From: McCray, Renee
Sent: 11/27/2015 9:51:00 AM
To: TTAB EFiling
CC:
Subject: U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 85371874 - VISUAL NETWORK - 2211736.0012 - Request for Reconsideration Denied - Return to TTAB - Message 1 of 5
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UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE (USPTO) OFFICE ACTION (OFFICIAL LETTER) ABOUT APPLICANT’S TRADEMARK APPLICATION
U.S. APPLICATION SERIAL NO. 85371874
MARK: VISUAL NETWORK *85371874*
CORRESPONDENT ADDRESS: BARBARA A BARAKAT GENERAL TRADEMARK INFORMATION:
WILMER CUTLER PICKERING HALE AND DORR LL http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/index.jsp
1225 SEVENTEENTH STREET SUITE 1660
DENVER, CO 80202 VIEW YOUR APPLICATION FILE
APPLICANT: Level 3 Communications, LLC
CORRESPONDENT’S REFERENCE/DOCKET NO:
2211736.0012
CORRESPONDENT E-MAIL ADDRESS:
REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION DENIED
ISSUE/MAILING DATE: 11/27/2015
The trademark examining attorney has carefully reviewed applicant’s request for reconsideration and is denying the request for the reasons stated below. See 37 C.F.R. §2.63(b)(3); TMEP §§715.03(a)(ii)(B), 715.04(a). Please note that the Section 2(e)(1) refusal(s) made final in the Office action dated February 11, 2014 is maintained and continues to be final. See TMEP §§715.03(a)(ii)(B), 715.04(a).
In the present case, applicant’s request has not resolved all the outstanding issue(s), nor does it raise a new issue or provide any new or compelling evidence with regard to the outstanding issue(s) in the final Office action. In addition, applicant’s analysis and arguments are not persuasive nor do they shed new light on the issues. Accordingly, the request is denied.
Please see additional evidence attached that shows use of the wording VISUAL as a term of art in the industry to name or describe goods and services that feature the display, transmission and/or storage of visual data and images or visual technologies.
If applicant has already filed a timely notice of appeal with the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, the Board will be notified to resume the appeal. See TMEP §715.04(a).
If no appeal has been filed and time remains in the six-month response period to the final Office action, applicant has the remainder of the response period to (1) comply with and/or overcome any outstanding final requirement(s) and/or refusal(s), and/or (2) file a notice of appeal to the Board. TMEP §715.03(a)(ii)(B); see 37 C.F.R. §2.63(b)(1)-(3). The filing of a request for reconsideration does not stay or extend the time for filing an appeal. 37 C.F.R. §2.63(b)(3); see TMEP §§715.03, 715.03(a)(ii)(B), (c).
/Renee McCray/
Trademark Examining Attorney
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Law Office 111
571.272.9388
PR Newswire
June 20, 1995, Tuesday - 16:14 Eastern Time
BT VISUAL IMAGES AND LIVEWORKS SHOWCASE LIVEBOARD WITH BT VISUAL IMAGES TELECONFERENCING
SECTION: Financial News
LENGTH: 500 words
At the Interactive Telecommunications Association (ITCA) trade show on June 14, BT Visual Images showcased an enhanced version of LiveWorks' LiveBoard, incorporating high-resolution video conferencing.
The demonstration coincided with the first in a series of planned announcements by BT Visual Images and LiveWorks, a Xerox company, of their intention to build a mutual working relationship for closer integration of their respective product lines.
LiveBoard(TM) is a shared computer whiteboard that allows dispersed work groups to interactively develop and modify shared documents and images as if they were in the same room. With the addition of the BT Visual Images' VC7100 codec, the LiveBoard becomes a complete user-friendly video conferencing tool that allows a part or all of the 67 inch screen to be used for the video image. Also, the unit incorporates high quality, full-duplex audio necessary for group conferencing.
WASHINGTON, June 20
"In a marketplace demanding complete group solutions, LiveWorks' document conferencing combined with our video conferencing represents a major step forward in addressing that demand," said BT Visual Images president Jeff Speak. "The LiveBoard represents the finest unit of its type available today, so naturally we are pleased to be able to demonstrate how the unit works with our videoconferencing systems to helping people do their jobs better."
The LiveBoard, incorporating a BT Visual Images codec, operates over standard ISDN lines. It utilizes a rear-projected active matrix display, a wireless pen, an industry standard, 486-based IBM compatible PC, Microsoft Windows and LiveWorks MeetingBoard with multipoint conferencing.
