Abstract: A computer program product comprising computer executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium such that when executed by a processor, causes the processor to identify an object of interest in a visual media element, analyze the object of interest according to a defined set of rules to form a recommendation for improvement of the visual media element, and recommend the improvement to the visual media element to a user. A method comprising receiving a visual media element as an input, determining a relevant object of interest within the visual media element, analyzing an aesthetic appearance of the relevant object of interest according to a guideline, and recommending a change to the visual media element for conforming to the guideline.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method includes electronically receiving a media presentation description (MPD) from a network. The MPD describes multimedia content that includes alternative representations of a plurality of media types, and the MPD includes information indicative of how the alternative representations are encoded. The method also includes selecting one of the plurality of alternative representations for at least one of the plurality of media types based on information included in the MPD, requesting the selected one of the plurality of alternative representations piece-by-piece, and electronically receiving a piece of media data.

Abstract: A system and method for differentiated services in adaptive streaming are provided. A method for server operations includes: determining an optimization of aggregated quality of experience scores for a set of candidate subscribers served by a server; adjusting a service rate of at least one subscriber based on the determined optimization of aggregated quality of experience scores; and streaming information to the at least one subscriber based on the adjusted service rate. The optimization is based on one or more of: a subscriber level for one or more of the plurality of subscribers; a current service rate; and available service rates.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of streaming media includes partitioning a media stream to be transmitted into a first stream of media segments at a media server. The first stream of the media segments has a first sequence. An index table is generated to identify the first sequence of the first stream of the media segments. The index table is encrypted using a key. A second stream of the media segments is generated. The second stream has a second sequence, which is random relative to the first sequence. The encrypted index table and a transcoded media stream having the second stream of the media segments are transmitted.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method includes electronically receiving a media presentation description (MPD) from a network. The MPD describes multimedia content that includes alternative representations of a plurality of media types, and the MPD includes information indicative of how the alternative representations are encoded. The method also includes selecting one of the plurality of alternative representations for at least one of the plurality of media types based on information included in the MPD, requesting the selected one of the plurality of alternative representations piece-by-piece, and electronically receiving a piece of media data.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method of operating a computer server includes receiving streaming media data. The streaming media data includes content fragments and a media description file, and the media description file includes metadata describing the content fragments. The method also includes storing the content fragments in a cache.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method includes electronically receiving a media presentation description (MPD) from a network. The MPD describes multimedia content that includes alternative representations of a plurality of media types, and the MPD includes information indicative of how the alternative representations are encoded. The method also includes selecting one of the plurality of alternative representations for at least one of the plurality of media types based on information included in the MPD, requesting the selected one of the plurality of alternative representations piece-by-piece, and electronically receiving a piece of media data.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for a cloud-based reliable media ingestion and transcoding. The embodiments comprise an improved backup mechanism where each worker node, such as a virtual machine, physical machine, workstation, or server, in a cloud or Internet environment handles one streamed media/video channel transcoding and another streamed media/video channel ingestion backup. To reduce ingestion storage demands, the ingestion backup storage is based on a pre-determined relatively short-term sliding window. When an ingestion and transcoding worker node fails, a new worker node is brought up to take over from the failed worker node the live transcoding task of a first channel and the ingestion backup task of a second channel. Additionally, the new worker node retrieves backup data for the first channel from a third worker node and a central media storage to ensure seamlessly uninterrupted live ingestion and transcoding of the first channel, and continues the ingestion backup task of the second channel.

Abstract: A network element comprising a processor configured to receive a plurality of search responses from a plurality of media content service providers associated with a search request triggered by the search request, and rank the search responses based on maximizing an end user's quality of experience (QoE). Included is a network element comprising a processor configured to receive a plurality of media content from a plurality of media content service providers, store the plurality of media content for a plurality of end users, receive a media content search request from a user terminal, rank the media content based upon maximizing the user terminal's QoE. Also included is a method comprising requesting media content from a plurality of media content service providers on behalf of a user terminal, receiving data associated with the media content from the plurality of media content service providers and aggregating the media content data.

