Patent ID: 6373530
Filing Date: 2002-04-16
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A method for generating a compressed digital video bitstream from an original uncompressed video stream for subsequent insertion of imagery into the compressed digital video bitstream without having to fully decode the compressed digital video bitstream, comprising the steps of:(a) identifying one or more areas in the original uncompressed video stream for possible subsequent imagery insertion; and (b) applying one or more video encoding constraints while generating the compressed digital video bitstream from the original uncompressed video stream, wherein the video encoding constraints are selected to take into account the subsequent insertion of the imagery into the compressed digital video bitstream at the one or more areas such that imagery-inserted encoded data can be subsequently inserted into the compressed digital video bitstream to generate an imagery-inserted compressed bitstream without fully decoding the compressed digital video bitstream, wherein the one or more video encoding constraints comprise at least one of: (1) image data outside of the one or more areas may not be used as a reference for encoding image data inside of the one or more areas; (2) image data inside of the one or more areas may not be used as a reference for encoding image data outside of the one or more areas; (3) image data inside of the one or more areas may be encoded using predictive encoding, but only based on zero motion vectors; (4) image data outside of the one or more areas may be encoded using predictive encoding, but image data inside of the one or more areas must be intra-encoded; and (5) adding one or more stuffing bits into the compressed digital video bitstream to provide headroom for the subsequent imagery insertion.