RU2388171C2 - Methods and device for service acquisition - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: physics, communications.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to multimedia transmission systems, specifically to methods and a device for acquiring services. Proposed is a service acquisition device which has a source coder configured to generate one or more channel switch video (CSV) signals, which is an independently decoded version of a low-resolution video for the selected channel in a received multiplex transmission and associated one or more multimedia signals, an error coder configured to code CSV signals and multimedia signals for formation of coded error blocks, and a linker configured to encapsulate coded error blocks into a multiplex transmission signal.

EFFECT: fast acquisition of a service and/or switching between services in multiplex transmission.

60 cl, 23 dwg

Description

This patent application claims the priority of provisional application No. 60/721 565, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Fast Channel Switching for Multimedia Broadcast Applications”, filed September 27, 2005. and assigned to the assignee of this application and hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.

This patent application claims the priority of provisional application No. 60/734 962, entitled “Methods and Apparatus for Service Acquisition”, filed November 8, 2005. and assigned to the assignee of this application and hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.

This patent application claims the priority of provisional application No. 60/742 189, entitled “Integrated Codec and Physical Layer for Efficient Multimedia Streaming”, filed December 2, 2005 and assigned to the assignee of this application and this expressly incorporated herein by reference.

Background

Technical field

The present application relates generally to the operation of multimedia transmission systems and, more specifically, to methods and apparatus for providing quick service.

State of the art

In modern media delivery / media distribution systems, if the application is connected to multiplexed transmission of compressed media (video and audio), where the receiver is tuned to one of the channels in multiplexed transmission, the delay in switching between channels is a key factor in user perception. For example, in a conventional multimedia broadcast system, a multimedia server consists of a set of encoders that compress individual pieces of media that are fed to a multiplexer that consolidates the compressed media into a single multiplexed stream. The broadcast server transmits the compressed content to the broadcast receiver over the broadcast network, which may be heterogeneous in nature and error prone. The broadcast receiver receives part of the multiplex, and the demultiplexer retrieves the media of interest. Typically, there is a client application that provides the ability to "tune" to the media channel / program of interest. This can be done with or without user intervention.

If the source is video, then channel switching is only possible at random access points (RAPs) in the compressed / encoded video bitstream. RAPs contain intra-frames (with intra-frame encoding) (I-frames that can be independently decoded), or they are contained through consecutive I-frames (which are I-blocks that are distributed over more than one video frame). The channel switching time depends on the frequency of such random access points, which in the typical case is from 2 to 10 seconds (since RAPs increase the average bit rate and, therefore, the transmission bandwidth of the encoded video bitstream).

Random access via I-frames and distributed I-frames for consecutive intra-frame updates, as proposed by the industry standard H.264, are the most popular approaches to date for receiving services at the cost of quality and bandwidth. The switching delays in these cases are of the order of several seconds.

In some systems, channel switching and special effects playback (pass-through, fast-forward, rewind) can be implemented using intra-frames placed / encoded periodically and as often as necessary in video streams. However, I-frames significantly increase the bit rate and bandwidth of video streams. Therefore, the frequency of I-frames in a typical case is from one second to ten seconds in typical applications. This means that channel switching can, in the best case, occur after one second (if all the required conditions are satisfied, for example, channel switching was allowed immediately before the I-frame, and the buffer was updated just before that).

Progressive intra-frame updating enables circuit switching incrementally. Prediction must be controlled so that the full frame is updated at a predetermined duration. In this case, the channel switching includes a delay equal to this duration, in addition to the delays introduced due to the depths of the buffers and switching at lower levels.

Thus, for example, if a device receives a multiplex transmission that contains hundreds of compressed media channels and the device user wishes to switch between channels, then a conventional system may require 1-10 seconds to complete switching of each channel. The time for switching each channel generally depends on where in the transmission frame a switching request occurs. Thus, device users experience long and variable delay times when switching between channels, which can be frustrating and lead to an unsatisfactory user experience.

Therefore, there is a need for a system that operates to provide quick service and / or switching between services in multiplex transmission.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one or more aspects, a service acquisition system is provided comprising methods and apparatus that operate to provide quick service and switch between services in a multiplex transmission. For example, channel switching may occur in response to user input or in response to an interactive service. For example, an interactive channel redirection can cause a new service or channel to be received. Alternatively, user input launches a new service or channel to be received. In one aspect, multimedia services and non-multimedia services can be obtained interactively.

In one aspect, a method for providing a service is provided. The method comprises generating one or more channel switching video signals (CSV) associated with one or more multimedia signals, encoding CSV signals and multimedia signals to generate coded error blocks, and encapsulating coded error blocks into a multiplex signal.

In one aspect, an apparatus for providing a service is provided. The device comprises a source encoder configured to generate one or more channel switching video signals (CSV) associated with one or more multimedia signals, an error encoder configured to encode CSV signals and multimedia signals to form coded error blocks, and a linker configured to encapsulate blocks of coded errors into a multiplex signal.

In one aspect, an apparatus for providing a service is provided. The device comprises means for generating one or more channel switching video signals (CSV) associated with one or more multimedia signals, means for encoding CSV signals and multimedia signals for generating coded error blocks, and means for encapsulating coded error blocks in a multiplex transmission signal.

In one aspect, a computer-readable medium is provided that includes instructions for receiving a service. The instructions, when executed, force the machine to generate one or more video channel switching (CSV) signals associated with one or more multimedia signals, encode CSV signals and multimedia signals to form coded error blocks, and encapsulate coded error blocks in a multiplex signal.

In one aspect, at least one processor for receiving a service is provided. At least one processor is configured to generate one or more video channel switching (CSV) signals associated with one or more multimedia signals, encode CSV signals and multimedia signals to generate coded error blocks and encapsulate coded error blocks in a multiplex transmission signal.

In one aspect, a method for providing a service is provided. The method comprises receiving a multiplex signal associated with a plurality of channels, detecting a selection of one of the channels, decoding a channel switching video signal (CSV) associated with the selected channel, and reproducing the CSV signal.

In one aspect, an apparatus for providing a service is provided. The apparatus comprises a receiver configured to receive a multiplex transmission signal associated with a plurality of channels, a selection logic configured to detect a selection of one of the channels, an unpacker configured to decode a channel switching video signal (CSV) associated with the selected channel, and a source decoder configured to play CSV signal.

In one aspect, an apparatus for providing a service is provided. The device comprises means for receiving a multiplex signal associated with a plurality of channels, means for detecting a selection of one of the channels, means for decoding a channel switching video signal (CSV) associated with the selected channel, and means for reproducing a CSV signal.

In one aspect, a computer-readable medium is provided that includes instructions for receiving a service. The instructions, when executed, force the machine to receive a multiplex signal associated with a plurality of channels, detect a selection of one of the channels, decode a channel switching video signal (CSV) associated with the selected channel, and play a CSV signal.

In one aspect, a processor is provided for receiving a service. At least one processor is configured to receive a multiplex signal associated with a plurality of channels, detect a selection of one of the channels, decode a channel switching video signal (CSV) associated with the selected channel, and reproduce a CSV signal.

In one aspect, a method for providing a service is provided. The method comprises generating a plurality of transmission frames, where each transmission frame represents a selected time interval, and encoding one or more data channels into a plurality of transmission frames, the selected data being encoded into predetermined transmission frames, so that channel fluctuations can be absorbed using a single buffer having selected length of time.

In one aspect, an apparatus for providing a service is provided. The device comprises means for generating a plurality of transmission frames, where each transmission frame represents a selected time interval, and means for encoding one or more data channels into a plurality of transmission frames, the selected data being encoded into predetermined transmission frames, so that channel fluctuations can be absorbed using one buffer having a selected time duration.

In one aspect, a method for providing a service is provided. The method comprises receiving a plurality of transmission frames, where each transmission frame represents a selected time interval and comprises one or more data channels, the selected data being encoded into predetermined transmission frames. The method also comprises buffering a plurality of transmission frames using a single buffer having a selected length of time, wherein channel fluctuations are absorbed.

In one aspect, an apparatus for providing a service is provided. The device comprises means for receiving a plurality of transmission frames, where each transmission frame represents a selected time interval and contains one or more data channels, the selected data being encoded into predetermined transmission frames. The device also comprises means for buffering a plurality of transmission frames using a single buffer having a selected time duration, wherein channel fluctuations are absorbed.

Other aspects will be apparent from a study of the following brief description of the drawings, description and claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The above aspects described herein will be apparent from the following description, illustrated by the drawings, in which the following is presented:

Figure 1 is an aspect of a transmission stream that comprises a sequence of superframes that are used for transporting a multimedia multiplex transmission;

Figure 2 - illustration of the RS sequence;

Figure 3 is a network that contains an aspect of a service acquisition system;

4 is a server for use in aspects of a service acquisition system;

5 is a shell structure of the MAC layer of the data channel before the operation of the service acquisition system;

6 is a shell structure of the MAC layer of the data channel after the operation of the service acquisition system;

7 is a method for providing aspects of a service acquisition system;

FIG. 8 illustrates an apparatus for use in aspects of a service acquisition system; FIG.

9 is a method for use in aspects of a service acquisition system;

10 is an aspect of a communication system;

11 is a diagram of the OSI layers or protocol stack for use in aspects of a service acquisition system;

12 is a diagram illustrating the processing of superframe data from an application through a physical layer on both the network and client sides of a communication system;

13 is a diagram illustrating fast channel switching provided by aspects of a service acquisition system;

14 is a diagram illustrating a flow of T packets in aspects of a service acquisition system;

15 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a video frame in an aspect of a T packet;

16 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a video frame in an aspect of a T packet;

17 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of transport headers (VTs) and synchronization headers used in a base layer and an extension layer of a superframe;

Fig. 18 is a block structure of a forward error correction (FEC) code for use in aspects of a service acquisition system;

Fig. 19 is a frame organization for providing video and audio bitstreams for use in aspects of a service acquisition system;

20 is a server for use in aspects of a service acquisition system;

FIG. 21 is an apparatus for use in aspects of a service acquisition system; FIG.

