Abstract: Gaze positions of an operator wearing a virtual-reality headset displaying a video stream define preferred view regions of the display. Starting with a reference gaze position, and for each subsequent distinctly different gaze position, the virtual-reality headset sends control data, including three spatial coordinates and a time coordinate expressed as a cyclical video-frame index, to a view adaptor receiving the video stream. The view adaptor stores contents of a number of most recent video frames of the video stream in a circular content-buffer and control data of a number of most recent gaze positions in a circular control-buffer. A content filter within the view adaptor determines a preferred view region surrounding a gaze position according to control data held in the circular control-buffer and extracts a partial content of a respective frame held in the circular content-buffer according to the preferred view region.

Abstract: A universal streaming server providing client-defined content at a permissible flow rate is disclosed. The server performs adaptive content filtering of panoramic multimedia signals based on clients' commands and regulates signal flow rate between the server and each of multiple client devices based on respective content specifications and performance measurements. The server sends a derivative of a panoramic signal capturing a panoramic view to a client device, receives content selection parameters, based on the derivative, from the client device, extracts a partial-coverage signal from the full-coverage signal according to the content selection parameters, and transmits the partial-coverage signal to the client device. The performance measurements include measurements pertinent to a client's receiver and measurement pertinent to a network path to the client's receiver. The server may employ multiple content filters and multiple encoders to serve a large number of clients concurrently.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for panoramic multimedia streaming where viewers may control spatial coverage of panoramic video components of multimedia signals are disclosed. A novel flexible streaming server is devised to perform client-specific content filtering in addition to adapting multimedia signals to characteristics of individual client devices as well as to varying capacities of network paths to client devices. The server may distribute software modules to client devices to enable viewers to communicate preferred view regions of a panoramic scene. The server includes a learning module devised to retain viewing-preference data, correlate viewing preference to characteristics of client devices, and determine a default viewing preference for each client device. The server implements computationally efficient schemes of generating and distributing content-filtered multimedia signals to clients.

Abstract: A method and a system for selective-content processing of panoramic multimedia signals are disclosed. Features of panoramic cameras and low-latency virtual-reality headsets are exploited to create an advanced efficient system for covering events of diverse and fast-motion actions for the purpose of both broadcasting and data streaming. The disclosed system employs a virtual-reality headset to produce a display of a multimedia signal and generate geometric data defining a view region of the display. A content-filtered signal is extracted from the multimedia signal, according to the geometric data, for broadcasting and dissemination to client devices of a universal streaming server.

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 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: 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: Methods and apparatus for panoramic multimedia streaming where viewers may control spatial coverage of panoramic video components of multimedia signals are disclosed. A novel flexible streaming server is devised to perform client-specific content filtering in addition to adapting multimedia signals to characteristics of individual client devices as well as to varying capacities of network paths to client devices. The server may distribute software modules to client devices to enable viewers to communicate preferred view regions of a panoramic scene. The server includes a learning module devised to retain viewing-preference data, correlate viewing preference to characteristics of client devices, and determine a default viewing preference for each client device. The server implements computationally efficient schemes of generating and distributing content-filtered multimedia signals to clients.

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: System and method for optimizing a transcoding session between multiple terminals are disclosed. The method determines properties of the transcoding session, including a number of terminals participating in the transcoding session, media characteristics supported by each terminal, a measure of performance of the transcoding session to be optimized, and optionally a proportion of time involved in the transcoding session for each terminal. Then a cost function characterizing the measure of performance of the transcoding session and depending on the above properties of the transcoding session is built, followed by optimizing the cost function with respect to said measure of performance to determine an optimal measure of performance for the transcoding session and optimal values for the media characteristics for each terminal. In one embodiment, codecs used by multiple terminals and computational complexity of the transcoding session are optimized.

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: Web objects, such as media files are sent through an adaptation server which includes a transcoder for adapting forwarded objects according to profiles of the receiving destinations, and a cache memory for caching frequently requested objects, including their adapted versions. The probability of additional requests for the same object before the object expires, is assessed by tracking hits. Only objects having experienced hits in excess of a hit threshold are cached, the hit threshold being adaptively adjusted based on the capacity of the cache, and the space required to store cached media files. Expired objects are collected in a list, and may be periodically ejected from the cache, or when the cache is nearly full.

Abstract: A modular transcoder software system for transcoding a multimedia message includes a collection of software modules and objects for the dynamic construction of a series of complex, related or unrelated operations in the form of a transcoding pipeline. The transcoding pipeline provides a hierarchy of operations, such that they can be organized and optimized with the aim of being able to execute the entire hierarchy in a single pass. Additionally, external plugins can customize the mechanism of building the pipeline by altering, adding to, or removing construction knowledge.

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: System and method for optimizing a transcoding session between multiple terminals are disclosed. The method determines properties of the transcoding session, including a number of terminals participating in the transcoding session, media characteristics supported by each terminal, a measure of performance of the transcoding session to be optimized, and optionally a proportion of time involved in the transcoding session for each terminal. Then a cost function characterizing the measure of performance of the transcoding session and depending on the above properties of the transcoding session is built, followed by optimizing the cost function with respect to said measure of performance to determine an optimal measure of performance for the transcoding session and optimal values for the media characteristics for each terminal. In one embodiment, codecs used by multiple terminals and computational complexity of the transcoding session are optimized.

Abstract: A method of data streaming from an encoder to a decoder is provided. The method includes establishing a connection from said encoder to said decoder; acquiring measurements characterizing said connection; estimating transmittance variation of said connection according to said measurements; determining a permissible encoding rate of said encoder compatible with the transmittance variation; determining a set of metrics characterizing said connection; receiving, at said encoder, a signal from a source; instructing said encoder to encode said signal according to said permissible encoding rate; selecting a set of notification-display intervals each corresponding to a respective metric among said set of metrics; and superimposing on said signal, during said notification-display intervals, corresponding indications of said metrics. A corresponding system 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.