Abstract: A method (60) and apparatus process video in a multiple encoder system by identifying (61) those frames that were originally encoded as anchor frames in the first encoder and ensuring that the second encoder (e.g., the re-encoder) encodes (65) these identified frames as anchor frames rather than bidirectional frames or non-anchor frames. In addition, the second encoder identifies (62) those frames that were originally encoded as non-anchor frames in the first encoder and encodes (66) the non-anchor frames, such as bidirectional frames, as non-anchor frames during the second encoding process. Once the anchor frames (and non-anchor frames) are identified, the present invention also determines (63) a frame-type pattern output by the first encoder and synchronizes (64) the second encoder to the identified frame-type pattern of the first encoder, thereby ensuring optimal utilization of encoder resources. A method for determining frame type (80) based on relative spatial activity is also set forth.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for transparently switching a local instance of a UMTS protocol-based call from a first card or module of a media gateway to a second card or module of the media gateway, such that the remote end of the call is not aware that the call has been switched between the first and second cards or modules. Moreover, initially establishing call media flow may include implementing two timers of different duration during which call-initialization is retried if no Positive-Acknowledgement of call initialization is received, where a shorter-duration timer is relied upon to attempt retries if a Negative-Acknowledgement is received, and a longer-duration timer is relied upon to attempt retries if neither a Positive-Acknowledgement nor a Negative-Acknowledgement is received.

Abstract: An electrical connector compatible to standard USB connector includes an insulative housing forming a tongue (12) extending forwardly, a plurality of first and second contacts (22) mounted to the housing, and a shell (30) enclosing the housing. The tongue defines a plurality of passageways (14, 19) in a longitudinal direction. Each first contact has a first beam (213) received in a corresponding passageway and each first contact has a first contact portion in a front portion thereof. Each second contact includes a second beam (223) received in a corresponding passageway and each second contact includes a second contact portion in a front portion thereof. The first beams of the first contacts and the second beams of the second contacts are alternatively arranged in the passageways.

Abstract: Novel rifamycin derivatives of formula I (both hydroquinone and corresponding quinone (C1-C4) forms): or their salts, hydrates or prodrugs thereof, wherein: a preferred R comprises hydrogen, acetyl; L is a linker, a preferred linker group elements selected from any combination of 1 to 5 groups shown FIG. 1, provided L is not wherein R1 is H, methyl or alkyl. The inventive compounds exhibit valuable antibiotic properties. Formulations having these compounds can be used in the control or prevention of infectious diseases in mammals, both humans and non-humans. In particular, the compounds exhibit a pronounced antibacterial activity, even against multiresistant strains of microbes.

Abstract: Rifamycin derivatives having the following structure of general formula I (both hydroquinone and corresponding quinone (C1-C4) forms): or its salts, hydrates or prodrugs thereof; wherein a preferred R1 comprises hydrogen or acetyl and a prefered R2 comprises hydrogen, methyl or other lower alkyls; wherein asterik (*) denotes the carbon bearing the chiral center, wherein absolute configuration is assigned as R or S. Methods of preparation of the aforementioned rifamycin derivatives are also described. The compounds exhibit antimicrobial activities, including activities against drug-resistant microorganisms.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for rate control in a dual pass encoding scheme are provided. A first pass encoder encodes alternate slices of anchor frames as I-slices and P-slices respectively in order to generate statistics for both I and P frame encoding for the same anchor frame. An initial complexity estimate for encoding a current frame is determined by the first pass encoder based on statistics from first pass encoding of the current frame and from first pass encoding of a prior encoded frame. A second pass encoder estimates an encoding complexity for the current frame based on the initial complexity and statistics from second pass encoding of the prior encoded frame. The second pass encoder then determines a bit budget for second pass encoding of the current frame based on the encoding complexity.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing lawful intercept of a media stream in a media gateway include establishing a call context between a first termination and a second termination and establishing a tap context with at least one tap termination, which refer to the first termination. The call context defines a call media stream between the first and second terminations associated with a call between first and second end users. The tap context defines at least one tap media stream from the first termination to the at least one tap termination. The tap media stream is a one-way media stream that carries either the mouth portion of the call media stream, the ear portion of the media stream, or a combination of the mouth and ear portions of the media stream from the first termination to the at least one tap termination. Multiple tap contexts can be created to support the lawful intercept of the call by multiple law enforcement agencies.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling media stream handover in a media gateway includes establishing a call context between a first termination and a second termination in a media gateway. The first and second terminations are capable of bi-directional media stream communications associated with a call between first and second end users. In response to a handover event affecting the first termination, a third termination is added to the context. The third termination is initially capable of receive-only communications. The context is then modified such that the third termination becomes capable of bidirectional media stream communications and the first termination becomes capable of receive-only communications. The first termination is then removed from the context. The media stream handover may be performed using extensions to a media gateway control protocol and without using a conference bridge.

