Abstract: In one embodiment, captured video summaries are tagged with metadata so the videos can be easily searched. The videos are classified into different scenes, depending on the type of action in the video, so searching can be based on the type of scene. In one embodiment, tags are provided for moving objects or people. The type of object that is moving is tagged (car, ball, person, pet, etc.). Video search results are ranked based on the weighting of the video events or video summaries. The video summary weighting focuses on important events, with multiple videos/images over a period of time condensed into a short summary video. This creates a weighted video summary with different time-lapse speeds that focuses on important events.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a video camera selectively streams to a remote server. Still images or short video events are intermittently transmitted when there is no significant motion detected. When significant motion is detected, video is streamed to the remote server. The images and video can be higher resolution than the bandwidth used, by locally buffering the images and video, and transmitting it at a lower frame rate that extends to when there is no live streaming. This provides a time-delayed stream, but with more resolution at lower bandwidth.

Abstract: In one embodiment, captured video summaries are tagged with metadata so the videos can be easily searched. The videos are classified into different scenes, depending on the type of action in the video, so searching can be based on the type of scene. In one embodiment, tags are provided for moving objects or people. The type of object that is moving is tagged (car, ball, person, pet, etc.). Video search results are ranked based on the weighting of the video events or video summaries. The video summary weighting focuses on important events, with multiple videos/images over a period of time condensed into a short summary video. This creates a weighted video summary with different time-lapse speeds that focuses on important events.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the User Interface (UI) provides a live stream from the webcam, with markers on the side indicating the stored, detected important events (such as by using a series of bubbles indicating how long ago an event occurred). The indicators are marked to indicate the relative importance, such as with color coding. Upon selection of an indicator by the user, the time-lapse summary is displayed, along with a time of day indication. Alternately, the user can select to have a time-lapse display of all the events in sequence, using a more condensed time lapse, with less important events having less time or being left out.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a video camera selectively streams to a remote server. Still images or short video events are intermittently transmitted when there is no significant motion detected. When significant motion is detected, video is streamed to the remote server. The images and video can be higher resolution than the bandwidth used, by locally buffering the images and video, and transmitting it at a lower frame rate that extends to when there is no live streaming. This provides a time-delayed stream, but with more resolution at lower bandwidth.

Abstract: In one embodiment, image recognition is used to determine the type of location where the camera is mounted, such as indoors or outdoors, in a conference room or in a dining room. A filter for selecting the types of events for a summary has parameters varied depending on the type of location. For example, an indoor location may tag events where humans are detected, and ignore animals (pets). An outdoor location can have the parameters set to detect both human and animal movement.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the User Interface (UI) provides a live stream from the webcam, with markers on the side indicating the stored, detected important events (such as by using a series of bubbles indicating how long ago an event occurred). The indicators are marked to indicate the relative importance, such as with color coding. Upon selection of an indicator by the user, the time-lapse summary is displayed, along with a time of day indication. Alternately, the user can select to have a time-lapse display of all the events in sequence, using a more condensed time lapse, with less important events having less time or being left out.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the User Interface (UI) provides a live stream from the webcam, with markers on the side indicating the stored, detected important events (such as by using a series of bubbles indicating how long ago an event occurred). The indicators are marked to indicate the relative importance, such as with color coding. Upon selection of an indicator by the user, the time-lapse summary is displayed, along with a time of day indication. Alternately, the user can select to have a time-lapse display of all the events in sequence, using a more condensed time lapse, with less important events having less time or being left out.

Abstract: A characterization method for a network address translation (NAT) device by an internal computer behind the NAT device includes creating a plurality of sockets; binding the plurality of sockets, respectively, to a plurality of ports; transmitting a plurality of STUN requests in user datagram protocol (UDP) packets to a plurality of STUN servers, wherein each STUN request is associated with one of the sockets; determining that the NAT device does not support UDP packets if responses are not received from the STUN servers; and determining a set of NAT characteristics of the NAT device if a response is received from each of the STUN servers.

Abstract: A characterization method for a network address translation (NAT) device by an internal computer behind the NAT device includes creating a plurality of sockets; binding the plurality of sockets, respectively, to a plurality of ports; transmitting a plurality of STUN requests in user datagram protocol (UDP) packets to a plurality of STUN servers, wherein each STUN request is associated with one of the sockets; determining that the NAT device does support UDP packets if responses are not received from the STUN servers; and determining a set of NAT characteristics of the NAT device if a response is received from each of the STUN servers.

Abstract: A characterization method for a network address translation (NAT) device by an internal computer behind the NAT device includes creating a plurality of sockets; binding the plurality of sockets, respectively, to a plurality of ports; transmitting a plurality of STUN requests in user datagram protocol (UDP) packets to a plurality of STUN servers, wherein each STUN request is associated with one of the sockets; determining that the NAT device does not support UDP packets if responses are not received from the STUN servers; and determining a set of NAT characteristics of the NAT device if a response is received from each of the STUN servers.