Fig. 22 shows a server for use in aspects of a service acquisition system;

23 is an apparatus for use in aspects of a service acquisition system.

Description

The following description describes aspects of a service acquisition system for receiving and switching between multimedia multiplex transmission channels (i.e., early entry / quick setup). The system is particularly well suited for use with essentially any type of device that operates to receive multimedia multiplex transmission. For example, such devices include, but are not limited to, portable telephones, PDAs, email devices, laptop computers, tablet computers, or any other type of receiving device. In addition, aspects of the system can be used in any network environment, including, but not limited to, communication networks, content distribution networks, public networks such as the Internet, wide area networks, long distance networks, or any other type of data or communication network.

For the purposes of the present description, aspects of a service acquisition system are described with reference to switching between channels of a multimedia multiplex transmission, which comprises a sequence of superframes, where each superframe contains four data frames. However, aspects of a service acquisition system are not limited to this superframe structure and are equally applicable to providing services for other types of multiplex transmission structures.

For the purposes of the present description, a service acquisition system is described with reference to implementations using an open system interaction model (OSI). For example, various aspects are described with reference to an implementation at one or more levels of the OSI model. However, aspects of a service acquisition system are not limited to this implementation, and may be implemented using any other type of hardware / software structure, configuration, or communication model.

Overview

FIG. 1 shows an aspect of a transmission stream 100 that comprises a sequence of superframes in a multimedia multiplex transmission. Each superframe (102, 104) contains four frames 106 and service information symbols (OIS) 108. It should be noted that the OIS symbol 108 associated with each superframe contains the information necessary to decode / tune the associated superframe. Thus, OIS 108 is applicable to superframe 104.

In one or more aspects, a service acquisition system operates to enable a receiver to receive multimedia multiplex transmission and to quickly receive and switch between channels in a multiplex transmission. For example, the system provides the possibility that fast channel switching occurs in the middle of a superframe and uses any partial data received during that superframe for a new channel. Mentioned partial data is data extracted from the last three or less of four frames present in a superframe during which switching is performed. This leads to a reduced receive delay on the device, since the device can use partial data.

In aspects of a service acquisition system, a broadcast server is operable to reorder application data transmitted in a superframe in a manner that satisfies the following.

1. Application data (for example, a video frame) in an individual frame of a superframe is decoded without any dependence on the data in other frames of the previous superframe (application level).

2. The result of Reed-Solomon (RS) ordering, performed at the MAC level, does not affect the proximity of the real-time application data. That is, application data that can fit in a frame is not dispersed across multiple frames in a superframe and retains its continuous character (MAC level).

3. The most important information (for example, working keys), together with the real-time application data, is pushed backward in frames as far as possible. That is, any MAC layer packets containing fill octets are present at the beginning of the superframe, followed by application data (stream 1 or 2) and then stream 0 data. This will ensure that the receiver always has the ability to receive important information carried by stream 0, if some application data is extracted before starting the early login / quick setup (stream level and MAC).

4. The interleaving of the stream-level octet is excluded to prevent scattering of application data (stream-level).

In aspects of a service acquisition system, a receiving device is operable to ensure that OSI information is available to a superframe in which early entry / quick setup is performed.

Modifications to traditional systems

FIG. 2 shows an illustration of sequencing RS 200. In a typical implementation, the AIS stack MAC layer takes data in a MAC layer wrapper (multiple RS code blocks) and disperses them across a superframe. This procedure is known as RS ordering and is executed for all blocks of RS code. For example, 16 packets of the MAC layer in each of the blocks (202, 204) of the RS code are distributed evenly over four frames (i.e. 4 packets of the MAC layer each).

A fragment of an RS code block in a frame containing four MAC layer packets is referred to as a RS code sub-block 206. In the frame, each subblock of the RS code is interspersed with subblocks from other blocks of the RS code. For example, if there are two blocks (102, 104) of RS code in a superframe, then each frame contains the following in a specific order:

1. The first packet of the MAC level from a sub-block of the first block of RS code.

2. The first packet of the MAC level from the corresponding sub-block from the second block of RS code.

3. The second packet of the MAC level from the same sub-block of the first block of RS code.

4. The second packet of the MAC level from the corresponding sub-block of the second block of RS code.

5. And so on, until the fourth MAC package.

The data delivered by the real-time application is processed continuously by the streaming level of the AIS stack and during the formation of the MAC layer wrapper. This continuous nature changes when RS code blocks containing application data are dispersed across a superframe to achieve time diversity gain, which provides better RS coding characteristics.

Any continuous application data (for example, video frame data that occupy the data value of one frame) is dispersed over more than one frame by arranging blocks of RS-level MAC code. The receiver must expect more than one frame to collect application data, which, when assembled into a continuous configuration, will amount to less than a frame.

In one or more aspects, a service acquisition system is operable to allow a device to retrieve as much real-time data as quickly as possible within a single frame. To achieve this, it is desirable that these real-time applications maintain their continuous nature when sent over four frames of a superframe.

Service receipt

In aspects of a service acquisition system, application data is pre-interleaved by the MAC data channel protocol to nullify the effects of ordering the MAC level RS code blocks as described below. In one aspect, the following pre-interleaving functions are performed.

1. The MAC protocol of the data channel allocates a pre-interleaving buffer to each size (NumR-SCodeBlocks * K * 122) octet, where

a) NumR-SCodeBlocks * K * 122 - the number of RS error control blocks present in the shell of the MAC level of the data channel for a given superframe;

b) K determines the number of octets of data in the RS codeword. For example, the speed of the external code 12/16 has a K of 12.

2. This buffer is formatted into a table that has NumR-SCodeBlocks columns and K rows. Thus, each cell in this table has a length of 122 octets.

3. The protocol is started to fill the pre-interleaving buffer with MAC layer packets line by line, starting first with MAC layer filling packets, followed by MAC layer packets carrying data of stream 2, data of stream 1, and the data of stream 0 are the last.

4. Each column thus forms the top 'K' rows of the error control block.

5. RS parity octets are added for each column formed above, followed by RS ordering before delivery to the physical layer.

Thus, by pre-interleaving, it is possible to maintain the continuous nature of the application data within each frame of the super-frame.

Channel Switch Version (CVS)

In one or more aspects, the service acquisition system operates to encode the Media Channel Switch (CVS) version, in addition to normal encoding, and transmits this CVS data either in band or out of band. In one aspect, a CVS is a low-speed, sampled, low-frame rate version for a corresponding video. It should be noted that such versions can be encoded for other types of media, such as audio, data, etc., depending on the application. Aspects of CVS generation can also be used by other applications, which may include the use of a version of CVS (or parts thereof) for error recovery, error compensation, and error control (i.e., stopping the accumulation of prediction and channel errors).

The following description relates to video broadcast application data and associated video compression algorithms. The video application data channel switching version is an independently decoded data part that is transmitted periodically to provide random access to the bitstream of the encoded video (in addition to I-frames or distributed I-frames). If a change is requested in the receiving device in the media of interest in multiplex transmission, this request is transmitted to the application layer, which then starts to decode the CVS. This operation is instantaneous since CVS can be inserted at the switching points prescribed by the transport and physical layer protocols. Then the media resumes to full quality at the next random access point. As a result, the device user perceives fast channel switching.

3, a network 300 is shown that includes an aspect of a service acquisition system. Network 300 includes a broadcast server 302 that operates to broadcast multimedia multiplex to device 304 using network 306. Server 302 communicates with network 306 via communication channel 308 that includes any suitable type of wired and / or wireless communication line. Network 306 communicates with device 304 via communication link 310, which in this aspect comprises any suitable type of wireless communication line. For example, communication line 310 may comprise an orthogonal frequency diversity multiplexed communication line known in the telecommunications industry.

The device 304 is a mobile phone, but can be any suitable device, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), an email device, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a desktop computer, or any other suitable device that operates to receive a multimedia multiplex signal.

In one aspect of a service acquisition system, server 302 comprises source encoders 316 that operate to receive video input signals 314. In one aspect, 256 video input signals are input to 256 source encoders 316. However, aspects of the system are suitable for using any number of video input signals and corresponding source encoders.

Each of the source encoders 316 generates an encoded signal that is input to the forward error correction (FEC) encoder 320. Each of the source encoders 316 also generates a channel switching video signal, which is input to the CSV linker 318. The CSV signal is an independently decoded low resolution version of the corresponding input signal. A more detailed description of the CSV signal is provided in another section of this document. CSV linkers 318 operate to compose (or encapsulate) the CSV signals and output the encapsulated CSV signals to the FEC encoder 320.

The FEC encoder 320 works to encode error signals received from source encoders 316 and CSV linkers 318 to generate coded error blocks that are input to pre-interleaver 322. In one aspect, the FEC encoder 320 provides RS encoding. The pre-interleaver 322 orders the coded error blocks so that the selected blocks appear at predetermined locations in the transmission frame after the action of the linker 324. For example, the pre-interleaver 322 operates to perform the functions described above to maintain a continuous nature of the application data in the generated transmission frames. As a result, the pre-interleaving unit 322 acts to streamline the coded error blocks, so that they are optimized to provide quick service.

The linker 324 operates to encapsulate the output of the pre-interleaver 322 into a transmission frame. The operation of the pre-interleaving unit 322 provides the ability to quickly receive a service because it positions the CSV and other important frame information at strategic locations in the transmission frame, so that a quick service can occur. A more detailed description of the pre-interleaving process is provided in another section of this document.

The output of the linker 324 is a transmission frame that is input to a modulator / transmitter 326 that operates to transmit a modulated transmission frame 328 over a network 306. For example, a modulated transmission frame 328 is transmitted from a server 302 to a device 304 using a network 306. The modulated transmission frame 328 contains a sequence of superframes, where each superframe contains four frames.

