Abstract: Systems and methods for adjusting a source image aspect ratio to match a different target display aspect ratio are described. In one aspect, the systems and methods determine that a source image has a first aspect ratio that is different than a second aspect ratio of a target display. Responsive to this determination, primary visual content of the source image is automatically detected. Dimensions and position of a crop of the source image are automatically calculated such that the crop preserves at least a subset of the primary visual content in the crop. Additionally, the crop is based on the second aspect ratio.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a system and/or method that facilitates encoding a source image associated with a motion vector by employing at least one step image, wherein such step image provides a reduction in the amount of stored video. A step image component determines the maximum step image size and appropriate number of step images to simulate a smooth motion based upon an input component receiving data such as, but not limited to, a motion parameter and a computer environment parameter. Moreover, the step image component can utilize a motion controller component that facilitates the visual perception of smooth video during a zoom motion. Additionally, the step image component can utilize an encoder component providing specialized techniques in encoding with step images.

Abstract: Systems and methods employing authenticated connections to a central server to establish and authenticate a peer-to-peer connection between peer devices. The invention circumvents the potential vulnerability of clear-text transmission of secrets through a series of encrypted data transfers. A secret key is encrypted and then transmitted from one peer device to another using authenticated connections to the server. The secret key is then used to transmit encrypted data over a peer connection between the peer devices for the purpose of authenticating the peer devices on each end of the connection.

Abstract: A system and/or a method facilitates creating an image-based video by automatically applying a motion to an image. A motion component can receive the image and generate a corresponding motion, which can mitigate complications involved with authoring the image-based video. The motion component can apply the motion to the image based at least upon a comparison between an aspect ratio of the image and a resulting video aspect ratio. The comparison can be a numeric difference, wherein the difference can be associated with a category, wherein the category provides the motion to be applied.

Abstract: Dynamically configuring an application program at run-time via one or more extension objects. The invention software implements a framework with one or more extension objects providing functionality to an application program and an application manager for integrating the functionality with the application program during execution of the application program. The framework of the invention also formulates and routes application messages between extensible objects of one application program and extensible objects of other application programs implementing a similar, dynamically extensible application program framework. On receipt of messages or notifications, the framework of the receiving application program facilitates the discovery of the intended recipient extension object and routes the message accordingly.

Abstract: Systems and methods employing authenticated connections to a central server to establish and authenticate a peer-to-peer connection between peer devices. The invention circumvents the potential vulnerability of clear-text transmission of secrets through a series of encrypted data transfers. A secret key is encrypted and then transmitted from one peer device to another using authenticated connections to the server. The secret key is then used to transmit encrypted data over a peer connection between the peer devices for the purpose of authenticating the peer devices on each end of the connection.

Abstract: An authoring system for interactive video has two or more authoring stations for providing authored metadata to be related to a main video data stream and a multiplexer for relating authored metadata from the authoring sources to the main video data stream. The authoring stations annotate created metadata with presentation time stamps (PTS) from the main video stream, and the multiplexer relates the metadata to the main video stream by the PTS signatures. In analog streams PTS may be created and integrated. In some embodiments there may be multiple and cascaded systems, and some sources may be stored sources. Various methods are disclosed for monitoring and compensating time differences among sources to ensure time coordination in end product. In different embodiments transport of metadata to an end user station is provided by Internet streaming, VBI insertion or by Internet downloading.