CN101491002A - Transmitting and receiving media packet streams - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention concerns the transmitting and receiving of digital media packets, such as audio and video channels and lighting instructions. The network (104) is comprised of at least a transmitter device (110) and a receiving device (112). The controllers (122) and (126) of these devices handle the exchanging of configuration messages between the devices (110) and (112). Using the invention, the user is not required to manually configure the processor to receive media packet streams. Instead, a controller (126) of a receiving device (112) operates to receive information on a user selection of media channels and automatically configure the processor of the transmitter device. Further, the receiving device (112) is able to receive media channels using both unicast and multicast protocols. Media channels can be given textual labels which are unique on the unique (104) and easily identify to the user the actual source of the media channel. Media channels of different formats to be sent on the same net work simultaneous. Further, redundant media channels are easily accommodated.

Description

Send and receiving media packet streams

Technical field

The present invention relates to transmission and reception to the grouping of the Digital Media such as Voice ﹠ Video passage and luminous instruction.Such as but not limited to, the mode that the present invention relates to use Internet Protocol (IP) computer network to satisfy the high fidelity demand with utilization sends the media channel that media device is produced.Media channel is sent to receiver device to broadcast as media packet from transmitter apparatus.The present invention relates to the method for transmitter apparatus, receiver device, instruction message, reception and transmission media packet streams, the computer software of carrying out these methods and data network.

Background technology

For a long time, use the cable of application specific that the media channel such as the Voice ﹠ Video passage is transmitted.For example, use the double-core speaker cables that a left side and right voice-grade channel are sent to loud speaker from amplifier.

Recently, use the agreement such as unicast or multicast to come the transfer medium signal by the computer based network.Clean culture is the method that sends grouping by computer network to single goal ground.Wish to receive the media device of grouping at each, must retransmit unicast packet.

Typically, multicast refers to ip multicast, and ip multicast is an agreement of utilizing multicast address to send effectively to a plurality of receiver devices simultaneously on the TCP/IP network.Computer network then operation receives on the equipment of multicast grouping to route the packet in each hope on the network.

Be designed to send Digital Media the computer based network be exemplified as commercially available computer network by Telos.The Telos computer network utilizes multicast protocol to operate, and information channel of each grouping multicast stream carrying.All data that transmit on computer network are isomorphisms.Each grouping comprises the sampling from single passage, and all passages that transmit on network use 48KHz sampling rate and each sampling to use 20 Bit datas.By keeping grouping and sample format isomorphism, the Telos system knows grouping how to explain arrival all the time.It is required know just corresponding with each passage be which multicast address.

The another kind of computer network commercially available by CobraNet uses unicast protocol.Transmitter sends grouping with given repetition interval, and receiver is configured to receive grouping during this specified time interval.

Summary of the invention

In first aspect, the invention provides the receiver device that is used to receive from the media packet streams of data network, described receiver device comprises:

Data-interface is used for receiving media packet streams, and each media packet streams comprises the media channel that one or more users select;

Processor is used for extracting the media channel that the user selects from the media packet streams that receives; And

Controller, be used to receive the information to the selection of the media channel of advertisement on data network about the user, be used to receive the information in the transmission source of each media channel of selecting about the user, the media channel that the user that can send from identical transmission source is selected is returned the group thus, and the number that the media channel of the instruction that will receive one or more media packet streams for each group and the selection of the user in each media packet streams automatically is provided to processor.

Like this, the user does not need the manual configuration process device with receiving media packet streams.The substitute is, processor operations is with the information of reception about user's selection of media channel, and automatic configuration processor.In addition, the application of the invention, receiver device can utilize unicast protocol and multicast protocol, and the two comes the receiving media passage.The present invention has the advantage that can use low-cost data network layout and equipment (for example switching Ethernet) to come receiving media packet streams.

The media channel of each selection all has form, and controller can be operated with the information of reception about the form of the media channel of each selection.The form of media channel can comprise in sampling rate, bit-depth and the coding method any one or a plurality of.Controller can also carry out Gui Qun to the media channel of selection with same format.According to form return group can according in sampling rate, bit-depth and the coding method any one or a plurality of.Alternatively, the media channel with different media channel forms can be included in the media packet streams.Like this, data network of the present invention provides improved flexibility ratio, because receiver device can receive the dissimilar medium passage from same data network.

Each grouping of media packet streams can comprise than the more media channel of selected media channel among the group.

It not is the media channel of selected media channel in this group that one or more media packet streams among the group can also comprise.Controller can provide about will receive the instruction of two or more stream of packets for each group to processor.

Controller can be away from processor and/or data-interface.

The network parameter that can comprise the transmission source about the information that sends the source.The transmission source can be a transmitting apparatus.Network parameter can comprise IP address and configured port identifier.

Controller can also receive about can be in order to the information of method that selected passage is received at each selected media channel.Can be in one or more intended media stream of packets that also comprise other media channel in order to method that selected media channel is received.Can use multicast protocol to receive this intended media stream of packets.

Reception to selected media channel can utilize unicast protocol, and based on the request that sends the source is carried out.Controller can further be operated to send request comprises the one or more selected media channels among the group with reception media packet streams to the transmission source.

Controller can determine to receive the method for optimizing of selected media channel.This can comprise: determine whether the media channel in the intended media stream of packets comprises other selected media channel, and when the number of the selected media channel in the intended media stream of packets increased, tendency was to the reception of intended media stream of packets.Controller can also receive about the weighted factor in order to the method that receives selected media channel, and tends to have the method for the weighted factor of indication method for optimizing.

Controller can comprise the instruction that is used to ignore the one or more media channels in the media packet streams that will receive for the instruction of processor.

Controller can comprise that for the instruction of processor the media channel about the selection of being extracted should be routed to the instruction of which output channel.

Controller can comprise about destination address and the port that will use for the instruction of processor or be used for the Datagram instruction of being equal to of non-the Internet protocol transmission.

Receiver device can comprise two or more data-interfaces, and controller for the instruction of processor can comprise about will on which data-interface the information of receiving media packet streams.Controller can also be operated and be used for sending request to receive first media packet streams at the first data-interface place and to receive second media packet streams at the second data-interface place to the transmission source, and wherein the sampling that is comprised in first and second media packet streams is identical.

Media channel can carry out advertisement with unique title on network, this unique name is described the source of media channel with written form.The information that the user about to media channel that controller received selects can be the indication to the unique name of each user selector channel.This title can comprise the one or more words of describing the media channel source and one or more words of describing the transmission source that will send media channel.This makes the user easily to browse and there is no the media channel that the identification of doubt ground is expected.

Controller can send to the database that is connected with the data networking as key for searching with the advertised name of media channel, and from the database receiving media passage format information that is connected with data network as answer.Database can be a distributed data base.

Receiver device can comprise second data-interface, and controller can provide the instruction at the copy of the second data-interface place receiving media packet streams to processor.A plurality of second data-interfaces can be provided.On data network, user interface can be away from processor.This makes the user to be configured all receiver devices from a position of data network.

Controller can comprise the details that is used for storing the group and in order to the storage device of the method for the media channel that receives the group.This comprises the information about the form of the media channel in group's transmission source and the group.

Media channel can be audio signal, vision signal or the command signal such as luminous command signal.

Data network can be realized based on Internet Protocol.Data network can utilize another packet-based transmission method to realize.This network can comprise sub-network, and each sub-network wherein has different packet-based transmission methods.

Media packet streams can include the different or overlapping media channel with different bit-depths, coding and sampling rate.The single medium stream of packets can be used the some or all spaces in the grouping.

In second aspect, the invention provides the method for reception from the media packet streams of data network, the method comprising the steps of:

Reception is about the information of user to the selection of the media channel of advertisement on data network;

Reception is about the information in the transmission source of the media channel of each user's selection, and the media channel that the user that can send from identical transmission source is selected is returned the group thus;

The number of the media channel that the user in the instruction that will receive one or more media packet streams for each group and each media packet streams selects automatically is provided to processor;

Receive one or more media packet streams; And

From the media packet streams that receives, extract the media channel that the user selects.

In the third aspect, the invention provides the instruction message that slave controller sends to the processor of receiver device.In fourth aspect, the invention provides the computer software that is used to carry out this method.

