Patent ID: 8442110

Claim:
A method for transmitting a plurality of input information content signals as an output data stream on an analog channel from a cable head end including: a. for a given input information content signal in the plurality of input information content signals, capturing a series of images from the given input information content signal, compressing the series of images, forming a given input digital data stream from the compressed series of images, the given input digital data stream broken into packets, and outputting the given input digital data stream to a multiplexer; b. regulating the bandwidth of the given input digital data stream at the multiplexer, the given input digital data stream associated with a current bit allocation total, including, during each frame time: adding a bit allocation increment to the current bit allocation total for the given input digital data stream; when a data packet to be transmitted for the given input digital data stream is received by the multiplexer, storing the data packet; and when the number of bits in the stored data packet is not more than the current bit allocation total for the given input digital data stream, forwarding the stored data packet for transmission in the output data stream on the analog channel and decrementing the current bit allocation total for the given input digital data stream by the number of bits in the stored data packet.