Patent ID: 6567409
Filing Date: 2003-05-20
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
An apparatus for converting a first data stream supplied from a first buffer for accumulating the first data stream into a second data stream, and supplying the second data stream to a second buffer for accumulating the second data stream, the first data stream comprising a plurality of first data groups, each of the plurality of first data groups including significant data, the first data stream including a plurality of time values, the plurality of time values each indicating a point of time corresponding to a position of respective one of the plurality of first data groups within the first data stream, a transfer rate of the second data stream being higher than a transfer rate of the first data stream, the apparatus comprising:(a) a first determining device for determining a first amount of the first data stream accumulated in the first buffer on the basis of at least one of the plurality of time values; (b) a second determining device for determining a second amount of the second data stream accumulated in the second buffer on the basis of an amount of the second data stream that is supplied to the second buffer; (c) a calculation device for calculating a difference between the first amount and the second amount by subtracting the first amount from the second amount; (d) a first placing device for placing the significant data extracted from the first data stream supplied from the first buffer, into the second data stream, if the difference is smaller than a predetermined value; and (e) a second placing device for placing an additional data into the second data stream, if the difference is not smaller than the predetermined value.