DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a digital video encoder and encryption solution for specific use with the range of live and pre recorded services delivered by JH2 Group Inc. to viewers of media utilising the mobile phone and the internet as delivery mediums. It has been designed as a single "one box" solution for use in live events and for pre recorded media.
With digitization of video signals now proceeding, an apparatus for converting video and audio to a suitable standard for such devices and delivery mediums as above is required.
Initially the auditory and visual components are provided in a raw state from either a digital or analogue source, from here they must be processed into the precise formats required and encryption added to protect them and allow them to be further broadcast to multiple end users on the chosen medium.
Whereas many devices exist to provide the various aspects of the process to be dealt with, there are few devices if any that provide total processing of all aspects in one unit and none that can guarantee complete compatibility with the distribution platform operated by JH2 Group Inc.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a digital video encoder and encryption system that is totally compatible with and able to be used with the distribution platform operated by JH2 Group Inc. According to the present invention, the initial input may be made via analogue audio and video connection or as a digital video and audio input via an IEEE 1394 interface.
In the case of the input being made by analogue connection, one or two audio channels and a single composite video signal is first processed by an analogue to digital converter module, which also comprises a sync lock function, ensuring that the auditory and visual components of the media remain in time with each other once converted to a digital format. The subsequent digital video and audio signal is formatted as an IEEE 1394 compatible stream and is passed to the digital video-processing module.
In the case of a digital video and audio input being presented to the IEEE 1394 interface then the stream is passed directly to the digital video-processing module.
The digital video-processing module is responsible for examining the audio visual content before the software encoder converts it into the correct format for redistribution, it is also the point at which the media is passed to the optional recording device in the case of live events, if the digital video processor decides the media is correctly provided then the levels of signal aie normalised and sent to the software encoder and/or the optional recording device or module.
The software encoder encodes the media in the required output format according to the criteria of the open source Darwin kernel, this can comprise of a single output format or multiple formats depending on the range of mediums that the end product will be delivered via, the physical viewing size of the video presentation is also encoded at this time, from here the encoded media is passed to the encryption module.
The encryption module is pre programmed with the type of encryption and the access coding for the JH2 Group Inc. distribution platform, once this information has been added to the encoded media it is passed to the network translator module.
The network translator module outputs the encoded, encrypted media in IEEE 1394 standard format, USB 2.0 standard format and IEEE 802.3 standard format.
Ancillary components of the device include a display for viewing the input and output media and a control port for accessing programmable functions and loading relevant software and firmware.
The actual physical appearance of the device and external dimentions will alter depending on the usage environment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the flow of media through the device and the external ports available on the device.