Patent Publication Number: US-2021185336-A1

Title: Carriage systems encoding or decoding jpeg 2000 video

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     The present application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/287,759, filed on Dec. 18, 2009, entitled Carriage of JPEG 2000 Part 1 Video Over MPEG-2 Transport Streams, by Mandayam A. Narasimhan, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Communication networks are often the medium through which digital content distributors transmit protected content. Communications protocols and content formatting standards have been developed which standardize how certain types of protected content are conveyed over various types of communication network architectures. However, new technologies are emerging with respect to the communications systems used, the content formatting standards applicable with new types of content, and the network architectures which may be utilized by the distributing and/or receiving parties of the protected content. 
     Given the ongoing changes in the technologies used in distributing and viewing protected content, currently available protocols and standards are often not adequate or operable for attaining acceptable interoperability among systems using different protocols or content formatted according to different standards. Furthermore, as new protocols for communication networks and/or new standards for new content formats are implemented to accommodate changes in technology, existing protocols or standard may not be adequate to fully or even partially implement the changes in technology. 
     In the case of video-based protected content, especially those which rely on high efficiency compression methods to enable transport through communications networks, the need for interoperability among new technologies, new protocols and new standards is especially high. This is partly due to the wide variety of technical options constantly being developed for packaging video-based protected content for distribution. It is also due to the wide variety of usage options being developed and deployed for the end consumers of video-based protected content. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The disclosure presents encoding and decoding systems and methods which overcome the described drawbacks associated with attaining interoperability among new technologies, new communications protocols and new content formatting standards for video-based protected content, especially those which rely on high efficiency compression methods to enable transport of the video-based protected content through communications networks. This is partly due to the wide variety of technical options constantly being developed for packaging video-based protected content for distribution. It is also due to the wide variety of usage options developed and deployed for the end consumers of the video-based protected content. 
     According to an embodiment, the content formatting standard is JPEG 2000 Part1 (J2K), an image compression standard and coding system developed by the Joint Photographic Experts Group committee. According to another embodiment the communications protocol is MPEG-2 Part 1 Systems Section, a standard for the generic coding of moving pictures and associated audio information developed by the Moving Pictures Expert Group. According to another embodiment, the content formatting standard is J2K and the communications protocol is MPEG-2 Part 1 Systems Section as described in International Standard—ITU-T Recommendation—Information Technology—Generic Coding of Moving Pictures and Associated Audio Information Systems—Amendment 5: Transport of JPEG 2000 Part 1 (ITU-T Rec T.800 1 ISOfIEC 15444-1) video over⋅ITU-T Rec H.222.0 IISO/IEC 13818-1 (ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11/N11364) (July 2010, Geneva, Switzerland), the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     According to a first embodiment is a system configured to encode frames of image data from an incoming signal into video data in a packetized elementary stream (PES). The system includes a processor configured to receive a signal including the frames of image data and control information associated with the image data including video metadata parameters associated with application specific functions applicable to the image data. The processor is also configured to encode the frames of image data to form video access units. Each video access unit includes an elementary stream (ELSM) header including image data metadata parameters associated with decoding and displaying the image data, a PES header including timing reference information including a presentation time stamp (PTS), and one or more codestreams associated with a frame of the image data. The processor is also configured to map the video access units into PES packets using the PTS in the PES header of the respective video access units, and order the PES packets in a monotonic order using the PTS in the PES packets to form a PES in a transport stream including the control information. The system also includes a storage device configured to store the frames of image data, and the control information. 