MeetingBoard software allows users to utilize pen input and create images that can be edited, colorized, annotated, erased, saved, retrieved and printed. That makes the LiveBoard extremely valuable in a non-conferencing mode. When linked to other boards, LiveBoard with BT Visual Images video conferencing allows for the exchange of charts, graphics and the written word. Not only can conferees exchange ideas and work on a single document simultaneously, they can show prototypes, components, layouts or designs as well.
BT Visual Images pioneered development of high technology visual products and services over digital telecommunication networks and is today one of the world's leading designers and developers of visual technology. The company is a joint venture between CBCI Telecom Inc., and BT North America Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of British Telecommunications plc (NYSE: BTY).
LiveWorks, Inc., a Xerox company, was founded in 1992 to develop and market advanced meeting room technologies. Developed at the Xerox PARC Palo Alto Research Center, LiveBoard is the industry-leading technology for multimedia group conferencing.
CONTACT: Brian Cooley of BT Visual Images, 703-709-4205; or David Belove of LiveWorks, 408-324-2245
PERSON: ANN LIVERMORE (55%);
COUNTRY: NORTH AMERICA (92%); UNITED STATES (79%);
STATE: DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, USA (79%); CALIFORNIA, USA (70%);
COMPANY: BT Visual Images; CBCI Telecom Inc.; BT North America Inc.; British Telecommunications plc; LiveWorks, Inc. BT GROUP PLC (84%); BT NORTH AMERICA INC (63%); LIVEWORKS INC (62%); PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER (51%);
ORGANIZATION: BT Visual Images; CBCI Telecom Inc.; BT North America Inc.; British Telecommunications plc; LiveWorks, Inc.
TICKER: BT (NYSE) (84%); BT (LSE) (84%); BT.A (LSE) (84%); BTY
INDUSTRY: Computer; Electronics
GEOGRAPHIC: District of Columbia, California NORTH AMERICA (92%); UNITED STATES (79%); DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, USA (79%); CALIFORNIA, USA (70%);
SUBJECT: bc-BT-Visual-trade-show VIDEO CONFERENCING (92%); PRESS RELEASES (91%); TELECONFERENCING (91%); TRADE SHOWS (90%); TELECOMMUNICATIONS (89%); BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS (89%); WIRED TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIERS (86%); PARENT COMPANIES (77%); COMPUTER SOFTWARE (76%); RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT (69%); COMPUTER NETWORKS (64%); JOINT VENTURES (50%); ASSOCIATIONS & ORGANIZATIONS (89%);
LOAD-DATE: June 21, 1995
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
April 26, 2006 Wednesday 12:01 PM GMT
Photobucket Launches Internet Video Hosting and Sharing Tools for Its 15 Million Members; Leading Photo and Video Hosting & Publishing Service Provides 1 GB of Free Storage, and the Easiest Way to Upload Once and Link Anywhere on the Internet
LENGTH: 736 words
DATELINE: PALO ALTO, Calif. April 26, 2006
Photobucket, the world's leading visual content hosting and publishing service, today announced the launch of Photobucket Video, the fastest, and easiest way to upload and publish videos online at www.photobucket.com.
Inexpensive digital photo and video cameras are now widespread, but users are often challenged when it comes to moving their personal photos and videos online, to commerce and social networking Web sites like eBay, MySpace, and to personal blogs. Photobucket offers consumers an easy way to upload once, and share their photos and videos across multiple sites from a central location using simple linking.
Photobucket currently serves over 63 percent of all links to social networking Web sites, distributing more than 50 billion image requests per month -- around 2 percent of all US Internet traffic. Photobucket has nearly 15 million registered members, and is growing at a rate of over 65,000 new members per day. Photobucket members are currently adding over 4 million new images daily (45 new images per second).
"The volume of personal photos, art, and video continues to skyrocket, but sharing that content online is often confusing and complicated," said Alex Welch, Chief Executive Officer of Photobucket. "Since day one, our members have told us they want an easy way to express themselves visually on a variety of Web sites. We make it easy for our members to upload and store their original images, graphic art, and videos, then link that content anywhere on the Internet."
Photobucket's founders have experience building large scale hosting and telecommunications infrastructure. They built Photobucket to store and deliver exceptionally high volumes of images and videos at an unparalleled speed and reliability, without the lags, chop, and delays that can disrupt the visual experience. At peak times, Photobucket serves over 30,000 images and videos per second.
