Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for perspective shifting in a video conferencing session. In one exemplary method, a video stream may be generated. A foreground element may be identified in a frame of the video stream and distinguished from a background element of the frame. Data may be received representing a viewing condition at a terminal that will display the generated video stream. The frame of the video stream may be modified based on the received data to shift of the foreground element relative to the background element. The modified video stream may be displayed at the displaying terminal.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for coding and decoding video captured as cube map images. According to these techniques, padded reference images are generated for use during predicting input data. A reference image is stored in a cube map format. A padded reference image is generated from the reference image in which image data of a first view contained in reference image is replicated and placed adjacent to a second view contained in the cube map image. When coding a pixel block of an input image, a prediction search may be performed between the input pixel block and content of the padded reference image. When the prediction search identifies a match, the pixel block may be coded with respect to matching data from the padded reference image. Presence of replicated data in the padded reference image is expected to increase the likelihood that adequate prediction matches will be identified for input pixel block data, which will increase overall efficiency of the video coding.

Abstract: Multi-directional image data often contains distortions of image content that cause problems when processed by video coders that are designed to process traditional, “flat” image content. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide techniques for coding multi-directional image data using such coders. For each pixel block in a frame to be coded, an encoder may transform reference picture data within a search window about a location of the input pixel block based on displacement respectively between the location of the input pixel block and portions of the reference picture within the search window. The encoder may perform a prediction search among the transformed reference picture data to identify a match between the input pixel block and a portion of the transformed reference picture and, when a match is identified, the encoder may code the input pixel block differentially with respect to the matching portion of the transformed reference picture.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for coding video data predictively based on predictions made from spherical-domain projections of input pictures to be coded and reference pictures that are prediction candidates. Spherical projection of an input picture and the candidate reference pictures may be generated. Thereafter, a search may be conducted for a match between the spherical-domain representation of a pixel block to be coded and a spherical-domain representation of the reference picture. On a match, an offset may be determined between the spherical-domain representation of the pixel block to a matching portion of the of the reference picture in the spherical-domain representation. The spherical-domain offset may be transformed to a motion vector in a source-domain representation of the input picture, and the pixel block may be coded predictively with reference to a source-domain representation of the matching portion of the reference picture.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for background concealment in a video conferencing session. In one exemplary method, a video stream may be captured and provided to a first terminal participating in a video chat session. A background element and a foreground element may be determined in the video stream. A border region may additionally be determined in the video stream. The border region may define a boundary between the foreground element and the background element. The background region may be modified based, at least in part, on video content of the border region. The modified video stream may be transmitted to a second terminal participating in the video conferencing session.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for managing memory allocations when coding video data according to multiple codec configurations. According to these techniques, devices may negotiate parameters of a coding session that include parameters of a plurality of different codec configurations that may be used during the coding session. A device may estimate sizes of decoded picture buffers for each of the negotiated codec configurations and allocate in its memory a portion of memory sized according to a largest size of the estimated decoded picture buffers. Thereafter, the devices may exchange coded video data. The exchange may involve decoding coded data of reference pictures and storing the decoded reference pictures in the allocated memory. During the coding session, the devices may toggle among the different negotiated codec configurations. As they do, reallocations of memory may be avoided.

Abstract: A video coder defines multiple fidelity regions in different spatial areas of a video sequence, each of which may have different fidelity characteristics. The coder may code the different representations in a common video sequence. Where prediction data crosses boundaries between the regions, interpolation may be performed to create like kind representations between prediction data and video content being coded.

Abstract: Coding techniques for image data may cause a still image to be converted to a “phantom” video sequence, which is coded by motion compensated prediction techniques. Thus, coded video data obtained from the coding operation may include temporal prediction references between frames of the video sequence. Metadata may be generated that identifies allocations of content from the still image to the frames of the video sequence. The coded data and the metadata may be transmitted to another device, whereupon it may be decoded by motion compensated prediction techniques and converted back to a still image data. Other techniques may involve coding an image in both a base layer representation and at least one coded enhancement layer representation. The enhancement layer representation may be coded predictively with reference to the base layer representation. The coded base layer representation may be partitioned into a plurality of individually-transmittable segments and stored.

Abstract: Methods of improving the efficiency of production of a protein product of interest in mammalian cell culture are presented. In particular, the methods result in an increase in the quantity of a protein product produced, or decreases protein product production time in a manufacturing-scale bioreactor cell culture. The disclosed methods comprise: (a) culturing the N-1 bioreactor culture to high viable cell densities; and (b) seeding the production bioreactor culture at high viable cell seeding densities.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and program for processing multicast packets. A multicast packet is received to transmit to destination addresses. A payload of the multicast packet is written to at least one packet entry in a packet memory. Headers are generated for the destination addresses and at least one descriptor is generated addressing the at least one packet entry in the packet memory including the payload to transmit to the destination addresses. For each destination address, at least one indicator is generated including information on the generated header for the destination address and the at least one descriptor, wherein indicators for the destination addresses address the at least one descriptor.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and pharmaceutical compositions for inhibiting viral replication, particularly retroviral replication. The methods comprise administration of stibonic acid or diphenyl compounds that disrupt viral nucleocapsid binding to nucleic acids.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and program for processing multicast packets. A multicast packet is received to transmit to destination addresses. A payload of the multicast packet is written to at least one packet entry in a packet memory. Headers are generated for the destination addresses and at least one descriptor is generated addressing the at least one packet entry in the packet memory including the payload to transmit to the destination addresses. For each destination address, at least one indicator is generated including information on the generated header for the destination address and the at least one descriptor, wherein indicators for the destination addresses address the at least one descriptor.