Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for the rendering of contents communicated between devices. A source device processes a video sequence and transmits it to a target device together with metadata including rendering directives. At the target device, the received video sequence is rendered according to the rendering directives. Rendering is affected by events detected by the target device at the time of rendering or by the target device's information. Transparency masks, generated by the source device, are transmitted in an alpha channel to the target device, and are used for blending the video sequence with a secondary content.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for the rendering of contents communicated between devices. A source device processes a video sequence and transmits it to a target device together with metadata including rendering directives. At the target device, the received video sequence is rendered according to the rendering directives. Rendering is affected by events detected by the target device at the time of rendering or by the target device's information. Transparency masks, generated by the source device, are transmitted in an alpha channel to the target device, and are used for blending the video sequence with a secondary content.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting and analyzing spikes in network jitter and the estimation of a jitter buffer target size is disclosed. Detected spikes may be classified as jump spikes or slope spikes, and a clipped size of detected spikes may be used in the estimation of the jitter buffer target. Network characteristics and conditions may also be used in the estimation of the jitter buffer target size. Samples may be modified during playback adaptation to improve audio quality and maintain low delay of a receive chain.

Abstract: A method for adaptive audio codec selection during a communication session is disclosed. The method can include negotiating a set of audio codecs for use during the communication session. The method can further include defining multiple audio tiers. Each audio tier can be associated with a network condition and can define an audio codec from the set of audio codecs for use in the associated network condition. The method can also include using a first audio codec during the wireless communication session. The method can additionally include determining a changed network condition selecting a second audio codec by determining the audio tier corresponding to the changed network condition. The method can further include, in response to the changed network condition, switching from the first audio codec to a second audio codec that is defined by an audio tier having an associated network condition corresponding to the changed network condition.

Abstract: A method for detecting and recovering from a transmission channel change during a streaming media session is disclosed. The method can include a wireless communication device detecting a stall condition resulting from a transmission channel change. The method can further include the wireless communication device capturing a snapshot of a current transmission parameter state of the streaming media session in response to detecting the stall condition. The method can also include the wireless communication device using the snapshot to restore the streaming media session to the transmission parameter state captured by the snapshot following completion of the transmission channel change.

Abstract: A wireless device described herein can use information on data flow, in addition to indications from the physical network, to decide on suitable bandwidth usage for audio and video information. This data flow information is further used to determine an efficient network route to use for high-quality reception and transmission of audio and video data, as well as the appropriate time to switch between available network routes to improve bandwidth performance.

Abstract: A method for refreshing blocked media packets for a streaming media session over a wireless network in a stall condition is disclosed. The method can include a wireless communication device maintaining a buffer at an application layer. The buffer can contain at least a portion of media packets provided to a baseband layer by the application layer for transmission. Media packets provided to the baseband layer can be queued in a baseband queue prior to transmission. The method can further include the wireless communication device generating at least one new media packet for the streaming media session during the stall condition; flushing at least a portion of the media packets queued in the baseband queue; and replenishing the baseband queue by providing the baseband layer with at least a portion of the media packets contained in the buffer and at least one new media packet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for packet classification and prioritization using a user datagram protocol (UDP) header in a mobile wireless device. The mobile wireless device includes an application processor and a transceiver. The application processor sets a value of a field embedded in a higher layer packet and transfers the higher layer packet to the transceiver. The transceiver receives the higher layer packet from the application processor and reads the set value of the embedded field. The transceiver clears the value in the embedded field and creates at least one lower layer protocol data unit from the higher layer packet. The transceiver maps the lower layer protocol data unit to a wireless access channel having a transmission property based on the read value of the embedded field. In representative embodiments, the embedded field is an optional checksum in a UDP header.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for radio link control during network congestion in a mobile wireless communication device connected to a radio network subsystem in a wireless cellular network. The mobile wireless communication device detects a pending uplink control message. The mobile wireless communication device determines that an uplink channel on which the pending uplink control message is to be sent has insufficient bandwidth for uplink transmission. After waiting a congestion delay time interval, the mobile wireless communication device sends the pending uplink control message on an uplink signaling channel instead of on the uplink channel. In some embodiments, the uplink channel is associated with a radio access bearer and the uplink signaling channel is associated with a signaling radio bearer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adapting transmission to improve quality of service in a mobile wireless device that includes an application processor and a transceiver. An application service connection is established between the mobile wireless device and a remote device. The transceiver in the mobile wireless device monitors real time properties of a radio frequency access link that transports packets for the application service between the mobile wireless device and a wireless communication network. The transceiver provides local feedback to the application processor of updated values of the monitored real time properties. The application processor adjusts packet data generation and transmission in response to the updated values to manage quality of service for the application service connection.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting and analyzing spikes in network jitter and the estimation of a jitter buffer target size is disclosed. Detected spikes may be classified as jump spikes or slope spikes, and a clipped size of detected spikes may be used in the estimation of the jitter buffer target. Network characteristics and conditions may also be used in the estimation of the jitter buffer target size. Samples may be modified during playback adaptation to improve audio quality and maintain low delay of a receive chain.

