Patents - Active Video

Patent number: 10523985

Abstract: A client device receives, from a server, first content directed to a first buffer in the client device and second content directed to a second buffer in the client device. The second buffer is deeper than the first buffer. The client device buffers the first content in the first buffer and buffers the second content in the second buffer. At least a portion of the second content is buffered in the second buffer simultaneously with buffering the first content in the first buffer. The client device selects between the first content in the first buffer and the second content in the second buffer and provides the selected content for display.

Type: Grant

Filed: December 2, 2016

Date of Patent: December 31, 2019

Assignee: ACTIVEVIDEO NETWORKS, INC.

Inventors: Bert Visscher, Gerrit Hiddink, Maarten Hoeben

View on USPTO.gov

Patent number: 10506298

Abstract: A method of adapting content-stream bandwidth includes generating a content stream for transmission over an unmanaged network with varying capacity and sending the content stream toward a client device. The method includes monitoring the capacity of the unmanaged network and determining whether an aggregate bandwidth of an upcoming portion of the content stream fits the capacity. The upcoming portion of the content stream includes video content and user-interface data. The method further includes, in response to a determination that the aggregate bandwidth of the upcoming portion of the content stream does not fit the capacity, prioritizing low latency for the user-interface data over maintaining a frame rate of the video content when the user-interface data is the result of a user interaction and reducing a size of the upcoming portion of the content stream in accordance with the prioritizing. The reducing comprises decreasing the frame rate of the video content.

Type: Grant

Filed: October 23, 2017

Date of Patent: December 10, 2019

Assignee: ACTIVEVIDEO NETWORKS, INC.

Inventors: Ronald A. Brockmann, Maarten Hoeben

View on USPTO.gov

Patent number: 10491930

Abstract: A server system assigns a group of user sessions to a single modulator. The user sessions comprise data in a plurality of classes, each class having a respective priority. The plurality of classes includes, in order of priority from highest priority to lowest priority, audio data, video data, and user-interface graphical elements. The server system determines that an aggregate bandwidth for a first frame time exceeds a specified budget for the modulator. In response to determining that the aggregate bandwidth for the first frame time exceeds the specified budget, the server system transmits an allocated portion of the data for the group of user sessions through the modulator onto a channel corresponding to the modulator during the first frame time in accordance with the class priorities.

Type: Grant

Filed: October 9, 2017

Date of Patent: November 26, 2019

Assignee: ACTIVEVIDEO NETWORKS, INC.

Inventors: Ronald A. Brockmann, Maarten Hoeben, Onne Gorter, Gerrit Hiddink

View on USPTO.gov

Patent number: 10409445

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to user interfaces and systems and methods for generating a real-time “lean-back” user interface for use with a television or other display device and for reuse of encoded elements for forming a video frame of the user interface. An interactive session is established between a client device associated with a user's television and the platform for creating the user interface over a communication network, such as a cable television network. The user interface is automatically generated by the platform and is animated even without interactions by the user with an input device. The user interface includes a plurality of interactive animated assets. The animated assets are capable of changing over time (e.g. different images, full-motion video) and are also capable of being animated so as to change screen position, rotate, move etc. over time. A hash is maintained of cached encoded assets and cached elements that may be reused within a user session and between user sessions.

Type: Grant

Filed: January 9, 2013

Date of Patent: September 10, 2019

Assignee: ActiveVideo Networks, Inc.

Inventors: Ronald Alexander Brockmann, Jesse Song Yi Tan, Henderika Vogel, Cornelis Meerveld

View on USPTO.gov

Patent number: 10356491

Abstract: A server remote from client device executes an HTML-based virtual client application. Using the HTML-based virtual client application, the server renders an image corresponding to a video frame. The rendered image includes HTML commands. The server generates an HTML wrapper for the rendered image. Generating the HTML wrapper includes converting the HTML commands to HTML primitives that are selected from a subset of available HTML commands. The server sends the HTML wrapper to the client device to be processed by an HTML-based application on the client device to enable the image to be displayed.

Type: Grant

Filed: December 21, 2017

Date of Patent: July 16, 2019

Assignee: ACTIVEVIDEO NETWORKS, INC.

Inventors: Maarten Hoeben, Ronald Brokmann

View on USPTO.gov

Patent number: 10275128

Abstract: The method of providing audiovisual content to a client device configured to be coupled to a display. The method detects a selection of a graphical element corresponding to a video content item. In response to detecting the selection of the graphical element, a transmission mode is determined. The transmission mode is a function of: (i) one or more decoding capabilities of the client device; (ii) a video encoding format of the video content item; (ii) whether the video content item should be displayed in a full screen or a partial screen format; and (iv) whether the client device is capable of overlaying image data into a video stream. Next, audiovisual data that includes the video content item is prepared for transmission according to the determined transmission mode. Finally, the prepared audiovisual data is transmitted from the server toward the client device, according to the determined transmission mode, for display on the display.

