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: 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 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: 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: 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: One embodiment of the present disclosure sets forth a technique for delivering audio output and generates haptic sensations on or proximate to objects in an environment via which a user can perceive haptic sensations. The device includes transducer arrays that operate in various modalities, including generating audio output, generating haptic output, and sensing objects in the environment. When generating audio output, the transducer arrays produce ultrasonic waves that demodulate to produce audio output. When generating haptic output, the transducer arrays output directional haptic output to various locations to the environment using constructive and/or destructive interference. When sensing objects in the environment, the transducer arrays generate pings and detect ping echoes reflected off of objects in the environment.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a personalization application provides emotionally personalized audio content to co-located users. In operation, the personalization application acquires first personalized audio content for a first user based on an emotional state associated with the first user. The personalization application then causes a first audio device associated with the first user to output the first audio content. In addition, the personalization application causes a second audio device associated with a second user that is co-located with the first user to output second audio content while the first audio devices outputs the first audio content. Notably, the second audio content is different from the first audio content.

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: 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: In one embodiment, a cognitive load driving assistant increases driving safety based on cognitive loads. In operation, the cognitive load driving assistant computes a current cognitive load of a driver based on sensor data. If the current cognitive load exceeds a threshold cognitive load, then the cognitive load driving assistant modifies the driving environment to reduce the cognitive load required to perform the primary driving task and/secondary task(s), such as texting via a cellular phone. The cognitive load driving assistant may modify the driving environment indirectly via sensory feedback to the driver or directly through reducing the complexity of the primary driving task and/or secondary tasks.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure sets forth a technique for delivering audio content to a user. The technique includes analyzing audio content to determine a frequency at which to vibrate an effector. The technique further includes configuring one or more haptic output devices to generate haptic output that generates a haptic trap proximate to the effector. The technique further includes configuring the one or more haptic output devices to modify the haptic output to cause the haptic trap to vibrate the effector at the determined frequency. The effector vibrates to transmit the audio content. In one embodiment, the effector vibrates a skull of a user.

Abstract: Approaches are disclosed for generating auditory scenes. A computing device includes a wireless network interface and a processor. The processor is configured to receive, via a microphone, a first auditory signal that includes a first plurality of voice components. The processor is further configured to receive a request to at least partially suppress a first voice component included in the first plurality of voice components. The processor is further configured to generate a second auditory signal that includes the first plurality of voice components with the first voice component at least partially suppressed. The processor is further configured to transmit the second auditory signal to a speaker for output.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure sets forth a technique for generating an interface on a resonance surface. The technique includes determining a resonance pattern corresponding to a set of interface elements. The technique further includes configuring one or more haptic output devices to generate haptic output that creates the resonance pattern on the resonance surface.

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: One embodiment of the present disclosure sets forth a technique for determining the location of an object with a haptic transducer device. The technique includes configuring one or more haptic transducer devices to output a ping. The technique further includes configuring the one or more haptic transducer devices to detect a ping echo associated with the ping. The technique further includes identifying a location of an object based on the ping echo. The technique further includes configuring the one or more haptic transducer devices to generate haptic output based on the location of the object.

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, a focus application controls ambient sounds perceived by a user. In operation, the focus application determines a focus level associated with the user based on a biometric signal associated with the user. The focus application then determines an ambient awareness level based on the focus level. Subsequently, the focus application modifies at least one characteristic of an ambient sound perceived by the user based on the ambient awareness level.

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.