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: 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: 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: 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 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: 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: 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 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: A communication system that may include a traffic management module and a communication interface module. The communication interface module is arranged to estimate a status of multiple channels by utilizing channel status estimators, generate filler packets in response to the status of the multiple channels; wherein the filler packets are associated with the multiple channels; send the filler packets to the traffic management module. The traffic management module is arranged to receive multiple input packets that are associated with multiple channels, receive the filler packets; apply a traffic management scheme on the multiple input packets and the filler packets to provide multiple intermediate packets that comprise (a) multiple filler traffic managed packets and (b) multiple non-filler traffic managed packets.

Abstract: Approaches for a virtualized Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) for providing high speed data services to a remote physical device (RPD). The virtualized Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) comprises a core routing engine (CRE) for performing packet switching and routing and one or more core servers (CS) that each perform CMTS functions for the one or more remote physical devices (RPDs). The core routing engine may comprise one or more core routing engine members. The core routing engine (CRE) and the one or more core servers (CS) are each implemented entirely on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware.

Abstract: Approaches for digital video encoding based, at least in part, on adaptive pre-filtering of the digital video. A user may select values for a plurality of video quality preference categories. An adaptive video preprocessor determines adaptive preprocessor information for the digital video, based, at least in part, on the current video complexity of the digital video and an output bit rate. The encoder encodes the digital video to produce encoded digital video using the adaptive preprocessor information. In this way, for example, the encoder may dynamically adjust how the digital video is encoded based on a selection, made by the user, regarding a stress bias video quality preference.

Abstract: Approaches for operating a network personal video recorder operated by a content provider. The network personal video recorder may be located at a head-end of a digital content provider. A network personal video recorder receives, from a user, authentication credentials that provide the network personal video recorder access, via the Internet, to a storage medium belonging to or associated with the user. After the user instructs the network personal video recorder to record a video program, the network personal video recorder stores a copy of the video program on the user's storage medium using the user-provided authentication credentials. Thereafter, when the user wishes to view the video program, the user can instruct the network personal video recorder to read the copy of the video program from the storage medium and play the video program on a device of the user.

Abstract: Approaches for dynamic pre-filtering of digital video based on video complexity and output bit rate. An adaptive video preprocessor determines a current video complexity of the digital video and an output bit rate. Thereafter, the adaptive video preprocessor dynamically updates the strength of one or more preprocessing filters based on the current video complexity and the output bit rate for the digital video. The adaptive video preprocessor may update the strength of a preprocessing filter based, at least in part, upon selected values of a video quality preference category. A video quality preference category may be assigned natural language values which may each be translated into a particular strength value for at least one of the one or more preprocessing filters.

Abstract: Approaches for clock synchronization in digital video environments. In an embodiment, an encoder/transcoder calculates a ratio between a system clock and a source clock. The source clock is used by a source device to encode or transcode digital video. The system clock is used by the encoder/transcoder. After the encoder/transcoder receives the digital video from the source device, the encoder/transcoder uses the calculated ratio to create a recovered clock. The recovered clock is locked to a frequency of the source clock but not to the phase of the source clock. The encoder/transcoder uses the recovered clock to encode or transfer the digital video received from the source device. The encoder/transcoder ensures that the frequency of the recovered clock does not change faster than a certain rate, e.g., 0.075 Hz/second.

Abstract: Approaches for processing video in a smart small form-factor pluggable (SFP) transceiver. The smart SFP transceiver may dynamically assess characteristics of its environment, such as link bandwidth or video attributes. Thereafter, the smart SFP transceiver dynamically selects, from a plurality of codecs available to the smart SFP transceiver, an appropriate codec for use in processing the video prior to the video being transmitted over a link. The selection of the codec may be based, at least in part, on the assessed environmental attributes. The smart SFP transceiver may then use the codec selected by the smart SFP transceiver to process the video, e.g., the video may be encoded, compressed, or timing information generated.

Abstract: A communication system that may include a traffic management module and a communication interface module. The communication interface module is arranged to: estimate a status of multiple channels by utilizing hardware channel status estimators, generate filler packets in response to the status of the multiple channels; wherein the filler packets are associated with the multiple channels; send the filler packets to the traffic management module. The traffic management module is arranged to receive multiple input packets that are associated with multiple channels, receive the filler packets; apply a traffic management scheme on the multiple input packets and the filler packets to provide multiple intermediate packets that comprise (a) multiple filler traffic managed packets and (b) multiple non-filler traffic managed packets.

Abstract: Roughly described, pictures are divided into multiple spatial sections to be encoded by multiple section encoders. To address discontinuities of compression decisions across section boundaries, the multiple section encoders encode overlapping regions in a picture.

Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that includes receiving a current frame, the current frame including one or more macroblocks, analyzing the current frame using a first set of image characteristics to determine if logo detection can be performed on the current frame, and performing the logo detection on the current frame if the current frame satisfies the first set of image characteristics to determine presence of a logo macroblock among the one or more macroblocks.