Abstract: Predictive vector-based addressing to provide uninterrupted packet-based content to a wireless device as the wireless device roams within a network. A static channel is established between the network and a content provider based on credentials of the wireless device. Content is received from the content provider over the static channel, buffered, and provided to the wireless device through a first wireless access point (AP). A motion trajectory is estimated for the wireless device, and one or more destination APs are predicted for the wireless device based on a combination of the motion trajectory, geographic location of network APs, and one or more travel constraints. Identical buffered content is provided to the wireless device through the first AP and the one or more predicted destination APs during a transition period, synchronous with one another. The static channel is maintained with the content provider during the transition period.

Abstract: A mobile wireless communication device to host an internal packet-protocol network to interface between an external network and a user-interface of the device. A first transceiver provides a static channel to the user-interface. A second transceiver receives content, such as streaming media, from the external network over a wireless channel. Received content is buffered and provided to the user-interface by the first transceiver at a second data rate. The device may request a change to the first data rate to avoid buffer overflow and exhaustion. The second transceiver receives notice from the external network of one or more destination POPs to which the system is predicted to roam, and receives identical synchronized content from the first POP and at least one predicted destination POP during a transition period without additional negotiation. Redundant content received from multiple POPs.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products that allow for the load adaptive downloading, processing, and rendering of video by a video processing client, where the downloading is adaptive to the processing load of a computing system on which a video processing client operates.

Abstract: System and methods for selecting one of the alternative streams of encoded media from a group of alternative streams of encoded media for use during start-up of playback of the encoded media in accordance with embodiments of this invention are disclosed. The systems and methods begin by determining an estimated stability period for a current bandwidth of a communicative connection between the playback device and a remote system providing the alternative streams of encoded. A test process is then performed on the streams of encoded media to select one of streams of encoded media that provides portions of said encoded media such that an underflow condition does not occur during the estimated stability period. The streaming of encoded media is then commenced by requesting the portions of encoded media be transmitted from the remote server using the selected stream.

Abstract: In a client-server environment, adaptively streaming programs from a program listing includes using an interaction between a client-side GUI and a server-side storefront to select a primary program for presentation, streaming the primary program at a primary streaming rate, and presenting the streamed primary program at a quality consistent with the primary streaming rate. The adaptive streaming further includes determining a number of secondary programs and a corresponding secondary streaming rate for each, which is less than the primary streaming rate. The adaptive streaming includes negotiating authorization rights for the secondary programs, then streaming the number of secondary programs at their secondary streaming rates, while streaming and presenting the primary program.

Abstract: Systems and methods for encoding video sequences using frames from a higher rate video sequence in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One embodiment of the invention includes encoding frames in a first video sequence by selecting a frame in the first video sequence and selecting a frame in a second video sequence as a reference frame by comparing the similarity of the content of the selected frame from the first video sequence with the content of at least one frame in the second video sequence. The selected frame from the first sequence is then encoded using predictions that include references to the reference frame from the second sequence. Information identifying the reference frame from the second sequence is then associated with the encoded frame from the first sequence to enable decoding of the first sequence using the second sequence.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention decode video sequences encoded using predictions that include references to video segments extracted from different video sequences. One embodiment includes identifying that a segment of an encoded video sequence is encoded using predictions that include references to at least one frame in a reference video segment using a video decoding system, decoding the at least one reference frame from the reference video segment using the video decoding system, decoding the identified segment from the encoded video sequence using predictions based upon the at least one decoded reference frame, and decoding segments of the video sequence that are encoded independently of the reference video segment using the video decoding system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for decoding video encoded using predictions that include reference to other higher rate video sequences in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One embodiment of the invention includes decoding at least a plurality of the frames in the first video sequence by: identifying information associated with the frame in the first video sequence that identifies a reference frame in the second video sequence; decoding the reference frame from the second video sequence identified by the information in the first video sequence; decoding the frame in the first video sequence using predictions based on the decoded reference frame; and skipping frames in the second video sequence that are not identified as reference frames by the information associated with the frames in the first video sequence.

Abstract: Systems and methods for compressing and sharing geotagged video in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One embodiment includes receiving a captured video sequence, where at least one geographic location is associated with the captured video sequence, selecting a segment of the captured video sequence, identifying a set of relevant video segments from a geotagged video database based on the at least one geotag associated with the captured video sequence, determining the video segment from the set of relevant video segments that is the best match by comparing the similarity of the content in the video segments to the content of the selected segment from the captured video sequence, encoding the selected segment, where the selected segment is encoded using predictions that include references to the video segment that is the best match, and storing the encoded video segment in the geotagged video database.

