Encoding and decoding methods for scalable streaming and related systems

Abstract

A method and system for scalably encoding data are disclosed. A method and system for decoding data which has been scalably encoding are also disclosed. In one encoding method embodiment, the present invention recites receiving data. The present method then segments the data into corresponding regions. The regions are then scalably encoded into scalable data. Next, the present embodiment, packetizes the scalable data.

1 . A method for scalably encoding data, said method comprising: 
 a) receiving data;    b) scalably encoding said data; and    c) packetizing said scalably encoded data to provide independently decodable scalable packets..    
     
     
         2 . The method for scalably encoding data as recited in  claim 1  wherein said step a) comprises: 
 receiving video frame data.  
 
     
     
         3 . The method for scalably encoding data as recited in  claim 1  wherein said step a) comprises: 
 receiving prediction error data generated by a video prediction unit.  
 
     
     
         4 . The method for scalably encoding data as recited in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 segmenting said data into corresponding regions;  
 
     
     
         5 . The method for scalably encoding data as recited in  claim 1  wherein said step b) further comprises: 
 scalably encoding said data into said scalable data and into header data wherein said header data provides information corresponding to said scalable data.  
 
     
     
         6 . The method for scalably encoding data as recited in  claim 5  wherein said step c) further comprises: 
 packetizing said scalable data and said header data.  
 
     
     
         7 . The method for scalably encoding data as recited in  claim 1  wherein said data is selected from the group comprising: video data, audio data, image data, graphic data, and web page data.  
     
     
         8 . The method for scalably encoding data as recited in  claim 4  further comprising: 
 segmenting said data into corresponding rectangular regions.  
 
     
     
         9 . The method for scalably encoding data as recited in  claim 4  further comprising: 
 segmenting said data into corresponding non-rectangular regions.  
 
     
     
         10 . The method for scalably encoding data as recited in  claim 4  further comprising: 
 segmenting said data into corresponding overlapping regions.  
 
     
     
         11 . The method for scalably encoding data as recited in  claim 1  wherein said method comprises performing steps b) through c) for only a portion of said data received at step a).  
     
     
         12 . A scalable encoding system for encoding data, said scalable encoding system comprised of: 
 a scalable encoder, said scalable encoder adapted to encode data into scalable data; and    a packetizer coupled to said scalable encoder, said packetizer adapted to packetize said scalable data to provide independently decodable scalable packets.    
     
     
         13 . The scalable encoding system of  claim 12  further comprising: 
 a segmenter coupled to said scalable encoder, said segmenter adapted to receive data and segment said data into corresponding regions.  
 
     
     
         14 . The scalable encoding system of  claim 12  wherein said data is comprised of video frame data.  
     
     
         15 . The scalable encoding system of  claim 12  wherein said scalable encoder is adapted to receive prediction error video data generated by a video prediction unit.  
     
     
         16 . The scalable encoding system of  claim 12  further comprising a video prediction unit coupled to said scalable encoder, said video prediction unit adapted to generate prediction error video data and provide said prediction error data to said scalable encoder.  
     
     
         17 . The scalable encoding system of  claim 13  wherein said scalable encoder is further adapted to encode said corresponding regions into said scalable data and into header data wherein said header data provides information corresponding to said scalable data.  
     
     
         18 . The scalable encoding system of  claim 17  wherein said packetizer is further adapted to packetize said scalable data and said header data.  
     
     
         19 . A computer readable medium having computer readable code stored thereon for causing a device to perform the scalable encoding steps of: 
 a) receiving data;    b) scalably encoding said data into scalable data; and    c) packetizing said scalable data to provide independently decodable scalable packets.    
     
     
         20 . The method as recited in  claim 19  wherein said computer readable medium further includes computer readable code stored thereon for causing said device performing said step a) to receive video frame data.  
     
     
         21 . The method as recited in  claim 19  wherein said computer readable medium further includes computer readable code stored thereon for causing said device performing said step a) to receive prediction error video data generated by a video prediction unit.  
     
     
         22 . The method as recited in  claim 19  wherein said computer readable medium further includes computer readable code stored thereon for causing said device to perform the step of: 
 segmenting said data into corresponding regions.  
 