Abstract: An image processing method can be performed on a video image that includes an initial frame and a plurality of subsequent frames. An object is located within the initial frame of the video image and a histogram related to the object is generated. A foreground map that includes the object is also generated. For each subsequent frame, a mean shift iteration is performed to adjust the location of the object within the current frame. The histogram related to the object and the foreground map can then be updated.

Abstract: A multi-perspective context sensitive behavior assessment system includes an adaptive behavior model builder establishing a real-time reference model that captures intention of motion behavior. It operates by modeling outputs of multiple user defined scoring functions with respect to multiple references of application specific target areas of interest. The target areas have criticality values representing a user's preference regarding the target areas with respect to one another. The outputs of the scoring functions are multiplied by the critically values to form high level sequences of representation that are communicated to the user.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method of streaming a media preview includes delivering a preview data having preview information from a media file to be streamed. The preview data has a multi-dimensional hierarchical data structure has a plurality of layers with increasing content of the preview information in each layer of the plurality of layers. The preview data is configured to provide an adaptive and scalable preview service.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method of streaming media with a media preview includes generating a preview data by extracting preview information from a media file to be streamed. The preview data has a multi-dimensional hierarchical data structure having a plurality of layers with increasing content of the preview information in each layer of the plurality of layers. The preview data is configured to provide a differentiated preview service.

Abstract: A system and method for providing media streaming are provided. A media description file having a range string indicator is used to specify location offsets of a plurality of media fragments within a media file. The range string may be stored directly in the media description file or the media description file may contain an indicator specifying a file containing the range string. The media description file may also include a range unit specifying the size of the offsets in the range string. In an embodiment, offsets within the individual media fragments may also be provided, either in the media description file or in a different file.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of streaming media includes partitioning a media stream to be transmitted into a first stream of media segments at a media server. The first stream of the media segments has a first sequence. An index table is generated to identify the first sequence of the first stream of the media segments. The index table is encrypted using a key. A second stream of the media segments is generated. The second stream has a second sequence, which is random relative to the first sequence. The encrypted index table and a transcoded media stream having the second stream of the media segments are transmitted.

Abstract: A system and method for adaptive differentiated streaming are provided. A method for server operations includes establishing a connection for streaming media to a subscriber, receiving a request for a selected media content alternative, and streaming the selected media content alternative to the subscriber. The media content alternative to be streamed is selected based on a classification of the subscriber.

Abstract: A system and method for differentiated services in adaptive streaming are provided. A method for server operations includes: determining an optimization of aggregated quality of experience scores for a set of candidate subscribers served by a server; adjusting a service rate of at least one subscriber based on the determined optimization of aggregated quality of experience scores; and streaming information to the at least one subscriber based on the adjusted service rate. The optimization is based on one or more of: a subscriber level for one or more of the plurality of subscribers; a current service rate; and available service rates.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method includes electronically receiving a media presentation description (MPD) from a network. The MPD describes multimedia content that includes alternative representations of a plurality of media types, and the MPD includes information indicative of how the alternative representations are encoded. The method also includes selecting one of the plurality of alternative representations for at least one of the plurality of media types based on information included in the MPD, requesting the selected one of the plurality of alternative representations piece-by-piece, and electronically receiving a piece of media data.

Abstract: A system and method for media adaptation are provided. A method for providing media to an electronic device includes receiving a request for a media with a set of characteristics, and determining if the media with the set of characteristics resides in a media storage. The method also includes if the media with the set of characteristics resides in the media storage, retrieving the media with the set of characteristics from the media storage. The method further includes if the media with the set of characteristics does not reside in the media storage, transcoding an alternate media with an alternate set of characteristics to produce a transcoded media with the set of characteristics. The method additionally includes providing the media with the set of characteristics from the media storage or the transcoded media with the set of characteristics to the electronic device.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method of operating a computer server includes receiving streaming media data. The streaming media data includes content fragments and a media description file, and the media description file includes metadata describing the content fragments. The method also includes storing the content fragments in a cache.