Abstract: Systems and methods for fast startup of video playback in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One embodiment includes identifying a location within the first video stream at which to commence playback, identifying a frame of video in the second video stream that corresponds with the identified location in the first video stream, requesting the identified frame of video in the second video stream, requesting and buffering video from the first video stream starting at the identified location, decoding the identified frame of video in the second video stream, displaying the decoded frame of video in the second video stream while buffering video from the first video stream, decoding video from the first video stream, and displaying the decoded video from the first video stream when the first video stream is sufficiently buffered for continuous playback.

Abstract: Systems and methods for encoding live multimedia content with audio data synchronized with other streams of data, including video data, in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, an encoding system includes multimedia content storage configured to store live multimedia content including audio data and video data, a processor, and a multimedia encoder, wherein the multimedia encoder configures the processor to receive live multimedia content, generate a timeline using the video data, compute a first time window, align the audio data to the video data using the audio data samples and the timeline, measure a synchronization value of the aligned audio data to the video data using the timeline, realign the audio data to the video data when the synchronization value exceeds a threshold value using the timeline, and multiplex the audio data and video data into a container file.

Abstract: Systems and methods for adaptive streaming systems configured to generate interactive video timelines in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a method for selecting video to stream and playback using an interactive video timeline includes selecting a plurality of frames of video from a first stream of video data using a network client, displaying the plurality of frames of video in an interactive video timeline using the network client, selecting a playback frame of video data from the plurality of frames of video in the interactive video timeline using the network client, receiving a second stream of video data beginning from the playback frame of video data using the network client, and playing the second stream of video data using the network client.

Abstract: Systems and methods for encoding live multimedia content with audio data synchronized with other streams of data within the multimedia content, including video data in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, an encoding system includes live multimedia content storage configured to store live multimedia content including audio data and video data, a processor, and a multimedia encoder, wherein the multimedia encoder configures the processor to receive live multimedia content, generate a timeline using the video data, compute a first time window, align the audio data to the video data using the audio samples and the timeline, measure a synchronization value of the aligned audio data to the video data, resample at least one audio sample in the aligned audio data when the synchronization value exceeds a threshold value, and multiplex the audio data and video data into a container file.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided in which a content guide includes one or more tags associated with a single user, a group of users or a channel subscribed to by users that enables the retrieval of content for subsequent viewing and which can be supplemented by recommendations and data from other sources.

Abstract: A multimedia file and methods of generating, distributing and using the multimedia file are described. Multimedia files in accordance with embodiments of the present invention can contain multiple video tracks, multiple audio tracks, multiple subtitle tracks, a complete index that can be used to locate each data chunk in each of these tracks and an abridged index that can enable the location of a subset of the data chunks in each track, data that can be used to generate a menu interface to access the contents of the file and ‘meta data’ concerning the contents of the file. Multimedia files in accordance with several embodiments of the present invention also include references to video tracks, audio tracks, subtitle tracks and ‘meta data’ external to the file.

Abstract: Playback and distribution systems and methods for multimedia files are provided. The multimedia files are encoded with flags associated with the content data of the multimedia files. Through the use of the flags, playback of the content is enhanced without significantly increasing the file size of the multimedia file.

Abstract: Systems and methods for streaming and playing back video having a variety of resolutions, frame rates, and/or sample aspect ratios, where the video streams are encoded at one of a number of maximum bit rate levels, in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One embodiment includes a processor, and storage containing data relating combinations of resolution and frame rates to maximum bitrates, where a plurality of resolution and frame rates that are related to the same maximum bitrate form a maximum bitrate level. In addition, an encoding application configures the processor to encode a video stream as a plurality of video streams having different resolutions and frame rates, where the target maximum bitrate used during the encoding is selected based upon the maximum bitrate levels of the resolution and frame rate combinations indicated within the data relating combinations of resolution and frame rates to maximum bitrates.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing adaptive bitrate streaming using alternative streams of protected content in accordance with embodiments of the invention are described. One embodiment of the invention includes a processor, and memory containing a client application. In addition, the client application configures the processor to: request a top level index file identifying a plurality of alternative streams of protected content, where each of the alternative streams of protected content are encrypted using common cryptographic information; obtain the common cryptographic information; request portions of content from at least the plurality of alternative streams of protected content; access the protected content using the common cryptographic information; and playback the content.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing adaptive bitrate streaming using alternative streams of protected content in accordance with embodiments of the invention are described. One embodiment includes a processor, and non-volatile storage containing an encoding application. In addition, the encoding application configures the processor to: receive source content; obtain common cryptographic information; encode the source content as a plurality of streams including a plurality of alternative streams of content; and protect the plurality of alternative streams of content using the common cryptographic information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically generating top level index files for use in adaptive bitrate streaming in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One embodiment of the method of the invention includes receiving a request from a playback device at a playback server, where the request identifies a piece of content, retrieving a list of assets associated with the identified piece of content using the playback server, filtering the list of assets using at least one predetermined criterion using the playback server, generating a top level index file describing each asset in the filtered list of assets using the playback server, and sending the top level index file to the playback device using the playback server.