UNIVERSAL MULTIMEDIA ENGINE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE SAME

• US 20080276157A1
• Filed: 05/01/2007
• Published: 11/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Andres C. Gonzalez, George J. Kustka
• Original Assignee: Andres C. Gonzalez, George J. Kustka
• Inventors: Kustka, George J., Gonzalez, Andres C.
• Granted Patent: US 9,680,900 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/201
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/40 of multimedia data, e.g. slideshows comprising image and additional audio data retrieval of still image data G06F16/50; retrieval of audio data G06F16/60; retrieval of video data G06F16/70
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/54 Interprogram communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/756 adapting media to device capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/762 at the source reformatting of additional data in video distribution servers H04N21/2355
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/765 intermediate
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/80 Responding to QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/303 Terminal profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/56 Provisioning of proxy services store-and-forward switching systems in data switching networks H04L12/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/565 Conversion or adaptation of application format or content adding application control or application functional data H04L67/561
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/24 Negotiation of communication capabilities

Abstract

A method, system and apparatus for adapting the multimedia content for presentation by an application that uses, processes or otherwise services the multimedia content (“multimedia application”) is provided. The method includes receiving the multimedia content formatted in accordance with at least one of a plurality of multimedia protocols; using a function abstracted from the plurality of multimedia protocols to adapt the multimedia content in accordance with one or more capabilities of the multimedia application; and sending the multimedia content so adapted to the multimedia application for presentation.

Claims

1. An apparatus for adapting multimedia content for presentation by an application, the apparatus comprising, in combination:

an input for receiving the multimedia content;

logic for performing at least one function for adapting the multimedia content in accordance with a capability of the application, wherein the at least one function is abstracted from a plurality of protocols for processing multimedia content; and

an output for communicating the multimedia content so adapted to the application.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an application-programming interface for interfacing with the logic to configure the logic for performing at least one function for adapting the multimedia content.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the application-programming interface is operable to obtain the capability of the application.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of protocols for processing multimedia content comprises a protocol for a CODEC.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protocol for a CODEC comprises a protocol for any of video, audio, speech, and rich text.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one abstraction layer, wherein the at least one abstraction layer comprises the at least one function, and wherein the at least one function is abstracted in accordance with at least one characteristic common to the plurality of protocols.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one abstraction layer, wherein the at least one function comprises the at least one function, and wherein the at least one function is abstracted in accordance with at least one characteristic of at least one, but not all, of the plurality of protocols.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one abstraction layer, wherein the at least one abstraction layer comprises first, second and third abstraction layers, wherein each of the first, second and third abstraction layers defines a respective level of abstraction, and wherein each of the first, second and third abstraction layers comprises at least one of the at least one function, and wherein the at least one function is abstracted in accordance with at least one characteristic common to the plurality of protocols at the respective level of abstraction.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first, second and third abstraction layers are arranged in a hierarchical order, respectively.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the at least one first function comprises at least one function for adapting the multimedia content at a physical level.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the at least one second function comprises at least one function for adapting the multimedia content at a logical level.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one third function comprises at least one function for adapting the multimedia content at an application-services level.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a processing platform.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the processing platform is operable execute any of the logic for performing at least one function.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the logic and the application-programming interface are monolithically formed.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the application-programming interface is operable to configure at least one parameter for adjusting the at least one function.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the at least one parameter comprise at least one parameter for tone control, video quality control, and video enhancement.

18. A system for adapting multimedia content for presentation by an application, the system comprising, in combination:

logic for performing at least one function for adapting the multimedia content in accordance with a capability of the application, wherein the at least one function is abstracted from a plurality of protocols for processing multimedia content;

an application-programming interface for interfacing with the logic to configure the logic for performing at least one function for adapting the multimedia content; and

a processing platform for causing the logic to perform the at least one function for adapting the multimedia content.

21. A method for adapting multimedia content for presentation by application, the method comprising:

receiving multimedia content formatted in accordance with at least one of a plurality of protocols for processing multimedia content;

using at least one function abstracted from the plurality of protocols to adapt the multimedia content in accordance with a capability of the application; and

communicating the multimedia content so adapted to the application.

19. The system of claim 21, wherein the processing platform is operable to execute the application-programming interface.

20. The system of claim 22, further comprising a host processor for instructing the application-programming interface to configure the logic.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

abstracting, from the plurality of protocols, the at least one function for adapting the multimedia content in accordance with a capability of the application.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the plurality of protocols for processing multimedia content comprises a protocol for a CODEC.