Type: Grant

Filed: March 17, 2014

Date of Patent: April 30, 2019

Assignee: ActiveVideo Networks, Inc.

Inventors: Ronald Alexander Brockmann, Anuj Dev, Gerrit Hiddink

View on USPTO.gov

Patent number: 10270591

Abstract: A method is performed at a client device distinct from an application server. In the method, a first key is stored in a secure store of the client device. A wrapped second key is received from the application server. The first key is retrieved from the secure store and used to unwrap the second key. Encrypted media content is received from the application server, decrypted using the unwrapped second key, and decoded for playback.

Type: Grant

Filed: June 30, 2016

Date of Patent: April 23, 2019

Assignee: ActiveVideo Networks, Inc.

Inventors: Ronald Brockmann, Gerrit Hiddink

View on USPTO.gov

Patent number: 10264293

Abstract: A method of displaying video embedded in a user interface is performed at an electronic device such as a server system or client device. The method includes obtaining user-interface frames having a first placeholder for a first video window and obtaining source video frames having a first video stream in the first video window. The source video frames and the user-interface frames are interleaved to form an output video stream, which is provided for decoding and display.

Type: Grant

Filed: December 23, 2015

Date of Patent: April 16, 2019

Assignee: ActiveVideo Networks, Inc.

Inventor: Maarten Hoeben

View on USPTO.gov

Patent number: 10200744

Abstract: A method of generating a blended output including an interactive user interface and one or more supplemental images. At a client device, a video stream containing an interactive user interface is received from a server using a first data communications channel configured to communicate video content and a command is transmitted to the server that relates to a user input received through the interactive user interface. In response to the transmitting, an updated user interface is received using the first data communications channel, and one or more supplemental images are received using a second data communications channel. Each supplemental image is associated with a corresponding transparency coefficient. The updated user interface and the one or more supplemental images are blended according to the transparency coefficient for each supplemental image to generate a blended output and the blended output is transmitted toward the display device for display thereon.

Type: Grant

Filed: April 26, 2016

Date of Patent: February 5, 2019

Assignee: ActiveVideo Networks, Inc.

Inventors: Ronald A. Brockmann, Onne Gorter, Anuj Dev, Gerritt Hiddink

View on USPTO.gov

Patent number: 9826197

Abstract: A client device receives a broadcast content signal containing an interactive identifier over a managed network at a client device. The interactive identifier may be a trigger that is included in a header or embedded within the digital video data. The trigger may have a temporal component, wherein the trigger can expire after a certain period of time. In response to identification of the trigger, the client device sends a user request for interactive content over an unmanaged network. For example, the managed network may be a one-way satellite television network, IP-television network or cable television network and the unmanaged network may be the Internet. The client device switches between receiving data from the managed network to receiving data from the unmanaged network.

Type: Grant

Filed: December 31, 2009

Date of Patent: November 21, 2017

Assignee: ACTIVEVIDEO NETWORKS, INC.

Inventors: Joshua Dahlby, Andrey Marsavin, Charles Lawrence, Lena Y. Pavlovskaia

View on USPTO.gov

Patent number: 9800945

Abstract: Switched digital television programming for video-on-demand and other interactive television services are combined utilizing class-based, multi-dimensional decision logic to simultaneously optimize video quality and audio uniformity while minimizing latency during user interactions with the system over an unmanaged network. For example, a method of adapting content-stream bandwidth includes generating a content stream for transmission over an unmanaged network with varying capacity; sending the content stream, via the unmanaged network, toward a client device; monitoring the capacity of the unmanaged network; determining whether an aggregate bandwidth of an upcoming portion of the content stream fits the capacity, wherein the upcoming portion of the content stream corresponds to a respective frame time and includes video content and user-interface data; and, in response to a determination that the aggregate bandwidth does not fit the capacity, reducing a size of the upcoming portion of the content stream.

Type: Grant

Filed: April 26, 2015

Date of Patent: October 24, 2017

Assignee: ACTIVEVIDEO NETWORKS, INC.

Inventors: Ronald A. Brockmann, Maarten Hoeben

View on USPTO.gov

Patent number: 9788029

Abstract: Switched digital television programming for video-on-demand and other interactive television services are combined utilizing a class-based, multi-dimensional decision logic to simultaneously optimize video quality and audio uniformity while minimizing latency during user interactions with the system over managed networks such as cable and satellite television networks. A group of user sessions are assigned to a single modulator. The user sessions include data in a plurality of classes, each class having a respective priority. In response to a determination that an aggregate bandwidth of the group of user sessions for a first frame time exceeds a specified budget, bandwidth is allocated for the group of user sessions during the first frame time in accordance with the class priorities. The group of user sessions is multiplexed onto a channel corresponding to the modulator in accordance with the allocated bandwidth and transmitted over a managed network.