On the other hand, the invention provides the transmitter apparatus that is used for sending by data network media data flow, described transmitter apparatus comprises:

A plurality of input medium passages are used for the receiving media passage, and wherein each media channel has form;

One or more transmit ports are used to send media packet streams;

Processor is used for the media channel that receives is carried out packetizing, to create the media packet streams that is sent by transmit port; And

Controller is used for the media channel that receives with same format is returned the group or received the instruction that the media channel that receives about which is formed the group; Thereby and automatically to processor provide instruction with the media channel packetizing among the group to the identical media packet streams.

Controller can also be operated to receive the media channel that further which is received and form the instruction that the group makes amendment.Like this, can dynamically revise the group in time.

Controller can also be operated to provide to processor about sending the further instruction of media packet streams from two transmit ports (for example two data interface-main interface and redundant interface).

Controller can come processor controls by sending instruction message to processor.Controller can also processor controls be addressed to an address and port with media packet streams.This address can be multicast address or unicast address (that is the particular address on the data network).This instruction message can comprise the needed information of grouping that makes up.For example, for IP grouping, this information can comprise any or multinomial among the time slot details of number of active lanes among destination address, destination interface, the group and each media channel among the group.For other protocol type, will need out of Memory or address.

On data network, controller can be away from processor and/or transmit port.Like this, media channel is carried out the control of packetizing and can carry out away from data network, for example with separate computer that data network is connected on carry out.

If the change of format of media channel, then controller is also operated automatically media channel is returned again the group to the group with same format.

On the other hand, the invention provides the method that is used for sending by data network media packet streams, the method comprising the steps of:

At a plurality of input medium passages place receiving media passage, each media channel has form;

One or more media channels that receive with same format are carried out Gui Qun, perhaps one or more media channels are carried out Gui Qun according to received instruction about which media channel composition group;

Provide instruction so that the media channel among the group is grouped in the identical media stream of packets from the trend processor; And

Send media packet streams.

On the other hand, the invention provides the instruction message that slave controller sends to the processor of transmitter apparatus.On the other hand, the invention provides the software program that is used to carry out said method.

Aspect another, the present invention includes the instruction message that sends to the controller of transmitter apparatus from the controller of receiver device, this transmitter apparatus can be operated and be used for dynamically disposing media packet streams.

On the other hand, the present invention includes the computer system that comprises above-mentioned transmitter apparatus and receiver device.

Aspect another, the invention provides the transmitter apparatus that is used for sending media packet streams by data network, this transmitter apparatus comprises:

A plurality of input medium passages are used for the receiving media passage, and each media channel has form;

One or more transmit ports are used to send media packet streams;

Processor is used for the media channel that receives is carried out packetizing, is used for the media packet streams that is sent by transmit port with establishment; And

Controller, be used for processor controls and create first media packet streams that comprises one or more media channels with same format, and create second media packet streams comprise one or more media channels with same format, the form of the media channel in the form of the media channel in wherein said first media packet streams and second media packet streams is different.

Controller can also automatically be determined the frame number of each grouping in each stream of packets, and wherein the frame number of each grouping in the frame number of each grouping in first stream of packets and second stream of packets is different.Each frame in the grouping comprises a sampling of each media channel.The frame number of each grouping can be based on the sampling rate of the media channel in this group and bit-depth and is determined.

Controller can also processor controls send to multicast address with first media packet streams, and second media packet streams can be sent to unicast address.

Aspect another, the invention provides the method that is used for sending media packet streams by data network, this transmitter apparatus comprises:

At a plurality of input medium passages place receiving media passage, each media channel has form;

Processor controls is created first media packet streams that comprises the one or more media channels with same format, and create second media packet streams comprise one or more media channels with same format, wherein the form of the media channel in the form of the media channel in first media packet streams and second media packet streams is different; And

Send the media packet streams of being created.

The present invention also provides the computer software that is used to send above-mentioned first and second media packet streams.

On the other hand, the invention provides the receiver device that is used to receive from the media packet streams of data network, this receiver device comprises:

Data-interface is used to receive first media packet streams and second media packet streams, and wherein each grouping in first media packet streams and second media packet streams comprises one or more media channels;

Processor is used for extracting media channel from first media packet streams and second media packet streams; And

Controller is used to receive the information about the form of the media channel that comprised in first and second media packet streams, and wherein the form of the media channel that is comprised in the form of the media channel that is comprised in first media packet streams and second media packet streams is different; And be used for providing the instruction that comes first and second media packet streams are separated packetizing about how according to different media channel forms to processor.

Aspect another, the invention provides the method that is used to receive from the media packet streams of data network, the method comprising the steps of:

Receive first media packet streams and second media packet streams, wherein each grouping in first and second media packet streams comprises one or more media channels;

Reception is about the information of the form of the media channel that comprised in first and second media packet streams, and wherein the form of the media channel that is comprised in first media packet streams is different with the form of the interior media channel that is comprised of second media packet streams; And

Provide the instruction that comes first and second media packet streams are separated packetizing about how according to different media formats to processor, so that processor extracts media channel from first and second media packet streams.

The present invention also provides the computer software that is used to receive above-mentioned first and second media packet streams.

On the other hand, the invention provides the computer network that is used to send with receiving media packet streams, this computer network comprises above-mentioned transmitting and receiving device.

Description of drawings

Referring now to accompanying drawing embodiments of the invention are described, in the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is the schematic diagram that can be used for network of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is the schematic diagram that uses the network of unicast protocol according to first embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is the flow chart of the method for the embodiment shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 (a) is that the example of user interface shows;

Fig. 4 (b) is to use the schematic diagram of the present invention by the single grouping of the stream of packets of network transmission;

Fig. 5 is the schematic diagram that uses the network of multicast protocol according to second embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is the flow chart of the method for the embodiment shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is the schematic diagram that uses the network of redundant interface according to the 3rd embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 8 (a) is how to realize redundant schematic diagram in data network to 8 (d); And

Fig. 9 is another schematic diagram that uses the network of redundant interface according to the 4th embodiment of the present invention.

Specific embodiments

The networking component summary

At first with reference to Fig. 1, data network 100 comprises transmitter apparatus 110 and receiver device 112.In network 100, may there be a plurality of transmitter apparatus 110 and a plurality of receiver device 112, but for the sake of clarity, one of them only be discussed here.In addition, equipment 110 and 112 may be able to carry out sends and receives two functions, but here for for the purpose of clear more, equipment 110 and 112 is described as only carrying out a function.

Transmitter apparatus 110 and receiver device 112 are connected to each other by network 114, thereby make them can send and receive the Digital Media grouping.Transmitter apparatus 110 comprises Audio Processing engine (APE) 120 and Audio Processing engine controller (APEC) 122.Receiver device 112 also comprises APE 124 and APEC126.In the media packet streams that can comprise two or more media channels, send media packet.For simplicity, the present embodiment is described as identical form with all media channels in the media packet streams, yet the present invention also is applicable to a plurality of media channel forms in the media packet streams.

Media device 140 such as guitar is connected with APE 120, the media signal that APE 120 receiving media equipment 140 are produced.Can add the preprocessor (not shown), so that media channel is served as numeral or is transformed into another number format (for example, sampling rate or bit-depth conversion) from a kind of number format from analog-converted.Then, 120 pairs of digital media channels of APE carry out packetizing.Utilize network 114 stream of packets that produces to be sent to the APE 124 of receiver device 112.Then, 124 pairs of digital media signal of APE are separated packetizing, and (if suitably) is converted into analog signal, and the analog media signal is sent to media device 142, for example is used to the loud speaker that broadcasts.When media signal is non-dummy source such as the MIDI source, needn't change.The speed and the skew of strict in time control packetizing and transmission, with guarantee by 142 pairs of media signals of media device broadcast with by being connected to network 114, receiving another media device (not shown) from the media signal of APE 120 equally to synchronous between the broadcast of media signal.In common unsettled PCT application PCT/AU2006/000538 (WO2006/110960), describe the packetizing operation of APE 120 and 124 in detail.

