Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for improving asynchronous programming execution at runtime. Asynchronous programming code can comprise more than one level of hierarchy, such as in an execution plan. Respective aggregation operations in a portion of the asynchronous programming code are unrolled, to create a single level iterative execution, by combining elements of the multi-level iterative execution of the asynchronous programming code. In this way, the aggregation operations are concatenated to local logic code for the aggregation operations. Thread context switching in the unrolled portion of asynchronous programming code is performed merely at an asynchronous operation, thereby mitigating unnecessary switches. Exceptions thrown during programming code can be propagated up to a top of a virtual callstack for the execution.

Abstract: A video codec provides for encoding and decoding pictures of a video sequence at various coded resolutions, such that pictures can be encoded at lower coded resolutions based on bit rate or other constraints while maintaining a consistent display resolution. The video codec further provide for encoding and decoding pictures of the video sequence at ranges lower than that used for display, and then expanding the range after decoding for display. The video codec applies post-processing operations, such as de-blocking, de-ringing, and color conversion, at the native resolution and range of the decoded video, prior to range expansion and upsampling for display.

Abstract: At high bit rates, the reconstruction error of compressed video is generally proportional to the squared value of quantization step size, such that full quantization step size increments at high bit rates can lead to significant change in the reconstruction error and/or bit rate of the compressed video. A video codec uses fractional increments of quantization step size at high bit rates to permit a more continuous variation of quality and/or bit rate as the quantization scale changes. For high bit rate scenarios, the bit stream syntax includes an additional syntax element to specify fractional step increments (e.g., half step) of the normal quantizer scale step sizes.

Abstract: Alpha images are efficiently encoded for inclusion in video bitstreams. During encoding, alpha image data is quantized as a first step before differential encoding. The quantized alpha image data is then differential encoded and represented in a modulo domain before entropy encoding to take advantage of certain distribution features of typical alpha image data. During decoding, a decoder performs differential decoding of encoded alpha image data before dequantization. During differential decoding, the data is converted from a modulo domain to a continuous domain. Dequantization is performed using a technique which results in reconstructed alpha image values which include 0 and maximal values within the acceptable alpha image data range so that the process preserves these values for reconstructed alpha images.

Abstract: Architecture for providing feedback to a viewer and/or contributor on fashion and other personal appearance decisions that the contributor desires. The contributor uploads self images for viewing and rating (or voting) by viewers who choose provide an opinion on different fashion and/or cosmetic looks of the contributor. The contributor takes images show the contributor presented with a number (e.g., two) of different fashion choices. The snapshots can then be processed for upload to a website or other accessible location by one or more viewers. The viewers can cast a vote for one of the images by selecting the desired image, in response to which the viewer and/or contributor will be presented with overall statistics for that set of images as to how other viewers voted, as well as a next set of photos depicting the user in a different fashion and/or cosmetic choice. This process can continue until terminated.

Abstract: A block transform-based digital media codec has a signaling scheme and bitstream syntax to flexibly signal that truncation of less significant information bits of transform coefficients coded as an optional layer of the bitstream has been performed adaptively per region or tile of the image.

Abstract: A digital media encoder/decoder performs quantization/dequantization based on quantization parameters taken from a harmonic quantizer scale. The harmonic quantizer scale can include a normal portion consisting of quantization parameter values harmonically-related as simple fractions of each other, and a denormal portion of quantizers having a linear or other relation. The encoder/decoder further supports a scaled quantizer mode where quantization is performed based on the quantization parameter as scaled by a fractional value. A compressed domain contrast adjustment is effected by adjusting the quantization parameters in the compressed bitstream, without having to adjust and recode the digital media data in the compressed bitstream.

Abstract: A method and system for converting source tables of a database of the application to target tables of a new version of the database while reducing the amount of time that the database needs to be open in single-user access mode is provided. A conversion system divides the conversion into a multi-user phase and a single-user phase. During the multi-user phase, the conversion system can perform most of the conversions while the database is opened in multi-user access mode. The conversion system stores the converted data in auxiliary tables, rather than updating the source tables. During the single-user phase, the conversion system performs the remaining conversions and copies data from the source tables and the converted data from the auxiliary tables to the target tables.

Abstract: Described is a pipeline for handling notification messages sent to a mobile messaging message (e.g., SMS or SMTP) recipient, and handling a reply to that notification message, including correlating the notification message with the reply. An engine receives a notification message, and for a notification message to which a reply is possible, maintains state data for use in correlating a received reply with the notification message. The state data includes metadata that indicates that text or code data is expected in any reply. For a reply providing code data, the engine calls a selected URL corresponding to the code. To facilitate message delivery, the engine may format the notification message, including shortening a URL of the message, and/or splitting a longer notification message into shorter notification messages.

Abstract: Filter taps for filters are specified by filter coefficient parameters. The filter taps are greater in number than the coefficient parameters from which the filter taps are calculated. For example, two coefficient parameters are used to specify a four-tap filter. Filter information can be signaled in a bitstream, such as by signaling one or more family parameters for a filter family and, for each filter in a family, signaling one or more filter tap parameters from which filter taps can be derived. Family parameters can include a number of filters parameter, a resolution parameter, a scaling bits parameter, and/or a full integer position filter present parameter that indicates whether or not the filters include an integer position filter. Filter parameters can be signaled and used to determine coefficient parameters from which filter taps are calculated.