Type: Grant

Filed: April 26, 2015

Date of Patent: October 10, 2017

Assignee: ACTIVEVIDEO NETWORKS, INC.

Inventors: Ronald A. Brockmann, Maarten Hoeben, Onne Gorter, Gerrit Hiddink

View on USPTO.gov

Patent number: 9355681

Abstract: An MPEG object is an object-oriented data structure that may be used in the creation of interactive MPEG video stream. The MPEG object data structure includes an MPEG object interface defining data received by the MPEG object and data output by the MPEG object. The MPEG object data structure further includes either one or more MPEG video elements or an association to one or more MPEG video elements. The MPEG video elements are preferably defined as MPEG slices that include a plurality of encoded macroblocks. Additionally, the data structure may provide a method for receiving input through the MPEG object interface and in response to input from the client device outputting an MPEG video element. In certain configurations, the MPEG object contains a method that maintains state data for the MPEG object. The state data may be used to select between a plurality of MPEG elements to output.

Type: Grant

Filed: January 11, 2008

Date of Patent: May 31, 2016

Assignee: ACTIVEVIDEO NETWORKS, INC.

Inventors: Donald Gordon, Lena Y. Pavlovskaia, Airan Landau, Andreas Lennartsson, Glenn M. Cloud

View on USPTO.gov

Patent number: 9326047

Abstract: A method of combining an interactive user interface for generating a blended output that includes the interactive user interface and one or more supplemental images. At a client device remote from a server, a video stream that contains an interactive user interface is received from the server using a first data communications channel configured to communicate video content, and a command that relates to an interactive user interface is transmitted to the server. In response to the transmitting, an updated user interface is received from the server using the first data communications channel, and one or more supplemental images for supplementing the interactive user interface are received using a second data communications channel different from the first data communications channel. The updated user interface and the one or more supplemental images are blended to generate a blended output, which is transmitted toward the display device for display thereon.

Type: Grant

Filed: June 6, 2014

Date of Patent: April 26, 2016

Assignee: ACTIVEVIDEO NETWORKS, INC.

Inventors: Ronald A. Brockmann, Onne Gorter, Anuj Dev, Gerritt Hiddink

View on USPTO.gov

Patent number: 9294785

Abstract: A system method and computer program product for creating a composited video frame sequence for an application. A current scene state for the application is compared to a previous scene state wherein each scene state includes a plurality of objects. A video construction engine determines if properties of one or more objects have changed based upon a comparison of the scene states. If properties of one or more objects have changed based upon the comparison, the delta between the object's states is determined and this information is used by a fragment encoding module if the fragment has not been encoded before. The information is used to define, for example, the motion vectors for use by the fragment encoding module in construction of the fragments to be used by the stitching module to build the composited video frame sequence.

Type: Grant

Filed: April 25, 2014

Date of Patent: March 22, 2016

Assignee: ACTIVEVIDEO NETWORKS, INC.

Inventors: Ronald Alexander Brockmann, Anuj Dev, Maarten Hoeben

View on USPTO.gov

Patent number: 9219922

Abstract: A system method and computer program product for creating a composited video frame sequence for an application. A current scene graph state for the application is compared to a previous scene graph state wherein each scene graph state includes a plurality of hierarchical nodes that represent one or more objects at each node. A video construction engine determines if one or more objects have moved based upon a comparison of the scene graph states. If one or more objects have moved based upon the scene graph comparison, motion information about the objects is determined and the motion information is forwarded to a stitcher module. The motion information is used to define motion vectors for use by the stitcher module in construction of the composited video frame sequence.

Type: Grant

Filed: June 6, 2013

Date of Patent: December 22, 2015

Assignee: ACTIVEVIDEO NETWORKS, INC.

Inventors: Ronald Alexander Brockmann, Anuj Dev, Maarten Hoeben

View on USPTO.gov

Patent number: 9204203

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for reducing and controlling playback latency in an unmanaged, buffered data network. A delay cost function is determined, the function representing the effect of playback latency on end user experience. An encoder transmits audiovisual data through the network to a client device. Network latency is measured, and the delay cost function is evaluated to establish an encoding bitrate for the encoder. The encoding of the audiovisual data is altered in response to dynamic network conditions, thereby controlling end-to-end playback latency of the system, which is represented by the playout length of data buffered between the encoder and the client device.

Type: Grant

Filed: April 3, 2012

Date of Patent: December 1, 2015

Assignee: ActiveVideo Networks, Inc.