APEC 122/126 is with software or hard-wired assembly.In network 100, APEC 122/126 is on the identical physical equipment with APE 120/124, but alternatively can for example can be on another equipment or central computer that is connected with network 114 away from APE 120/124.APEC 122/126 provides the overview of APE 120/124 and connected any audio frequency apparatus 140 and 142 to the user.But transmitter apparatus 110 has a plurality of sendaisles that can name, also can offer the receiver device 112 on the network 114; This is called as advertisement.Receiving equipment 112 has a plurality of receive paths.Named sendaisle can be distributed to receive path; This is called as reservation.APEC 122 and 126 will be configured APE120/124, so that media signal is routed to receive path from sendaisle.

Receive and send APEC 126 and 122 by network 114 exchange configuration information and control messages.Via the 118 exchange configuration informations of the service discovery database such as DNS-SD.This database can utilize distributed way to realize, the configuration information that is associated with its APEC 122/126 is stored and provided to each equipment 110 and 112.Sometimes need additional control messages to finish booking process, and make media signal be routed.These additional control messages are receiving APEC 126 and are sending transmission between the APEC 122.

Himself APE 120/124 of each APEC 122/126 configuration, and carry out alternately with other APEC 122/126 is to mate between the APE 120/124 that guarantees to be configured in communication.

In each equipment 110 and 112 inside, be called as " TX passage " such as the input channel from the passage of audio frequency apparatus 140, because they will send by network, output channel such as the passage that is sent to audio frequency apparatus 142 is called as " RX passage ", because they will receive data from network.

Clean culture embodiment

Referring now to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the operation according to the computer network among Fig. 1 of one embodiment of the invention is described.In Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, use identical Reference numeral to represent same components in the network.In the present embodiment, computer network 104 utilizes unicast protocol to operate.

Connect network

At first, must connect 500 equipment to create network 104.In this example, four media devices (keyboard 144, guitar 140, be used for the left passage 146 and the right passage 148 that is used for CD of CD) are connected with four input channels of transmitter apparatus 110.Four physical channel inputs are labeled as passage 1 to 4 respectively.In the present embodiment, keyboard uses identical sampling rate and sample format (such as 48kHz, 24 bits, pcm encoder) with guitar.The CD passage has different sampling rates and sample format (such as 44.1kHz, 16 bits, pcm encoder).The output channel of blender 112 is connected with mixing console 145.

Equipment 110 and 112 addresses of using identical mechanism to dispose its network interface.A kind of such mechanism is zero configuration link local addressing.Each equipment 110 and 112 is selected the address randomly in particular range, by using ARP(Address Resolution Protocol) to inquire who has this address and comes network 114 is checked, whether have others using identical address to check then.If there is not equipment to respond, think that then this address is not used, and equipment 110 or 112 can be stated himself use to this address safely.In the present embodiment, the interface 130 of transmitter 110 has address 169.254.10.11, and the interface 132 of receiver device 112 has address 169.254.28.12.In the present embodiment, each equipment 110/112 has shares the single face that is used for master data and configuration between its APEC 122/126 and APE 120/124, although they can separate.In the present embodiment, there is not redundant interface (following redundant interface is made further discussion).

Distribute title

Next, give suitable title 502 for each equipment and passage.The same with all configurations, with name storage in APEC 122 and 126.Utilize default name to come each APEC 122 of initialization.The method of selecting unique default name is that the Short Description such as manufacturer and name of product is closelyed follow Equipment Serial Number afterwards.The user can use user interface 149 to change the title that is stored on APEC 122 and 126.In the present embodiment, interface 149 is provided by the PC that is connected with network 114, and presents to the user on the screen of PC.Passage be designated in every way since 1 and by the arbitrary numbers of APE 120 definition.This step comprises gives the descriptive text title for as required passage and equipment, and for example input/TX passage is the passage of unique given text title.

Transmitter apparatus 110 is named as " interface box (stage-box) ".Also four input channels are named.Input channel 1 called after that will be connected " keyboard (keyboard) " with keyboard 144.Input channel 2 called afters that will be connected " guitar (guitar) " with guitar 140.Input channel 3 called afters " a CD-left side (CD-left) " that will be connected with the left passage 146 of CD.Input channel 4 called afters " the CD-right side (CD-right) " that will be connected with the right passage 148 of CD.

Receiving equipment 112 is named as " blender ".Receiver device 112 has and is numbered 8 output channels of 1 to 8.Because they are output channels, do not quote them in any message between APEC 122 and 126, do not give any title that is used for advertisement to them.For the purpose of present embodiment, receiving equipment 112 does not have any input channel that is connected with media device.

APEC 122 with its TX passage as since 1 singlely present to user interface 149 in abutting connection with array.The TX passage that each presents has also presented associated name.Use title as described below between advertisement and period of subscription.Like this, user's configuration interactive is based on the text title of passage and equipment.From user perspective, this makes configuration friendly more.APEC 126 with its RX passage as from 1 to 8 singlely present to user interface 149 in abutting connection with array.

APE 120 and 124 gives any identifier for each physical channel.APEC 122 and 126 task are to be mapped to these physical identifiers such as the passage array and to be used for other expression the title of TX passage. APE 120 and 124 guarantees that the number of its physical channel and identifier fix for given operation, but should (constant) identifier can appear in the given space Anywhere.Can reconfigure hardware by off-line, and APEC will be suitable for new configuration when hardware is restarted.

The APE 120 that supposes interface box is 16,17,32 and 33 with its four gap markers.The APEC 122 of interface box is shown input channel 1-4 with these identifier lists, and carries out related with suitable title.The APE 124 of blender has 8 output channels that are numbered 8-15.The APEC 126 of blender is expressed as output channel 1-8 with these.

In addition, APEC 122 can support TX passage another name.This just means that identical physical channel can be expressed as two different passages with different titles by APEC 122.For example, 110 physical channel ID 16 of interface box can be the passage 1 of called after " keyboard " and passage 5 (not shown) of called after " theme (lead melody) ".Another name can be added or deletion by APEC 122.Other fixing end of array that another name is added to input channel.

As the part of clean culture advertisement, each APEC 122 and 126 needs unique identifier to refer to passage.Normal operation is the passage ID that uses APE simply.

This clean culture embodiment uses the dynamic beam configuration.The dynamic beam configuration means did not create bundle (and grouping) before receiver 112 is by the method request dynamic bundle of subscribing (as described below).APEC 122 is any bundle of initial configuration on APE 120 not.Dynamic beam is created the configured port that needs on the transmitter 110.This port is accepted the bundle request to create from receiver 112.In the present embodiment, interface box 110 is established as its configured port with UDP/IP port one 4481.The address is the address of interface box: 169.254.10.11.

The unicast channel advertisement

Next procedure be by interface box 110 with the advertisement of TX passage to the network 114 504.When carrying out advertisement by 110 pairs of TX passages of transmitter, other receiver device 112 is considered as it " network channel ".

Interface box 110 is that each movable TX passage is created the passage advertisement.Each passage has the network title, and this network title is by being spliced to form tunnel name and device name, for example " keyboard@stage-box ".Because " stage-box " is unique on network 104, and " keyboard " also be unique on interface box 110, is unique so can guarantee this network title on network 104.

At keyboard, the passage advertisement has four parts, as shown below:

■ channel network title: [email protected] serviced discovery 118 is as search key.

■ passage form.Be 48kHz in this example, 24 bits, pcm encoder.

■ dynamic beam configuration information.In this example, configured port is stage-box.local:14481." stage-box.local " is the unique name of address of the configuration interface 130 of sign interface box.Is 169.254.10.11 by DNS with this name resolving.Interface box 110 each dynamic beam can be handled nearly four passages.

■ comprises existing static state (multicast) bundle of this passage.In this example, there is not static bundle.

Subscribe

Next, blender 112 is subscribed the network channel of 110 advertisements of 506 interface boxs.When receiver 112 carries out (long-range) network channel and (this locality) RX passage when related, subscribe to take place.

