Abstract: The invention comprises devices and methods for processing multimedia data. Such methods can include obtaining at least one metric indicative of a difference for a selected frame and adjacent frames in a plurality of video frames, the metric comprising bi-directional motion information and luminance difference information, determining a shot event in the selected frame based on the at least one metric, and adaptively encoding the selected frame based on the shot event. An apparatus for processing a multimedia data can include a motion compensator configured to obtain metrics indicative of a difference between adjacent frames of a plurality of video frames, said metrics comprising bi-directional motion information and luminance information, a shot classifier configured to determine a shot event in the plurality of video frames based on said metrics, and an encoder configured to adaptively encode the plurality of frames based on the shot event.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of using content information for encoding multimedia data are described. A method of processing multimedia data includes receiving multimedia data, and encoding the multimedia data into a first data group and a second data group based on content of the multimedia data, the first data group being configured to be independently decodable from the second data group, and wherein the first and second data groups are encoded at different quality levels. The method can also include classifying the content of the multimedia data and encoding the multimedia data based on the content classification.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of using content information for encoding multimedia data are described. A method of processing multimedia data includes A method of processing multimedia data, including obtaining content information of multimedia data, and encoding the multimedia data to form an encoded bitstream, said encoding comprising inserting at least one redundant block of intra-coded data into the encoded bitstream based on the content information. In some aspects, the encoding comprises encoding the multimedia data into a base layer and an enhancement layer, and wherein the intra-coded data is encoded using the quantization parameter for the base layer. In other aspects, the intra-coded data is encoded using the quantization parameter for the enhancement layer.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of using content information for encoding multimedia data are described. A method of processing multimedia data includes classifying content of multimedia data, and encoding the multimedia data in a first data group and in a second data group based on the content classification, wherein the first data group comprises a coefficient and the second data group comprises a first differential refinement associated with the first data group coefficient. An apparatus for using content information for encoding multimedia data includes a content classifying module configured to classify content of multimedia data and provide content classification data, and an encoder configured to encode the multimedia data in a first data group and in a second data group based on the content classification, wherein the first data group comprises a coefficient and the second data group comprises a first differential refinement associated with the first data group coefficient.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to techniques for encoding and decoding transitional effects, i.e., visual video effects that are used to transition from a current scene of a multimedia sequence. According to the disclosed techniques, an encoding device detects a transitional effect associated with a multimedia sequence during the encoding of the multimedia sequence, and transmits information as part of an encoded multimedia sequence to identify the transitional effect associated with the encoded multimedia sequence to a decoder. The information may comprise metadata that can be used by the decoder to simulate or re-create the transitional effect. The decoder simulates a transitional effect in response to the information.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of using content information for encoding multimedia data are described. A method of processing multimedia data includes obtaining content information of multimedia data, and encoding the multimedia data so as to align a data boundary with a frame boundary in a time domain, wherein said encoding is based on the content information. In another aspect, a method of processing multimedia data includes obtaining a content classification of the multimedia data, and encoding blocks in the multimedia data as intra-coded blocks or inter-coded blocks based on the content classification to increase the error resilience of the encoded multimedia data. Apparatus that can process multimedia data described in these methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for improving mode selection decisions during the encoding of macroblocks (or other blocks) of multimedia frames of a multimedia sequence. During motion estimation, the encoding modes for macroblocks can be determined so that a desirable encoding rate and acceptable levels of distortion (i.e., acceptable rate-distortion) can be achieved. The techniques may include selecting a set of multimedia coding modes between at least two sets of possible multimedia coding modes for a macroblock of a multimedia frame based on a detail metric associated with the macroblock and mode information associated with neighboring blocks to the macroblock.

Abstract: A method of processing a sequence of frames of multimedia data is presented. The method provides for progressively refreshing the image data. The method includes dynamically selecting portions of frames of the sequence with progressively increasing area to refresh, and excluding non-refreshed areas as potential reference data for other frames.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to process multimedia data enabling faster channel acquisitions, improved error recovery and improved efficiency. An encoder device encodes a first portion of multimedia data using inter-coding to generate a first version, and encodes the first portion of multimedia data using intra-coding to generate a second version. A decoder device receives a first version of a first portion of multimedia data, wherein the first version is inter-coded, receives a second version of the first portion of multimedia data, wherein the second version is intra-coded, and selectively decodes the first and second received versions.

