Abstract: The present application relates to methods for inducing the differentiation of stem cells into chondrocyte progenitors and chondrocytes in vitro. The methods also relate to the production of in vitro-engineered cartilage and bone and related biomaterials as well as methods of drug-screening and modeling the bone- and cartilage-related diseases and disorders.

Abstract: Systems and methods for streaming video and/or audio from wireless cameras are provided. Methods may include, at a network camera, receiving an instruction to begin video capture from a first network node, including information identifying a second network node. A first video stream may be sent from the network camera to the first network node, and a second video stream may be simultaneously sent to the second network node. The first and second video streams may be based on common video capture data, and may be sent at different bitrates, different resolutions, different frame-rates, and/or different formats. A parameter of the second video stream may be adjusted in response to performance data received from the second network node or another network node.

Abstract: Systems and methods for connecting wireless cameras are provided. A computing device may include a network interface, and a processor configured to establish a virtual USB bus available to an operating system of the computing device, establish a virtual USB camera device, and report to the operating system that the virtual USB camera device is connected to the virtual USB bus. The virtual USB camera may be configured to establish a network connection to a network camera using the network interface, receive video data from the network camera via the network interface, and send the video data via the virtual USB bus. Alternatively, the virtual USB camera may send the video data to the operating system as USB packets, without establishing a virtual USB bus.

Abstract: Systems and methods for streaming video and/or audio from wireless cameras are provided. Methods may include, at a network camera, receiving an instruction to begin video capture from a first network node, including information identifying a second network node. A first video stream may be sent from the network camera to the first network node, and a second video stream may be simultaneously sent to the second network node. The first and second video streams may be based on common video capture data, and may be sent at different bitrates, different resolutions, different frame-rates, and/or different formats. A parameter of the second video stream may be adjusted in response to performance data received from the second network node or another network node.

Abstract: Systems and methods for streaming video and/or audio from multiple devices are provided. A camera may include an optical sensor, a wireless communication device, and a processor configured to establish a first connection with a remote location, establish a second connection with one or more other cameras, and stream video from the cameras to the remote location. The remote location may be, for example, a remote website, a remote server, or a remote client device. The camera may be further configured to provide control signals to the other cameras, such as for controlling applications running on the other cameras.

Abstract: Systems and methods for streaming video and/or audio from wireless cameras are provided. Methods may include, at a network camera, receiving an instruction to begin video capture from a first network node, including information identifying a second network node. A first video stream may be sent from the network camera to the first network node, and a second video stream may be simultaneously sent to the second network node. The first and second video streams may be based on common video capture data, and may be sent at different bitrates, different resolutions, different frame-rates, and/or different formats. A parameter of the second video stream may be adjusted in response to performance data received from the second network node or another network node.

Abstract: Systems and methods for streaming video and/or audio from wireless cameras are provided. Methods may include, at a network camera, receiving an instruction to begin video capture from a first network node, including information identifying a second network node. A first video stream may be sent from the network camera to the first network node, and a second video stream may be simultaneously sent to the second network node. The first and second video streams may be based on common video capture data, and may be sent at different bitrates, different resolutions, different frame-rates, and/or different formats. A parameter of the second video stream may be adjusted in response to performance data received from the second network node or another network node.

Abstract: Systems and methods for streaming video and/or audio from wireless cameras are provided. A camera may include an optical sensor, a wireless communication device, and a processor configured to establish a connection with a remote web site, and stream a first video stream to the remote website. The camera may be further configured to establish a connection with a local device, and stream a second video stream to the local device. The first and second video streams may include different resolutions and/or different formats. The camera may be configured to establish a control channel with the local device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for streaming video and/or audio from multiple devices are provided. A camera may include an optical sensor, a wireless communication device, and a processor configured to establish a first connection with a remote location, establish a second connection with one or more other cameras, and stream video from the cameras to the remote location. The remote location may be, for example, a remote website, a remote server, or a remote client device. The camera may be further configured to provide control signals to the other cameras, such as for controlling applications running on the other cameras.

Abstract: Systems and methods for connecting wireless cameras are provided. A computing device may include a network interface, and a processor configured to establish a virtual USB bus available to an operating system of the computing device, establish a virtual USB camera device, and report to the operating system that the virtual USB camera device is connected to the virtual USB bus. The virtual USB camera may be configured to establish a network connection to a network camera using the network interface, receive video data from the network camera via the network interface, and send the video data via the virtual USB bus. Alternatively, the virtual USB camera may send the video data to the operating system as USB packets, without establishing a virtual USB bus.