At the receiver 304, a modulated transmission frame 328 is received by a demodulator / receiver 330, which outputs the received transmission frame to an unpacking unit 332. In one aspect, the demodulator / receiver 330 comprises a single buffer 344 having a finite length of time that acts to absorb channel fluctuations and supports external FEC decoding. The decompression block 332 acts to cancel the encapsulation process performed by the linker 324. The output of the decompression block 332 is input to a post-interleaver 334, which acts to reverse interleave the received information to form FEC blocks of encoded errors.

The FEC blocks of encoded errors are input to an FEC decoder 336, which decodes the blocks and outputs the decoded information to a CSV decompression unit 338 for a particular channel. Source decoder 340 acts to decode a particular channel. Channel tuning / switching logic 344 outputs control signals to the source decoder 340 and to the CSV decompression unit 338 to control which channel from the received multiplex transmission is decoded by the source decoder 340 and output as the decoded channel 342.

In one or more aspects, channel setting / switching logic 344 is triggered by user input or any other action that occurs on device 304. When channel switching is requested by the user, channel setting / switching logic 344 acts to tune source decoder 340 to the selected channel and corresponding CSV information. The source decoder 340 acts to decode the CSV information to generate a low resolution version of the selected new channel for display to the device user. Meanwhile, the source decoder 340 starts decoding information from the transmission frame for the selected new channel. This process is facilitated by strategic ordering of the coded error blocks provided by the pre-interleaver 322. Thus, aspects of a service acquisition system operate to provide CVS and pre-interleave signals to facilitate fast channel switching at the receiver.

4 shows a server 400 for use in aspects of a service acquisition system. For example, the server 400 is suitable for use as the server 302 shown in FIG. 3. Server 400 comprises processing logic 402 and modulator / transmitter logic 404 that is coupled to data bus 406. Server 400 also includes source encoders 408, CSV linker 410, pre-interleaving logic 412, FEC encoder 414, and linker 416, which are also associated with data bus 406.

In one or more aspects, the processing logic 402 comprises a central processing unit (CPU), a processor, a logic array, hardware logic, memory elements, a virtual machine, software, and / or any combination of hardware and software. Thus, the processing logic 402 generally comprises logic for executing machine-readable instructions and for controlling one or more other functional elements of the server 400 via the internal data bus 406.

Modulator / transmitter logic 404 comprises hardware logic and / or software that is operable to enable server 400 to transmit multimedia multiplex transmission over a data network to receive one or more receiving devices. In one aspect, the modulator / transmitter logic 404 comprises a communication channel 418. For example, in one aspect, the communication channel 418 comprises a broadcast channel configured to enable a server to broadcast a multimedia multiplex transmission.

Source encoders 408 comprise any number or any type of source encoders that are operable to receive respective input multimedia streams 420 to generate encoded source streams 422 and CSV information 424. For example, in one aspect, the CSV information 424 comprises independently decoded low resolution versions of the input media streams 420. A more detailed description of the CSV information 424 is provided in another section of this document.

CSV linkers 410 comprise any combination of hardware and software that is capable of packaging or encapsulating 424 CSV information. As a result, encapsulated 426 CSV information is provided. In one aspect, CSV information 424 is packaged for delivery as a signal in a band. In another aspect, CSV information 424 is delivered as an out of band signal.

The FTC encoder 414 contains any combination of hardware and software for performing error coding, such as RS encoding, on encoded source signals 422 and encapsulated CSV information 426. For example, FTC encoder 414 acts to form coded error blocks.

The pre-interleaving unit 412 comprises a central processing unit (CPU), a processor, a logic array, hardware logic, memory elements, a virtual machine, software, and / or any combination of hardware and software. The pre-interleaver 412 operates to pre-interleave the coded error blocks from the FTC encoder 414, so that the input source maintains its continuous nature when compiled into super-frames. For example, in one aspect, the pre-interleaving unit 412 acts to generate a pre-interleaving table that is packaged with coded error blocks, as described above.

The linker (encapsulation unit) 416 contains some combination of hardware and software. In one aspect, linker 416 operates to encapsulate coded error blocks from a pre-interleaving table to generate a multiplex transmission comprising a sequence of superframes, where each superframe contains four frames. In one aspect, a multiplex transmission is sent to a modulator / transmitter for transmission over a network to one or more receiving devices.

In operation, in accordance with one or more aspects, the server 400 acts to prepare a multiplex transmission for transmission to receiving devices, where the multiplex transmission contains CSV information and pre-interleaved coded error blocks that are arranged to provide quick service. For example, if a channel change event occurs, the CSV information is quickly decoded by the receiving device to reproduce the low resolution version of the new channel. Moreover, aspects of the system organize coded error blocks of each frame of a superframe to enable fast decoding of a new channel.

In one aspect, the server 400 acts to create multiple transmission frames, where each transmission frame represents a selected time interval (i.e., one second). The server 400 also acts to encode one or more data channels into a plurality of transmission frames, the selected data being encoded into predetermined transmission frames, so that channel fluctuations can be absorbed by the receiver using an appropriate buffer having a selected time duration. Thus, the system acts to provide quick service and switches channels between multimedia multiplexed transmission channels, allowing receivers to absorb channel fluctuations using a single buffer.

In one or more aspects, the server 400 is operable to perform one or more functions in aspects of a service acquisition system.

1. Generation of CSV information for each channel to be encoded into multiplex transmission.

2. Inclusion of CSV information in video information subject to error coding.

3. Performing pre-interleaving to reorder the error blocks in the super-frame before encapsulation, which maintains the continuous nature of the input source signal.

4. Performing encapsulation to form the multiplex transmission to be transmitted.

In one aspect, a service acquisition system is embedded in a computer program comprising program instructions stored on a computer-readable medium that, when executed by at least one processor, such as processing logic 402, provides the functions described herein. For example, program instructions may be downloaded to the server 400 from a computer-readable medium such as a floppy disk, CDROM (ROM on a CD), a memory card, a flash memory device, RAM, ROM, or any other type of storage device or computer-readable medium that communicates with server 400. In another aspect, instructions can be downloaded to the server from an external device or network resource that communicates with server 400. Program instructions, when executed by processing logic 402, provide one or more aspects with Stem receiving the service as described here.

Therefore, the server 400 operates, in accordance with one or more aspects of the service acquisition system, to enable the rapid receipt of services included in multimedia multiplex transmission. It should be noted that the server 400 illustrates only one implementation, and other implementations are possible within the scope of the aspects described here.

MAC layer layer structure of the data channel

5 shows an aspect of a MAC layer layer structure 500 of a data channel before performing aspects of a service acquisition system. The structure (capsule) 500 of the MAC layer layer of the data channel contains the following in the order defined below.

1. Stream 0 packet - it contains the always present stream 0 packet, which includes the header 502 of the MAC layer layer of the data channel.

2. Stream 1 packet - an integer number of MAC layer packets carrying data of stream 1.

3. Stream 2 packet - an integer number of MAC layer packets carrying stream 2 data.

4. MAC packets containing stuffing (stuffing) packets to ensure that the MAC layer shell has an integer set “K”, where “K” is an integer number of information blocks in the RS error control block. For example, for the speed of the external code 12/16 "K" is 12.

5. (NumR-SCodeBlocks) x (N-K) R-S parity packets.

Given the structure 500 of the envelope of the MAC layer of the data channel and the relatively small packet size of stream 0, packets of the MAC layer containing the packet of stream 0 are likely to occupy only the first of four frames in a superframe. This information will always be lost in the case of an early entry / quick setup request, where the receiver only receives the last three or less frames of the superframe. Since stream 0 carries the information (e.g., working keys) necessary to decode the data that is carried on stream 1 or stream 2, it is desirable to ensure that the receiver can receive the packet on stream 0 if it has received any part of the data carried on stream 1 or stream 2.

Reordered shell structure of the MAC layer of the data channel

6 shows an aspect of a reordered shell structure 600 of a MAC layer of a data channel generated by aspects of a service acquisition system. In the structure 600 of the shell of the MAC layer of the data channel, stream 0 moves to the end of the shell of the MAC layer of the data channel after the packets of stream 1 or stream 2 are placed in the shell. Such an organization ensures that the receiving device is capable of receiving a packet of stream 0 if it has received any part of the data carried in stream 1 or stream 2.

In one aspect, the MAC layer structure of the data channel MAC layer 600 comprises the following in the order described below.

1. MAC packets containing stuffing (stuffing) packets to ensure that the MAC layer shell has an integer set “K”, where “K” is an integer number of information blocks in the RS error control block. For example, for an external code speed of 12/16 “K” is 12. Note: RS PAD packets are fewer (maximum K-1) compared to MAC packets containing video data. Therefore, in most cases, frame 1 will have some MAC packets containing video data. (150 kbps to 500 kbps)

2. Stream 2 packet - an integer number of MAC layer packets carrying data of stream 2.

3. Stream 1 packet - an integer number of MAC layer packets carrying data of stream 1.

4. Stream 0 packet - it contains the always present stream 0 packet, which includes the header 602 of the MAC layer of the data channel MAC.

5. (NumR-SCodeBlocks) x (N-K) R-S parity packets.

OIS Information Availability

In one aspect, in order for early entry / quick setup to occur, the basic information needed in the device is the location of the channel to which switching should be performed. This location information exists in OIS. However, a device reads OIS only in certain cases (for example, when receiving new logical channels or in case of errors in an existing logical channel, etc.) when it is started in order to do this. Thus, channel switching will be delayed if the device waits until the next superframe is started to receive OIS after changing the channel. Note that the OIS information provided by one superframe is applicable to the subsequent superframe. Thus, the device would have to wait for a whole superframe to extract OIS information.

