Patents Issued in December 15, 2015
  • Patent number: 9215446
    Abstract: A method for processing a 3D video signal and a digital broadcast receiver for performing the processing method are disclosed. A method for receiving a 3D broadcast signal includes receiving signaling information of at least one stream for a 3 Dimension TeleVision (3DTV) service and a two dimensional (2D) video stream, demultiplexing at least one stream for the 3DTV service and the 2D video stream based on the signaling information, decoding at least one demultiplexed stream for the 3DTV service and the demultiplexed 2D video stream, and outputting a 3D video signal by formatting at least one decoded stream for the 3DTV service and the decoded 2D video stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jong Yeul Suh, Jeong Hyu Yang
  • Patent number: 9215447
    Abstract: Provided is an imaging device which can accurately obtain two captured image signals having a phase difference therebetween. An imaging device includes a plurality of pixels including two types of pixels, such as a first pixel that receives one of a pair of light beams which pass through different pupil regions of an imaging optical system and a second pixel that receives the other of the pair of light beams. The plurality of pixels are arranged in a square lattice shape. A light receiving region of the first pixel deviates from the center of the first pixel to the right side. A light receiving region of the second pixel deviates from the center of the second pixel to the left side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Shu Takahashi, Kazufumi Sugawara
  • Patent number: 9215448
    Abstract: In one embodiment, range data is combined with an image in order to create a stereo image from the single collected image. An apparatus receives image data associated with a geographic location and range data associated with the geographic location. The range data may be a point cloud. At least one perspective image is formed based on the image data and the range data. The perspective image has a viewpoint different than single collected image. The apparatus generates a stereo image from the at least one perspective image. The stereo image appears to have depth. The at least one perspective image may include two images, each offset by a distance to estimate eye separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: HERE Global B.V.
    Inventor: Craig Barnes
  • Patent number: 9215449
    Abstract: A method for imaging includes capturing images of an object using a matrix of detector elements and performing a processing operation in the detector elements under control of a global clock. Results of the processing operation are read out under control of a rolling clock, which is unsynchronized with the global clock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Alexander Shpunt
  • Patent number: 9215450
    Abstract: An auto-stereoscopic three-dimensional (3D) display including a display module and a driving module is provided. The display module includes a display panel and a barrier unit. The display panel has odd-column pixels and even-column pixels. The barrier unit coordinates with a left-eye image and a right-eye image displayed by the display panel to switch vertically and alternatively arranged slits and barriers, so as to produce a stereoscopic image in a viewer's eyes through parallax. The driving module provides left-eye image data and right-eye image data to drive the display module. The driving module drives the odd-column and even-column pixels respectively according to different driving timings, so as to respectively and sequentially enables the odd-column and even-column pixels during a plurality of corresponding frame periods to receive the left-eye image data and the right-eye image data and allow the display panel to display the left-eye and right-eye images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: HannStar Display Corporation
    Inventors: Chih-Hsuan Lee, Ya-Wen Lee, Chun-Chin Tseng
  • Patent number: 9215451
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display for generating 3D images by matching a software optical grating includes a backlight module and a LCD panel having a color filter. The LCD panel has a plurality of first subpixels for generating a first image, a plurality of second subpixels for generating a second image, and a plurality of third subpixels for generating a black barrier image as the software optical grating. When the black barrier image is slightly spread to cover one part of the first image and one part of the second image, the first image is covered partially by the black barrier image to form a right-eye image, and the second image is covered partially by the black barrier image to form a left-eye image. Whereby, the right-eye and the left-eye images concurrently generated by the LCD are respectively projected onto the right and the left eyes of the viewer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: C VISION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tsung-Yau Fang, Ching-Te Shih
  • Patent number: 9215452