User's configuration tool such as interface 149 can be browsed available network passage advertisement 506 (a), and uses these titles to be configured in reservation on the receiver.In the present embodiment, blender 112 has been configured, so that RX passage 1 is subscribed to keyboard@stage-box, RX passage 3 is subscribed to guitar@stage-box, and RX passage 7 is subscribed to [email protected] should be noted that RX channel number (on receiver 110) and TX channel number (on transmitter 112) are independently.Following table has been summed up the channel arrangement of blender 112:

The RX passage	Subscribed extremely ...
		1	keyboard@stage-box
2	-
		3	-
4	guitar@stage-box
		5
6	-
		7	CD-right@stage-box
8	-

Fig. 4 (a) shows how on user interface 149 this table to be shown to the user.

Now, receiver 112 needs to connect the passage of subscribing, and thereby finishes reservation.The phase I of this processing is that each the network channel title that is used as key in service discovery 118 is resolved, but this service discovery 118 can be the database as the access device on the network 114.Database is the corresponding detailed advertising of each network channel name storage.Receiver 112 is given service discovery system 118 with each network channel name delivery 506 (b) and is received back the detailed advertising (if present) of coupling.

In the example of keyboard@stage-box, by using DNS-SD, with the advertisement of following reception network channel as service discovery protocol:

Record: keyboard@stage-box._netaudio_chan._udp.local SRV

0?0?14481?stage-box.local

Record: keyboard@stage-box._netaudio_chan._udp.local TXT

txtvers＝2

rate＝48000

bits＝24

enc＝1

nchan＝4

id＝16

" keyboard@stage-box._netaudio_chan._udp.local " is the full name that is used for the key of passage advertisement.The SRV record is the original record of passage.It comprises the address and the IP port of dynamic beam configured port.The TXT record comprises detailed information, comprises sampling rate (rate), bit-depth (bits) and coding (enc) (1=PCM)." txtvers " field is the version number of TXT record." nchan " field is the largest passages number of each dynamic beam.Each dynamic beam of interface box 110 is up to four passages, and this is enough to send all inputs by a grouping.The id field is any physical gap marker symbol that is used for identifying briefly its passage by APE 120.Tunnel name " keyboard (keyboard) " has ID16.Except sending APEC 120, this ID only disposes dynamic beam to receiver APEC 124 on APEC 122 helpful.

In the present embodiment, blender 112 will be to service discovery request 3 key: keyboard@stage-box, guitar@stage-box and [email protected] will receive back three detailed advertising from service discovery system 118, one at keyboard@stage-box, one at guitar@stage-box and another is at [email protected] moment, the APEC126 of blender 112 carried out Gui Qun 505 (c) by passage form and method of attachment to these advertisements.Because the passage guitar has identical passage form and identical dynamic creation port with keyboard, APEC 126 is that these two passages are created a group (c1).For CD-right@stage-box creates the group (c2) who separates, because CD-right@stage-box has different sampling rates with keyboard@stage-box and guitar@stage-box.

Because the unicast protocol of Shi Yonging is based on dynamic creation in the present embodiment, so receiver 112 needs to specify 505 (d) destination address and ports.Destination address will be the address (169.254.28.12) of its own interfaces 132 of blender 112, because this interface is used for master data.In some cases, APEC 126 can select the destination interface of himself, but APEC126 is really not so in the present embodiment, and APEC 126 selects port 26528 to be used for crowd c1, selects 26719 to be used for crowd c2.

This moment blender 112 to be necessary for each group establishment bundle right: for each group, RX bundle on the APE 124 of blender 112 self and the coupling TX on the interface box 110 restraint.Shown in Fig. 4 (b),, in each frame 554 of grouping 550, must give each channel allocation sample space 556 as a part of creating the group.This is called as time slot.Per minute group 550 has time slot of every passage, has 554 1 sample spaces 556 of every frame thus.The bundle of group c1 has following standard:

■ purpose: 169.254.28.12:26528

■ passage form: 48kHz, 24 bits, PCM

■ time slot: 2

The bundle of group c2 has following standard:

■ purpose: 169.254.28.12:26719

■ passage form: 44.1kHz, 16 bits, PCM

■ time slot: 1

On each equipment 110 and 112, will have different passage mappings.For group c1, on interface box 110, input channel 1 (keyboard) will be mapped to time slot 1, and input channel 2 (guitar) will be mapped to time slot 2.On blender 112, time slot 1 (from the keyboard of interface box) will be mapped to output channel 1, and time slot 2 (from the guitar of interface box) will be mapped to output channel 4.

For group c2, on interface box 110, input channel 4 (the CD-right side) will be mapped to time slot 1.On blender 112, time slot 1 (from the CD-right side of interface box) will be mapped to output channel 7.

Create local RX bundle

In this locality, for each group, blender 112 sends 506 (e) ' from its APEC 126 to its APE 124 and creates the RX bundle ' message.For group c1:

Field	Value	Remarks
			Destination address	169.254.28.12	The master data interface IP address of blender
Destination interface	26528
			Interface	0	The master data interface is #0
Number of time slot	2
			Mapping for time slot 1	[8]	Array with an element: RX passage 1
Mapping for time slot 2	[11]	Array with an element: RX passage 4

For group c2:

Field	Value	Remarks
			Destination address	169.254.28.12	The master data interface IP address of blender
Destination interface	26719
			Interface	0	The master data interface is #0
Number of time slot	1
			Mapping for time slot 1	[14]	Array with an element: RX passage 7

It should be noted that the gap marker symbol that transmits is employed those identifiers of APE124 in the value mapping.On blender 112, RX passage 1 is corresponding with APE124RX passage 8, and RX passage 4 is corresponding with APE124RX passage 11, and RX passage 7 is corresponding with APE124RX passage 14.

The passage mapping is actually the array that is implemented as bit field, rather than single value.For example, time slot 2 is routed to RX passage 4 and RX passage 5 is significant, duplicates time slot 2 at receiver 112 places thus.In this case, the second channel mapping should be [11,12].

The passage form is implied in the passage that transmits in the passage mapping.In the present embodiment, all passages in the mapping must have identical form.It is wrong transmitting the passage with different passage forms in single bundle establishment message.

Create long-range TX bundle

Blender 112 can not directly be created bundle on the APE 120 of interface box.Replace, on behalf of blender 112, the APEC 122 of blender 112 request 506 (f) interface boxs create bundle for each group.

For each group, the APEC 126 of blender sends message by the configured port 14481 of advertisement to the APEC 122 of interface box.This message field is quite similar with employed field when disposing APE 124.Main difference is that the field of shining upon at passage is not an array.The substitute is, use the gap marker symbol (being the identifier of APE 120) that comes from each advertisement.For group c1,110 message is from blender 112 to interface box:

Field	Value	Remarks
			Destination address	169.254.28.12	The master data interface IP address of blender
Destination interface	26528
			Interface	0	The master data interface is #0
Number of active lanes	2
			Time slot 1	16	The ID of keyboard@stage-box
Time slot
	2	17	The ID of guitar@stage-box

For group c2,110 message is from blender 112 to interface box:

Field	Value	Remarks
			Destination address	169.254.28.12	The master data interface IP address of blender
Destination interface	26719
			Interface	0	The master data interface is #0
Number of active lanes	1
			Time slot 1	33	The ID of CD-right@stage-box

On interface box 110, for each group c1, APEC 122 will be message from the message conversion of blender 112, specify bundle to create 505 (g) on the APE120 of interface box.

Field	Value	Remarks
			Destination address	169.254.28.12	The master data interface IP address of blender
Destination interface	26528
			Interface	0	The master data interface is #0
Number of active lanes	2
			The TX passage of time slot 1	16	TX passage 1
The TX passage of time slot 2	17	TX passage 2

For group c2, specify the message of bundle to be in order on the APE120 of interface box, to create 505 (g):

Field	Value	Remarks
			Destination address	169.254.28.12	The master data interface IP address of blender
Destination interface	26719
			Interface	0	The master data interface is #0
Number of active lanes	1
			The TX passage of time slot 1	33	TX passage 3

Different with RX bundle configuration messages, have only single passage can be mapped to given time slot.In case create the TX bundle on interface box 110, interface box 110 will begin to send stream of packets to blender 122.

Send bundle

Now, interface box 110 and blender 112 are configured to send and receive bundle, can begin to send 508 stream of packets this moment.Shu Zhiding the stream of packets that sends to receiver 112 from transmitter 110.Different with service discovery messages with above-described configuration is that stream of packets is a high-priority data, and very responsive to the time.On the contrary, it is normal spending some seconds time to propagate the service discovery change.

