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Adaptive rate control for insertion of data into arbitrary bit rate data streams
| Details |
Inventors: Pinder, Howard G.; Kelly, Andrew O.;
Assignee: Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. (Lawrenceville, GA)
Primary Examiner: Vincent; David R.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Gardner; Kelly A., Massaroni; Kenneth M., Barnhardt, III; Hubert J.
The rate of insertion of data, such as MPEG table packets, into an outgoing bit stream is varied by a packet handler. The packet handler, which is located in a modulator in a cable television system headend, comprises control logic and a packet router. The actual insertion rate of the outgoing data is based on the bit stream's available capacity for insertion of data and the desired insertion rate of the data. When the available capacity for insertion equals or exceeds the desired insertion rate, the actual insertion rate equals the desired insertion rate. When the available capacity for insertion is less than the desired insertion rate, the actual insertion rate is reduced from the desired insertion rate. The present invention dynamically determines the available capacity for insertion and adjusts the actual insertion rate. |
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention provides a method and apparatus for adaptive control of the rate of data insertion into an outgoing bit stream, based on the available capacity for insertion into the bit stream.
In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a dynamic method for adaptively controlling the rate of MPEG table insertion.
This embodiment includes a packet handler, an input buffer, and an output buffer.
The packet handler, which includes control logic and a packet router, determines the available capacity for insertion into the bit stream, varies the insertion rate based on the available capacity, and inserts the data into the bit stream.
Several methods for adjusting the insertion rate are described below.
Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent like elements throughout the several figures, the present invention and an exemplary operating environment will be described.
Television System Overview FIG.
1 illustrates various aspects of an exemplary television system in which the present invention is designed to operate.
The present invention relates to the insertion of data into a bit stream and is described in the context of digital equipment that forms a part of a television system.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that although analog equipment is not described below, the present invention may be used in television systems that employ both digital and analog equipment.
The television system 100 includes a headend 21, which receives input programming from multiple input sources.
The headend 21 combines the programming from the various sources and distributes the programming to subscriber locations (e.
g.
, subscriber location 50) via distribution system 48.
In a typical system, the headend 21 receives programming from a variety of sources 2a, 2b, 2c.
The programming signals may be transmitted from the source to the headend via a variety of transmission paths, including satellite 10, 12, and terrestrial broadcast 15, 16.
The headend can also receive programming from a direct feed source 8 via a direct line 17
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Television 
