Abstract: In a transmission side, a layer adjusting unit performs an adjustment to store a scalable encoded video data in a memory, select and output a scalable data of a base quality as a real-time video, read from a memory a scalable data of an enhancement quality based on the designation of a enhancement quality and a transmission period of time, and output the scalable data of an enhancement quality together with a real-time scalable data. In the receiving side, a layer synthesizing unit synthesizes and outputs a real-time video at normal times, and lowers the real-time video to a quality of the base layer if there is an enhancement quality video of a designated period of time, thereby reading the base quality layer data corresponding to the designated video from the memory (153) and synthesizing the data with the enhancement quality video to output the resulting data.

Abstract: A digital object navigation apparatus and method using gaze information of a user is provided. The digital object navigation apparatus may collect gaze information and gesture information of the user, may determine navigation information with respect to a digital object including a zoom rate, a rendering quality, or an intensity of an annotation, and may navigate in the digital object. The user may navigate in the digital object by only gazing without separate manipulation.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms described herein facilitate the storage of digital media recordings. According to various embodiments, a system may include a plurality of shards. Each shard may include a storage system operable to store a plurality of digital media recordings. Each shard may also include one or more recording writers. Each recording server may be operable to store digital media recordings stored in the storage system. According to various embodiments, the system may also include a recording manager. The recording manager may be operable to select one of the plurality of shards for storing a designated digital media recording. The recording manager may also be operable to transmit an instruction to the selected shard to store the designated digital media recording.

Abstract: Rate reduction for an application controller is provided. Computing resources used by an application controller receiving an amount of traffic from a network device can be determined. A determination whether the computing resources used by the application controller are approaching a computing capacity of the application controller can be made. A message can be sent to the network device to reduce the amount of traffic sent to the application controller in response to a determination that the application controller is approaching the computing capacity. A reduced amount of traffic can be received from the network device. Incrementally increasing amounts of traffic can be received from the network device after receiving the reduced amount of traffic from the network device.

Abstract: A method for streaming video data. Video data is received. At least one frame of the video data is segmented into a plurality of regions. Video data corresponding to a first region of the plurality of regions is transmitted over a network. The video data corresponding to a second region of the plurality of regions is modified according to interactive input. The video data corresponding to a modified version of the second region is transmitted over the network.

Abstract: Disclosed is a technique for enabling a device that needs to send high priority and high bandwidth user plane traffic to send the user plane traffic even in the case where a group bandwidth has an upper limit in group-based communication. According to the technique, when an MTC device that is to send high priority and high bandwidth user plane traffic sends a service request to a network node (P-GW 213a), the network node allows use of a minimum bandwidth bearer in the case where the upper limit of the group bandwidth is exceeded. The MTC device sends a traffic sending request to an MTC server 214a via the bearer. The MTC server stops traffic of an appropriate other MTC device, to secure a bandwidth for the MTC device having the high priority and high bandwidth user plane traffic.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method of modifying a user interface based on a network condition. The apparatus includes a communication unit, a contents replaying unit, a determination unit, and an interface modification unit. The communication unit communicates with a server through one or more wired/wireless communication methods. The contents replaying unit provides a user interface screen for selecting contents and replaying contents selected by the user. The determination unit determines whether or not network connect with the server is necessary for the replaying of the contents displayed on the user interface screen for selecting the contents. The interface modification unit modifies the user interface screen for selecting the contents according to whether or not the network connection is necessary.

Abstract: Systems and methods for adaptive streaming with augmented video stream transitions using a media server in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a media server includes multimedia content including a set of alternative streams of video data and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to receive a request to stream multimedia content, stream a first stream of video data, where the first stream of video data is one of the set of alternative streams of video data contained in the multimedia content, receive a request for a second stream of video data, where the second stream of video data is one of the set of alternative streams of video data contained in the multimedia content, transmit an image in response to the request for the second stream of video data, and stream the second stream of video data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing streaming data of content in a digital broadcast system supporting Video On Demand (VOD) service are provided. A data processing method of a set-top box supporting Video On Demand (VOD) service includes requesting content selected by a user, configuring, if streaming data of the content is received, file block information for storing the streaming data, and storing the streaming data in units of file blocks according to the file block information. The streaming data processing method and apparatus of the present invention are capable of processing the streaming data of the content of which size is larger than the available storage space efficiently. Also, the streaming data processing method and apparatus of the present invention is capable of reducing total manufacturing cost of the set-top box by reducing costly storage device in size.

