Abstract: Content filtering of data containers is based on defining content types, receiving identifiers of a set of rules applicable to each content type, and determining dependence of at least one rule on other rules. The identifiers are sorted into rule strata where rules within each rule stratum are independent of each other and rules within each rule stratum beyond a first stratum depend on at least one rule of at least one preceding rule stratum. Upon receiving a data container of multiple components from a network, a content type is determined for each component. Rules of rule strata specific to a content type of a component are applied starting with rules of a first rule stratum and proceeding sequentially to selected rules of succeeding rule strata. An apparatus for content filtering stores processor-executable instructions for arranging rules in rule strata and sequentially applies successive rules to data containers.

Abstract: A modular transcoder software system for transcoding a multimedia message includes a collection of software modules and objects for the dynamic construction of a series of complex, related or unrelated operations in the form of a transcoding pipeline. The transcoding pipeline provides a hierarchy of operations, such that they can be organized and optimized with the aim of being able to execute the entire hierarchy in a single pass. Additionally, external plugins can customize the mechanism of building the pipeline by altering, adding to, or removing construction knowledge.

Abstract: An engine for editing contents of data containers has a set of processors which hosts a set of controllers, each controller coupled to a respective set of transcoders. A memory device stores an array of Boolean variables characterizing the contents of a container, and an array of encoded rules for determining needed content editing, if any. The Boolean variables are determined according to content descriptors and respective criteria. A graphical user interface enables a user to provide the descriptors, the criteria, and the encoded rules. Each transcoder applies the encoded rules to specific containers. A transcoder also performs container adaptation functions which may modify contents of a container to be compatible with a respective receiver. The engine receives containers from clients through a network and directs each container to a respective controller.

Abstract: A system and method for content-filtering of data containers in a network supporting versatile communications services are disclosed. The content-filtering system is integrated with a content-adaptation system. Several server units handle data containers formulated at source according to different protocols. A content filtering process relies on characterizing each component of a container to produce a set of content descriptors and producing a set of binary conditions for each component according to a preset criterion for each descriptor. A set of rules is devised where each rule applies a respective Boolean expression to a subset of the conditions to prescribe a respective content-editing action. Methods of specifying and evaluating a rule's Boolean expression are disclosed. A formal graph is used to define inter-dependence of rules.

Abstract: A method of receiving and forwarding a multimedia message is provided. The multimedia message is adapted with a first adaptation profile into a first adapted message to be received in a first device. The multimedia message and the first adapted message are stored in a media cache. The message may then be forwarded from the first device to a second device that has a second adaptation profile by retrieving the first adapted message from the media cache and sending it to the second device if the first and second adaptation profiles match, otherwise the multimedia message is retrieved from the media cache and adapted with the second adaptation profile into a second adapted message that is then sent to the second device. In addition, the second adapted message is stored in the media cache.

Abstract: A method for conditioning multimedia containers to be compatible with decoding facilities of receivers of diverse types is disclosed. Content of a multimedia container may include components of different encoding formats. Container conditioning also detects and, where feasible, removes undesirable insertions within each content component of a multimedia container. A content component of a container may be filtered, re-encoded, or deleted. Notifications indicating conditions of a container and any modifications performed are appended to the container. A notification may be presented in at least one form compatible with characteristics of a respective receiver. An editing engine implementing the method is associated with a network entity to which multimedia containers are directed. The editing engine accesses a receiver database storing information on several types of receivers and a repository of notification templates encoded in several forms.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for adapting the media contained in a multimedia messaging service (MMS) message, which may include a presentation, into a single media format such as an audio/video file or stream by creating a logical timeline from information found in the presentation, creating an adaptation pipeline from the logical timeline, and executing the adaptation pipeline.