Data packet structure for digital information distribution
View Patent ↗A data packet structure capable of efficiently propagating a payload through a multi-user, digital video distribution system. The system is capable of delivering multimedia data (video and audio information) using the Moving Picture Expert Group (MPEG) packets as payload within a unique packet structure. The packet structure enables routing of the packets through a variety of network topologies. Specifically, the packet structure comprises a packet header, a routing information field, a private data field, digital data payload, and an error correction code field. Such a packet structure enables the network to deliver digital video through a point-to-point, star, ring, dual ring, and other network topologies to a user that is identified in the routine information field.
1. A computer-readable memory having stored thereon a computer program which, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform a method, comprising:
forming a data packet; and
using the data packet for propagating video information in a communications network, the data packet comprising:
a header portion comprising:
a packet synchronization field;
a header field comprising a packet type sub-field providing indicia of a type of payload, and a continuity counter;
a private data field associated with application specific data for facilitating payload handling; and
a destination address field comprising a stream number sub-field to identify a data stream being sent to a node in the communications network and a node-identification sub-field capable of providing an address for a node in the communications network, the node identification sub-field contains a packet identifier that is examined by a node in the communications network;
a payload portion comprising digital video information or internet protocol data; and
a trailer field.
2. The computer-readable memory of claim 1 , wherein the packet identifier is a 16 bit string.
3. The computer-readable memory of claim 1 , wherein if the packet identifier in the node identification sub-field does not match an ID of a node examining the packet, then the packet is routed to another node.
4. The computer-readable memory of claim 1 , wherein if the packet identifier in the node identification sub-field does match an ID of a node examining the packet, then the packet is to be removed from the network and processed by the node examining the packet.
5. The computer-readable memory of claim 1 , wherein the stream number sub-field further comprises 12 bits.
6. The computer-readable memory of claim 1 , wherein the stream number sub-field contains a value that is assigned by a destination node in the communication network to identify a data stream being sent to the node.
7. A computer-readable memory having stored thereon a computer program which, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform a method, comprising:
forming a data packet; and
using the data packet for propagating video information in a communications network, the data packet comprising:
a header portion comprising:
a packet synchronization field;
a header field comprising a packet type sub-field providing indicia of a type of payload, and a continuity counter;
a private data field associated with one or more identification codes that are associated with specific programs being transported in the packet, the one or more identification codes being associated one or more title identification codes that is compared to an expected title identification code at a node where the data packet is received to verify the correctness of the content contained in the data packet;
a destination address field;
a payload portion comprising:
digital video information or interne protocol data; and
a trailer field.
8. The computer-readable memory of claim 7 , wherein one or more identification codes is a title identification code (TIC) that is associated with one or more programs being transported in the payload portion.
9. The computer-readable memory of claim 8 , wherein the private data field associated with the title identification code (TIC) is used to perform stream integrity checking on a packet-by-packet basis.
10. The computer-readable memory of claim 9 , wherein the private data field stores source address information if the payload portion contains IP-based packets.
11. The computer-readable memory of claim 9 , wherein the private data field stores source address information if the payload contains in-band messages.
12. A computer-readable memory having stored thereon a computer program which, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform a method, comprising:
processing a received data packet; and
using the data packet for propagating video information in a communications network, the data packet comprising:
a header portion comprising:
a packet synchronization field;
a header field comprising a packet type sub-field providing indicia of a type of payload, and a continuity counter;
a private data field associated with application specific data for facilitating payload handling; and
a destination address field comprising a stream number sub-field to identify a data stream being sent to a node in the communications network and a node-identification sub-field capable of providing an address for a node in the communications network, the node identification sub-field contains a packet identifier that is examined by a node in the communications network;
a payload portion comprising digital video information or internet protocol data; and
a trailer field.
13. The computer-readable memory of claim 12 , wherein the packet identifier is a 16 bit string.
14. The computer-readable memory of claim 12 , wherein if the packet identifier in the node identification sub-field does not match an ID of a node examining the packet, then the packet is routed to another node.
15. The computer-readable memory of claim 12 , wherein if the packet identifier in the node identification sub-field does match an ID of a node examining the packet, then the packet is to be removed from the network and processed by the node examining the packet.
16. The computer-readable memory of claim 12 , wherein the stream number sub-field further comprises 12 bits.
17. The computer-readable memory of claim 12 , wherein the stream number sub-field contains a value that is assigned by a destination node in the communication network to identify a data stream being sent to the node.