    Abstract: A stereoscopic video display apparatus includes: a two-dimensional display unit which selects, for each of parallax images having a parallax from a reference parallax image, at least one pixel sequence on a panel, and displays each of the parallax images using the selected pixel sequence; a barrier part which divides light from the pixel sequences such that the respective parallax images are displayed at predetermined positions; a position detecting unit which detects the positions of viewers; and a parallax image arrangement control unit which specifies viewing positions possible for the left eyes of the viewers from among the detected viewing positions other than the viewing positions for the right eyes, and cause the two-dimensional display unit to respectively display the parallax images predetermined for the left eyes at the specified positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA
    Inventor: Tatsumi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9215453
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for calibrating a measurement system having at least one image recording apparatus (12) having at least two measurement cameras (31, 32) that form a stereo camera system, and having an analysis unit (13), wherein the measurement system is calibrated by means of a calibration device (22) having reference features (29).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Adriano Macchia, Volker Uffenkamp
  • Patent number: 9215454
    Abstract: A testing system and a method thereof are provided. The testing system includes an audio/video playback apparatus and a testing apparatus. The audio/video playback apparatus is configured to receive an audio/video signal, and analyze the audio/video signal to generate a signal analysis result and a processed audio/video signal. The processed audio/video signal is configured to be displayed on a screen of the audio/video playback apparatus. The testing apparatus includes a switching module and a determining unit. The switching module controls at least one audio/video transmission interface of the audio/video playback apparatus, so as to select and transmit the corresponding audio/video signal to the audio/video playback apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventor: Yang Zhou
  • Patent number: 9215455
    Abstract: This invention provides a calibration system and method for multi-unit display systems without a need for switching the system input resolution/configuration of the display system while calibrating. This serves to avoid carrying out a re-synchronization step. As such, this system and method allows for increases speed and reduced likelihood of failure. This system and method also corrects the display system by providing an arrangement that employs a minimum of required changes so as to avoid any changes that can consequently affect the output image of the display system. Calibration of the system of display units occurs free of any changes to the input resolution and this resolution is maintained in a manner that resists change unless specifically required. Moreover, this system and method enables a resolution for the overall system that differs from the sum of the input resolutions of the discrete, individual display units in the collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Scalable Display Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Miaw, Rajeev J. Surati, Kevin Amaratunga, Samson J. Timoner, Tyler M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9215456
    Abstract: There are provided methods and apparatus for using syntax for the coded_block_flag syntax element for the CAVLC 4:4:4 Intra, High 4:4:4 Intra, and High 4:4:4 Predictive profiles in MPEG-4 AVC high level coding. An apparatus includes an encoder (100) for encoding image data into a resultant bitstream in accordance with an encoding profile that encodes a sample of the image data such that the sample includes two chrominance arrays and a luminance array. Each of the two chrominance arrays has a same height and a same width as the luminance array. The encoder (100) indicates a presence of at least one 8×8 block in the resultant bitstream using a syntax element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventor: Haoping Yu
  • Patent number: 9215457
    Abstract: A method and system use capacity-approaching rateless code to communicate multimedia data even with very short codewords, such as 64 bits or less, via erasure and noise channels. The method provides a way to design the edge degree distribution of rateless codes for any arbitrary channel. Based on an equivalent metric of decoding behavior in any channels, the degree distribution of a rateless code such as Luby-transform codes and raptor codes is optimized based on in-process status of decoding. A regularized least-squares optimization is used to avoid erroneous decoding. Multiple feedbacks can further improve the performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC RESEARCH LABORATORIES, INC.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Koike-Akino, Jesper H Soerensen, Philip Orlik
  • Patent number: 9215458
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for encoding a plurality of frames in a video stream with temporal scalability. The method includes identifying a non-uniform sequence of time values within a period, determining a frame corresponding to each time value in the non-uniform sequence, within at least one period, and assigning each of the determined frames to one of a plurality of temporal encoding layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventor: Alexander Kjeldaas
  • Patent number: 9215459