Abstract: Some embodiments seamlessly deliver video content by streaming the video content for on-demand playback and by store and forward delivery of the video content for delayed playback. In some embodiments, a user combines a plurality of video content items from a plurality of content sources, organizes the video content items into a set of playlists, and assigns the playlists to a set of channels for distributing the video content items in the playlists. In some embodiments, each channel is associated with at least two video distribution protocols that deliver the video content items of the assigned playlist at approximately the same time.

Abstract: A process for providing a print-augmented broadcast signal for transmission to one or more convention broadcast receiver includes receiving a broadcast signal comprising (i) standard content for a particular broadcast program and (ii) a non-content portion. Supplemental content which is associated with the standard content of the particular broadcast program is additionally received. Next, the supplemental content is combined onto the non-content portion of the broadcast signal to form a print-augmented broadcast signal, the print-augmented broadcast signal comprising the standard content, which can be rendered on a conventional broadcast receiver, and the supplemental content, which is printable on-demand at a destination conventional broadcast receiver substantially concurrently with the rendering of the standard content.

Abstract: A streaming server includes a virtual file system that stores playlist data corresponding to video programs available from at least one video source and that further stores variant playlist data corresponding to each of the video programs for streaming. A command handler receives a request for a video program from a client device. A video encoder encodes the selected video program into a plurality of video program segments in response to the request. The plurality of video program segments each have a length that is controlled based on length data, wherein the plurality of video segments includes one or more initial video program segments having at least one initialization length and steady state video program segments having a steady state length where the initialization length is less than the steady state length.

Abstract: A method for trick play (fast forward, rewind, etc.) in video streams using adaptive bitrate HTTP delivery protocols includes playing only portions of a video at a current bitrate to achieve the initial trick play functionality. A new trick play bitrate is selected based on a trick play playout rate, the trick play bitrate for the duration of the trick play is retrieved, and operation is switched back to a previous bitrate when normal playback resumes. A system is also specified for implementing a client and server infrastructure in accordance with the method.

Abstract: A seamless playback method using a bookmark, and an apparatus and a system therefore are disclosed. The seamless playback method using the bookmark receives, from one of a prior device and a prior server, the bookmark comprising playback information on the prior device which had previously played back contents, enables the device to set the playback information for playing back the contents on the basis of the playback information of the prior device, and can play back, from a resumed playback time point, the contents and additional contents corresponding to the set playback information on the basis of the set playback information. Thus, the contents stopped during a playback process of the device can be continuously and automatically played back in the same playback setting as the device using another device.

Abstract: Systems and methods of providing enhanced digital media playback through application enhancement tracks are described. Application enhancement tracks are derived from the main content that they are associated with and are encoded to aid the performance of one or more functions related to the content, such as visual-search using a video application enhancement track, or trick-play track. In several embodiments, a method of decoding a media file for play back includes obtaining a media file containing compressed content and an accompanying application enhancement track which is a subset of the compressed content, playing back the compressed content, and decoding frames of the application enhancement track at a rate proportional to a visual-search speed and from a location determined by the portion of the compressed content most recently played back.

Abstract: A method for controlling an image display apparatus includes determining a type of a video signal included in an input signal, determining whether three-dimensional (3D) format information is included in the input signal, if the video signal is a 3D video signal, requesting 3D format information about the video signal to a server that stores 3D format information, if the input signal does not include the 3D format information about the video signal, and processing, upon receipt of 3D format information from the server in response to the 3D format information request, the video signal according to the 3D format information and displaying a 3D image based on the processed video signal.

