Data multiplexing apparatus and method

• US 6,584,120 B1
• Filed: 05/20/1999
• Issued: 06/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Shiomoto, Shoji, Kugumiya, Mamoru
• Primary Examiner(s): Luther, William A.
• Application Number:
  US09/315,746
• Time in Patent Office: 1,496 Days
• Field of Search: 370/503, 370/464, 370/465, 370/469, 370/474, 370/473, 370/395.4, 370/395.6, 348/518, 348/519, 348/512, 348/500, 348/473, 348/467, 348/474, 348/464, 348/461, 348/411.1, 348/412.1, 348/413.1, 348/414.1, 348/415.1, 348/423.1
• US Class Current: 370/473
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23608 Remultiplexing multiplex streams, e.g. involving modifying time stamps or remapping the packet identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23611 Insertion of stuffing data into a multiplex stream, e.g. to obtain a constant bitrate synchronisation arrangements in time-division multiplex systems using bit stuffing for systems with different or fluctuating information rates H04J3/073
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2365 Multiplexing of several video streams
• 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 21/4344 Remultiplexing of multiplex streams, e.g. by modifying time stamps or remapping the packet identifiers

Abstract

In a multiplexer, a channel selection controller determines which channel code is to be selected for a control data generator, each of multiplex buffers, and null packet generator, a PTS/DTS controller replaces PTS with DTS in a program being multiplexed, an output controller reads and deliver TS at a time synchronous with a system clock, and a virtual decoder buffer simulates each of T-STD buffers as in MPEG2.

Claims

1. A data multiplexer for multiplexing a number n of coded stream data, comprising:

a number n of means for provisionally storing the number n of coded stream data;

a selection controlling means for retrieving a data occupancy in the number n of storage means to select any one of the storage means;

means for switching and delivering the coded stream data from the storage means selected by the selection controlling means;

an output means for multiplexing the switched output from the switching means; and

a virtual storage means for simulating the write and read, for decoding, of the multiplexed bit stream from the output means into and from the code buffer.

2. The data multiplexer as set forth in claim 1, wherein the selection controlling means is controlled for selecting operation based on an information on data storage from the virtual storage means.

3. The data multiplexer as set forth in claim 1, wherein the switching means switches, under the control of the selection controlling means, the coded stream data from the number n of storage means as well as a control data concerning a program formed by the coded stream data, a data for padding voids in the bit stream and a header data of a packetized data.

4. The data multiplexer as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

means for removing an invalid data from the coded stream data;

the number n of storage means provisionally storing the number n of coded stream data from which invalid data have been removed by the invalid data removing means.

5. The data multiplexer as set forth in claim 4, wherein the switching means switches, under the control of the selection controlling means, the coded stream data from the number n of storage means as well as a control data concerning a program formed by the coded stream data, a data for padding voids in the bit stream and a header data of a packetized data.

6. The data multiplexer as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

means for cutting a less important data part from the coded stream data;

the number n of storage means provisionally the number n of coded stream data from which the less important data part has been cut by the data cutting means.

7. The data multiplexer as set forth in claim 6, further comprising:

means for removing an invalid data from the coded stream data;

the number n of storage means provisionally storing the number n of coded stream data from which invalid data have been removed by the invalid data removing means.

8. The data multiplexer for multiplexing a number n of coded stream data, comprising:

a number n of means for provisionally storing the number n of coded stream data;

a selection controlling means for retrieving a data occupancy in the number n of storage means to select any one of the storage means;

means for switching and delivering the coded stream data from the storage means selected by the selection controlling means;

an output means for multiplexing the switched output from the switching means; and

means for simulating the write and read, for decoding, of the multiplexed bit stream from the output means into and from the code buffer.

9. The data multiplexer as set forth in claim 8, wherein the selection controlling means is controlled for selecting operation based on an information on data storage from the simulating means.

10. The data multiplexer as set forth in claim 8, wherein the switching means switches, under the control of the selection controlling means, the coded stream data from the number n of storage means as well as a control data concerning a program formed by the coded stream data, a data for padding voids in the bit stream and a header data of a packetized data.

11. The data multiplexer as set forth in claim 8, further comprising:

means for removing an invalid data from the coded stream data;

the number n of storage means provisionally storing the number n of coded stream data from which invalid data have been removed by the invalid data removing means.

12. The data multiplexer as set forth in claim 11, wherein the switching means switches, under the control of the selection controlling means, the coded stream data from the number n of storage means as well as a control data concerning a program formed by the coded stream data, a data for padding voids in the bit stream and a header data of a packetized data.

13. The data multiplexer as set forth in claim 8, further comprising:

means for cutting a less important data part from the coded stream data;

the number n of storage means provisionally the number n of coded stream data from which the less important data part has been cut by the data cutting means.

14. The data multiplexer as set forth in claim 13, further comprising:

means for removing an invalid data from the coded stream data;

the number n of storage means provisionally storing the number n of coded stream data from which invalid data have been removed by the invalid data removing means.

15. A data multiplexing method for multiplexing a number n of coded stream data, comprising the steps of:

retrieving the data occupancy in storage units which provisionally store the number n of means to select any one of the storage units;

switching the coded stream data from the selected storage unit to deliver a multiplexed data;

using the multiplexed data to form a multiplexed bit stream; and

simulatively effecting the write and read, for decoding, of the multiplexed bit stream into and from the code buffer to control the selection of the storage units.

16. A data multiplexing method for multiplexing a number n of coded stream data, comprising the steps of:

retrieving the data occupancy in storage units which provisionally store the number n of means to select any one of the storage units;

switching the coded stream data from the selected storage unit to deliver a multiplexed data;

using the multiplexed data to form a multiplexed bit stream; and

simulating the write and read, for decoding, of the multiplexed bit stream into and from the code buffer to control the selection of the storage units.