     According to a second embodiment is a method of encoding video data in a PES including frames of image data. The method includes receiving a signal including the frames of image data and control information associated with the image data including video metadata parameters associated with application specific functions applicable to the image data. The method also includes encoding the frames of image data to form video access units, each video access unit including an ELSM header including image data metadata parameters associated with decoding and displaying the image data, a PES header including timing reference information including a PTS, and one or more codestreams associated with a frame of the image data. The method also includes mapping the video access units into PES packets using the PTS in the PES header of the respective video access units and ordering the PES packets in a monotonic order using the PTS hi the PES packets to form a PES in a transport stream including the control information. 
     According to a third embodiment is a non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer readable instructions that when executed by a computer system perform a method of encoding video data in a PES from frames of image data. The method includes receiving a signal including the frames of image data and control information associated with the image data including video metadata parameters associated with application specific functions applicable to the image data. The method also includes encoding the frames of image data to form video access units, each video access unit including an ELSM header including image data metadata parameters associated with decoding and displaying the image data, a PES header including timing reference information including a PTS, and one or more codestreams associated with a frame of the image data. The method also includes mapping the video access units into PES packets using the PTS in the PES header of the respective video access units and ordering the PES packets in a monotonic order using the PTS in the PES packets to form a PES in a transport stream including the control information. 
     According to a fourth embodiment is a system configured to decode video data in a PES including frames of image data. The system includes a processor configured to receive a transport stream including control information associated with the image data including video metadata parameters associated with application specific functions applicable to the image data and the PES, wherein the PES includes the frames of image data in video access units. Each video access unit includes an ELSM header including image data metadata parameters associated with decoding and displaying the image data, a PES header including timing reference information including a PTS, and one or more codestreams associated with a frame of the image data. The processor is configured to retrieve each video access unit present according to a monotonic order determined from the PTS in the PES header of the video access unit and decode the retrieved video access unit using the control information to form a signal including the frames of image data. The system also includes a storage device configured to store the frames of image data and the control information. 
     According to a fifth embodiment is a method of decoding video data in a PES including frames of image data. The method includes receiving a transport stream including control information associated with the image data including video metadata parameters associated with application specific functions applicable to the image data and the PES, wherein the PES includes the frames of image data in video access units. Each video access unit includes an ELSM header including image data metadata parameters associated with decoding and displaying the image data, a PES header including timing reference information including a PTS, and one or more codestreams associated with a frame of the image data. The method also includes retrieving each video access unit present in a monotonic order associated with the PTS in the PES header of the video access unit and decoding the retrieved video access unit using the control information to form a signal including the frames of image data. 
     According to a sixth embodiment is a non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer readable instructions that when executed by a computer system perform a method of decoding video data in a PES including frames of image data. The method includes receiving a transport stream including control information associated with the image data including video metadata parameters associated with application specific functions applicable to the image data and the PES, wherein the PES includes the frames of image data in video access units. Each video access unit includes an ELSM header including image data metadata parameters associated with decoding and displaying the image data, a PES header including timing reference information including a PTS, and one or more codestreams associated with a frame of the image data. The method also includes retrieving each video access unit present in a monotonic order associated with the PTS in the PES header of the video access unit and decoding the retrieved video access unit using the control information to form a signal including the frames of image data. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments are described in detail in the following description with reference to the following figures: 
         FIG. 1A  is a system context diagram illustrating a content distribution system  100 , according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 1B  is a breakout frame of an MPEG-2 transport stream  102  shown in  FIG. 1A  and illustrating encoded packets carried in the MPEG 2 transport stream  102 , according to an embodiment, 