Abstract: A system includes a video-on-demand server and an authentication server. The video-on-demand server is configured to provide video-on-demand content through a broadband connection to a set-top box device. The authentication server is in communication with the video-on-demand server. The authentication server is configured to receive a request to allow access to a video-on-demand package that includes the video-on-demand content, to determine if a user is currently authorized to constantly receive a broadcast package that includes a plurality of broadcast channels related to the video-on-demand content, and to authorize a broadcast channel in the broadcast package when not currently authorized to receive the broadcast package.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided to support multiple audio tracks in an adaptive media stream. Segments of the adaptive stream are encoded so that the player is able to locate and request a specific one of the available audio tracks using byte range requests or the like. Audio content can be removed from video segments, or at least moved to the end of the segments so that a byte range request obtains just the video content when the default audio is not desired. The audio content can be obtained from a separate audio segment. Indeed, multiple audio tracks can be packaged into a common audio segment so that byte range requests can obtain just the particular audio track desired.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for supporting time shift playback in an adaptive Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) streaming transmission solution are disclosed. The method includes: sending a live media presentation description (MPD) request message to a media server; receiving a response message that includes MPD for a current time period, where the MPD further includes media presentation information for another time period; determining that a moment of a media segment to be requested currently exceeds a time range corresponding to the MPD; acquiring the corresponding MPD according to the media presentation information corresponding to the media segment, and requesting, according to the acquired corresponding MPD, the media segment. In this manner, a client supports time shift playback of a larger time range, and at the same time, the size of the MPD is capable of remaining in an acceptable range.

Abstract: A system, method and data structure for processing basic client application data types to add thereto extension types and priority levels adapted for use by each of a plurality of set top box classes.

Abstract: A receiver driven approach for playback of remote content is described. One embodiment includes obtaining information concerning the content of the media file from the remote server, identifying a starting location within the media sequence, identifying byte ranges of the media file corresponding to media required to play the media sequence from the starting location, requesting the byte ranges required to play the media sequence from the starting location, buffering received bytes of information pending commencement of playback, playing back the buffered bytes of information, receiving a user instruction, identifying byte ranges of the media file corresponding to media required to play the media sequence in accordance with the user instruction, flushing previous byte range requests, and requesting the byte ranges required to play the media in accordance with the user instruction.

Abstract: An image communication apparatus has a function of outputting a shot image obtained by imaging an object, a function of displaying at least the shot image, a function of generating a captured image by capturing a displayed image, a function of encoding an image and decoding an encoded image, a function of writing the encoded shot image in a memory and reading out a recorded image stored in the memory, and a function of communicating with another apparatus through a network. The image communication apparatus switches the mode of video to be transmitted to the other apparatus by controlling these functions based on a control event.

Abstract: A system and method for providing multimedia content through a cable, satellite television or other content server system is disclosed. A server facility which provides multimedia content divides formatted multimedia content into data chunks (e.g., collections of data corresponding to one minute lengths) prior to transmission to a user/subscriber receptor unit, and sends the divided data chunks according to a schedule which permits instantaneous starting and viewing of the multimedia content, such as movies, upon user/subscriber request. The user/subscriber receptor unit includes a cable box, video game device, or the like having a digital video recording capability and at least a memory capacity or disk space sufficient to store a complete unit of media content, such as full-length feature film.

Abstract: Systems and methods process an input received from a remote control. A media stream is presented on a display, and the input from the remote control is received at a local device associated with the display. The local device may determine if the input is intended for the local device or a remote device. If the input is intended for the local device, the input may be processed at the local device. Various interface features, for example, may be managed at the local device. If the input is intended for the remote device, a signal may be transmitted from the local device to the remote device to thereby allow the remote device to respond to the input.

Abstract: A system and method for personal video recording (PVR) is provided for recording digitally encoded streams, and for playing back and decoding the recorded streams. The PVR system may receive the digitally encoded streams from a digital cable box or a network server. The system enables trick modes including fast forward and reverse mode displays at various speeds. The system an method for PVR may also be applied to digitally encoded streams without I-pictures, such as, for example, progressive refresh streams or HITS streams. Reverse decode and display may be implemented by starting at a suitable entry point, decoding quickly up to the point of the desired picture, and displaying the result, and repeating the process. Index tables of entry points may be used for proper operation in some modes where the entry points are entry pictures (E-pictures) which start a pattern of progressively refreshing I-slices.

