Abstract: Cloud-based data processing. Input data is captured at a data acquisition device. The input data is streamed to a cloud server communicatively coupled to the data acquisition device over a network connection, in which at least a portion of the streaming of the input data occurs concurrent to the capturing of the input data, and in which the cloud server is configured for performing data processing on the input data to generate processed data. The data acquisition device receives the processed data, in which at least a portion of the receiving of the processed data occurs concurrent to the streaming of the input data.

Abstract: Determining a location. An initial image is captured at an image capturing device. The initial image is compared with images in a database of images which have associated locations to determine the location of the image capturing device. A user receives a notification if a location cannot be determined.

Abstract: Methods and systems for multi-access point transmission of data using a plurality of access points are disclosed. Methods include identifying a plurality of access points to be used cooperatively in combination with each other for the transmission of data to a receiver. The transmission of the data to the receiver via the plurality of access points is enabled utilizing at least one multi-access point transmission scheme.

Abstract: Data packet processing is described. A set of first data packets is accessed. A number of the first data packets are identified as candidate data packets to be potentially transmitted over a network to a receiver. The number of candidate data packets is then reduced so that a number of second data packets comprising error correction information for one or more of the first data packets can be increased.

Abstract: A portable wireless system is described. The portable wireless system has a controller that is operable to selectively configure the portable wireless system as a personal electronic appliance or a third party wireless repeater that is configured to relay wireless signals between a third party electronic appliance and a wireless network. Accordingly, the portable wireless system (e.g., a cellular telephone, a pager or a personal digital assistant) may act as a wireless repeater for third party wireless communications when the portable wireless system otherwise is not in use. In this way, the portable wireless system increases the utilization of existing wireless network infrastructures (e.g., a cellular telephone network) by making one or more unused wireless channels available to other devices. A novel incentives-based business model that encourages owners of portable electronic appliances to fully utilize existing wireless network capacity also is described.

Abstract: Multiway peer-to-peer media streaming is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method comprises defining a first portion of a peer-to-peer network. The method then recites defining a second portion of the peer-to-peer network. The present method then utilizes the first portion of the peer-to-peer network to generate an aggregated media stream, wherein the aggregated media stream is comprised of a plurality of media streams. The present method then delivers the aggregated media stream from the first portion of the peer-to-peer network to the second portion of the peer-to-peer network.

Abstract: Methods and systems for overcoming the apparent loss of a data packet are described. Encoded second data can be accessed, where the second data is predictively encoded with reference to encoded first data. A data packet that includes at least a portion of the first encoded data can be sent to a downstream device. If the data packet was not properly received by the downstream device, the encoded second data can be adapted to make it decodable independent of the encoded first data.

Abstract: Methods and systems for servicing content for delivery to a client device are described. An item of content is identified during a session with the client device. A type of service to be performed on the item of content is identified. A provider is selected from a plurality of providers capable of performing the service. The session is transferred to the selected provider, which performs the service on the item of content.

Abstract: A method for clustering data streams. Specifically, one embodiment of the present invention discloses a method for clustering data streams for use in a virtual environment. The embodiment of the method begins by determining a cluster of receiving nodes in the virtual environment. Each of the cluster of receiving nodes have associated values for at least one clustering parameter that as a set satisfies a test. Then, the embodiment continues by generating a common data stream based on the clustering parameter. Thereafter, the embodiment sends the common data stream from a sending node to the cluster of receiving nodes.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a method for managing a streaming media service. The method includes receiving a request for a streaming media service from a client and the streaming media service includes a media service component. A service location manager is selected to which to provide the request from a plurality of service location managers. Additionally, a service provider is selected to which to assign the media service component from a plurality of service providers of a network. Furthermore, the service provider is informed of the assignment to perform the media service component. The service provider is caused to prepare to perform the streaming media service on streaming media. Moreover, information is used to determine whether to initiate a handoff of the streaming media service from the service provider to another service provider. If it is determined to initiate the handoff, the handoff is initiated.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for providing security to manipulation of streamed data in a network, which comprise separating an amount of streamed data into segments, computing a cryptographic checksum for a segment, and combining a segment of data and an associated cryptographic checksum into a data packet.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transmitting media packets are described. The methods include receiving media packets in one order and transmitting them in a different order that is selected according to loss characteristics of a downstream channel. The order selected for transmitting the media packets is one that results in reduced distortion with respect to the distortion predicted for the first order.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ensuring the integrity of data. For a plurality of data packets comprising a plurality of first data segments and a plurality of second data segments, a cryptographic checksum is calculated for the plurality of first data segments. The cryptographic checksum is enabled for the plurality of first data segments to be transmitted separately from the plurality of data packets.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for providing transcodability to media in a network, comprising separating an amount of media data into a segment, and combining the segment and a transcoder readable payload header into a data packet payload, wherein the segment comprises data coded in a frame.

Abstract: Processing of data streams is described. Respective bit rates at which the data streams can be encoded are selected. The respective bit rates when summed do not exceed a bit rate threshold. An effect on the data streams if the data streams are encoded at the respective bit rates is determined. If the effect is unsatisfactory relative to a target, a different set of respective bit rates at which the data streams can be encoded is selected. The different respective bit rates, when summed, do not exceed the bit rate threshold. Once bit rates that permit the target to be satisfied are determined, the data streams can be encoded at those bit rates.

Abstract: Data packet processing is described. A set of first data packets is accessed. A number of the first data packets are identified as candidate data packets to be potentially transmitted over a network to a receiver. The number of candidate data packets is then reduced so that a number of second data packets comprising error correction information for one or more of the first data packets can be increased.

Abstract: Embodiments of compressing data are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems thereof for storing a stream of media data are described. The media data describes an instance of media content. The media data can be scalably encoded. The scalably encoded data is separated into at least a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of scalably encoded data is stored on a first node in a network. The second portion of scalably encoded data is stored on a second node in the network.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention pertain to methods and systems thereof for optimizing portions of data from a plurality of data streams at a transcoding node. First, at least one storage location is provided on the transcoding node for storing at least one portion of data. Information about the portion of data is accessed. The information is then utilized for processing the portion of data without requiring access to any other data of the portion of data.

Abstract: A method for utilizing a tag to optimize portion of data transfer is disclosed. In one embodiment, a storage location is provided on a single node for storing at least one portion of data received from at least one data stream. The header containing information about the portion of data coupled with the portion of data is accessed. A database entry is generated at the node based on the information contained on the header. A tag pointing to the database entry is also generated. The tag pointing to the database entry is then correlated with the portion of data. In so doing, when the portion of data is processed, the processing is based on the context information of the database pointed to by the tag without requiring access to the header or other data within the portion of data.