Abstract: A head-worn audio system includes a support frame, a first contact element configured to contact a first portion of a head of a user, a first actuator coupled to the support frame and configured to move the first contact element, a first sensor configured to generate a first sensor signal indicating a first state of the first contact element and a second sensor signal indicating a second state of the first contact element, and a processor. The processor is communicatively coupled to the first actuator and the first sensor and is configured to cause the first actuator to move the first contact element from a first position that corresponds to the first state to a second position that corresponds to the second state, wherein, in the second state, the first contact element is in contact with the head of the user.

Abstract: A system for exerting forces on a user. The system includes a user-mounted device including one or more masses, one or more sensors configured to acquire sensor data, and a processor coupled to the one or more sensors. The processor is configured to determine at least one of an orientation and a position associated with the user-mounted device based on the sensor data. The processor is further configured to compute a force to be exerted on the user via the one or more masses based on a force direction associated with a force event and at least one of the orientation and the position. The processor is further configured to generate, based on the force, a control signal to change a position of the one or more masses relative to the user-mounted device.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure sets forth a technique for directing a user to modify an aspect of a vehicle via haptic output. The technique includes identifying one or more characteristics of a real-world condition located along a route of a vehicle. The technique further includes determining, based on the one or more characteristics of the real-world condition, a type of haptic sensation to deliver to a user associated with the vehicle. The technique further includes transmitting a first set of controls signals to at least one haptic output device that is proximate to the user, where the at least one haptic output device generates, based on the first set of control signals, haptic output corresponding to they type of haptic sensation.

Abstract: A system for guiding a user to a target. The system includes one or more contactless haptic output devices and, optionally, one or more sensors. The system further includes a processor configured to determine that a hand is proximate to a target, and, in response to determining that the hand is proximate to the target, transmit a control signal to one or more haptic output devices, where the one or more haptic output devices generate a haptic sensation on the user's hand.

Abstract: A notification control system (NCS) is configured to coordinate the delivery of notifications issued from a set of devices to the driver of a vehicle. The NCS registers all interactive devices residing in a vehicle and causes those devices to conform to specific directives generated by the NCS. The NCS analyzes and predicts the cognitive and emotional load on the driver and also estimates the cognitive and emotional impact on the driver potentially caused by any incoming notifications. The NCS then coordinates the delivery of notifications to the driver in a manner that avoids overwhelming the cognitive and/or emotional capacity of the driver. Accordingly, the NCS may avoid situations where device notifications cause the driver to unsafely divert attention away from driving.

Abstract: An audio sharing system is configured to operate in at least two modes of operation. In a private mode, the audio sharing system outputs sound only to a user and may isolate the user from the surrounding acoustic environment. In a public mode of operation, the audio sharing system broadcasts sound to the user and to any other listeners in proximity to the user, thereby sharing sound in a social manner. The audio sharing system may also operate in other modes of operation that allow the selective sharing of sounds.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a central communications controller creates customized hearing experiences without unnecessarily encumbering listeners. In operation, for each listener, the central communications controller selects distracting and/or confidential sounds and generates a cancellation signal that substantially attenuates (i.e., “cancels out”) the selected sounds without corrupting remaining sounds. To selectively filter the sounds for a listener, the central communications controller leverages one or more highly directional loudspeakers to deliver the cancellation signal directly to the ears corresponding to the listener. More specifically, for a given ear, the central communications controller transmits the cancellation signal to a highly direction loudspeaker that targets the location of the ear.

Abstract: An array of audio transducers includes an optical emitter, for example, and without limitation, a light emitting diode (LED), associated with each transducer. Simultaneous stimulation of all transducers illuminates all LED's. An imager then creates a map of the transducer array. Stimulation of a single transducer, illuminating the associated LED, creates an optical signature that imaging software uses to determine the position of the transducer within the array. The system then verifies the correspondence between each transducer and the associated driver amplifier by sequential stimulation of each transducer within the array. The system may vary the frequency of the stimulation applied to transducers that include filtering networks, known as crossovers, to validate performance. Further, the system may compute the angles between transducer assemblies that may be deployed in non-planar configurations, thus ensuring that the installation is constructed to specifications.

Abstract: A head-worn audio system includes a first support frame; a first contact element coupled to the first support frame and configured to contact a first portion of a head of a user; a first actuator coupled to the first support frame and the first contact element; and a processor that is communicatively coupled to the first actuator and is configured to: generate a first actuator signal based on first information that is to be conveyed to the user; and transmit the first actuator signal to the first actuator, wherein the first actuator generates a first force on the first contact element based on the first actuator signal, the first force corresponding to the information to be conveyed to the user.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for providing audio enhancement to a user of a listening device. The technique includes reproducing a first audio stream, such as an audio stream associated with a media player. The technique further includes detecting a voice trigger. The voice trigger may be associated with a name of a user of the listening device. The technique further includes pausing or attenuating the first audio stream and reproducing a second audio stream associated with ambient sound in response to detecting the voice trigger.

