Abstract: A system reduces latency associated with accessing multiple sources of content provided to a mobile device. In one implementation, a streaming server receives multiple live encoded streams and makes the received encoded streams available to the mobile device. The mobile device instructs the streaming server as to which received encoded streams to provide to the mobile device. When the instructions indicate that the mobile device is requesting a different encoded stream, such as by using PAUSE and PLAY buttons on the mobile device, the streaming server switches the content streamed to the mobile device and provides the newly desired content to the mobile device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for remotely recording video content on a personal video recording server, at the request of a user of a mobile device, and obtaining that recorded content on the mobile device, in some embodiments, at a later time.

Abstract: A remote monitoring method and system enables the moving picture data being captured at Place 1 to be monitored remotely at Place 2 real time, and more particularly for example to a method and a system, wherein the moving pictures are taken with a web camera installed on the computer (PC, in general) at Place 1 and, upon request for receiving the contents of the moving pictures through the Mobile Browser (WAP or WEB pages) on the mobile VOD (Video On Demand) terminal at Place 2, the moving picture data are remotely monitored at the VOD Terminal Client by way of the streaming server.

Abstract: A system reduces latency associated with accessing multiple sources of content provided to a mobile device. In one implementation, a streaming server receives multiple live encoded streams and makes the received encoded streams available to the mobile device. The mobile device instructs the streaming server as to which received encoded streams to provide to the mobile device. When the instructions indicate that the mobile device is requesting a different encoded stream, such as by using PAUSE and PLAY buttons on the mobile device, the streaming server switches the content streamed to the mobile device and provides the newly desired content to the mobile device.

Abstract: Data is shared across several simultaneous software video encode/compressions sessions with a common input video source. This reduces the amount of work done by each individual encoder by intelligently sharing/reusing data between encoders at various stages of encoding. Each encoder may use the data from another encoder “as-is” or may further minimally process the data. This data sharing reduces the overall encoding time of the streams significantly by reducing the duplicative work that would otherwise have to be performed by each encoder. Data sharing thus enables production of more simultaneous unique compressed video streams per encoding station. To allow sharing and reuse of data between encoders, various modules in the encoding pipeline operate in a hierarchical manner and use each other's output data, and cooperate to produce multiple unique video streams that may differ in format, bit rate, resolution, frame rate, or other video characteristic.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for remotely recording video content on a personal video recording server, at the request of a user of a mobile device, and obtaining that recorded content on the mobile device, in some embodiments, at a later time.

Abstract: A Quality of Experience (QoE) framework provides a technique to assess the end user experience in a mobile wireless communication environment, such as 2.5G or 3G networks, or in any other wireless or hardwired communication environment. The framework is usable in conjunction with media streaming applications and enables a combination of network layer, transport layer, codec layer, and application layer measurements in extracting results. The extracted results can be used to monitor and improve, if necessary, the end user experience over severely variable network conditions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for presenting content by a mobile client device having a media player and an associated graphical end user interface. The system and method includes customizing the associated graphical end user interface based on the content to be presented, and presenting the content using the customized graphical end user interface. In one embodiment, the customizing may be triggered by one or more descriptors generated for the content. Examples of descriptors include content type or content metadata such as but not limited to a specific performer, type of performer, content owner or theme.

Abstract: A remote monitoring method and system enables the moving picture data being captured at Place 1 to be monitored remotely at Place 2 real time, and more particularly for example to a method and a system, wherein the moving pictures are taken with a web camera installed on the computer (PC, in general) at Place 1 and, upon request for receiving the contents of the moving pictures through the Mobile Browser (WAP or WEB pages) on the mobile VOD (Video On Demand) terminal at Place 2, the moving picture data are remotely monitored at the VOD Terminal Client by way of the streaming server.

Abstract: A method and system of streaming content media files uses a Portable Terminal. In the event of streaming multiple content files in a mobile environment, the method combines multiple content files into one streaming file through the Playlist Generator provided for the Streaming Server and then streams the entire file at once to a Portable Terminal in order to resolve problems with the existing technology, wherein after streaming for 1 content file is all completed, one must request the Streaming Server for another session again in order to stream subsequent content files.

Abstract: An adaptive pre-processing technique is provided to reduce perceptually unimportant information in a frame (such as some of the high frequency information) so as to optimize compression efficiency and to maximize perceived video quality of a compressed video sequence for a given bit rate. This pre-processing includes a combination of performing pre-filtering of video data to remove high frequency components and to smooth out high frequency texture information within object boundaries, based at least in part on human visual system characteristics. The technique is adaptive in that feedback regarding the current state of the encoder is used to change the filtering strength or region of support for subsequent frames, as needed, in order to maintain the bit budget while still generating visually acceptable video quality.

Abstract: In a multicast and/or broadcast streaming environment over wired and/or wireless networks, a server provides a plurality of different streams to each group (such as multicast groups) of client devices. Each of the client devices in the respective groups tune in to one of the plurality of streams that is most optimum. Quality of Experience (QoE) metric data or other data pertaining to dynamically changing client device characteristics or channel conditions are collected and evaluated by the server. If results of the evaluated metric data recommend a change to a different stream for a particular one or more client devices, the server switches the client device(s) to a different stream in the same group, or switches the client device(s) to a different stream in a different group if that stream is not available in the current group.

