Patent ID: 7308003

Claim:
A multimedia packet re-multiplexer system having a plurality of multimedia sources, each multimedia source sending incoming multimedia packets, each packet having a header which includes a packet identifier (PID) to determine the packet type, said system comprising: an interface multiplexer (mux) for periodically scanning the multimedia sources for the incoming packets; a main storage device for storing each incoming packet; a secondary storage device having a cut-through mechanism for storing the header of each incoming packet; an input classifier for selecting a process for each packet stored in said main storage device, in accordance with the corresponding header from said secondary storage device; a plurality of processors, each corresponding to a packet type; and an input dispatcher for sending each packet from said main storage device to one of said plurality of processors selected in accordance with availability, such that said cut-through mechanism provides efficient digital video processing via said plurality of processors, enabling gigabit bandwidth throughput for digital video re-multiplexing, wherein the packet types are among the following: video; audio; data; and stuffing (filler), and wherein said system further comprises a homogeneous null stuffing module adapted to provide for transmission of constant bit-rate (CBR) streams, said homogeneous null stuffing module comprising: a high priority first-in/first-out (FIFO) buffer filled with packets coming from a packet router; a low priority FIFO buffer continuously filled with null packets to a pre-defined level; and an arbiter continuously scanning said high priority FIFO buffer and said low priority FIFO buffer, according to the following procedure: scanning said high priority FIFO buffer until it is empty; taking a null packet from said low priority FIFO buffer; and returning to scan the high priority FIFO buffer.