Abstract: A multimedia data processing system and method which transparently processes video and/or audio streams in real-time. The operation of a system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention does not require any intervention from, or involvement of, either the producer of the video and/or audio stream, or the client application. With such a transparent solution, video and/or audio streams can be processed seamlessly, and completely independently of the specific client application that the user chooses to use. In one embodiment, the invention uses an external service to monitor new processes and add code to these processes. The invention inserts into the system by hot-patching the software in memory and by only looking at select service calls.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for simply and intuitively establishing and using a communication link with another user. Various embodiments of the present invention allow one or more non-technically oriented users to also easily set up for, and engage easily in a video call. In an embodiment, a communication application used over a network (e.g., the Internet) is seamlessly downloaded onto a user's machine if necessary. The user is provided with an account which has already been created/registered with the application. In addition, the user's account is linked to at least one other account, and information for each account is populated into the buddy-list or contact information for the other account. Providing of already created/registered accounts, and the linking of various accounts, permits easy and seamless communication between users. In one embodiment, cards are used to provide the user with information regarding the pre-registered accounts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying, or morphing, a video image. A video feed is received which include an image of a person's face. A number of facial features are detected from the video feed. One or more of those facial features are selected and modified, with the modification being applied to the video feed to produce a morphed image. For example, the morphing can produce fun effects such as oversized or too small eyes, lips, etc.

Abstract: A multimedia data processing system and method which transparently processes video and/or audio streams in real-time. The operation of a system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention does not require any intervention from, or involvement of, either the producer of the video and/or audio stream, or the client application. With such a transparent solution, video and/or audio streams can be processed seamlessly, and completely independently of the specific client application that the user chooses to use. In one embodiment, the invention uses an external service to monitor new processes and add code to these processes. The invention inserts into the system by hot-patching the software in memory and by only looking at select service calls.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying, or morphing, a video image. A video feed is received which include an image of a person's face. A number of facial features are detected from the video feed. One or more of those facial features are selected and modified, with the modification being applied to the video feed to produce a morphed image. For example, the morphing can produce fun effects such as oversized or too small eyes, lips, etc.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying, or morphing, a video image. A video feed is received which include an image of a person's face. A number of facial features are detected from the video feed. One or more of those facial features are selected and modified, with the modification being applied to the video feed to produce a morphed image. For example, the morphing can produce fun effects such as oversized or too small eyes, lips, etc.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying, or morphing, a video image. A video feed is received which include an image of a person's face. A number of facial features are detected from the video feed. One or more of those facial features are selected and modified, with the modification being applied to the video feed to produce a morphed image. For example, the morphing can produce fun effects such as oversized or too small eyes, lips, etc.

Abstract: A multimedia data processing system and method which transparently processes video and/or audio streams in real-time. The operation of a system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention does not require any intervention from, or involvement of, either the producer of the video and/or audio stream, or the client application. With such a transparent solution, video and/or audio streams can be processed seamlessly, and completely independently of the specific client application that the user chooses to use. Thus a system in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention can be used with any client application of the user's choice. This allows the creation of a large number of video and/or audio effects and/or improvements to the benefit of the end-user.

Abstract: The present invention combines features of an executable process with the need for multiple application programs to share a single input device. The present invention provides an executable program implemented as a process that allows multiple applications to communicate with a single input device. This is achieved by loading the input device control executable program as a process. The executable program is a server thus allowing multiple application programs to interface with the same input device. The multi-instance input device control (MIIDC) executable program responds to each application program request as if the input device is open for the calling application program. Each application program is thus enabled to communicate with the input device instance without interrupting the operation of other application programs communicating with the input device. The input device instance keeps track of all the connections to it and multiplexes and resolves conflicting requests.

Abstract: A system and a method for the transfer of data between a digital camera and a host using a novel combination of hardware and software related elements. An aspect of the hardware-related elements provides a camera base unit which remains connected with the host, and which the camera is connected with to facilitate the transfer of data to the host. The camera base unit significantly simplifies the connection between the camera and the host by alleviating the need to directly connect the camera with a host. Furthermore, the camera base unit, by providing a pass-through connection and placement guides that mate with the camera, assures that an intuitive placement of the camera on the camera base unit also enables an electronic connection between the camera and the host. Therefore, the simple placement of the camera in contact with the camera base unit ensures a proper interface between the camera and the host, which is connected with the camera base unit.