    Abstract: An exemplary image processing apparatus generates an interpolation frame to be inserted between two contiguous frames of a moving picture. The image processing apparatus includes: a motion vector calculation section configured to calculate a first motion vector by performing a matching operation between first and second frames, of a first frame, a second frame and a third frame of the moving picture contiguous with one another, and calculate a second motion vector by performing a matching operation between the second and third frames; and an interpolation frame generation section configured to generate an interpolation frame to be inserted between the second frame and the third frame through a process performed based on a magnitude of a difference vector between the first motion vector and the second motion vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Nakashima, Takeshi Hamasaki
  • Patent number: 9215460
    Abstract: Provided is an image processing apparatus including: area determination unit configured to determine whether or not an area of a control block functioning as control unit for filtering of an image includes a processing-target slice area of a plurality of slices formed in a frame of an encoded image; control information creation unit configured to create filter control information representing whether or not the filtering is performed for the area of the control block including a processing-target slice for each area of the control block including the processing-target slice when the area determination unit determines that the area of the control block includes the area of the processing-target slice; and filter unit configured to perform filtering for the image based on the filter control information created by the control information creation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kenji Kondo
  • Patent number: 9215461
    Abstract: A video encoding apparatus includes a candidate block type configuration unit for configuring block type candidates for encoding an image by using variable sized macroblocks; a video encoder for encoding an input image for each block type candidate; and a block type determiner for determining a block type based on encoding costs by the block type candidate, and generating a bitstream including image data encoded by the determined block type and information for the determined block type. Determining the block type to match the image characteristics enables combinations of diverse modes such as a large block and macroblock size, a minimum subblock size, available divisional block type, prediction mode type within a macroblock, and so on to achieve more effective encoding and decoding of high resolution images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: SK TELECOM. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sunyeon Kim, Jeongyeon Lim, Joohee Moon, Yunglyul Lee, Haekwang Kim, Byeungwoo Jeon, Hyoungmee Park, Mincheol Park, Dongwon Kim, Kibaek Kim, Juock Lee
  • Patent number: 9215462
    Abstract: A video decoding apparatus includes an encoding information decoder to reconstruct a skip information indicating whether a block to be decoded in an image is a skip block by decoding a bitstream, and reconstruct either a skip motion information of the block, or an intra or inter prediction information of the block and a transform information of the block by decoding the bitstream, according to the skip information; and a video decoder to either reconstruct the block based on the skip motion information or reconstruct the block based on both the prediction information and a residual signal information reconstructed by decoding the bitstream based on the transform information, wherein the encoding information decoder is configured to reconstruct the transform information which includes partition information related to partitioning the block into subblocks by a tree structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: SK TELECOM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sunyeon Kim, Jeongyeon Lim, Joohee Moon, Yunglyul Lee, Haekwang Kim, Byeungwoo Jeon, Hyoungmee Park, Mincheol Park, Dongwon Kim, Kibaek Kim, Juock Lee, Jinhan Song
  • Patent number: 9215463
    Abstract: A video encoding apparatus includes: an encoding information encoder to encode a skip information indicating whether a block to be encoded is a skip block, and encode either a skip motion information of the block, or an intra or inter prediction information of the block and a transform information of the block, according to whether the block to be encoded is the skip block, wherein the transform information includes partition information related to partitioning the block into subblocks by a tree structure; and a video encoder to encode a residual signal information of each of the subblocks partitioned from the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: SK TELECOM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sunyeon Kim, Jeongyeon Lim, Joohee Moon, Yunglyul Lee, Haekwang Kim, Byeungwoo Jeon, Hyoungmee Park, Mincheol Park, Dongwon Kim, Kibaek Kim, Juock Lee, Jinhan Song
  • Patent number: 9215464
    Abstract: Methods and devices for video coding are described. When encoding a non-zero coefficient group (CG) prior to the last such group in a group scan ordering within a transform block, data representative of the true (x,y)-position of the last non-zero transform coefficient in a scan ordering within that CG is modified, to improve coding efficiency, based upon at least one of (a) an intra-prediction mode used to encode the block and (b) at least one coefficient group neighboring that CG. Upon decoding a CG thus encoded, the modification is un-done to retrieve the true (x,y)-position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Xiaofeng Wang, Jing Wang, Dake He, Tianying Ji
