Abstract: Methods for streaming web content data via a computer-readable medium. The web content data comprises one or more media samples. The media samples are encoded in a streaming media format as a web component stream. The web component stream is combined with other component streams comprising additional data other than web content data into a presentation stream. The presentation stream is transmitted via a media server to a client. Rendering commands, which are included in one or more rendering samples encoded in the web component stream along with the media samples, coordinate synchronization between the media samples and the additional data when the client renders the presentation stream.

Abstract: A multimedia processing system and methods provide flexibility and modularity by separating data flow information from maintaining of stream state for multimedia components. The system includes a media processor component to process received media data, a media session to determine a timeline for events to occur for performing media processing and a topology loader component to load a topology that describes a flow for the received media data to enable processing via an extensible symbolic abstraction of media objects. The topology loader ensures that events described in the topology occur. The system also includes core layer components such as media sink components to determine a media stream for output from the multimedia processing system and a media source component coupled to supply media data for processing. The topology created in the system symbolically provides data flow information, independent of maintaining a streaming state of control information.

Abstract: A header object for a data file is comprised of sub-objects which specify properties of the data stream and contains information needed to properly verify and interpret the information within the data object. In order to allow the protection of any set of sub-objects without requiring that the sub-objects follow any specific ordering, a new sub-object is introduced which includes region specifiers identifying regions within sub-objects and verification information for those regions. This new sub-object in the header object allows the modification of non-protected regions and reorganization of sub-objects in a header without invalidating verification information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for resolving a partial topology are disclosed. In one embodiment a media engine includes a topology loader module that receives a partial topology from another module associated with the media engine. The topology loader implements logic operations that convert a partial topology into a full topology, which may be returned to the media engine for presentation of the media stream(s) to a user.

Abstract: A flexible interface that enables an application to communicate directly with processing modules to easily control the processing of streaming data. The interface provides basic commands for applications to use to communicate with processing modules and provides the flexibility to adapt to changing standards. The interface enables an application to set the type of input and output data formats of a processing module and control when the processing module processes input data and generates output data. The processing modules enumerate its capabilities by category, by media type, or by both category and media type. Processing modules are registered by class ID, category, whether the application needs a key, the number and types of input data types, and the number and type of output data types to register.

Abstract: Systems and methods for resolving a partial topology are disclosed. In one embodiment a media engine includes a topology loader module that receives a partial topology from another module associated with the media engine. The topology loader implements logic operations that convert a partial topology into a full topology, which may be returned to the media engine for presentation of the media stream(s) to a user.

Abstract: An encoder compresses a set of still images and parameterizes (with effect parameters) additional images synthesized from the set of still images. A decoder decompresses the set of still images and synthesizes the additional images using the effect parameters.

Abstract: A header object for a data file is comprised of sub-objects which specify properties of the data stream and contains information needed to properly verify and interpret the information within the data object. In order to allow the protection of any set of sub-objects without requiring that the sub-objects follow any specific ordering, a new sub-object is introduced which includes region specifiers identifying regions within sub-objects and verification information for those regions. This new sub-object in the header object allows the modification of non-protected regions and reorganization of sub-objects in a header without invalidating verification information.

Abstract: A header object for a data file is comprised of sub-objects which specify properties of the data stream and contains information needed to properly verify and interpret the information within the data object. In order to allow the protection of any set of sub-objects without requiring that the sub-objects follow any specific ordering, a new sub-object is introduced which includes region specifiers identifying regions within sub-objects and verification information for those regions. This new sub-object in the header object allows the modification of non-protected regions and reorganization of sub-objects in a header without invalidating verification information.

Abstract: A computing system, which is in communication with a multimedia source and that includes at least one application for processing multimedia content from the multimedia source, includes an Application Programming Interface (API) for obtaining basic multimedia information that may be required by applications to process the multimedia content. By doing this, the invention enables multimedia application(s) to easily obtain the basic information from the API in a predetermined and standard manner, without having to obtain the information directly from the multimedia source, thereby reducing the functionality that has to be programmed directly into the application(s) for obtaining the basic information, and thereby reducing the cost, time, and resources that are required for creating the multimedia application(s).

Abstract: A flexible interface that enables an application to communicate directly with processing modules to easily control the processing of streaming data. The interface provides basic commands for applications to use to communicate with processing modules and provides the flexibility to adapt to changing standards. The interface enable an application to set the type of input and output data formats of a processing module and control when the processing module processes input data and generates output data. The processing modules enurmerate its capabilities by category, by media type, or by both category and media type. Processing modules are registered by class ID, category, whether the application needs a key, the number and types of input data types, and the number and type of output data types to register.

