Abstract: A universal streaming server distributing panoramic multimedia signals with client-controlled content selection and flow-rate adaptation to receiver and network conditions is disclosed. The universal streaming server performs adaptive content filtering based on clients' commands and regulates signal flow rate between the universal streaming server and each of multiple client devices based on performance measurements and content specifications. The performance measurements include measurements pertinent to a client's receiver and measurement pertinent to a network path to the client's receiver. The universal streaming server may employ multiple content filters and multiple encoders to concurrently serve a large number of clients concurrently.

Abstract: A method and system to trigger ingestion of remote content or playlists by a streaming server using URL folder mapping is disclosed. The streaming server maintains a URL Map having entries that map a URL folder referenced in the streaming URL to a content server folder located on the content server. This folder level mapping enables maintaining a many-to-many relationship between multiple content identified at the streaming server and their corresponding content located at the content server.

Abstract: Methods of optimal encoding of signals to be compatible with characteristics of target receivers while meeting constraints pertinent to sizes of encoded signals or capacities of paths communicating signals to the target receivers are disclosed. The methods are based on analytical modeling of the encoding process guided by experimental data relating measured performance indicators of encoded signals of diverse classifications to respective encoding parameters. A computationally-efficient technique is devised to determine optimal encoding parameters based on pre-processed data derived from the analytical models. The methods may be implemented at an encoder of original signals or a transcoder of pre-encoded signals.

Abstract: A method and device for improving rate controlling in video coding of sequences including a series of Inter frames separated by Intra frames, when a decoding delay is considered, comprise for each Inter frame of the series: computing a target frame size, computing a maximum buffer level related to a position of each Inter frame relative to a previous Intra frame and an upcoming Intra frame, and optimizing a transmission buffer level in response to the computed target frame size and the computed maximum buffer level.

Abstract: Content filtering of data containers of multiple content types is performed using multiple filtering modules operating concurrently. An apparatus for content filtering has a set of content-specific filtering modules and a network interface for parsing a received data container into components and directing each component to a respective filtering module. A filtering module edits a component of a specific content type according to respective rules. A multiplexer combines edited components produced by the set of filtering modules to form an edited data container. A root module applies a set of basic rules to a data container and any attachments. In an alternative configuration, the apparatus employs multiple filtering modules each applying rules for all content types. Received data containers are distributed among the filtering modules and an output module arranges edited data containers of a data stream in proper sequential order.

Abstract: A method for streaming a media file from a server to a client device is provided. The method provides for streaming requested chunks of the media file from the server to the client device. The method determines a rate for streaming the requested chunk to the client device by using relationships between the requested chunk, the media file, current chunks, and current streaming rates. Provided a seek operation is determined, the requested chunk is streamed at a burst rate or a throttle rate. The method is especially useful for reducing latency and saving bandwidth. A corresponding system for streaming the media file from the server to the client device is also provided.

Abstract: Audio and video streams of a media file are transcoded just-in-time by keeping the transcoding process synchronized to a wall clock. The transcoding is initially configured slightly faster than real-time. The transcoded frames are pushed from the transcoder through a variable bandwidth connection as soon as they are transcoded. Transcoding is then monitored periodically to assess the bandwidth that was available during the transmission of a transcoded buffer. Two time intervals are measured: a buffer interval which is the difference in the transcoded buffer timestamps of the previous two transmissions, and a clock interval corresponding to the real time transmission time of the last transcoded buffer. If a significant difference is observed, the transcoder bit rate is adjusted by a factor that is derived from that difference.

Abstract: A method for conditioning multimedia containers to be compatible with decoding facilities of receivers of diverse types is disclosed. Content of a multimedia container may include components of different encoding formats. Container conditioning also detects and, where feasible, removes undesirable insertions within each content component of a multimedia container. A content component of a container may be filtered, re-encoded, or deleted. Notifications indicating conditions of a container and any modifications performed are appended to the container. A notification may be presented in at least one form compatible with characteristics of a respective receiver. An editing engine implementing the method is associated with a network entity to which multimedia containers are directed. The editing engine accesses a receiver database storing information on several types of receivers and a repository of notification templates encoded in several forms.

Abstract: A device and method of controlling bitrate in video coding of a sequence of frames including series of Inter frames separated by Intra frames, wherein the coded frames are validated in a video buffering device prior to transmission of the coded frames and wherein the method comprises: measuring frame complexity in the sequence of frames; for each Inter frame, calculating a target buffer level of the video buffering device in relation to a distance between the Inter frame and a next Intra frame; for each Inter frame, calculating a target frame size in relation to the distance between the Inter frame and the next Intra frame, the measured frame complexity, a current buffer level of the video buffering device and the calculated target buffer level of the video buffering device; and using the calculated target frame size to control bitrate in video coding of the sequence of frames.

Abstract: A wireless system for streaming media files includes a microburst gateway in which microbursts, comprising groups of buffered packets of the streamed media, are transmitted periodically to a user over a broadband channel over respective window periods, the bursts being transmitted at a higher than an average packet rate associated with the media file. At the start of each fairly long window period of 500 ms, for example, one microburst is sent over the broadband channel, leaving the remainder of the window period available for other users. The window period and a number of packets in the burst within the window period are defined so that the average packet rate is substantially maintained. A corresponding microburst gateway and a method for transmitting the media file are also provided.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for adapting the media contained in a multimedia messaging service (MMS) message, which may include a presentation, into a single media format such as an audio/video file or stream by creating a logical timeline from information found in the presentation, creating an adaptation pipeline from the logical timeline, and executing the adaptation pipeline.