  • Patent number: 9215465
    Abstract: A spatial prediction method capable of reducing the complexity of spatial prediction includes: detecting an edge (E) overlapping the current block by obtaining a horizontal gradient (Gy) and a vertical gradient (Gx) between pixels within a block adjacent to the current block; calculating an integer slope of the edge; determining, for each pixel position within the current block, a sub-pel position being an intersection between (i) a line that has the integer slope and passes through the pixel position and (ii) a boundary of the adjacent block; and predicting, for each pixel position, a pixel value at the pixel position based on a pixel value interpolated in the sub-pel position, wherein the boundary of the adjacent block is a row or a column that is the closest to the current block, among rows or columns of pixels included in the adjacent block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Corporation of America
    Inventors: Virginie Drugeon, Youji Shibahara, Takahiro Nishi, Hisao Sasai, Kyoko Tanikawa
  • Patent number: 9215466
    Abstract: A video coder employs techniques for applying frame rate adaptation and variable resolution adaptation in response to environmental coding factors present at the coding terminal. According to such techniques, a coder may estimate a coding quality level to be applied based on the environmental coding factors. The coder may retrieve from a controller table, settings for resolution and frame rate based on the estimated quality level. Optionally, the coder further may retrieve settings identifying a range of quantization parameters that may be used during coding. Prior to coding, the coder may configure input video data to match the resolution and frame rate settings retrieved from the controller table. Thereafter, the coder may code the reconfigured input video data by motion-compensation prediction constrained, as applicable, by the retrieved quantization parameter range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jiefu Zhai, Xiaosong Zhou, Hsi-Jung Wu
  • Patent number: 9215467
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for encoding surveillance video where one or more regions of interest are identified and the encoding parameter values associated with those regions are specified in accordance with intermediate outputs of a video analytics process. Such an analytics-modulated video compression approach allows the coding process to adapt dynamically based on the content of the surveillance images. In this manner, the fidelity of the region of interest is increased relative to that of a background region such that the coding efficiency is improved, including instances when no target objects appear in the scene. Better compression results can be achieved by assigning different coding priority levels to different types of detected objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: CheckVideo LLC
    Inventors: Lai-Tee Cheok, Nikhil Gagvani
  • Patent number: 9215468
    Abstract: A video bit-rate reduction system utilizing a reference images matrix and a method of operating the video bit-rate reduction system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the video bit-rate reduction system includes an encoder-side bit-rate reduction system (e.g. a video signal transmitter) with a reference images matrix matchmaker and a decoder-side bit-rate reduction system (e.g. a video signal receiver) with a reference images matrix reconstructor. The video bit-rate reduction system is designed to accommodate a reference images matrix-based symbolization, matchmaking, and reconstruction of residual signals that are processed through a support layer pathway with a high bit-rate reduction and data transmission efficiency, while retaining the high-quality of the video data without any or substantial visible degradation of image and video quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Faroudja Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Yves Faroudja, Minqiang Jiang, Xu Dong
  • Patent number: 9215469
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for enhanced encoding of RGB images is presented. The use of intra-plane prediction, which relies on correlation between neighboring pixels of the same color, is enhanced by adding inter-plane prediction that relies on correlation between neighboring pixels of different colors. Inter-plane prediction is performed on at least one of the colors, and more preferably two of the colors, such as R and B, based on input from G. In at least one embodiment, multiple encoding modes are provided, in which different colors from the RGB image are differently coded with either pulse code modulation (PCM), or differential pulse code modulation (DPCM) at a given quantization level (qn). The quantization level and selection of mode being determined for optimizing coding (e.g., based on bit coverage).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hye-Yeon Cheong, Ali Tabatabai
  • Patent number: 9215470