Abstract: A video sequence is to be transmitted at a selectable quality from a server over a network. A network control protocol operates in response to a control parameter to allocate to the server a share of available transmission capacity in proportion to the value of the control parameter. First, one determines a plurality of transmission rate values that are needed over successive time periods of the sequence for successful transmission of the sequence at a reference quality; then the control parameter is set, proportional to the transmission rate value and communicated to the control protocol at corresponding time instants. The sequences can then be transmitted, encoded at a quality from time to time selected in dependence upon the actual transmission capacity made available by the network to the server.

Abstract: A display apparatus and image playing method thereof, are provided. The display apparatus includes a broadcasting receiver which receives a broadcasting signal; a communication unit which communicates with an external device comprising a storage medium; a first buffer which buffers the broadcasting signal to store the received broadcasting signal in the storage medium; a second buffer which buffers a broadcasting signal input from the external device to play the broadcasting signal stored in the storage medium; and a controller which outputs a control signal to the external device to control a broadcasting signal reception volume received from the external device based on at least one buffer volume of the first buffer and the second buffer upon execution of a broadcasting recording and playing function which stores the broadcasting signal in the storage medium and plays the stored broadcasting signal.

Abstract: A method for trick play (fast forward, rewind, etc.) in video streams using adaptive bitrate HTTP delivery protocols includes playing only portions of a video at a current bitrate to achieve the initial trick play functionality. A new trick play bitrate is selected based on a trick play playout rate, the trick play bitrate for the duration of the trick play is retrieved, and operation is switched back to a previous bitrate when normal playback resumes. A system is also specified for implementing a client and server infrastructure in accordance with the method.

Abstract: A source rate associated with a video bit stream (112) and a channel (140) rate associated with an LTE environment can be identified. The video bit stream (112) can be a Scalable Video Codec (SVC) of an H.264/MPEG4 Advanced Video Coding. The channel (140) rate can be associated with one or more segment bandwidth (142) rates. An enhancement path from an enhancement profile (332) associated with the SVC can be determined. The enhancement profile (332) can include one or more cumulative source rates and an associated enhancement options. The enhancement options can be a frame quantity, frame size, and a frame quality (122, 124, 126). The enhancement path can be a subset of nodes of the enhancement graph (400). The channel (140) rate can be matched to a cumulative source rate to a node within the enhancement path. One or more Network Abstraction Layer (NAL) units (144) with the appropriate enhancement values can be conveyed.

Abstract: A content delivery resource in a cable network receives a request for specified content. The content delivery resource retrieves profile information assigned to the subscriber domain. The profile information indicates multiple different playback formats assigned to the subscriber domain. To service the request, the content delivery resource utilizes the profile information associated with the subscriber domain to select versions of the specified content encoded in accordance with the multiple different playback formats. The content delivery resource then initiates transmission of the versions of the specified content in the multiple different playback formats to the subscriber domain for playback on multiple types of playback devices.

Abstract: A server device is configured to be able to transmit content data having one of a plurality of bit rates. While receiving the content data, a client device stores a received portion thereof and reproduces content based on the stored data. A delivery system acquires a period of time during which content can be reproduced (remaining reproduction time) based on a portion of the stored data that has not been reproduced. The delivery system calculates, according to a predetermined procedure, a correction amount for correcting the bit rate based on the remaining reproduction time, and changes the bit rate based on the calculated correction amount. When the bit rate is within a predetermined range, the delivery system calculates a correction amount having a smaller magnitude than a magnitude of the correction amount calculated according to the procedure.

Abstract: Network services encode multimedia content, such as video, into multiple adaptive bitrate streams of encoded video and a separate trick play stream of encoded video to support trick play features. The trick play stream is encoded at a lower encoding bitrate and frame rate than each of the adaptive bitrate streams. The adaptive bitrate streams and the trick play stream are stored in the network services. During normal content streaming and playback, a client device downloads a selected one of the adaptive bitrate streams from network serviced for playback at the client device. To implement a trick play feature, the client device downloads the trick play stream from the network services for trick play playback.

