Abstract: A system, method and computer readable medium for providing secure IP-based streaming in a format independent manner is disclosed. The method on a content mastering system begins with an encoded media file consisting of content data and associated metadata. First, the metadata is read from the encoded media file. Next, the encoded media file including the content data and the associated metadata is encrypted. Then, in a streaming server system, the encoded/encrypted media file is divided into more than one data packet, streamed in accordance with one or more parameters in the metadata. Each data packet includes a portion of the encoded/encrypted media file and an offset value corresponding to a location within the encoded/encrypted media file. The data packets are then streamed to a client information processing system (i.e., the client) over a network.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for for encoding units of digital information such as pictures, whereby all the data is first analyzed by running a compression pass over all the data, using the in the encoder embedded rate control mechanism. Picture attributes, such as quantization scale setting and bits produced will be extracted from the resulting bitstream, and analyzing this, indiviudal unit (picture) quantization scale and bit allocation settings are prepared for a next pass for either a constant- or variable bit rate, whereby buffer boundaries are observed. In a second compression pass through the same data, a constant- or variable bit rate compressed bitstream is produced, but this time bypassing the embedded rate control mechanism, and using the prepared picture bit allocation and quantization scale settings instead. Additionally, a mechanism will supervise the total bit production accuracy.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for for encoding units of digital information such as pictures, whereby all the data is first analyzed by running a compression pass over all the data, using the in the encoder embedded rate control mechanism. Picture attributes, such as quantization scale setting and bits produced will be extracted from the resulting bitstream, and analyzing this, indiviudal unit (picture) quantization scale and bit allocation settings are prepared for a next pass for either a constant- or variable bit rate, whereby buffer boundaries are observed. In a second compression pass through the same data, a constant- or variable bit rate compressed bitstream is produced, but this time bypassing the embedded rate control mechanism, and using the prepared picture bit allocation and quantization scale settings instead. Additionally, a mechanism will supervise the total bit production accuracy.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for encoding units of digital information such as pictures, whereby all the data is first analyzed by running a compression pass over all the data, using the in the encoder embedded rate control mechanism. Picture attributes, such as quantization scale setting and bits produced will be extracted from the resulting bitstream, and analyzing this, indiviudal unit (picture) quantization scale and bit allocation settings are prepared for a next pass for either a constant- or variable bit rate, whereby buffer boundaries are observed. In a second compression pass through the same data, a constant- or variable bit rate compressed bitstream is produced, but this time bypassing the embedded rate control mechanism, and using the prepared picture bit allocation and quantization scale settings instead. Additionally, a mechanism will supervise the total bit production accuracy.

Abstract: An image processing system encodes a natural image into a segmented or mosaic image having well-defined edges and a residual image. The segmented image is encoded using a lossless encoding technique while the residual image is encoded using a lossy technique. This encoded image may be recorded on a video tape such that the segmented image may be recovered in picture-in-shuttle modes such as fast forward and fast rewind. In addition, the recorded image may be decoded and reencoded through several generational levels without experiencing significant degradation in perceived image quality. The segmented image is produced by an encoder which employs a multi-scale edge finder that is able to resolve transitions occurring over two, four and eight pixels into an edge located between two pixels.

Abstract: An image processing system encodes a segmented or mosaic image into a set of fixed-length data packets, from which the segmented image may be reproduced with no significant loss of detail. The exemplary system includes a chain coder which translates the segmented image into a form in which the image segments are represented as respective sequences of border values, each border value indicating a direction to the next border value. This image is further encoded such that each pair of border values becomes a single further border value and a pair of complementary codes. These further border values are processed in the same manner, to further reduce the number of border values needed to represent the image. When the number of border values has been reduced to a level such that the image may be encoded in a single packet, the encoding system provides these border values and all complementary code values that have been generated as the code representing the segmented image.

Abstract: A video camera generates an approximation of the dark current or black shading distortion signals based on scan position in the image, and subtracts the approximation signal from the signal generated by the camera during normal image-sensing operation to reduce the black shading distortion. In a particular embodiment of the invention, counters generate location signals representative of the location of pixel currently being read, and the location signals are processed by functions such as squaring or raising to a constant power, and by weighting, to produce components of the approximation of the dark signal. The components are subtracted from the imager signal, to reduce the dark shading. In one embodiment of the invention, the functions are automatically selected from among a plurality of preselected functions, and implemented by look-up tables.

Abstract: An edge finder for an image processing system locates edges in a digitized image over several different ranges of pixel values and assigns, to each pixel value an edge characteristic value which represents a minimum edge value for the pixel in the image. The exemplary edge finder that is able to resolve transitions occurring between two pixels or over groups of four or eight pixels to determine whether an edge should be defined between the original two pixels. The edge finder simultaneously examines four edges in two dimensions to determine the edgeness value for each pixel in the digitized image.