    Abstract: In one example, an apparatus for encoding video data includes a video encoder configured to select an intra-prediction mode to use to encode a block of video data, determine whether the block includes a sub-block of a size for which multiple transforms are possible based on the size of the sub-block and the selected intra-prediction mode, when the block includes the sub-block of the size for which multiple transforms are possible based on the size of the sub-block and the selected intra-prediction mode, select one of the multiple possible transforms, transform the sub-block using the selected one of the multiple possible transforms, and provide an indication of the selected one of the multiple possible transforms for the size of the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Marta Karczewicz, Muhammed Z. Coban, Peisong Chen, Hsiao-Chiang Chuang, Rajan Joshi
  • Patent number: 9215471
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for manipulating bitstreams of digital media data compressed according to a compression standard. Also disclosed are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for evaluating compliance of an encoded bitstream of digital media data with a compression standard. In one exemplary embodiment, a conforming bitstream of compressed digital media data is input. One or more of the parameters in the bitstream are selectively altered into parameters that do not conform to the video compression standard. The selective alteration can be performed such that parameters that would make the bitstream non-decodable if altered are bypassed and left unaltered. A non-conforming bitstream that includes the one or more selectively altered parameters is output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Jarred Bonaparte, Firoz Dalal, Yongjun Wu
  • Patent number: 9215472
    Abstract: A block processing pipeline that includes a software pipeline and a hardware pipeline that run in parallel. The software pipeline runs at least one block ahead of the hardware pipeline. The stages of the pipeline may each include a hardware pipeline component that performs one or more operations on a current block at the stage. At least one stage of the pipeline may also include a software pipeline component that determines a configuration for the hardware component at the stage of the pipeline for processing a next block while the hardware component is processing the current block. The software pipeline component may determine the configuration according to information related to the next block obtained from an upstream stage of the pipeline. The software pipeline component may also obtain and use information related to a block that was previously processed at the stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Orr, Timothy John Millet, Joseph J. Cheng, Nitin Bhargava, Guy Cote
  • Patent number: 9215473
    Abstract: A video encoder partitions a slice of a picture into a plurality of sub-slices. When the video encoder encodes the slice, the video encoder generates a coded slice that includes coded sub-slices that correspond to the sub-slices. Each of the sub-slices can be parsed independently of each other one of the sub-slices and can be reconstructed independently of each other one of the sub-slices. Accordingly, a video decoder may parse two or more of the sub-slices in parallel and decode two or more of the sub-slices in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Muhammed Zeyd Coban, Marta Karczewicz
  • Patent number: 9215474
    Abstract: A motion estimation method for determining a resultant motion vector. The motion estimation method includes: performing a first searching operation starting from an initial motion vector to determine an intermediate motion vector, wherein the first searching operation is performed according to a first searching principle; and performing a second searching operation starting from the intermediate motion vector, to determine the resultant motion vector, wherein the second searching operation is performed according to a second searching principle. The first searching operation is a rough search, while the second searching operation is a fine search.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: REALTEK SEMICONDUCTOR CORP.
    Inventors: Sam Shang-hsuan Tsai, Chao-Chih Huang, Kai-Hsiang Chou
  • Patent number: 9215475
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for motion estimation using combined reference bi-prediction. The apparatus includes an encoder (200) for encoding a multi-prediction picture from a combination of two or more reference pictures by respectively predicting a motion vector for a particular one of the two or more reference pictures in a motion estimation process while initializing motion vectors for remaining ones of the two or more reference pictures to a predefined value for use by the motion estimation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: THOMSON LICENSING
    Inventors: Alexandros Tourapis, Jill MacDonald Boyce, Peng Yin
  • Patent number: 9215476
    Abstract: A method begins by a processing module receiving a plurality of playback requests for a stored program, wherein the stored program is stored in a dispersed storage network (DSN) memory as sets of encoded data slices. In response to the playback requests, the method continues with the processing module entering a loop that begins with retrieving a group of sets of encoded data slices, generating copies therefrom, and storing the copies. The loop continues with the processing module sending a unique copy of the copies to a requesting device. The method continues with the processing module existing the loop when the last group of the request has been retrieved and repeating the loop when it has not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: CLEVERSAFE, INC.
