Patent NZ-566935-A (NZ)
Title: Methods and apparatus for service acquisition
Inventor: WALKER GORDON KENT
IPC: H04N21/4425
Filed: 2006-09-26
Abstract: A method for service acquisition is provided which includes the steps of: generating channel switch video (CSV) signals associated with multimedia signals; encoding the CSV and multimedia signals to produce error coded blocks which include error coded blocks associated with overhead information and error coded blocks including data associated with the multimedia signals; pre-interleaving the error coded blocks so that the error coded blocks associated with overhead information are positioned after the error coded blocks including data associated with the multimedia signals; pre-interleaving the error coded blocks so that an error coded block including keys needed to decode the error coded blocks including data is positioned after the error coded blocks including data; and encapsulating the error coded blocks into a multiplex signal. A further method for service acquisition is provided which includes the steps of: receiving a multiplex signal associated with a number of channels; detecting a selection of one of the channels; decoding a channel switch video (CSV) signal associated with the selected channel; decoding the multiplex signal to produce error coded data blocks and error coded information blocks, the error coded information blocks being positioned after error coded data blocks, and an error information block including keys needed to decode the error coded data blocks being positioned after the error coded data blocks; de-interleaving the error coded data blocks and the error coded information blocks; and rendering the CSV signal. A further method for service acquisition is provided, which includes the steps of: constructing a number of transmission frames, each of which is associated with a selected time interval; and encoding data associated with channels into the transmission frames by pre-interleaving error coded data blocks and error coded information blocks associated with the channels of data so that the error coded information blocks are positioned after the error coded data blocks, and an error information block including keys needed to decode the error coded data blocks is positioned after the error coded data blocks, where selected data is encoded into predetermined transmission frames so that channel jitter can be absorbed using a single buffer associated with a selected time duration. A further method for service acquisition is provided, which includes the steps of: receiving a number of transmission frames, each of which is associated with a selected time interval and includes data associated with channels, and where selected data is encoded into predetermined transmission frames as error coded information blocks positioned after error coded data blocks, and an error information block including keys needed to decode the error coded data blocks is positioned after the error coded data blocks; and buffering the number of transmission frames with a single buffer associated with a selected time duration, where channel jitter associated with the channels is absorbed. An apparatus, computer program and processor are also provided to implement each method.