signal at a variable rate determined by the second compression signal to form a second encoded video signal, and a video generator for permanently recording the first and second encoded video signals so that the first and second encoded video signals can be repeatedly broadcast from the video generator.

Claims

1. An apparatus for recording a plurality of video signals, said apparatus comprising:

a video analyzer for analyzing a first video signal and a second video signal and generating a first compression signal and a second compression signal;

a first video encoder for encoding said first video signal at a variable rate determined by said first compression signal to form a first encoded video signal;

a second video encoder for encoding said second video signal at a variable rate determined by said second compression signal to form a second encoded video signal; and

a video generator for permanently recording said first and second encoded video signals so that said first and second encoded video signals can be repeatedly broadcast from said video generator,

wherein each of said first and second encoded video signals corresponds to a movie and wherein said video generator comprises means for broadcasting said first and second encoded video signals a plurality of times in a day at predetermined times,

wherein said first video signal has a complexity which varies over time, wherein said second video signal has a complexity which varies over time, and wherein said video analyzer comprises;

a first complexity detector for generating a first complexity signal which is representative of said complexity of said first video signal;

a second complexity detector for generating a second complexity signal which is representative of said complexity of said second video signal;

means for determining a weighting factor based upon said first complexity signal and said second complexity signal; and

means for generating said first compression signal based upon said weighting factor and said first complexity signal.

2. An apparatus for recording a plurality of video signals, said apparatus comprising:

a video analyzer for analyzing a first video signal and a second video signal and generating a first compression signal and a second compression signal;

a first video encoder for encoding said first video signal at a variable rate determined by said first compression signal to form a first encoded video signal;

a second video encoder for encoding said second video signal at a variable rate determined by said second compression signal to form a second encoded video signal; and

a video generator for permanently recording said first and second encoded video signals so that said first and second encoded video signals can be repeatedly broadcast from said video generator,

wherein said first video signal has a complexity which varies over time, wherein said second video signal has a complexity which varies over time, and wherein said video analyzer comprises;

a first complexity detector for generating a first complexity signal which is representative of said complexity of said first video signal;

a second complexity detector for generating a second complexity signal which is representative of said complexity of said second video signal;

means for determining a weighting factor based upon said first complexity signal and said second complexity signal; and

means for generating said first compression signal based upon said weighting factor and said first complexity signal.

3. An apparatus for recording a plurality of video signals, said apparatus comprising:

a video analyzer for analyzing a first video signal and a second video signal and generating a first compression signal and a second compression signal;

a first video encoder for encoding said first video signal at a variable rate determined by said first compression signal to form a first encoded video signal;

a second video encoder for encoding said second video signal at a variable rate determined by said second compression signal to form a second encoded video signal; and

a video generator for permanently recording said first and second encoded video signals so that said first and second encoded video signals can be repeatedly broadcast from said video generator;

wherein said first video signal has a complexity which varies over time and is segmented into a plurality of video frames each having a type, wherein said second video signal has a complexity which varies over time and is segmented into a plurality of video frames each having a type, and wherein said video analyzer comprises;

a first complexity detector for generating a first complexity signal which is representative of said complexity of said first video signal;

a second complexity detector for generating a second complexity signal which is representative of said complexity of said second video signal;

a first frame processor for generating a first frame signal representing said type of one of said video frames of said first video signal;

a second frame processor for generating a second frame signal representing said type of one of said video frames of said second video signal; and

means for generating said first and second compression signals based upon said first and second complexity signals and said first and second frame signals.

4. An apparatus for recording a plurality of video signals, said apparatus comprising:

a video analyzer for analyzing a first video signal and a second video signal and generating a first compression signal and a second compression signal;

a first video encoder for encoding said first video signal at a variable rate determined by said first compression signal to form a first encoded video signal;

a second video encoder for encoding said second video signal at a variable rate determined by said second compression signal to form a second encoded video signal; and

a video generator for permanently recording said first and second encoded video signals so that said first and second encoded video signals can be repeatedly broadcast from said video generator,

wherein said first video signal has a complexity which varies over time, wherein said second video signal has a complexity which varies over time, and wherein said video analyzer comprises;

means for determining a weighting factor based upon said complexity of said first video signal and said complexity of said second video signal; and

means for generating said first compression signal based upon said weighting factor and said complexity of said first video signal.