         FIG. 2  is a block system diagram illustrating an encoding system  210  and a decoding system  240 , according to different embodiments; 
         FIG. 3A  is a flowchart illustrating a method of encoding 300 using the encoding system  210  shown in  FIG. 2 , according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 38  is a flowchart illustrating a method of decoding  350  using the decoding system  240  shown in  FIG. 2 , according to an embodiment; and 
         FIG. 4  is a block system diagram illustrating a computer system configured to provide a hardware platform for the encoding system  210  or the decoding system  240  shown in  FIG. 2 , according to different embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     For simplicity and illustrative purposes, the principles of the embodiments are described by referring mainly to examples thereof. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. It is apparent however, to one of ordinary skill in the art, that the embodiments may be practiced without limitation to these specific details. In some instances, well known methods and structures have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the embodiments. Furthermore, different embodiments are described below. The embodiments may be used or performed together in different combinations. 
     1, Content Distribution System 
     In a content distribution system (COS), such as the CDS  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1A , a content distribution facility, such as a headend  101 , may be used to package and distribute protected content, such as video-based content. The video-based content may be packaged and transmitted, for example, via an MPEG-2 transport stream  102 . The MPEG-2 transport stream  102  may include a plurality of video and audio streams associated with different data formats and programs provided through the CDS  100  to various types of client premises equipment (CPE) and client devices such as, for example, a cell phone  103 , a set-top box  104  and a computer  105 . Other CPEs and client devices may include multimedia devices (e.g digital cameras, personal digital assistants, mobile phones, color facsimile, printers, scanners, etc). 
     The MPEG-2 transport stream includes different types of packetized information as illustrated in  FIG. 1B .  FIG. 1B  shows an MPEG-2 transport stream cut out  150  of the MPEG-2 transport stream  102  shown in  FIG. 1A . The MPEG-2 transport stream  102  may include a PES which are the video packets  170   a  to  170   d  and the program information packet  160 , according to an embodiment. The program information packet  160  includes control information to reference one or a plurality of video packets, such as video packets  170   a  to  170   d . The program information packet  160  includes control information, such a program map table  161  including a J2K video descriptor  162  to reference the video packets  170   a  to  170   d . The J2K video descriptor  162  includes information describing what types of J2K video data, such as J2K video data  173   a , may be included in a video packet, such as video packet  170   a , and how the J2K video data is used, such as use in a still picture, a slide show or as frames of video in a J2K video sequence used in a program specified within the program map table  161 . In another embodiment, a PES may include only video packets which may be referenced by control information, such as the information in the J2K video descriptor  162 , which is not located in a program information packet associated with a PES in a transport stream but is instead located elsewhere in the transport stream including the PES. 
     The video packets in the PES illustrated in  FIG. 1B  include video packets  170   a  to  170   d . Video packet  170   a  is representative of the other video packets  170   b  to  170   d . It includes a J2K video access unit  171   a . The J2K video access unit  171   a  includes an ELSM header  172   a  and J2K video data  173   a , such as encoded J2K image data for a single a frame, such as a J2K still picture or a frame in a J2K video sequence. 
     The program information packet  160  includes control information for managing and/or using the video packets  170   a  to  170   d . The program information packet  160  associated with video packet  170   a  includes a program map table  161  which includes the J2K video descriptor  162 . The information in the J2K video descriptor  162  is used to direct usage of the J2K access unit  171   a  in the J2K video packet  170   a . The video packets  170   a  to  170   d  may be included in a video PES which is multiplexed with other elementary streams and program streams in the MPEG-2 transport stream  102 . 
