Abstract: A scalable video compression method and apparatus for encoding an input frame sequence having temporally sequential frames includes partitioning each of the frames of the input frame sequence into a top field and a bottom field to form a base layer sequence of fields and an enhancement layer sequence of fields. The base layer sequence and the enhancement layer sequence each comprise temporally alternating top and bottom fields of the partitioned frames of the input frame sequence. The base layer sequence and the enhancement layer sequence are encoded, wherein at least one field of the enhancement layer sequence is encoded in dependence upon at least one of the fields of the base layer sequence.

Abstract: Roughly described, an input unencoded video stream is first encoded according to a high quality compression standard such as 1080P@60 AVC. The high quality compressed video stream is then transcoded into a scalable format, such as 1080P@60 SVC. Developing the scalable video stream by transcoding offers significant benefits over developing it natively from the original uncompressed picture sequence.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus, comprising a metadata store storing information about files that are stored in a distributed data storage system, and comprising a class database; one or more processing units; logic configured for receiving and storing in the class database a definition of a class of data storage servers comprising one or more subclasses each comprising one or more server selection criteria; associating the class with one or more directories of the data storage system; in response to a data client storing a data file in a directory, binding the class to the data file, determining and storing a set of identifiers of one or more data storage servers in the system that match the server selection criteria, and providing the set of identifiers to the data client.

Abstract: A scalable video compression method and apparatus for encoding an input frame sequence having temporally sequential frames includes partitioning each of the frames of the input frame sequence into a top field and a bottom field to form a base layer sequence of fields and an enhancement layer sequence of fields. The base layer sequence and the enhancement layer sequence each comprise temporally alternating top and bottom fields of the partitioned frames of the input frame sequence. The base layer sequence and the enhancement layer sequence are encoded, wherein at least one field of the enhancement layer sequence is encoded in dependence upon at least one of the fields of the base layer sequence.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and systems of statistical video multiplexing to improve the performance of video encoding by minimizing delay while achieving high video quality. The video encoders used in the system are capable of calculating the complexity of underlying video sources and communicating the complexity to the multiplexer. Furthermore, the video encoders are capable of estimating the look-ahead complexity, i.e. the future complexity and communicating the future complexity values to the multiplexer. A processor associated with the multiplexer allocates bit rates for the video encoders according to the received complexity values and future complexity values. The bit rate information is then communicated to the video encoders. Each video encoder will then exercise its coding control parameters to regulate the resulting bit rate to be within or close to the allocated bit rate.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for providing client-server data transfer over a Hybrid Fiber Coax network, comprising interfacing, at a client, a channel, wherein the channel is one of a video channel and a DOCSIS channel, intercepting a content request made from an end-user computing device, notifying a server of a relevant intercepted message via one of using an interactive channel and tagging the request, selecting content sent by the server over the channel, processing the content selected so as to return it to its IP traffic format, and forwarding the content in its IP traffic format to the end-user computing device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for optimizing the FEC scheme comprising the steps of (a) receiving a batch of data packets designated for transmission; (b) choosing a number of divisors having no common denominators in accordance with the said batch of data packets; (c) organizing into blocks said batch of data packets a number of times in accordance with the number of divisors using said divisors; and (d) creating a FEC packet for each of said blocks.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for delivering television programming to a subscriber. In one aspect the method includes receiving one or more channels of program content, and encoding each channel a plurality of times, each time at a different rate producing multiple rate encoded signals for each channel. The method can further include transmitting the multiple rate encoded signals to a central office over a network, determining an available bandwidth of a downstream link to a subscriber and a current bit rate available for transmission to the subscriber. The method can further include selecting a best available bit rate from the multiple rate encoded signals for a requested channel and transmitting the selected rate encoded signal to the subscriber.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for countering the effects of four wave mixing are described. In one implementation, a controller can be used to shift an operating wavelength of an optical transmitter away from a zero-dispersion wavelength through which signals of the optical transmitter are transmitted. The controller can perform the shifting process while allowing sufficient margin for division multiplexing and minimal dispersion. The controller may determine an appropriate offset to be used for shifting the operating wavelength without subjecting the signals to a significant increase in undesirable effects such as dispersion, crosstalk and signal distortion which can impact the overall bit-error rate.

