Methods and apparatus for service acquisition

• US 20070088971A1
• Filed: 09/26/2006
• Published: 04/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Raveendran, Vijayalakshmi, Bhamidipati, Phanikumar, Walker, Gordon
• Granted Patent: US 8,670,437 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 714/4
• 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;

encoding the CSV and multimedia signals to produce error coded blocks; and

encapsulating the error coded blocks into a multiplex signal.

2. The method of claim 1, 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, said method further comprising pre-interleaving the error coded blocks so that the error coded blocks associated with overhead information are positioned after the error coded blocks comprising data associated with the multimedia signals.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said generating comprises generating the one or more CSV signals that comprise at least one of a complete low-resolution version and a partial low-resolution version associated with the one or more multimedia signals.

4. 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.

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

6. 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;

an error encoder configured to encode the CSV and multimedia signals to produce error coded blocks; and

a packer configured to encapsulate the error coded blocks into a multiplex signal.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, 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, said apparatus further comprising a pre-interleaver configure to pre-interleave the error coded blocks so that the error coded blocks associated with overhead information are positioned after the error coded blocks comprising data associated with the multimedia signals.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said source encoder is configured to generate the one or more CSV signals that comprise at least one of a complete low-resolution version and a partial low-resolution version associated with the one or more multimedia signals.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said error encoder is configured to provide forward error correction.

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

11. 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;

means for encoding the CSV and multimedia signals to produce error coded blocks; and

means for encapsulating the error coded blocks into a multiplex signal.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, 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, said apparatus further comprising means for pre-interleaving the error coded blocks so that the error coded blocks associated with overhead information are positioned after the error coded blocks comprising data associated with the multimedia signals.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said means for generating comprises means for generating the one or more CSV signals that comprise at least one of a complete low-resolution version and a partial low-resolution version associated with the one or more multimedia signals.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, 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.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising means for transmitting the multiplex signal over a data network.

16. A 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;

encode the CSV and multimedia signals to produce error coded blocks; and

encapsulate the error coded blocks into a multiplex signal.

17. The machine-readable medium of claim 16, 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, and wherein said instructions cause the machine to pre-interleave the error coded blocks so that the error coded blocks associated with overhead information are positioned after the error coded blocks comprising data associated with the multimedia signals.

18. The machine-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the instructions for generating cause the machine to generate the one or more CSV signals that comprise at least one of a complete low-resolution version and a partial low-resolution version associated with the one or more multimedia signals.

19. The machine-readable medium of claim 16, 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.

20. The machine-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the instructions further cause the machine to transmit the multiplex signal over a data network.

21. 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;

encode the CSV and multimedia signals to produce error coded blocks; and

encapsulate the error coded blocks into a multiplex signal.

22. The at least one processor of claim 21, 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, and wherein the at least one processor being further configured to pre-interleave the error coded blocks so that the error coded blocks associated with overhead information are positioned after the error coded blocks comprising data associated with the multimedia signals.

23. The at least one processor of claim 21, wherein being configured to generate comprises being configured to generate the one or more CSV signals that comprise at least one of a complete low-resolution version and a partial low-resolution version associated with the one or more multimedia signals.

24. The at least one processor of claim 21, 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.

25. The at least one processor of claim 21, being further configured to transmit the multiplex signal over a data network.

26. 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; and

rendering the CSV signal.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein said receiving comprises receiving the multiplex signal over a data network.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein said detection is based on user input.

29. The method of claim 26, further comprising decoding the multiplex signal to produce error coded data blocks and error coded information blocks.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising de-interleaving the error coded data blocks and the error coded information blocks, wherein the error coded information blocks are positioned after error coded data blocks.

31. The method of claim 26, further comprising decoding the selected channel.

32. 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

source decoder configured to render the CSV signal.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein said receiver is configured to receive the multiplex signal over a data network.

34. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein said selection logic is configured to detect the selection of the channel based on user input.

35. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein said un-packer is configured to decode the multiplex signal to produce error coded data blocks and error coded information blocks.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, further comprising a de-interleaver configured to de-interleave the error coded data and information blocks, wherein the error coded information blocks are positioned after the error coded data blocks.

37. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the source decoder is configured to decode the selected channel.

38. 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; and

means for rendering the CSV signal.

39. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein said means for receiving comprises means for receiving the multiplex signal over a data network.

40. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein said means for detecting comprises means for detecting the selected channel based on user input.

41. The apparatus of claim 38, further comprising means for decoding the multiplex to produce error coded data blocks and error coded information blocks.

42. The apparatus of claim 41, further comprising means for de-interleaving the error coded data blocks and the error coded information blocks, wherein the error coded information blocks are positioned after error coded data blocks.

43. The apparatus of claim 38, further comprising means for decoding the selected channel.

44. A 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; and

render the CSV signal.

45. The machine-readable medium of claim 44, wherein the instructions for receiving further cause the machine to receive the multiplex signal over a data network.

46. The machine-readable medium of claim 44, wherein the instructions for detecting further cause the machine to detect the selected channel based on user input.

47. The machine-readable medium of claim 44, wherein the instructions further cause the machine to decode the multiplex signal to produce error coded data blocks and error coded information blocks.

48. The machine-readable medium of claim 47, wherein the instructions further cause the machine to de-interleave the error coded data blocks and the error coded information blocks, wherein the error coded information blocks are positioned after error coded data blocks.

49. The machine-readable medium of claim 44, wherein the instructions further cause the machine to decode the selected channel.

50. 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; and

render the CSV signal.

51. The at least one processor of claim 50, wherein being configured to receive comprises being configured to receive the multiplex signal over a data network.

52. The at least one processor of claim 50, wherein being configured to detect comprises being configured to detect the selected channel based on user input.

53. The at least one processor of claim 50, being further configured to decode the multiplex signal to produce error coded data blocks and error coded information blocks.

54. The at least one processor of claim 53, being further configured to de-interleave the error coded data blocks and the error coded information blocks, wherein the error coded information blocks are positioned after error coded data blocks.

55. The at least one processor of claim 50, being further configured to decode the selected channel.

56. 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, 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.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein encoding comprises encoding by using forward error correction encoding.

58. The method of claim 56, wherein the one or more channels of data comprise one or more channel switch video (CSV) signals associated with one or more multimedia signals.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein encoding comprises generating the one or more CSV signals to comprise at least one of a complete low-resolution version and a partial low-resolution version associated with the one or more multimedia signals.

60. The method of claim 56, wherein encoding comprises pre-interleaving error coded data blocks and error coded information blocks associated with the one or more channels of data so that the error coded information blocks are positioned after the error coded data blocks.

61. 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, 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.

62. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein means for encoding comprises means for encoding using forward error correction encoding.

63. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein the one or more channels of data comprise one or more channel switch video (CSV) signals associated with one or more multimedia signals.

64. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein means for encoding comprises means for generating the one or more CSV signals to comprise at least one of a complete low-resolution version and a partial low-resolution version associated with the one or more multimedia signals.

65. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein means for encoding comprises means for pre-interleaving error coded data blocks and error coded information blocks associated with the one or more channels of data so that the error coded information blocks are positioned after the error coded data blocks.

66. 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, 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.

67. A 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, 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.

68. 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, 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.

69. 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; and

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.

70. The method of claim 69, comprising decoding the one or more channels of data using forward error correction decoding.

71. The method of claim 69, wherein the one or more channels of data comprise one or more channel switch video (CSV) signals associated with one or more multimedia signals.

72. The method of claim 71, wherein decoding comprises decoding the one or more CSV signals to comprise at least one of a complete low-resolution version and a partial low-resolution version associated with the one or more multimedia signals.

73. The method of claim 71, wherein decoding comprises de-interleaving error coded data blocks and error coded information blocks associated with the one or more channels of data so that the error coded information blocks are positioned after the error coded data blocks.

74. 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; 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.

75. The apparatus of claim 74, comprising means for decoding the one or more channels of data using forward error correction decoding.

76. The apparatus of claim 74, wherein the one or more channels of data comprise one or more channel switch video (CSV) signals associated with one or more multimedia signals.

77. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein means for decoding comprises means for decoding the one or more CSV signals to comprise at least one of a complete low-resolution version and a partial low-resolution version associated with the one or more multimedia signals.

78. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein means for decoding comprises means for de-interleaving error coded data blocks and error coded information blocks associated with the one or more channels of data so that the error coded information blocks are positioned after the error coded data blocks.

79. 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; 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.

80. A 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; 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

81. 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; 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.