Therefore, in one aspect, the start of early entry / quick tuning is provided up to a superframe in which the actual switching is performed. This is accomplished by doing the following.

1. Setting the device to a mode in which it receives OIS every superframe and uses this information when an early entry / quick setup is started. Entering this mode can be triggered by certain user-entered combinations that are entered into the user interface to start channel switching.

2. Or, the device reads OIS information every superframe (thereby eliminating the need for embedded OIS information).

7 shows a method 700 for providing aspects of a service acquisition system. For clarity, method 700 will be described with reference to server 400 shown in FIG. In one aspect, the at least one processor, such as processing logic 402, executes machine-readable instructions to control the server 400 to perform the functions described below.

At block 702, application data is encoded. For example, application data may comprise video streams 420. In one aspect, source encoders 408 act to encode application data to generate encoded signals 422.

At block 704, OIS information is generated. For example, source encoders 408 act to generate OIS information 424, which in one aspect contains an independently decoded low resolution version of input video 420.

At block 706, OIS information is encapsulated. For example, linker 410 acts to encapsulate the generated OIS information 424 to generate encapsulated CSV information 426.

At block 708, the encoded source generated at block 702 and the encapsulated CSV information generated at block 706 are encoded according to FEC. For example, in one aspect, the FEC encoder 414 acts to encode this information into coded error blocks.

At block 710, the coded error blocks generated at block 708 are pre-interleaved. For example, the pre-interleaving unit 412 acts to pre-interleave the coded error blocks. For example, the pre-interleaving unit 412 acts as described above to generate a pre-interleaving buffer to pre-interleave the coded error blocks to generate interleaved coded error blocks.

At block 712, interleaved coded error blocks are encapsulated to form a multiplex transmission that contains a sequence of subframes, where each subframe contains four frames.

At block 714, the multiplex transmission is modulated and transmitted over the network to the receiving devices. For example, modulator / transmitter 404 operates to receive multiplex transmission and modulate and transmit multiplex transmission over a data network using channel 418.

Thus, the method 700 operates to form a multiplex transmission, which is transmitted to the receiving devices and which allows the device to perform quick service. It should be noted that method 700 represents only one implementation and that other implementations are possible within the scope of the described aspects.

FIG. 8 illustrates an apparatus 800 for use in aspects of a service acquisition system. For example, device 800 is suitable for use as device 304 shown in FIG. 3. Apparatus 800 comprises processing logic 802 and demodulator / receiver logic 804 that are coupled to data bus 806. The device 800 also includes a source decoder 816, a CVS decompression unit 814, an early entry / quick tuning logic 818, a post-interleaver logic 810, an FEC decoder 912, and an decompression unit 808 that are coupled to the data bus 806.

In one or more aspects, the processing logic 802 comprises a central processing unit (CPU), a processor, a logic array, hardware logic, memory elements, a virtual machine, software, and / or any combination of hardware and software. Thus, the processing logic 802 generally comprises logic for executing machine-readable instructions and for controlling one or more other functional elements of the device 800 via an internal data bus 806.

The demodulator / receiver logic 804 comprises hardware and / or software logic that operate to enable the device 800 to receive multimedia multiplex transmission over a data network from a broadcast server. In one aspect, demodulator / receiver logic 804 comprises a communication channel 828. For example, in one aspect, communication channel 828 comprises a suitable communication line (i.e., an OFDM line) to enable device 800 to communicate with one or more data networks to receive multimedia multiplex transmission.

In one aspect, demodulator / receiver logic 804 comprises a buffer 832 containing some suitable memory or storage device. In one aspect, demodulator / receiver logic 804 is operable to receive a plurality of transmission frames, where each transmission frame represents a selected time interval and contains one or more data channels. The selected data is encoded into predefined transmission frames. The buffer 832 has a selected time duration (i.e., the length of the transmission frame) and acts to buffer the received transmission frames, so that channel fluctuations are absorbed.

The decompression unit 818 (de-encapsulation unit) contains any combination of hardware and software. In one aspect, the decompression unit 818 is operable to decompress the interleaved blocks of coded errors from the received multiplex transmission. For example, in one aspect, the decompression unit 818 is operable to cancel the operation and the linker 416 shown in FIG. 4. As a result of the operation of the decompression unit 818, interleaved blocks of coded errors are generated.

The post-interleaver unit 810 comprises a CPU, a processor, a logic matrix, hardware logic, memory elements, a virtual machine, software, and / or any combination of hardware and software. The post-interleaver 810 operates to deinterleave the interleaved coded error blocks generated by the decompression block 818. For example, the post-interleaver block 810 acts to cancel the operation of the pre-interleaver block 412 shown in FIG. 4. For example, in one aspect, the post-interleaver block 810 acts to generate coded error blocks, as described above.

The FEC decoder 812 contains some combination of hardware and software for performing error decoding in the received coded error blocks generated by the post-interleaver block 810. For example, FEC decoder 812 operates to generate encoded source 824 and encapsulated CSV information 820, which is included in the received multiplex transmission.

The CSV decompression unit 814 contains some combination of hardware and software that acts to decompress or de-encapsulate the CSV information 820 received in the multiplex transmission. The CSV decompression unit 814 acts to generate CSV information that represents an independently decoded low resolution version of the video for the selected channel in the received multiplex transmission. For example, the CSV decompression unit 814 operates to cancel the operation of the CSV linker 410 shown in FIG. 4.

The source decoder 816 comprises any type of source decoder, which is operative to receive information 824 of the encoded source and generate corresponding streams 826 of the decoded source. The source decoder 816 also operates to receive CSV information and generate a CSV signal 830, which is an independently decoded low resolution signal that corresponds to a selected received multiplex transmission channel. Thus, the source decoder 816 acts to reproduce the streams of the decoded source.

The early entry / quick setup logic 818 comprises a CPU, a processor, a logic array, hardware logic, memory elements, a virtual machine, software, and / or any combination of hardware and software. The early entry / quick tuning logic 818 comprises detection logic that is configured to detect a channel switching request and control the device 800 to quickly switch to the requested channel. In one aspect, a channel switching request is generated by processing logic 802 in response to user input. In another aspect, a channel switching request is generated by processing logic 802 based on any other criteria. For example, processing logic 802 may generate a channel switching request based on received control information from a distribution network.

In operation, according to one or more aspects, when a channel switching request is triggered, the early entry / quick tuning logic 818 is operable to control the decoding of the received multiplex transmission, so that the selected services can be decoded. In one aspect, the CSV for the selected channel is quickly decoded and played back, so that the user device receives a very fast, albeit low resolution, displayed response to the channel change request.

Due to the configuration of the coded error blocks provided in the aspects of the service acquisition system, the information necessary to decode the selected new channel is easily accessible. For example, in one aspect, OISs are ordered to appear at the end of a superframe, so that these characters can be retrieved even if an early entry / quick start trigger occurs during the middle of the superframe.

In one or more aspects, apparatus 800 is operable to perform one or more of the following functions to provide fast channel acquisition and switching in aspects of a service acquisition system.

1. Reception start early entry / quick tuning to tune to a new channel.

2. Performing post-interleaving to cancel the reordering of coded error blocks by the transmitter.

3. Unpacking CSV information from coded error blocks.

4. Decoding CSV information to generate a CSV signal that can be played on the device.

5. Data definition for the requested new channel.

6. Data decoding for generating a video signal for the requested channel.

7. Play a video signal associated with the requested channel.

In one aspect, a service acquisition system is embodied in a computer program comprising program instructions stored on a computer-readable medium that, when executed by at least one processor, such as processing logic 802, provide the functions described herein. For example, program instructions may be downloaded to device 800 from a computer-readable medium, such as a floppy disk, CDROM (ROM on a CD), a memory card, a flash device, RAM, ROM, or any other type of storage device or computer-readable medium that communicates with device 800. In another aspect, instructions can be downloaded to device 800 from an external device or network resource that communicates with device 800. Program instructions, when executed by processing logic 802, provide one or olee aspects of the system receive services, as described here.

Therefore, the device 800 operates, in accordance with one or more aspects of a service acquisition system, to enable fast acquisition and channel switching between services provided in a multimedia multiplex transmission. It should be noted that the device 800 illustrates only one implementation, and other implementations are possible within the scope of the aspects described herein.

FIG. 9 shows a method 900 for use in aspects of a service acquisition system. For clarity, method 900 will be described with reference to the device 800 shown in FIG. In one aspect, the at least one processor, such as processing logic 802, executes computer-readable instructions to control device 800 to perform the functions described herein.

At block 902, a multimedia multiplex transmission is received and buffered. For example, a multiplex transmission is received by a demodulator / receiver 804. A received multiplex transmission is generated in accordance with aspects of a service acquisition system, so that the multiplex transmission contains a superframe generated as described above to provide quick service and channel switching. For example, CSV information and pre-interleaving, as described above, are used to form a superframe. In one aspect, the received multiplex is buffered by buffer 832 to absorb channel fluctuations.

At block 904, a channel in a received multiplex transmission is decoded. For example, processing logic 802 operates to control the functional elements of apparatus 800 for decoding a channel in a received multiplex transmission.

At block 906, a test is performed to determine whether the start of early login / quick setup is accepted. For example, a trigger may be provided by a device user or may be generated automatically. In one aspect, the processing logic 802 is operable to determine if an early login / quick start trigger is accepted. If the trigger is not accepted, then the method returns to block 904, where the same channel is decoded. If the start is accepted, then the method returns to block 908.

At block 908, the decoder is switched to decode the new requested channel. For example, processing logic 802 operates to control device 800 to start decoding a new requested channel.

At block 910, CSV information associated with the new requested channel is reproduced. For example, CSV information is low resolution of a new requested channel that is encoded into a received multiplex transmission. In one aspect, the CSV decompression unit 814 is operable to decompress the CSV information so that it can be played back when decoding attempts to switch to the new requested channel.