With reference to Fig. 4 (b), each grouping 550 in the stream has header 552, is thereafter one or more frames 554.Each frame 554 comprises a sampling 556 of each passage in flowing automatically.The number of the frame 554 of each grouping 550 is not fixed, and can be undertaken tuning by APEC 122.That is to say that the size of frame 554 depends on the intrafascicular included number of active lanes and the size (bit-depth) of each passage.Then, select the frame 554 of the proper number in each grouping 550 according to the size of frame.The number that increases the frame 554 of each grouping 550 will increase the stand-by period, but has improved network efficiency.As long as receiver needs all that passage, the number that then increases the passage of each frame will improve networks efficiency.

Except grouped data, each packet header 552 comprises standard ethernet header, standard I P header and standard UDP header.Grouped data comprises the audio frequency route header, follows frame 554 thereafter.

The audio frequency route header

The audio frequency route header is 9 byte longs, and comprises following field:

Field	Size	Remarks
			Version
	1 byte
			Timestamp (second)	4 bytes	Second number since on January 1st, 1970
Timestamp (sampling)	4 bytes	Number of samples from meter second beginning

Timestamp is the sampling time (all samplings in the frame have identical time stamp) of first frame of sampling.Each subsequent frame has timestamp after the timestamp of former frame be 1 sampling.

Because the sheet segment components provides as sampling (rather than millisecond or nanosecond), so under the situation of the sampling rate of not knowing to sample, timestamp that can't reconstruct reality.This information provides outside band via service discovery mechanisms 118.In the present embodiment, sampling rate is 48kHz.

In audio frequency routing packets header, do not comprise size field.This information is provided by high-rise header, and this high level header for example is always UDP/IP.

Frame

Sampling each frame 554 in 556 comprises the have same format sampling 556 of fixed number of (24 bit PCM).In the present embodiment, each frame should be 6 byte longs.First 3 byte is that 1, the second 3 byte of time slot is a time slot 2.According to the bundle of the c1TX on interface box standard, time slot 1 comprises the sampling from keyboard (passage 1, APE passage 16), and time slot 2 comprises the sampling from guitar (passage 2, APE passage 17).

If each is grouped on the length is 10 frames, then for the UDP/IP data length of whole 69 bytes, the frame that has 60 bytes is added the header of 9 bytes.Each the grouping between, the sampling time stamp may differ 10 samplings (with 48kHz, 208.33 microseconds).

UDP/IP

The UDP/IP purpose of each grouping is by the specified 169.254.28.12 port 26258 of TX bundle.Send grouping with second high priority; Priority than the clock grouping is low, but is higher than any other data.

Multicast embodiment

Referring now to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the operation of the computer network among Fig. 1 according to another embodiment of the invention is described.Use in 5 identical Reference numeral to represent same components in the network at Fig. 1.In the present embodiment, computer network 105 uses multicast protocol to operate.

Different with clean culture, multicast requires transmitter 110 pre-configured bundle and stream of packets usually.Then, receiver 112 extracts relevant passage.Different with clean culture, multicast receiver 112 does not need directly and multicast transmitter 110 communicates.

At first, as repeating to connect 500 and name 502 steps described in above-mentioned clean culture embodiment.

Create bundle

When using clean culture, even if passage just is sent out, also it is carried out advertisement, and dynamically create bundle.When using multicast, create bundle statically, and only when they are sent out, just it is carried out advertisement.In the present embodiment, interface box 110 will send all passages.The same with clean culture embodiment (Fig. 2), keyboard 144 uses identical sampling rate and sample format (as 48kHz, 24 bits, pcm encoder) with guitar 140.CD passage 146 and 148 has different sampling rates and sample format (as 44.1kHz, 16 bits, pcm encoder).In order to send all these passages, APEC 122 disposes two multicast bundles, and a bundle is at sampling rate, bit-depth and a coding method.First bundle (b1) will comprise two passage keyboards 144 and guitar 140, the second bundles (b2) will comprise two the channel C D-left sides 146 and the CD-right side 148.

Select multicast address and IP port

Before bundle can be created, need to distribute 800 multicast destination addresses.NameSpace 239.254/16 is preserved for the local multicast address of link.Use a kind of mechanism to select suitable unique address.A kind of such mechanism is to use the dynamic-dns database to come the record that comprises the multicast address that produces is at random registered.If another equipment has been registered this address, then select new address.Before finding unregistered address, repeat this flow process.Ownership to this address has been stated in the registration of this address.Here, select address 239.254.46.46 to be used for first bundle, select 239.254.189.72 to be used for second bundle.In addition, also need the IP port, APEC 122 selects 29061 and 29064.

The configuration bundle

In this locality, interface box 110 sends 802 following two ' creating the TX bundle ' message from its APEC 122 to its APE 120:

Field	Value	Remarks
			Destination address	239.254.46.46	The multicast destination address
Destination interface	29061
			Interface	0	The master data interface is #0
Number of active lanes	2
			The TX passage of time slot 1	16	Keyboard
The TX passage of time slot 2	17	Guitar

Field

Value

Remarks

Destination address	239.254.189.72	The multicast destination address
			Destination interface	29064
Interface	0	The master data interface is #0
			Number of active lanes	2
The TX passage of time slot 1	32	A CD-left side
			The TX passage of time slot 2	33	The CD-right side

Created bundle now, the stream of packets of each bundle begins to send 804.The receiver of any capable reception multicast can start the reception to address 239.254.46.46 or 239.254.189.72, and receives suitable stream.Some network switchs can filter multicast service, so that business only is sent to interested equipment (that is not being to broadcast fully).

Packet format

For example, each frame in the grouping of bundle b1 will have two samplings or the voice data of 6 bytes.Suppose 10 frames of per minute group, the data of 60 bytes then will be arranged.The header that adds 9 bytes will produce the UDP/IP payload of 69 bytes.

The multicast channel advertisement

The basic structure of multicast channel advertisement is identical with unicast channel advertisement 806.Yet, wherein fill static bundle information rather than dynamic beam configuration information.

Because the passage of appointment can be the element with some static bundles, so with in the independently service discovery record in the details storage 118 of each static bundle; The title of bundle is the key that is used for this record.The service discovery record of static bundle is not described single passage; This information must obtain from the passage advertisement.

The bundle title is quoted in passage advertisement at the intrafascicular passage that comprises of static state, and the time slot value is the occupied static intrafascicular time slot of this passage.

DNS-SD realizes

Under the situation of using DNS-SD to realize as service discovery, the additional bundle field in the passage advertisement is with following appearance:

Record: [email protected]_chan._udp.local TXT

txtvers＝2

rate＝48000

bits＝24

enc＝1

b.b1＝1

Omitted special field-" nchan " and " id " relevant with dynamic beam.In their position is field " b.b1=1 "." b. " illustrated that this field is the reference of static bundle." b1 " illustrated that the title of bundle is " b1 ".Value " 1 " has illustrated that keyboard occupies this intrafascicular time slot 1.

Suppose that this bundle and passage reside in the identical equipment." keyboard@stage-box " is designated as the part of bundle " b1 ", impliedly is " b1@stage-box ".

The advertisement of static bundle

The same with passage, bundle is " a title @ equipment " by advertisement 806.Yet the advertisement of single bundle may resolve to several different bundles, and each in them has identical form, but has different destination address (referring to following discussion about redundancy).

The bundle advertisement has four parts:

■ bundle network title: [email protected] serviced discovery is as search key.

■ beam passage form.In this example, b1 is 48kHz, 24 bits, pcm encoder.All intrafascicular passages have identical form.

The destination address and the port of ■ bundle: 239.254.46.46, port 29061.

The number of time slot that ■ is intrafascicular.Be 2 in this example.

Have only purpose information between a plurality of versions of same bundle, to change.Share all bundles of bundle network title and go back sharing channel form and number of time slot.

The bundle title is APEC 122 employed any identifiers.It is sightless usually for the user, and except serving as a mark, does not have semanteme.Can support user's configuration of halved tie title by GUI 149, for example use GUI 149 will restraint b1 called after " keyboard and guitar (keyboard-and-guitar) ".

