Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes setting, by a computing device, a maximum quantization parameter (QP) value for encoding an input video frame to a value which is the maximum of: a first QP value corresponding to a first proportion of an application-specified maximum QP value, or a second QP value determined based on a value which is the minimum of: a third QP value determined based on an average value of QP values used to encode a plurality of video frames before the input video frame, or a fourth QP value corresponding to a second proportion of the application-specified maximum QP value. The computer-implemented method further includes using the set maximum QP value as a quality bound for encoding the input video frame.

Abstract: Described is picture segmentation through columns and slices in video encoding and decoding. A video picture is divided into a plurality of columns, each column covering only a part of the video picture in a horizontal dimension. All coded tree blocks (“CTBs”) belonging to a slice may belong to one or more columns. The columns may be used to break the same or different prediction or in-loop filtering mechanisms of the video coding, and the CTB scan order used for encoding and/or decoding may be local to a column. Column widths may be indicated in a parameter set and/or may be adjusted at the slice level. At the decoder, column width may be parsed from the bitstream, and slice decoding may occur in one or more columns.

Abstract: A method includes receiving transform coefficients corresponding to a scaled video input signal, the scaled video input signal including a plurality of spatial layers that include a base layer. The method also includes determining a spatial rate factor based on a sample of frames from the scaled video input signal. The spatial rate factor defines a factor for bit rate allocation at each spatial layer of an encoded bit stream formed from the scaled video input signal. The spatial rate factor is represented by a difference between a rate of bits per transform coefficient of the base layer and an average rate of bits per transform coefficient. The method also includes reducing a distortion for the plurality of spatial layers by allocating a bit rate to each spatial layer based on the spatial rate factor and the sample of frames.

Abstract: A video coding device may be configured to perform video coding according to one or more of the techniques described herein. In one example, a method of partitioning video data for video coding, comprises receiving a video block including sample values, and partitioning the sample values according to the following set of partitioning modes: quadtree, horizontal or vertical symmetric binary tree, horizontal or vertical asymmetric binary tree, and horizontal or vertical triple tree.

Abstract: Techniques herein attempt to provide actors with more flexible and satisfactory experiences regarding obtaining tickets for an event. A learning model may identify attributes indicative of whether a particular actor (e.g., attempting to purchase tickets to an event) possesses a desirable characteristic (e.g., is likely to attend the event). Each actor can then be evaluated to estimate whether she is a good actor (possesses the characteristic). If so, favored opportunities may be made available, such as the opportunity to buy high-demand tickets. An actor may further have the opportunity to hold or reserve tickets for a period time, during which other actors cannot purchase them. A fee for holding or reserving tickets (and/or maintaining the hold or reserve) can be dynamically set based on market factors. Opportunities to modify seat assignments to allow a group of friends to sit together may also be provided.

Abstract: Operations of a method include obtaining a segment of image data that represents a portion of a frame of video image data to be encoded. The operations include determining, based on the segment and a target bitrate, a quantization parameter (QP) value for the segment. The operations include determining a minimum QP value and a maximum QP value that establishes a range of QP values an integrated bit rate control algorithm may use to encode the segment. The operations include encoding the segment with a first QP value that is greater than the minimum QP value and less than the maximum QP value. The operations include adjusting, by the bit rate control algorithm, the first QP value to a second QP value that is greater than the minimum QP value and less than the maximum QP value. The operations include transmitting the encoded segment to a remote device.

Abstract: A method includes receiving transform coefficients corresponding to a scaled video input signal, the scaled video input signal including a plurality of spatial layers that include a base layer. The method also includes determining a spatial rate factor based on a sample of frames from the scaled video input signal. The spatial rate factor defines a factor for bit rate allocation at each spatial layer of an encoded bit stream formed from the scaled video input signal. The spatial rate factor is represented by a difference between a rate of bits per transform coefficient of the base layer and an average rate of bits per transform coefficient. The method also includes reducing a distortion for the plurality of spatial layers by allocating a bit rate to each spatial layer based on the spatial rate factor and the sample of frames.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosing if a patient is suffering from a stroke include: positioning a headset around the patient's head to receive vibrations generated by a cerebral vasculature of the patient's brain, the headset including at least one microphone or accelerometer; processing the received vibrations to obtain a signal; analyzing the signal to identify a pattern indicative of a stroke; and determining that the patient is suffering from a stroke based upon the result of a CT scan of the patient's brain and neck and the identified pattern indicative of a stroke.

Abstract: Described are techniques in video coding and/or decoding that allow for selectively breaking prediction and/or in loop filtering across segment boundaries between different segments of a video picture. A high layer syntax element, such as a parameter set or a slice header, may contain one or more indications signalling to an encoder and/or decoder whether an associated prediction or loop filtering tool may be applied across the segment boundary. In response to such one or more indications, the encoder and/or decoder may then control the prediction or loop filtering tool accordingly.

