Patent ID: 6032181
Filing Date: 2000-02-29
Classification: H04J,H04L,H04N

Abstract:
An interactive distribution system for audio-video signals, having a channel called downstream channel and a channel called upstream channel, the downstream channel transmitting signals in the form of digital packets from a server to users, a clock intended for multiplexing upstream messages from the users to the server being defined by markers whose position is periodically indicated by a number, called pointer, incorporated in one of the packets of the downstream channel, this pointer indicating the time that is left between the moment where the pointer appears and the moment where the marker is placed, characterized in that the system comprises means for generating a packet containing a pointer at an instant offset relative to that at which it should have been generated, and for diminishing the value of this pointer by a quantity equal to the time that has elapsed since the instant at which the packet containing the pointer would have had to be generated and the instant at which it is generated.