Abstract: An apparatus downloads files of encoded video including interspersed key frames over a communication network. The apparatus plays back video from the downloaded files and creates a trick play index based on the downloaded files. The trick play index indicates network locations of the key frames in the encoded video files. When the apparatus receives a trick play request, such as rewind or fast forward, the client device downloads the key frames from the indicated network locations, and plays back video from the downloaded key frames.

Abstract: GUI presentation in a home network is improved by using a video encoding tailored for GUI, while using normal video encoding for video presentation. Also, GUI command response time is shortened by reserving, for transmission of commands originated by a user input device, a time slot in a contention free period (CFP) of a transmission cycle between a client device receiving the commands and a server executing them.

Abstract: A disclosed example method to manage network bandwidth allocation in a media delivery environment involves detecting insufficient bandwidth available to deliver requested media to a media receiver and presenting user-selectable options via the media receiver to allocate bandwidth to deliver the requested media to the media receiver. The example method also involves receiving a first user selection of one of the user-selectable options and implementing the selected one of the user-selectable options specifying a second user selection identifying a particular media stream to be delivered at a media quality that is lower than a higher media quality previously selected for that particular media stream.

Abstract: The techniques related to providing a live program over the Internet are described. According to one aspect of the techniques, a data stream representing a live program is preprocessed to produce a plurality of substreams, each of the substreams comprising decimated samples of the data stream. The number of substreams is relatively large so that the bandwidth requirement for delivering one of the substreams is relatively low. With a group of seeding boxes receiving the substreams, a group of boxes in services are designated to receive the substreams from the seeding boxes, each of these boxes including the seeding boxes is able to support multiple outbound streams (e.g., greater than 2) so that there are enough data suppliers to service the ordering boxes or colonize more boxes to become the data suppliers. As a result, a live program can be timely serviced by peer boxes, significantly reducing the computation and bandwidth burdens on a server(s).

Abstract: A method of dynamically preparing a media clip for delivery from a server to a client is provided. Media attributes comprising media playback formats compatible with the client are provided to the server. A request is made by the client to provide a media content item at a specified starting time, and the server identifies a source where a media content file related to the selected media content item is located. The server obtains the media file from the source, and obtains a transcoded media segment file having a playback format compatible with the client media attributes. The transcoded media segment file may further be prepared in a transport format that is compatible with transport format media attributes of the client device, and a location of the prepared transcoded media segment file may be communicated to the client for the client to access the media segment.

Abstract: A prediction means for predicting a maximum delayed change time, which is the longest in a change time which allows a next program to be displayed, if a channel is selected to change the current program to the next program; and a display control means, by which, from a reception completion time when the reception of the current program has been completed, a relevant program is displayed on the basis of original program data remaining in a buffer at the relevant reception completion time, and at the same time, the reproduction speed of the display is based on a speed at which the current program is displayed during the period between the reception completion time and a maximum delayed change time.

Abstract: A method for performing trick-mode operations with decreased latency for transcode streaming includes receiving and recording a stream of video data. A single transcoder may transcode the stream of video data and generate output video data in an output buffer following. Segmentation index information may be generated that refers to the output data in the output buffer. Skip-backwards, skip-ahead, and resume requests received from a client device are responded by retrieving transcoded video data from the output buffer or retrieving and transcoding video data from an input storage. A method for performing skip-ahead trick-mode operation with decreased latency may use two transcoders such as two threads of the single transcoder to transcode temporally current content and forward content. The forward content may be associated with a forward time offset with respect to the temporally current content. The transcoded forward content is provided in response to skip-ahead trick mode request.