Abstract: A method for determining a scaled color map of a scaled image is described using the transformation of the original color map and the original image only, independently of the scaled image. A number of colors N in the original color map is determined; and provided N>Nmax, all colors in the original color map are reused in the scaled color map. If N<Nmin, the number of colors in the original color map is increased. Otherwise, the scaled color map is formed including: selecting a sub-set of colors in the original color map; increasing a number of colors in the selected sub-set; adding the resulting sub-set with increased number of colors to the original color map; and removing duplicate colors, wherein Nmin and Nmax are respective predetermined minimum and maximum thresholds for a number of colors in the original color map. A corresponding system is also provided.

Abstract: A method for conditioning multimedia containers to be compatible with decoding facilities of receivers of diverse types is disclosed. Content of a multimedia container may include components of different encoding formats. Container conditioning also detects and, where feasible, removes undesirable insertions within each content component of a multimedia container. A content component of a container may be filtered, re-encoded, or deleted. Notifications indicating conditions of a container and any modifications performed are appended to the container. A notification may be presented in at least one form compatible with characteristics of a respective receiver. An editing engine implementing the method is associated with a network entity to which multimedia containers are directed. The editing engine accesses a receiver database storing information on several types of receivers and a repository of notification templates encoded in several forms.

Abstract: To improve the efficiency of media delivery over the Internet, a system and a method are provided for caching remote media files and retrieving cached media files, comprising hardware and software modules as well as steps for storing a remote media file into the cache and retrieving the cached media file based on a signature created by hashing only discrete parts of the media file. The signature is a key for finding the cached media files in the cache upon subsequent requests for the same media file, even if it is received from a different internet location. Media files may be adapted to the characteristics of different media clients, and adapted media files may be equally cached.

Abstract: A method and device for improving rate controlling in video coding of sequences including a series of Inter frames separated by Intra frames, when a decoding delay is considered, comprise for each Inter frame of the series: computing a target frame size, computing a maximum buffer level related to a position of each Inter frame relative to a previous Intra frame and an upcoming Intra frame, and optimizing a transmission buffer level in response to the computed target frame size and the computed maximum buffer level.

Abstract: Content filtering of data containers of multiple content types is performed using multiple filtering modules operating concurrently. An apparatus for content filtering has a set of content-specific filtering modules and a network interface for parsing a received data container into components and directing each component to a respective filtering module. A filtering module edits a component of a specific content type according to respective rules. A multiplexer combines edited components produced by the set of filtering modules to form an edited data container. A root module applies a set of basic rules to a data container and any attachments. In an alternative configuration, the apparatus employs multiple filtering modules each applying rules for all content types. Received data containers are distributed among the filtering modules and an output module arranges edited data containers of a data stream in proper sequential order.

Abstract: A method for determining a scaled color map of a scaled image is described using the transformation of the original color map and the original image only, independently of the scaled image. A number of colors N in the original color map is determined; and provided N>Nmax, all colors in the original color map are reused in the scaled color map. If N<Nmin, the number of colors in the original color map is increased. Otherwise, the scaled color map is formed including: selecting a sub-set of colors in the original color map; increasing a number of colors in the selected sub-set; adding the resulting sub-set with increased number of colors to the original color map; and removing duplicate colors, wherein Nmin and Nmax are respective predetermined minimum and maximum thresholds for a number of colors in the original color map. A corresponding system is also provided.

Abstract: A method of content filtering of data containers of multiple content types is based on generating a set of encoded filters and a set of encoded rules for each content type. Each encoded filter is expressed as a respective operator, from among user-defined operators, and two operands including a content descriptor and a descriptor criterion. A filter has a binary state and a rule may be based on a single filter or a number of selected filters. An apparatus implementing the method has a user interface for receiving user-defined configuration data, a configuration module for generating a set of encoded filters and a set of encoded rules for each content type, a network interface for receiving data containers from a network and transmitting filtered data containers to the network, and a filtering module for applying the rules to received data containers.

Abstract: Content filtering of data containers is based on defining content types, receiving identifiers of a set of rules applicable to each content type, and determining dependence of at least one rule on other rules. The identifiers are sorted into rule strata where rules within each rule stratum are independent of each other and rules within each rule stratum beyond a first stratum depend on at least one rule of at least one preceding rule stratum. Upon receiving a data container of multiple components from a network, a content type is determined for each component. Rules of rule strata specific to a content type of a component are applied starting with rules of a first rule stratum and proceeding sequentially to selected rules of succeeding rule strata. An apparatus for content filtering stores processor-executable instructions for arranging rules in rule strata and sequentially applies successive rules to data containers.

Abstract: A system and methods for adapting streaming data for transmission over a connection of time-varying capacity are disclosed. A streaming server individually adapts transmission rates of signals directed to subtending clients according to measurements characterizing connections from the streaming server to the clients. The measurements may relate to characteristics such as transfer delay, data-loss fraction, and occupancy level of a buffer at a client's receiver. A flow controller associated with the streaming server derives metrics from measurements taken over selected time windows to determine a permissible transmission rate from the server to each active client. Metrics related to a specific characteristic may include a mean value over a moving window as well as short and long term tendencies of respective measurements. An adaptable encoder at the streaming server encodes signals to meet permissible transmission rates.