Abstract: Methods and apparatus to generate vehicle warnings are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a sensor to detect a vehicle, where the sensor is associated with an observer of the vehicle, an object tracker to determine a motion of the vehicle, an accident estimator to calculate a likelihood of a collision of the vehicle based on the determined motion, and a transceiver to transmit a message to the vehicle upon the likelihood of the collision exceeding a threshold, where the message includes information pertaining to the collision.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to generate vehicle warnings are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a sensor to detect a vehicle, where the sensor is associated with an observer of the vehicle, an object tracker to determine a motion of the vehicle, an accident estimator to calculate a likelihood of a collision of the vehicle based on the determined motion, and a transceiver to transmit a message to the vehicle upon the likelihood of the collision exceeding a threshold, where the message includes information pertaining to the collision.

Abstract: A method for embedding a non-audio file into a compressed audio file is disclosed. The disclosed method is capable of decoding and constructing previously encoded audio files with embedded non-audio information. The method of the present invention also includes steps for embedding the non-audio information at the proper time within the compressed audio file, wherein the decoded non-audio information can link to an Internet document for viewing during playback of the decoded audio source.

Abstract: A method for an improved QSS (bit allocator) algorithm is disclosed. The disclosed method is capable of greatly improving determination time; thereby, improving the efficiency of converting a signal from an audio format to an MP3 format. The starting point of the QSS determination for a present frame (N) is the QSS of a previous frame (N?1). This starting point provides for improved efficiency for determining actual QSS of frame N as QSS[N?1] will be closer to QSS[N] than an arbitrary starting point. Thus, fewer iterations are required to determine QSS[N] as compared to conventional encoders. The algorithm of the present is more efficient than conventional methods in that it makes use of the fact that audio signal statistics usually do not change abruptly during the period of one audio frame to another.

Abstract: A method for encoding of media files to embed a data segment and time restriction information into the media file in order to restrict the time period when decoding and processing of the embedded data segment can be performed is described. The media file is capable of being decoded for playback as a media stream. It also includes a method for decoding the data segment as the encoded media file is reproduced as a media stream only during a specified time period as compared to the current time of day and/or date when the media stream is being played back. The restrictions preferably include a time tag specifying the start of a time period for reproducing the data segment or a time tag specifying the end of the time period, or both, in which case the time tags specify the start and end of the time period. The reproducing of the data segment includes subsequent processing for enabling the data to be displayed to a user.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method for adjusting the brightness and color of MPEG encoded video images. A digital versatile disk player capable of decoding a previously encoded MPEG video signal and adjusting the brightness and color of the entire previously encoded MPEG video signal based on a subset of information contained in the encoded input signal. The brightness and color adjustments are performed while the encoded MPEG video signal is in the frequency (dct) domain before motion compensation is performed. The digital versatile disk player also determines whether the particular block to be decoded is of a predetermined type and decodes such block accordingly.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for encoding of media files to embed a data segment and time restriction information into the media file in order to restrict the time period when decoding and processing of the embedded data segment can be performed. The media file is capable of being decoded for playback as a media stream. The inventive method also includes a method for decoding the data segment as the encoded media file is reproduced as a media stream only during a specified time period as compared to the current time of day and/or date when the media stream is being played back. The restrictions preferably include a time tag specifying the start of a time period for reproducing the data segment or a time tag specifying the end of the time period, or both, in which case the time tags specify the start and end of the time period. In one embodiment, the reproducing of the data segment includes subsequent processing for enabling the data to be displayed to a user.

Abstract: A method for embedding a non-audio file into a compressed audio file is disclosed. The disclosed method is capable of decoding and constructing previously encoded audio files with embedded non-audio information. The method of the present invention also includes steps for embedding the non-audio information at the proper time within the compressed audio file, wherein the decoded non-audio information can link to an Internet document for viewing during playback of the decoded audio source.

Abstract: A method for an improved QSS (bit allocator) algorithm is disclosed. The disclosed method is capable of greatly improving determination time; thereby, improving the efficiency of converting a signal from an audio format to an MP3 format. The starting point of the QSS determination for a present frame (N) is the QSS of a previous frame (N−1). This starting point provides for improved efficiency for determining actual QSS of frame N as QSS[N−1] will be closer to QSS[N] than an arbitrary starting point. Thus, fewer iterations are required to determine QSS[N] as compared to conventional encoders. The algorithm of the present is more efficient than conventional methods in that it makes use of the fact that audio signal statistics usually do not change abruptly during the period of one audio frame to another.