Abstract: This disclosure provides a compression system for edited images which have previously been compressed. The preferred system uses software to track and determine the nature of edits made to each image frame. Each image frame is divided into spatial regions, and codes defining the nature of changes are then stored in a set of tables called the “registry of edits.” When it is time to compress images for output, re-compression software interrogates the registry to determine whether spatial regions in the frame has been altered in a manner that undermines the integrity of the original compression data. For example, if a compressed image signal is modified in the spatial domain to add the logo of a local television station, most of each image frame will remain unchanged and the original motion vectors and residuals (or other compressed representation) from an input signal may be re-used, thereby saving substantial processing time and minimizing introduction of additional quantization errors.

Abstract: A method and system thereof for distributing media data are described. A media segment, selected from a plurality of media segments stored on another node, is received. The media segment includes a portion of an item of media content. The item of media content is segmented according to segmentation characteristics. The media segment is stored in lieu of storing the item of media content in its entirety. The media segment can be forwarded to other nodes.

Abstract: A portable wireless system is described. The portable wireless system has a controller that is operable to selectively configure the portable wireless system as a personal electronic appliance or a third party wireless repeater that is configured to relay wireless signals between a third party electronic appliance and a wireless network. Accordingly, the portable wireless system (e.g., a cellular telephone, a pager or a personal digital assistant) may act as a wireless repeater for third party wireless communications when the portable wireless system otherwise is not in use. In this way, the portable wireless system increases the utilization of existing wireless network infrastructures (e.g., a cellular telephone network) by making one or more unused wireless channels available to other devices. A novel incentives-based business model that encourages owners of portable electronic appliances to fully utilize existing wireless network capacity also is described.

Abstract: A method and system for transmitting information between a transmitter and a receiver that has capabilities through a communication link that has transmission characteristics. The information to be transmitted is received. The capabilities of the client are then determined. The transmission characteristics of the communication link are also determined. The received information is then converted into a format that is based on the capabilities of the client, the transmission characteristics of the communication link, or both the capabilities of the client and the transmission characteristics of the communication link. The information is then transmitted to the client in the format.

Abstract: In a MPEG or other video coding system, regions of each frame may be independently coded for later, independent extraction or processing directly from a compressed bit stream. An encoder/transcoder receives raw video, standard compressed video or compressed video already having independently coded regions (“ICRs”) that are to be edited in some manner. The encoder/transcoder permits user creation of regions, and provides automatic tracking features to identify and select those objects or regions through multiple frames (notwithstanding object movement). The encoder/transcoder re-uses as much compressed input data as is available in generating an output, and so, may be used for real-time encoding and editing processes. To this effect, the encoder/transcoder re-uses original bit stream data as well as original or new motion vector data in compiling an output, or any mix of them as appropriate.

Abstract: A method and system for storing data streamed over a network. Scalably encoded and progressively encrypted data are received by a second device from a first device. The scalably encoded and progressively encrypted data are stored by the second device. The scalably encoded and progressively encrypted data can be subsequently streamed to a device in the network for additional processing.

Abstract: A device and method thereof for encoding and encrypting data. The device includes a segmenter adapted to receive the data and segment at least a portion of the data into regions, a scalable encoder adapted to scalably encode at least one of the regions into scalably encoded data, and a progressive encrypter adapted to progressively encrypt at least a portion of the scalably encoded data into progressively encrypted scalably encoded data. In one embodiment, progressively encrypted scalably encoded data are provided to a packetizer in real time. In another embodiment, the device includes a storage unit adapted to store progressively encrypted scalably encoded data. In this latter embodiment, data can then be extracted from storage and provided to a packetizer.

Abstract: A device and method thereof for packetizing scalably encoded and progressively encrypted data. The device includes a receiver adapted to receive a stream of data from an encoding and encrypting device, in which some or all of the data are scalably encoded and progressively encrypted. The device also includes a packetizer adapted to packetize some or all of the data into secure and scalable data packets. In one embodiment, the device includes a memory unit for storing the data received from the encoding and encrypting device prior to packetization of the data. In another embodiment, the device includes a memory unit for storing the secure and scalable data packets. In yet another embodiment, the device includes a transmitter for transmitting some or all of the data packets to a downstream device.

Abstract: A method and system for streaming media data to a mobile client device. Using information such as the previous locations of the mobile client device, a prediction is made of a future location of the client device. A server servicing the predicted location, such as the server closest to the predicted location, is identified. This server is informed of the impending arrival of the mobile device into the area serviced by the server. The server can thus obtain ahead of time the media stream needed for the client, so that the data are available to the client without disruption when the client moves to the predicted location. To account for uncertainty in the prediction, the data can also be directed to other servers that can service the predicted location.