Abstract: A wearable simulation system worn by a user outputs optical and acoustic signals that cause the user to perceive a simulation. The simulation may be an immersive virtual world or, alternatively, an augmentation to the real world. The wearable simulation system also captures acoustic and optical signals from the environment around the user and then selectively incorporates these signals into the simulation. Accordingly, the user may perceive the environment to a limited extent, while still remaining engaged with the simulation. At least one advantage of the disclosed techniques is that the wearable simulation system does not completely interfere with user perception of the environment, thereby reducing the risk of the user missing important real-world events or being otherwise unaware of such real-world events.

Abstract: An audio device includes a sensor communicatively coupled to a processor and configured to generate a presence signal in response to detecting an object within an interaction region, a loudspeaker communicatively coupled to the processor, at least one light-emitting device that is communicatively coupled to the processor, and the processor. The processor is configured to vary light output of the at least one light-emitting device based on the presence signal.

Abstract: A system for directing a user to modify an aspect of a vehicle via haptic output. The system includes one or more haptic output devices disposed proximate to a vehicle device and configured to generate haptic output in response to a control signal. The system further includes a processor coupled to the one or more haptic output devices. The processor is configured to determine that a parameter associated with the vehicle device should be modified, and, in response to the determining, transmit the control signal to the one or more haptic output devices.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure set forth a system comprising a speaker array, one or more sensors configured to produce sensor data, and a processor coupled to the one or more sensors and the speaker array. The processor is configured to determine, based on the sensor data, for each speaker included in the speaker array, a position of the speaker relative to at least one of a target location, and one or more other speakers included in the speaker array, determine, based on the positions of the speakers included in the speaker array, a first set of directional sound components. The processor is further configured to generate a first set of speaker signals for the speaker array based on the first set of directional sound components, where, when outputted by the speaker array, the first set of speaker signals produces an acoustic field at the target location.

Abstract: A method for identifying at least one characteristic of a sound-producing object includes storing, in a memory, audio data acquired from an auditory environment via at least one microphone; receiving an input indicating a user request to identify a characteristic of a sound-producing object included in the auditory environment; determining, via a processor and based on a portion of the audio data acquired from the auditory environment prior to the user request, the characteristic of the sound-producing object; and causing information corresponding to the characteristic of the sound-producing object to be output via at least one output device.

Abstract: An audio sharing system is configured to operate in at least two modes of operation. In a private mode, the audio sharing system outputs sound only to a user and may isolate the user from the surrounding acoustic environment. In a public mode of operation, the audio sharing system broadcasts sound to the user and to any other listeners in proximity to the user, thereby sharing sound in a social manner. The audio sharing system may also operate in other modes of operation that allow the selective sharing of sounds.

Abstract: The various embodiments set forth a method for displaying information on one or more surfaces of a vehicle, the method comprising acquiring position data associated with a driver of the vehicle, calculating a current field-of-view of the driver based on the position data, determining a suitable surface for displaying visual information within the vehicle based on the current field-of-view of the driver, and projecting an element of visual information on the suitable surface.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for adjusting a head-mounted audio device. The technique includes determining that the head-mounted audio device has been placed on a head of a user. The technique further includes, in response to determining that the head-mounted audio device has been placed on the head of the user, causing the head-mounted audio device to transition from a first state to a second state. The first state corresponds to a first set of physical parameters associated with the head-mounted audio device, and the second state corresponds to a second set of physical parameters associated with the head-mounted audio device.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for modifying an audio parameter based on a gesture. The technique includes acquiring sensor data associated with a hand of a user and analyzing the sensor data to determine at least one hand position. The technique further includes detecting a hand gesture based on the at least one hand position and, in response to the hand gesture, modifying a spatial audio parameter associated with an audio stream to generate a modified audio stream. The technique further includes causing the modified audio stream to be reproduced for output to the user.

Abstract: Various embodiments set forth techniques for directional sound modification. In one aspect, a system includes a plurality of audio sensors configured to acquire sound from an environment and at least one processor coupled to the plurality of audio sensors. The at least one processor is configured to determine a direction within the environment, generate an audio signal based on sound acquired from the direction within the environment, and transmit the audio signal to at least one audio output device to generate audio output. The audio output combines with sound from the direction within the environment to produce a modified sound.