Abstract: Approaches for supporting a RF automatic gain control (AGC) loop. A first module and a second module are coupled together via a single RF transmission cable. The first module might be a Remote PHY Device (RPD). The second module may comprise a power amplifier. Both the first and second module operate on a single automatic gain control (AGC) loop. The first module sends a first signal to the second module over the single RF transmission cable at a first frequency or frequency range. The first module may adjust a gain of the AGC loop based on a second signal sent from the second module to the first module over the single RF transmission cable. The second, counterpropagating signal has a different frequency or frequency range than the first frequency of the first signal, e.g., the second frequency or frequency range may be lower than that of the first frequency.

Abstract: Systems, method, and computer program products for providing multi-channel variable bit-rate video compression are described. In some implementations, video channels can be allocated with bit rates that are set based on a predefined video compression quality. More specifically, each channel can generate a table describing the set of video compression quality values each corresponding to a bit rate value that can be used to achieve that video compression quality value. To generate the table or pre-compression coding information, encoders of the system described herein can pre-encode each input signal at multiple, different bit rates, and record the video compression quality value achievable at each of the bit rates. The system also can use lesser number of encoders for pre-encoding, supplemented by data interpolation, to generate the pre-compression coding information, requiring less processing algorithm but at an expense of lower accuracy.

Abstract: Segregating a node port experiencing ingress. A node that provides a service to a plurality of cable modems may have a plurality of node ports. The node may be a Remote PHY Node or a Remote MACPHY node. In response to detecting that a particular node port of the node is experiencing ingress, the assignment of node ports to upstream device ports are adjusted so that the particular node port experiencing ingress is not be assigned to the same upstream device port as any other node port. In further response to detecting ingress at the particular node port, all node ports assigned to the same upstream device port are caused to be assigned to the same downstream device port. By segregating the node port experiencing the ingress in this manner, the impact of that ingress can be mitigated or eliminated with respect to the other node ports of that node.

Abstract: Ensuring a long-term average bitrate for channels of a statistical multiplexing meets or exceeds a specified limit. An arbitrary target average bitrate for each of a set of channels of the statistical multiplexer is received. The long-term average bit rate for each channel of the statistical multiplexer is tracked. For each allocation cycle of the statistical multiplexer, bitrates to each encoder are assigned by splitting a bit allocation pool of the statistical multiplexer into a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is allocated to maximize video quality and the second portion is allocated to minimize a gap between the set of channels that are below their arbitrary target average bitrate based on the long-term average bit rate for the set of channels. Thereafter, the bit rates allocated from the first and second portions are distributed to the encoders encoding/transcoding the set of channels.

Abstract: A video server comprising an input port configured to receive from a user terminal requests to deliver video segments in a target representation. The server comprises an output port configured to deliver the requested video segments to the user terminal. The server comprises a data link configured to retrieve from storage capabilities, for each request from the user terminal, a video segment in at least one source representation in an Open GOP scheme. The server comprises an access to one or more video transcoding capabilities. The video server is configured to cause one or more video transcoding capabilities to transcode at least a part of the video segment in at least one source representation in an Open GOP scheme into the requested target representation in a Closed GOP scheme when the requested target representation is different from a representation previously provided to the user terminal.

Abstract: Creating a sub-titles stream or file composed of sub-titles elements. For each sub-titles element in said sub-titles elements, a sub-titles element is inserted into the sub-titles stream or file, at least one end-of-block condition related to a mode of presentation of sub-titles is verified, and a datum representative of an end of a block according to the mode of presentation of sub-titles is inserted into the sub-titles stream or file upon satisfying said at least one end-of-block condition. A sub-titles stream or file may be presented on a terminal of a user by selecting on the terminal a mode of presentation of sub-titles, reading a sub-titles block associated with the mode of presentation in the stream or file, and presenting on the terminal the at least one sub-titles block according to the mode of presentation.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for dynamically adapting the lossy encoding of an audio and/or video stream (112) transmitted by a first device (101) to a remote device (102), said method comprising the following steps: the remote device (102) receives and decodes said stream (112), called the incoming stream, and transmits an outgoing stream (111) having at least one indicator relating to a state of said remote device (102) that is modified by the execution of the decoding of the incoming stream (112); the first device (101) receives the outgoing stream (111), extracts said at least one indicator therefrom and adapts the encoding of the incoming stream (112) according to said at least one extracted indicator. The method can be applied notably to video conferences conducted on the basis of self-powered terminals for the purpose of maintaining the operating period of these terminals.

