Abstract: For an augmented reality (AR) content creation system having a marker database, when a user requests this system to use a first sub-image of an image to update the marker database, this system computes a suitability score of the first sub-image for rating feature richness of the first sub-image and uniqueness thereof against existing markers in the marker database. When the suitability score is less than a threshold value, a second sub-image of the image having a suitability score not less than the threshold value and completely containing the first sub-image is searched. Then the second sub-image, the suitability score thereof and the suitability score of the first sub-image are substantially-immediately presented to the user for real-time suggesting the user to use the second sub-image instead of the first sub-image as a new marker in updating the marker database to increase feature richness or uniqueness of the new marker.

Abstract: For an augmented reality (AR) content creation system having a marker database, when a user requests this system to use a first sub-image of an image to update the marker database, this system computes a suitability score of the first sub-image for rating feature richness of the first sub-image and uniqueness thereof against existing markers in the marker database. When the suitability score is less than a threshold value, a second sub-image of the image having a suitability score not less than the threshold value and completely containing the first sub-image is searched. Then the second sub-image, the suitability score thereof and the suitability score of the first sub-image are substantially-immediately presented to the user for real-time suggesting the user to use the second sub-image instead of the first sub-image as a new marker in updating the marker database to increase feature richness or uniqueness of the new marker.

Abstract: A method for facilitating firewall and NAT traversal during social networking and/or content sharing via a mobile device uses an instant message protocol to establish a near real-time communications session between two user devices on opposite sides of the firewall or NAT enabled router. A first application on a mobile device provides social networking and/or content sharing. A second application on the mobile device establishes a communication session for exchanging near real-time messages between the mobile device and a second device over the firewall or NAT protected network. The second application is associated with the first application and allows the mobile device to access a file associated with the first application that is stored in the second device via the communication session.

Abstract: Sharing content via a mobile device includes creating a first list of content available for sharing and storing the list in a mobile device, creating a second list of contacts having content sharing permissions and storing the second list in the mobile device, and sharing the first list with a contact in the second list via a wireless network. Sharing the first list with a contact in the second list via a wireless network does not include the use of an intermediary content sharing server.

Abstract: A device and a method for handoff of a VoIP internet telephone call from an IP network to a cellular network and for hand-back of the call to the IP network, in which during or after hand-off of the call an identifier of the hand-off call is obtained and stored and the identifier is used during hand-back of the call to the IP network.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing two-pass real time video compression is provided. Tactical decisions such as encoding and quantification values are determined in software, whereas functional execution steps are performed in hardware. By appropriately apportioning the tasks between software and hardware, the benefits of each type of processing are exploited, while minimizing both hardware complexity and data transfer requirements. One key concept that allows the compression unit to operate in real time is that the architecture and pipe lining both allow for B frames to be executed out of order. By buffering B frames, two-pass motion estimation techniques can be performed to tailor bit usage to the requirements of the frame, and therefore provide a more appealing output image.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing two-pass real time video compression is provided. Tactical decisions such as encoding and quantization values are determined in software, whereas functional execution steps are performed in hardware. By appropriately apportioning the tasks between software and hardware, the benefits of each type of processing are exploited, while minimizing both hardware complexity and data transfer requirements. One key concept that allows the compression unit to operate in real time is that the architecture and pipelining both allow for B frames to be executed out of order. By buffering B frames, two-pass motion estimation techniques can be performed to tailor bit usage to the requirements of the frame, and therefore provide a more appealing output image.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing two-pass real time video compression is provided. Tactical decisions such as encoding and quantization values are determined in software, whereas functional execution steps are performed in hardware. By appropriately apportioning the tasks between software and hardware, the benefits of each type of processing are exploited, while minimizing both hardware complexity and data transfer requirements. One key concept that allows the compression unit to operate in real time is that the architecture and pipelining both allow for B frames to be executed out of order. By buffering B frames, two-pass motion estimation techniques can be performed to tailor bit usage to the requirements of the frame, and therefore provide a more appealing output image.

Abstract: A method of assigning quantization values for use during the compression of images is disclosed. The method includes constructing a non-parametric model during a training phase based on relationships between image characteristics, quantization values, and required bit resources to encode images. The model is built by considering a wide sample of images. The consideration includes determining the temporal and spatial characteristics of the images, compressing the images over a range of quantization values, and recording the resultant required bit resource on a per characterization/quantization level basis. Once built, the model may be used during real time compression by determining the characteristics of the input image and using the allocated resource to find a corresponding match in the non-parametric model. The associated quantization value is then assigned to the input image.

Abstract: An apparatus and method a method for performing two-pass real time video compression is provided. Tactical decisions such as encoding and quantization values are determined in software, whereas functional execution steps are performed in hardware. By appropriately apportioning the tasks between software and hardware, the benefits of each type of processing are exploited, while minimizing both hardware complexity and data transfer requirements. One key concept that allows the compression unit to operate in real time is that the architecture and pipelining both allow for B frames to be executed out of order. By buffering B frames, two-pass motion estimation techniques can be performed to tailor bit usage to the requirements of the frame, and thereby provide a more appealing output image.