Abstract: An improved precompensation circuit includes a greatly improved differentiator in the dispersion precompensation path, a preprocessor in the dispersion precompensation path for reducing f2?f1 type Composite Second Order (CSO) distortion, and a broadband phase shifter for compensating undesired vector interaction between the laser predistortion and dispersion compensation.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for delivering television programming to a subscriber. In one aspect the method includes receiving one or more channels of program content, and encoding each channel a plurality of times, each time at a different rate producing multiple rate encoded signals for each channel. The method can further include transmitting the multiple rate encoded signals to a central office over a network, determining an available bandwidth of a downstream link to a subscriber and a current bit rate available for transmission to the subscriber. The method can further include selecting a best available bit rate from the multiple rate encoded signals for a requested channel and transmitting the selected rate encoded signal to the subscriber.

Abstract: A data stream processing system receives a transport stream containing single/multiple program/s and receives alternate content. The system identifies portions of the transport stream to replace with the alternate content. An alternate content data stream is generated that includes the alternate content and at least one sync packet. The sync packet enables synchronous replacement of the alternate content into the transport stream. The system then distributes the alternate content data stream.

Abstract: An improved precompensation circuit includes a greatly improved differentiator in the dispersion precompensation path, a preprocessor in the dispersion precompensation path for reducing f2?f1 type Composite Second Order (CSO) distortion, and a broadband phase shifter for compensating undesired vector interaction between the laser predistortion and dispersion compensation.

Abstract: A method for notifying an application coupled to a distributed file system is described. A command for a file for a distributed file system is received. The distributed file system stores portions of files across a plurality of distinct physical storage locations. The command for the file is compared with a notification table of the distributed file system of the distributed file system. At least one application communicates with the distributed file system. The notification system notifies the corresponding application associated with the command with the notification system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to detect presence of undesirable video abnormalities during, for example, video ingest or playback. These undesirable characteristics may include an average picture level that is less than a preset threshold value, or static input, in which the content does not change over a significant number of frames. Detection of abnormalities results in an alarm to a system operator. Analysis and alarm may occur automatically during processing of video data streams. The same abnormalities may be detected during playback of the image data.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to communicate between a local component and a remote component, where the local component is connected to the remote component using a non-deterministic communication link. A local clock is synchronized with a remote clock to within a maximum offset. A rate message from the remote component is received at the local component, where the rate message includes a first time stamp. A data rate is adjusted using the rate message when the time of the local clock substantially matches a time determined using the first time stamp. A data message is sent to the remote component using the adjusted data rate, where the data message includes a second time stamp for use in processing data in the data message. In some implementations, the time determined using the first time stamp is also determined using information about a communication link delay and/or a clock offset.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to communicate between a local component and a remote component, where the local component is connected to the remote component using a non-deterministic communication link. A local clock is synchronized with a remote clock to within a maximum offset. A rate message from the remote component is received at the local component, where the rate message includes a first time stamp. A data rate is adjusted using the rate message when the time of the local clock substantially matches a time determined using the first time stamp. A data message is sent to the remote component using the adjusted data rate, where the data message includes a second time stamp for use in processing data in the data message. In some implementations, the time determined using the first time stamp is also determined using information about a communication link delay and/or a clock offset.

Abstract: An improved precompensation circuit includes a greatly improved differentiator in the dispersion precompensation path, a preprocessor in the dispersion precompensation path for reducing f2?f1 type Composite Second Order (CSO) distortion, and a broadband phase shifter for compensating undesired vector interaction between the laser predistortion and dispersion compensation.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for providing a deblocking algorithm to one or more blocks in a picture are described. A filtered block may result for each deblocked block. Each filtered block may then be combined to generate a decoded deblocked picture. This process may subsequently be applied to a next picture in a group of pictures resulting in a deblocking of a coded video sequence.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for countering the effects of four wave mixing are described. In one implementation, a controller can be used to shift an operating wavelength of an optical transmitter away from a zero-dispersion wavelength through which signals of the optical transmitter are transmitted. The controller can perform the shifting process while allowing sufficient margin for division multiplexing and minimal dispersion. The controller may determine an appropriate offset to be used for shifting the operating wavelength without subjecting the signals to a significant increase in undesirable effects such as dispersion, crosstalk and signal distortion which can impact the overall bit-error rate.