Abstract: The present invention relates to method and apparatus for multiview video coding. In particular, the present invention describes a disparity compensated prediction to exploit the inter-view correlation in multiview video coding by providing stretching, compression, and shearing (SCSH) disparity compensation to approximate the actual disparity effects in addition to the translational disparity. A sub-sampled block-matching disparity estimation technique is provided to implement the SCSH disparity compensation which makes use of the interpolated reference frames for subpixel motion and disparity estimation in conventional hybrid video coding structure.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, the present invention provides method and apparatus for motion compensated prediction. Apart from translational motion, zoom motion is taken into account by sampling an interpolated frame with one or more selected sampling rates to generate one or more zoom reference frames; matching a frame with the zoom reference frames; and determining one or more motion data.

Abstract: Methods and systems to produce audio output signals from audio input signals. In one embodiment, a first portion of the audio input signals can be pre-processed, with the output used to modulate ultrasonic carrier signals, thereby producing modulated ultrasonic signals. The modulated ultrasonic signals can be transformed into a first portion of the audio output signals, which is directional. Based on a second portion of the audio input signals, a standard audio speaker can output a second portion of the audio output signals. Another embodiment further produces distortion compensated signals based on the pre-processed signals. The distortion compensated signals can be subtracted from the second portion of the audio input signals to generate inputs for the standard audio speaker to output the second portion of the audio output signals. In yet another embodiment, noise can be added during pre-processing of the first portion of the audio input signals.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, the present invention provides method and apparatus for motion compensated prediction. Apart from translational motion, zoom motion is taken into account by sampling an interpolated frame with one or more selected sampling rates to generate one or more zoom reference frames; matching a frame with the zoom reference frames; and determining one or more motion data.

Abstract: A directional speaker for an electronic device having audio output capabilities is disclosed. The directional speaker can thus be used with the electronic device to direct audio output in a directionally constrained manner. As a result, a certain degree of privacy with respect to the audio output is achieved for the user of the electronic device, yet the user need not wear a headset or ear phone, or have to hold a speaker against one's ear. The directional speaker can be integral with the electronic device. Alternatively, the directional speaker can be an attachment (or peripheral) to the electronic device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method to manage the communication of a user are disclosed. In one embodiment, when a person tries to electronically convey a message to the user, the status of the user, the identity of the person, and the urgency of the message can be identified. The access priority of the person can be determined based on the person's identity. Then, the message can be managed using one or more rules and in view of the status of the user, the access priority of the person and the urgency of the message.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method to manage the communication of a user are disclosed. In one embodiment, when a person tries to electronically convey a message to the user, the status of the user, the identity of the person, and the urgency of the message can be identified. The access priority of the person can be determined based on the person's identity. Then, the message can be managed using one or more rules and in view of the status of the user, the access priority of the person and the urgency of the message.

Abstract: A wireless communication system based on a directional speaker is disclosed. The system can include an interface unit and a base unit. The audio signals from the speaker can be generated by transforming ultrasonic signals in air. This allows the production of directional audio signals even when the aperture of the speaker has dimensions in the order of a few centimeters. The audio signals from the speaker can be heard hands-free. Further, privacy protection is enhanced. In one embodiment, the interface unit can be attached or integrated to a piece of clothing at the shoulder of the user, with the audio signals from the speaker directed towards one of the user's ears. The wireless communication system can be applied to a number of different areas, including a communication device, such as a cell phone; a hearing aid; an entertainment system; and a computation system, such as a personal digital assistant or a computer.

Abstract: A wireless communication system based on a directional speaker is disclosed. The system can include an interface unit and a base unit. The audio signals from the speaker can be generated by transforming ultrasonic signals in air. This allows the production of directional audio signals even when the aperture of the speaker has dimensions in the order of a few centimeters. The audio signals from the speaker can be heard hands-free. Further, privacy protection is enhanced. In one embodiment, the interface unit can be attached or integrated to a piece of clothing at the shoulder of the user, with the audio signals from the speaker directed towards one of the user's ears. The wireless communication system can be applied to a number of different areas, including a communication device, such as a cell phone; a hearing aid; an entertainment system; and a computation system, such as a personal digital assistant or a computer.