     The J2K video access unit  171   a  includes encoded J2K video data  173   a  and an ELSM header  172   a . The J2K video data  173   a  in the J2K access unit  171   a , before it is encoded, may be referred to as J2K image data. The J2K image data encoded in the J2K video access unit  171   a  may be associated with a single frame or a still picture of J2K image data. A J2K video access unit, such as J2K video access unit  171   a , is a unit of encoded J2K image data for a complete frame in a video or a still picture. The J2K video access unit  171   a  also includes parameters in the ELSM header  172   a  which may be used to decode the J2K access unit  171   a  and to display the decoded J2K image data. The information in the J2K video descriptor  162  and the ELSM header  172   a  both reference the J2K video data  173   a , but in different ways. In comparison with the information in the J2K video descriptor  162 , the ELSM header  172   a  in the J2K access unit  171  contains relatively low level video-centric data for decoding and displaying the video data  173   a  as decoded J2K image data. As noted above, the information in J2K video descriptor  162  is used to direct usage of the J2K access unit  171   a  in the J2K video packet  170   a . This is a higher level referencing than in the ELSM header  172   a . However, the J2K video descriptor  162  may include some of the same metadata parameters and information included in the ELSM header  172   a  about the J2K video data  173   a . Thus, the J2K video descriptor  162  enables a higher level access to some of the information in the ELSM header  172   a , without accessing all of the information about the J2K video data  173   a  included in the ELSM header  172   a.    
     The MPEG-2 transport stream  102  including video packets, such as video packets  170   a  to  170   d  including J2K video access units, may be used in client/server communications (e.g., the Internet, Image database, video streaming, video server, etc.) distributing cinema and for the exchange of content as well as the contribution of content to service providers. It may also be used in entertainment services and over broadband services utilizing satellites, cable system, 3DTV systems and IPTV systems. The MPEG-2 transport stream  102  including J2K video access units, such as J2K video access unit  171   a , may also be used in satellite imaging systems, medical imaging systems, systems for high-quality frame-based video recording, editing and storage, digital cinema systems, high quality video (20 and 301V) contribution systems to distribution points and systems used for imaging weather or astronomical recording. 
     2. Encoding and Decoding Systems 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the encoding system  210  and the decoding system  240 , according to an embodiment. The decoding system  240  is representative of any of the CFEs or client devices discussed above with respect to  FIG. 1A . In  FIG. 2 , there is block diagram illustrating an encoding system  210  delivering the MPEG-2 transport stream  102  to the decoding system  240 , according to an embodiment. The encoding system  210  includes a controller  211 , a counter  212 , a frame memory  213 , an encoding unit  214  and a transmitter buffer  215 . The decoding system  240  includes a receiver buffer  250 , a decoding unit  251 , a frame memory  252  and a controller  253 . The encoding system  210  and the decoding system  240  are coupled to each other via a transmission path including the MPEG-2 transport stream  102 . The controller  211  of the encoding system  210  controls the amount of data to be transmitted on the basis of the capacity of the receiver buffer  250  and may include other parameters such as the amount of data per a unit of time. The controller  211  controls the encoding unit  214 , to prevent the occurrence of a failure of a received signal decoding operation of the decoding system  240 . The controller  211  may include, for example, a microcomputer having a processor, a random access memory and a read only memory. 
     An incoming signal  220  supplied from, for example, a video camera recording J2K digital images, which are input to the frame memory  213 . The frame memory  213  has a first area used for storing the incoming signal  220  from the video camera, and a second area used for reading out the stored signal and outputting it to the encoding unit  214 . The controller  211  outputs an area switching control signal  223  to the frame memory  213 . The area switching control signal  223  indicates whether the first area or the second area is to be used. 
     The controller  211  outputs an encoding control signal  224  to the encoding unit  214 . The encoding control signal  224  causes the encoding unit  214  to start an encoding operation. In response to the encoding control signal  224  from the controller  211 , including control information such as the information referenced in the J2K video descriptor  162  and/or the ELSM header  172   a , the encoding unit  214  starts to read out the video signal to a high-efficiency encoding process, such as an interframe coding process or a discrete cosine transform to encode the J2K image data to form J2K video access units. Each J2K video access unit, such a J2K access unit  171   a , includes an ELSM header, such a ELSM header  172   a . A ELSM header generally includes metadata about a J2K access unit which is used to assist in decoding and displaying the J2K image data in from encoded J2K video data. According to an embodiment, the control signal includes the J2K video descriptor information and may include other video metadata parameters. As described above, the J2K video descriptor includes information associated with the J2K video access unit. It may also include information associated with a J2K video sequence, a J2K still picture or both. 
     A table containing metadata fields in an exemplary J2K video descriptor is demonstrated in Table I below. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE I 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Table I - J2K Video Descriptor Syntax 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 No. Of 
                   
