Abstract: A method is provided for providing services gateway configuration data. The method includes receiving, from a services gateway, a request for configuration data. Also, the method includes identifying a first subset of stored configuration data that is responsive to the request. The first subset of the stored configuration data is identified using a content of the request and a state of the first subset of the stored configuration data. Additionally, the method includes sending, to the services gateway, the first subset of the stored configuration data.

Abstract: A method is provided for providing services gateway configuration data. The method includes receiving, from a services gateway, a request for configuration data. Also, the method includes identifying a first subset of stored configuration data that is responsive to the request. The first subset of the stored configuration data is identified using a content of the request and a state of the first subset of the stored configuration data. Additionally, the method includes sending, to the services gateway, the first subset of the stored configuration data.

Abstract: Embodiments of a shape measurement system and related methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system places a two-dimensional initial pattern, which can be implemented as a standalone molding or can be attached to a light source or printed on an outfit, onto a surface of a three-dimensional object. The system captures a transformed version of the initial pattern in two dimensions that is distorted due to the varying depth of the surface. The system then analyzes the transformed pattern and derives three-dimensional information regarding the target object. The analysis, which can incorporate a calibration process, can rely on the projection nature of the light source, the isomorphism/non-isomorphism of the initial pattern, and other factors.

Abstract: Embodiments of a shape measurement system and related methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system places a two-dimensional initial pattern, which can be implemented as a standalone molding or can be attached to a light source or printed on an outfit, onto a surface of a three-dimensional object. The system captures a transformed version of the initial pattern in two dimensions that is distorted due to the varying depth of the surface. The system then analyzes the transformed pattern and derives three-dimensional information regarding the target object. The analysis, which can incorporate a calibration process, can rely on the projection nature of the light source, the isomorphism/non-isomorphism of the initial pattern, and other factors.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to techniques for determining a picture type for each of a plurality of frames included in a video sequence based on cross-correlations between the frames. The cross-correlations include first order cross-correlations between image information within pairs of frames included in the video sequence and second order cross-correlations between pairs of the first order cross-correlations. The first order cross-correlations may be analyzed to detect video transitional effects between the frames. The first and second order cross-correlations may be comparatively analyzed to determine temporal similarities between the frames. Therefore, the correlation-based determination techniques determine picture types for the frames based on the video transitional effects and the temporal similarities.

Abstract: Embodiments of a shape measurement system and related methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system places a two-dimensional initial pattern, which can be implemented as a standalone molding or can be attached to a light source or printed on an outfit, onto a surface of a three-dimensional object. The system captures a transformed version of the initial pattern in two dimensions that is distorted due to the varying depth of the surface. The system then analyzes the transformed pattern and derives three-dimensional information regarding the target object. The analysis, which can incorporate a calibration process, can rely on the projection nature of the light source, the isomorphism/non-isomorphism of the initial pattern, and other factors.

Abstract: Techniques are described for efficient transcoding from a first format that supports I-units, P-units and B-units to a second format that supports I-units and P-units but does not support the B-units. In particular, techniques are described for converting B-frames or B-slices of the first format into P-frames or P-slices of the second format. The techniques avoid the need to decode and re-encode that frames or slices. Instead, residuals associated with the B-video blocks in the first format are augmented and made to be dependent upon only one of the two lists associated with the B-video blocks so that such B-video blocks in the first format can be redefined as P-video blocks in the second format.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to process multimedia data enabling faster channel acquisitions, improved error recovery and improved efficiency. An encoder device encodes a first portion of multimedia data using inter-coding to generate a first version, and encodes the first portion of multimedia data using intra-coding to generate a second version. A decoder device receives a first version of a first portion of multimedia data, wherein the first version is inter-coded, receives a second version of the first portion of multimedia data, wherein the second version is intra-coded, and selectively decodes the first and second received versions.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for second pass video coding in a multi-pass video coding scenario. The coding modes for some video blocks encoded during a second pass may be changed relative to the coding modes used for such video blocks in the first pass. However, motion information does not change for those video blocks that have the changed modes. In particular, mode changes can be made in the second coding pass relative to the modes used in the first coding pass without changing the manner in which motion information will be derived at the decoder, e.g., due to similarities between the original modes of the first pass and changed modes used in the second pass. The second pass coding techniques may also include quantization parameter adjustments, and the mode changes can cause such quantization parameter adjustments to have more profound refinements effects on the second pass coding.