Abstract: A method and system for delivering data over a network to a large number of clients, which may be suitable for building large-scale Video-on-Demand (VOD) systems. In current VOD systems, the client may suffer from a long latency before starting to receive requested data that is capable of providing sufficient interactive functions, or the reverse, without significantly increasing the network load. The method utilizes two groups of data streams, one responsible for minimizing latency while the other provides the required interactive functions. In the anti-latency data group, uniform, or non-uniform or hierarchical staggered stream intervals may be used. The system may have a relatively small startup latency while users may enjoy most of the interactive functions that are typical of video recorders including fast-forward, forward-jump, and so on. Furthermore, the system can maintain the number of data streams, and therefore the bandwidth, required.

Abstract: A seating arrangement with improved seating comfort is disclosed. In one embodiment, the seating arrangement is for a transportation vehicle. The arrangement includes seats at least having two levels adjacent to single-level seats. The multi-level seats include at least a bottom row of seats and a top row of seats. In one embodiment, the bottom row seats are on a floor; and there is an imaginary horizontal plane that is parallel to the floor, and that at least a part of the top row seats and at least a part of the bottom row seats intersect. The single-level seats include at least two rows, with at least one seat in each row being adjacent to the aisle, to allow passengers to access the single-level seats. In another embodiment, a seating arrangement includes only multi-level seats. In yet another embodiment, a computer-implemented method is applicable to the seats, such as allowing the display of a visual representation of a top-row seat and a bottom-row seat.

Abstract: A hearing enhancement system that enhances a user's hearing based on a directional speaker is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system can include an interface unit that has a directional speaker and a microphone. The microphone captures input audio signals that are transformed into ultrasonic signals. The speaker transmits the ultrasonic signals, which are transformed into output audio signals by interaction with air. At least a portion of the output audio signals are modified to enhance the hearing of the user. Based on the system, the user's ear remains free from any inserted objects and thus is free from annoying occlusion effects. Compared to existing hearing aids, the system is relatively inexpensive. In another embodiment, the system can also be used as a phone. In yet another embodiment, the system can also access audio signals from other portable or non-portable instruments, wired or wirelessly, such as from home entertainment units, phones, microphones at a conference or speakers at a movie theater.

Abstract: A seating arrangement with improved seating comfort. In one embodiment, the seating arrangement is for a transportation vehicle. The arrangement includes seats at least having two levels adjacent to single-level seats. The multi-level seats include at least a bottom row of seats and a top row of seats. In one embodiment, the bottom row seats are on a floor; and there is an imaginary horizontal plane that is parallel to the floor, and that at least a part of the top row seats and at least a part of the bottom row seats intersect. The single-level seats include at least two rows, with at least one seat in each row being adjacent to the aisle, to allow passengers to access the single-level seats. In another embodiment, a seating arrangement includes only multi-level seats. In yet another embodiment, a computer-implemented method is applicable to the seats, such as allowing the display of a visual representation of a top-row seat and a bottom-row seat.

Abstract: A hearing enhancement system that enhances a user's hearing based on a directional speaker is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system can include an interface unit that has a directional speaker and a microphone. The microphone captures input audio signals that are transformed into ultrasonic signals. The speaker transmits the ultrasonic signals, which are transformed into output audio signals by interaction with air. At least a portion of the output audio signals are modified to enhance the hearing of the user. Based on the system, the user's ear remains free from any inserted objects and thus is free from annoying occlusion effects. Compared to existing hearing aids, the system is relatively inexpensive. In another embodiment, the system can also be used as a phone. In yet another embodiment, the system can also access audio signals from other portable or non-portable instruments, wired or wirelessly, such as from home entertainment units, phones, microphones at a conference or speakers at a movie theater.