DNS-SD realizes

In the present embodiment, there is the advertisement of two bundles, " b1@stage-box " and " b2@stage-box ".Using under the situation of DNS-CD as service discovery protocol, answering following appearance at the bundle advertisement of bundle b1:

Record: b1@stage-box._netaudio_bund._udp.local SRV

012906146.46.254.239.mcast.local

Record: b1@stage-box._netaudio_bund._udp.local TXT

txtvers＝1

rate＝48000

bits＝24

enc＝1

nchan＝2

All bundles with same names are shared single TXT record.Each destination address has a SRV record.The SRV record does not comprise the address, but comprises the aiming field title.When interface box 110 statement address 239.254.46.46, it has created specific record.The parsing that this record is carried out provides domain name to claim.

Record: 46.46.254.239.mcast.local IN A239.254.46.46

" nchan " field is this intrafascicular passage (time slot) number.

Subscribe

Handle reservation 808 comparably with clean culture embodiment.Embodiment is identical with clean culture, and first action is to select 808 (a) and resolve 808 (b) advertisement.Then, these selections of polymerization 808 (c).When handling static bundle, if the passage form is identical, then can the polymerization passage, and their share any one static bundle.

In case polymerization is finished, configuration APE 124 is to receive grouping.Because grouping is in transmission, so do not need to ask the APEC 122 that is sending to create new bundle.Yet, just can comprise the passage of not expecting in received grouping.

In this case, APEC 126 selector channel keyboards, guitar and the CD-right side.The detailed advertising of utilizing DNS-SD 118 to obtain at these passages.By polymerization, having determined to subscribe will be at bundle b1 and b2, but first time slot among the b2 will be left in the basket.APEC 126 configuration messages 808 (d) indication APE 124 ignores CD-left side passage.

In this locality, blender 112 sends 808 (d) following ' creating the RX bundle ' message from its APEC 126 to its APE 124, thinks each bundle configuration APE 126.

Field	Value	Remarks
			Destination address	239.254.48.48	The master data interface IP address of blender
Destination interface	29061
			Interface	0	The master data interface is #0
Number of active lanes	2
			The mapping of time slot 1	[8]	Array with an element: RX passage 1
The mapping of time slot 2	[11]	Array with an element: RX passage 4

Field	Value	Remarks
			Destination address	239.254.189.72	The master data interface IP address of blender
Destination interface	29064
			Interface	0	The master data interface is #0
Number of time slot	2
			The mapping of time slot 1	[0]	The array that does not have element: ignore this message
The mapping of time slot 2	[14]	Array with an element: RX passage 7

Receiver 112 begins to receive 810 now, and b1 time slot 1 (keyboard) can be routed to RX passage 1, and time slot 2 (guitar) is routed to RX passage 4.For b2, lose time slot 1 (a CD-left side), and time slot 2 (the CD-right side) is routed to RX passage 7.

Combination multicast and clean culture

Many transmitters are supported multicast and clean culture.Passage can use a dynamic-configuration port and one or more static bundle to come advertisement.Between polymerization period, receiver APEC must determine the best approach that selected passage is subscribed.Usually, than creating dynamic beam, receiver should preferentially be attempted its APE is configured to receive static bundle.Yet the equipment on the Radio Link (known multicast/broadcast performance is bad) may be more prone to dynamic beam.

When having a plurality of same suitable static state bundle, SRV weight territory can be used for selecting between them.Bundle with higher weights should have precedence over those bundles with low weight.In the present embodiment, all weights all are ' 1 '.Alternatively, two passages can be shared a static bundle but shared other bundle.Do not consider weight, receiver should tend to dispose less bundle under possible situation.

Usually, clean culture is configured to use dynamic beam, and multicast is configured to use bundle.Yet opposite configuration also allows.Clean culture can the configuring static bundle modestly data are sent to the receiver that is not positioned on the local network.Receiver need be checked the address of static bundle, because this address may be unavailable for this receiver.

Redundant

Referring now to Fig. 9 redundancy is described.Realize redundancy by on the distinct interface of APE, stream of packets being duplicated.Mainly redundancy is controlled at the APEC layer.APEC can be programmed to the given stream of packets on APE and will send or receive by the particular data interface.If send the specific medium stream of packets redundantly, APEC understands two or more copies of programming stream of packets so.A copy will send from first interface 130 of APE 120, and second copy of stream of packets will send from second interface 136 of APE 120.

Similarly, the APEC 126 that receives is programmed to its APE 124 by each data- interface 132 and 134 and receives copy.Each stream of packets of duplicating is programmed to and copies sampling to identical output channel.This means that stream of packets is written in the identical buffer.Identical owing to stabbing sampling in two stream of packets and correlation time, therefore identical sampling is handled, and it is write the buffer that is used for output channel again.Usually, this state that will lead to errors and compete.Because all redundancy bundles all comprise by timestamp and carry out synchronous identical sampling, which sampled data at first is written into buffer and not serious, because all copies that duplicate are simply repeated to write, so in fact only the portion of each sampling copy is sent to output channel.

Also can be by passage is added to a plurality of different intrafascicular next single passages that send redundantly.

Fig. 8 shows and realize some redundant modes on data network.Interface can be connected to independently network or be connected to single network via a plurality of paths.Interface 138 and 139 among Fig. 8 (c) is respectively second redundant interface of transmitter 110 and receiver 112.The interface that Fig. 8 (d) shows on the transmitter 110 can send to the separation interface on the receiver 112.

APE and interface

APE 120 and 124 with a plurality of channel data interfaces specifies an interface as main interface separately.This main interface is interface #0.Any other (redundancy) channel data interface is from 1 open numbering.For example, the APE 124 with a main interface 132 and a redundant interface 134 among Fig. 7 has interface #0 and #1.

For simplicity, when sending or receive, APE 120 and 124 only is configured to and is equal to interface and sends or receive.Main interface 130 on APE 120 communicates with the main interface 132 on another APE 124.Interface 136#1 on APE 120 only with another APE 124 on interface 134#1 communicate.By that analogy.This just makes it possible to make marks from the outside to each APE interface.Hardware originally on one's body, main interface can black, first redundant interface is red, second redundant interface be a blueness, or the like.This just makes the user can easily distinguish different interfaces, and guarantees that they are by wiring correctly during assembling 500.

The clean culture redundancy

Field " nred " may be included in the advertisement TXT record.This value has been indicated the number of redundant interface.If ignore this field, then this value is regarded as zero.The null value indication does not have redundant interface, this means that APE only supports primary traffic.Value 1 indication has single redundant interface.Indicate a plurality of redundant interfaces (being numbered 1..n) greater than 1 value.

Except sending single dynamic beam request, the APEC 126 that receives can also send a request based on each available on transmitter redundant interface, and each request has different interface field.Alternatively, can be sent to redundant interface, merge to for the request of redundancy stream and to be sent in the initial request message nonredundancy interface, for stream of packets.

As shown in Figure 7, except main interface 130 (#0), interface box 110 also has redundant interface 136 (#1).TXT record to the passage advertisement formats as follows now:

Record: keyboard@stage-box._netaudio_chan._udp.local TXT

txtvers＝2

rate＝48000

bits＝24

enc＝1

nchan＝4

id＝16

nred＝1

Blender 112 is also supported the redundant channel.The address of its master data interface is 169.254.28.12 (according to above-described embodiment).The address of its second data-interface is 169.254.132.15.

In this locality, blender 112 sends following ' creating the RX bundle ' message from its APEC 126 to its APE 124:

Field	Value	Remarks
			Destination address	169.254.28.12	The master data interface IP address of blender
Destination interface	26528
			Interface	0	The master data interface is #0
Number of active lanes	2
			The mapping of time slot 1	[8]	Array with an element: RX passage 1
The mapping of time slot 2	[11]	Array with an element: RX passage 4

Field	Value	Remarks
			Destination address	169.254.132.15	The second data-interface address of blender
Destination interface	28452
			Interface	1	Second data-interface is #1
Number of active lanes	2
			The mapping of time slot 1	[8]	Array with an element: RX passage 1
The mapping of time slot 2	[11]	Array with an element: RX passage 4

Each message disposes the stream of packets of a reception to one of interface.Second interface 134 (#1) can be identical or different with main interface 132 port numbers, this depends on the design of APE 124.The present embodiment hypothesis is selected different ports.