Abstract: Operations of a method include obtaining a segment of image data that represents a portion of a frame of video image data to be encoded. The operations include determining, based on the segment and a target bitrate, a quantization parameter (QP) value for the segment. The operations include determining a minimum QP value and a maximum QP value that establishes a range of QP values an integrated bit rate control algorithm may use to encode the segment. The operations include encoding the segment with a first QP value that is greater than the minimum QP value and less than the maximum QP value. The operations include adjusting, by the bit rate control algorithm, the first QP value to a second QP value that is greater than the minimum QP value and less than the maximum QP value. The operations include transmitting the encoded segment to a remote device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating shared access-right evaluation using linked communication channels are provided. A first communication can be received over a first communication link from a first user device, and a second communication can be received over a second communication link from a second user device. The first and second communications can include requests for the assignment of access rights. Map data can be generated and transmitted to each of the first and second user devices. Each user device can display a visual representation of access-right data. Further, a communication session can be facilitated between the first user device and the second user device. The communication session can be presented on the visual representation for each user device so that the first user and the second user can collaboratively evaluate access rights.

Abstract: Described is picture segmentation through columns and slices in video encoding and decoding. A video picture is divided into a plurality of columns, each column covering only a part of the video picture in a horizontal dimension. All coded tree blocks (“CTBs”) belonging to a slice may belong to one or more columns. The columns may be used to break the same or different prediction or in-loop filtering mechanisms of the video coding, and the CTB scan order used for encoding and/or decoding may be local to a column. Column widths may be indicated in a parameter set and/or may be adjusted at the slice level. At the decoder, column width may be parsed from the bitstream, and slice decoding may occur in one or more columns.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes setting, by a computing device, a maximum quantization parameter (QP) value for encoding an input video frame to a value which is the maximum of: a first QP value corresponding to a first proportion of an application-specified maximum QP value, or a second QP value determined based on a value which is the minimum of: a third QP value determined based on an average value of QP values used to encode a plurality of video frames before the input video frame, or a fourth QP value corresponding to a second proportion of the application-specified maximum QP value. The computer-implemented method further includes using the set maximum QP value as a quality bound for encoding the input video frame.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes setting, by a participant computing device participating in a videoconference, a maximum quantization parameter (QP) value for encoding a predetermined type of video frame to a value which is the lesser of: a first QP value determined based on an average value of QP values used to encode video frames before the predetermined type of video frame, or a second QP value corresponding to an application-specified maximum QP value. The computer-implemented method further includes encoding the predetermined type of video frame using the set maximum QP value.

Abstract: A method includes establishing digital communication between a first user device and a second user device using a first codec. The method also includes selecting, based on an input signal representing an estimated unfiltered available bandwidth for the digital communication satisfying a first filter selection threshold, a first filter of two or more filters, and filtering the input signal using the first filter. The method further includes determining that the filtered input signal satisfies a first channel bandwidth threshold and, in response to determining that the filtered input signal satisfies the channel bandwidth threshold, selecting a second codec different from the first codec for further digital communication between the first user device and the second user device.

Abstract: Described are techniques in video coding and/or decoding that allow for selectively breaking prediction and/or in loop filtering across segment boundaries between different segments of a video picture. A high layer syntax element, such as a parameter set or a slice header, may contain one or more indications signalling to an encoder and/or decoder whether an associated prediction or loop filtering tool may be applied across the segment boundary. In response to such one or more indications, the encoder and/or decoder may then control the prediction or loop filtering tool accordingly.

Abstract: Techniques herein attempt to provide actors with more flexible and satisfactory experiences regarding obtaining tickets for an event. A learning model may identify attributes indicative of whether a particular actor (e.g., attempting to purchase tickets to an event) possesses a desirable characteristic (e.g., is likely to attend the event). Each actor can then be evaluated to estimate whether she is a good actor (possesses the characteristic). If so, favored opportunities may be made available, such as the opportunity to buy high-demand tickets. An actor may further have the opportunity to hold or reserve tickets for a period time, during which other actors cannot purchase them. A fee for holding or reserving tickets (and/or maintaining the hold or reserve) can be dynamically set based on market factors. Opportunities to modify seat assignments to allow a group of friends to sit together may also be provided.

Abstract: A method includes receiving an input video stream and scaling the input video stream into two or more spatial layers. For each spatial layer, the method also includes generating a temporal layer prediction pattern by: obtaining a temporal base layer for a corresponding spatial layer; identifying, based on the temporal base layer, a plurality of temporal layers and a plurality of temporal time slots during a temporal period; and aligning the temporal base layer for the corresponding spatial layer with one of the temporal time slots during the temporal period. Each temporal time slot is associated with one of the temporal base layer or one of the plurality of temporal layers for the corresponding spatial layer. The temporal base layer for each corresponding spatial layer is aligned with a different temporal time slot than each other temporal base layer for each other corresponding spatial layer.

Abstract: A video coding device may be configured to perform video coding according to one or more of the techniques described herein. In one example, a method of partitioning video data for video coding, comprises receiving a video block including sample values, and partitioning the sample values according to the following set of partitioning modes: quadtree, horizontal or vertical symmetric binary tree, horizontal or vertical asymmetric binary tree, and horizontal or vertical triple tree.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating shared access-right evaluation using linked communication channels are provided. A first communication can be received over a first communication link from a first user device, and a second communication can be received over a second communication link from a second user device. The first and second communications can include requests for the assignment of access rights. Map data can be generated and transmitted to each of the first and second user devices. Each user device can display a visual representation of access-right data. Further, a communication session can be facilitated between the first user device and the second user device. The communication session can be presented on the visual representation for each user device so that the first user and the second user can collaboratively evaluate access rights.