Media.Player

Information Retrieval System and Method with Format Conversion System and Method

Detailed Technology Description

Inventors at UCSD have invented a method for a multimedia information retrieval system and method including a method and system for automatic format conversion. This invention is especially useful in the field of multimedia information systems and more particularly to encoding/decoding techniques. The invention includes a data structure that is associated with each multimedia bitstream. The data structure identifies the encoding format, e.g., compression technique, used in the multimedia bitstream which is originated by a contents server. An automatic format conversion process then queries information from the client system (requester) and also receives the data structure identifying the encoding format. The client information identifies the decoding format. The automatic format conversion determines the transcoding process required for converting the bitstream from its encoded format to the format recognized by the client system. The format conversion process of the present invention also determines whether or not decoding is required before transcoding is performed thereby saving processing time and computer resources in those cases where decoding is not required. Moreover, the format conversion process also automatically determines the computer memory size required to perform the transcoding process thereby saving computer memory resources. The format converter can be implemented in software as an application and can also be integrated within a data access server. The data access server can be integrated within the client system or within the contents server. The format converter of the invention is particularly useful for electronic devices coupled in a communication network where the encoding format of the sender may not be compatible with the decoding format of the receiver, thereby requiring transcoding between the formats. This is an issued patent - 6,463,445. Licenses are available.

Supplementary Information

Patent Number: US6463445B1
Application Number: US1999410185A
Inventor: Suzuki, Teruhiko | Yagasaki, Yoichi
Priority Date: 27 Aug 1999
Priority Number: US6463445B1
Application Date: 30 Sep 1999
Publication Date: 8 Oct 2002
IPC Current: H04L002908 | H04N000726
US Class: 001001 | 707200 | 375E07198 | 7079992 | 707999202 | 707203
Assignee Applicant: Sony Electronics Inc.,Park Ridge | Sony Corporation,Tokyo
Title: Multimedia information retrieval system and method including format conversion system and method
Usefulness: Multimedia information retrieval system and method including format conversion system and method
Summary: For processing multimedia audio-video information.
Novelty: Multimedia audio-video information processing system determines whether encoded multimedia information is to be decoded for transcoding automatically

Industry

ICT/Telecom

Sub Category

Multimedia

Application No.

6463445

Others

Tech ID/UC Case

20046/2000-028-0

Related Cases

2000-028-0

*Abstract

None

*IP Issue Date

Oct 8, 2002

*Principal Investigator

Name: Teruhiko Suzuki

Department:

Name: Yoichi Yagasaki

Department:

Country/Region

USA