Abstract: A method and system for providing communication with devices using instant messaging, by enabling a device to be an autonomous IM user. In one embodiment, a unique user login is obtained from an IM service for the device, and this unique user login is stored (e.g., on the device itself, or on another entity such as a computer or a remote server). Once the device is connected to the network, the device can then log onto the IM service, and function as an IM user. Other IM users can then communicate with the device. In one embodiment of the present invention, the device can both send and receive messages. In one embodiment, received messages can be interpreted as commands to the device, based on pre-defined instructions.

Abstract: A mechanism for generating a 16:9 aspect ratio video image or other non-standard format video for transmission to an application expecting a standard 4:3 image. Software or firmware is inserted between the camera and the application. The image is cropped to obtain the desired aspect ratio (e.g., 4:3 is cropped to give 16:9). Black bars of pixels are added outside the cropped image to make it an actual 4:3 format. A pop-up assistant appears when the target application (e.g., an instant messenger application) is launched, with the assistant providing the controls for switching to 16:9 or other non-standard format.

Abstract: The present invention seamlessly enables a single media stream to be exposed to as many clients/applications as desired, in a manner that is completely transparent to the client/application. Further, an embodiment of the present invention combines media streams from multiple devices (e.g., webcams, microphones, etc.) into a single virtual stream that can then be accessed by as many clients as desired. In some embodiments of the above invention, each client can request a different format and frame rate. Further, in some embodiments of the present invention, the ability to provide media data from one or more sources to one or more client applications is completely transparent to the applications, as well as to the users.

Abstract: The present invention combines features of an executable process with the need for multiple application programs to share a single input device. The present invention provides an executable program implemented as a process that allows multiple applications to communicate with a single input device. This is achieved by loading the input device control executable program as a process. The executable program is a server thus allowing multiple application programs to interface with the same input device. The multi-instance input device control (MIIDC) executable program responds to each application program request as if the input device is open for the calling application program. Each application program is thus enabled to communicate with the input device instance without interrupting the operation of other application programs communicating with the input device. The input device instance keeps track of all the connections to it and multiplexes and resolves conflicting requests.

Abstract: The present invention combines features of an executable process with the need for multiple application programs to share a single input device. The present invention provides an executable program implemented as a process that allows multiple applications to communicate with a single input device. This is achieved by loading the input device control executable program as a process. The executable program is a server thus allowing multiple application programs to interface with the same input device. The multi-instance input device control (MIIDC) executable program responds to each application program request as if the input device is open for the calling application program. Each application program is thus enabled to communicate with the input device instance without interrupting the operation of other application programs communicating with the input device. The input device instance keeps track of all the connections to it and multiplexes and resolves conflicting requests.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for reliable and accurate presence/status management and identity detection in Instant Messaging (IM) applications by using video, still image, and/or audio information. In one embodiment, a device such as a camera captures still image, video, and/or audio data. Relevant information is then extracted from the captured data and analyzed. Known techniques such as face recognition, face tracking, and motion detection, can be sued for extracting and analyzing data. This information is then interpreted for the IM application, and provided to an Application Programs Interface (API) for the IM application. The API can use the information for various purposes, including updating the status of the user (e.g., available, busy, on the phone, away from desk, etc.) and updating the identity of the user.

Abstract: A method and system for providing communication with devices using instant messaging, by enabling a device to be an autonomous IM user. In one embodiment, a unique user login is obtained from an IM service for the device, and this unique user login is stored (e.g., on the device itself, or on another entity such as a computer or a remote server). Once the device is connected to the network, the device can then log onto the IM service, and function as an IM user. Other IM users can then communicate with the device. In one embodiment of the present invention, the device can both send and receive messages. In one embodiment, received messages can be interpreted as commands to the device, based on pre-defined instructions.

Abstract: An automatic, seamless connection for transmitting video regardless of the firewall configurations. In particular, the invention marries the peer-to-peer connection with a reflector, web page configuration. The producer of a video sends its IP address to a recipient. (1) The recipient then attempts to establish a peer-to-peer connection using the producer IP address. If this is unsuccessful, the recipient passes its IP address to a designated web server, which the producer will contact after it notices that the recipient has not established a connection. The producer retrieves the recipient IP address from the designated web server and (2) attempts to establish a peer-to-peer connection using the recipient IP address. If this is unsuccessful, (3) a reflector arrangement is used by the producer sending video to a reflector server.

Abstract: The present invention combines features of an executable process with the need for multiple application programs to share a single input device. The present invention provides an executable program implemented as a process that allows multiple applications to communicate with a single input device. This is achieved by loading the input device control executable program as a process. The executable program is a server thus allowing multiple application programs to interface with the same input device. The multi-instance input device control (MIIDC) executable program responds to each application program request as if the input device is open for the calling application program. Each application program is thus enabled to communicate with the input device instance without interrupting the operation of other application programs communicating with the input device. The input device instance keeps track of all the connections to it and multiplexes and resolves conflicting requests.