Abstract: A method for quality feedback in a streaming service is shown, wherein at least one media stream is streamed to a client for playback, the method comprising determining a quality feedback value according to at least one quality metric from a pre-defined set of quality metrics, wherein the pre-defined set of quality metrics contains a quality metric related to at least one of the playback of the at least one media stream and a corruption of one out of at least two types of frames contained in the at least one media stream, and reporting the quality feedback value to a server. A system, a client, a server, a computer program, a computer program product and a protocol for quality feedback are also shown.

Abstract: A method and device for encoding, decoding, storage and transmission of a scalable data stream to include layers having different coding properties. The method includes: producing one or more layers of the scalable data stream, wherein the layers are characterized by a coding property, and signaling the layers with the coding property such that they are readable by a decoder to determine the coding property without analyzing the scalable data stream.

Abstract: In a multimedia streaming network where a client has a receiver buffer to store a plurality of packets received from a server so as to compensate for the difference between data transmission amount by the server and data usage amount by the client, the server should be able to adapt the data transmission rate based on the status of the receiver buffer. For rate adaptation purposes, server reconstructs a list of packets in the receiver buffer based on information provided by the client. The information signaled to the server is indicative of the next unit to be decoded and the sequence number of the packet to which the next unit to be decoded belongs.

Abstract: A system and method provide for updating a parameter set in streaming applications. The method includes receiving a first parameter set from a server device at a client device, receiving an updated parameter set having synchronization information at the client device, wherein the updated parameter set is sent from the server device using a Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) method or Session Description Protocol, processing a bitstream received from the server device at the client device using the first parameter set, and processing the bitstream at the client device using the updated parameter set when the synchronization information indicates that the updated parameter set should be used. The synchronization information may include, but is not limited to, a real-time transport protocol timestamp, a normal play time timestamp, network abstraction layer unit time, and a decoding order number.

Abstract: A method for forming a diffractive lens includes forming an etch stop layer on a first surface of a silicon substrate, forming a diffractive optical element above the etch stop layer, forming a planarization layer covering the diffractive optical element, planarizing the planarization layer, forming a bonding layer on the planarization layer, bonding a transparent substrate on the bonding layer, and etching a second surface of the silicon substrate to the etch stop layer to remove a portion of the silicon substrate opposite the diffractive optical element, wherein the remaining portion of the silicon substrate forms a bonding ring.

Abstract: Quality feedback in a streaming service wherein at least one media stream (101) is streamed to a client (601) and a quality feedback value is determined (304) according to at least one quality metric is improved by determining (305) a timestamp relating to said quality feedback value according to at least one timestamp metric, wherein for each of said at least one quality metrics, a corresponding timestamp metric is defined, and wherein each of said at least one timestamp metrics is based on a relative media playback time of said at least one media stream (101), and reporting (306) said quality feedback value and said related timestamp to a server (600). Said relative media playback time is preferably derived from RTP (102) timestamps, from a NPT provided by a RTSP (109), from timestamps of a RTCP or from timestamps of a SIP.

Abstract: A method of encoding video data including at least one primary picture and at least one redundant picture corresponding to the information content of the primary picture. A reference picture list of the at least one redundant picture includes multiple reference pictures. The video sequence is encoded such that a number of reference pictures are disabled from the reference picture list of the at least one redundant picture, the number being at least one, but less than the total number of the reference pictures on the reference picture list.

Abstract: A micro-machined valve assembly includes a valve diaphragm that will not adhere to a valve seat during elevated temperature operation. The valve assembly has a valve seat, a diaphragm suspended over the valve seat, the diaphragm configured to contact the valve seat upon the application of an actuating pressure on the diaphragm. The diaphragm has a continuous film of a first material, where a portion of the first material in a region where the diaphragm contacts the valve seat includes a first metallic material. The absence of an adhesive or the addition of the metal layer extends the operating temperature of the valve by preventing adhesion of the diaphragm to the valve seat during high temperature operation. Selection of an appropriate material for the metal layer can improve chemical inertness of valve, thereby reducing the possibility that the material flowing through the valve will react with the metal.

Abstract: A signaling method and device for use in stream switching in which GDR random access points are used. In order to indicate the GDR switching points in the bitstreams, a Sync Sample Information Box, which is contained in a Sync Sample Box, is used to provide information of such GDR switching points. The information also includes which slice group is the isolated region and which slice group is the leftover region, if slice groups are applied in encoding. The signaling method can be used in video data transmission using Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP), and a Session Description Protocol (SDP) can be used to convey information indicative of the characteristics of the bitstreams.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for streaming media from a streaming server (111) to a streaming client (101) via a transmission channel (121), wherein the method comprises reducing effects caused by transmission channel error variation by applying error resilience adaptation to the streaming media. The error resilience adaptation may comprise improving or reducing error resilience properties of a streaming content during an ongoing streaming session, through, e.g, the use of a set of pre-defined error resilience levels.

