Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method comprises receiving, by an adaptive controller, performance measurement for a computing system. The method further comprises estimating a performance model for use by the adaptive controller, and determining whether the estimated performance model has a correct sign for approaching performance desired for the computing system. When determined that the estimated performance model has an incorrect sign, the adaptive controller takes action to determine a performance model having a correct sign for approaching performance desired for the computing system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention recite a method and system for providing visual cues in an interactive media response system. In one embodiment, at least one visual prompt for display on a thin device is generated. The visual prompt is then sent to the thin device where it is displayed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention recite a method for enhancing the quality of visual prompts in and interactive media response system. In one embodiment, a video coder/decoder (codec) used by a thin device is determined. A visual prompt to be displayed on the thin device is accessed and the display parameters of the visual prompt are modified such that at least one character of the visual prompt is aligned with a blocking artifact generated by the video codec.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for detecting a scene transition in digitized video data. The method includes determining if a gradual transition is detected in the video data that ends with a current frame based at least on the current frame and one or more previous frames in the digitized video data. The gradual transition has a length. The method includes comparing the gradual transition to a synthetically produced gradual transition spanning a same length and generated from starting and ending frames associated with the detected gradual transition and marking the detected gradual transition only if the detected gradual transition is sufficiently similar to the synthetically produced gradual transition.

Abstract: Methods and systems thereof for monitoring the performance of a streaming media server are described. A quality-of-service criterion is accessed. A failure to satisfy the quality-of-service criterion during streaming of data from the server to a plurality of clients is identified without assembling the data at the plurality of clients.

Abstract: Methods and systems thereof for monitoring the performance of a streaming media server are described. Server-side measurements are performed with the server operating under a load. Client-side measurements are performed along with the server-side measurements. Data from the server-side measurements and data from the client-side measurements are aligned by time.

Abstract: Methods and systems thereof for monitoring a streaming media server are described. Calibration data for the server is used to identify a server resource that reaches its respective limit before other server resources reach their respective limits as loads on the server are increased. The calibration data characterizes usage of the server's resources under a plurality of different loads including a saturation load. The saturation load causes the server to fail to satisfy a predefined quality-of-service criterion. The server resource is monitored to determine whether the server is approaching the saturation load with the server in service in a content delivery network.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention recite a method and system for improving the fidelity of a dialog system. In one embodiment, a first input generated by a user of a first system operating in a first modality is accessed. In embodiments of the present invention, the first system also generates a first output corresponding to the first input. An second input from a second user, who is engaged in a conversation with the first user, is accessed by a second system. The second input is then utilized to modify the first output of the first system.

Abstract: The estimation of an HRTF for a given individual is accomplished by means of a coupled model, which identifies the dependencies between one or more images of readily observable characteristics of an individual, and the HRTF that is applicable to that individual. Since the HRTF is highly influenced by the shape of the listener's outer ear, as well as the shape of the listener's head, images of a listener which provides this type of information are preferably applied as an input to the coupled model. In addition, dimensional measurements of the listener can be applied to the model. In return, the model provides an estimate of the HRTF for the observed characteristics of the listener.

Abstract: The estimation of an HRTF for a given individual is accomplished by means of a coupled model, which identifies the dependencies between one or more images of readily observable characteristics of an individual, and the HRTF that is applicable to that individual. Since the HRTF is highly influenced by the shape of the listener's outer ear, as well as the shape of the listener's head, images of a listener which provides this type of information are preferably applied as an input to the coupled model. In addition, dimensional measurements of the listener can be applied to the model. In return, the model provides an estimate of the HRTF for the observed characteristics of the listener.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a request is generated from a first device to a remotely located second device for a modified media stream. A period of delay is then determined between when the request is generated and when the modified media stream is desired. The modified media stream is then created on the first device during the period of delay such that the modified media stream is available during the period of delay.

