Methods and apparatus for service acquisition

• US 8,670,437 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2006
• Issued: 03/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Walker, Gordon Kent, Bhamidipati, Phanikumar, Raveendran, Vijayalakshmi R.
• Primary Examiner(s): SHAHEED, KHALID W
• Application Number:
  US11/528,303
• Publication Number:
  US 20070088971A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,723 Days
• Field of Search: 714/4, 714/10, 714/48, 714/752, 370/349, 370/386, 370/391, 375/240.1, 348/14.01, 348/14.02, 348/14.03, 348/14.04, 348/14.05, 348/14.06, 348/14.07, 725/62, 725/67, 725/68
• US Class Current: 370/349
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0041 Arrangements at the transmitter end
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0071 Use of interleaving interleaving per se H03M13/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/89 involving methods or arrangements for detection of transmission errors at the decoder
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23424 involving splicing one content stream with another content stream, e.g. for inserting or substituting an advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23439 for generating different versions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4384 involving operations to reduce the access time, e.g. fast-tuning for reducing channel switching latency
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44016 involving splicing one content stream with another content stream, e.g. for substituting a video clip
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4425 Monitoring of client processing errors or hardware failure

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for service acquisition. In an aspect, a method is provided for service acquisition. The method includes generating one or more channel switch video (CSV) signals associated with one or more multimedia signals, encoding the CSV signals and the multimedia signals to produce error coded blocks, and encapsulating the error coded blocks into a multiplex signal. In an aspect, an apparatus is provided for service acquisition. The apparatus includes a source encoder configured to generate one or more channel switch video (CSV) signals associated with one or more multimedia signals, an error encoder configured to encode the CSV signals and the multimedia signals to produce error coded blocks, and a packer configured to encapsulate the error coded blocks into a multiplex signal.

Claims

1. A method for service acquisition, the method comprising:

generating one or more channel switch video (CSV) signals associated with one or more multimedia signals, wherein a CSV signal comprises an independently decodable, low-resolution channel switch version of a video signal from an associated multimedia signal, the channel switch version being transmitted periodically to provide random access into a coded video bitstream;

encoding the CSV and multimedia signals to produce error coded blocks at an encoder, wherein the error coded blocks comprise error coded blocks associated with overhead information and error coded blocks comprising data associated with the one or more multimedia signals;

pre-interleaving the error coded blocks at a pre-interleaver so the error coded blocks comprising data associated with the one or more multimedia signals are placed contiguously between the error coded blocks associated with overhead information, and further pre-interleaving the error coded blocks at the pre-interleaver so that an error coded block comprising keys needed to decode the error coded blocks comprising data associated with the one or more multimedia signals is placed after the error coded blocks comprising data associated with the one or more multimedia signals are placed; and

encapsulating the pre-interleaved error coded blocks into a packet of a multiplex signal, wherein said generating comprises generating the one or more CSV signals by sub-sampling in at least one of a spatial or temporal domain.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said encoding the CSV signals and the multimedia signals comprises encoding the CSV signals and the multimedia signals using forward error correction to produce the error coded data blocks.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting the multiplex signal over a data network.

4. An apparatus for service acquisition, the apparatus comprising:

a source encoder configured to generate one or more channel switch video (CSV) signals associated with one or more multimedia signals, wherein a CSV signal is an independently decodable, low-resolution channel switch version of a video signal from an associated multimedia signal, the channel switch version being transmitted periodically to provide random access into a coded video bitstream;

an error encoder configured to encode the CSV and multimedia signals to produce error coded blocks, wherein the error coded blocks comprise error coded blocks associated with overhead information and error coded blocks comprising data associated with the one or more multimedia signals;

a pre-interleaver configured to pre-interleave the error coded blocks so that the error coded blocks comprising data associated with the one or more multimedia signals are placed contiguously between the error coded blocks associated with overhead information, and further pre-interleave the error coded blocks so that an error coded block comprising keys needed to decode the error coded blocks comprising data associated with the one or more multimedia signals is placed after the error coded blocks comprising data associated with the one or more multimedia signals; and

a packer configured to encapsulate the pre-interleaved error coded blocks into a packet of a multiplex signal, wherein said source encoder is configured to generate the one or more CSV signals by sub-sampling in at least one of a spatial or temporal domain.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said error encoder is configured to provide forward error correction.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a transmitter configured to transmit the multiplex signal over a data network.