Abstract: Embodiments include systems and methods of improving processing in a decoder in a multimedia transmission system. Multimedia data may include one or more of motion video, audio, still images, or any other suitable type of audio-visual data. One embodiment includes a system and method of parsing fixed and variable length codes from a bit-wise stream of multi-media data by maintaining and reading the data in a processor aligned (e.g., word aligned) way. Another embodiment includes a system and method of decoding variable length codes, particular as received from such a variable length code using multiple levels of decoding tables to speed up decoder table lookup.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus encode video at a targeted bit rate and yet permit variation of a Quantization Parameter (QP) to encode video of varying complexity with relatively consistent visual quality. Constant bit rate (CBR) encoding is desirable in many applications, such as in transmission or broadcasting environments. However, conventional CBR techniques compromise visual quality. Disclosed techniques permit adaptive variation in a QP value and provide the improved visual encoding available in variable bit rate (VBR) schemes while maintaining enough adherence to a targeted bit rate to be applicable to CBR environments.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus efficiently encode multimedia data, such as live video streams. An encoding complexity of a predetermined time interval, such as 1 second, is estimated before the actual encoding that will be used. This permits the actual encoding to be performed with an a priori estimate of complexity, permitting the bits allocated for the predetermined time interval (bit rate) to be efficiently allocated within the predetermined time interval. Moreover, the estimated complexity can be provided to a device, such as a multiplexer, which can then allocate the available bandwidth for a collection of multiplexed video channels according to the encoding complexity anticipated for those video channels, which then permits the quality of a particular channel to remain relatively constant even when the bandwidth for the collection of multiplexed video channels is relatively constant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a memory system including an external clock and a memory chip connected to the external clock. The external clock generates an operating signal at an operating frequency that controls at least one electrical component of the memory system. The memory chip includes a frequency detector that detects at least a range of frequency values for the operating frequency. Further, the frequency detector includes a reference frequency generator that generates a reference signal at a reference frequency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of operating a memory system comprising a memory chip. An operating signal is generated at an operating frequency. The operating frequency is applied to the memory chip to control one or more electrical components of the memory system. A reference signal is generated at a reference frequency within the memory chip and a range of values for the operating frequency is detected based on the reference signal and the operating signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of operating a memory system comprising a memory chip. An operating signal is generated at an operating frequency. The operating frequency is applied to the memory chip to control one or more electrical components of the memory system. A reference signal is generated at a reference frequency within the memory chip and a range of values for the operating frequency is detected based on the reference signal and the operating signal.

Abstract: A method of operating a memory system that includes generating an operating signal, controlling one or more electrical components with the operating signal and having a memory chip detect at the least a range of values for the operating frequency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies which recognize defined regions of the T-cell receptor (TCR). In a specific embodiment, the invention provides monoclonal antibodies which are reactive with a constant region of the alpha chain of the TCR. In particular embodiments, the invention relates to two monoclonal antibodies, termed &agr;F1 and &agr;F2, which react with two different epitopes on the framework region of the &agr; monomer of the TCR molecule. In another specific embodiment, the invention is directed to monoclonal antibodies reactive with a variable region of the beta chain of the TCR. In particular, the invention provides two monoclonal antibodies, termed W112 and 2D1, which react with &bgr; chain variable regions V&bgr;5.3 and V&bgr;8.1, respectively. In another specific embodiment, the invention is directed to monoclonal antibodies reactive with a variable region of the delta chain of the TCR. In particular, the invention provides monoclonal antibody &dgr;TCS1, isotype IgG2a.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies which recognize defined regions of the T-cell receptor (TCR). In a specific embodiment, the invention provides monoclonal antibodies which are reactive with a constant region of the alpha chain of the TCR. In particular embodiments, the invention relates to two monoclonal antibodies, termed .alpha.F1 and .alpha.F2, which react with two different epitopes on the framework region of the .alpha. monomer of the TCR molecule. In another specific embodiment, the invention is directed to monoclonal antibodies reactive with a variable region of the beta chain of the TCR. In particular, the invention provides two monoclonal antibodies, termed W112 and 2D1, which react with .beta. chain variable regions V.beta.5.3 and V.beta.8.1, respectively. In another specific embodiment, the invention is directed to monoclonal antibodies reactive with a variable region of the delta chain of the TCR. In particular, the invention provides monoclonal antibody .delta.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies which recognize defined regions of the T-cell receptor (TCR). In a specific embodiment, the invention provides monoclonal antibodies which are reactive with a constant region of the alpha chain of the TCR. In particular embodiments, the invention relates to two monoclonal antibodies, termed .alpha.F1 and .alpha.F2, which react with two different epitopes on the framework region of the .alpha. monomer of the TCR molecule. In another specific embodiment, the invention is directed to monoclonal antibodies reactive with a variable region of the beta chain of the TCR. In particular, the invention provides two monoclonal antibodies, termed W112 and 2D1, which react with .beta. chain variable regions V.beta.5.3 and V.beta.8.1, respectively. In another specific embodiment, the invention is directed to monoclonal antibodies reactive with a variable region of the delta chain of the TCR. In particular, the invention provides monoclonal antibody .delta.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies which recognize defined regions of the T-cell receptor (TCR). In a specific embodiment, the invention provides monoclonal antibodies which are reactive with a constant region of the alpha chain of the TCR. In particular embodiments, the invention relates to two monoclonal antibodies, termed .alpha.F1 and .alpha.F2, which react with two different epitopes on the framework region of the .alpha. monomer of the TCR molecule. In another specific embodiment, the invention is directed to monoclonal antibodies reactive with a variable region of the beta chain of the TCR. In particular, the invention provides two monoclonal antibodies, termed W112 and 2D1, which react with .beta. chain variable regions V.beta.5.3 and V.beta.8.1, respectively. In another specific embodiment, the invention is directed to monoclonal antibodies reactive with a variable region of the delta chain of the TCR. In particular, the invention provides monoclonal antibody .delta.