Most consumers do not own web servers for storage and publishing. They also don't want to upload their videos and photos multiple times to different Web sites. Photobucket gives users 1 GB of storage for free, and up to 5 GB with a premium account; this storage is equivalent to around 50,000 images or 5,000 3 to 5 minute videos.
"Our members use Photobucket to enhance their online experience," said Paul Remer, CEO of Piczo. "By integrating with Photobucket's Plugin, we have given our users the ability to easily access their Photobucket content within Piczo itself. Photobucket's plug-in improves our members' experience on Piczo by allowing them to spend more time designing their personal Web sites."
"Photobucket's image and video hosting service is very popular with our members," said James Cao, Founder of Gaiaonline. "By hosting our members' images & videos, Photobucket allows us to focus on building a vibrant community. Photobucket is a great partner for us and for our members."
Photobucket Video offers the fastest and easiest way to upload and share video over the Internet. Members upload videos in any standard video format (mpeg, avi, etc.), and Photobucket performs a real-time conversion to a flash format that users can then publish and share immediately. Flash is supported by virtually every browser, and displays video inside the context of the web page. As a result, Photobucket video can be viewed quickly and easily, without launching a separate video player.
About Photobucket
Photobucket provides a simple, fast, and reliable service that enables efficient sharing and publishing of visual digital content online. Images, graphic art, and videos can be directly linked from Photobucket to any site, including popular sites like eBay, Gaiaonline, Piczo, Blogger, LiveJournal, Friendster, and Myspace.
Photobucket was founded in 2003 by Alex Welch (CEO) and Darren Crystal (CTO). Two years later, Photobucket was named the fastest growing site of 2005 according to Nielsen/Netratings and now ranks as a Top 100 site by reach according to all of the major ranking services. Photobucket was profitable last year and has been funded primarily by earnings. As of March 2006, Photobucket had nearly 15 Million users growing by over 65,000 users per day. Photobucket serves over 50 Billion images per month. Photobucket is based in downtown Palo Alto, California with technology operations and development based in Denver, Colorado.
February 5, 2001, Monday
LightSurf Announces Next Generation Embeddable Visual Communications Solutions for Wireless Devices
LENGTH: 823 words
DATELINE: SANTA CRUZ, Calif., Feb. 5, 2001
BODY: Company's Miniature 'Digital Eye' to Drive Peer-to-Peer Image Sharing Over Wireless Networks
LightSurf Technologies, Inc., the visual communications company founded by Philippe Kahn, today announced that it is developing a series of miniaturized, embeddable digital imaging solutions with wireless communications capabilities. The first of these embeddable products will be a miniature digital camera module smaller than a sugar cube.
The "digital eye" modules will be integrated into next generation cellular phones and clip-on accessory cameras, as well as PDAs and other wireless imaging devices. Leveraging LightSurf's end-to-end visual communications infrastructure, this embedded technology enables mobile device users to capture, display and transmit high-quality digital photographs through wireless networks to other devices and platforms worldwide.
The "digital eye" modules will include a complete camera on a chip, CMOS imaging sensor, miniaturized lens and LightSurf's embedded wireless acceleration and smart peer-to-peer imaging software. The technology supports peer-to-peer image sharing over today's wireless networks as well as tomorrow's 3G networks. The modules will be manufactured and distributed by component manufacturing and silicon companies.
"It's time to cut the cords that have been holding back the convergence of the digital imaging and mobile communications industries," said Philippe Kahn, chairman and CEO, LightSurf. "LightSurf's high-quality 'digital eye' technology can easily be integrate into a range of devices, putting the power of visual communications into the hands of business and consumer users. Visual communications will drive the adoption of the next generation of wireless devices."
LightSurf's visual communications infrastructure includes digital imaging technology for consumer devices, intelligent wireless communications services and massively scalable back-end image sharing and storage systems.
The company's technology and infrastructure now power both clip-on and embedded digital imaging solutions for wireless devices. The clip-on technology, announced late last year, is being integrated into stand-alone, miniature digital cameras that easily attach to cellular phones, making them instant wireless visual communicators.
LightSurf's device technology fulfills demands from device manufacturers and wireless carriers for new revenue opportunities and product differentiators that can be customized for existing or next generation devices.
LightSurf is in discussions with a number of communication and imaging device manufacturers, wireless carriers and Internet Service Providers regarding integration and deployment strategies for its wireless visual communications infrastructure. In the first half of 2001, LightSurf expects to announce partnerships and enterprise-level pilot test programs involving the deployment of clip-on wireless digital imaging components as well as embedded wireless visual communications technology.