Abstract: A method of operating a server and an IP client device for presentation of video content to a viewer that includes a trickplay function. The server partitions media chunks into several sub chunks and includes information about the sub chunks in a manifest. The client plays the needed sub chunks to implement a desired play rate. As an alternative to providing sub chunk information in the manifest, the server sends key frame information in the manifest. The client plays needed frames of the key frames to implement a desired play rate. The sub chunk information as well as key frame information is encoded into the manifest as a standard comment or chunk filename. In another alternative, the IP client sends a trickplay request and based on that, the server signals either the sub chunks to be played or the key frames to be played to affect the desired speed. In yet another variation, the server can also remove the unwanted sub chunks or key frames to affect the desired play rate at the IP client.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes establishing a connection between a client and a messaging fabric associated with a video system that includes a metadata broker element; storing metadata information associated with content, where the content is associated with a release uniform resource locator (URL); and generating a content guide, (e.g., an electronic program guide) that includes a plurality of content definitions (e.g., channels). A particular content (e.g., program) in the content guide is associated with a particular release URL that can be translated into a more specific URL based on a number of criteria.

Abstract: A communication system and a family of methods for remote access to personal television service are disclosed. According to this invention, a remote personal TV service center provides centralized program guide information. A user may access to the personal TV service center through a digital video recorder which is connected to the personal TV service center via telephone modem or a network server. A user may access to the personal TV service center through a remote computer terminal or a personal digital assistant which is connected to a computer network. The user selects program events and programs the digital video recorder by using a graphical user interface installed in the front panel of the digital video recorder in case of local programming, or using a similar GUI which is incorporated into the Web pages presented to remote users by a Web server in case of remote programming. The media stream stored in one digital video recorder may be transferred to another digital video recorder.

Abstract: A apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a display unit, a Radio Frequency (RF) unit to establish communication with a media device, and a control unit to control wireless transmission of multimedia data to the media device for display on an external device connected to the media device, whereby the multimedia data is reproduced on the external device in real time.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a control unit to establish communication with a wireless terminal and to control reception of multimedia data wirelessly transmitted from the wireless terminal, and an output unit to display the multimedia data on an external device, whereby the multimedia data is reproduced on the external device in real time.

Abstract: In one embodiment the invention provides a method for outputting auxiliary information for use in playing back a video sequence, the method comprising obtaining a measure of usefulness of a particular picture for playing back the video sequence, wherein the measure of usefulness indicates a performance of playing back the video sequence if the particular picture is available in a decoded state at a time of playback versus the particular picture not being available in a decoded state at a time of playback; determining a position in a data stream that includes the video sequence; and storing the auxiliary information at the determined position in the data stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for outputting video frames while changing channels using a digital broadcast receiver are provided. The method includes sequentially tuning to a plurality of channels and receiving a plurality of digital broadcast signals from the respective channels; extracting a plurality of video frames from the respective digital broadcast signals and storing the video frames; receiving a digital broadcast signal from a desired channel to be tuned upon receiving a channel-change command; and outputting at least one of the stored video frames before a digital broadcast signal of the desired channel is output.

Abstract: A method, a device and a system for implementing seeking play of stream media are provided. The method for implementing seeking play of stream media includes: sending a seeking play request to a stream media server; receiving preview key frames for seeking play sent from the stream media server according to a predefined buffer capacity range and storing the preview key frames for seeking play; displaying the preview key frames for seeking play; and initiating a stream media play according to preview key frames selected by a seeking of a user. This invention can improve the seeking operation experience of the user, control the downloading time of the extracted program, and reduce requirements of storage capability of the stream media terminal.

Abstract: A data processing system receives video data from a data source and separates the video data into multiple video data segments. Each of the multiple video data segments are substantially the same size. The system generates a data segmentation element associated with each video data segment. The data segmentation element describes content in the associated video data segment. Each video data segment and the associated data segmentation element are communicated to a destination device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing video transport is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to predict visibility to a viewer of packet loss impairment for communicated video content based at least in part on scene information for one or more packets of the video content. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Video data signals are encoded such that the encoded video data signal includes at least a primary and at least a secondary video data signal. The primary and secondary video data signals are jointly compressed. The primary video data signal is compressed in a self-contained manner, and the secondary video data signal is compressed using data from the primary video data signal. The jointly compressed video data signal is split into separate bitstreams, at least a primary bitstream including data for the primary video data signal and at least a secondary bitstream including data for the secondary video data signal. The primary and secondary bitstreams are multiplexed into a multiplexed signal, and the primary and secondary signals are provided with separate codes.