Abstract: Transcoding between content data and description data. The transcoding may include transcoding content data to corresponding description data. Additional description information to complete the description data may be requested. The transcoding may include transcoding description data to content data, including seeking content data items that match the description data. Content data items that best match the description data may be selected and included in the content data. A user may be requested to select items from a group of matching content data items. The content data may be stored according to the Moving Pictures Expert Group-4 (MPEG-4) standard, and the description data may be stored according to the MPEG-7 standard. The transcoding may be achieved via rules stored in the Extensible Stylesheet Transformation (XSLT) format. The transcoding may be implemented on a computing device, such as a personal computer.

Abstract: Graphs representing multimedia content are validated and modified through graph matching and graph rewriting techniques using pre-defined model graphs. In one aspect, an input graph is validated against a model template graph. In another aspect, suggestions for modifying an input graph are provided based on model alphabet, rule and morphism graphs. The resulting graphs may represent queries against existing description schemes or new description schemes.

Abstract: A method permitting compact ways to update relationships between entities in an audiovideo sequence, or serial set of sequences, the method comprising: writing a description between the entities, the description containing relations; determining the relations that may be represented by parameters, each parameter having a numerical value; and obtaining from the user, one or more of the following: (a) the numerical value for the parameter; (b) a description of the parameter containing the numerical value; and (c) a description capable of setting the parameter dynamically.

Abstract: A method for use in classifying, storage and retrieval of audiovisual information. The method uses the elements of a semantic description to describe arbitrary structure related to the audiovisual information. The method includes: (1) providing entities describing non-relational parts of the semantic description, the entities including a concept having a collection of properties of the audiovisual information, and (2) referencing one or more interior structures of the concept from all entities in the semantic description.

Abstract: Image data identifying multiple pixels in an image is received, and a multi-resolution hierarchical structure is created from the image data. Further, output values are calculated for the pixels in the image using a wavelet-based retinex algorithm by propagating pixel values computed at lower resolution levels of the multi-resolution hierarchy to higher levels of the multi-resolution hierarchy and refining the propagated pixel values at the higher resolution levels.

Abstract: An occurrence description scheme that describes an occurrence of a semantic entity in multimedia content is encoded into a content description for the content. The occurrence description scheme is extracted from the content description and used by an application to search, filter or browse the content when a full structural or semantic description of the content is not required.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of training a neural network. The method and apparatus include creating a model for a desired function as a multi-dimensional function, determining if the created model fits a simple finite geometry model, and generating a Radon transform to fit the simple finite geometry model. The desired function is fed through the Radon transform to generate weights. A multilayer perceptron of the neural network is trained using the weights.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for organizing data pertaining to audiovisual content are described. According to one embodiment, an exemplary method for organizing data pertaining to audiovisual content includes defining at least one descriptive list for a descriptive portion of the data pertaining to audiovisual content, defining at least one accessing list for an accessing portion of the data pertaining to audiovisual content, and generating a matrix that connects the accessing list to the descriptive list.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus of designing a set of wavelet basis trained to fit a particular problem. The method and apparatus include constructing a neural network of arbitrary complexity using a discrete and finite Radon transform, feeding an input wavelet prototype through the neural network and its backpropagation to produce an output, and modifying the input wavelet prototype using the output.

Abstract: A system and method for allowing synchronized execution of a set of commands is provided. A first system contains a content description tree that may be dynamically updated by a set of commands from a second system. In the set of commands, commands may be executed in parallel or in sequence. If the group of commands are tagged to be executed in parallel, parallel execution of commands implies that there are no dependencies between the execution of the commands. As the result, the decoder will have more flexibility to schedule the execution of these commands. If the group of commands are tagged to be executed sequentially, then the order of execution matters. Therefore, in order to synchronize the execution of the group of commands in a set, a parallel or sequential tag is included identifying whether this group of commands should be executed in parallel or in sequence.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of reconstructing data from higher moment data. The method and apparatus include performing a finite Radon transform, generating an average function to allow inversion of transform in one step and correlating the transform output at each point. A resultant set of duplications is calculated using the correlation process to generate a new average function. Partial backprojections of the Radon transform are summed at each point, and the new average function for each point is subtracted from the sum of the partial backprojections at that point.