Target markets for LightSurf-powered devices include photojournalism, real estate, law enforcement, construction and the medical and legal professions, in addition to mass consumer categories. Initial applications will support still digital images, while the technology is scalable to enable capturing, sending and receiving digital video clips via video-chat devices.
"Wireless communications technology will make digital imaging the next must-have application in the mobile device market," said Andrew Seybold, editor and publisher, Forbes/Andrew Seybold's Wireless Outlook. "LightSurf's visual communications technology is optimized to enable the peer-to-peer exchange of high quality digital images across multiple platforms, wireless network services and end user devices."
LightSurf has already announced partnerships with Motorola (NYSE:MOT), Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE:EK), Agilent (NYSE:A) and SoundVision. LightSurf is collaborating with these companies on a number of business and consumer applications of its wireless visual communications technology and services.
About LightSurf Technologies, Inc.
LightSurf is the leading provider of wireless digital media infrastructure, ecommerce technology and intellectual property based on the company's patent-pending digital media platform. The company's business areas include integrated wireless digital media solutions and system software, as well as licensing of the LightSurf digital media infrastructure and ecommerce technology to its partners. Headquartered in Santa Cruz, Calif., LightSurf is privately held. The company was founded in 1998 by leading industry visionary Philippe Kahn. For additional information regarding LightSurf, please visit our Web site at www.lightsurf.com.
Business Wire
April 26, 2001, Thursday
Vianet Technologies and Federal Network Systems LLC, A Verizon Company have signed A Contract For Distributing Vianet's Video Applications to Government and Commercial Markets
LENGTH: 860 words
DATELINE: April 26, 2001
BODY: Agreement signed with Leading Communications Service Provider Will Lead to Expansion of Vianet Lightning Strike(TM) Video Applications into Verizon's Marketplace
Vianet Technologies, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: VNTK), an innovator in visual media delivery technologies and Verizon (NYSE: VZ), have signed a distribution agreement to providing service-based solutions using Vianet's complete line of visual media communications applications.
According to the terms of the agreement, Verizon will market, sell, and support integrated media communications solutions to corporations and government agencies, based upon Vianet's video applications for high-quality, low-bandwidth video e-mail, video conferencing, video streaming, and image enhancement. The agreement includes a yearly multi-million dollar resale target for the government and commercial customers of Verizon Communications. In addition the agreement has a provision that allows Verizon to offer Vianet's applications as an enhanced monthly service with an associated royalty to Vianet. The remaining terms were not disclosed.
"The fact that Vianet and Verizon share a vision for distribution of advanced video and imaging services for the commercial and Governmental markets was central to the commitment we are jointly making today," said Wesley Jordan and General Manager of Federal Network Systems. "The combination of our own expertise in customizing systems for the client's needs and Vianet's superior technology for enabling high image quality for any bandwidth results in a total package that will offer our clients very effective cost of ownership."
"Vianet is continuing an aggressive strategy to extend our video applications to new markets, and Verizon is a critical partner in achieving that objective," said Pete Ianace, CEO of Vianet. "Joining forces with one of the industries largest and best service providers, gives our new agreement an edge in an environment rich with opportunity. During the next year, we hope to address a huge portion of this market opportunity by leading the pack in Verizon's growing services marketplace." Vianet's Lightning Strike(TM) wavelet-based compression technology is the basis for highly efficient video communications applications that allow users in both low- and high-bandwidth environments to use high-quality video content without losing image or motion integrity.
About Vianet Technologies, Inc.:
Vianet Technologies is an innovator in the development and integration of visual media delivery technology and systems. The company offers outstanding solutions in private and public networks, value-added services, e-commerce applications and visual media communications. The delivery of broadband services and deployment of new technologies continues to be restricted by bandwidth limitations in both the public (Internet) and private (intranet) sectors. Vianet is solving these issues with the development of next-generation bandwidth management technologies. Based in Plano, Texas, Vianet is a publicly held company traded under the ticker VNTK. For more information about the company, please visit the Web site at www.vianet.com or call toll-free (U.S.) at 972-573-2700.
About Verizon Communications:
Verizon Communications, (NYSE:VZ), formed by the merger of Bell Atlantic and GTE, is one of the world's leading providers of high-growth communications services. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States, with more than 108 million access line equivalents and more than 27 million wireless customers. Verizon is also the world's largest provider of print and on-line directory information. A Fortune 10 company with more than 263,000 employees and approximately $63 billion in 2000 revenues, Verizon's global presence extends to 44 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific.
