Patent ID: 9060189
Filing Date: 2015-06-16
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A method of transmitting a plurality of video streams, over a transmission link, comprising, at intervals: determining for each video stream at each of a plurality of encoder settings, having regard to the amount of data buffered at a receiver for that stream, a bit rate sufficient to transmit the remainder of that stream at that encoder setting such as to avoid buffer underflow at the receiver, and a critical point equal to the earliest time at which that bit rate can be reduced while still avoiding buffer underflow at the receiver; wherein the bit rate for transmission of that stream monotonically decreases, and the bit rate for transmission of that stream after the critical point is always less than the bit rate for transmission of that stream before the critical point; choosing for each video stream an encoder setting such that the sum of said bit rates required for transmission of the streams does not exceed the capacity of the transmission link; and allocating any surplus capacity of the transmission link to the stream that has the earliest critical point.