Abstract: A streaming on demand system includes an on-demand requester object installed on a computing device. The on-demand requester object is configured to receive I/O requests for an application for which data is available in data packs for streaming delivery. The on-demand requester object includes a minifilter associated with a filter manager in an I/O stack. The minifilter receives each I/O request from the application, references a table that includes at least one address where each data pack required to fulfill each I/O request is located, and determines if the data pack has been streamed to the system. The table may also include a size indicator for each data pack. The minifilter loads before compression and filter minifilter drivers in the I/O stack. The minifilter attaches to the I/O stack by registering with a filter manager in the I/O stack for I/O requests for the application for which data is available in data packs for streaming delivery.

Abstract: A streaming on demand system includes an on-demand requester object installed on a computing device. The on-demand requester object is configured to receive I/O requests for an application for which data is available in data packs for streaming delivery. The on-demand requester object includes a minifilter associated with a filter manager in an I/O stack. The minifilter receives each I/O request from the application, references a table that includes at least one address where each data pack required to fulfill each I/O request is located, and determines if the data pack has been streamed to the system. The table may also include a size indicator for each data pack. The minifilter loads before compression and filter minifilter drivers in the I/O stack. The minifilter attaches to the I/O stack by registering with a filter manager in the I/O stack for I/O requests for the application for which data is available in data packs for streaming delivery.

Abstract: A system and method for gaming on demand in real time via a computer network indexes game segments and prioritizes segments of a game to be downloaded, such that segments of a game needed immediately to play at a current level are downloaded, and then portions which correspond to levels accessible from the current level are downloaded. Downloading of the portions corresponding to directly related levels, and then portions corresponding to other levels, may occur while the game is being played at a current level.

Abstract: A system and methodology assesses whether an error correction should be applied to detected blocks based on determined correction application criteria, and, if warranted according to the assessment, applies block-specific error corrections to detected blocks. Global error corrections, such as edge corrections, are also enabled.

Abstract: A system and method for gaming on demand in real time via a computer network indexes game segments and prioritizes segments of a game to be downloaded, such that segments of a game needed immediately to play at a current level are downloaded, and then portions which correspond to levels accessible from the current level are downloaded. Downloading of the portions corresponding to directly related levels, and then portions corresponding to other levels, may occur while the game is being played at a current level.

Abstract: A digital content security system and method encrypts a key required for playback of digital content, fragments the encrypted key and embeds the fragments in portions of a payload; encrypts determined portions of frames of the digital content, and uses the decrypted key to decrypt the encrypted portions for playback in real-time; and requires an active authenticated session to access the encrypted key, decrypt it, access the encrypted portions and decrypt them.

Abstract: A system and method for compressing and transferring analog data in a packet-based computer network in which the times for packets to travel to the destination may vary. The analog signal is sampled at the source to produce a digital data stream. The digitized samples for repetitious sections of the signal are compressed into bytes. Repetitious sections are sections of the signal that are rising, falling, or level. Bytes of compressed data consist of a sign bit for direction of the signal, the amount of change from one signal segment to the next, and the number of samples in a segment. Sampling for the packets overlaps so that each packets contains a certain amount of redundant data. Also, predictive data is appended to each packet. Thus, if a packet is late or lost, the redundant and predictive data in adjacent packets enable the receiver to play back smooth, uninterrupted audio.

Abstract: A system and method for fault tolerant multimedia communication provides a first connectionless channel for communicating packets from a server to a client. Packets are either header packets or media packets. Header packets include only a header payload providing information pertaining to succeeding media packets. One or more media packets corresponding to a single frame of video succeeds each header packet. The client detects missing packets and determines whether or not the missing packet is a header packet. If a header packet is missing, the corresponding succeeding media packets are not processed. Instead, the system waits until the next header packet is received to resume processing of media packets succeeding that next received header packet. If a media packet is missing, the client may continue processing media packets received, although the resulting video may be somewhat distorted, especially if the received media packets depend upon the missing media packet for proper processing.

Abstract: A system and methodology detects blocks conducive to error in decoded digital video data. Pixel values for target blocks are compared with determined pixel values for blocks conducive to error. By process of elimination the methodology efficiently determines whether the block is (or is substantially similar to) a block that is conducive to error. Target blocks that are (or are substantially similar to) blocks that are conducive to error are identified for error correction.

Abstract: A system and methodology assesses whether an error correction should be applied to detected blocks based on determined correction application criteria, and, if warranted according to the assessment, applies block-specific error corrections to detected blocks. Global error corrections, such as edge corrections, are also enabled.

Abstract: A system and method for real-time transcoding of video data for transmission into a desired encoded format and bit-rate includes decoding, intra-transcoding, encoding and post-encoding processing. Decoding accommodates various input video data formats. Intra-transcoding processing includes deinterlacing, cropping, error correction and synchronization. Encoding accounts for post-codec processing of video data to remove compression errors before display. Post-encoding operations include encryption, packet identification and archiving.

Abstract: A system and methodology for eliminating noise distortions and mosaic effects from decoded multimedia data. Such system and methodology preferably uses an encoding/decoding application such as that developed by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG). The present invention ideally processes selected sections of sub-macroblocks of pixels based on a constant established threshold derived from human perception of gradients in color hues. By applying unique algorithms for sub-macroblock edge correction, noise correction, and temporal correction, the present invention enables a method for eliminating decompressed video image distortions.