Koninklijke Philips Corporation N.v.

Kavitha Parthasarathy

Hayder Radha

Robert A Cohen

Mahesh Balakrishnan

A system and method are disclosed for streaming scalable video data over a variable-bandwidth network such as a packet-based one. In other words, the number of bits (for FGS) or sub-layers (for discrete multi-layer scalability) is chosen to be transmitted for each enhancement layer frame. Further, these bits or sub-layers are also partitioned over multiple packets if being sent over a packet-based network. Further, a windowing function is used to smooth the variation in the number of bits or sub-layers transmitted for each frame in situations where the network bandwidth is varying.

Method and apparatus for streaming scalable video

Respective encoders provide a first and second encoded MPEG-2 data streams for a first and second program respectively. Each stream includes at least video and audio components. The encoder provides seamless video splice-in and splice-out points. A play-to-air splicer is commanded to switch the broadcast output from the first input stream to the second input streams. The splicer identifies approximately aligned seamless video splice-in and seamless video splice-out points in the respective first and second video streams. The splicer splices the second video stream to the first video stream, but continues to broadcast the first audio stream. The splicer identifies corresponding audio splice-in and splice-out points. The splicer splices the second audio component to the first audio component. The splicer adjusts the decode and presentation times in the second stream after the respective slice-in to be consistent with such times in the first program. A decoder converts the compressed video and audio components output from the splicer into uncompressed form.

Seamless splicing of MPEG-2 multimedia data streams

There is disclosed a decoder buffer capable of receiving streaming video data packets and storing the data packets in a plurality of access units. Each of the access units holds at least one data packet associated with a selected frame in the streaming video. The decoder buffer comprises: 1) a first buffer region comprising at least one access unit for storing data packets that are less immediately needed by the video decoder; and 2) a re-transmission region comprising at least one access unit for storing data packets that are most immediately needed by the video decoder. The decoder buffer, in response to a detection of a missing data packet in the re-transmission region, requests that the streaming video transmitter retransmit the missing packet.

Decoder buffer for streaming video receiver and method of operation

A system which controls data output to a network determines a maximum amount of data that could be output to the network based on an amount of data that can be read from the network during a predetermined time period, and then obtains a difference between an amount of data that has actually been output to the network and the maximum amount. Thereafter, the system outputs, to the network and within the predetermined time period, an amount of data packets that is based on the difference. For a last data packet to be output to the network in the predetermined time period, the system determines a first number of bits by which an amount of data will exceed the difference in the event that the data packet is output to the network, determines a second number of bits by which an amount of data will fall short of the difference in the event that the data packet is not output to the network, and outputs the data packet in a case that the first number is less than the second number.

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Ossining, NY, United States of America

Kavitha Parthasarathy