7. An apparatus for service acquisition, the apparatus comprising:

means for generating one or more channel switch video (CSV) signals associated with one or more multimedia signals, wherein a CSV signal is an independently decodable, low-resolution channel switch version of a video signal from an associated multimedia signal, the channel switch version being transmitted periodically to provide random access into a coded video bitstream;

means for encoding the CSV and multimedia signals to produce error coded blocks, wherein the error coded blocks comprise error coded blocks associated with overhead information and error coded blocks comprising data associated with the one or more multimedia signals;

means for pre-interleaving the error coded blocks so that the error coded blocks comprising data associated with the one or more multimedia signals are placed contiguously between the error coded blocks associated with overhead information, and further pre-interleaving the error coded blocks so that an error coded block comprising keys needed to decode the error coded blocks comprising data associated with the one or more multimedia signals is placed after the error coded blocks comprising data associated with the one or more multimedia signals; and

means for encapsulating the pre-interleaved error coded blocks into a packet of a multiplex signal, wherein said means for generating comprises means for generating the one or more CSV signals by sub-sampling in at least one of a spatial or temporal domain.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said means for encoding the CSV signals and the multimedia signals comprises means for encoding the CSV signals and the multimedia signals using forward error correction to produce the error coded data blocks.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising means for transmitting the multiplex signal over a data network.

10. A non-transitory, machine-readable medium comprising instructions for service acquisition, wherein the instructions upon execution cause a machine to:

generate one or more channel switch video (CSV) signals associated with one or more multimedia signals, wherein a CSV signal is an independently decodable, low-resolution channel switch version of a video signal from an associated multimedia signal, the channel switch version being transmitted periodically to provide random access into a coded video bitstream;

encode the CSV and multimedia signals to produce error coded blocks, wherein the error coded blocks comprise error coded blocks associated with overhead information and error coded blocks comprising data associated with the one or more multimedia signals;

pre-interleave the error coded blocks so the error coded blocks comprising data associated with the one or more multimedia signals are placed contiguously between the error coded blocks associated with overhead information, and further pre-interleave the error coded blocks so that an error coded block comprising keys needed to decode the error coded blocks comprising data associated with the one or more multimedia signals is placed after the error coded blocks comprising data associated with the one or more multimedia signals; and

encapsulate the pre-interleaved error coded blocks into a packet of a multiplex signal, wherein the instructions for generating cause the machine to generate the one or more CSV signals by sub-sampling in at least one of a spatial or temporal domain.

11. The non-transitory, machine-readable medium of claim 10, wherein said instructions for encoding the CSV signals and the multimedia signals further cause the machine to encode the CSV signals and the multimedia signals using forward error correction to produce the error coded data blocks.

12. The non-transitory, machine-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the instructions further cause the machine to transmit the multiplex signal over a data network.

13. At least one processor for service acquisition, the at least one processor being configured to:

generate one or more channel switch video (CSV) signals associated with one or more multimedia signals, wherein a CSV signal is an independently decodable, low-resolution channel switch version of a video signal from an associated multimedia signal, the channel switch version being transmitted periodically to provide random access into a coded video bitstream;

encode the CSV and multimedia signals to produce error coded blocks, wherein the error coded blocks comprise error coded blocks associated with overhead information and error coded blocks comprising data associated with the one or more multimedia signals;

pre-interleave the error coded blocks so that the error coded blocks comprising data associated with the one or more multimedia signals are placed contiguously between the error coded blocks associated with overhead information, and further pre-interleave the error coded blocks so that an error coded block comprising keys needed to decode the error coded blocks comprising data associated with the one or more multimedia signals is placed after the error coded blocks comprising data associated with the one or more multimedia signals; and

encapsulate the pre-interleaved error coded blocks into a packet of a multiplex signal, wherein being configured to generate comprises being configured to generate the one or more CSV signals by sub-sampling in at least one of a spatial or temporal domain.

