Patent ID: 6195368
Filing Date: 2001-02-27
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A method for multiplexing a first video program bearing bit sin into a second bit stream, said first video program bearing bit stream containing a set of plural time stamps for each program contained therein indicating a time relative to a system time clock of an encoder at which each time stamp of said program should appear in said first bit stream comprising the steps of:(a) receiving said first video program bearing bit stream from a communication link having a varying end-to-end transmission delay,(b) determining a time at which each of one or more of packets carrying data of the same program received from said first video program bearing bit steam should appear in said second bit stream based on a plurality of time stamps of said program received from said first video program bearing bit stream said step (b) further comprising the steps of:(b1) storing packets containing data received from said received first video program bearing bit steam in a receipt queue,(b2) identifying each packet containing data of a program stored in said receipt queue between first and second particular packets containing consecutive time stamps of said program,(b3) determining a packet rate of said program based on a difference between said first and second time stamps, and(b4) assigning as a transmit time to each of said identified packets, the sum of a transmit time, assigned to said first particular packet and a product of said packet rate and an offset of said identified packet from said first packet, and(c) selectively transmitting selected ones of said one or more packets in said second bit stream with a constant end-to-end delay at times that depend on said determined times.