Abstract: Dense range data obtained at real-time rates is employed to estimate the pose of an articulated figure. In one approach, the range data is used in combination with a model of connected patches. Each patch is the planar convex hull of two circles, and a recursive procedure is carried out to determine an estimate of pose which most closely correlates to the range data. In another aspect of the invention, the dense range data is used in conjunction with image intensity information to improve pose tracking performance. The range information is used to determine the shape of an object, rather than assume a generic model or estimate structure from motion. In this aspect of the invention, a depth constraint equation, which is a counterpart to the classic brightness change constraint equation, is employed. Both constraints are used to jointly solve for motion estimates.

Abstract: A data-compressed audio waveform is temporally modified without requiring complete decompression of the audio signal. Packets of compressed audio data are first unpacked, to remove scaling that was applied in the formation of the packets. The unpacked data is then temporally modified, using one of a number of different approaches. This modification takes place while the audio information remains in a data-compressed format. New packets are then assembled from the modified data, to produce a data-compressed output stream that can be subsequently processed in a conventional manner to reproduce the desired sound. The assembly of the new packets employs a technique for inferring an auditory model from the original packets, to requantize the data in the output packets.

Abstract: Methods and devices for streaming multiple media streams are described. A plurality of media streams is received. A media stream is selected. In one implementation, a service is performed on each of the media streams except for the selected media stream. The service reduces the respective bandwidth of each media stream (except for the selected media stream) so that the total bandwidth of the media streams is reduced. The media streams including the selected media stream are then streamed to their destination. The media streams other than the selected media stream are streamed at less than their initial bandwidth, while the selected media stream is streamed at its initial bandwidth.

Abstract: A management system for a rich media environment that enables relatively large numbers of sensing and rendering components to be marshaled for a variety of tasks and services. A management system according to the present teachings includes a service manager that provides a communication service pertaining to the rich media environment by coordinating a set of tasks in the rich media environment and further includes a task manager that manages each task by allocating a set of processing resources and communication resources to each task and performing each task in response to a request for each task from the service manager.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention recites a coordinating component for creating an enhanced representation of an ongoing event using inputs from a communication session established between a plurality of communication devices. A first input port receives a first input from a first of the plurality of communication devices. A second input port receives a second input from a second of the plurality of communication devices. The first of the plurality of communication devices and the second of the plurality of communication devices do not have a prior association. A generator for selectively combining the first input and the second input creates an enhanced representation of the ongoing event. The enhanced representation is then output from an output port.

Abstract: Methods and systems for utilizing a parallel conversational thread during a remote collaboration are described. In one embodiment, a managing entity is utilized to establish a first communications path for a remote collaboration of at least two parties. Then, a request for a parallel conversation is received from at least one of the at least two parties during the remote collaboration. The managing entity then establishes a second communications path for the parallel conversation between the at least two parties. Wherein, the enabling of the parallel conversation on the second communications path is performed without inhibiting the first communications path, such that a portion of a first party can have a parallel conversation with a portion of a second party on the second communications path while the first communications path for the remote collaboration remains active.

Abstract: A system that enables communication and collaboration among individuals using rich media environments. A system according to the present techniques includes a set of rich media environments each having a corresponding arrangement of sensing and rendering components for sensing of and rendering to a corresponding set of individuals. A system according to the present techniques includes an interest thread detector that uses the sensing and rendering components to detect formation of multiple communication interactions among the individuals and that creates an interest thread for each detected communication interaction and further includes a communication provider that for each interest thread captures a set of media data from a corresponding subset of the sensing components and that combines the captured media data in response to the activities of the corresponding individuals and that communicates the combined media data to a corresponding subset of the rendering components.

Abstract: Methods and systems for selecting media service providers based on static resource information are described. A type of service to be performed on an item of content is identified. The item of content is identified during a session with a client device. A service provider is selected from a plurality of service providers. The selection is based on static service provider and static network information. The selection of a service provider is further based on service session information if the service session information has been received. Information is provided for transferring the session to the selected service provider. The selected service provider performs the service on the item of content.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a method for managing a streaming media service. The method includes receiving a request for a streaming media service from a client. It is noted that the streaming media service includes a media service component. Additionally, the method includes selecting a service manager from a plurality of service managers to provide the request to. Furthermore, the method includes selecting a provider from a plurality of providers of a network to assign the media service component. Moreover, the method includes informing said provider assigned to perform the media service component, enabling the streaming media service to be performed on a streaming media.