Abstract: System, device, and method for improved encoding and enhanced compression of images, videos, and media content. A method includes: (a) receiving a source image, and analyzing its content on a pixel-by-pixel basis, and classifying each pixel as either (I) a pixel associated with Photographic content, or (II) a pixel associated with Non-Photographic content; (c) generating a pixel-clusters map that indicates (i) clusters of pixels that were classified as Photographic content, and (ii) clusters of pixels that were classified as Non-Photographic content; (d) generating a composed image, by: (d1) applying a first encoding technique, particularly lossy encoding, to encode pixel-clusters that were classified as Photographic content; (d2) applying a second, different, encoding technique, particularly lossless encoding, to encode pixel-clusters that were classified as Non-Photographic content.

Abstract: An access point (AP) device comprising a controller configured to monitor bandwidth allocated by the AP device to a plurality of data flows directed to a plurality of wireless clients using a supported AP device, receive from the supported AP device a message indicating a degradation of a quality of service (QoS) level of the supported AP device, and adapt, in response to the message, a bandwidth allocated to a data flow which is forwarded to the supported AP device.

Abstract: System, device, and method for generating and utilizing content-aware metadata, particularly for playback of video and other content items. A method includes: receiving a video file, and receiving content-aware metadata about visual objects that are depicted in said video file; and dynamically adjusting or modifying playback of that video file, on a video playback device, based on the content-aware metadata. The modifications include content-aware cropping, summarizing, watermarking, overlaying of other content elements, modifying playback speed, adding user-selectable indicators or areas around or near visual objects to cause a pre-defined action upon user selection, or other adjustments or modification. Optionally, a modified and content-aware version of the video file is automatically generated or stored. Optionally, the content-aware metadata is stored internally or integrally within the video file, in its header or as a private channel; or is stored in an accompanying file.

Abstract: System, device, and method of providing authenticity and rights verification mechanism for media content and for its derived versions. A media authenticity server is configured to receive a content item, and to generate for it a record having a unique content identifier and indications of permitted modifications, and optionally also copyright information usage restrictions. The media authenticity server authorizes or blocks modifications requests regarding the content item. The media authenticity server tracks and logs the permitted modifications performed on the content item, and makes this log available for inspection to end-user devices via a web browser or via a content consumption application. Optionally, playback or consumption of a modified version of the content item is blocked, or is accompanied by a warning message, if the modified version is not associated with an authenticated log of permitted modifications.

Abstract: System, device, and method for enabling high-quality content-aware zoom-in for videos. An input video is received at high resolution, and is processed. A first video stream is generated, being a downscaled lower-resolution version of the input video. One or more additional video streams are generated; each one of them being a cropped high-resolution version of the input video, such that the cropped region tracks an object-of-interest that is visually depicted in the input video. A multiple-streams manifest is generated, pointing to the first, downscaled, video stream, and also pointing to the one or more other, cropped high-resolution video stream. An end-user device plays the video, and enables the end-user to perform a high-quality zoom-in on the object-of-interest, by transitioning from playback of the downscaled video stream to playback of the additional video stream that tracks that object-of-interest.

Abstract: System, device, and method for generating and utilizing content-aware metadata, particularly for playback of video and other content items. A method includes: receiving a video file, and receiving content-aware metadata about visual objects that are depicted in said video file; and dynamically adjusting or modifying playback of that video file, on a video playback device, based on the content-aware metadata. The modifications include content-aware cropping, summarizing, watermarking, overlaying of other content elements, modifying playback speed, adding user-selectable indicators or areas around or near visual objects to cause a pre-defined action upon user selection, or other adjustments or modification. Optionally, a modified and content-aware version of the video file is automatically generated or stored. Optionally, the content-aware metadata is stored internally or integrally within the video file, in its header or as a private channel; or is stored in an accompanying file.

Abstract: A method for long-term reference prediction video compression, includes: dividing a viewing area into a plurality of viewing sections; measuring an elevation and an azimuth of a field of view (fov) in one or more of the viewing sections; determining a storage location of a video frame associated with the field of view based on the measured elevation and azimuth. A long-term reference prediction video compression encoder, includes: a buffer for storing long-term video frames; a detector to measure an elevation and an azimuth of a field of view associated with a video frame; a buffer manager to determine, based on the measured elevation and azimuth, to store data associated with the video frame in the long-term frame buffer.

Abstract: System, device, and method of providing authenticity and rights verification mechanism for media content and for its derived versions. A media authenticity server is configured to receive a content item, and to generate for it a record having a unique content identifier and indications of permitted modifications, and optionally also copyright information usage restrictions. The media authenticity server authorizes or blocks modifications requests regarding the content item. The media authenticity server tracks and logs the permitted modifications performed on the content item, and makes this log available for inspection to end-user devices via a web browser or via a content consumption application. Optionally, playback or consumption of a modified version of the content item is blocked, or is accompanied by a warning message, if the modified version is not associated with an authenticated log of permitted modifications.

Abstract: A method for long-term reference prediction video compression, includes: dividing a viewing area into a plurality of viewing sections; measuring an elevation and an azimuth of a field of view (fov) in one or more of the viewing sections; determining a storage location of a video frame associated with the field of view based on the measured elevation and azimuth. A long-term reference prediction video compression encoder, includes: a buffer for storing long-term video frames; a detector to measure an elevation and an azimuth of a field of view associated with a video frame; a buffer manager to determine, based on the measured elevation and azimuth, to store data associated with the video frame in the long-term frame buffer.

Abstract: System, device, and method for determining predicted annoyance level of multimedia content. A Predicted Annoyance Level (PAL) management unit processes content of frames of an endless-loop cinemagraph content-item, and determines a PAL score that indicates a predicted level of annoyance that the content-item is predicted to cause viewers due to motion of content in its content-item. The determining of the PAL score is based on comparison of content of pairs of frames of the endless-loop cinemagraph content-item; content of each frame of is compared to content of its immediately preceding frame, except for the first frame of the endless-loop cinemagraph content item which is compared to the last frame thereof. The PAL score is adjusted based on time-length and frame rate of the content item. Analysis of the PAL score triggers one or more notifications, alerts, or mitigation operations.

Abstract: An access point (AP) device comprising a controller configured to monitor bandwidth allocated by the AP device to a plurality of data flows directed to a plurality of wireless clients using a supported AP device, receive from the supported AP device a message indicating a degradation of a quality of service (QoS) level of the supported AP device, and adapt, in response to the message, a bandwidth allocated to a data flow which is forwarded to the supported AP device.