Except for the historical information contained herein, the statements in this announcement are forward looking statements which involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions in the markets in which the company operates; success in the development and market acceptance of new and existing products; dependence on suppliers, third-party manufacturers and channels of distribution; customer and product concentration; fluctuations in customer demand; maintaining access to external sources of capital; ability to execute management's margin improvement and cost control plans; overall management of the company's expansion; obtaining of necessary regulatory approvals; and other risk factors detailed from time to time in the company's filings with regulatory bodies.
Marketwired
September 8, 2015 Tuesday 5:30 AM GMT
Screenless Display Market Worth $5.59 Billion by 2020: Grand View Research, Inc.
LENGTH: 871 words
DATELINE: SAN FRANCISCO, CA; Sep 08, 2015
The global screenless display market size is expected to reach USD 5.59 billion by 2020, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. These devices came into progress during the year 2013 with the arrival of products such as virtual reality headsets, holographic videos, mobile phones for the elderly, retinal displays, bionic contact lenses, etc.
Proliferation of external monitors, reading devices and mobile phones with large screens serve as key enablers for the industry. As screenless display cost associated with procurement and deployment of the technology reduces, its application will witness exponential growth across industry verticals. Companies are investing in research and development to innovate products such as screenless computers, tablets, televisions and mobile phones.
Browse full research report with TOC on "Screenless Display Market Analysis By Technology (Visual Image, Retinal Display, Synaptic Interface), By Application (Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, Consumer Electronics) And Segment Forecasts To 2020" at: http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/screenless-display- market
Screenless displays offer an interactive projection technology developed to solve the issues related to device miniaturization of modern communication technologies. The lack of space in screen-based devices provides an opportunity for screenless display industry growth and development. High system cost may act as a growth restraint.
Further key findings from the study suggest:
-- Visual image screenless display market is expected to dominate revenue
over the forecast period, which can primarily be attributed to high
demand for hologram technology. The limitation of conventional 3D
displays is that the observer has no freedom of head movement or the
freedom to increase information about the 3D objects being projected.
Such limitations are overcome by holographic technology, which allow freedom of movement to the user.
-- Consumer electronics accounted for over 40% of the overall revenue in
2014, and is expected to remain the largest application segment over
the next few years. Virtual reality and augmented reality are upcoming
fields wherein the technology finds considerable application.
-- North America screenless display market is expected to remain the
industry leader, primarily due to presence of key participants.
Manufacturers are constantly developing and enhancing the technology
to make it more sophisticated and to integrate it with consumer-grade
devices. Google and Vuzix have aimed to increase adoption of smart
wearable technology among consumers. Holographic video development is
being carried out in MIT's Media Lab.
-- Notable players involved in R&D include Avegant, Google, Kapsys,
Displair, etc. Optical technology helps project images and data from
computers or video players into the viewer's visual field. For
instance, MicroVision's HMDs allow Army tank commanders to view the
surrounding area from topside while simultaneously viewing a
translucent map that floats a couple of feet away. This industry is
characterized by M&A activities and strategic alliances to boost
technology development.
Download Table
Grand View Research has segmented the global screenless display market on the basis of technology, application, and region:
-- Technology Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2013 - 2020) -- Visual Image
-- Retinal Display
-- Synaptic Interface
Download Table
-- Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2013 - 2020)
-- Augmented Reality
-- Virtual Reality
-- Consumer Electronics
-- Others
Download Table
-- Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2013 - 2020)
-- North America
-- Europe
-- Asia Pacific
-- RoW
Download Table
Browse related reports by Grand View Research:
-- Electronic Warfare Market -
http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/electronic- warfare-market
-- Haptic Technology Market -
http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/haptic- technology-market -- Managed Services Market -
http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/managed- services-market
-- E-Book Market -
http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/e-book- market
Download Table
About Grand View Research
Grand View Research, Inc. is a U.S. based market research and consulting company, registered in the State of California and headquartered in San Francisco. The company provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. To help clients make informed business decisions, we offer market intelligence studies ensuring relevant and fact-based research across a range of industries, from technology to chemicals, materials and healthcare.
Read Our Blogs - legalworkshop.org, qyresearchreports.biz, mediafound.org
Contact: Sherry James Corporate Sales Specialist, USA Grand View Research, Inc Phone: 1-415-349-0058 Toll Free: 1-888-202- 9519 Email: Email Contact Web: www.grandviewresearch.com
SOURCE: Grand View Research, Inc.
