System and method for streaming media

• US 20050281470A1
• Filed: 01/18/2005
• Published: 12/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Michael A. Adams
• Original Assignee: Michael A. Adams
• Inventors: Adams, Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US11/038,019
• Publication Number:
  US 20050281470A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/232
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/61 in combination with predictive coding
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25875 involving end-user authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; arrangements for secret or secure communication including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4788 communicating with other users, e.g. chatting arrangements for providing for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms, to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1813; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104

Abstract

A system and method for streaming media transmission employ a compression technology in which null pixel blocks are drastically compressed an additional null pixel blocks are created in the video signal. Various applications of the invention are described, including recorded media distribution, live streamed media distribution, and email distribution.

Claims

1. A method of compressing a media signal, comprising:

processing the media signal to increase a number of null blocks in the media signal,

wherein a difference between corresponding null blocks of preceding frames is zero; and

replacing each of the null blocks in the media signal with a single bit having a first value.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

appending a bit having a second value other than the first value to a block in the media signal that is not one of the null blocks.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the null block is a 16×

16 pixel block.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said processing the media signal includes performing an image stabilization analysis on the media signal.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein said performing the image stabilization analysis includes:

identifying a block in the media signal that differ from a corresponding block on the preceding frame by an offset; and

replacing the identified block with a null block and an indication of the offset.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said processing the media signal includes:

applying a hysteresis filter to the media to identify a noisy block, wherein a result of the hysteresis filter for the noisy block falls below a hysteresis threshold;

replacing the noisy block with a null block and an indication of noise.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising encrypting the media signal based on a network identifier of a media source computer system.

8. A computer-readable medium bearing instructions for compressing a media signal, said instructions being arranged to cause one or more processors upon execution thereof to perform the steps of the method according to claim 1.

9. A method of compressing a media signal, comprising:

processing the media signal to increase a number of null blocks in the media signal, wherein a difference between corresponding null blocks of preceding frames is zero;

replacing each of the null blocks in the media signal with a first value, said first value being represented by one or more bits; and

appending a second value other than the first value to a block in the media signal that is not one of the null blocks, said first value being represented by one or more bits.

10. A computer-readable medium bearing instructions for compressing a media signal, said instructions being arranged to cause one or more processors upon execution thereof to perform the steps of the method according to claim 9.

11. A method for decompressing a media signal comprising:

replacing a specified bit in the media signal with a null block if the specified bit has a first value, wherein the null block represents a zero difference between corresponding null blocks of preceding frames; and

converting the null block into a non-null block.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:

discarding the specified bit in the media signal if the specified bit has a second value other than the first value.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the null block is a 16×

16 pixel block.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein said converting the null block includes performing an inverse image stabilization analysis on the media signal.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein said performing the inverse image stabilization analysis includes:

determining an offset for the null block; and

shifting the null block by the offset.

16. The method according to claim 11, wherein said converting the null block includes:

determining whether an indication of noise is associated with the null block; and

adding noise to the null block.

17. The method according to claim 11, further comprising decrypting the media signal based on a network identifier of a media source computer system.

18. A computer-readable medium bearing instructions for decompressing a media signal, said instructions being arranged to cause one or more processors upon execution thereof to perform the steps of the method according to claim 11.

20. A computer-readable medium bearing instructions for decompressing a media signal, said instructions being arranged to cause one or more processors upon execution thereof to perform the steps of the method according to claim 18.

19. A method of decompressing a media signal, comprising:

replacing a specified first value in the media signal with a null block, wherein the null block represents a zero difference between corresponding null blocks of preceding frames and the first value is represented by one or more bits;

discarding a second value, other than the first value, in the media signal, said second value being represented by one or more bits; and

converting the null block into a non-null block.