Abstract: A method and system thereof for handing off a media session are described. In one embodiment, a first media segment is forwarded to a client node. The first media segment includes a portion of an item of media content stored in lieu of storing the item of media content in its entirety. The item of media content is segmented according to segmentation characteristics. Handoff information used for transferring the media session to another server node is specified. The handoff of the media session to the other server node occurs when the forwarding of the first media segment is completed, such that the handoff occurs between media segments.

Abstract: A method and system thereof for distributing media data are described. A media segment, selected from a plurality of media segments stored on another node, is received. The media segment includes a portion of an item of media content. The item of media content is segmented according to segmentation characteristics. The media segment is stored in lieu of storing the item of media content in its entirety. The media segment can be forwarded to other nodes.

Abstract: A system and method for client-assisted motion estimation for client-server video communication is disclosed. The present invention includes the steps of receiving a request to update a current set of pixels within a video display on a client computer, and generating a motion vector for moving the current set of pixels within the video display using video information obtained only from the request and the client computer. In addition to sets of pixels, the present invention operates as well on objects, blocks and frames of video information.

Abstract: A compression and transmission method and system for use to communicate information from a first device to a second device in a network of devices. First, the first device receives information to be communicated to the second device. Second, the first device compresses the information to be communicated by employing prior information of the first device and prior information of the second device. The compressed information is then transmitted to the second device.

Abstract: An image is compressed by selectively performing at least one of palettization and interframe coding on certain regions of the image. The regions are adaptively determined.

Abstract: A compression and transmission method and system for use to communicate information from a first device to a second device in a network of devices. First, the first device receives information to be communicated to the second device. Second, the first device compresses the information to be communicated by employing prior information of the first device and prior information of the second device. The compressed information is then transmitted to the second device.

Abstract: A method and system for transmitting information between a transmitter and a receiver that has capabilities through a communication link that has transmission characteristics. The information to be transmitted is received. The capabilities of the client are then determined. The transmission characteristics of the communication link are also determined. The received information is then converted into a format that is based on the capabilities of the client, the transmission characteristics of the communication link, or both the capabilities of the client and the transmission characteristics of the communication link. The information is then transmitted to the client in the format.

Abstract: A video communication system that uses multiple streams to carry digital video. The use of multiple streams ensures that errors in one or more of the multiple streams do not prevent reconstruction of remaining ones of the multiple streams. This enables an error free display of the digital video at a reduced frame rate during the loss of a subset of the streams. In addition, the multiple streams provide past and future frames that may be used to recover lost frames and thereby recover the lost stream.

Abstract: A coded object-based picture signal representing a picture is transcoded to a coded block-based picture signal representing the picture by culling signal portions that represent objects not visible in the picture from the coded object-based picture signal to generate a culled object-based picture signal. Portions of the culled object-based picture signal are partially decoded and from them are generated blocks of a partially-coded block-based picture signal in which the blocks have different coding states. Finally, the blocks of the partially-coded block-based picture signal are re-encoded to generate the coded block-based picture signal in which the blocks have a uniform coding state.

Abstract: In a MPEG or other video coding system, regions of each frame may be independently coded for later, independent extraction or processing directly from a compressed bit stream. An encoder/transcoder receives raw video, standard compressed video or compressed video already having independently coded regions (“ICRs”) that are to be edited in some manner. The encoder/transcoder permits user creation of regions, and provides automatic tracking features to identify and select those objects or regions through multiple frames (notwithstanding object movement). The encoder/transcoder re-uses as much compressed input data as is available in generating an output, and so, may be used for real-time encoding and editing processes. To this effect, the encoder/transcoder re-uses original bit stream data as well as original or new motion vector data in compiling an output, or any mix of them as appropriate.

Abstract: A method and system for storing data streamed over a network. Scalably encoded and progressively encrypted data are received by a second device from a first device. The scalably encoded and progressively encrypted data are stored by the second device. The scalably encoded and progressively encrypted data can be subsequently streamed to a device in the network for additional processing.

Abstract: A device and method thereof for encoding and encrypting data. The device includes a segmenter adapted to receive the data and segment at least a portion of the data into regions, a scalable encoder adapted to scalably encode at least one of the regions into scalably encoded data, and a progressive encrypter adapted to progressively encrypt at least a portion of the scalably encoded data into progressively encrypted scalably encoded data. In one embodiment, progressively encrypted scalably encoded data are provided to a packetizer in real time. In another embodiment, the device includes a storage unit adapted to store progressively encrypted scalably encoded data. In this latter embodiment, data can then be extracted from storage and provided to a packetizer.

Abstract: A device and method thereof for packetizing scalably encoded and progressively encrypted data. The device includes a receiver adapted to receive a stream of data from an encoding and encrypting device, in which some or all of the data are scalably encoded and progressively encrypted. The device also includes a packetizer adapted to packetize some or all of the data into secure and scalable data packets. In one embodiment, the device includes a memory unit for storing the data received from the encoding and encrypting device prior to packetization of the data. In another embodiment, the device includes a memory unit for storing the secure and scalable data packets. In yet another embodiment, the device includes a transmitter for transmitting some or all of the data packets to a downstream device.

Abstract: A method and system for scalably encoding data are disclosed. A method and system for decoding data which has been scalably encoding are also disclosed. In one encoding method embodiment, the present invention recites receiving data. The present method then segments the data into corresponding regions. The regions are then scalably encoded into scalable data. Next, the present embodiment, packetizes the scalable data.

Abstract: A computer readable medium having a data packet stored therein for causing a functional change in the operation of a device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the data packet is comprised of a scalably encoded data portion. In the present embodiment, the data packet further includes a header data portion corresponding to the scalably encoded data portion. The header data portion includes information adapted to be used by a transcoder to transcode the scalably encoded data portion.

Abstract: A system and method thereof for processing data. The system can include a second device adapted to store scalably encoded data received from a first device. The first device is adapted to receive the data and scalably encode at least a portion of the received data into scalably encoded data.

Abstract: A device and method thereof for packetizing scalably encoded data. The device can include a receiver adapted to receive a stream of data from an encoding device, wherein at least a first portion of the data is scalably encoded. The device can also include a packetizer coupled to the receiver, the packetizer adapted to packetize at least a second portion of the data into scalable data packets.

Abstract: A method and system for transcoding a stream of data packets are disclosed. The data packets are received from a source node. The stream of data packets is operated on by a function that configures the stream according to downstream attributes, such as the attributes of a receiving node or of the communication channel. The steam of data packets configured for the downstream attributes is sent to the receiving node.

Abstract: A device and method thereof for encoding data. The device can include a segmenter adapted to receive the data and segment at least a portion of the data into regions. The device can also include a scalable encoder coupled to the segmenter, the scalable encoder adapted to scalably encode at least one of the regions into scalably encoded data.

Abstract: In a MPEG or other video system, regions of each frame may be independently coded for later, independent extraction directly from a compressed bit stream. An encoder/transcoder receives raw video, standard compressed video or compressed video already having independently coded regions (“ICRs”) that are to be edited in some manner. A resultant signal may be used downstream for logo insertion or other video editing or processing without having to completely decode the entirety of each frame of a video sequence; rather, only those portions upon which editing or processing is to be performed are decoded. Once modified, substitute data may be inserted back into the compressed bit stream to take the place of decoded, edited data.