Abstract: A wireless communication system based on a directional speaker is disclosed. The system can include an interface unit and a base unit. The audio signals from the speaker can be generated by transforming ultrasonic signals in air. This allows the production of directional audio signals even when the aperture of the speaker has dimensions in the order of a few centimeters. The audio signals from the speaker can be heard hands-free. Further, privacy protection is enhanced. In one embodiment, the interface unit can be attached or integrated to a piece of clothing at the shoulder of the user, with the audio signals from the speaker directed towards one of the user's ears. The wireless communication system can be applied to a number of different areas, including a communication device, such as a cell phone; a hearing aid; an entertainment system; and a computation system, such as a personal digital assistant or a computer.

Abstract: This invention describes a new method and system for delivering data over a network to a large number of clients, which may be suitable for building large-scale Video-on-Demand (VOD) systems. In current VOD systems, the client may suffer from a long latency before starting to receive the requested data that is capable of providing sufficient interactive functions, or the reverse, without significantly increasing the network load. The method utilizes two groups of data streams, one responsible for minimizing latency while the other one provides the required interactive functions. In the anti-latency data group, uniform, or non-uniform or hierarchical staggered stream intervals may be used. The system being realized based on this invention may have a relatively small startup latency while users may enjoy most of the interactive functions that are typical of video recorders including fast-forward, forward-jump, and so on.

Abstract: A method and system for delivering data over a network to a large number of clients, which may be suitable for building large-scale Video-on-Demand (VOD) systems. In current VOD systems, the client may suffer from a long latency before starting to receive requested data that is capable of providing sufficient interactive functions, or the reverse, without significantly increasing the network load. The method utilizes two groups of data streams, one responsible for minimizing latency while the other provides the required interactive functions. In the anti-latency data group, uniform, or non-uniform or hierarchical staggered stream intervals may be used. The system may have a relatively small startup latency while users may enjoy most of the interactive functions that are typical of video recorders including fast-forward, forward-jump, and so on. Furthermore, the system can maintain the number of data streams, and therefore the bandwidth, required.

Abstract: A method and system for delivering data over a network to a large number of clients, which may be suitable for building large-scale Video-on-Demand (VOD) systems. In current VOD systems, the client may suffer from a long latency before starting to receive requested data that is capable of providing sufficient interactive functions, or the reverse, without significantly increasing the network load. The method utilizes two groups of data streams, one responsible for minimizing latency while the other provides the required interactive functions. In the anti-latency data group, uniform, or non-uniform or hierarchical staggered stream intervals may be used. The system may have a relatively small startup latency while users may enjoy most of the interactive functions that are typical of video recorders including fast-forward, forward-jump, and so on. Furthermore, the system can maintain the number of data streams, and therefore the bandwidth, required.

Abstract: A directional audio apparatus that provides directional delivery of audio output is disclosed. The audio output is targeted to those one or more persons desirous of hearing the audio output. Consequently, other persons not desirous of hearing the audio output do not receive substantial amounts of the audio output and thus are less disturbed by the unwanted audio sounds. In one embodiment, the directional audio apparatus includes a directional speaker, whose audio output is generated through ultrasonic signals. The directional speaker includes a number of speaker elements. A number of the attributes of the audio output can be controlled, either by a user or by monitored measurements. Such attributes include the beam width, the beam direction, the degree of isolation or privacy, and the volume of the audio outputs. The audio output can also be personalized or modified according to the audio conditions of the surroundings of the apparatus.

Abstract: Techniques for providing wireless delivery of audio sounds from audio systems to personal audio devices are disclosed. These techniques can permit users of the personal audio device to be mobile yet still acquire the audio sounds. These techniques can also optionally provide customization (or personalization) of the audio sounds to the user's hearing and/or modification of the audio sounds in view of environmental conditions. According to one aspect of the invention, audio output from an audio system or a personal audio device can be delivered in a directionally constrained manner. According to another aspect of the invention, a wireless adapter can serve as an after market modification to an audio system.