Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Qi Keith Wang

Ilya Vladimirovich Brailovskiy

Yongjun Wu

Yueshi Shen

Naushirwan Navroze Patuck

Tarek Amara

Raul Izahi Lopez Hernandez

Ramin Ghorashi

Stephen John Bannister

Renganathan Veerasubramanian

Alessio Carosi

Laurent Brisedoux

Manuel Rosendo Arana-Manzano

Gordon McLean Downie

Michiel Josias De Kock

Methods of video streaming are generally described. In some examples, a camera device periodically captures an image, communicates encoded frame data representing that image to a server, and decodes and stores the previously encoded frame data as a background picture. The server receives the encoded frame data, decodes it, and stores the decoded frame in a buffer for future use. Subsequently, upon initiation of a streaming session, the camera device captures another image and encodes a predicted key frame based on differences between the captured image and the background picture. The camera device sends the predicted key frame to the server, which receives it and reconstructs a facsimile of the captured image utilizing the previously decoded frame stored in the buffer. Methods of acknowledging successfully decoded frames for use in selecting background pictures is also described.

Enhanced video streaming and reference frame synchronization

An embodiment of a camera device may include an optical filter. The camera device may attempt to actuate the optical filter from an inactive position to an active position, record video, count a quantity of pixels, and/or a quantity of lines of pixels, in one or more frames of the video that are a color that is characteristic of the absence of the optical filter, determine that the quantity is greater than a threshold, and again attempt to move the optical filter to its active position.

Detection and correction of optical filter position in a camera device

Methods to switch between renditions of a video stream are generally described. In some examples, the methods may include encoding a video stream at a first image quality in a first rendition and a second, lower image quality in a second rendition. The methods may further include sending the first rendition to a recipient computing device. The methods may include receiving a request to switch from the first rendition to the second rendition. The methods may include determining that first indicator data of a first inter-coded frame indicates that the video stream can be switched to a lower image quality rendition at the first inter-coded frame. In some examples, the methods may further include sending the second rendition to the recipient computing device.

Rendition switch indicator

Methods of video streaming are generally described. In some examples, the methods may be performed by a server device and may include generating first intra-coded frame (I-frame) data and a plurality of enhancement layer data corresponding to the first I-frame data. The methods may further include sending the first I-frame data to a client device. The methods may further include transmitting first enhancement layer data to the client device. The methods may include sending first inter-coded frame data to the client device. In some examples, the first inter-coded frame data can be decoded by referencing first reference frame data generated by combining the first I-frame data and the first enhancement layer data.

Enhanced encoding and decoding of video reference frames

Techniques are generally described for catch-up pacing for video streaming. In various examples, a camera may capture first video data representing a physical environment. In some examples, motion in the physical environment may be detected from the first video data. A communication channel may be established with a remote computing device. In some examples, the camera may capture second video data. In various examples, the second video data may be captured during a period of time corresponding to the establishment of the communication channel. An available bandwidth of the communication channel may be determined. The available bandwidth may comprise a first bitrate. Third video data may be captured by the camera. The third video data may be encoded at a second bitrate lower than the first bitrate. The first video data, second video data and third video data may be sent to the remote computing device.

Catch-up pacing for video streaming

Various examples are directed to methods and systems for compressing panoramic video. An image processor may receive a frame comprising a plurality of pixel values arranged according to a two-dimensional grid and divide the frame into a plurality of pixel blocks comprising a first pixel block and a second pixel block. The first pixel block may be positioned in a first edge column adjacent a first edge of the frame and the second pixel block may be positioned in a second edge column adjacent a second edge of the frame opposite the first edge. The image processor may identify a spatial continuity between the first pixel block and the second pixel block and replace the first pixel block with a reference to the second pixel block.

Video compression across continuous frame edges

Techniques are generally described for bit rate stabilization. In various examples, an encoder may identify a first frame of video data to be encoded using a first quantization value. In some examples, the encoder may determine an estimated compressed frame size of the first frame encoded using the first quantization value. In various examples, the encoder may determine that the estimated compressed frame size is less than threshold size. The encoder may further determine a second quantization value that may be less than the first quantization value. The encoder may generate a compressed first frame of video data using the second quantization value and the first frame of video data. The compressed first frame may be sent to a recipient computing device.

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Cambridge, United Kingdom

Qi Keith Wang