Must create two separated funiculuses as blender 112 on its APE 124, it must create the dynamic beam of two separation on interface box 110.Following message is sent to interface box 110 from APEC 126:

Field	Value	Remarks
			Destination address	169.254.28.12	The master data interface IP address of blender
Destination interface	26528
			Interface	0	The master data interface is #0
Number of time slot	2
			Time slot 1	16	The ID of keyboard@stage-box

Time slot 2

17

The ID of guitar@stage-box

Field	Value	Remarks
			Destination address	169.254.132.15	The second data-interface address of blender
Destination interface	28452
			Interface	1	Second data-interface is #1
Number of time slot	2
			Time slot 1	16	The ID of keyboard@stage-box
Time slot
	2	17	The ID of guitar@stage-box

Finally, interface box 110 is created two bundles on local APE 120, to satisfy these requests:

Field	Value	Remarks
			Destination address	169.254.28.12	The master data interface IP address of blender
Destination interface	26528
			Interface	0	(on the interface box) master data interface is #0
Number of active lanes	2
			The TX passage of time slot 1	16	TX passage 1
The TX passage of time slot 2	17	TX passage 2

Field	Value	Remarks
			Destination address	169.254.132.15	The second data-interface address of blender
Destination interface	26452
			Interface	1	(on the interface box) second data-interface is #1
Number of active lanes	2
			The TX passage of time slot 1	16	TX passage 1
The TX passage of time slot 2	17	TX passage 2

The multicast redundancy

In order to support redundant multicast, transmitter 110 is created some different stream of packets, and it is separated static Shu Jinhang advertisement as what be associated with single bundle title.

For example, for two copies of advertisement as the bundle b1 described in the multicast embodiment before this, i.e. the main beam 130 and second bundle 136, interface box 110 will at first be stated the multicast address that is used for each bundle.Main beam uses 239.254.46.46 (as embodiment before).Second bundle uses 239.254.98.147.For present embodiment, suppose that two bundles use identical port (29061).

Create two SRV records, one of each stream of packets.Owing to each stream of packets is carried out identical format, therefore only needs single TXT record.

Record: b1@stage-box._netaudio_bund._udp.local SRV

012906146.46.254.239.mcast.local

Record: b1@stage-box._netaudio_bund._udp.local SRV

1129061147.98.254.239.mcast.local

Record: b1@stage-box._netaudio_bund._udp.local TXT

txtvers＝1

rate＝48000

bits＝24

enc＝1

nchan＝4

If only use single (master) interface, then " priority " field (being expressed as first number) among the SRV is set to 0.The indication of non-zero priority is applied to redundant interface with bundle, is interface 1 in this example.

These bundle advertisements are decoded and made receiver can dispose suitable bundle on each interface.APEC 126 is configured to APE 124 to receive main beam on first main interface 132, and receives second bundle on second interface 134.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that under the prerequisite that does not deviate from broadly described the spirit or scope of the present invention, can carry out multiple variant and/or modification the present invention as shown in particular.

■ when using static bundle, can with arbitrarily easily mode give bundle with channel allocation.Also can realize redundancy by on special interface, creating specific bundle.

The ■ dynamic beam is generally clean culture.Static bundle is generally multicast.If necessary, also dynamic beam can be configured to multicast, perhaps the static state bundle be configured to clean culture.

■ can dispose special modality to be used for clean culture and multicast.The strategy of standard is that receiver should be more prone to multicast with respect to clean culture, because satisfied the resource requirement of multicast.Single receiver can not considered this strategy.

Also can recall this advertisement.Exist certain rule to be used for managing, to guarantee correctly to remove the bundle that is disposed to recalling (address reuse).Revocation rule is: temporarily can not insert if configuration messages becomes, system will continue operation.Can not change existing configuration, but they can not stop automatically.

The I/O of ■ physical channel also can realize with form of software, for example with the form of software of blender, and needs not to be the actual physical connector.

Although these embodiment have supposed the channel data of sampling, yet identical protocol will can be used for the cycle data stream of any fixed size.Utilize the variant of transmission (grouping and bundle) mechanism, also can support the data of aperiodic or variable-size.

Giving time slot allocation isomorphism passage is in order to realize conveniently.The non-isomorphism passage media data that can utilize start byte and length in frame, to identify to have common sampling rate.

System can handle any data that can show in advertisement.For example, we define the advertising format of the frame of expression compressed video.The most simply, we can utilize the employed identical length of a game of audio packet to stab the single video flowing of advertisement, use UI to tell APEC (or equivalent) we want where which is routed to then.APEC will find the available video passage, and arrange route automatically.Different with unpressed audio sample is that the frame of compressed video is not fixed size usually.Yet if this frame comprises sizes values, the APEC that receives may ask to be placed in each " frame " of each shunting from three of various flows such frames, and knows if come they are decoded.Senior ad system even can clearly restraint form (and packet format), this form is made up of a frame of video and some audio frames of following thereafter, they also can be by synchronously even these frames have different sampling rates.Hybrid frame size and sampling rate need more complicated advertisement scheme.

■ MIDI is the example of non-cycle data.The same-interface of route audio frequency to Voice ﹠ Video to video can route MIDI to MIDI abstractively to make the user.The same with the cycle grouping, the MIDI grouping can have timestamp, but receiver should not expect that the MIDI data cell will periodically arrive.The aperiodicity data may need periodically " keepalive " message to distinguish to mourn in silence nand function stream.As long as there is the mark of explanation " in this grouping not these data ", then the aperiodicity data can the same auto-polymerization easily with periodic data.

Make advertisement and packet parsing more simple although this system only is used for the isomorphism audio frequency, shown in embodiment of the present invention, system does not need work.Make that the user can set up the audio frequency route requests, the system that the makes same user that solves this request will act on the fluidisation grouped data of any kind then.

The not shown algorithm that is used for distributing automatically the address.There is (for example local clean culture of link) in these algorithms some; Other algorithm needs to formulate (for example local multicast of link).Also can use the address (for example via DHCP) of center configuration.

■ " unicast mode " behavior (' dynamic beam ': receiver aggregation is also created bundle) can together be used with multicast address.In addition, " multicast pattern " behavior (' static bundle ': transmitter sends the bundle that pre-creates, and receiver is selected the passage (being bundle thus) that they are wanted) can together be used with unicast address.

Therefore, existing embodiment all should be considered to exemplary in all respects and and nonrestrictive.

Claims (43)

1. be used to receive the receiver device from the media packet streams of data network, described receiver device comprises:

Data-interface is used for receiving media packet streams, and each media packet streams comprises the media channel that one or more users select;

Processor is used for extracting the media channel that the user selects from the media packet streams that receives; And

Controller, be used to receive the information to the selection of the media channel of advertisement on data network about the user, be used to receive the information in the transmission source of the media channel of selecting about each user, the media channel that the user that can send from identical transmission source is selected carries out Gui Qun thus, and the number that the media channel of user's selection in the instruction that will receive one or more media packet streams for each group and each media packet streams automatically is provided to processor.

2. receiver device according to claim 1, wherein, has form in the media channel of each described selection, and controller is also operated to receive the format information about each selected media channel, and the form with reference to selected media channel carries out Gui Qun to selected media channel thus.

3. receiver device according to claim 1 and 2, wherein, it not is the media channel of selected media channel in this group that the one or more media packet streams among the group also comprise.

4. according to claim 1,2 or 3 described receiver devices, wherein, described controller is away from described processor and/or data-interface.

5. according to the described receiver device of aforementioned arbitrary claim, wherein, comprise the network parameter in this transmission source about the information in described transmission source.

6. receiver device according to claim 5, wherein, described network parameter comprises IP address and configured port identifier.

7. according to the described receiver device of aforementioned arbitrary claim, wherein, described transmission source is a transmitter apparatus.

8. according to the described receiver device of aforementioned arbitrary claim, wherein, at each selected media channel, described controller also receives about can be in order to the information of the method that receives selected media channel.

