Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and techniques relating to generating three dimensional (3D) models from range sensor data. According to an aspect, frames of range scan data captured using one or more three dimensional (3D) sensors are obtained, where the frames correspond to different views of an object or scene; point clouds for the frames are registered with each other by maximizing coherence of projected occluding boundaries of the object or scene within the frames using an optimization algorithm with a cost function that computes pairwise or global contour correspondences; and the registered point clouds are provided for use in 3D modeling of the object or scene. Further, the cost function, which maximizing contour coherence, can be used with more than two point clouds for more than two frames at a time in a global optimization framework.

Abstract: System and methods for storing streamed media data to memory for future playback are provided. A device may stream media data associated with a movie over a network connection. The data streamed to the device will be saved to device memory and will then be playable offline. A manifest associated with the media data will be downloaded to the device and modified to reflect the location of the locally stored media data. During subsequent playback of the media data, the manifest will indicate that at least a portion of the media data exists in local memory. Some portions of the media data not stored locally may be subsequently retrieved from a remote source. The stored data may be updated or added to as necessary.

Abstract: A method of streaming media may include opening a single connection between a client device and a media source; requesting a first media segment of a media stream corresponding to selected tier of a media title over the single connection; determining a download bitrate of the single connection; comparing the download bitrate to a predetermined bitrate of the media title; and in response to determining that the download bitrate is less than the predetermined bitrate, opening a plurality of connections between the client device and media source. The predetermined bitrate may be a predetermined bitrate of a next higher bitrate tier in a group of tiers containing the selected tier when the selected tier is not a highest bitrate tier in the group, and a predetermined bitrate of the selected tier otherwise.

Abstract: Methods and systems for switching between media streams can use a comparison of an average bandwidth for a new stream to an observed bit rate for an existing stream in order to determine whether to switch to the new stream. A check on the amount of data buffered for the existing stream can also be performed in order to determine whether a system should switch to the new stream.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transitioning between media assets are described. In the described techniques, a client device may receive and render a first plurality of coded segments corresponding to a first media asset. Subsequently, while rendering the first media asset, the client device may receive a second plurality of coded segments corresponding to a second media asset. In order to transition between the media assets, a starting point for the rendering of the second media asset is determined.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method of requesting a plurality of media streams can include, as performed by a computing device, receiving a control input to control a playback function of at least one of the plurality of media streams, determining a download bandwidth between the computing device and a media source on a network, classifying the at least one of the plurality of media streams based on the control input and total download bandwidth, and sending a plurality of requests for the plurality media streams over a single connection to the media source, wherein at least one of an order or a content of the requests is based on the classification. The sending of the media stream requests can utilize at least one of a server-side protocol for multiplexing media streams over a single connection or one or more of HTTP pipelining or HTTP range requests over a single connection.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enabling playback control functions of a media player are disclosed. For example, a user of a client device receiving streaming playback of a video stream may perform rewind and fast forward control functions. The client device may implement these playback control functions by retrieving an enhanced playback segment. Using the enhanced playback segment, the media player may display selected frames at a predetermined interval while maintaining a visual cadence that is pleasing to a viewer. In the described embodiments, a client device may render a video stream, receive a command to control a fast forward or rewind playback mode for the video stream, and retrieve, from a distribution server or associated edge cache, one or more enhanced playback segments adapted to implement the user command.

Abstract: Systems and methods use a new syntax defining a daterange tag that allows an author of a media stream to embed an arbitrary set of defined ranges in the media stream associated playlist. The defined ranges may be used to provide an overview of or otherwise define the playlist and media stream structure. When a playlist is updated and the timing window of the playlist advances, any daterange tags in the playlist that map to any defined range or media segment in the updated playlist will persist in the updated playlist. Any daterange tags in the playlist that map to defined ranges that have completed will be dropped from the updated playlist.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method of requesting and receiving a media stream can include, as performed by a computing device, responsive to a control input to control an enhanced playback mode for a media stream, determining a video frame to display in the enhanced playback mode of the media stream; requesting the determined frame from a media source over at least one connection between the computing device and the media source; predicting a second video frame for the enhanced playback mode; and requesting the predicted second frame from the media source over the at least one connection before receiving the determined video frame over the at least one connection.

Abstract: Systems and methods for switching between encoded media streams are disclosed. A system may be configured to receive at least two media streams of differing qualities that are associated with an identical media asset. The system can seamlessly switch between a first media stream and a second media stream using an algorithm that can determine which frames of a second stream must be discarded to sync the second stream with the first media stream. The two media streams can then be cross faded to switch from the first media stream to the second media stream.

Abstract: A media delivery service may include a media source, a proxy cache and one or more client devices. The media source may generate coded segments from an input media stream and develop a playlist identifying network locations of the segments. The media source may broadcast the coded segments and their storage locations to a proxy cache in a broadcast channel. The proxy cache may store successfully received coded segments and develop a mapping table identifying the segments' network locations. The client may request segments from the proxy cache based on the received playlist form the media source. If the proxy cache does not store a requested segment, it may so notify the client and the client may request the segment from the media source.

Abstract: Systems and methods for switching between encoded media streams are disclosed. A system may be configured to receive at least two media streams of differing qualities that are associated with an identical media asset. The system can seamlessly switch between a first media stream and a second media stream using an algorithm that can determine which frames of a second stream must be discarded to sync the second stream with the first media stream. The two media streams can then be cross faded to switch from the first media stream to the second media stream.