Abstract: A video splicer combines a first video stream, encoded in accordance with a block based coding algorithm, with a second video stream. A header processor detects a key position picture in each of a plurality of sequential GOPs of the first stream and determines a presentation time for each key position picture in each GOP in the first stream. A timing mapper identifies a respective image in the second stream having a presentation time corresponding to a key position picture of the first stream. An encoder encodes the second stream in accordance with the block based coding algorithm. A new GOP is started with the respective image in the second stream having a presentation time corresponding to the key position picture of the first stream. A switcher switches between outputting the first stream and the encoded second stream by a signal from the timing mapper.

Abstract: Applying a presentation timestamp to an element of a sequence of sub-titles. A minimum presentation timestamp TMIN of an element of a sequence of sub-titles N is initialized. The presentation timestamp T(N) of the new element of a sub-title sequence N is compared with the minimum presentation timestamp for sub-titles TMIN. The minimum presentation timestamp for sub-titles TMIN is applied to the element of a sequence of sub-titles N if the presentation timestamp T(N) of the new sub-titles element is prior to the minimum presentation timestamp for sub-titles TMIN. The minimum presentation timestamp for sub-titles TMIN for an element of a sequence of sub-titles N+1 is calculated as a timestamp posterior to the presentation timestamp T(N) of the new sub-titles element.

Abstract: A video encoder unit receives a video signal to encode along with auxiliary services such as audio streams and/or data streams. While the auxiliary streams are allotted a fixed bandwidth, the video encoder determines a required video bandwidth, which must be allocated in response to the request by a central allocator. Where economies are made in the auxiliary services for example by transmitting stereo audio instead of surround sound for example, the bandwidth requested from the central allocator is inflated by an amount corresponding to a proportion of the economized bandwidth. The extra bandwidth allocated on this basis may then be used for improving the quality of video encoding, and/or reserved for the transmission of asynchronous data.

Abstract: A scheduler of computer processes. The scheduler comprises first processing logic configured to obtain predictions of a computing load of a computer process to allocate. Predictions are associated with a period of time. The processing logic retrieves predictions of available computing capacities for the period of time, and determines, based on the predictions, a processing capability to allocate at least one computer process during the period of time. The scheduler may comprise second processing logic configured to create at least one Operating-System-Level virtual environment, for a computer program, that has a computing capacity equal to or higher than the predicted computing load of at least one computer process to allocate at a start of the period of time. The second processing logic may adapt the computing capacity of an Operating-System-Level virtual environment to the predictions of the computing load of at least one computer process during the period of time.

Abstract: Approaches for recovering one or more media datagrams. A plurality of media datagrams, a plurality of row forward error correction (FEC) datagrams, and a plurality of column FEC datagrams are received. The plurality of media datagrams is logically arranged in rows and columns of media datagrams. Each row FEC datagram corresponds to one of the rows of the media datagrams and each column FEC datagram corresponds to one of the columns of media datagrams. Each received datagram is stored in a buffer. Upon determining that a particular media datagram is missing, it is determined whether a particular row FEC datagram or a particular column FEC datagram covering the particular media datagram has been received and is missing only a single media datagram for which it covers. If so, then, the particular media datagram is recovered using the particular row FEC datagram or the particular column FEC datagram.

Abstract: The estimation of a computing capacity of a machine. The computing capacity is estimated by iteratively adding and removing calibrated computer processes on the machine, and performing a sum of computing loads of processes that execute on the machine. In order to characterize the ability of a machine to run in parallel a number of processes having a defined computing load, the processes are associated to a condition of success.

Abstract: A distribution system that may include multiple radio frequency outputs, a group of channel processing and digital up conversion units, and a set of digital to analog converters. The set of digital to analog converters is coupled between the group of channel processing and digital up conversion units and the multiple radio frequency outputs. The group of channel processing units may be arranged to generate multiple digital multiplexes and to provide the multiple digital multiplexes to the set of digital to analog converters. Each digital multiplex comprises digital broadcast channels provided from at least two channel processing and digital up conversion units. The set of the digital to analog converters may be arranged to convert the multiple digital multiplexes to provide multiple analog multiplexes and to provide the multiple analog multiplexes to the multiple radio frequency outputs.