Inventors: Ronald A. Brockmann, Anuj Dev, Gerrit Hiddink, Joshua Dahlby, Lena Y. Pavlovskaia

View on USPTO.gov

Publication number: 20150312599

Abstract: Switched digital television programming for video-on-demand and other interactive television services are combined utilizing a class-based, multi-dimensional decision logic to simultaneously optimize video quality and audio uniformity while minimizing latency during user interactions with the system over managed networks such as cable and satellite television networks. A group of user sessions are assigned to a single modulator. The user sessions include data in a plurality of classes, each class having a respective priority. In response to a determination that an aggregate bandwidth of the group of user sessions for a first frame time exceeds a specified budget, bandwidth is allocated for the group of user sessions during the first frame time in accordance with the class priorities. The group of user sessions is multiplexed onto a channel corresponding to the modulator in accordance with the allocated bandwidth and transmitted over a managed network.

Type: Application

Filed: April 26, 2015

Publication date: October 29, 2015

Applicant: ACTIVEVIDEO NETWORKS, INC.

Inventors: Ronald A. Brockmann, Maarten Hoeben, Onne Gorter, Gerrit Hiddink

Patent number: 9123084

Abstract: System and methods are provided to cache encoded graphical objects that may be subsequently combined with other encoded video data to form a data stream decodable by a client device according to a format specification. Paint instructions relating to a graphical object are sent from a layout engine to a rendering library. A shim intercepts these instructions and determines whether the graphical object already has been rendered and encoded. If so, a cached copy of the object is transmitted to the client device. If not, the shim transparently passes the instructions to the rendering library, and the object is rendered, encoded, and cached. Hash values are used for efficiency. Methods are disclosed to detect and cache animations, and to cut and splice cached objects into encoded video data.

Type: Grant

Filed: April 12, 2012

Date of Patent: September 1, 2015

Assignee: ActiveVideo Networks, Inc.

Inventors: Ronald A. Brockmann, Anuj Dev, Onne Gorter, Gerrit Hiddink, Maarten Hoeben

View on USPTO.gov

Publication number: 20150230002

Abstract: Switched digital television programming for video-on-demand and other interactive television services are combined utilizing class-based, multi-dimensional decision logic to simultaneously optimize video quality and audio uniformity while minimizing latency during user interactions with the system over an unmanaged network. For example, a method of adapting content-stream bandwidth includes generating a content stream for transmission over an unmanaged network with varying capacity; sending the content stream, via the unmanaged network, toward a client device; monitoring the capacity of the unmanaged network; determining whether an aggregate bandwidth of an upcoming portion of the content stream fits the capacity, wherein the upcoming portion of the content stream corresponds to a respective frame time and includes video content and user-interface data; and, in response to a determination that the aggregate bandwidth does not fit the capacity, reducing a size of the upcoming portion of the content stream.

Type: Application

Filed: April 26, 2015

Publication date: August 13, 2015

Applicant: ActiveVideo Networks, Inc.

Inventors: Ronald A. Brockmann, Maarten Hoeben

Patent number: 9077860

Abstract: A system and method are provided for processing video content, associated with a source image, for display on a television. The source image, such as a web page, and its associated (e.g., linked) video content are retrieved and separately encoded. The encoded source image and the encoded video content are composited together to form a sequence of encoded video frames, where a frame type of the video content is used to determine a type of a composited frame. For example, if all displayed frames of the video content are MPEG I-frames, then the composited frame also may be an I-frame. However, if any displayed frame of video content is an MPEG P-frame or B-frame, then the composited frame may be a P-frame.

Type: Grant

Filed: December 5, 2011

Date of Patent: July 7, 2015

Assignee: ActiveVideo Networks, Inc.

Inventors: Robert B. Sigmon, Jr., Lena Y. Pavlovskaia, Airan S. Landau

View on USPTO.gov

Patent number: 9061206

Abstract: A method and related system of generating a frame of video is disclosed. In the method, a request is received. For instance, the request may initiate a video game. A motion search between an object in a subsequent frame of video and the object in a current frame of video is performed. A pre-determined motion vector for the object is selected. The object in the subsequent frame of video may correspond to a set of pre-encoded macro-blocks and the performing the motion search may include searching a corresponding set of macro-blocks associated with the current frame of video. The pre-encoded macro-blocks may be pre-encoded prior to the request. The motion vector may be pre-determined prior to the request.

Type: Grant

Filed: July 8, 2005

Date of Patent: June 23, 2015

Assignee: ActiveVideo Networks, Inc.

Inventors: Robert Craig, Clifford Wayne Mercer, Ulrich Sigmund

View on USPTO.gov

Patent number: 9060101

Abstract: A method and related system of generating a frame of video is disclosed. In the method, a current frame of video is transmitted. A command corresponding to an action associated with a shifting of an image in the frame of video is received. A subsequent frame of video is transmitted in accordance with the received command, including transmitting at least two slices of video information corresponding to the shifting. Each slice may include an intra-coded macro-block having additional image information at an edge of the frame of video and at least two predictive macro-blocks, and at least one of the predictive macro-blocks includes a motion vector corresponding to the shifting of the image in the frame of video.

