Automated transport stream remapping apparatus and method

Abstract

In a device that receives and outputs multiplexed, packetized data streams, an output data stream mapper has an interface with an input packetized data stream, a packet processor configured to and route packets, a memory for long term retention of at least one stored format table, the stored format table having input program numbers and output program numbers, and the memory further being configured for short term retention of a current PAT. A mapping processor is configured to receive a current PAT from the input data stream, and to compare input program numbers in the current PAT to known program numbers in the stored format table. If the input program numbers in the current PAT are the same as the input program numbers in the stored format table, then another data stream is output having output program numbers from the stored format table. If the input program numbers in the current PAT are not the same as the input program numbers in the stored format table, then another data stream is output having reassigned output program numbers. The reassigned output program numbers may be from another stored format table in the memory, if the other stored format table has input program numbers that match the input program numbers in the current PAT. If not the reassigned output program numbers may be newly generated. The mapper may also reassign PMT PIDs and/or PIDs within the PMTs.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
   
   
       21 . In a device receiving multiplexed, packetized input data streams and outputing other multiplexed, packetized data streams, a method of mapping an output data stream comprising:
 interfacing with an input data stream;   processing input packets to identify and routing a selected plurality of related packets;   retaining in a memory at least one stored format table, said stored format table having at least one stored set of input program numbers associated with at least one stored set of output program numbers, said memory further being configured to retain a current PAT;   sending to a mapping processor a packet from said packet processor, the packet being the current PAT from the input data stream;   said mapping processor further comparing at least one set of input program numbers in the current PAT to said at least one stored set of input program numbers in said stored format table;   said mapping processor further outputting, if the at least one set of input program numbers in the current PAT is the same as said at least one stored set of input program numbers in said stored format table, an output data having said at least one stored set of output program numbers from said stored format table; and   said mapping processor further generating, if at least one input program numbers in the current PAT is not the same as any stored set of input program numbers in the stored format table, a new program numbers and then output another output data stream having reassigned output program numbers, said reassigned output program numbers having said newly generated program numbers.   
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising the step of:
 when the input program numbers in the current PAT are not the same as said at least one stored set of input program numbers in said stored format table, then said mapping processor identifies another stored set of input program numbers in said stored format table in said memory, said another stored set of input program numbers having input program numbers that match the input program numbers in said current PAT, and another output data stream is output having reassigned output program numbers, said reassigned output program numbers being retrieved from another stored set of output program numbers associated in said stored format table with said another stored set of input program numbers.   
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising the step of:
 when the input program numbers in the current PAT are not the same as any stored set of input program numbers in the stored format table, then said mapping processor is configured to generate new program numbers and then output another output data stream having reassigned output program numbers, said reassigned output program numbers being said newly generated program numbers.   
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising the steps of:
 receiving the packet from said packet processor in said mapping processor, the packet being the current PAT from the input data stream,   comparing an input PMT PID in said current PAT to a known PMT PID in said stored format table;   outputting, if the input PMT PID in the current PAT is the same as the input PMT PID in the stored format table, another data stream having output PMT PID from the stored format table; and   outputting, if the input PMT PIDs in the current PAT are not the same as the input program numbers in the stored format table, another data stream having reassigned output PMT PIDs.   
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24  further comprising the step of:
 generating, if the input PMT PIDs in the current PAT are not the same as the input PMT PIDs in the stored format table, new PMT PIDs and then outputting another data stream having reassigned output PMT PIDs, said reassigned output PMT PIDs being said newly generated PMT PIDs.   
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising the step of:
 outputting, if the input program numbers in the current PAT are not the same as the input program numbers in the stored format table, another output data stream having reassigned output PIDs within the PMTs.   
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26  further comprising for step of newly generating reassigned output PIDs within the PMTs by said mapping processor. 
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising the step of re-timestamping output packetized data streams. 
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising the step of error correction. 
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising interfacing said mapping processor with a network. 
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising updated said memory by a received packet processor table. 
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 21  wherein each of said stored format tables is comprised of a single table having stored input program numbers, stored input transport streams, stored output program numbers and stored output transport streams. 
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 21  wherein said each of said stored format tables is comprised of an input table and an output table, said input table having stored input program numbers and stored input transport streams and said input table being associated with said output table, said output table having stored output program numbers and stored output transport streams. 
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising storing a preference table. 
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 21  wherein said mapping processor is configured to check for a unique PID for each input PMT. 
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 35  further comprising assigning new PIDs for input PMTs such that each output PMT has a unique PID. 
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising checking if an incoming program number corresponds to a unique output program number. 
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 37  further comprising assigning a unique output program number for each incoming program number. 
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising storing in a memory at least one of a newly generated PAT or a newly generated PMT. 
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising establishing a program number remapping table. 
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 40  further comprising including in said program number remapping table an item number, an input designation, an output number and an activity designation. 
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising including a PID remapping table. 
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 42  wherein said PID remapping table includes an item number, an input designation, an output number, an output designation and an activity indicator. 
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 40  further comprising assigning a unique PID number for each output data stream.