Abstract: Approaches for dynamically allocating CPU cycles for use in processing a video stream. Video complexity information for two or more digital video streams actively being processed by one or more video encoders is determined at periodic intervals. Video complexity information describes the complexity of digital video carried by the digital video streams across a bounded number of consecutive digital frames which includes digital frames not yet processed by the one or more video encoders. A determination is made as to whether a number of CPU cycles allocated for processing a particular digital video stream should be adjusted based on the determined video complexity information. The number of CPU cycles allocated for processing the particular digital video stream may be dynamically adjusted by maximizing a measure of optimal video quality calculated for the two or more digital video streams using, at least in part, the determined video complexity information.

Abstract: Approaches for recovering from a disruption in a live input stream when performing an encoding, transcoding, or decoding operation. A higher quality input stream and a lower quality input stream are received. The two streams may be an audio or video data stream. A real-time encoding, decoding, or transcoding operation is performed using the higher quality input stream. When a disruption in the higher quality input stream occurs, the real-time encoding, decoding, or transcoding operation is performed using the lower quality input stream. A state diagram that considers how long one or more of the higher quality input stream and the lower quality input stream have been available is used in transitioning from using the lower quality input stream to the higher quality input stream in the performance of the real-time encoding, decoding, or transcoding operation.

Abstract: Method of adaptive broadcasting of multimedia data streams Fi originating from a service provider (20), during a download between a reception terminal (40) and a server (30), as a function of an energy criterion, comprising the following steps: determining, for N representations Fi, at least one first energy index by calculating, for each of the representations Fi of a multimedia segment, a value of energy Ei(t) consumed to decode the representation Fi at the instant t, the maximum energy value Emax(t) associated with the most energy-consuming representation, and the values of the ratios corresponding E i ? ( t ) E Max ? ( t ) ?storing these values in a file associating with a representation Fi at least one ratio E i ? ( t ) E Max ? ( t ) , measuring the consumption of energy used by the terminal in the course of the playback of the representation Fi, and choosing another representation Fj or altering the quality of playback of the representation if the

Abstract: Approaches for creating video on demand (VOD) assets with a VOD watermark. For a digital stream yet to be broadcast, a duplicate version of an accompanying audio stream comprised within the digital stream is created. A video on demand (VOD) watermark is inserted into or affixed within the duplicate version of the accompanying audio stream. Thereafter, the digital broadcast stream which comprises the original audio stream and the duplicate version is transmitted to an integrated receiver-decoder. The integrated receiver-decoder creates a broadcast version of the digital broadcast stream which comprises a broadcast watermark and a video on demand (VOD) version of the digital broadcast stream which comprises a VOD watermark. The integrated receiver-decoder may align the broadcast video with the VOD watermarked audio to ensure proper local storage and subsequent VOD distribution.

Abstract: A method for obtaining and utilizing internet protocol (IP) subnet information, the method may include obtaining by a layer two cable modem termination system (L2 CMTS) information about IP subnets that comprise DHCP leased IP addresses assigned to devices serviced by the L2 CMTS; and maintaining, by the L2 CMTS and based on the information about the IP subnets, a data structure that reflects the IP subnets that comprise the IP addresses that are allocated to the devices serviced by the L2 CMTS.

Abstract: Applying a presentation timestamp to an element of a sequence of sub-titles. A minimum presentation timestamp TMIN of an element of a sequence of sub-titles N is initialized. The presentation timestamp T(N) of the new element of a sub-title sequence N is compared with the minimum presentation timestamp for sub-titles TMIN. The minimum presentation timestamp for sub-titles TMIN is applied to the element of a sequence of sub-titles N if the presentation timestamp T(N) of the new sub-titles element is prior to the minimum presentation timestamp for sub-titles TMIN. The minimum presentation timestamp for sub-titles TMIN for an element of a sequence of sub-titles N+1 is calculated as a timestamp posterior to the presentation timestamp T(N) of the new sub-titles element.