    Inventors: S. Christopher Gladwin, Alan E. Holmes, Wesley Leggette, Jason K. Resch
  • Patent number: 9215477
    Abstract: A device receives updated television content, and generates a file that provides an indication to copy the updated television content to multiple television distribution sites, where each television distribution site includes multiple television distribution devices. The device identifies one of the multiple television distribution devices, associated with each of the multiple television distribution sites, to receive the file, packages the updated television content with the file, for the identified one of the multiple television distribution devices, and provides the updated television content and the file to the identified one of the multiple television distribution devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: VERIZON PATENT AND LICENSING INC.
    Inventors: Amir Ahmed, Haosheng Guo, Zhiying Jin, Wenjie Liu, Juhong Liu, Surender Mallesh
  • Patent number: 9215478
    Abstract: A media feed interface may be provided that may be used to extract a media frame from a media feed. The media feed interface may access a capture device, a file, and/or a network resource. Upon accessing the capture device, file, and/or network resource, the media feed interface may populate buffers with data and then may create a media feed from the buffers. Upon request, the media feed interface may isolate a media frame within the media feed. For example, the media feed interface analyze media frames in the media feed to determine whether a media frame includes information associated with, for example, the request. If the media frame includes the requested information, the media feed interface may isolate the media frame associated with the information and may provide access to the isolated media frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Mark J. Finocchio, Jeffrey Margolis
  • Patent number: 9215479
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for detecting new events in a video stream that yield improved detection efficiency in real time. For example, a method determines whether a given event is a new event in a video stream. The video stream includes a plurality of events. A first step extracts a first set of features (e.g., text features) from the given event. The first set of features is computationally less expensive to process as compared to a second set of features (e.g., image features) associated with the given event. A second step computes one or more first dissimilarity values between the given event and one or more previous events in the video stream using only the first set of features when one or more first dissimilarity criteria exist. A third step determines whether the given event is a new event based on the one or more computed first dissimilarity values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gang Luo, Rong Yan, Philip Shi-Lung Yu
  • Patent number: 9215480
    Abstract: A receiver includes: a broadcast reception unit configured to receive a broadcast signal; a keyword acquisition unit configured to acquire a search keyword based on metadata included in the broadcast signal; and a transmission unit configured to transmit the search keyword acquired by the keyword acquisition unit to a terminal device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: NIPPON HOSO KYOKAI
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kawakita, Kinji Matsumura, Arisa Fujii
  • Patent number: 9215481
    Abstract: A system and method for receiving user authentication information from a secondary device and sending a list of IPTV devices associated with the user authentication information to the secondary device. IPTV device selection is received from the secondary device and device identification information corresponding to a selected IPTV device is sent to the secondary device. A content selection from an asset list is received at a server and post execution instructions for the selected IPTV device are generated. Next asset information is sent to the selected IPTV device. The asset information includes content associated with the content selection and the post execution instructions. The post execution instructions determine further IPTV device functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignees: SONY CORPORATION, SONY NETWORK ENTERTAINMENT INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Charles McCoy, Ling Jun Wong, True Xiong, Leo Pedlow
  • Patent number: 9215482
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for retrieving an I frame are disclosed in the present invention, wherein, the method includes: analyzing transport stream packets in a transport stream one by one, and if it is determined that the current transport stream packet is a video packet and includes a Packet Elementary Stream (PES) header, then making a determination according to data after the PES header in the current transport stream packet to locate initial and/or end locations of the I frame. In the present invention, without parsing syntax elements in H.264, such as a Sequence Parameter Set (SPS), a Picture Parameter Set (PPS), a slice etc., the location of the I frame can be positioned by simply comparing various Transport stream (TS) packets in the TS stream and making a determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: ZTE Corporation
    Inventor: Xian Liang
  • Patent number: 9215483