     
     
         23 . The method as recited in  claim 19  wherein said computer readable medium further includes computer readable code stored thereon for causing said device performing said step b) to scalably encode said data into said scalable data and into header data wherein said header data provides information corresponding to said scalable data.  
     
     
         24 . The method as recited in  claim 23  wherein said computer readable medium further includes computer readable code stored thereon for causing said device performing said step c) to packetize said scalable data and said header data.  
     
     
         25 . The method as recited in  claim 19  wherein said data is selected from the group comprising: video data, audio data, image data, graphic data, and web page data.  
     
     
         26 . The method as recited in  claim 22  wherein said computer readable medium further includes computer readable code stored thereon for causing said device to segment said data into corresponding rectangular regions.  
     
     
         27 . The method as recited in  claim 22  wherein said computer readable medium further includes computer readable code stored thereon for causing said device to segment said data into corresponding non-rectangular regions.  
     
     
         28 . The method as recited in  claim 22  wherein said computer readable medium further includes computer readable code stored thereon for causing said device to segment said data into corresponding overlapping regions.  
     
     
         29 . The method as recited in  claim 19  wherein said computer readable medium further includes computer readable code stored thereon for causing said device to perform steps a) through c) for only a portion of said data received at step a).  
     
     
         30 . A method for decoding data which has been scalably encoded, said method comprising the steps of: 
 a) receiving a packet containing scalably encoded data;    b) decrypting said packet containing said scalably encoded data to generate scalably encoded regions;    c) decoding said scalably encoded regions to provide decoded regions; and    d) assembling said decoded regions to provide data.    
     
     
         31 . The method for decoding data which has been scalably encoded, as recited in  claim 30  wherein said step a) comprises: 
 receiving said packet containing said scalably encoded data, said packet also including header data wherein said header data provides information corresponding to said scalably encoded data.  
 
     
     
         32 . The method for decoding data which has been scalably encoded, as recited in  claim 30  wherein step d) further comprises: 
 assembling said decoded regions to provide video frame data.  
 
     
     
         33 . The method for decoding data which has been scalably encoded, as recited in  claim 30  wherein step d) further comprises: 
 assembling said decoded regions to provide prediction error video data for use by a video prediction unit.  
 
     
     
         34 . A decoding system for decoding data encoded using a scalable encoding system, said decoding system comprised of: 
 a decoder, said decoder adapted to receive a packet containing scalably encoded regions, said decoder adapted to decode said scalably encoded regions to provide decoded regions; and    an assembler coupled to said decoder said assembler adapted to assemble said decoded regions to provide data.    
     
     
         35 . The decoding system of  claim 34  for decoding data encoded using a scalable encoding system wherein said decoder is further adapted to receive a packet containing said scalably encoded data regions and also including header data wherein said header data provides information corresponding to said scalably encoded data regions.  
     
     
         36 . The decoding system of  claim 34  for decoding data encoded using a scalable encoding system wherein said assembler is further adapted to assemble said decoded regions to provide video frame data.  
     
     
         37 . The decoding system of  claim 34  for decoding data encoded using a scalable encoding system wherein said assembler is further adapted to assemble said decoded regions to provide prediction error video data for use by a video prediction unit.  
     
     
         38 . A computer readable medium having computer readable code stored thereon for causing a device to decode data which has been scalably encoded, said method comprising the steps of: 
 a) receiving a packet containing scalably encoded regions;    b) decoding said scalably encoded regions to provide decoded regions; and    c) assembling said decoded regions to provide data.    
     
     
         39 . The method as recited in  claim 38  wherein said computer readable medium further includes computer readable code stored thereon for causing said device performing said step a) to receive said packet containing said scalably encoded data wherein said packet also includes header data, said header data providing information corresponding to said scalably encoded data.  
     
     
         40 . The method as recited in  claim 38  wherein said computer readable medium further includes computer readable code stored thereon for causing said device performing said step c) to assemble said decoded regions to provide video frame data.  
     
     
         41 . The method as recited in  claim 38  wherein said computer readable medium further includes computer readable code stored thereon for causing said device performing said step c) to assemble said decoded regions to provide prediction error video data for use by a video prediction unit.