               
               
                   
                 bits 
                 Mnemonic 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                   
                 J2K_video_descriptor( ) { 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 descriptor_tag 
                 8 
                 uimsbf 
               
               
                   
                 descriptor_length 
                 8 
                 uimsbf 
               
               
                   
                 profile_and_level 
                 16 
                 uimsbf 
               
               
                   
                 horizontal_size 
                 32 
                 uimsbf 
               
               
                   
                 vertical size 
                 32 
                 uimsbf 
               
               
                   
                 max_bit_rate 
                 32 
                 uimsbf 
               
               
                   
                 max_buffer_size 
                 32 
                 uimsbf 
               
               
                   
                 DEN_frame_rate 
                 16 
                 uimsbf 
               
               
                   
                 NUM_frame_rate 
                 16 
                 uimsbf 
               
               
                   
                 color_specification 
                 8 
                 bslbf 
               
               
                   
                 still_mode 
                 1 
                 bslbf 
               
               
                   
                 interlaced_video 
                 1 
                 bslbf 
               
               
                   
                 reserved 
                 6 
                 bslbf 
               
               
                   
                 private_data_byte 
                 8 
                 bslbf 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The fields in the exemplary J2K video descriptor of Table 1 are now described for illustrative purposes. 
     Profile_and_Level may be coded to indicate broadcast profile and level values associated with the J2K access unit and the video sequence that are part of the program. These parameters are defined in the J2K video standard and are also included in the J2K video descriptor as this is the interoperability point between encoding system  210  and the decoding system  240 . For example—a decoder that cannot support a particular profile and level will not attempt to decode the J2K video access unit. 
     Horizontal_size may be coded to correspond with a horizontal size parameter in a J2K codestream (ELSM) header for a code stream in the J2K video access unit. 
     Vertical_size may be coded to correspond with a vertical size parameter in a J2K codestream (ELSM) header for a code stream in the J2K video access unit. 
     Max_bit_rate may be coded to express the maximum compressed bit rate value for the profile and level specified. 
     Max_buffer_size may be coded to express the maximum buffer size value for the profile and level specified. 
     DEN_frame_rate and NUM_frame_rate are fields for coding a J2K frame rate derived from the DEN_frame_rate and NUM_frame_rate values. 
     The encoding unit  214  prepares an encoded video signal  222  in a packetized elementary stream (PES) including video packets  160  and program information packets  170 . The encoding unit  214  maps the video access units into video packets  160  using a program time stamp (PTS) and the control information. The PTS and the control information are also associated with the program Information packet  170  which is associated with a corresponding video packet  160 . The encoded video signal  222  is stored in the transmitter buffer  214  and the information amount counter  212  is incremented to indicate the amount of data in the transmitted buffer  215 . As data is retrieved and removed from the buffer, the counter  212  is decremented to reflect the amount of data in the buffer. The occupied area information signal  226  is transmitted to the counter  212  to indicate whether data from the encoding unit  214  has been added or removed from the transmitted buffer  215  so the counter  212  can be incremented or decremented. The controller  211  controls the production of packets produced by the encoding unit  214  on the basis of the occupied area information  226  communicated in order to prevent an overflow or underflow from taking place in the transmitter buffer  215 . 
     The information amount counter  212  is reset in response to a preset signal  228  generated and output by the controller  211 . After the information counter  212  is reset, it counts data output by the encoding unit  214  and obtains the amount of information which has been generated. Then, the information amount counter  212  supplies the controller  211  with an information amount signal  229  representative of the obtained amount of information. The controller  211  controls the encoding unit  214  so that there is no overflow at the transmitter buffer  215 . 
     The receiver buffer  250  of the decoding system  240  may temporarily store the PES with encoded data received from the encoding system  210  via the MPEG-2 transport stream  102 . The decoding system  240  counts the number of frames of the received data, and outputs a frame number signal  263  which is applied to the controller  253 . The controller  253  supervises the counted number of frames at a predetermined interval, for instance, each time the decoding unit  251  completes the decoding operation. 
     When the frame number signal  263  indicates the receiver buffer  250  is at a predetermined capacity, the controller  253  outputs a decoding start signal  264  to the decoding unit  251 . When the frame number signal  263  indicates the receiver buffer  250  is at less than a predetermined capacity, the controller  253  waits for the occurrence of the situation in which the counted number of frames becomes equal to the predetermined amount. When the frame number signal  263  indicates the receiver buffer  250  is at the predetermined capacity, the controller  253  outputs the decoding start signal _ 264 . The video access units are decoded in a monotonic order (i.e., increasing or decreasing) based on a presentation time stamp (PTS) in the header of the program information packets  170  and the ELSM header  151  of the video packets  160  associated with corresponding program information packets  170 . 
     In response to the decoding start signal  264 , the decoding unit  251  decodes data amounting to one frame from the receiver buffer  250 , and outputs the data. The decoding unit  251  writes a decoded video signal  262  into the frame memory  252 . The frame memory  252  has a first area into which the decoded video signal is written, and a second area used for reading out the decoded video data and outputting it to a monitor or the like. 