PR Newswire
September 18, 1985, Wednesday
LENGTH: 333 words
DATELINE: PEABODY, Mass., Sept. 18
PEABODY, Mass., Sept. 18 /PRN/ -- PicTel Corp. (NASDAQ: PCTL) today announced the appointment of Randall G. Smith to the position of vice president of marketing. Smith will be responsible for marketing and sales of the company's visual telecommunications products. He will report to Dr. Ronald S. Posner, the president and chief executive officer. PicTel, a development-stage company, considers Smith's appointment to this new position a first step in its plan to establish PicTel as the dominant force in the visual telecommunications industry through a concerted marketing and sales effort. Smith comes to PicTel from Vitalink Communications Corp., Mountainview, Calif., where he was director of product marketing for the satellite communications company. At Vitalink, Smith was instrumental in the company's successful entry into the "videoconferencing" market and the successful negotiation with AT&T Communications for the newly introduced SKYNET digital service. He has served previously as a management consultant for McKinsey and Co. Inc. and in various sales, marketing and strategic planning assignments for Air Products and Chemicals Inc. Smith holds a master of business administration degree in marketing and finance from Northwestern University and a bachelor of science degree in management from Purdue University. PicTel Corp. was formed in August 1984, with the intent of developing, manufacturing, and marketing video compression equipment primarily for use in visual telecommunications systems. The company's principal product, a visual telecommunications processor, is an electronic device transforming video images to and from digital data signals. The company's product will allow users in diverse locations, connected by 56-kilobit per second telephone lines, to transmit and receive color video with image and motion rendition of unprecedented quality.
CONTACT -- Barbara Russell of PicTel, 617-535-7700
Market Wire
September 20, 2007 Thursday 6:00 AM GMT
Video Clarity and Sarnoff Form Alliance to Enhance Video Quality Analysis; Companies to Provide Quantitative, Repeatable Measurement Tools
LENGTH: 557 words
DATELINE: CAMPBELL, CA and PRINCETON, NJ; Sep 20, 2007 Video Clarity and Sarnoff Corporation today announced a strategic alliance to integrate their respective technologies to provide a more comprehensive, quantitative video quality analysis tool. The combination of Video Clarity's ClearView testing tool with Sarnoff's Just Noticeable Difference (JND) and other artifact detection algorithms allows video experts to play, capture, view, and quantitatively measure video sequences. The solution will be integrated into the ClearView product line -- including the ClearView Shuttles, ClearView Classic, and ClearView Extreme.
"Based on established physiological and psychophysical principles of visual discrimination and validated with decades of testing, JND determines whether a viewer is likely to see the effects of various processing steps on an image or video sequence. This creates a quantitative, repeatable, accurate score representing the viewer's image quality experience," said Dr. Jeffrey Lubin, principal scientist for visual perception research at Sarnoff Corporation. "This helps operators determine problems early in the design or testing cycle."
Over recent decades, the role of video images has grown steadily. Advances in technologies underlying the capture, transfer, storage, and display of images have created situations where communicating using images has become economically feasible. Video Clarity is a leading provider of automated, repeatable video quality monitoring tools.
"Video Clarity is committed to partnering with best-in-class companies to help solve important customer problems," said Bill Reckwerdt, Vice President of Marketing. "Integration with Sarnoff's algorithms allows us to perform a deeper analysis of the video sequence. This alliance addresses the needs of our customers by providing them with a richer set of video quality measurement tools."
The ClearView product family is modular in features, and is available direct from VideoClarity or one of our partners. For more information, please visit our solutions pages.
About Video Clarity
Video Clarity, Inc. is a leading provider of subjective and objective video quality analysis systems, which provide all the tools necessary for R&D laboratories, broadcasters, and transmission engineers to make deterministic measurements of video quality. Propelled by sophisticated technology and market expertise, Video Clarity's ClearView system is at the core of commercial and educational researchers around the world. Video Clarity, Inc. was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Campbell, CA. with distribution world-wide. For additional information, please visit the company's Web site at www.videoclarity.com.
About
Sarnoff Corporation (www.sarnoff.com) produces innovations in electronic, video and vision technologies that generate successful new products and services for our government and commercial clients worldwide. Founded in 1942 as RCA Laboratories, Sarnoff makes continuous breakthroughs in ICs, lasers, imaging and sensing devices; biomedical diagnostics; digital TV and video for security, surveillance and entertainment; high-performance networking; and wireless communications. Sarnoff is a subsidiary of SRI International.