14. The at least one processor of claim 13, wherein being configured to encode the CSV signals and the multimedia signals comprises being configured to encode the CSV signals and the multimedia signals using forward error correction to produce the error coded data blocks.

15. The at least one processor of claim 13, being further configured to transmit the multiplex signal over a data network.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein said detection is based on user input.

16. A method for service acquisition, the method comprising:

receiving a multiplex signal associated with a plurality of channels;

detecting a selection of one of the channels;

decoding a channel switch video (CSV) signal associated with the selected channel at a decoder;

decoding the multiplex signal at the decoder to produce a packet comprising error coded data blocks and error coded information blocks, the error coded data blocks being placed contiguously between the error coded information blocks, and an error coded information block comprising keys needed to decode the error coded data blocks being placed after the error coded data blocks;

de-interleaving the error coded data blocks and the error coded information blocks at a de-interleaver; and

rendering the CSV signal, wherein;

the CSV signal comprises an independently decodable, low-resolution channel switch version of a video for the selected channel, the channel switch version being transmitted periodically to provide random access into a coded video bitstream, and

decoding the CSV comprises decoding the CSV signal produced by sub-sampling in at least one of a spatial or temporal domain.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said receiving comprises receiving the multiplex signal over a data network.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising decoding the selected channel.

20. An apparatus for service acquisition, the apparatus comprising:

a receiver configured to receive a multiplex signal associated with a plurality of channels;

selection logic configured to detect a selection of one of the channels;

an un-packer configured to decode a channel switch video (CSV) signal associated with the selected channel and decode the multiplex signal to produce a packet comprising error coded data blocks and error coded information blocks, the error coded data blocks being placed contiguously between the error coded information blocks, and an error coded information block comprising keys needed to decode the error coded data blocks being placed after the error coded data blocks;

a de-interleaver to de-interleave the error coded data blocks and the error coded information blocks; and

a source decoder configured to render the CSV signal, wherein the CSV signal comprises an independently decodable, low-resolution channel switch version of a video for the selected channel, the channel switch version being transmitted periodically to provide random access into a coded video bitstream, wherein the CSV signal is generated by sub-sampling in at least one of a spatial or temporal domain.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said receiver is configured to receive the multiplex signal over a data network.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said selection logic is configured to detect the selection of the channel based on user input.

23. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the source decoder is configured to decode the selected channel.

24. An apparatus for service acquisition, the apparatus comprising:

means for receiving a multiplex signal associated with a plurality of channels;

means for detecting a selection of one of the channels;

means for decoding a channel switch video (CSV) signal associated with the selected channel;

means for decoding the multiplex signal to produce a packet comprising error coded data blocks and error coded information blocks, the error coded data blocks being placed contiguously between the error coded information blocks, and an error coded information block comprising keys needed to decode the error coded data blocks being placed after the error coded data blocks;

means for de-interleaving the error coded data blocks and the error coded information blocks; and

means for rendering the CSV signal, wherein the CSV signal comprises an independently decodable, low-resolution channel switch version of a video for the selected channel, the channel switch version being transmitted periodically to provide random access into a coded video bitstream, wherein the CSV signal is generated by sub-sampling in at least one of a spatial or temporal domain.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said means for receiving comprises means for receiving the multiplex signal over a data network.

26. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said means for detecting comprises means for detecting the selected channel based on user input.

27. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising means for decoding the selected channel.

