Method of and apparatus for separating audio and video data from a combined audio/video stream of data

Abstract

A separator circuit receives a stream of data including both audio and video components. The separator circuit separates the audio and video components for transmission to appropriate devices. In the preferred embodiment, the separator circuit is part of a decompression engine which decompresses the received stream of data and also separates the audio and video components. Preferably, the decompression engine is implemented within a device configured for coupling to an IEEE 1394-1995 serial bus network. Alternatively, the decompression engine is implemented as a separate dedicated device within the IEEE 1394-1995 serial bus network. After separating the audio and video components, one or both of those components are transmitted from the decompression engine over one or more isochronous channels on the IEEE 1394-1995 serial bus, to the appropriate devices. When the decompression engine is implemented within a device, an appropriate one of the audio or video components is sent to circuits within the device while the other component is transmitted over the IEEE 1394-1995 serial bus.

I Claim:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for receiving a combined stream of data having a plurality of components comprising: 
 a. an interface circuit configured for coupling to a bus structure for receiving and transmitting data over the bus structure including the combined stream of data having the plurality of components; and    b. a separating circuit coupled to the interface circuit for separating the plurality of components into separate component streams of data, wherein at least one of the separate component streams of data is transmitted through the interface circuit over the bus structure to a remote device.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as claimed in    claim 1    further comprising a decompression engine coupled to the separating circuit and to the interface circuit for decompressing the combined stream of data.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as claimed in    claim 2    wherein the bus structure is an IEEE 1394-1995 serial bus structure.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as claimed in    claim 3    wherein the separate component stream of data is transmitted to the remote device on an isochronous channel on the IEEE 1394-1995 serial bus structure.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as claimed in    claim 2    wherein the combined stream of data is received in an MPEG format.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as claimed in    claim 2    wherein the apparatus is implemented within a local device and further wherein at least one of the separate component streams of data is sent to components within the local device.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as claimed in    claim 2    wherein the apparatus is implemented within a remote device and further wherein at least one of the separate component streams of data is sent to components within the local device.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as claimed in    claim 6    wherein the separate component streams of data represent audio and video data.  
     
     
         9 . A method of receiving a combined stream of data and separating components all from the combined stream of data comprising the steps of: 
 a. receiving the combined stream of data including a plurality of components through an interface circuit;    b. separating the plurality of components into separate component streams of data; and    c. transmitting one or more of the separate component streams of data through the interface circuit to a remote device.    
     
     
         10 . The method as claimed in    claim 8    further comprising the step of decompressing the combined stream of data.  
     
     
         11 . The method as claimed in    claim 9    wherein the interface circuit is coupled to a bus structure.  
     
     
         12 . The method as claimed in    claim 10    wherein the combined stream of data is received in an MPEG format.  
     
     
         13 . The method as claimed in    claim 11    wherein the separate component streams of data represent audio and video data.  
     
     
         14 . The method as claimed in    claim 12    wherein the bus structure is an IEEE 1394-1995 bus structure.  
     
     
         15 . A decompression engine for decompressing a compressed stream of data including a plurality of components, comprising: 
 a. an interface circuit configured for coupling to a bus structure for receiving and transmitting data over the bus structure including a combined stream of data having the plurality of components;    b. a decompression circuit coupled to the interface circuit for decompressing the combined stream of data thereby forming a decompressed stream of data; and    c. a separating circuit coupled to the decompression circuit for separating the plurality of components within the decompressed stream of data into separate and decompressed component streams of data, wherein at least one of the separate and decompressed component streams of data is transmitted through the interface circuit over the bus structure to a remote device.    
     
     
         16 . The decompression engine as claimed in    claim 14    wherein the decompression circuit and the separating circuit are both included within a decompression engine.  
     
     
         17 . The decompression engine as claimed in    claim 14    wherein the decompression circuit is included within a local device and further wherein at least one of the separate and decompressed component streams of data is sent to components within the local device.  
     
     
         18 . The decompression engine as claimed in    claim 16    wherein the compressed stream of data is received in an MPEG format.  
     
     
         19 . The decompression engine as claimed in    claim 17    wherein the separate and decompressed component streams of data represent audio and video data.  
     
     
         20 . The decompression engine as claimed in    claim 18    wherein the bus structure is an IEEE 1394-1995 serial bus structure.  
     
     
         21 . A television for displaying video information comprising: 
 a. a display for displaying video information;    b. a display driver coupled to the display for controlling the display and providing the video information to be displayed;    c. an interface circuit configured for coupling to a bus structure for receiving and transmitting data over the bus structure including a combined stream of data having audio and video components; and    d. a decompression engine coupled to the interface circuit and to the display driver for decompressing the combined stream of data thereby forming a decompressed stream of data and separating the decompressed stream of data into an audio stream of data and a video stream of data, wherein the audio stream of data is transmitted through the interface circuit and over the bus structure to a remote device and the video stream of data is sent to the display driver to be displayed on the display.    
     
     
         22 . The television as claimed in    claim 20    wherein the combined stream of data is received in an MPEG format.  
     
     
         23 . The television as claimed in    claim 20    wherein the bus structure is an IEEE 1394-1995 serial bus structure.  
     
     
         24 . The television as claimed in    claim 22    wherein the combined stream of data is received on a first isochronous channel.  
     
     
         25 . The television as claimed in    claim 23    wherein the audio stream of data is transmitted on a second isochronous channel.