Patent ID: 6532242
Filing Date: 2003-03-11
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A digital signal encoding apparatus for encoding and coupling temporally sequential bitstreams for transmission, comprising:a first encoder having a first transmission buffer for encoding first picture signals at a first bit rate into a first bitstream; a second encoder having a second transmission buffer for encoding second picture signals at a second bit rate into a second bitstream; a bitstream coupling unit for seamlessly coupling the first bitstream and the second bitstream to provide an output bitstream for seamless and continuous display of said first and second picture signals; the first encoder adjusting the first bit rate to limit an amount of encoded data of the first bitstream in said first transmission buffer for the last of said first picture signals to prevent an overflow/underflow condition in the first transmission buffer at a junction between the coupled first and second bitstreams; and the second encoder adjusting the second bit rate to limit an amount of encoded data of the second bitstream in said second transmission buffer for the first of said second picture signals to prevent an overflow/underflow condition in the second transmission buffer at a junction between the coupled first and second bitstreams.