28. A non-transitory, machine-readable medium, comprising instructions for service acquisition, wherein the instructions upon execution cause a machine to:

receive a multiplex signal associated with a plurality of channels;

detect a selection of one of the channels;

decode a channel switch video (CSV) signal associated with the selected channel;

decode the multiplex signal to produce a packet comprising error coded data blocks and error coded information blocks, the error coded data blocks being placed contiguously between the error coded information blocks, and an error coded information block comprising keys needed to decode the error coded data blocks being placed after the error coded data blocks;

de-interleave the error coded data blocks and the error coded information blocks; and

render the CSV signal, wherein;

the CSV signal comprises an independently decodable, low-resolution channel switch version of a video for the selected channel, the channel switch version being transmitted periodically to provide random access into a coded video bitstream, and

the CSV signal is generated by sub-sampling in at least one of a spatial or temporal domain.

29. The non-transitory, machine-readable medium of claim 28, wherein the instructions for receiving further cause the machine to receive the multiplex signal over a data network.

30. The non-transitory, machine-readable medium of claim 28, wherein the instructions for detecting further cause the machine to detect the selected channel based on user input.

31. The non-transitory, machine-readable medium of claim 28, wherein the instructions further cause the machine to decode the selected channel.

32. At least one processor for service acquisition, the at least one processor being configured to:

receive a multiplex signal associated with a plurality of channels;

detect a selection of one of the channels;

decode a channel switch video (CSV) signal associated with the selected channel;

decode the multiplex signal to produce a packet comprising error coded data blocks and error coded information blocks, the error coded data blocks being placed contiguously between the error coded information blocks, and an error coded information block comprising keys needed to decode the error coded data blocks being placed after all the error coded data blocks;

de-interleave the error coded data blocks and the error coded information blocks; and

render the CSV signal, wherein;

the CSV signal comprises an independently decodable, low-resolution channel switch version of a video for the selected channel, the channel switch version being transmitted periodically to provide random access into a coded video bitstream, and

wherein the CSV signal is generated by sub-sampling in at least one of a spatial or temporal domain.

33. The at least one processor of claim 32, wherein being configured to receive comprises being configured to receive the multiplex signal over a data network.

34. The at least one processor of claim 32, wherein being configured to detect comprises being configured to detect the selected channel based on user input.

35. The at least one processor of claim 32, being further configured to decode the selected channel.

36. A method for service acquisition, the method comprising:

constructing a plurality of transmission frames wherein each transmission frame is associated with a selected time interval; and

encoding data associated with one or more channels into the plurality of transmission frames at an encoder by pre-interleaving padding octets, error coded data blocks and error coded information blocks associated with the one or more channels of data so that the error coded data blocks are placed after the padding octets and contiguously between the error coded information blocks, and further by pre-interleaving the error coded data blocks and error coded information blocks in a given transmission frame of the plurality of transmission frames so that an error coded information block comprising keys needed to decode the error coded data blocks is placed after all the error coded data blocks in the given transmission frame, wherein;

selected data is encoded into predetermined transmission frames so that channel jitter can be absorbed using a single buffer associated with a selected time duration, and

encoding comprises generating one or more CSV signals by sub-sampling in at least one of a spatial or temporal domain.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein encoding comprises encoding by using forward error correction encoding.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein the one or more channels of data comprise one or more channel switch video (CSV) signals associated with one or more multimedia signals, wherein the CSV signals comprise independently decodable, low-resolution versions of video signals for the one or more multimedia signals.

39. An apparatus for service acquisition, the apparatus comprising:

means for constructing a plurality of transmission frames, wherein each transmission frame is associated with a selected time interval; and

means for encoding data associated with one or more channels into the plurality of transmission frames by pre-interleaving padding octets, error coded data blocks and error coded information blocks associated with the one or more channels of data so that the error coded data blocks are placed after the padding octets and contiguously between the error coded information blocks, and further by pre-interleaving the error coded data blocks and error coded information blocks in a given transmission frame of the plurality of transmission frames so that an error coded information block comprising keys needed to decode the error coded data blocks is placed after all the error coded data blocks in the given transmission frame, wherein;

selected data is encoded into predetermined transmission frames so that channel jitter can be absorbed using a single buffer associated with a selected time duration, and

means for encoding comprises means for generating one or more channel switch video (CSV) signals to comprise at least one of a temporally or spatially sub-sampled lower resolution video signal associated with the one or more multimedia signals.

40. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein means for encoding comprises means for encoding using forward error correction encoding.

41. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein:

the CSV signals are associated with one or more multimedia signals, and

the CSV signals comprise independently decodable, low-resolution versions of video signals for the one or more multimedia signal.

42. An apparatus for service acquisition, the apparatus comprising:

a packer configured to construct a plurality of transmission frames wherein each transmission frame is associated with a selected time interval; and

an encoder configured to encode data associated with one or more channels into the plurality of transmission frames by pre-interleaving padding octets, error coded data blocks and error coded information blocks associated with the one or more channels of data so that the error coded data blocks are placed after the padding octets and contiguously between the error coded information blocks, and further by pre-interleaving the error coded data blocks and error coded information blocks in a given transmission frame of the plurality of transmission frames so that an error coded information block comprising keys needed to decode the error coded data blocks is placed after all the error coded data blocks in the given transmission frame, wherein selected data is encoded into predetermined transmission frames so that channel jitter can be absorbed using a single buffer associated with a selected time duration, and wherein one or more channel switch video (CSV) signals associated with one or more multimedia signals are generated by sub-sampling in at least one of a spatial or temporal domain.

43. A non-transitory, machine-readable medium, comprising instructions for service acquisition, wherein the instructions upon execution cause a machine to:

construct a plurality of transmission frames, wherein each transmission frame is associated with a selected time interval; and

encode data associated with one or more channels into the plurality of transmission frames by pre-interleaving padding octets, error coded data blocks and error coded information blocks associated with the one or more channels of data so that the error coded data blocks are placed after the padding octets and contiguously between the error coded information blocks, and further by pre-interleaving the error coded data blocks and error coded information blocks in a given transmission frame of the plurality of transmission frames so that an error coded information block comprising keys needed to decode the error coded data blocks is placed after all the error coded data blocks in the given transmission frame, wherein selected data is encoded into predetermined transmission frames so that channel jitter can be absorbed using a single buffer associated with a selected time duration, and wherein encoding comprises generating one or more channel switch video (CSV) signals by sub-sampling in at least one of a spatial or temporal domain.

44. At least one processor for service acquisition, the at least one processor being configured to:

construct a plurality of transmission frames, wherein each transmission frame is associated with a selected time interval; and

encode data associated with one or more channels into the plurality of transmission frames by pre-interleaving padding octets, error coded data blocks and error coded information blocks associated with the one or more channels of data so that the error coded data blocks are placed after the padding octets and contiguously between the error coded information blocks, and further by pre-interleaving the error coded data blocks and error coded information blocks in a given transmission frame of the plurality of transmission frames so that an error coded information block comprising keys needed to decode the error coded data blocks is placed after all the error coded data blocks in the given transmission frame, wherein selected data is encoded into predetermined transmission frames so that channel jitter can be absorbed using a single buffer associated with a selected time duration, and wherein encoding comprises generating one or more channel switch video (CSV) signals by sub-sampling in at least one of a spatial or temporal domain.

45. A method for service acquisition, the method comprising:

receiving a plurality of transmission frames, wherein each transmission frame is associated with a selected time interval and comprises data associated with one or more channels, and wherein selected data is encoded into predetermined transmission frames as padding octets, error coded data blocks and error coded information blocks so that the error coded data blocks are placed after the padding octets and placed contiguously between error coded information blocks, and the selected data is further encoded so that an error coded information block comprising keys needed to decode the error coded data blocks is placed after all the error coded data blocks in the predetermined transmission frames;

buffering the plurality of transmission frames at a demodulator with a single buffer associated with a selected time duration wherein channel jitter associated with the one or more channels is absorbed; and

decoding the one or more channels of data using forward error correction decoding, wherein;

the one or more channels of data comprise one or more channel switch video (CSV) signals associated with one or more multimedia signals, wherein the CSV signals comprise independently decodable, low-resolution versions of video signals for the one or more multimedia signal; and

decoding comprises decoding the one or more CSV signals produced by sub-sampling in at least one of a spatial or temporal domain.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein decoding comprises de-interleaving the error coded data blocks and error coded information blocks.

