Patent ID: 7801172

Claim:
A computer-readable memory having stored thereon a computer program which, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform a method, comprising: forming a data packet; and using the data packet for propagating video information in a communications network, the data packet comprising: a header portion comprising: a packet synchronization field; a header field comprising a packet type sub-field providing indicia of a type of payload, and a continuity counter; a private data field associated with application specific data for facilitating payload handling; and a destination address field comprising a stream number sub-field to identify a data stream being sent to a node in the communications network and a node-identification sub-field capable of providing an address for a node in the communications network, the node identification sub-field contains a packet identifier that is examined by a node in the communications network; a payload portion comprising digital video information or internet protocol data; and a trailer field.