5. An apparatus for recording a plurality of video signals, said apparatus comprising:

a video analyzer for analyzing a first video signal and a second video signal and generating a first compression signal and a second compression signal;

a first video encoder for encoding said first video signal at a variable rate determined by said first compression signal to form a first encoded video signal;

a second video encoder for encoding said second video signal at a variable rate determined by said second compression signal to form a second encoded video signal; and

a video generator for permanently recording said first and second encoded video signals so that said first and second encoded video signals can be repeatedly broadcast from said video generator,

wherein said first video signal has a complexity which varies over time and is segmented into a plurality of video frames each having a type, wherein said second video signal has a complexity which varies over time and is segmented into a plurality of video frames each having a type, and wherein said video analyzer comprises;

means for determining a weighting factor based upon said complexity of said first video signal, said complexity of said second video signal, and said type of one of said video frames of each of said first and second video signals; and

means for generating said first compression signal based upon said weighting factor and said complexity of said first video signal.

6. An apparatus for recording a plurality of video signals, said apparatus comprising:

a video analyzer for analyzing a first video signal and a second video signal and generating a first compression signal and a second compression signal;

a first video encoder for encoding said first video signal at a variable rate determined by said first compression signal to form a first encoded video signal;

a second video encoder for encoding said second video signal at a variable rate determined by said second compression signal to form a second encoded video signal; and

a video generator for permanently recording said first and second encoded video signals so that said first and second encoded video signals can be repeatedly broadcast from said video generator,

wherein said first video signal has a complexity which varies over time, wherein said second video signal has a complexity which varies over time, and wherein said video analyzer comprises means for generating said compression signals based upon said complexity of said first video signal and said complexity of said second video signal.

7. An apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein each of said first and second encoded video signals corresponds to a movie and wherein said video generator comprises means for broadcasting said first and second encoded video signals a plurality of times in a day at predetermined times.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein each of said first and second encoded video signals corresponds to a movie and wherein said video generator comprises means for broadcasting said first and second encoded video signals a plurality of times in a month at predetermined times.

9. An apparatus as defined in claim 6 additionally comprising a multiplexer connected to receive said first and second encoded video signals from said first and second video encoders and to transmit said first and second encoded video signals to said video generator.

10. An apparatus for recording a plurality of video signals, said apparatus comprising:

a video analyzer for analyzing a first video signal and a second video signal and generating a first compression signal and a second compression signal;

a first video encoder for encoding said first video signal at a variable rate determined by said first compression signal to form a first encoded video signal;

a second video encoder for encoding said second video signal at a variable rate determined by said second compression signal to form a second encoded video signal; and

a video generator for permanently recording said first and second encoded video signals so that said first and second encoded video signals can be repeatedly broadcast from said video generator,

wherein said first video signal has a complexity which varies over time and is segmented into a plurality of video frames each having a type, wherein said second video signal has a complexity which varies over time and is segmented into a plurality of video frames each having a type, and wherein said video analyzer comprises means for generating said compression signals based upon said complexity of said first video signal, said complexity of said second video signal, and said type of one of said video frames of each of said first and second video signals.

11. An apparatus for recording a plurality of video signals, said apparatus comprising:

a video analyzer for analyzing a first video signal corresponding to a movie and a second video signal corresponding to a movie and generating a first compression signal and a second compression signal;

a first video encoder for encoding said first video signal at a variable rate determined by said first compression signal to form a first encoded video signal;

a second video encoder for encoding said second video signal at a variable rate determined by said second compression signal to form a second encoded video signal; and

means for permanently recording said first and second encoded video signals and broadcasting said first and second encoded video signals a plurality of times in a month at predetermined times,

wherein said first video signal has a complexity which varies over time and is segmented into a plurality of video frames each having a type, wherein said second video signal has a complexity which varies over time and is segmented into a plurality of video frames each having a type, and wherein said video analyzer comprises means for generating said compression signals based upon said complexity of said first video signal, said complexity of said second video signal, and said type of one of said video frames of each of said first and second video signals, and

wherein each of said first and second encoded video signals corresponds to a movie and wherein said broadcasting means comprises means for broadcasting said first and second encoded video signals a plurality of times in a day at predetermined times.

12. An apparatus for recording a plurality of video signals, said apparatus comprising:

a video analyzer for analyzing a first video signal corresponding to a movie and a second video signal corresponding to a movie and generating a first compression signal and a second compression signal;

a first video encoder for encoding said first video signal at a variable rate determined by said first compression signal to form a first encoded video signal;

a second video encoder for encoding said second video signal at a variable rate determined by said second compression signal to form a second encoded video signal; and

means for permanently recording said first and second encoded video signals and broadcasting said first and second encoded video signals a plurality of times in a month at predetermined times,

wherein said first video signal has a complexity which varies over time, wherein said second video signal has a complexity which varies over time, and wherein said video analyzer comprises means for generating said compression signals based upon said complexity of said first video signal and said complexity of said second video signal.