47. An apparatus for service acquisition, the apparatus comprising:

means for receiving a plurality of transmission frames, wherein each transmission frame is associated with a selected time interval and comprises data associated with one or more channels, and wherein selected data is encoded into predetermined transmission frames as padding octets, error coded data blocks and error coded information blocks so that the error coded data blocks are placed after the padding octets and placed contiguously between error coded information blocks, and the selected data is further encoded so that an error coded information block comprising keys needed to decode the error coded data blocks is placed after all the error coded data blocks in the predetermined transmission frames; and

means for buffering the plurality of transmission frames with a single buffer associated with a selected time duration, wherein;

channel jitter associated with the one or more channels is absorbed; and

means for decoding comprises means for decoding one or more channel switch video (CSV) signals produced by sub-sampling in at least one of a spatial or temporal domain.

48. The apparatus of claim 47, comprising means for decoding the one or more channels of data using forward error correction decoding.

49. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein:

the CSV signals are associated with one or more multimedia signals, and

the CSV signals comprise independently decodable, low-resolution versions of video signals for the one or more multimedia signal.

50. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein means for decoding comprises means for de-interleaving the error coded data blocks and error coded information blocks.

51. An apparatus for service acquisition, the apparatus comprising:

a receiver configured to receive a plurality of transmission frames, wherein each transmission frame is associated with a selected time interval and comprises data associated with one or more channels, and wherein selected data is encoded into predetermined transmission frames as padding octets, error coded data blocks and error coded information blocks so that the error coded data blocks are placed after the padding octets and placed contiguously between error coded information blocks, and the selected data is further encoded so that an error coded information block comprising keys needed to decode the error coded data blocks is placed after all the error coded data blocks in the predetermined transmission frames; and

a demodulator configured to buffer the plurality of transmission frames with a single buffer associated with a selected time duration, wherein;

channel jitter associated with the one or more channels is absorbed; and

encoding comprises generating one or more channel switch video (CSV) signals by sub-sampling in at least one of a spatial or temporal domain.

52. A non-transitory machine-readable medium, comprising instructions for service acquisition, wherein the instructions upon execution cause a machine to:

receive a plurality of transmission frames, wherein each transmission frame is associated with a selected time interval and comprises data associated with one or more channels, and wherein selected data is encoded into predetermined transmission frames as padding octets, error coded data blocks and error coded information blocks so that the error coded data blocks are placed after the padding octets and placed contiguously between error coded information blocks, and the selected data is further encoded so that an error coded information block comprising keys needed to decode the error coded data blocks is placed after all the error coded data blocks in the predetermined transmission frames; and

buffer the plurality of transmission frames with a single buffer associated with a selected time duration, wherein;

channel jitter associated with the one or more channels is absorbed; and

encoding comprises generating one or more CSV signals by sub-sampling in at least one of a spatial or temporal domain.

53. At least one processor for service acquisition, the at least one processor being configured to:

receive a plurality of transmission frames, wherein each transmission frame is associated with a selected time interval and comprises data associated with one or more channels, and wherein selected data is encoded into predetermined transmission frames as padding octets, error coded data blocks and error coded information blocks so that the error coded data blocks are placed after the padding octets and placed contiguously between error coded information blocks, and the selected data is further encoded so that an error coded information block comprising keys needed to decode the error coded data blocks is placed after all the error coded data blocks in the predetermined transmission frames; and

buffer the plurality of transmission frames with a single buffer associated with a selected time duration, wherein;

channel jitter associated with the one or more channels is absorbed; and

encoding comprises generating one or more CSV signals by sub-sampling in at least one of a spatial or temporal domain.