Type: Grant

Filed: July 8, 2005

Date of Patent: June 16, 2015

Assignee: ACTIVEVIDEO NETWORKS, INC.

Inventors: Robert Craig, Clifford Wayne Mercer, Ulrich Sigmund

View on USPTO.gov

Patent number: 9042454

Abstract: A system for creating composite encoded video from two or more encoded video sources in the encoded domain. In response to user input, a markup language-based graphical layout is retrieved. The graphical layout includes frame locations within a composite frame for at least a first encoded source and a second encoded source. The system either retrieves or receives the first and second encoded sources. The sources include block-based transform encoded data. The system also includes a stitcher module for stitching together the first encoded source and the second encoded source according to the frame locations of the graphical layout to form an encoded frame. The system outputs an encoded video stream that is transmitted to a client device associated with the user. In response to further user input, the system updates the state of an object model and replaces all or a portion of one or more frames of the encoded video stream. The system may be used with MPEG encoded video.

Type: Grant

Filed: January 11, 2008

Date of Patent: May 26, 2015

Assignee: ActiveVideo Networks, Inc.

Inventors: Donald Gordon, Lena Y. Pavlovskaia, Airan Landau, Andreas Lennartsson, Charlie Lawrence, Greg Brown, Edward Ludvig

View on USPTO.gov

Patent number: 9021541

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented that permit an individual to share digital video between video devices using a cable television system. A first video device streams digital video to a cable headend, which transcodes it and stitches it with other video content, such as a menuing system. The headend then transmits the digital video to a second video device, such as a set top box, for display. The data stream may be controlled using a standard set top box remote control, and the system may be used without purchasing additional hardware or software, or configuring a wireless local area network.

Type: Grant

Filed: October 14, 2011

Date of Patent: April 28, 2015

Assignee: ActiveVideo Networks, Inc.

Inventors: Natalie Regis, Mark Tom, Andrey Marsavin, Lena Y. Pavlovskaia

View on USPTO.gov

Publication number: 20140362930

Abstract: A system method and computer program product for creating a composited video frame sequence for an application. A current scene state for the application is compared to a previous scene state wherein each scene state includes a plurality of objects. A video construction engine determines if properties of one or more objects have changed based upon a comparison of the scene states. If properties of one or more objects have changed based upon the comparison, the delta between the object's states is determined and this information is used by a fragment encoding module if the fragment has not been encoded before. The information is used to define, for example, the motion vectors for use by the fragment encoding module in construction of the fragments to be used by the stitching module to build the composited video frame sequence.

Type: Application

Filed: April 25, 2014

Publication date: December 11, 2014

Applicant: ACTIVEVIDEO NETWORKS, INC.

Inventors: RONALD ALEXANDER BROCKMANN, ANUJ DEV, MAARTEN HOEBEN

Patent number: 8619867

Abstract: A method and related system of generating a frame of video is disclosed. In the method, a request is received and a frame of video is generated using a plurality of pre-encoded macro-blocks. Generating the frame of video includes assigning the plurality of pre-encoded macro-blocks to respective positions in a grid. The frame of video may be compatible with an MPEG compression standard. The plurality of pre-encoded macro-blocks are pre-encoded prior to the request.

Type: Grant

Filed: September 10, 2012

Date of Patent: December 31, 2013

Assignee: Activevideo Networks, Inc.

Inventors: Robert Craig, Clifford Wayne Mercer, Ulrich Sigmund

View on USPTO.gov

Publication number: 20130272394

Abstract: System and methods are provided to cache encoded graphical objects that may be subsequently combined with other encoded video data to form a data stream decodable by a client device according to a format specification. Paint instructions relating to a graphical object are sent from a layout engine to a rendering library. A shim intercepts these instructions and determines whether the graphical object already has been rendered and encoded. If so, a cached copy of the object is transmitted to the client device. If not, the shim transparently passes the instructions to the rendering library, and the object is rendered, encoded, and cached. Hash values are used for efficiency. Methods are disclosed to detect and cache animations, and to cut and splice cached objects into encoded video data.

Type: Application

Filed: April 12, 2012

Publication date: October 17, 2013

Applicant: ACTIVEVIDEO NETWORKS, INC

Inventors: Ronald A. Brockmann, Anuj Dev, Onne Gorter, Gerrit Hiddink, Maarten Hoeben

Publication number: 20130179787

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to user interfaces and systems and methods for generating a real-time “lean-back” user interface for use with a television or other display device and for reuse of encoded elements for forming a video frame of the user interface. An interactive session is established between a client device associated with a user's television and the platform for creating the user interface over a communication network, such as a cable television network. The user interface is automatically generated by the platform and is animated even without interactions by the user with an input device. The user interface includes a plurality of interactive animated assets. The animated assets are capable of changing over time (e.g. different images, full-motion video) and are also capable of being animated so as to change screen position, rotate, move etc. over time. A hash is maintained of cached encoded assets and cached elements that may be reused within a user session and between user sessions.