13. An apparatus for recording a plurality of video signals, said apparatus comprising:

a video analyzer for analyzing a first video signal corresponding to a movie and a second video signal corresponding to a movie and generating a first compression signal and a second compression signal;

a first video encoder for encoding said first video signal at a variable rate determined by said first compression signal to form a first encoded video signal;

a second video encoder for encoding said second video signal at a variable rate determined by said second compression signal to form a second encoded video signal; and

means for permanently recording said first and second encoded video signals and broadcasting said first and second encoded video signals a plurality of times in a month at predetermined times,

wherein said first video signal has a complexity which varies over time and is segmented into a plurality of video frames each having a type, wherein said second video signal has a complexity which varies over time and is segmented into a plurality of video frames each having a type, and wherein said video analyzer comprises means for generating said compression signals based upon said complexity of said first video signal, said complexity of said second video signal, and said type of one of said video frames of each of said first and second video signals.

14. A method of recording a plurality of video signals, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) analyzing a first video signal and a second video signal and generating a first compression signal and a second compression signal;

(b) encoding said first video signal at a variable rate determined by said first compression signal to form a first encoded video signal;

(c) encoding said second video signal at a variable rate determined by said second compression signal to form a second encoded video signal;

(d) permanently recording said first and second encoded video signals on a video generator; and

(e) broadcasting said first and second encoded video signals repeatedly from said video generator after said first and second encoded video signals are recorded,

wherein said step (e) comprises the step of broadcasting said first and second encoded video signals a plurality of times in a month at predetermined times,

wherein said first video signal has a complexity which varies over time and is segmented into a plurality of video frames each having a type, wherein said second video signal has a complexity which varies over time and is segmented into a plurality of video frames each having a type, and wherein said step (a) comprises the steps of;

(a1) generating a first complexity signal representative of said complexity of said first video signal;

(a2) generating a second complexity signal representative of said complexity of said second video signal; and

(a3) generating a first frame signal representing said type of one of said video frames of said first video signal;

(a4) generating a second frame signal representing said type of one of said video frames of said second video signal; and

(a5) generating said first and second compression signals based on said first and second complexity signals and said first and second frame signals.

15. A method as defined in claim 14 wherein said step (e) comprises the step of broadcasting said first and second encoded video signals a plurality of times in a month at predetermined times.

16. A method as defined in claim 14 wherein said step (e) comprises the step of broadcasting said first and second encoded video signals a plurality of times in a day at predetermined times.

17. A method of recording a plurality of video signals, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) analyzing a first video signal and a second video signal and generating a first compression signal and a second compression signal;

(b) encoding said first video signal at a variable rate determined by said first compression signal to form a first encoded video signal;

(c) encoding said second video signal at a variable rate determined by said second compression signal to form a second encoded video signal;

(d) permanently recording said first and second encoded video signals on a video generator; and

(e) broadcasting said first and second encoded video signals repeatedly from said video generator after said first and second encoded video signals are recorded,

wherein said first video signal has a complexity which varies over time, wherein said second video signal has a complexity which varies over time, and wherein said step (a) comprises the steps of;

(a1) generating a first complexity signal representative of said complexity of said first video signal;

(a2) generating a second complexity signal representative of said complexity of said second video signal; and

(a3) generating said first and second compression signals based on said first and second complexity signals.

18. A method of recording a plurality of video signals, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) analyzing a first video signal and a second video signal and generating a first compression signal and a second compression signal;

(b) encoding said first video signal at a variable rate determined by said first compression signal to form a first encoded video signal;

(c) encoding said second video signal at a variable rate determined by said second compression signal to form a second encoded video signal;

(d) permanently recording said first and second encoded video signals on a video generator; and

(e) broadcasting said first and second encoded video signals repeatedly from said video generator after said first and second encoded video signals are recorded,

wherein said first video signal has a complexity which varies over time and is segmented into a plurality of video frames each having a type, wherein said second video signal has a complexity which varies over time and is segmented into a plurality of video frames each having a type, and wherein said step (a) comprises the steps of;

(a1) generating a first complexity signal representative of said complexity of said first video signal;

(a2) generating a second complexity signal representative of said complexity of said second video signal; and

(a3) generating a first frame signal representing said type of one of said video frames of said first video signal;

(a4) generating a second frame signal representing said type of one of said video frames of said second video signal; and

(a5) generating said first and second compression signals based on said first and second complexity signals and said first and second frame signals.