Abstract: A multimedia processing system and methods provide flexibility and modularity by separating data flow information from maintaining of stream state for multimedia components. The system includes a media processor component to process received media data, a media session to determine a timeline for events to occur for performing media processing and a topology loader component to load a topology that describes a flow for the received media data to enable processing via an extensible symbolic abstraction of media objects. The topology loader ensures that events described in the topology occur. The system also includes core layer components such as media sink components to determine a media stream for output from the multimedia processing system and a media source component coupled to supply media data for processing. The topology created in the system symbolically provides data flow information, independent of maintaining a streaming state of control information.

Abstract: An application programming interface for a multimedia processing system creates a topology symbolically providing data flow information. A method provides a topology interface including receiving a plurality of media parameters identifying at least an identifier, a node type, a data type and a duration, and in response, creating a topology capable of being passed to a media processor as an extensible symbolic representation of an intended media flow. A computer-readable medium stores a topology function includes a first input parameter representing a unique identifier, a second input parameter representing a state of a topology, a third parameter representing a descriptor for the topology, a fourth parameter representing one or more characteristics about a node of the topology, and executable instructions adapted to provide a topology capable of being passed to a media processor as an extensible symbolic representation of an intended media flow calculated based on at least one of the input parameters.

Abstract: An encoder compresses a set of still images and parameterizes (with effect parameters) additional images synthesized from the set of still images. A decoder decompresses the set of still images and synthesizes the additional images using the effect parameters.

Abstract: A header object for a data file is comprised of sub-objects which specify properties of the data stream and contains information needed to properly verify and interpret the information within the data object. In order to allow the protection of any set of sub-objects without requiring that the sub-objects follow any specific ordering, a new sub-object is introduced which includes region specifiers identifying regions within sub-objects and verification information for those regions. This new sub-object in the header object allows the modification of non-protected regions and reorganization of sub-objects in a header without invalidating verification information.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to encoding and encrypting digital content, and distributing the encoded digital content to end users. A content provider creates or chooses a digital rights profile that is unique to a license server. The digital content is encoded and encrypted with the digital rights profile as portions of a streaming digital content are immediately received. The encoded digital profile is sent to an end user for rendering. The end user must have a license from the license server to decrypt the encoded digital content. Either the end user has a pre-existing license to decrypt, or must order a license to decrypt the received encoded and encrypted digital content.

Abstract: A computing system, which is in communication with a multimedia source and that includes at least one application for processing multimedia content from the multimedia source, includes an Application Programming Interface (API) for obtaining basic multimedia information that may be required by applications to process the multimedia content. By doing this, the invention enables multimedia application(s) to easily obtain the basic information from the API in a predetermined and standard manner, without having to obtain the information directly from the multimedia source, thereby reducing the functionality that has to be programmed directly into the application(s) for obtaining the basic information, and thereby reducing the cost, time, and resources that are required for creating the multimedia application(s).

Abstract: Various embodiments enable dynamic control of input sources for producing live (and/or archivable) streaming media broadcasts. A user interface can conveniently enable a single individual to produce a streaming media broadcast using a variety of input sources that can be conveniently grouped, selected, and modified on the fly if so desired. User-defined source groups enable an individual to select and arrange source inputs for the streaming media broadcast. In some embodiments, source groups can have properties and behaviors that can be defined by the individual before and even during a broadcast session.

Abstract: A network system includes one or more network servers and a plurality of available media streams. The media streams are formatted differently. Some are file-based streams, supplied by the network servers. Others are supplied by local tuners from digital and/or analog signal broadcasts. A network client executes an application program that is to control rendering of the media streams. Each media stream is represented by a programming object. Each programming object has identical interface functions that can be invoked by the application program to control playback of the different media streams even though such media streams are of different media types.

Abstract: An interactive entertainment network system has a program provider, multiple user interface units in individual homes, and a distribution network interconnecting the program provider and the user interface units. The program provider has a storage medium containing a plurality of program data records which contain programming information about the programs provided by the program provider. An electronic program guide (EPG) executes on each user interface unit. The EPG requests the program data records from the storage medium at the program provider and displays the programming information contained in the program data records. To prevent burdensome demand during certain high activity peak time when a plurality of the electronic program guides are likely to concurrently request the program data records, the program provider transmits at least some of the program data records to a plurality of the user interface units prior to a peak time.