Methods and apparatus for reconfiguring protocol data when reducing multiplexed data streams
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for reconfiguring protocol data when reducing a multiplexed data stream, comprising:
- receiving at a transcoder an inbound multiplexed data stream having;
(1) a plurality of data streams, each of which carries a service;
(2) a protocol data set defining the plurality of data streams; and
(3) one or more hidden protocol data sets, each hidden protocol data set associated with a predefined combination of the plurality of data streams;
selecting one of said hidden protocol data sets corresponding to a desired combination of data streams; and
outputting the desired combination of data streams and the selected hidden protocol data set;
wherein;
said protocol data set defining the plurality of data streams comprises;
an all-inclusive program association table (PAT) identified by a first packet identifier (PID); and
an all-inclusive protocol base PID stream identified by a second PID;
each of said hidden protocol data sets comprises;
a hidden PAT associated with one of said predefined combinations of the plurality of data streams and identified by a PID chosen from a first group of PIDs; and
a hidden protocol data (HPD) base PID stream corresponding to the hidden PAT, each HPD base PID stream identified by a PID chosen from a second group of PIDs.
10 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for reconfiguring protocol data for a multiplexed data stream which is reduced to carry fewer services for cable-side transmission in a cable television plant or the like. More particularly, the present invention provides methods and apparatus for reconfiguring protocol data for a desired combination of data streams contained within an incoming high data rate multiplexed data stream, such as a high data rate Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) modulated multiplexed data stream, when the incoming multiplexed data stream is reduced.
16 Citations
16 Claims
-
1. A method for reconfiguring protocol data when reducing a multiplexed data stream, comprising:
-
receiving at a transcoder an inbound multiplexed data stream having; (1) a plurality of data streams, each of which carries a service; (2) a protocol data set defining the plurality of data streams; and (3) one or more hidden protocol data sets, each hidden protocol data set associated with a predefined combination of the plurality of data streams; selecting one of said hidden protocol data sets corresponding to a desired combination of data streams; and outputting the desired combination of data streams and the selected hidden protocol data set; wherein; said protocol data set defining the plurality of data streams comprises; an all-inclusive program association table (PAT) identified by a first packet identifier (PID); and an all-inclusive protocol base PID stream identified by a second PID; each of said hidden protocol data sets comprises; a hidden PAT associated with one of said predefined combinations of the plurality of data streams and identified by a PID chosen from a first group of PIDs; and a hidden protocol data (HPD) base PID stream corresponding to the hidden PAT, each HPD base PID stream identified by a PID chosen from a second group of PIDs. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. Apparatus for reconfiguring protocol data when reducing a multiplexed data stream, comprising:
-
a transcoder for receiving an inbound multiplexed data stream, said multiplexed data stream having; (1) a plurality of data streams, each of which carries a service; (2) a protocol data set defining the plurality of data streams; and (3) one or more hidden protocol data sets, each hidden protocol data set associated with a predefined combination of the plurality of data streams; and a processor associated with the transcoder, said processor configured to; (a) receive the protocol data set defining the plurality of data streams and said one or more hidden protocol data sets; (b) select one of said hidden protocol data sets corresponding to a desired combination of data streams; and (c) direct the transcoder to output the desired combination of data streams and the selected hidden protocol data set; wherein; said protocol data set defining the plurality of data streams comprises; an all-inclusive program association table (PAT) identified by a first packet identifier (PID); and an all-inclusive protocol base PID stream identified by a second PID; each of said hidden protocol data sets comprises; a hidden PAT associated with one of said predefined combinations of the plurality of data streams and identified by a PID chosen from a first group of PIDs; and a hidden protocol data (HPD) base PID stream corresponding to the hidden PAT, each HPD base PID stream identified by a PID chosen from a second group of PIDs. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
Specification