9. receiver device according to claim 8, wherein, described can being in order to the method that receives selected media channel in one or more intended media stream of packets of utilizing multicast protocol.

10. receiver device according to claim 8, wherein, described can be in order to the method that receives selected media channel utilize unicast protocol, based on the request in described transmission source is carried out.

11. receiver device according to claim 10, wherein, thereby described controller also operate to send the request receiving media packet streams, described media packet streams comprises the media channel of the one or more selections among the group.

12. according to the described receiver device of aforementioned arbitrary claim, wherein, described controller is also operated to determine to receive the method for optimizing of selected media channel.

13. according to the described receiver device of aforementioned arbitrary claim, wherein, described controller also provides the instruction that should be routed to which output channel about the media channel of the selection of being extracted to described processor.

15. according to the described receiver device of aforementioned arbitrary claim, wherein, described receiver device comprises two or more data-interfaces, and described controller also provides the instruction that will receive at which data-interface about each media packet streams to described processor.

16. receiver device according to claim 15, wherein, thereby described controller is also operated to send request and is received first media packet streams and receive second media packet streams at second data-interface at first data-interface, and wherein the sampling that is comprised in described first media packet streams and second media packet streams is identical.

17. according to the described receiver device of aforementioned arbitrary claim, wherein, the unique name of the media channel that each user of information representation that the user about media channel that described controller received selects selects, this title is described the source of media channel with written form.

18. according to the described receiver device of aforementioned arbitrary claim, wherein, described controller is also operated so that the indication of the advertised name of the described media channel key for searching as the database that is connected with data network is sent, and receives the media channel format information of described media channel.

19. according to the described receiver device of aforementioned arbitrary claim, wherein, described media packet streams comprises the different or overlapping media channel with different bit-depths, coding and sampling rate.

20. be used to receive the method from the media packet streams of data network, described method comprises step:

Reception is about the information of user to the selection of the media channel of advertisement on data network;

Reception is about the information in the transmission source of the media channel of each user's selection, thereby the media channel that the user that can send from identical transmission source is selected carries out Gui Qun;

The number of the media channel that the user in the instruction that will receive one or more media packet streams for each group and each media packet streams selects automatically is provided to processor;

Receive one or more media packet streams; And

From the media packet streams that receives, extract the media channel that the user selects.

21. be used to operate receiver device requires 20 described methods with enforcement of rights computer software.

22. send to the instruction message of processor from controller according to the described receiver device of the arbitrary claim of claim 1 to 19, wherein, described instruction message comprises about the information of one or more media packet streams that will be received by described transmitter apparatus for each group and the number of the media channel that the user in each media packet streams selects.

23. be used for sending by data network the transmitter apparatus of media data flow, described transmitter apparatus comprises:

A plurality of input medium passages are used for the receiving media passage, and each media channel has form;

One or more transmit ports are used to send media packet streams;

Processor is used for the media channel that receives is carried out packetizing, to create the media packet streams that is sent by transmit port; And

Controller is used for the media channel that receives with same format is returned the group or received the instruction that the media channel that receives about which is formed the group; And automatically provide instruction with during the media channel packetizing among the group is flowed to identical media channel to processor.

24. transmitter apparatus according to claim 23, wherein, described controller is also operated with further reception the media channel which receives is formed the instruction that the group makes amendment.

25. according to claim 23 or 24 described transmitter apparatus, wherein, described controller is also controlled described processor media packet streams is addressed to address and port.

26. transmitter apparatus according to claim 25, wherein, described address is multicast address or unicast address.

27. according to each described transmitter apparatus in the claim 23 to 26, wherein, comprise among the time slot details of number of active lanes among destination address, destination interface, the group and each media channel among the group any one or multinomial to the instruction message of described processor.

28. according to each described transmitter apparatus in the claim 23 to 27, wherein, described controller is away from described processor and/or input medium passage.

29. according to each described transmitter apparatus in the claim 23 to 28, wherein, if the change of format of media channel, then described controller is also operated automatically described media channel is returned again the group for having the group of same format.

30. according to each described transmitter apparatus in the claim 24 to 29, wherein, the instruction of the described media channel composition group that receives about which receives from the controller that is associated with receiver device.

31. according to each described transmitter apparatus in the claim 24 to 30, wherein, thereby described controller is also operated to provide instruction to send first data-interface and send second media packet streams to receiver device to receiver device to described processor, and the sampling that is comprised in wherein said first media packet streams and second media packet streams is identical.

32. be used for sending by data network the method for media packet streams, described method comprises step:

At a plurality of input medium passages place receiving media passage, each media channel has form;

One or more media channels that receive with same format are carried out Gui Qun, perhaps one or more media channels are carried out Gui Qun according to received instruction about which media channel composition group;

Provide instruction so that the media channel among the group is divided into groups to identical media packet streams from the trend processor; And

Send media packet streams.

33. be used to operate transmitter apparatus requires 32 described methods with enforcement of rights computer software.

34. send to the instruction message of processor from the controller according to the described transmitter apparatus of the arbitrary claim of claim 24 to 31, wherein said instruction message comprises about the identifying information of the one or more media packet streams in each group and sends the address.

35. be used for sending by data network the transmitter apparatus of media data flow, described transmitter apparatus comprises:

A plurality of input medium passages are used for the receiving media passage, and each media channel has form;

One or more transmit ports are used to send media packet streams;

Processor is used for the media channel that receives is carried out packetizing, to create the media packet streams that is sent by transmit port; And

Controller, be used for processor controls comprises the one or more media channels with same format with establishment first media packet, and create second media packet comprise one or more media channels with same format, the form of the media channel in the form of the media channel in wherein said first media packet streams and second media packet streams is different.

36. transmitter apparatus according to claim 35, wherein, described controller is also automatically determined the frame number of each grouping of each stream of packets, and wherein the frame number of each grouping of first stream of packets is different with the frame number of each grouping of second stream of packets.

37. according to claim 35 or 36 described transmitter apparatus, wherein, the frame number of described each grouping is based on the sampling rate of the media channel in the described group and bit-depth and definite.

38. according to claim 35,36 or 37 described transmitter apparatus, wherein, described controller is also controlled described processor makes the media packet streams of winning be sent to multicast address, and second media packet streams is sent to unicast address.

39. be used for sending by data network the method for media packet streams, described transmitter apparatus comprises:

At a plurality of input medium passages place receiving media passage, each media channel has form;

Processor controls is created first media packet streams that comprises the one or more media channels with same format, and create second media packet streams comprise one or more media channels with same format, wherein the form of the media channel in the form of the media channel in first media packet streams and second media packet streams is different; And

Send the media packet streams of being created.

40. be used to operate transmitter apparatus requires 39 described methods with enforcement of rights computer software.

41. be used to receive the receiver device from the media packet streams of data network, described receiver device comprises:

Data-interface is used to receive first media packet streams and second media packet streams, and wherein each grouping in first media packet streams and second media packet streams comprises one or more media channels;

Processor is used for extracting media channel from first media packet streams and second media packet streams; And

Controller, be used to receive the information about the form of the media channel that comprised in first media packet streams and second media packet streams, wherein the form of the media channel that is comprised in the form of the media channel that is comprised in first media packet streams and second media packet streams is different; And be used for providing about how the instruction that comes first media packet streams and second media packet streams are separated packetizing according to different media channel forms to processor.

42. be used to receive the method from the media packet streams of data network, described method comprises step:

Receive first media packet streams and second media packet streams, wherein each grouping in first media packet streams and second media packet streams comprises one or more media channels;

Reception is about the information of the form of the media channel that comprised in first media packet streams and second media packet streams, and wherein the form of the media channel that is comprised in first media packet streams is different with the form of the interior media channel that is comprised of second media packet streams; And

Provide about how the instruction that comes first media packet streams and second media packet streams are separated packetizing according to different media channel forms to processor, so that processor extracts media channel from first media packet streams and second media packet streams.

43. be used to operate receiver device requires 42 described methods with enforcement of rights computer software.

44. data network comprises:

According to each or the described transmitter apparatus of claim 35 in the claim 23 to 31;

According to each or the described receiver device of claim 41 in the claim 1 to 19; And

Communicator is used to make media packet streams to be sent to described receiving equipment from described transmitter apparatus.

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