Abstract: An apparatus in accordance with the invention includes a switch-box, where the switch-box includes a memory buffer to which information is copied from a computing system selected via the switch-box from two or more computing systems coupled with the switch-box as a result of a first substantially predetermined event.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for image data compression is disclosed. According to one embodiment, image data may be received at a digital video camera having an encoder and a transmitter. The encoder of the digital video camera may be used to compress the image data into an encoded information stream capable of carrying at least 8.5 frames/second in which no frame depends on a previous frame by performing intra frame encoding. The transmitter may transmit the encoded information stream from the digital video camera to a computer system via a Universal Serial Bus (USB) while consuming no more than approximately 4 Mbits/second of USB bandwidth.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for video conferencing is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) enabled digital video camera may output an encoded information stream. The USB-enabled digital video camera including an encoder may compress image data received by the USB-enabled digital video camera during a real-time video conference to produce the encoded information stream in which no frame of the encoded information stream may depend on a previous frame by performing intra frame encoding. A computer system coupled to the USB-enabled digital video camera via a USB may be used to decode the encoded information stream and to transmit the image data to one or more other computer systems as part of a video conferencing data stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for image data compression is disclosed. According to one embodiment, image data may be received at a digital video camera having an encoder and a transmitter. The encoder of the digital video camera may be used to compress the image data into an encoded information stream capable of carrying at least 8.5 frames/second in which no frame depends on a previous frame by performing intra frame encoding. The transmitter may transmit the encoded information stream from the digital video camera to a computer system via a Universal Serial Bus (USB) while consuming no more than approximately 4 Mbits/second of USB bandwidth.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for encoding a digital image is disclosed. A difference is calculated between a first sample from a current scan line and a corresponding second sample from a previous scan line. A quantization table level is selected from a quantization table that includes at least one level, and information identifying the selected level is placed into an information stream. A quantizer is selected from the quantization table level based on the calculated difference and information corresponding to the selected quantizer is place into the information stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for video conferencing is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) enabled digital video camera may output an encoded information stream. The USB-enabled digital video camera including an encoder may compress image data received by the USB-enabled digital video camera during a real-time video conference to produce the encoded information stream in which no frame of the encoded information stream may depend on a previous frame by performing intra frame encoding. A computer system coupled to the USB-enabled digital video camera via a USB may be used to decode the encoded information stream and to transmit the image data to one or more other computer systems as part of a video conferencing data stream.

Abstract: A method comprising decoding a video image such that the decoding generates a number of transform coefficients. Additionally, the number of transform coefficients are processed to determine whether to sharpen the video image.

Abstract: An apparatus in accordance with the invention includes a switch-box, where the switch-box includes a memory buffer to which information is copied from a computing system selected via the switch-box from two or more computing systems coupled with the switch-box as a result of a first substantially predetermined event.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and storage medium for processing video data. According to one embodiment, data encoded in a first high level encoding format is partially decoded. The partially decoded data is encoded in accordance with a second high level encoding format.

Abstract: A method comprising decoding a video image such that the decoding generates a number of transform coefficients. Additionally, the number of transform coefficients are processed to determine whether to sharpen the video image.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises the detection of an edge pixel in an unsharpened image. The edge pixel is sharpened to form a sharpened image. Additionally, a region of the sharpened image is selected such that the region includes the edge pixel. The region of the sharpened image is compared to a corresponding region of the unsharpened image to form a difference value. The difference value is then processed to form a final image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for encoding a digital image is disclosed. A difference is calculated between a first sample from a current scan line and a corresponding second sample from a previous scan line. A quantization table level is selected from a quantization table that includes at least one level, and information identifying the selected level is placed into an information stream. A quantizer is selected from the quantization table level based on the calculated difference and information corresponding to the selected quantizer is place into the information stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for encoding a digital image is disclosed. A differences is calculated between a first sample from a current scan line and a corresponding second sample from a previous scan line. A quantization table level is selected from a quantization table that at least one level, and information identifying the selected level is placed into an information stream. A quantizer is selected from the quantization table level based on the calculated difference and information corresponding to the selected quantizer is placed into the information stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for efficient image encoding in a predictive coding or other error image based image compression scheme, a pseudo-fixed length code is employed to convert certain calculated error values into codewords. The code is pseudo-fixed length since the length of codewords is fixed for a particular range of values and then increased for the next range. The length of codewords is not needed in decoding by choosing prefixes that uniquely distinguish codewords when packed together. As a result, efficient and quick image encoding/decoding is made possible.

Abstract: There is provided herein a method, apparatus, and storage medium for processing data. According to one embodiment, encoded data is received by a playback engine of a computer system. A decoder of the playback engine decodes the encoded data. A capture engine of the computer system is notified to encode the decoded data. The decoded data is encoded with an encoder of the capture engine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing digital video data with a first processor and a second processor, wherein the two processors run asynchronously. First and second processor offsets are associated with the first and second processors, respectively. Commands for the two processors are stored in a set queue residing in memory shared by the two processors. The first and second processor offsets are compared to determine whether only one processor or both processors may implement commands.

Abstract: A computer-implemented process, apparatus, and system for displaying multiple video streams at the same time on a single display monitor, where at least two of the video streams may have different frame rates. Data structures containing linked control blocks are used to process the multiple video streams, where each control block contains information used in scaling and converting a single unscaled bitmap corresponding to a single frame of a video stream. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides video conferencing capabilities between multiple remotely located participants.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compressing a sequence of digital video images using sync frames wherein an encoder determines a first number representing the actual number of frames already present in the bitstream. A second number representing the desired number of frames in the bitstream is compared to the first number. If the second number exceeds the first number, at least one sync frame is inserted into the bitstream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing a sequence of compressed frames of digital motion video information in a circular buffer is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, compressed digital motion video information is written from a storage device to the circular buffer. A host pointer is set equal to the location corresponding to the end of the last frame of motion video information written to the circular buffer, and the positions of a microcode pointer and the host pointer are compared. Based on these positions, determinations are made regarding (i) whether a compressed frame of digital motion video information is present in the circular buffer and ready for decompression and (ii) whether a portion of the circular buffer can be re-written with compressed digital motion video data based on the positions of the microcode and host pointers.

Abstract: An instruction caching system comprises meta-instructions which are contained within the program being executed. A meta-machine, which is a small segment of software, executes the meta-instructions and passes control to the processor itself at appropriate times to execute blocks of instructions from the instruction cache.