Type: Application

Filed: January 9, 2013

Publication date: July 11, 2013

Applicant: ACTIVEVIDEO NETWORKS, INC.

Inventor: ActiveVideo Networks, Inc.

Patent number: 8473996

Abstract: Metadata are provided to video generators using a syndication protocol, so that the video generators may produce interactive video content for television subscribers. Metadata relating to source media content are transformed in a computer process from a storage format into a syndication format. Relevant metadata to transform are chosen to reflect the type of interactivity desired by a television service provider and the demands of the video generation process. The transformed metadata are published according to a syndication protocol, so that another computer process that participates in the protocol may generate the interactive video content using the metadata, the source media content, and subscriber commands.

Type: Grant

Filed: March 17, 2010

Date of Patent: June 25, 2013

Assignee: ActiveVideo Networks, Inc.

Inventors: Donald Gordon, Hsuehmin Li, Ellen Rose Fratzke

View on USPTO.gov

Patent number: 8442110

Abstract: A method for regulating bandwidth usage in an output data stream transmitted on an analog channel from a cable head end. The output data stream comprises a plurality of input information content signals. For each input information content signal, a series of images are captured, compressed and formed into an input digital data stream. The bandwidth of each input digital data stream is regulated by associating the stream with a current bit allocation total. During each frame time: a bit allocation increment is added to the current bit allocation total for each input digital data stream. When a data packet to be transmitted for an input digital data stream is received by the multiplexer, the data packet is stored.

Type: Grant

Filed: October 9, 2008

Date of Patent: May 14, 2013

Assignee: ActiveVideo Networks, Inc.

Inventors: Lena Y. Pavlovskaia, Robert Johnson, Airan Landau, Amos Kohn

View on USPTO.gov

Patent number: 8411754

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for creating in the encoded domain one or more video frames from a compressed still video image wherein image content in the created video frames is translated in location by panning or scrolling or a combination thereof on a non-block basis (i.e. pixel-level). A new block formed from portions of two other blocks is created by processing the original two blocks with identity matrices based upon the shift amount. By performing the creation process in the encoded domain processing power requirements are reduced and image quality is increased.

Type: Grant

Filed: November 10, 2008

Date of Patent: April 2, 2013

Assignee: ActiveVideo Networks, Inc.

Inventors: Dengzhi Zhang, Charles Lawrence

View on USPTO.gov

Publication number: 20120257671

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for reducing and controlling playback latency in an unmanaged, buffered data network. A delay cost function is determined, the function representing the effect of playback latency on end user experience. An encoder transmits audiovisual data through the network to a client device. Network latency is measured, and the delay cost function is evaluated to establish an encoding bitrate for the encoder. The encoding of the audiovisual data is altered in response to dynamic network conditions, thereby controlling end-to-end playback latency of the system, which is represented by the playout length of data buffered between the encoder and the client device.

Type: Application

Filed: April 3, 2012

Publication date: October 11, 2012

Applicant: ACTIVEVIDEO NETWORKS, INC.

Inventors: Ronald A. Brockmann, Anuj Dev, Gerrit Hiddink, Joshua Dahlby, Lena Y. Pavlovskaia

Patent number: 8284842

Abstract: A method and related system of generating a frame of video is disclosed. In the method, a request is received and a frame of video is generated using a plurality of pre-encoded macro-blocks. Generating the frame of video includes assigning the plurality of pre-encoded macro-blocks to respective positions in a grid. The frame of video may be compatible with an MPEG compression standard. The plurality of pre-encoded macro-blocks are pre-encoded prior to the request.

Type: Grant

Filed: July 8, 2005

Date of Patent: October 9, 2012

Assignee: Activevideo Networks, Inc.

Inventors: Robert Craig, Clifford Wayne Mercer, Ulrich Sigmund

View on USPTO.gov

Patent number: 8270439

Abstract: A method and related system of encoding audio is disclosed. In the method, data representing a plurality of independent audio signals is accessed. The data representing each respective audio signal comprises a sequence of source frames. Each frame in the sequence of sources frames comprises a plurality of audio data copies. Each audio data copy has an associated quality level that is a member of a predefined range of quality levels, ranging from a highest quality level to a lowest quality level. The plurality of source frame sequences is merged into a sequence of target frames that comprise a plurality of target channels. Merging corresponding source frames into a respective target frame includes selecting a quality level and assigning the audio data copy at the selected quality level of each corresponding source frame to at least one respective target channel.