Abstract: A computer readable medium having a data packet stored therein for causing a functional change in the operation of a device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the data packet is comprised of a scalably encoded data portion. In the present embodiment, the data packet further includes a header data portion corresponding to the scalably encoded data portion. The header data portion includes information adapted to be used by a transcoder to transcode the scalably encoded data portion.

Abstract: A system and method thereof for processing data. The system can include a second device adapted to store scalably encoded data received from a first device. The first device is adapted to receive the data and scalably encode at least a portion of the received data into scalably encoded data.

Abstract: A method and system for scalably encoding data are disclosed. A method and system for decoding data which has been scalably encoding are also disclosed. In one encoding method embodiment, the present invention recites receiving data. The present method then segments the data into corresponding regions. The regions are then scalably encoded into scalable data. Next, the present embodiment, packetizes the scalable data.

Abstract: A device and method thereof for packetizing scalably encoded data. The device can include a receiver adapted to receive a stream of data from an encoding device, wherein at least a first portion of the data is scalably encoded. The device can also include a packetizer coupled to the receiver, the packetizer adapted to packetize at least a second portion of the data into scalable data packets.

Abstract: A method and system for transcoding a stream of data packets are disclosed. The data packets are received from a source node. The stream of data packets is operated on by a function that configures the stream according to downstream attributes, such as the attributes of a receiving node or of the communication channel. The steam of data packets configured for the downstream attributes is sent to the receiving node.

Abstract: A device and method thereof for encoding data. The device can include a segmenter adapted to receive the data and segment at least a portion of the data into regions. The device can also include a scalable encoder coupled to the segmenter, the scalable encoder adapted to scalably encode at least one of the regions into scalably encoded data.

Abstract: In a MPEG or other video system, regions of each frame may be independently coded for later, independent extraction directly from a compressed bit stream. An encoder/transcoder receives raw video, standard compressed video or compressed video already having independently coded regions (“ICRs”) that are to be edited in some manner. A resultant signal may be used downstream for logo insertion or other video editing or processing without having to completely decode the entirety of each frame of a video sequence; rather, only those portions upon which editing or processing is to be performed are decoded. Once modified, substitute data may be inserted back into the compressed bit stream to take the place of decoded, edited data.

Abstract: A method for performing a soft-handoff in a mobile streaming media system, and a method for performing a hard-handoff in a mobile streaming media system are is disclosed. In the soft-handoff embodiment, the present invention detects that a channel quality between a mobile client and a first base station remains above a drop threshold and that a channel quality between the mobile client and a second base station increases from below to above an add threshold. The present embodiment then sends a first multiple description bitstream from the first base station to the mobile client and sends a complementary second multiple description bitstream from the second base station to the mobile client. This method thereby provides improved utilization of wireless bandwidth during soft-handoffs, in contrast to conventional systems where the same bitstream is transmitted from each base station.

Abstract: A method for handing off to a second server, in either a fixed or mobile streaming media system, a multiple description streaming session between a first server and either a fixed or mobile client. In one embodiment, the present invention recites selecting a second server to receive a handoff of a multiple description streaming media session between the first server and the client. In this embodiment, the multiple description streaming media session is comprised of a first multiple description bitstream and a second multiple description bitstream. The present embodiment further recites receiving at the second server, the second multiple description bitstream for streaming to the client. This embodiment further recites sending the second multiple description bitstream from the second server to the client.

Abstract: A method and system for streaming media data to a fixed client and/or a mobile client. In one method embodiment, the present invention recites encoding media data to be streamed to a client into a first multiple description bitstream and into a second multiple description bitstream. The present method then determines the appropriate plurality of servers from a network of servers onto which the first and second multiple description bitstreams should be distributed. The present embodiment then recites distributing the first and second multiple description bitstreams to the appropriate plurality of servers positioned at intermediate nodes throughout a network such that a client is provided with access to the media data via a plurality of transmission paths. The present method is also well suited to redistribution of multiple description bitstreams to servers based upon time-varying demand, client movement, and the like.

Abstract: A method and system for streaming media data to a fixed client and/or a mobile client. In one method embodiment, the present invention recites encoding media data to be streamed to a client into a first multiple description bitstream and into a second multiple description bitstream. The present embodiment then recites distributing the first and second multiple description bitstreams to a plurality of servers placed at intermediate nodes throughout a network such that a client is provided with access to the media data via a plurality of transmission paths.