At block 912, the new requested channel is decoded and reproduced. For example, processing logic 802 operates to control device 800 for reproducing a requested channel. Therefore, after starting the early login / quick setup, the user device perceives the low resolution version of the requested channel, followed by the full resolution version, when the device decoding process is able to decode the channel. In one aspect, the apparatus operates to play a new channel from the next available I-frame.

Thus, the method 900 operates to enable the device to perform quick service and channel switching in accordance with aspects of a service receiving system. It should be noted that method 900 represents only one implementation and that other implementations are possible within the scope of the described aspects.

Creating CSV Information

In one or more aspects, source encoders 408 act to generate CSV information in accordance with the following. A human vision model is often included in a video codec to simulate how a person perceives the differences between a source and its compressed version. The Girod model reflects a visual response to differences directly on the input video signal. This provides the ability to quantify the minimum allowable differences in terms of visual response for designing optimal encoders and decoders. The effects of spatial and temporal masking occur due to saturation in the dips. Temporary masking is similar to spatial masking, except that the observability of noise at pixel locations is due to the video signal at the same spatial location, but in a neighboring frame.

In other words, temporary masking refers to the temporary response of the eye in the direction of the appearance and disappearance of objects. Scene changes, introducing new objects into the video, and switching to a new channel are examples of objects appearing, and the reaction time of the human eye is approximately 44 ms. At the same time, reactions to disappearing objects in assembly transitions are about 100 ms. The human eye integrates the incoming signal along the time axis before it is interpreted by the brain. (30 frames per second provides fairly smooth motion reproduction for most applications.) Consequently, the human eye has greater tolerance for interpolated images (movements) than for sudden instant interruptions (such as short-term camera frame displays).

These observations are accepted when creating CSV information. Predictive coding is used to a large extent in video compression due to the high spatial and temporal correlation within and between frames. When generating CSV information, high compression can be applied due to the lower sensitivity of the human eye to new content.

Independent side channel

Sub-sampling in the spatial domain (for example, from QVGA - 320x240 pixels to Q ² VGA - 160x120 pixels) and in the time domain (from 30 frames per second to 5 frames per second) is a simple compression mechanism that can be inverted (upsampling to the original resolution and up-conversion of the frame rate using methods in the decoder as a post-processing operation). Such post-processing mechanisms are part of the standard image processing libraries in most terminals, including portable ones. Oversampling in the spatial domain is associated with low-pass filtering (to avoid overlapping spectra) with subsequent thinning. Up-conversion of the frame rate is also associated with spatial pixel interpolation as part of the motion compensation process after motion vector interpolation.

Since it is required that the CSV information be independently decoded, this places an I-frame at the beginning of the CSV information since the primary data is not available for use as a reference. The typical average bit rate for QVGA video transmission at 30 frames per second is approximately 256 kbps using the H.264 codec. At the same time, the average bit rate for transmitting the same video at a resolution of Q ² VGA and a frame rate of 5 frames per second is approximately 10 kbit / s. Therefore, the overhead for CSV is about 5%.

Basic information

Hybrid video coding entails spatial and temporal prediction, accompanied by transformation, quantization, and entropy coding. The essence of compressed data lies in internally encoded data used as a support, prediction mode and motion information. The primary bitstream carries all this information to generate high quality video. CSV information can be created as a scaled compact form of this basic information using one or more of the following methods.

1. Data with intraframe coding: Combining a 2x2 macroblock window in a primary bitstream into one MV in CSV - by simply combining mode information. If 3 of 4 or all 4 modes are the same, then the corresponding macroblock mode in CSV is set to this mode. Abnormally allocated macroblocks are marked. In H.264, internally encoded MVs have 2 modes - Intra_16x16 or Intra_4x4. The latter indicates the presence of directional information (in a non-uniformly smooth region), which is critical for spatial error-based masking.

2. Data with inter-frame coding: motion vector processing. In one aspect, merging and scaling can be used to combine the MVs in the primary bitstream to form the MVs in the CSV. For example, sampling with an increased frequency of all inter-frame coding modes up to 4x4 and combining them with the necessary allowance for anomalous emissions is one method that can be used.

Subdivision of the encoded video bitstream data based on priority is a popular way to improve the ability to withstand errors and enable scalability in video encoding. For example, in H.264, dividing data into parts is a property that allows each part to be encoded as 3 separate data units called network abstraction layer (NALU) units. Part A carries critical information such as macroblock headers and motion vector information. Part B contains the data of the intraframe coding coefficients, which is the next highest priority, and part C contains the coefficient data for inter-coding blocks and temporal prediction blocks. In one aspect, CSV information can be generated by merging and scaling the data of Part A to enable CSV to be used to recover and mask errors and to avoid computationally intensive coding operations like motion estimation.

CSV Information Transfer

In single-level coding schemes, CSVs can be transmitted in user data syntax corresponding to bitstream standards. For example, a CSV can be encoded as one of the syntax elements of additional extension information in H.264, or even as a redundant image or clipping. Additionally, CSV information can be carried as an auxiliary packet in a side channel (for example, additional channels in 1x networks) or in a low-priority channel if layer coding and modulation are supported.

Applications

In one aspect, the functionality of the transport layer is supported by the streaming layer and the MAC layer. Each service (a conglomerate of associated audio, video and / or data) is transmitted in one or more channels. The client on the device “tunes” the channel (s) of interest and reads the data regarding the service (or in general terms the TV channel) of interest from the multiplex transmission.

If a channel change is initiated by the user (for example, by pressing a key), the application notifies the physical layer, which is tuned to the corresponding channel (s). This can happen at the borders of a superframe (1 sec.) Or at the borders of a frame (0.25 sec.). In one aspect, a video codec transfers a random access point (I or distributed I-frames) to the beginning of each superframe. In order to provide the ability to quickly switch channels (at the borders of frames), CSV information is transferred in the 3rd (or, possibly, 4th) frame. Compressed data is written to physical layer packets in such a way as to provide this capability. Thus, a frame change initiated in the first half of a second (synchronized with the frame time) can occur (initiated by playing the video of the new channel) in the 3/4 second mark of the superframe (ignoring the decoder buffers). Provided that B frames are supported, a potential delay of 2 frames is possible. This is in addition to the buffer latency in the delay / playback queue. Therefore, a channel switching wait time of 0.25 + 0.066 + 0.264 = 0.58 sec is achievable.

Applying CSV to troubleshooting and masking errors

Because CSV is a compressed version of the primary data that coexists over time in the decoder (whether it is received in the side channel, extension channel, or primary bitstream as user data), it can provide an important understanding of the underlying data that is affected Errors due to error prone environments such as wireless channels.

CSV can be used to recover (identify the degree of loss) of the lost or distorted parts of the primary data by correlating the resynchronization markers in the primary data with the corresponding notch or MB. Frame numbers, image order count in H.264, sequence numbers and / or presentation timestamps can be used to identify the corresponding frames in CSV. If macroblocks with internal coding in the primary data are lost (both in the internal and in the predicted frames), decoding of the corresponding parts of the CSV (cut header and MV) can provide mode and direction information for masking new ones (scene change, which is encoded as I- frame) or appearing objects (occlusions (masking), encoded as MVs with internal encoding or clippings in P- or B-frames)

When the inter-frame coding macroblock is lost in the primary frames, regardless of whether it is motion vectors or inter-frame coding coefficients, the information in the corresponding CSV frame can be expanded to recover from errors and mask errors. If method 1 was used for hybrid coding, then the corresponding information in the CSV may or may not be encoded in the same mode. For example, an MV encoded with intraframe coding in the primary data may be encoded with interframe coding in CSV (due to lower quality requirements). This is especially useful since temporal masking algorithms are not able to derive the correct motion vector if some MVs in the window of interest are encoded by intraframe coding.

In a closed system, the encoder and decoder are designed and implemented with complete autonomy. Therefore, the encoder is fully aware of the possibilities of implementing the decoder, and the decoder is aware of the optimizations and structure of the encoder bit streams. This allows you to use a more efficient, more reliable and cost-effective (cost-per-distortion) method for generating CSV and other disclosure applications, including error recovery, error concealment, and frame rate conversion conversion.

In one or more aspects, the system operates to transmit CSV media. When you specify the need for a higher-level application, as in the case when the user initiates the channel switching by pressing a key, the decoder starts decoding and displaying the CSV of the new channel almost instantly (for example, after the lower levels - transport and physical levels - switched to a new channel) . This can reduce the switching time to a few milliseconds in the range of 10-100 ms. In non-channel switching scenarios, CSV information such as I-frames / MV and MV information can be used for error recovery (with or without some processing), where information is used in neighboring frames to mask lost MV or MV .

Implementation illustration

The following is an implementation illustrating the use of an integrated codec and physical layer for efficient multimedia streaming in accordance with aspects of the service acquisition system described herein. For example, this implementation describes aspects of the highly integrated architecture provided by multimedia codecs at the application level to provide channelization at the physical layer for efficient multimedia transmissions, in particular multimedia streaming or multimedia broadcast / multicast. It should be noted that various aspects are applicable to any individual or combination of existing or future applications, transport or physical layer, or other technologies. As a result, various aspects provide efficient transfers, interactions, and understanding between OSI layers with tight communication that eliminates / reduces fluctuations and processing buffers at various points, thereby waiting times. Thus, one of the main advantages is the fast channel switching in mobile multimedia broadcasts.

10 shows an aspect of a communication system 1000. System 1000 is a multimedia streaming system where entry into the system is a continuous stream of data (discrete time events, but never ending), and exit from the system is a continuous stream of data. For example, the client shown in FIG. 10 may be part of a mobile device.