Type: Grant

Filed: January 5, 2007

Date of Patent: September 18, 2012

Assignee: Activevideo Networks, Inc.

Inventors: Stefan Herr, Ulrich Sigmund

View on USPTO.gov

Publication number: 20120204217

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented that permit an individual to share digital video between video devices using a cable television system. A first video device streams digital video to a cable headend, which transcodes it and stitches it with other video content, such as a menuing system. The headend then transmits the digital video to a second video device, such as a set top box, for display. The data stream may be controlled using a standard set top box remote control, and the system may be used without purchasing additional hardware or software, or configuring a wireless local area network.

Type: Application

Filed: October 14, 2011

Publication date: August 9, 2012

Applicant: ACTIVEVIDEO NETWORKS, INC.

Inventors: Natalie Regis, Mark Tom, Andrey Marsavin, Lena Y. Pavlovskaia

Patent number: 8194862

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of encoding audio includes accessing a plurality of independent audio source streams, each of which includes a sequence of source frames. Respective source frames of each sequence include respective pluralities of pulse-code modulated audio samples. Each of the plurality of independent audio source streams is separately encoded to generate a plurality of independent encoded streams, each of which corresponds to a respective independent audio source stream. The encoding includes, for respective source frames, converting respective pluralities of pulse-code modulated audio samples to respective pluralities of floating-point frequency samples that are divided into a plurality of frequency bands. An instruction to mix the plurality of independent encoded streams is received; in response, respective floating-point frequency samples of the independent encoded streams are combined. An output bitstream is generated that includes the combined respective floating-point frequency samples.

Type: Grant

Filed: July 31, 2009

Date of Patent: June 5, 2012

Assignee: Activevideo Networks, Inc.

Inventors: Stefan Herr, Ulrich Sigmund

View on USPTO.gov

Publication number: 20120137337

Abstract: A system and method are provided for processing video content, associated with a source image, for display on a television. The source image, such as a web page, and its associated (e.g., linked) video content are retrieved and separately encoded. The encoded source image and the encoded video content are composited together to form a sequence of encoded video frames, where a frame type of the video content is used to determine a type of a composited frame. For example, if all displayed frames of the video content are MPEG I-frames, then the composited frame also may be an I-frame. However, if any displayed frame of video content is an MPEG P-frame or B-frame, then the composited frame may be a P-frame.

Type: Application

Filed: December 5, 2011

Publication date: May 31, 2012

Applicant: ACTIVEVIDEO NETWORKS, INC.

Inventors: Robert B. Sigmon, JR., Lena Pavlovskaia, Airan Landau

Patent number: 8155202

Abstract: A scrolling encoder encodes scrolling elements that are to be scrolled around all or a subset of the frames of a video stream or file with their movement in time and space controlled by a path to produce a video stream or file, without searching previous or subsequent frames of the video stream or file for reference blocks. The scrolling element can be an image, video, text or any combination thereof. The scrolling element is encoded using information about the contents of the scrolling element and information about a path the scrolling element is to take across a screen. The information about the contents of the scrolling element is obtained when the scrolling element is first introduced into a frame. The information about the path of the scrolling element is provided by an external component or is otherwise deduced. Optionally, the path information includes information about how the scrolling element is to change appearance. This information may be used to automatically generate error terms.

Type: Grant

Filed: January 11, 2008

Date of Patent: April 10, 2012

Assignee: ActiveVideo Networks, Inc.

Inventor: Airan Landau

View on USPTO.gov

Patent number: 8149917

Abstract: A system and method for calculating data representative of at least one intermediary transition image between a first image and a second image in the encoded domain is disclosed. Cinematic transitions can be created between encoded still images and frames from video sequences. For each corresponding location within the first and second image, a transform coded value is calculated for the at least one intermediary image using the transform encoded data of the first and second images without transform decoding the transform encoded data. The transform coded values can be fully encoded using a compression protocol and transmitted to a device for decoding and display of the cinematic transition.

Type: Grant

Filed: February 1, 2008

Date of Patent: April 3, 2012

Assignee: ActiveVideo Networks, Inc.

Inventors: Dengzhi Zhang, Charles Lawrence

View on USPTO.gov

Patent number: 8118676

Abstract: A method and related system of generating a frame of video is disclosed. In the method, a request is received. The frame of video is generated using a plurality of pre-encoded macro-blocks. The frame of video is compatible with an MPEG compression standard. The plurality of pre-encoded macro-blocks are pre-encoded prior to the request. In some embodiments, the request initiates a video game.

Type: Grant

Filed: July 8, 2005

Date of Patent: February 21, 2012

Assignee: Activevideo Networks, Inc.

