METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR A PROGRAMMABLE BITSTREAM PARSER FOR AUDIOVISUAL AND GENERIC DECODING SYSTEMS

摘要

A parser (100) for parsing a digital bitstream which includes both data information and programming information, where it is based on the programming information contained in the bitstream, is disclosed. The parser (100) includes a buffer (110), a mode selector (200), a control circuit (300), and a data processor (400). The mode selector (200) determines whether one or more bits of the bitstream segment represent a mode selection code, and selects a parser mode in response to the mode selection code. The control circuit (300) receives and stores bits from the buffer when the bitstream parser (100) is in a program mode in order to reprogram the control circuit (300) with newly received program information, and uses the program information to generate one or more parsing signals when the bitstream parser (100) is in data mode. The data processor (400) received bits from the buffer (110) and parsing signals from the command circuit (300) when the bitstream parser is in the data mode, and parses the received bits in accordance with the parsing signals.