11 shows an OSI layer diagram or protocol stack 1100 for use in aspects of a service acquisition system. For example, the protocol stack 1100 is suitable for use in the service acquisition system shown in FIG. 3. It should be noted that the protocol stack 1100 is only one implementation and that various aspects of the described system can be extended to any multi-level architecture. The following describes the flow of data through the layers of the stack 1100 protocols; however, it should be noted that the description is based on a generalized understanding of data structures within and between levels.

The service acquisition system works to maintain continuous or streaming data from input to output through the network to the client. In one aspect, the system acts as a single FIFO buffer (“first come, first served”).

Suppose that the base block of time (T) is, for example, one second. Let the data concerning this block of time be called superframe (SF). Then SF is a packet whose payload contains data, for example, multimedia data that can be consumed in T seconds (T = 1 in this example).

12 shows a diagram 1200 that illustrates the processing of superframe data from an application through the physical layer, both on the network side and on the client side in a communication system. In chart 1200, the x-axis represents time in seconds. The y axis depicts the processing of data from the input through the encoder, encapsulation processing of the stream / MAC layer to the layout in the physical SF layer. Diagram 1200 shows the fundamental SF processing operations in a system where the current SF is shown by hashed blocks. The input for this SF enters the system at the time (T = SF_Start-3), and it is encoded, encoded externally and encapsulated in SF at the time (T = SF_Start-2). This SF is then transmitted and received (the delay from the transmitter to the receiver is of the order of nanoseconds, since the physical layer is radio frequency (RF)) at the time (T = SF_Start-1). Therefore, the data of the current SF fill the receiver buffer (i.e., buffer 832) at the time (T = SF_Start-1) and are available for decoding and immediate presentation at the time (T = SF_Start). Timestamps are embedded in the audio or video data blocks for the current SF and offset relative to time (T = SF_Start).

In a synchronous system, T = SF_Start (T in general) is associated with the system clock, for example, for GPS, if both the network and the client are available, and provides SF timing. This eliminates the need for a separate media clock (VCXO or oscillator) in the client, thereby reducing costs, especially if the client is on a portable device.

In an asynchronous system, SF processing remains the same. Timestamps in the audio / video data blocks are output from an internal clock, such as PCR (software clock reference in MPEG-2 systems).

In any case, the receiver buffer (i.e., buffer 832) is now closely associated with any decoder buffer (they can potentially share the same buffer), so there is minimal elimination of fluctuations in the decoder (less than 100 ms). This allows you to quickly switch channels, as described below.

13 shows a diagram 1300 that illustrates the fast channel switching provided by aspects of a service acquisition system. For example, a system can provide fast channel switching in less than two seconds, and on average in one second, when T = 1 second. Chart 1300 represents four channels and three superframes: SF + 2, SF + 1, and SF. When a device user initiates a channel change from channel A to channel B in a time frame corresponding to SF, the reception and / or decoding switches to reception channel B at the moment SF + 1, and the data in SF + 1 is available for decoding at the beginning of SF +2.

Since video and audio compression is associated with temporal prediction, independent decoding is limited to random access points, such as I-frames. However, since the encoder is aware of the boundaries of the SF, it can accordingly place random access points (I-frames, progressive updates, and other means) at the beginning of the SF, respectively, when physical layer detection is possible. This eliminates the need for random access points in a random way, thereby increasing compression efficiency. It also guarantees fast channel switching, since a random access point is at the beginning of each SF to immediately decode and display a new channel. It should also be noted that the time duration of the SF should be set to 1 second, 5 seconds or any unit of time, as desired or as the system design allows.

Application Level Processing

Consider the video data transmitted in an SF-based system. The video encoder extracts video data or information that can be consumed in T seconds. (Consumption can be considered, for example, as video data that is displayed for T seconds.) Let it be called a T-packet or superframe (SF).

Processing sync level: sync information

Timing information, such as timestamps, for video data blocks (eg, compressed access blocks or video frames) that contain the current T packet or SF, are assigned to data blocks. These timestamps are sampled from the incoming clock signal (for example, PCR), which is transferred together with audio and video data, as in an asynchronous system, for example, for DVB, ATSC using the protocols of MPEG-2 systems.

In a synchronous system where the media clock is synchronous with the system clock, the timestamps are a fixed offset from the incoming media clock (PCR / PTS), which is equal to the fixed difference between the incoming media clock (PCR) and the system clock. Therefore, aspects of a synchronous system provide the following.

but. Eliminating the need to send a clock signal, thereby eliminating any timing of the fluctuation exclusion buffer.

b. The client can shift the local clock synchronization, which is synchronized with the total time, such as GPS.

Transport Layer Processing

The transport layer provides framing for synchronously encapsulated audio / video in packets of a fixed length, which corresponds to the size of the packets of the physical layer. They are fixed length packages.

14 shows a diagram 1400 that illustrates the flow of T packets in aspects of a service acquisition system. For example, diagram 1400 shows how T packets are encoded and encapsulated in the current (or 1st) superframe, transmitted at the transmitter to the network, and received at the receiver on the client in the second superframe. As a result, T packets become available and are processed / consumed in the third superframe. Each T packet is independently received and decoded. Therefore, there is minimal elimination of fluctuations at the time T _{SF_start} . It should be noted that the application layer is aware of the logic and structure of the packetization / encapsulation / channelization of the stream / MAC layer and physical layer (i.e., see FIG. 11).

FIG. 15 shows a diagram 1500 that illustrates a configuration of a video frame in an aspect of a T packet. For the shown frame configuration, a base level and an extension level are provided, and the source order is equal to the presentation order. Thus, the T packet is received in source order and encoded. The frame order after compression is stored, and the T packet is output from the encoder in decoding order.

After the T-packet passes through the transport and physical layers in the network and on the client, it reaches the video decoder in the client in decoding order. Therefore, the decoder is able to decode one T-packet after another in a continuous sequence, while eliminating / reducing the need for additional decoder buffers.

16 shows a diagram that illustrates a configuration 1600 of a video frame in one aspect of a T stream. For example, the configuration of a video frame 1600 is suitable for configuring video frames in aspects of a service acquisition system.

The following “Notes” provide information on various aspects of the configuration of a 1600 video frame.

Remark 1. The OIS contains, among other information, an index on the location of the T packet for the program / channel of interest. The client is "activated" only for this duration, thereby saving power. For quick channel discovery, this message and OIS can be carried at the end of the T packet.

Remark 2. Audio and video corresponding to the same T-packet can be encapsulated in packets of other stream levels.

Remark 3. Alternatively, audio and video corresponding to the same T packet may be encapsulated in the same or different MAC protocol envelope.

Remark 4. The Reed-Solomon (RS) code is an example of an external code or forward error correction (FEC). RS parity blocks are carried at the end of the T packet. When the receiver receives the first three frames of the T packet without errors, the last frame of the T packet should not be received. Low-power host tubes for the client do not need to be activated in order to receive it, thereby saving power.

Remark 5. The T-packet is encoded, encapsulated, and “populated” into physical layer packets. The encoder, MAC layer, and physical layer are aware of the boundaries of the T packet.

Remark 6. The T-packet encoded / encapsulated in the previous second is transmitted and received during this interval.

Remark 7. The T packet received in the previous second is consumed in this interval.

Therefore, the configuration of the 1600 video frame is suitable for use in aspects of a service acquisition system. It should be noted that the configuration 1600 is just one implementation and other implementations are possible within the scope of the described aspects.

17 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of 1700 transport headers (VTs) and sync headers (SHs) used in a base layer and an extension level of a superframe. In one aspect, the TH 1702 comprises a last pointer 1704 and an offset of a physical layer packet (PLP) 1706.

In one aspect, SH 1708 comprises a stream identifier 1710, a presentation time stamp (PTS) 1712, a frame identifier 1714, a random access point (RAP) flag 1716, a frame rate identifier 1718, and reserved bits 1720. Frame identifier 1714 contains an extension flag 1722 and number 1724 frame.

In one aspect, the PTS 1712 tag is equal to the incoming time stamp (ts) for asynchronous systems and for synchronous systems, the PTS 1712 tag is ts + (PCR system clock).

Therefore, the configuration 1700 of the video frame is suitable for use in aspects of a service acquisition system. It should be noted that the configuration 1700 is only one implementation and that other implementations are possible within the scope of the described aspects.

FIG. 18 illustrates a structure 1800 of a Forward Error Correction (FEC) code block for use in aspects of a service acquisition system. For example, the code block structure 1800 contains a code block structure of a base layer 1802 and a code block structure of an extension level 1804. Code block structure 1800 contains transport headers, synchronization headers, and tail bits with CRC. Code block structure 1800 illustrates how audio and video frame data is organized for a base layer and extension layer for use in aspects of a service delivery system. In one aspect of the video, the data may optionally be encoded as a bitstream of one level or in multiple layers for scalability. In addition, random access points aligned with T-packet boundaries can be carried at any or all levels. It should be noted that the code block structure 1800 represents only one implementation and that other implementations are possible within the scope of the described aspects.

19 shows the organization of a frame 1900 for providing audio and video bit streams for use in a service acquisition system. Frame organization 1900 illustrates frame organization for base level video and extension level and frame organization for audio. Additionally, random access points 1902 are provided by independent decoding, which is aligned with the boundaries of the T packet for both video and audio. In addition, additional random access points may be provided for error tolerance and error recovery, or for fast channel switching.

It should be noted that the organization of the frame 1900 represents only one implementation and that other implementations are possible in the scope of the described aspects.