Press Contacts
Video Clarity
Bill Reckwerdt
408-379-1382
Email Contact
Sarnoff
Lou Ann Wingerter
609-734-2863
Email Contact
Business Wire
April 17, 2001, Tuesday
LightSurf MediaExchange Server Enables Visual Message Delivery for MMS Solutions
LENGTH: 779 words
DATELINE: SANTA CRUZ, Calif., April 17, 2001
BODY: High-Speed Intelligent Transcoding Technology Optimizes Digital Images For Instant Delivery on a Range of Devices and Networks
LightSurf Technologies, Inc., the leading provider of wireless digital media infrastructure technology, today announced enhanced support for MMS solutions through its massively scalable MediaExchange server and intelligent image transcoding technology. The LightSurf MediaExchange server delivers MMS solutions allowing users to take a photo, attach it to a text message and instantly share that moment with anyone in the world, regardless of device, file type, or network. With LightSurf's MediaExchange server and intelligent image transcoding technology, MMS solution vendors and wireless operators can extend the power of visual communications by offering compelling new multimedia messaging services.
LightSurf's peer-to-peer MediaExchange technology optimizes images for the highest- quality display based on the resolution capabilities of the recipient's devices. The underlying server technology supports on-the-fly transcoding of images among all popular wireless devices ensuring universal viewing of shared images.
LightSurf's MediaExchange technology is based on a completely stateless design for unlimited linear scalability and high availability. The imaging server architecture is highly optimized to support tens of millions of image transformations per server per day.
LightSurf's Media Exchange and transcoding image technology are seamlessly integrated into a complete, end-to-end visual communications infrastructure solution, the LightSurf Technology Platform (LTP). This powerful platform enables mobile device users to capture high-quality digital images, including MMS messages, and transmit them wirelessly to other devices and platforms in seconds. The MediaExchange server supports an XML based API to perform on-the-fly image enhancement operations on any image regardless of format.
"With the massive SMS installed base today, there is an enormous revenue opportunity for handset manufacturers and network operators to transition these users to visual-based multimedia messaging services," said Philippe Kahn, chairman and CEO, LightSurf Technologies. "LightSurf open technology platform enables MMS vendors to rapidly deploy and offer enhanced MMS services on existing wireless networks as well as 2.5G/GPRS and 3G networks."
"LightSurf's MediaExchange will deliver the compelling peer-to-peer multimedia functionality that wireless carriers and handset manufacturers have been asking for," said Lia Schubert, research analyst at InfoTrends Research Group. "In doing so, the company will spur further usage of already-popular messaging services and drive demand for wireless imaging and MMS services."
SMS text messaging services are tremendously popular today, handling nearly 15 billion character-based messages per month worldwide. LightSurf solution will be used to power many MMS solutions, including instant digital photography, digital postcards, and future applications such as video-clip sharing. Optimized for maximum network bandwidth efficiency and based on open standards, LightSurf's infrastructure supports multimedia messaging from handset-to-handset, handset-to-Web, and Web-to- handset. Having evolved from SMS, MMS enables mobile users to transmit messages containing text, graphics, photographic images, audio and even video clips between mobile devices. MMS solutions will be powered by high-speed transmission technologies such as EDGE and GPRS.
About LightSurf Technologies, Inc.
LightSurf is the leading provider of wireless visual communications infrastructure, ecommerce technology and intellectual property based on the company's patent- pending digital media platform. The LightSurf Technology Platform (LTP) is optimized for 2G, GPRS and 3G wireless networks and supports open standards including MMS and JPEG-2000. The company's business areas include integrated wireless digital media solutions and system software, as well as licensing of the LightSurf Technology Platform to its partners including Eastman Kodak (NYSE:EK), Motorola (NYSE:MOT) Qualcomm (NASDAQ:QCOM), Agilent (NYSE:A) and others. Headquartered in Santa Cruz, Calif., LightSurf is privately held. The company was founded in 1998 by leading industry visionary Philippe Kahn. For additional information regarding LightSurf, please visit our Web site at www.lightsurf.com.
CONTACT: LightSurf Technologies, Inc. Kate Dueck, 831/457-5059 [email protected] or Red Whistle Communications Melanie Vuynovich, 415/512-4985 [email protected]
Business Wire
January 24, 2010 Sunday 2:00 AM GMT
Videos Featuring Regional and Educational Content Can Also Be Provided for Cable Television Transmission; Videos Featuring Regional and Educational Content Can Also Be Provided for Cable Television Transmission
LENGTH: 1036 words
DATELINE: TOKYO
OKI Electric Industry (TOKYO:6703) today announced that together with Kyoiku Sangyo, it has delivered a "HD (*1) Audio Visual Library System" to Okazaki City's Audio Visual Library, located in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Based on OKI Networks' IP video delivery system "OKI MediaServer"(*2), the system delivers video quality equivalent to that of digital high definition broadcasting and contains a library of digital videos featuring regional and educational information. Historically, it has been used as part of a regional communications infrastructure within schools and for adult education, while at the same time delivering content for cable television.
