Intel Corporation

Utstarcom, Incorporated

Li-Cheng Tai

Boon-Lock Yeo

Minerva Ming-Yee Yeung

Qiang Li

Naxin Wang

A system for live TV transmission over IP networks incorporates a content encoder receiving live TV broadcast and converting to RTP packets for multicast streaming. A streaming server receives the multicast RTP packets from the content encoder and converts the multicast stream to a unicast stream. The streaming server is also responsive to RTSP commands for trick mode operation. A settop box is connected through an IP network for receiving multicast RTP packets from the content encoder and generating RTSP commands for trick mode operation, the setup box issuing a leave multicast group signal upon issuing a trick mode command and receiving unicast transmission of RTP packets from the streaming server controllable by the trick mode commands.

Method and apparatus for automatic switching of multicast/unicast live TV streaming in a TV-over-IP environment

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for automatically selecting a video output from among several video input sources. In one method, one or more audio sensors are associated with each video input source. Preferably, an audio sensor is positioned to receive audio signals from directions that receive favorable coverage in the field of view of the associated video source. An autoselector calculates audio scores for each of the audio sensors over short (e.g., 0.5 seconds) examination intervals. At each examination interval, the potential exists for a different video source to be selected as the video output. The autoselector selects a video source based on the audio scores for an examination interval, as well as the recent time-history of video source selection. For instance, if a new video source has just been selected, selection of a different source may be disabled for a few seconds. The time-history is also used to increase the probability that source selection varies in a seemingly-natural manner.

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San Jose, CA, United States of America

Li-Cheng Tai