Abstract: A method for detecting and recovering from a transmission channel change during a streaming media session is disclosed. The method can include a wireless communication device detecting a stall condition resulting from a transmission channel change. The method can further include the wireless communication device capturing a snapshot of a current transmission parameter state of the streaming media session in response to detecting the stall condition. The method can also include the wireless communication device using the snapshot to restore the streaming media session to the transmission parameter state captured by the snapshot following completion of the transmission channel change.

Abstract: A method for refreshing blocked media packets for a streaming media session over a wireless network in a stall condition is disclosed. The method can include a wireless communication device maintaining a buffer at an application layer. The buffer can contain at least a portion of media packets provided to a baseband layer by the application layer for transmission. Media packets provided to the baseband layer can be queued in a baseband queue prior to transmission. The method can further include the wireless communication device generating at least one new media packet for the streaming media session during the stall condition; flushing at least a portion of the media packets queued in the baseband queue; and replenishing the baseband queue by providing the baseband layer with at least a portion of the media packets contained in the buffer and at least one new media packet.

Abstract: A method for adaptive audio codec selection during a communication session is disclosed. The method can include negotiating a set of audio codecs for use during the communication session. The method can further include defining multiple audio tiers. Each audio tier can be associated with a network condition and can define an audio codec from the set of audio codecs for use in the associated network condition. The method can also include using a first audio codec during the wireless communication session. The method can additionally include determining a changed network condition selecting a second audio codec by determining the audio tier corresponding to the changed network condition. The method can further include, in response to the changed network condition, switching from the first audio codec to a second audio codec that is defined by an audio tier having an associated network condition corresponding to the changed network condition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adapting transmission to improve quality of service in a mobile wireless device that includes an application processor and a transceiver. An application service connection is established between the mobile wireless device and a remote device. The transceiver in the mobile wireless device monitors real time properties of a radio frequency access link that transports packets for the application service between the mobile wireless device and a wireless communication network. The transceiver provides local feedback to the application processor of updated values of the monitored real time properties. The application processor adjusts packet data generation and transmission in response to the updated values to manage quality of service for the application service connection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for packet classification and prioritization using a user datagram protocol (UDP) header in a mobile wireless device. The mobile wireless device includes an application processor and a transceiver. The application processor sets a value of a field embedded in a higher layer packet and transfers the higher layer packet to the transceiver. The transceiver receives the higher layer packet from the application processor and reads the set value of the embedded field. The transceiver clears the value in the embedded field and creates at least one lower layer protocol data unit from the higher layer packet. The transceiver maps the lower layer protocol data unit to a wireless access channel having a transmission property based on the read value of the embedded field. In representative embodiments, the embedded field is an optional checksum in a UDP header.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for packet classification and prioritization using an internet protocol (IP) header in a mobile wireless device. The mobile wireless device includes an application processor and a transceiver. The transceiver in the mobile wireless device receives a higher layer packet from the application processor and reads a value of a field embedded in the higher layer packet. The transceiver creates at least one lower layer protocol data unit from the higher layer packet and maps the at least one lower layer protocol data unit to a wireless access channel having a quality of service property. The mapping of the lower layer protocol data unit is based on the value of the field read by the transceiver. In representative embodiments, the higher layer packet is an internet protocol datagram, and the field is a differentiated services code point field.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for radio link control during network congestion in a mobile wireless communication device connected to a radio network subsystem in a wireless cellular network. The mobile wireless communication device detects a pending uplink control message. The mobile wireless communication device determines that an uplink channel on which the pending uplink control message is to be sent has insufficient bandwidth for uplink transmission. After waiting a congestion delay time interval, the mobile wireless communication device sends the pending uplink control message on an uplink signaling channel instead of on the uplink channel. In some embodiments, the uplink channel is associated with a radio access bearer and the uplink signaling channel is associated with a signaling radio bearer.

Abstract: A method for radio link control in a mobile wireless communication device The mobile wireless device transmits a sequence of service requests to establish radio resources with a wireless communication network for a data packet in a pending data buffer. When no radio resources are allocated in response to the transmitted sequence of service requests, the mobile wireless device sets a minimum threshold for the pending data buffer, discards all pending data packets above the minimum threshold and discards the oldest pending data packet. The mobile wireless device repeats transmitting and discarding until a radio resource is allocated or the pending data packet buffer is empty. A retry interval between successive service requests is increased after transmitting each sequence of service requests until reaching a maximum retry interval value.