Abstract: A method for forming an output stream of data includes determining an output resolution for the output stream of data, determining an output frame rate for the output stream of data, determining an output color depth for the output stream of data, retrieving a first frame of data, a second frame of data, and a third frame of data from an input stream of data, the input stream of data having an input resolution, an input frame rate, and an input color depth, subsampling the first frame of data, the second frame of data, and the third frame of data to respectively form a first subsampled frame of data, a second subsampled frame of data, and a third subsampled frame of data, when the output resolution is lower than the input resolution, dropping the second subsampled frame of data, when the output frame rate is lower than the input frame rate, reducing color depth for the first subsampled frame of data and the second subsampled frame of data to respectively form a first reduced frame of data and a second reduced

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a circuit configured to form an output video stream includes a resolution modification circuit configured to receive a plurality of video frames from a frame buffer, and configured to modify resolution of the plurality of video frames, when the desired resolution for the output video stream is different than a resolution of the input video stream, the plurality of frames of data derived from an input video stream, a frame reducing circuit coupled to the resolution reducing circuit configured to reduce a number of video frames in the plurality of video frames from the resolution reducing circuit, when a desired frame rate for the output video stream is different than a frame rate of the input video stream, a depth reduction circuit coupled to the frame reducing circuit configured to reduce bit depth of the plurality of video frames from the frame reducing circuit, when a desired bit depth for the output video stream is different than a bit depth of the input video stream, and a rat

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a computer program product for a system including a processor includes a tangible memory including code that directs the processor to determine an output resolution for an output stream of data, code that directs the processor to determine an output frame rate for the output stream of data, code that directs the processor to determine an output color depth for the output stream of data, code that directs the processor to retrieve a first frame of data, a second frame of data, and a third frame of data from an input stream of data, the input stream of data having an input resolution, an input frame rate, and an input color depth, code that directs the processor to subsample the first frame of data, the second frame of data, and the third frame of data to respectively form a first subsampled frame of data, a second subsampled frame of data, and a third subsampled frame of data, when the output resolution is lower than the input resolution are also included, code that directs the pro

Abstract: A method for transmitting audio/video data from a web site to viewing devices, e.g., personal digital assistant, cellular phone. The method includes prompting at least two selections on a viewing device, which is coupled to a worldwide network of computers through a wireless connection. The two selections comprises a first selection for an automatic set up (441) and a second selection for a manual set up. The method includes selecting either the first selection or the second selection and transmitting the selection to a web site, which is coupled to a source of audio/video data, e.g., camera. If the first selection is entered, a web page based upon a viewer's profile of the viewing device is formed and transmitted to the viewing device. Alternatively, if the second selection is entered, a form page of selectable parameters is formed and transmitted from the web site to the viewing device.

Abstract: A system for transferring real time video information from a source device to one of a plurality of output devices includes an image capturing device for acquiring video information, the image capturing device comprising a processor, a graphics module coupled to the processor, a browsing device coupled to the processor, a packetizing portion coupled to the processor, the packetizing portion being adapted to convert the video information into a packetized stream of information, the packetized stream of information being in a first format, and an output device coupled to the processor for transferring the packetized stream of information to a network, a network gateway coupled to the image capturing device through the network, the network gateway being coupled to a worldwide network of computers, the network gateway comprising a gateway transcoding device for converting the packetized stream of information from the first format to a second format, the network gateway also comprising a packetizing portion for tr

Abstract: The rich media communication system of the present invention provides a user with a three-dimensional communication space or theater having rich media functions. The user may be represented in the theater as a segmented video image or as an avatar. The user is also able to communicate by presenting images, videos, audio files, or text within the theater. The system may include tools for allowing lowered cost of animation, improved collaboration between users, presentation of episodic content, web casts, newscasts, infotainment, advertising, music clips, video conferencing, customer support, distance learning, advertising, social spaces, and interactive game shows and content.

Abstract: A method includes polling a first plurality of one-hop gateway serves for available bandwidth and available number of CPU cycles for each respective one-hop gateway server, receiving a request to provide data to a media sink in a desired format, determining a bandwidth requirement and an estimated number of CPU cycles required for servicing the media sink, determining a second plurality of one-hop gateway servers having an available bandwidth greater or equal to the bandwidth requirement and an available number of CPU cycles greater or equal to the estimated number of CPU cycles, determining a one-hop gateway server from the second plurality of one-hop gateway servers appropriate for providing the data to the media sink and configured to receive data in a second format, and transcoding the data from a first format to the second format. An example gateway server and a computer program product usable therewith are also provided.

Abstract: The rich media communication system of the present invention provides a user with a three-dimensional communication space or theater having rich media functions. The user may be represented in the theater as a segmented video image or as an avatar. The user is also able to communicate by presenting images, videos, audio files, or text within the theater. The system may include tools for allowing lowered cost of animation, improved collaboration between users, presentation of episodic content, web casts, newscasts, infotainment, advertising, music clips, video conferencing, customer support, distance learning, advertising, social spaces, and interactive game shows and content.