Abstract: There is described a method of processing a video input signal (50) in a data processor (20) to generate corresponding processed output data (40, 200). The method includes steps of: (a) receiving the video input signal (50) at the data processor (20), the input signal (50) including a sequence of images (100) wherein said images (100) are each represented by pixels; (b) grouping the pixels to generate several groups of pixels per image; (c) transforming the groups to corresponding representative transform parameters; (d) coding the transform parameters of the groups to generate corresponding quantized transform data; (e) processing the quantized transform data to generate the processed output data (40, 200) representative of the input signal. The method involves coding the transform parameters in step (d) using quantization step sizes which are dynamically variable as a function of spatio-temporal information conveyed in the sequence of images (100).

Abstract: Comprehensive multimedia content re-purposing relating to wireless communications employs content constructs that are compact representations of the content information. For video content, the constructs are content operators that represent 2D image regions and/or 3D volumetric regions for objects within the sequence and characterized by various visual attributes, and are extracted from the video sequence by segmentation utilizing video processing techniques. The constructs are employed for intra- and inter-modality transformation to accommodate resource constraints of the mobile device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of detecting segment boundaries for a series of successive frames in a video sequence. The method includes the steps of acquiring color information from each frame, determining a color histogram for each frame, and applying a boundary detection technique utilizing the color histograms. Finally, the method includes segmenting the frames of the video sequence into uniform color segments. In addition, a system is provided for detecting segment boundaries for a series of successive frames in a video sequence. The system includes means for acquiring color information from each frame, means for determining a color histogram for each frame, and means for applying a boundary detection technique utilizing the color histograms. Finally, the system includes means for segmenting the frames of the video sequence into uniform color segments.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for detecting commercials or other particular types of video content in a video signal. In an illustrative embodiment, color histograms are extracted from frames of the video signal. For each of at least a subset of the extracted color histograms, the extracted color histogram is compared to a family histogram. If the extracted color histogram falls within a specified range of the family histogram, the family histogram is updated to include the extracted color histogram as a new member. If the extracted color histogram does not fall within the specified range of the family histogram, the family histogram is considered complete and the extracted color histogram is utilized to generate a new family histogram for use in processing subsequent extracted color histograms. The resulting family histograms are utilized to detect commercials or other particular type of video content in the video signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of detecting segment boundaries for a series of successive frames in a video sequence. The method includes the steps of acquiring color information from each frame, determining a color histogram for each frame, and applying a boundary detection technique utilizing the color histograms. Finally, the method includes segmenting the frames of the video sequence into uniform color segments. In addition, a system is provided for detecting segment boundaries for a series of successive frames in a video sequence. The system includes means for acquiring color information from each frame, means for determining a color histogram for each frame, and means for applying a boundary detection technique utilizing the color histograms. Finally, the system includes means for segmenting the frames of the video sequence into uniform color segments.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for detecting commercials or other particular types of video content in a video signal. In an illustrative embodiment, color histograms are extracted from frames of the video signal. For each of at least a subset of the extracted color histograms, the extracted color histogram is compared to a family histogram. If the extracted color histogram falls within a specified range of the family histogram, the family histogram is updated to include the extracted color histogram as a new member. If the extracted color histogram does not fall within the specified range of the family histogram, the family histogram is considered complete and the extracted color histogram is utilized to generate a new family histogram for use in processing subsequent extracted color histograms. The resulting family histograms are utilized to detect commercials or other particular type of video content in the video signal.

Abstract: A system and method for providing information to television viewers in order to assist them in shopping from an apparently conventional media, such as a television program, as well as making better and more educated shopping decisions are provided. The user selects the product of interest, and if desired, indicates the price, quantity and time frame within which he/she wants to buy the product. The system then acts as an agent on the user's behalf to get the best product under best price and shortest time frame as may be desired. When a user sees a product he wants while watching television, he simply can press a point on the screen, talk, or press a button on a remote control or similar keypad and the system shows the current price and availability. If the user wants the product, he can buy it instantly. If the user determines it to be too expensive, he can add the product to his wish-list with a price he would be willing to pay.

Abstract: Comprehensive multimedia content re-purposing relating to wireless communications employs content constructs that are compact representations of the content information. For video content, the constructs are content operators that represent 2D image regions and/or 3D volumetric regions for objects within the sequence and characterized by various visual attributes, and are extracted from the video sequence by segmentation utilizing video processing techniques. The constructs are employed for intra- and inter-modality transformation to accommodate resource constraints of the mobile device.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating and processing data. A home computer unit engages in two-way communication with a mobile unit over a communication path having a wireless portion. The home computer unit receives a signal from the mobile unit over the communication path. The signal comprises a request by the mobile unit for information from the home computer unit. The home computer unit extracts the requested information from a data source. If the extracted requested information does not satisfy a bandwidth constraint relating to the communication path or does not fit within available memory of the mobile unit, then the home computer unit restructures the requested information into downsized information such that the downsized information satisfies the bandwidth constraint and fits within the available memory of the mobile unit. Then, the home computer unit transmits the downsized information to the mobile unit over the communication path.

Abstract: Method and system are disclosed for information processing, for example, for multimedia segmentation, indexing and retrieval. The method and system includes multimedia, for example audio/visual/text (A/V/T), integration using a probabilistic framework. Both, multimedia content and context information are represented and processed via the probabilistic framework. This framework is represented, for example, by a Bayesian network and hierarchical priors, which is graphically described by stages, each having a set of layers with each layer including a number of nodes representing content or context information. At least the first layer of the first stage is processes multimedia content information such as objects in the A/V/T domains, or combinations of thereof. The other layers of the various stages describe multimedia context information, as further described below.