Abstract: A method for searching within a product context. The method includes receiving a first search phrase for a search within the product context, and evaluating the first search phrase based on the product context. Evaluating the first search phrase includes obtaining a plurality of keywords from the first search phrase, and identifying a facet using the plurality of keywords. The facet is contextually related to a keyword of the plurality of keywords, and the facet and the plurality of keywords are used to obtain a plurality of search terms. The evaluating the search phrase further includes applying a backward filter to revise the plurality of search terms into a second search phrase. The method further includes displaying the second search phrase.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to techniques for coding a channel switch frame used for switching between channels of digital multimedia content. In particular, an encoding device may code channel switch frame to exclude one or more blocks of pixels that may be reconstructed at a desired fidelity at a decoding device using one or more spatial error concealment algorithms. Excluding the one or more blocks of pixels of the channel switch frame that can be reconstructed at a desirable fidelity reduces the amount of bandwidth necessary to code the portion of the channel switch frame, thus allowing more efficient utilization of available bandwidth.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to process multimedia data enabling faster channel acquisitions, improved error recovery and improved efficiency. An encoder device encodes a first portion of multimedia data using inter-coding to generate a first version, and encodes the first portion of multimedia data using intra-coding to generate a second version. A decoder device receives a first version of a first portion of multimedia data, wherein the first version is inter-coded, receives a second version of the first portion of multimedia data, wherein the second version is intra-coded, and selectively decodes the first and second received versions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to process multimedia data enabling faster channel acquisitions, improved error recovery and improved efficiency. An encoder device encodes a first portion of multimedia data using inter-coding to generate a first version, and encodes the first portion of multimedia data using intra-coding to generate a second version. A decoder device receives a first version of a first portion of multimedia data, wherein the first version is inter-coded, receives a second version of the first portion of multimedia data, wherein the second version is intra-coded, and selectively decodes the first and second received versions.

Abstract: A method for classifying a previously unclassified posting that includes extracting a plurality of terms from the previously unclassified posting on an application forum, calculating a term answer probability and a term comment probability for each term of the plurality of terms. The term answer probability defines a probability that the term is in an answer posting assigned to an answer class, and the term comment probability defines a probability that the term is in a comment posting assigned to a comment class. The method further includes performing a Bayesian analysis using the term answer probability and the term comment probability for each term of the plurality of terms to select a posting class for the previously unclassified posting. The posting class is either the answer class or the comment class. The posting class is assigned to the previously unclassified posting.

Abstract: A method for generating a dynamic help document involves obtaining question-answer pairs associated with a client-server application, determining rankings of the question-answer pairs based on user feedback about the question-answer pairs, and determining a first preferred question-answer pair based on rankings of question-answer pairs. The method further involves generating the dynamic help document using the first preferred question-answer pair, updating rankings of the question-answer pairs based on additional user feedback about the question-answer pairs, determining a second preferred question-answer pair based on updated rankings of the question-answer pairs, and updating the dynamic help document by replacing the first preferred question-answer pair with the second preferred question-answer pair.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for efficient transcoding from a first format that supports I-units, P-units and B-units to a second format that supports I-units and P-units but does not support the B-units. In particular, this disclosure provides techniques for converting B-frames or B-slices of the first format into P-frames or P-slices of the second format. The techniques avoid the need to decode and re-encode that frames or slices. Instead, residuals associated with the B-video blocks in the first format are augmented and made to be dependent upon only one of the two lists associated with the B-video blocks so that such B-video blocks in the first format can be redefined as P-video blocks in the second format.

Abstract: A method for generating a dynamic help document involves obtaining question-answer pairs associated with a client-server application, determining rankings of the question-answer pairs based on user feedback about the question-answer pairs, and determining a first preferred question-answer pair based on rankings of question-answer pairs. The method further involves generating the dynamic help document using the first preferred question-answer pair, updating rankings of the question-answer pairs based on additional user feedback about the question-answer pairs, determining a second preferred question-answer pair based on updated rankings of the question-answer pairs, and updating the dynamic help document by replacing the first preferred question-answer pair with the second preferred question-answer pair.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to techniques for determining a picture type for each of a plurality of frames included in a video sequence based on cross-correlations between the frames. The cross-correlations include first order cross-correlations between image information within pairs of frames included in the video sequence and second order cross-correlations between pairs of the first order cross-correlations. The first order cross-correlations may be analyzed to detect video transitional effects between the frames. The first and second order cross-correlations may be comparatively analyzed to determine temporal similarities between the frames. Therefore, the correlation-based determination techniques determine picture types for the frames based on the video transitional effects and the temporal similarities.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for detecting scene transitions in a digital video sequence. An encoding device may, for example, analyze a distribution of pixel values over a plurality of frames to detect locations at which the scene transitions occur. In particular, the encoding device analyzes the distribution of pixel locations having values in a mid-range of possible pixel values to identify locations in the plurality of frames that experience a significant short-term increase in the number of pixel locations having mid-range pixel values. A significant short-term increase in the number of pixel locations with pixel values in the mid-range of possible pixel values is indicative of a soft transition. In this manner, occurrences of gradual scene transitions are detected by identifying locations within the plurality of frames that have significant short-term increases in the number of pixel locations having mid-range pixel values.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to techniques for coding a channel switch frame used for switching between channels of digital multimedia content. In particular, an encoding device may code channel switch frame to exclude one or more blocks of pixels that may be reconstructed at a desired fidelity at a decoding device using one or more spatial error concealment algorithms. Excluding the one or more blocks of pixels of the channel switch frame that can be reconstructed at a desirable fidelity reduces the amount of bandwidth necessary to code the portion of the channel switch frame, thus allowing more efficient utilization of available bandwidth.