Abstract:
A system and method are described below for encoding interactive low-latency video using interframe coding. For example, one embodiment of a computer-implemented method for performing video compression comprises: detecting a maximum data rate of a communication channel between a server and a client; dynamically selecting a tile size for encoding a sequence of images based on the detected maximum data rate; logically subdividing each of the sequence of images into a plurality of tiles sized according to the selected tile size, each of the tiles having a defined position within each of the sequence of images; encoding each tile within each image of the sequence of images using a first compression format or a second compression format, wherein a tile at a particular position of a first image in the sequence of images is encoded using the first compression format and the same tile within one or more subsequent images is encoded using the second compression format.
Abstract:
A system and method are described for performing motion capture on a subject using fluorescent lamps. For example, a system according to one embodiment of the invention comprises: a synchronization signal generator to generate one or more synchronization signals; one or more fluorescent lamps configured to strobe on and off responsive to a first one of the one or more synchronization signals, the fluorescent lamps charging phosphorescent makeup, paint or dye applied to a subject for a motion capture session; and a plurality of cameras having shutters strobed synchronously with the strobing of the light source to capture images of the phosphorescent paint, wherein the shutters are open when the light source is off and the shutters are closed when the light source is on.
Abstract:
An apparatus for recording application state information over time while simultaneous recording application streaming interactive video output. A playback means in which the recorded application video may be played back or the application may be re-executed with the application state information.
Abstract:
A method by which a streaming interactive video user session is handed off from one streaming interactive video server to another without noticeable disruption to the video stream or the user interactivity.
Abstract:
A plurality of servers whose video output is coupled to video compression apparatus that transmits streaming interactive video to a plurality of users, with a feedback loop whereby the streaming interactive video is recursively combined within the video output of the plurality of servers.
Abstract:
An apparatus comprising a server that generates a stream of streaming interactive video and/or audio. Means for multicasting the stream to a plurality of client devices accommodating different device video, audio and/or network characteristics, and means for allowing input from one or more of the client devices to control the streaming interactive video.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for storing uncompressed and compressed multimedia content on a storage device, the uncompressed content is stored in an interim buffer of the storage device. Compression of uncompressed content stored in the interim buffer is done as a background task, storing the compressed content in a long term buffer of the storage device, responsive to a user request to record the multimedia content. Automatically stream the uncompressed multimedia content remaining in the interim buffer directly to a rendering device once the compressed multimedia content stored in the long term buffer has been streamed to the rendering device.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for recording a signal received by a home entertainment system that includes multiple consumer electronics devices interconnected to a central electronics device in a hub and spoke configuration. The configuration allows all signals in the home entertainment system to be accessible by the central electronics device. Accordingly, the central electronics device can process, route, or otherwise respond to any signal. By way of example, any signal can be routed to a recording system, where it can be recorded. The signal is coupled with information from an electronic programming guide that details specific programming. An automatic determination is made as to whether or not there exists enough free space on a recording medium to record a specific program. Upon recording the program on the recording medium, an index is updated on the recording medium from the electronic programming guide information and from the location of the program on the recording medium. By selecting the program from the index, the recorded program can be automatically located on the recording medium.
Abstract:
A method is described comprising: receiving a broadcast signal containing a plurality of encrypted multimedia channels; storing the encrypted multimedia channels in a first hard drive partition; and decrypting one or more of the encrypted multimedia channels to generate one or more decrypted multimedia channels; and storing the decrypted multimedia channels to a second hard drive partition.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for utilizing a high bandwidth communications channel for broadcasting network data during off-peak hours is disclosed. A demodulation unit includes, 1) a standard television broadcast signal receiver, the signal having a plurality of channels; 2) a partitioning unit configured to partition at least one channel of said plurality of channels into a plurality of variable size sub-channels; 3) a modulating unit configured to modulate a variety of different types of information into said plurality of sub-channels; and 4) a transmitter configured to transmit said plurality of sub-channels over a high bandwidth communications channel during off-peak hours.