Inventors: Robert Craig, Clifford Wayne Mercer, Ulrich Sigmund

View on USPTO.gov

Patent number: 8074248

Abstract: A system and method for providing video content associated with a source image to a television that is part of a communication network is provided. At least a portion of the source image and the video content are displayed on the television. A request at a content distribution platform in the communication network is received for display of the source image from a communication device associated with the television. In certain embodiments, the communication network is cable television network. In other embodiments, the communication network may be a television over IP network. The requested source image is retrieved by the content distribution platform. The source image is displayed on a user's television, and the user may desire to have video content associated with a link displayed on the user's television. A request for video content associated with the link is then received. The content distribution platform then retrieves the video content that is associated with the link.

Type: Grant

Filed: October 25, 2005

Date of Patent: December 6, 2011

Assignee: ActiveVideo Networks, Inc.

Inventors: Robert B. Sigmon, Jr., Lena Pavlovskaia, Airan Landau

View on USPTO.gov

Publication number: 20100242073

Abstract: Metadata are provided to video generators using a syndication protocol, so that the video generators may produce interactive video content for television subscribers. Metadata relating to source media content are transformed in a computer process from a storage format into a syndication format. Relevant metadata to transform are chosen to reflect the type of interactivity desired by a television service provider and the demands of the video generation process. The transformed metadata are published according to a syndication protocol, so that another computer process that participates in the protocol may generate the interactive video content using the metadata, the source media content, and subscriber commands.

Type: Application

Filed: March 17, 2010

Publication date: September 23, 2010

Applicant: ACTIVEVIDEO NETWORKS, INC.

Inventors: Donald Gordon, Hsuehmin Li, Ellen Rose Fratzke

Publication number: 20100158109

Abstract: A client device receives a broadcast content signal containing an interactive identifier over a managed network at a client device. The interactive identifier may be a trigger that is included in a header or embedded within the digital video data. The trigger may have a temporal component, wherein the trigger can expire after a certain period of time. In response to identification of the trigger, the client device sends a user request for interactive content over an unmanaged network. For example, the managed network may be a one-way satellite television network, IP-television network or cable television network and the unmanaged network may be the Internet. The client device switches between receiving data from the managed network to receiving data from the unmanaged network.

Type: Application

Filed: December 31, 2009

Publication date: June 24, 2010

Applicant: ACTIVEVIDEO NETWORKS, INC.

Inventors: Joshua Dahlby, Andrey Marsavin, Charles Lawrence, Lena Y. Pavlovskaia

Publication number: 20100118972

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for creating in the encoded domain one or more video frames from a compressed still video image wherein image content in the created video frames is translated in location by panning or scrolling or a combination thereof on a non-block basis (i.e. pixel-level). A new block formed from portions of two other blocks is created by processing the original two blocks with identity matrices based upon the shift amount. By performing the creation process in the encoded domain processing power requirements are reduced and image quality is increased.

Type: Application

Filed: November 10, 2008

Publication date: May 13, 2010

Applicant: ACTIVEVIDEO NETWORKS, INC.

Inventors: Dengzhi Zhang, Charles Lawrence

Publication number: 20090328109

Abstract: A client device receives a broadcast content signal containing an interactive identifier over a managed network at a client device. The interactive identifier may be a trigger that is included in a header or embedded within the digital video data. The trigger may have a temporal component, wherein the trigger can expire after a certain period of time. In response to identification of the trigger, the client device sends a user request for interactive content over an unmanaged network. For example, the managed network may be a one-way satellite television network, IP-television network or cable television network and the unmanaged network may be the Internet. The client device switches between receiving data from the managed network to receiving data from the unmanaged network.

Type: Application

Filed: June 22, 2009

Publication date: December 31, 2009

Applicant: ACTIVEVIDEO NETWORKS, INC.

Inventors: Lena Y. Pavlovskaia, Andreas Lennartsson, Charles Lawrence, Joshua Dahlby, Andrey Marsavin, Gregory E. Brown, Jeremy Edmonds, Hsuehmin Li, Vlad Shamgin

Publication number: 20090041118

Abstract: A method for regulating bandwidth usage in an output data stream transmitted on an analog channel from a cable head end. The output data stream comprises a plurality of input information content signals. For each input information content signal, a series of images are captured, compressed and formed into an input digital data stream. The bandwidth of each input digital data stream is regulated by associating the stream with a current bit allocation total. During each frame time: a bit allocation increment is added to the current bit allocation total for each input digital data stream. When a data packet to be transmitted for an input digital data stream is received by the multiplexer, the data packet is stored.

Type: Application

Filed: October 9, 2008

Publication date: February 12, 2009

Applicant: ACTIVEVIDEO NETWORKS, INC.

Inventors: Lena Pavlovskaia, Robert Johnson, Airan Landau, Amos Kohn