Thus, various aspects of a service acquisition system operate as described herein to provide the following functions.

but. Ensuring efficient transfers, interactions, and understanding between OSI layers with tight coupling that eliminates / reduces fluctuations and processing buffers at various points, thereby reducing latency. One of the main advantages is the fast channel switching in multimedia mobile broadcasts, for example, through data packets corresponding to one second of data that pass through the system.

b. Synchronous and asynchronous timing in a system with or without a clock signal (PCR) carried by the system.

from. Fast channel switching / detection by reducing buffering.

d. Audio is continuous (a series of identical pulses), but may not be synchronous.

e. One buffer in the system. Minimal removal of fluctuations in the receiver (i.e., of the order of milliseconds) when the next second of data begins to fill up and before the current second of data is completely consumed.

f. Audio aspects. Since compressed audio frames can be divided evenly or unevenly at one-second boundaries, pending information for the current audio frame is sent in the current second (i.e., several milliseconds ahead of time). Due to the continuous input of the stream, the buffer at the receiver appears to be continuous.

20 shows a server 2000 for use in aspects of a service acquisition system. Server 2000 comprises a module (2002) for generating one or more CSV signals, which in one aspect comprises a source encoder 408. Server 2000 also includes a module (2004) for encoding a CSV signal and multimedia signals to generate coded error blocks, which in one aspect comprises an FEC encoder 414. Server 2000 also contains a module (2006) for encapsulating coded error blocks, which in one aspect contains the linker 416. It should be noted that server 2000 is only one implementation and that other implementations are possible.

21 shows an apparatus 2100 for use in aspects of a service acquisition system. The device 2100 comprises a module (2102) for receiving a multiplex transmission, which in one aspect comprises a receiver 804. The device 2100 also contains a module (2104) for buffering a multiplex transmission, which in one aspect contains a buffer 832. The device 2100 also contains a module (2106) for detecting a channel selection, which in one aspect comprises tuning logic 818. Apparatus 2100 also includes a module (2108) for decoding a CSV signal, which in one aspect comprises an decompressor 814.

Apparatus 2100 also includes a module (2110) for reproducing a CSV signal, which in one aspect comprises a source decoder 816. It should be noted that the device 2100 is only one implementation and that other implementations are possible.

22 shows a server 2200 for use in aspects of a service acquisition system. Server 2200 comprises a module (2202) for generating a plurality of transmission frames, which in one aspect comprises a linker 416. Server 2200 also contains a module (2204) for encoding one or more data channels into a transmission frame, which in one aspect contains an FEC encoder 414. It should be noted that server 2200 is just one implementation and that other implementations are possible.

23 shows an apparatus 2300 for use in aspects of a service acquisition system. The device 2300 comprises a module (2302) for receiving a plurality of transmission frames, which in one aspect comprises a receiver 804. The device 2300 also contains a module (2304) for buffering a plurality of transmission frames, which in one aspect contains a buffer 832. It should be noted that the device 2300 is only one implementation and that other implementations are possible.

Various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the disclosed embodiments may be implemented or implemented using a universal processor, digital signal processor (DSP), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logical device, discrete logic circuit or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be a conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example, as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any similar configuration.

The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the disclosed embodiments may be implemented directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. The software module may reside in random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), electronically programmable ROM (EEPROM), electronically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), registers, on a hard disk, a removable disk, ROM on a compact disc (CD-ROM) or any other storage medium known in the art. An exemplary recording medium is associated with a processor, so that the processor can read information from the recording medium and write information to the recording medium. Alternatively, the recording medium may reside on an ASIC. ASIC may reside in a user terminal. Alternatively, the processor and the recording medium may reside on discrete components in a terminal.

The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is intended to enable those skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles disclosed may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited by the disclosed embodiments, but should correspond to the broadest scope consistent with the disclosed principles and new features. The word “exemplary” is used solely to mean “serving as an example, implementation, or illustration.” Any aspect described herein as “exemplary” need not be construed as preferred or having advantages over other aspects.

Accordingly, although one or more aspects of a service delivery system are shown and described herein, it should be understood that various changes can be made in these aspects without deviating from their nature and essential characteristics. Therefore, these disclosures and descriptions are intended to illustrate, but not to limit the scope of the invention, which is established by the following claims.

Claims (60)

