Abstract: Adapting characteristics of a video stream. A source video stream is received comprising instructions to employ at least one reference frame at a video adaptation device, wherein the source video stream is encoded. The source video stream is adapted, at the video adaptation device, such that the instructions are adapted to store a different number of reference frames. A video stream is produced with the different number of the reference frames.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for managing upstream bandwidth of a network including changing QoS settings, by a router, of a video device of a plurality of video devices in the network to a higher priority than other of the plurality of video devices. The plurality of video devices concurrently transmit video data. The computer-implemented method further includes estimating an overall upstream bandwidth by the higher priority video device and determining operating rates, by the router, for the plurality of video devices, such that said modem buffer is not backlogged.

Abstract: A method and system thereof for distributing media data are described. A media segment, selected from a plurality of media segments stored on another node, is received. The media segment includes a portion of an item of media content. The item of media content is segmented according to segmentation characteristics. The media segment is stored in lieu of storing the item of media content in its entirety. The media segment can be forwarded to other nodes.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for encoding using feedback. The method comprising includes encoding a base layer of a current frame, generating a residue of the current frame, and encoding the residue of said current frame. Also, in response to feedback from a receiver, wherein the feedback is based on the base layer of the current frame and previous correctly received enhancement frames, determining coding strategy for each block of the current frame and coding according to one or more of source coding and Wyner-Ziv coding.

Abstract: Differential protection of a live scalable media is disclosed. A first scalable encoding method is utilized for encoding a layer of a live media bit-stream, the first scalable encoding method having a first error resilience and a first bit cost. In addition, a second scalable encoding method is utilized for encoding an enhancement layer of the live media bit-stream, the second scalable encoding method comprising a second error resilience lower than the first error resilience, the second scalable encoding method further comprising a second bit cost that is lower than the first bit cost.

Abstract: A method for encoding a plurality of video frames of a single data stream at a plurality of encoding rates is provided. The method includes accessing a first video frame associated with the single data stream and encoding the first video frame at a first encoding rate. The method further includes accessing a second video frame associated with the single data stream and encoding the second video frame at a second encoding rate.

Abstract: Controlling artifacts in video data. Image data of collocated pixels of a plurality of frames of the video data is sampled (310), wherein at least a portion of each of the plurality of frames corresponds to an object that does not move across the plurality of frames. A statistical curve fit is performed (320) on sampled image data of the collocated pixels, wherein the statistical curve fit places less consideration on a sampled collocated pixel that corresponds to movement of an object across the plurality of frames. An adjusted frame is generated (330) based at least in part on at least one parameter of the statistical curve fit.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a system and method for transferring data on a data network using multiple paths. In one embodiment, data is transferred across a default path of a network. Next, a data loss rate is determined on the default path. When the data loss rate on the default path exceeds a first threshold value, a data loss rate is determined on a first alternate path. Provided the data loss rate on the first alternate path is less than a second threshold value, a first portion of the data is transferred to the first alternate path. Moreover, additional portions of data are transferred to the first alternate path until the data loss rate on the first alternate path meets or exceeds the second threshold value.

Abstract: A method for dynamically configuring a network component to reroute media streams is disclosed. The method includes receiving a request for content from a first network connected component and determining a type of media service needed for at least a portion of the content. Moreover, the method includes configuring a network data relaying component to forward at least a portion of the content from a second network connected component to a third network connected component.

Abstract: A method and system for encoding a video frame. The method includes grouping macroblocks of a video frame into a plurality of groups and determining a first encoding rate for at least one of the plurality of groups based on at least one quantization parameter value associated with the group. The method further includes determining a distortion value associated with the first encoding rate and determining a distortion reduction density value based on the distortion value and the first encoding rate. The method further includes accessing a rate budget associated with the frame and adjusting simultaneously a plurality of quantization parameter values associated with one or more of the plurality of groups.

Abstract: A method for streaming video data. Video data is received. At least one frame of the video data is segmented into a plurality of regions. Video data corresponding to a first region of the plurality of regions is transmitted over a network. The video data corresponding to a second region of the plurality of regions is modified according to interactive input. The video data corresponding to a modified version of the second region is transmitted over the network.

Abstract: Methods and systems for overcoming the apparent loss of a data packet are described. Encoded second data can be accessed, where the second data is predictively encoded with reference to encoded first data. A data packet that includes at least a portion of the first encoded data can be sent to a downstream device. If the data packet was not properly received by the downstream device, the encoded second data can be adapted to make it decodable independent of the encoded first data.

Abstract: A method and system thereof for streaming media data are described. Media data comprising blocks of data are streamed in an order that is selected according to the performance characteristics of the network path used for the streaming.

Abstract: A method for enhancing transmission quality of streaming media. A first bandwidth for a first communication link and a second bandwidth for a second communication link of a network are determined. Provided the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth, a first excess bandwidth is utilized to improve transmission quality in the first communication link, wherein said the excess bandwidth is related to a difference of the first bandwidth minus the second bandwidth. Provided the second bandwidth is greater than the first bandwidth, a second excess bandwidth is utilized to improve transmission quality in the second communication link, wherein the second excess bandwidth is related to a difference of the second bandwidth minus the first bandwidth.

Abstract: Methods and systems for servicing content for delivery to a client device are described. An item of content is identified during a session with the client device. A type of service to be performed on the item of content is identified. A provider is selected from a plurality of providers capable of performing the service. The session is transferred to the selected provider, which 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 and the streaming media service includes a media service component. A service location manager is selected to which to provide the request from a plurality of service location managers. Additionally, a service provider is selected to which to assign the media service component from a plurality of service providers of a network. Furthermore, the service provider is informed of the assignment to perform the media service component. The service provider is caused to prepare to perform the streaming media service on streaming media. Moreover, information is used to determine whether to initiate a handoff of the streaming media service from the service provider to another service provider. If it is determined to initiate the handoff, the handoff is initiated.

Abstract: Providing placement information for content to be overlaid on a video stream. A video stream is received which comprises subject matter. A value corresponding to the subject matter in the video stream is received. The value is coupled with the video stream such that the value can be utilized to generate placement information for the content to be overlaid on the video stream.

Abstract: A method and device for three-dimensional graphics to two-dimensional video encoding. A three-dimensional model representing at least one three-dimensional object is received. The three-dimensional model is rendered into a two-dimensional frame. Composition information for the two-dimensional frame is extracted from the three-dimensional model. A bit stream is encoded based on the two-dimensional frame and the composition information.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling the number of computations involved in computing the allocation of resources given resource constraints. According to one embodiment, a set of existing constraints for providing the resources is received. An adjustable parameter for reducing the number of computations is received. A complexity-scalable resource-allocator is executed where the complexity-scalable resource-allocator computes an estimated constraint for providing a resource, at least in part, by dividing an existing constraint for providing the resource by the adjustable parameter, rounding down, and multiplying by the adjustable parameter, wherein the estimated constraint is used to optimally allocate the resources.

Abstract: A graphics to video encoder is disclosed. The encoder comprises a client image constructor that receives client input and constructs client image frames based on the client input. A scene integrator is coupled to the client image constructor. The scene integrator accesses base image frames and integrates client image frames with base image frames to generate client scene frames. The graphics to video encoder also has coupled to the scene integrator a video encoder that encodes and outputs the client scene frames as a video bitstream.