Method and apparatus for traversing a multiplexed data packet stream

Abstract

A method for traversing a multiplexed data packet stream including choosing a starting location in a multiplexed data packet stream; making a hi-directional search from the starting location to locate a nearest system stream object; and traversing the system stream as a doubly-linked list of objects. Traversing the system stream preferably includes traversing object links of the doubly-linked list of objects. The objects are further preferably cached with an LRU process. Multiple disjoint locations in the system stream can be accessed with a virtual linked list. The virtual linked list can be used to search forwardly; backwardly, or both forwardly and backwardly.

1 . A method for forward play of a multiplexed data packet stream comprising:
 (a) jumping forwardly in a multiplexed data packet stream from a starting location to a 5 later location, whereby intervening data in said multiplexed data packet stream is skipped;   (b) searching in said multiplexed data packet stream from said later location for a system stream object including at least one playable object; and   (c) playing forwardly from said at least one playable object.   
     
     
         2 . A method for forward play of a multiplexed data packet stream as recited in  claim 1  wherein playing forwardly from said at least one playable object includes playing said at least one playable object. 
     
     
         3 . A method for forward play of a multiplexed data packet stream as recited in  claim 1  wherein searching in said multiplexed data packet stream includes:
 synchronizing with said multiplexed data packet stream; and 
 identifying said at least one playable object. 
 
     
     
         4 . A method for forward play of a multiplexed data packet stream as recited in  claim 1  further comprising repeating operation (a) at least once. 
     
     
         5 . A method for forward play of a multiplexed data packet stream as recited in  claim 1  further comprising repeating operations (a)-(b) at least once. 
     
     
         6 . A method for forward play of a multiplexed data packet stream as recited in  claim 1  further comprising repeating operations (a)-(c) at least once. 
     
     
         7 . A method for forward play of a multiplexed data packet stream as recited in  claim 1  wherein said multiplexed data packet stream at least includes an MPEG stream, and wherein said at least one playable object is an I frame. 
     
     
         8 . A method for forward play of a multiplexed data packet stream as recited in  claim 7  wherein said multiplexed data packet stream is stored on at least one of a CD-ROM disc and a DVD disc. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for forward play of a multiplexed data packet stream comprising:
 (a) means for jumping forwardly in a multiplexed data packet stream from a starting location to a later location, whereby intervening data in said multiplexed data packet stream is skipped;   (b) means for searching in said multiplexed data packet stream from said later location for a system stream object including at least one playable object; and   (c) means for playing forwardly from said at least one playable object.   
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for forward play of a multiplexed data packet stream as recited in  claim 9  further comprising means for storing said multiplexed data packet stream. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for forward play of a multiplexed data packet stream as recited in  claim 10  wherein said means for storing includes random access memory (RAM). 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus for forward play of a multiplexed data packet stream as recited in  claim 10  wherein said means for storing includes magnetic media. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus for forward play of a multiplexed data packet stream as recited in  claim 10  wherein said means for storing includes optical media. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus for forward play of a multiplexed data packet stream as recited in  claim 13  wherein said optical media includes at least one of a CD-ROM disc and a DVD disc. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus for forward play of a multiplexed data packet stream comprising: a microprocessor;
 mass storage for a multiplexed data packet stream coupled to said microprocessor; and   read only memory (ROM) coupled to said microprocessor, wherein said read only memory includes, at least in part, program instructions to access said mass storage and thereby, at least in part, to:   (a) jump forwardly in a multiplexed data packet stream from a starting location to a later location, whereby intervening data in said multiplexed data packet stream is skipped;   (b) searching in said multiplexed data packet stream from said later location for a system stream object including at least one playable object; and   (c) play forwardly from said at least one playable object.