Okazaki City has been focusing on the development of auto visual education for around sixty years. In 1998, the city chose OKI's IP video delivery system, "OKI MediaServer" which stores videos of regional information relating to local schools and local events in its library. The city has also been delivering content to a regional cable television: "MICS".
"We are proud to make a contribution to Okazaki City by upgrading its existing audio visual library system to high definition quality, which will enable more high definition content, featuring high-quality video and audio, to be carried. The timing of this is in line with the spread of terrestrial digital broadcasting in Japan," said Masasuke Kishi, President of OKI Networks . "We will continue to propose new communication infrastructures to Okazaki City to help it to re-assess its business processes and further increase productivity."
Okazaki City has re-evaluated its existing "OKI MediaServer" which enables archived content to be utilized and which has been operational for ten years, because of the high levels of usability and reliability it was able to achieve.
The new system digitalizes (H.264/AVC (*3) HD) videos, typically containing content relating both to schools and to a range of other events taking place in the city, which has been recorded in high definition quality using a high performance soft encoder. The videos are then stored in "OKI MediaServer" and a digital library is created. Okazaki citizens can search and view video content that has been added to the digital library using a computer located at the Audio Visual Library.
In addition, Okazaki City Audio Visual Library edits this video content, via a simple GUI, for television use. The edited material is transmitted for four hours every day on a local channel. The high quality broadcasting, comparable in standard, to terrestrial digital, contributes to enhanced regional communications.
OKI will continue to deploy video-based communication infrastructure systems based on its simultaneous delivery technology, ideally suited to image delivery and network development, to regional governments and businesses.
Okazaki City Audio Visual Library Managed and operated by Okazaki City, Okazaki Audio Visual Library is an educational facility for auto visual education, focused on the promotion of social education. In line with this role, the facility circulates text books and educational equipment and provides relevant advice. It also hosts lectures and webinars on operating educational equipment and other educational topics, while at the same time creating videos that can be used for educational purposes. These videos are used in a broad range of different ways, including within schools and for transmission over cable television.
Kyoiku Sangyo
Established in 1936, Kyoiku Sangyo proposes and builds communications focusing on "audio and video under the slogan, "a company that links people with audio and video." It has an extensive customer base that includes educational institutions and corporations.
System Overview
It is a video library system that uses HD compatible encoder apparatus, based on the IP video delivery system, "OKI MediaServer." Users can edit images that are in the digital library for broadcasting use, enabling delivery to cable television.
[Glossary]
*1 HD: The term stands for High Definition, referring to high resolution images on television and videos. BS digital and terrestrial digital broadcasting are also referred to as HD broadcasting.
*2 OKI MediaServer : This is an IP video delivery system. It is equipped with typical video delivery functions as standard and it can be easily established in various systems that utilizes video and audio such as VOD, live delivery systems, satellite stations and monitoring systems. "OKI MediaServer" is not only used as a server for broadcasting for cable television, as seen in this case, but also as an IPTV server for telecommunication carriers, capitalizing on standard compatibility and technology to comply with larger-scale servers.
*3 H.264/AVC: H.264 is a standard compression coding method for videos, developed by ITC (International Telecommunication Union) in May 2005. Compared with the traditionally used MPEG-2, it only requires approximately half the data for the same quality. Note that ISO (International Standard Organization) has developed a part of MPEG-4 (MPEG-4 Part 10 Advanced Video Coding) which is abbreviated as H.264/AVC.
Notes:
• Names of companies and products are the trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective companies and organizations. About Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
Founded in 1881, Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. is Japan's first telecommunications manufacturer Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, OKI provides top-quality products, technologies, and solutions to customers through its info-telecom system and printer operations. Its various businesses function synergistically to provide exciting new products and technologies that meet a wide range of customer needs in various markets. Visit OKI's global website at http://www.oki.com/ .
About Oki Networks Co., Ltd.
Established on October 1, 2008, OKI Networks is a company that spun-off from OKI Electric to focus on the sales, marketing, product planning and development of OKI's telecommunication products. Located in Tokyo, Japan, OKI Networks currently has approx. 590 employees. Visit OKI Networks' website at: http://www.oki- networks.com/ .