     3. Methods 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates a method  300  according to embodiment, for encoding J2K video data in a PES in MPEG-2 transport stream  102 . The PES may be a J2K video elementary stream including J2K video access units in video packets. The method is described with respect to the encoding system  210  shown in  FIG. 2  by way of example and not limitation. The method may be performed in other systems. The steps of the methods may be performed in a different sequence or one or more may be omitted. 
     At step  301 , the encoding system  210  receives an incoming signal  220  including frames of J2K image data as well as metadata such as control information to generate other parameters for transport. These parameters may include interleaving or mixing program information packets and video packets, described further below with respect to step  304 . 
     At step  302 , the encoding system  210  encodes the frames of J2K image data to form J2K video access units. Each J2K video access unit includes an ELSM header. The MPEG-2 transport stream also includes a program information packet with a J2K video descriptor with video metadata parameters that may also be included in the ELSM header. The J2K video descriptor also includes other parameters that are needed to convey information about the video sequence and application usages. The J2K video descriptor includes information, such as described in table 1 above, associated with the J2K video access unit and either a video sequence or a still picture. The J2K video access unit also includes a PES header including timing reference information, including the PTS, which identifies a time associated with the encoding and/or decoding of the J2K video access unit. Also, the J2K video access unit includes one or more codestreams associated with a frame of the J2K image data. A codestream is a bit stream data associated with the frame of image data in the J2K video access unit. 
     At step  303 , the encoding system  210  maps the J2K video access units into PES packets using the PTS in the PES header of the J2K video access units. 
     At step  304 , the encoding system  210  creates the video packets which may be mixed with program information packets and then orders these packets as PES packets in a monotonic order using the PTS in the PES packets to form a FES. The PES may be incorporated into the MPEG-2 transport stream  102  using a multiplexer. 
       FIG. 38  illustrates a method  350  according to embodiment, for decoding video data in a PES. The decoding method is described with respect to the decoding system  240  shown in  FIG. 2  by way of example and not limitation. The method may be performed in other systems. 
     At step  351 , the decoding system  240  receives the PES in a receiver buffer  250  and extracts the video packets and the program information packets. The video packets in the PES includes the J2K image data in J2K video access units. Each J2K video access unit includes an ELSM header and the MPEG-2 transport stream also includes program information packets including the J2K video descriptor including the control information including video metadata parameters associated with application specific functions including the image data such as display, slide shows, etc. The J2K video descriptor may also include information in common with the ELSM header associated with the J2K video access unit relating to the J2K video data as being a video sequence, a still picture or both. The PES headers for the video packets also includes timing reference information including a PTS, and one or more codestreams associated with a frame of the image data. 
     At step  352 , the decoding system  240  retrieves each J2K video access units present in the buffer in a monotonic order associated with the PIS in the PES header of the J2K video access unit. 
     At step  353 , the decoding system  240  decodes the removed J2K video access units to form a signal including the decoded J2K image data. 
     4. Computer System for Executing Software 
     One or more of the steps and functions described herein and one or more of the components of the systems described herein may be implemented as computer code comprising computer readable instructions stored on a computer readable storage device, such as memory or another type of storage device. The computer code is executed on a computer system, such as computer system  400  described below by a processor, such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other type of circuit. The code may exist as software programs comprised of program instructions in source code, object code, executable code or other formats. 
       FIG. 4  shows a computer system  400  which may be used as a hardware platform for the encoding system  210  or the decoding system  240 . Computer system  400  may be used as a platform for executing one or more of the steps, methods, and functions described herein that may be embodied as software stored on one or more computer readable storage devices, which are hardware storage devices. 
     The computer system  400  includes a processor  401 , or processing circuitry, that may implement or execute software instructions performing some or all of the methods, functions and other steps described herein. Commands and data from processor  401  are communicated over a communication bus  403 . Computer system  400  also includes a computer readable storage device  402 , such as random access memory (RAM), where the software and data for processor  401  may reside during runtime. Storage device  402  may also include non-volatile data storage. Computer system  400  may include a network interface  404  for connecting to a network. It is apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that other known electronic components may be added or substituted in computer system  400 . 
     A PES including J2K access units overcomes the above described interoperability limitations associated with previous protocols and standards in transporting J2K image data in a PES, such as may be included in the MPEG-2 transport stream  102 . The MPEG-2 transport stream  102  including J2K access units in video packets  160  may be used in clienVserver communications (e.g., the Internet, image database, video streaming, video server, etc.) distributing cinema and for the exchange of content as well as the contribution of content to service providers. It may also be used in entertainment services and over broadband services utilizing satellites, cable systems, 3DTV systems and IPTV systems. The MPEG-2 transport stream  102  including J2K access units, such as J2K video access unit  171   a , may also be used in satellite imaging systems, medical imaging systems, systems for high-quality frame-based video recording, editing and storage, digital cinema systems, high quality video (2D and 3DTV) contribution systems to distribution points and systems used for imaging weather or astronomical recordings. 
     Furthermore, the systems and methods described herein are generally described with respect to an encoding system or decoding system for J2K video access units in a video elementary stream. However, the systems and methods are applicable to encoding or decoding other types of data formats for other types of information streams. 
     While the embodiments have been described with reference to examples, those skilled in the art are able to make various modifications to the described embodiments without departing from the scope of the embodiments as described in the following claims, and their equivalents.