Abstract: A system and method for augmenting digital material with MPEG-7 content descriptions to enhance searching and selection of the digital material. Pursuant to the collection of content information about the digital material, either through receipt or content characterization, a set of MPEG-7 descriptor schemes and descriptors are created for constituent elements of the content. The MPEG-7 descriptions are structured as META tags, including predetermined opening and closing delimiters, which are inserted within the header field of the digital material. The MPEG-7 content description data may contain multiple content levels describing levels of associated embedded content. By way of example, use of MPEG-7 content descriptions within a web site (or internet transaction session) can improve the speed and accuracy of content selection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing descriptions of audiovisual content are described. According to one embodiment, a description of audiovisual content is created, and information pertaining to reuse of the description of audiovisual content is defined. Further, the description of audiovisual content and the reuse information are stored in a repository of descriptive data to enable subsequent reuse of this description.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved techniques for spatial representation of data and browsing based on similarity. For example, improved techniques for spatial representation of image data and browsing the image data based on the similarities (or dissimilarities) of the images are provided. In one embodiment, a hierarchical MultiDimensional Scaling (MDS) database for a set of images is provided, which allows for computationally efficient querying and updating of an image database. In one embodiment, techniques for modifying an MDS database for images are provided to allow for more intuitive browsing (or searching) of the images.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for organizing data pertaining to audiovisual content are described. According to one embodiment, an exemplary method for organizing data pertaining to audiovisual content includes defining at least one descriptive list for a descriptive portion of the data pertaining to audiovisual content, defining at least one accessing list for an accessing portion of the data pertaining to audiovisual content, and generating a matrix that connects the accessing list to the descriptive list.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved techniques for spatial representation of data and browsing based on similarity. For example, improved techniques for spatial representation of image data and browsing the image data based on the similarities (or dissimilarities) of the images are provided. In one embodiment, a hierarchical MultiDimensional Scaling (MDS) database for a set of images is provided, which allows for computationally efficient querying and updating of an image database. In one embodiment, techniques for modifying an MDS database for images are provided to allow for more intuitive browsing (or searching) of the images.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for organizing data pertaining to audiovisual content are described. According to one embodiment, an exemplary method for organizing data pertaining to audiovisual content includes defining at least one descriptive list for a descriptive portion of the data pertaining to audiovisual content, defining at least one accessing list for an accessing portion of the data pertaining to audiovisual content, and generating a matrix that connects the accessing list to the descriptive list.

Abstract: An apparatus for selecting digital material objects containing MPEG-7 content descriptions in response to MPEG-7 content description queries. The apparatus comprises an MPEG-7 content description query generation tool coupled with a search engine configured for searching and comparing embedded MPEG-7 META tag information within file headers, or database information thereof, to the MPEG-7 content description query. The query tool and search engine may be implemented separately or in combination. By way of example, the MPEG-7 query generation tool is implemented within an application program such as a browser, or web site, to allow the user to readily and accurately define the content being sought. The content query being sent to a search engine configured for performing MPEG-7 content searches that return hits based on content related matches.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining quality of a description are described. According to one embodiment, an exemplary method for determining quality of a description includes posing a classification task concerning at least one audiovisual object to a descriptive method that is used to create the description, generating a set of probabilities from a result of the classification task, and measuring an entropy of the result using the set of probabilities.

Abstract: The invention relates to a brush comprising a plurality of bristles and each bristle comprises a plurality of fibers. A palette of virtual paint is provided for the brush to contact at least one paint. The brush contacts the tablet and applies paint to the surface of the tablet or image that is created.