Patent ID: 7516230

Claim:
Method for generating a scalable data stream from at least one block of output data of a first encoder and at least one block of output data of a second encoder, wherein the second encoder includes a bit reservoir, the bit reservoir being a buffer of bits, which is defined by a maximum buffer size and a current buffer level, wherein the at least one block of output data of the first encoder represents a number of samples of the input signal in the first encoder, wherein the number of samples defines a current section of the input signal for the first encoder, and wherein the at least one block of output data of the second encoder represents a number of samples of the input signal in the second encoder, wherein the number of samples represents a current section of the input signal for the second encoder, wherein the number of samples for the first encoder and the number of samples for the second encoder are equal and wherein the current sections for the first and the second encoder are identical or shifted in relation to each other by an adjustable period of time, comprising: when a block of output data of the first encoder for the current section is available, writing the at least one block of output data of the first encoder for the current section into the scalable data stream; when output data of the second encoder for a preceding section of the input signal is available, writing the output data of the second encoder for the preceding section of the input signal in the transmission direction behind a block of output data of the first encoder into the scalable data stream; when output data of the second encoder for the current section of the input signal is available, writing the output data of the second encoder for the current section in the transmission direction behind the output data of the second encoder for the preceding section of the input signal into the scalable data stream; generating a header block, when the block of output data of the second encoder for the current section of the second encoder is complete, and writing the header block delayed by a period of time with regard to the generation of the header block into the scalable data stream, wherein the period of time is smaller or equal to a delay which corresponds to the maximum buffer size of the bit resevoir of the second encoder; and writing buffer information into the scalable data stream which indicates where the beginning of the output data of the second encoder for the current section of the input signal is with regard to the header block.