Trickmodes and speed transitions
The disclosed embodiments contemplate techniques for communicating a data stream. The inventive techniques include determining a first timeslot of a first data stream and determining a second timeslot of a second data stream. If the second data stream is greater than the second timeslot, a portion of the second data stream is moved to the first timeslot. In addition, the techniques may include controlling an amount of data storage as a function of the moved portion. Also, the techniques may monitor a size of the second data stream and a size of the second timeslot.
1 . A method of communicating a data stream, comprising:
determining a first timeslot of a first data stream;
determining a second timeslot of a second data stream;
moving a portion of the second data stream to the first timeslot when the second data stream is greater than the second timeslot.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising controlling an amount of data storage as a function of the moved portion.
3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising monitoring a size of the second data stream and a size of the second timeslot.
4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising compressing and decompressing the data streams in accordance with Motion Picture Experts Group standards.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first and second data stream are trickmode streams.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the data packet is a trickmode packet.
7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising redistributing unused bandwidth in the first timeslot to the second timeslot.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the method is performed by a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions.
9 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing a fixed-length timeslot.
10 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising monitoring the data streams to determine a maximum rate for communicating the data streams.
11 . A system for communicating a data stream, comprising:
a set top box;
a data server in communication with the set top box;
a bandwidth adjustment module in communication with the set top box and the data server, wherein the bandwidth adjustment module is capable of moving a portion of a second data stream to a first timeslot when the second data stream is greater than a second timeslot.
12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the second data stream is a trickmode packet.
13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the trickmode packet comprises I-frames.
14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the I-frames are communicated at a rate of 10 frames per second.
15 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the bandwidth adjustment module inserts Dummy data into the trickmode packet.
16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the Dummy data comprises B-frames and P-frames.
17 . The system of claim 11 , further comprising a compression/decompression decoder.
18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the compression/decompression decoder operates in accordance with Motion Picture Experts Group standards.
19 . The system of claim 11 , further comprising a user interface capable of communicating with the set top box to initiate a trickmode play.
20 . The system of claim 19 , wherein the user interface is wireless.
21 . The system of claim 19 , wherein the trickmode play includes at least one of the following: fast forward, rewind, play, pause and stop.
22 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the data server provides video streams.
23 . The system of claim 11 , further comprising a display device in communication with the set top box.
24 . A method of controlling a data storage level, comprising:
adding a data frame to a data stream;
changing the rate of transmission the data stream; and
transferring from a first mode to a second mode.
25 . The method of claim 24 , further comprising receiving a command to switch from the first mode to the second mode.
26 . The method of claim 24 , further comprising compressing and decompressing the data stream in accordance with Motion Pictures Expert Group standards.
27 . The method of claim 24 , wherein the data frame is a dummy frame.
28 . The method of claim 27 , wherein dummy frame is at least one of the following: a B-frame and a P-frame.
29 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the data stream comprises an I-frame.
30 . The method of claim 24 , wherein the data stream is a video stream.
31 . The method of claim 25 , wherein the modes are at least one of the following: a trickmode play and a normal play mode.
32 . The method of claim 25 , further comprising consecutively displaying substantially similar frames.