    Abstract: Methods and arrangements for setting up a policy for downloading of IPTV media content from a Content Server (5) to a User Equipment (1), and/or for uploading media content from a User Equipment to a Content Server. The policy is typically a bandwidth reservation, and the type of content download/upload will be included in an initial request from the User Equipment, e.g. in an SDP Offer, sent to an IPTV controlling node (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET L M ERICSSON (PUBL)
    Inventors: Mats Cedervall, Jan Erik Lindquist
  • Patent number: 9215484
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for creating channels dedicated to a particular type of content. The method includes acquiring seed content and using the seed content in the creation or updating of a content list. Additional content for the channel is acquired based on the common features of the content list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignees: SONY CORPORATION, SONY NETWORK ENTERTAINMENT INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Charles McCoy, True Xiong, Ling Jun Wong
  • Patent number: 9215485
    Abstract: A device is enabled to display Internet TV by accessing a management server and receiving back from the server a user token and a service list of predefined content servers. A user can select a content server on the service list which causes the device to upload its user token to the management server, which in turn sends back the network path to the content server along with a content server-user-unique service token (SUIT) that the device uses to access the content on the content server, in some embodiments on per-title PPV access, per-content category PPV access, or per-service PPV access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: True Xiong, Charles David McCoy, Viral Mehta, Leo Pedlow, Aran Sadja
  • Patent number: 9215486
    Abstract: A method of transmitting a live video stream and a pre-recorded video stream over a wireless network to a mobile device, the method including: receiving the live video stream and the pre-recorded video stream for a current scheduling window; dividing the live video stream and the pre-recorded video stream into segments in the current scheduling window, each segment including an aggregate data amount, a transmission start time and a transmission end time; determining a transmission schedule for the current scheduling window, said transmission schedule including the segments; locating slack time slots, the slack time slots being time slots for which no segment is allocated; and scheduling bursts associated with the pre-recorded video stream in the slack time slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Simon Fraser University
    Inventors: Mohamed Hefeeda, Cheng-Hsin Hsu
  • Patent number: 9215487
    Abstract: A control device includes: a digital signal input section through which a digital signal from an external device is input through a digital signal cable; a detecting section which detects connection with the external device and then outputs a detection signal to the external device; an adjusting section which performs adjustment for the digital signal; an information input section through which display request information about a setting image which receives input of setting information about the adjustment is input; and a control section which controls the detecting section not to output the detection signal if the display request information is input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Kasahara, Takashi Nagumo, Susumu Takatsu
  • Patent number: 9215488
    Abstract: In a content display-playback system, an operation control apparatus controls operations of a content providing apparatus and display-playback apparatus connected to a network so that content can be transmitted and received among the content providing apparatus, the display-playback apparatus, and the operation control apparatus and that the content can be displayed and played back on the display-playback apparatus and the operation control apparatus. The operation control apparatus includes a storage unit. When a user operates the operation control apparatus to stop playback during playback of content received from the content providing apparatus on the display-playback apparatus or the operation control apparatus, content meta-information concerning the played back content and playback position information of the content being played back when the playback is stopped are stored in the storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Sato, Kouichi Matsuda, Shuichi Otsu, Tomoya Narita
  • Patent number: 9215489
    Abstract: Custom electronic program guides are disclosed. An example method includes collecting identifying information associated with media using at least one of a microphone or camera of a consumer electronics device, determining a characteristic of the consumer electronics device, the characteristic being at least one of a length of time during which the identifying information was collected, a percentage of the identifying information corresponding to a same program, or a geographic location at which the identifying information was collected, and determining, based on the characteristic, whether the collected identifying information is to be used in generating a custom electronic program guide for a user associated with the consumer electronics device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: The Nielson Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Maini Williams, Heli Margit Järventie-Ahonen