Abstract: In the tamperforoofing of watermarked computer programs, a constant in the computer program is replaced with a function call. The function call has one or more arguments that point to a data structure built by said program. The replacement can involve referencing a data sub-structure defined by one or more of its arguments, and decoding the constant from the sub-structure.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method for adaptive selection of scanning modes based on the content of the input image sequence. In one embodiment, two encoders are employed. A first encoder receives the input image sequence and encodes each frame of the image sequence using at least two different scanning modes, e.g., zigzag scanning mode or alternative scanning mode in accordance with the MPEG-2 standard or the like. Specifically, different portions of each frame will be scanned using different scanning modes. This first encoding provides look-ahead information so that a second encoder is able to assign DCT quantized coefficients in a more efficient scanning order, thereby reducing encoding bits and/or improving the picture quality.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method for adaptive adjustment of bit budget based on the content of the input image sequence. In one embodiment, two encoders are employed in a dual pass encoding system. A first encoder receives the input image sequence and encodes each frame of the image sequence using a standard or any predefined encoding algorithms. Specifically, by encoding the image sequence using the first encoder, the first encoder is able to assess the complexity of each picture in the image sequence, e.g., by measuring the number of bits needed to encode each picture. This complexity information serves as look-ahead information for a second encoder.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for improving video quality in statistical multiplexing. For each encoding channel in a statistical multiplexer, a respective bit rate need parameter is calculated for encoding of a current frame in that encoding channel. A video buffering verifier level (VBV_Fullness) available to each encoding channel is also calculated. It is then determined whether the VBV_Fullness available to each encoding channel is sufficient for encoding the current frame of that encoding channel based on an initial complexity estimate for that current frame. In the event that the VBV_Fullness is determined to be sufficient, the current frame is encoded using the need parameter. In the event that the VBV_Fullness is determined to be insufficient, the need parameter is scaled by an adaptive panic multiplier and the current frame is encoded using the scaled need parameter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for rate control in a dual pass encoding scheme are provided. A first pass encoder encodes alternate slices of anchor frames as I-slices and P-slices respectively in order to generate statistics for both I and P frame encoding for the same anchor frame. An initial complexity estimate for encoding a current frame is determined by the first pass encoder based on statistics from first pass encoding of the current frame and from first pass encoding of a prior encoded frame. A second pass encoder estimates an encoding complexity for the current frame based on the initial complexity and statistics from second pass encoding of the prior encoded frame. The second pass encoder then determines a bit budget for second pass encoding of the current frame based on the encoding complexity.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for statistical multiplexing in a dual pass encoding scheme are provided. A first pass encoder encodes alternate slices of anchor frames as I-slices and P-slices respectively in order to generate statistics for both I and P frame encoding for the same anchor frame. A second pass encoder determines the encoding complexity estimates for a plurality of frames in a look-ahead pipeline and sums the encoding complexity estimates of selective frames in the look-ahead pipeline to determine the initial need parameter for a current frame to be encoded. The second pass encoder computes a need parameter for encoding the current frame based on the initial need parameter. The need parameter is used by a statmux processor to determine the encoding bit rate for second pass encoding of the current frame.