Abstract: A check for determining the appropriateness of physical design data is provided, where the check includes both a physical component and a logical component. Based upon the logical component of the check, portions of the physical design data that correspond to the logical component are identified and selected. After the portions of the physical design data corresponding to the logical component have been selected, this physical design data can be provided to a physical design analysis tool, along with the physical component of the design check. The physical design analysis tool can then use the physical component of the design check to perform an analysis of the selected physical design data.

Abstract: Location based profiles are used to modify the configuration of a computing device based on a detected location. The location based profiles allow features such as cameras to be enabled and disabled. Physical and logical data storage partitions can also be mounted and unmounted, and the home screen displayed by a device can be modified. Location bookmarks can be used to further customize the appearance and function of a computing device.

Abstract: Architecture that employs a “trainer” camera which uses various pieces of information about the scene being photographed in order to provide the user with options for improving the quality of the photo. The user is guided to emulate professionally or highly rated photographs of the same scene and in the process is trained by the camera to take better pictures. As cameras come equipped with sensory functions such as geolocation capabilities, compass, altimeter, and wireless connectivity such as cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, the architecture assists the consumer to take higher quality photos by leveraging these new capabilities as well as the vast amount of photo data and information stored on the Internet and other locations.

Abstract: Techniques and tools are described for flexible range reduction of samples of video. For example, an encoder signals a first set of one or more syntax elements for range reduction of luma samples and signals a second set of one or more syntax elements for range reduction of chroma samples. The encoder selectively scales down the luma samples and chroma samples in a manner consistent with the first syntax element(s) and second syntax element(s), respectively. Or, an encoder signals range reduction syntax element(s) in an entry point header for an entry point segment, where the syntax element(s) apply to pictures in the entry point segment. If range reduction is used for the pictures, the encoder scales down samples of the pictures. Otherwise, the encoder skips the scaling down. A decoder performs corresponding parsing and scaling up operations.

Abstract: Rules for the signaling and interpretation of chroma position are described. One rule, called the short rule, defines fifteen discrete chroma centering positions and corresponding four-bit syntax element. Another rule, called the extended rule, defines 81 discrete chroma centering positions and corresponding seven-bit syntax elements. A described method includes receiving digital media data at a digital media encoder, determining chroma position information for the received digital media data, and representing the chroma position information with one or more syntax elements in an encoded bitstream. The one or more syntax elements are operable to communicate the chroma position information to a digital media decoder. The chroma position information facilitates an image rotation or flip.

Abstract: An apparatus for optimizing a virtual private network operates by defragmenting and deduplicating transfer of variable sized blocks. A large data object is converted to a plurality of data paragraphs by a fingerprinting method. Each data paragraph is cached and hashed. The hashes are transmitted between a primary and a satellite apparatus. Only data paragraphs which are not cached at both the primary and satellite are transferred. The data object is integrated from data paragraphs stored in cache and transmitted to its destination IP address.

Abstract: A transmission apparatus for optimizing a virtual private network operates by defragmenting and deduplicating transfer of variable sized blocks. A large data object is converted to a plurality of data paragraphs by a fingerprinting method. Each data paragraph is cached and hashed. The hashes are transmitted to at least one satellite apparatus. Only data paragraphs which are not previously cached at each satellite are transferred.

Abstract: A reception apparatus for optimizing a virtual private network operates by defragmenting and deduplicating transfer of variable sized blocks. A large data object is converted to a plurality of data paragraphs by a fingerprinting method. Each data paragraph is cached and hashed. The hashes are transmitted from a primary apparatus. Only data paragraphs which are not previously cached at satellite are received. The data object is integrated from stored and newly transmitted data paragraphs and transmitted to its destination IP address.

Abstract: A block transform-based digital media codec achieves faster performance by re-mapping components of the digital media data into vectors or parallel units on which many operations of the transforms can be performed on a parallel or single-instruction, multiple data (SIMD) basis. In the case of a one-dimensional lapped biorthogonal transform, the digital media data components are re-mapped into vectors on which butterfly stages of both overlap pre-/post-filter and block transform portions of the lapped transform can be performed on a SIMD basis. In the case of a two-dimensional lapped biorthogonal transform, the digital media data components are re-mapped into vectors on which a Hadamard operator of both overlap pre-/post-filter and block transform can be performed on a SIMD basis.

Abstract: Techniques and tools are described for flexible range reduction of samples of video. For example, an encoder signals a first set of one or more syntax elements for range reduction of luma samples and signals a second set of one or more syntax elements for range reduction of chroma samples. The encoder selectively scales down the luma samples and chroma samples in a manner consistent with the first syntax element(s) and second syntax element(s), respectively. Or, an encoder signals range reduction syntax element(s) in an entry point header for an entry point segment, where the syntax element(s) apply to pictures in the entry point segment. If range reduction is used for the pictures, the encoder scales down samples of the pictures. Otherwise, the encoder skips the scaling down. A decoder performs corresponding parsing and scaling up operations.