  • Patent number: 9215490
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling content playback are provided. The system includes a playback device configured to display content on a display, at least one detector configured to monitor a playback area, and a controller configured to identify at least one point of interest on the content, and to operatively control the playback device according to a user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sohui Won, Shigong Liu, Bartley Calder, Sathyanarayanan Nagarajan Iyer, Xu Cao, Benny Wong
  • Patent number: 9215491
    Abstract: In accordance with some implementations of the disclosed subject matter, a method for controlling a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) port is provided, the method comprising: generating a first voltage at a first pin of the HDMI port; detecting a second voltage at the first pin of the HDMI port; detecting a third voltage at a second pin of the HDMI port; comparing the second voltage to the first voltage; comparing the second voltage to the third voltage; determining based on the comparison of the second voltage to the third voltage that the HDMI port of the device is connected to an HDMI source; causing the HDMI port to act as an HDMI sink; determining based on the comparison of the second voltage to the first voltage that the HDMI port of the device is connected to an HDMI sink; and causing the HDMI port to act as an HDMI source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Chia Hang Yeh, Yuan-Jen Chang
  • Patent number: 9215492
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, from an advertisement monitor device, notification of a video stream that includes an advertisement insertion event. The advertisement insertion event includes a scheduled transition between the video program and at least one targeted advertisement associated with a corresponding target group of set top boxes. The method includes preparing resources to receive the video stream. A notification is sent to the advertisement monitor device to begin transmitting the video stream. The video stream, a unique identifier (ID) associated with the video stream and associated metadata for the video stream is received. The method includes analyzing the video stream to identify at least one issue in association with the advertisement insertion event, and generating a report that includes the identified at least one error, the unique ID, and the associated metadata for the video stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: VERIZON PATENT AND LICENSING INC.
    Inventors: Robin Montague Mathews, Michael Patrick Ruffini
  • Patent number: 9215493
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-real-time broadcast service processing system and a processing method thereof. According to the present invention, the method for processing a non-real-time (NRT) service in a broadcast receiver enables the NRT service to be processed with the following steps: receiving a broadcast service and signaling information; identifying whether the broadcast service is the NRT service on the basis of the signaling information; and identifying whether the identified NRT service includes a 3D service or a 3D content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jong Yeul Suh, Joon Hui Lee, Jin Pil Kim, Kwan Suk Kim
  • Patent number: 9215494
    Abstract: A digital television (DTV) receiver for processing a DTV signal, the DTV receiver includes a receiver to receive a digital television signal including a plurality of extended text table (ETT) instances that appear in transport stream packets with common PID values, the ETT instances having common table ID values, each ETT instance comprising a section header and a message body, the section header containing a table identification (ID) extension field that serves to establish uniqueness of each ETT instance, the message body containing an extended text message (ETM) which provides detailed descriptions of a virtual channel or an event associated with each ETT instance, wherein the section header further contains a current next indicator field, wherein the ETT instance further contains a CRC 32 field, a demodulator to demodulate the digital television signal and an identifier to identify at least one pertinent ETT instance from the plurality of ETT instances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jin Pil Kim, Kyung Mee Lee
  • Patent number: 9215495
    Abstract: A motion image distribution system includes a server and a user terminal. The server generates a feature quantity table CHT1 representing a data structure of motion image encoded data VDE, and authenticates the motion image encoded data VDE by using the generated feature quantity table CHT1. Then, the server transmits the motion image encoded data VDE and the feature quantity table CHT1 to the user terminal. The user terminal generates a feature quantity table CHT2 representing a data structure of the received motion image encoded data VDE, and authenticates received motion image encoded data VDE by using the generated feature quantity table CHT2. Then, the user terminal plays back the motion image encoded data VDE and outputs motion image playback information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: HIROSHIMA UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Mei Kodama