Abstract: A signaling method and device for use in stream switching in which GDR random access points are used. In order to indicate the GDR switching points in the bitstreams, a Sync Sample Information Box, which is contained in a Sync Sample Box, is used to provide information of such GDR switching points. The information also includes which slice group is the isolated region and which slice group is the leftover region. The signaling method can be used in video data transmission using Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP), and a Session Description Protocol (SDP) can be used to convey information indicative of the characteristics of the bitstreams.

Abstract: The invention relates to method for encoding sequences of pictures into a bitstream, wherein parameters are defined in a parameter set and each picture comprises information of one or more slices. The method comprises defining parameters in a sequence parameter set; defining parameters in a picture parameter set; and defining at least one picture parameter in a slice header. The picture parameter remains unchanged at least in all slice headers of one picture.

Abstract: The invention relates to an encoder for forming an encoded picture stream. The pictures are defined as reference pictures or non-reference pictures, and information relating to decoding order and output order of a picture is defined for pictures of the picture stream. The encoder is arranged to form to the bitstream an indication of such a number of pictures arranged to be buffered in decoding order that is sufficient to recover the output order of pictures. The invention also relates to a signal, hypothetical encoder, decoder, hypothetical decoder, electronic device, system, software program and a storage medium.

Abstract: A method and device for error concealment in a video sequence. When there is a scene transition in the video sequence and an error occurs in a picture belonging to the scene transition, an error concealment procedure based on the type of scene transition is used to conceal the error. Information about the scene transition type is provided to a decoder in a supplemental enhancement information message. If the scene transition is a gradual scene transition, a spatio-temporal error concealment algorithm is used to conceal the picture. If the scene transition is a scene cut and only part of the picture is lost or corrupted, a spatial error concealment is used to conceal the lost or corrupted part of the picture. If a whole picture belonging to the scene cut is lost or corrupted and the picture starts a new scene, it is not concealed.

Abstract: Micro-valves that include a diaphragm capable of being positioned on a valve seat or removed from the valve seat. The micro-valves also include supports and a cover that restrict the motion of the diaphragm, thereby reducing the possibility of cracking. Micro-valves made by anodically bonding the diaphragm to a seat substrate and anodically bonding the cover to the diaphragm. Micro-injectors that include micro-valves. Also, methods of making the micro-valves and micro-injectors.

Abstract: A method of encoding/decoding a video sequence, which is composed of video frames. In the method, at least one video frame is divided into a set of coding blocks, and at least one of the coding blocks is encoded by intra-coding. Then a first reliable region that comprises at least one intra-coded coding block is determined, and the first reliable region in the video sequence is encoded such that creation of an information dependency between the first reliable region and coding blocks outside the first reliable region is prevented.

Abstract: A guard catalyst, comprising an alumina support and molybdenum and/or tungsten and nickel and/or cobalt supported on the alumina support, wherein the total ammonia integral adsorption heat of said alumina support does not exceed 25 J/g, the percentage taken up by the ammonia integral adsorption heat of the ammonia differential adsorption heat greater than 100 kJ/mol does not exceed 10% of the total ammonia integral adsorption heat. Compared to the catalysts of the prior art, the guard catalyst has higher catalytic activity, less coke deposit, lower reduction rate of pore volume, better stability of activity, and higher strength.

Abstract: A video coding and decoding method, wherein a picture is first divided into sub-pictures corresponding to one or more subjectively important picture regions and to a background region sub-picture, which remains after the other sub-pictures are removed from the picture. The sub-pictures are formed to conform to predetermined allowable groups of video coding macroblocks (MBs). The allowable groups of MBs can be, for example, of rectangular shape. The picture is then divided into slices so that each sub-picture is encoded independent of other sub-pictures except for the background region sub-picture, which may be coded using another sub-pictures. The slices of the background sub-picture are formed in a scan-order with skipping over MBs that belong to another sub-picture. The background sub-picture is only decoded if all the positions and sizes of all other sub-pictures can be reconstructed on decoding the picture.

Abstract: Micro-valves that include a diaphragm capable of being positioned on a valve seat or removed from the valve seat. The micro-valves also include supports and a cover that restrict the motion of the diaphragm, thereby reducing the possibility of cracking. Micro-valves made by anodically bonding the diaphragm to a seat substrate and anodically bonding the cover to the diaphragm. Micro-injectors that include micro-valves. Also, methods of making the micro-valves and micro-injectors.

Abstract: A micro-machined valve assembly includes a valve diaphragm that will not adhere to a valve seat during elevated temperature operation. In one embodiment, the valve assembly comprises a valve seat, a diaphragm suspended over the valve seat, the diaphragm configured to contact the valve seat upon the application of an actuating pressure on the diaphragm. The diaphragm comprises a continuous film of a first material to which a layer of adhesive is applied. A portion of the adhesive in a region where the diaphragm contacts the valve seat is removed. In an alternative embodiment, the invention is a valve assembly comprising a valve seat, a diaphragm suspended over the valve seat, the diaphragm configured to contact the valve seat upon the application of an actuating pressure on the diaphragm. The diaphragm comprises a continuous film of a first material, where a portion of the first material in a region where the diaphragm contacts the valve seat includes a first metallic material.