1. A method of encoding data into a multiplex signal adapted to receive multimedia services, the method comprising
generating one or more channel switching signals (CSVs) associated with one or more multimedia signals, each CSV signal corresponding to a channel of a received multiplex signal;
encoding CSV signals and multimedia signals to form error-coded blocks, error-coded blocks containing error-coded blocks associated with overhead information and error-coded blocks containing data associated with one or more multimedia signals;
pre-interleaving the error-coded blocks, so that the error-coded blocks associated with the service information are positioned after the error-coded blocks containing data associated with the multimedia signals, and
Encapsulating error-corrected blocks in frames of a multiplex transmission signal. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said generation comprises generating one or more CSV signals that comprise at least one of a full low resolution version and a partial low resolution version associated with one or more multimedia signals. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said coding of CSV signals and multimedia signals comprises coding of CSV signals and multimedia signals using direct error correction to generate error-coded data blocks. 4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising transmitting a multiplex signal over a data network. 5. A device for encoding data into a multiplex signal, adapted to receive multimedia services, and the device contains
a source encoder configured to generate one or more channel video switching (CSV) signals associated with one or more multimedia signals, wherein each CSV signal corresponds to a channel of a received multiplex transmission signal;
error correction encoder configured to encode CSV signals and multimedia signals to generate error-encoded blocks, error-encoded blocks containing error-encoded blocks associated with overhead information and error-encoded blocks containing data associated with one or more multimedia signals;
a pre-interleaver configured to pre-interleave error-coded blocks so that error-coded blocks associated with service information are positioned after error-coded blocks containing data associated with multimedia signals, and
a linker configured to encapsulate error-corrected blocks in multiplexed transmission signal frames. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said source encoder is configured to generate one or more CSV signals that comprise at least one of a full low resolution version and a partial low resolution version associated with one or more multimedia signals. 7. The device according to claim 5, wherein said error correction encoder is configured to provide direct error correction. 8. The device according to claim 5, further comprising a transmitter configured to transmit a multiplex signal over a data network. 9. An apparatus for encoding data into a multiplex signal adapted to receive multimedia services, the apparatus comprising
means for generating one or more channel switching signals (CSV) associated with one or more multimedia signals, wherein each CSV signal corresponds to a channel of a received multiplex transmission signal;
means for encoding CSV signals and multimedia signals for generating error-coded blocks, error-coded blocks containing error-coded blocks associated with service information and error-coded blocks containing data associated with one or more multimedia signals;
means for pre-interleaving the error-coded blocks, so that the error-coded blocks associated with the service information are positioned after the error-coded blocks containing data associated with the multimedia signals, and
means for encapsulating error-coded blocks into error frames of a multiplex transmission signal. 10. The device according to claim 9, in which the said means for generating contains means for generating one or more CSV signals, which contain at least one of the full version of the low resolution and partial version of the low resolution associated with one or more multimedia signals . 11. The device according to claim 9, in which said means for encoding CSV signals and multimedia signals comprises means for encoding CSV signals and multimedia signals using direct error correction to form error-encoded data blocks. 12. The device according to claim 9, further comprising means for transmitting a multiplex signal over a data network. 13. A machine-readable medium containing instructions for encoding data into a multiplex signal, adapted to receive multimedia services, and the instructions upon execution force the machine
generate one or more channel switching signals (CSV) associated with one or more multimedia signals, wherein each CSV signal corresponds to a channel of a received multiplex transmission signal;
encode CSV signals and multimedia signals to form error-coded blocks, error-coded blocks containing error-coded blocks associated with service information and error-coded blocks containing data associated with one or more multimedia signals;
perform pre-interleaving of error-coded blocks for error correction, so that error-coded blocks associated with overhead information are positioned after error-coded blocks containing data associated with multimedia signals, and
encapsulate error-coded blocks into frames of a multiplex transmission signal. 14. The computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein said generating instructions cause the machine to generate one or more CSV signals that contain at least one of a full low resolution version and a partial low resolution version associated with one or more multimedia signals . 15. The computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein said instructions for encoding CSV signals and multimedia signals further force the machine to encode CSV signals and multimedia signals using forward error correction to generate error-coded data blocks. 16. The computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein said instructions further force the machine to transmit a multiplex signal over a data network. 17. A processor for encoding data into a multiplex signal adapted to receive a multimedia service, the processor being configured to
generating one or more channel switching signals (CSVs) associated with one or more multimedia signals, each CSV signal corresponding to a channel of a received multiplex signal;
encoding CSV signals and multimedia signals to form error-coded blocks, error-coded blocks containing error-coded blocks associated with overhead information and error-coded blocks containing data associated with one or more multimedia signals;
pre-interleaving the error-coded blocks, so that the error-coded blocks associated with the service information are positioned after the error-coded blocks containing data associated with the multimedia signals, and
encapsulating error-corrected blocks in frames of a multiplex transmission signal. 18. The processor of claim 17, wherein said generating configuration includes configuring to generate one or more CSV signals that comprise at least one of a full low resolution version and a partial low resolution version associated with one or more multimedia signals. 19. The processor of claim 17, wherein said configuration for encoding CSV signals and multimedia signals includes configuring for encoding CSV signals and multimedia signals using forward error correction to generate error-encoded data blocks. 20. The processor according to 17, further configured to transmit a multiplex signal over a data network. 21. A method of obtaining a multimedia service from a multiplex signal, comprising
receiving a multiplex signal associated with multiple channels;
detection of a choice of one of the channels;
decoding a video channel switching signal (CSV) associated with the selected channel;
decoding the multiplex signal to generate error-coded data blocks and error-coded information blocks;
reverse interleaving of error-coded data blocks and error-coded information blocks, wherein error-coded information blocks are positioned after error-coded data blocks; and
CSV signal playback. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein said receiving comprises receiving a multiplex signal over a data network. 23. The method according to item 21, in which said detection is based on user input. 24. The method of claim 21, further comprising decoding the selected channel. 25. A device for receiving multimedia services from a multiplex signal, containing
a receiver configured to receive a multiplex signal associated with multiple channels;
a selection logic unit configured to detect a selection of one of the channels;
an unpacker configured to decode a video channel switching signal (CSV) associated with the selected channel;
a decoder configured to decode the multiplex signal to generate error-coded data blocks and error-coded information blocks;
a deinterleaving unit configured to deinterleave the error-coded data blocks and error-coded information blocks, wherein the error-coded information blocks are positioned after the error-coded data blocks; and
source decoder configured to play a CSV signal. 26. The device according A.25, in which said receiver is configured to receive a multiplex signal over a data network. 27. The device according A.25, in which the aforementioned logical block selection is configured to detect channel selection based on user input. 28. The device according A.25, in which the source decoder is configured to decode the selected channel. 29. A device for receiving multimedia services from a multiplex signal, containing
means for receiving a multiplex signal associated with multiple channels;
means for detecting the selection of one of the channels;
means for decoding a video channel switching signal (CSV) associated with the selected channel;
means for decoding a multiplex signal for generating error-coded data blocks and error-coded information blocks;
means for reversing the alternation of error-coded data blocks and error-coded information blocks, wherein the error-coded information blocks are positioned after the error-coded data blocks; and
means for reproducing the CSV signal. 30. The device according to clause 29, in which said means for receiving comprises means for receiving a multiplex signal over a data network. 31. The device according to clause 29, in which the said means for detection contains means for detecting the selected channel based on user input. 32. The device according to clause 29, further comprising means for decoding the selected channel. 33. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for obtaining a multimedia service from a multiplex signal, and the instructions, when executed, force the machine to execute
receiving a multiplex signal associated with multiple channels;
detection of a choice of one of the channels;
decoding a video channel switching signal (CSV) associated with the selected channel;
decoding the multiplex signal to generate error-coded data blocks and error-coded information blocks;
reverse interleaving of error-coded data blocks and error-coded information blocks, wherein error-coded information blocks are positioned after error-coded data blocks; and
CSV signal playback. 34. The computer-readable medium of claim 33, wherein said receiving instructions further cause the machine to receive a multiplex signal over a data network. 35. The computer-readable medium of claim 33, wherein said detection instructions further force the machine to detect the selected channel based on user input. 36. The computer-readable medium of claim 33, wherein the instructions further force the machine to decode the selected channel. 37. A processor for receiving a multimedia service from a multiplex signal, the processor being configured to
receiving a multiplex signal associated with multiple channels;
detecting the selection of one of the channels;
decoding a video channel switching signal (CSV) associated with the selected channel;
decoding the multiplex signal to generate error-coded data blocks and error-coded information blocks;
reverse alternation of error-coded data blocks and error-coded information blocks, wherein the error-coded information blocks are positioned after the error-coded data blocks; and
Play CSV signal. 38. The processor of claim 37, wherein said receiving configuration includes configuring to receive a multiplex signal over a data network. 39. The processor of claim 37, wherein said detection configuration includes configuring to detect a selected channel based on user input. 40. The processor according to clause 37, further configured to decode the selected channel. 41. A method for generating a multiplex signal adapted to receive a multimedia service, the method comprising
generating a plurality of transmission frames, wherein each transmission frame is associated with a selected time interval; and
encoding data associated with one or more channels into a plurality of transmission frames, wherein the selected data is encoded into predetermined transmission frames so that channel fluctuations can be eliminated using a single buffer having a selected time duration, wherein the data encoding comprises pre-interleaving error-coded data blocks and error-coded information blocks associated with one or more data channels, so error-corrected coded k information blocks are positioned after error-coded data blocks. 42. The method according to paragraph 41, in which the encoding includes encoding with direct error correction. 43. The method according to paragraph 41, in which one or more data channels comprise one or more channel switching signals (CSV) associated with one or more multimedia signals. 44. The method of claim 43, wherein the encoding comprises generating one or more CSV signals that comprise at least one of a full low resolution version and a partial low resolution version associated with one or more multimedia signals. 45. An apparatus for generating a multiplex signal adapted to receive multimedia services, the apparatus comprising
means for generating a plurality of transmission frames, wherein each transmission frame is associated with a selected time interval; and
means for encoding data associated with one or more channels into a plurality of transmission frames, the selected data being encoded into predetermined transmission frames, so that channel fluctuations can be eliminated using a single buffer having a selected length of time, the means for encoding data comprises means for pre-interleaving error-coded data blocks and error-coded information blocks associated with one or more data channels So that the error correction coded information blocks are positioned after correction-coded data block errors. 46. The device according to item 45, in which the means for encoding comprises means for encoding with direct error correction. 47. The device according to item 45, in which one or more data channels contain one or more channel switching signals (CSV) associated with one or more multimedia signals. 48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein said generating means comprises means for generating one or more CSV signals that comprise at least one of a full low resolution version and a partial low resolution version associated with one or more multimedia signals . 49. A device for generating a multiplex signal adapted to receive multimedia services, the device comprising
a packer configured to form a plurality of transmission frames, wherein each transmission frame is associated with a selected time interval; and
an encoder configured to encode data associated with one or more channels into a plurality of transmission frames, the selected data being encoded into predetermined transmission frames, so that channel fluctuations can be eliminated using a single buffer having a selected time duration, wherein the encoder is configured for pre-interleaving error-coded data blocks and error-coded information blocks associated with one or more data channels, so that ated with correction information blocks are positioned after error coded data blocks with error correction. 50. A machine-readable medium containing instructions for generating a multiplex signal adapted to receive a multimedia service, the instructions forcing them to force the machine
generate a plurality of transmission frames, each transmission frame being associated with a selected time interval; and
encode data associated with one or more channels into a plurality of transmission frames, wherein the selected data is encoded into predetermined transmission frames, so that channel fluctuations can be eliminated using a single buffer having a selected time duration, wherein the data encoding comprises pre-interleaving error-coded data blocks and error-coded information blocks associated with one or more data channels, so error-coded ok information blocks are positioned after data blocks encoded with error correction. 51. A processor for generating a multiplex signal adapted to receive a multimedia service, the processor being configured to
forming a plurality of transmission frames, wherein each transmission frame is associated with a selected time interval; and
encoding data associated with one or more channels into a plurality of transmission frames, wherein the selected data is encoded into predetermined transmission frames, so that channel fluctuations can be eliminated using a single buffer having a selected time duration, wherein the data encoding comprises pre-interleaving error-coded data blocks and error-coded information blocks associated with one or more data channels, so that error-corrected codes side information blocks are positioned after data blocks encoded with error correction. 52. A method of obtaining a multimedia service from a multiplex signal, comprising
receiving multiple transmission frames, each transmission frame being associated with a selected time interval and containing data associated with one or more data channels, the selected data being encoded into predetermined transmission frames;
buffering multiple transmission frames using a single buffer associated with a selected length of time, wherein channel fluctuations associated with one or more channels are eliminated; and
decoding one or more data channels using forward error correction decoding by deinterleaving the error-coded data blocks and error-coded information blocks associated with one or more data channels, so that the error-coded information blocks are positioned after the coded information error correction data blocks. 53. The method of claim 52, wherein said one or more data channels comprise one or more channel switching video signals (CSV) associated with one or more multimedia signals. 54. The method of claim 53, wherein decoding comprises decoding one or more CSV signals that comprise at least one of a full low resolution version and a partial low resolution version associated with one or more multimedia signals. 55. Device for receiving multimedia services from a multiplex signal, containing
means for receiving a plurality of transmission frames, wherein each transmission frame is associated with a selected time interval and comprises data associated with one or more data channels, the selected data being encoded into predetermined transmission frames;
means for buffering multiple transmission frames using a single buffer associated with a selected length of time, wherein channel fluctuations associated with one or more channels are eliminated; and
means for decoding one or more data channels using forward error correction decoding by deinterleaving error-coded data blocks and error-coded information blocks associated with one or more data channels, so that error-coded information blocks are positioned after error-coded data blocks. 56. The device according to § 55, wherein said one or more data channels comprise one or more channel switching video signals (CSV) associated with one or more multimedia signals. 57. The device according to p, in which the means for decoding contains means for decoding one or more CSV signals, which contain at least one of the full version of the low resolution and partial version of the low resolution associated with one or more multimedia signals. 58. A device for receiving multimedia services from a multiplex signal, containing
a receiver configured to receive a plurality of transmission frames, each transmission frame being associated with a selected time interval and containing data associated with one or more data channels, the selected data being encoded into predetermined transmission frames;
a demodulator configured to buffer a plurality of transmission frames using a single buffer associated with a selected length of time, wherein channel fluctuations associated with one or more channels are eliminated; and
a decoder configured to decode one or more data channels using forward error correction decoding by deinterleaving error-coded data blocks and error-coded information blocks associated with one or more data channels, such that information blocks encoded with error correction positioned after error-coded data blocks. 59. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for obtaining a multimedia service from a multiplex signal, and the instructions, when executed, force the machine to execute
receiving multiple transmission frames, each transmission frame being associated with a selected time interval and containing data associated with one or more data channels, the selected data being encoded into predetermined transmission frames;
buffering multiple transmission frames using a single buffer associated with a selected length of time, wherein channel fluctuations associated with one or more channels are eliminated; and
decoding one or more data channels using forward error correction decoding by deinterleaving the error-coded data blocks and error-coded information blocks associated with one or more data channels, so that error-coded information blocks are positioned after coded with error correction data blocks. 60. A processor for receiving a multimedia service from a multiplex signal, the processor being configured to
receiving multiple transmission frames, each transmission frame being associated with a selected time interval and containing data associated with one or more data channels, the selected data being encoded into predetermined transmission frames;
buffering multiple transmission frames using a single buffer associated with a selected length of time, wherein channel fluctuations associated with one or more channels are eliminated; and
decoding one or more data channels using forward error correction decoding by deinterleaving error-coded data blocks and error-coded information blocks associated with one or more data channels, so that error-coded information blocks are positioned after coded with error correction data blocks.

Images