Abstract: Embodiments provide a non-transitory computer-readable medium containing computer program code that, when executed, performs an operation. The operation includes detecting a user action requesting an interaction with a first device and originating from a source. Additionally, embodiments determine a direction in which the source is located, relative to a current position of the first device. A response to the user action is also determined, based on a current state of the first device. Embodiments further include outputting the determined response substantially in the determined direction in which the source is located.

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: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for generating an audio event within a listening environment. The technique includes determining a speaker orientation based on a location of the audio event within a sound space being generated within the listening environment and causing a speaker to be positioned according to the speaker orientation. The technique further includes, while the speaker is positioned according to the speaker orientation, causing the audio event to be transmitted by the speaker.

Abstract: A system for exerting forces on a user. The system includes a user-mounted device having one or more masses disposed along one or more tracks. The system further includes a processor configured to generate a first actuator control signal to configure a first actuator to move a first mass included in the one or more masses at a first acceleration in a first direction along a first track included in the one or more tracks. The processor is further configured to generate a second actuator control signal to configure at least one of the first actuator and a second actuator to move the first mass at a second acceleration in the first direction along the first track. A magnitude of the first acceleration is above a threshold acceleration, and a magnitude of the second acceleration is below the threshold acceleration.

Abstract: A personal safety system detects imminent danger or other event of interest and then modifies a sound panorama to focus a user's attention towards the direction of the danger or other event of interest. The personal safety system may isolate sounds originating from the direction of the danger or other event of interest, collapse the sound panorama towards the direction of the danger or other event of interest, or compress the sound panorama to align with the direction of the danger or other event of interest. The personal safety system may be integrated into an automobile or a wearable system physically attached to the user. Advantageously, the attention of the user may be drawn towards imminent danger or other events of interest without introducing additional sensory information to the user, thereby reducing the likelihood of startling or distracting the user.

Abstract: A stage arrangement system is configured to arrange stage elements on a stage where a performance is to take place. The stage arrangement system is configured to move the stage elements to reflect arrangement data that reflects desired positions and orientations for each stage element. The stage arrangement system first localizes one or more stage elements by determining the position and orientation associated with each such element. Then, the stage arrangement system repositions and/or reorients each stage element to comply with the arrangement data. Each stage element may indicate position and/or orientation changes to stagehands or manual laborers, who then move each element accordingly. Alternatively, each stage element may autonomously move in order to implement the position and/or orientation changes.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for transmitting an audio event to an ear of a user. The technique includes acquiring sensor data associated with the ear of the user and analyzing the sensor data to determine a position of the ear. The technique further includes determining a speaker orientation based on the position of the ear and a location of a shoulder-mounted speaker. The technique further includes causing the shoulder-mounted speaker to transmit the audio event to the ear of the user based on the speaker orientation.

Abstract: A universal device controller is configured to operate as a proxy mechanism for interacting with a plurality of different devices wirelessly coupled to the universal device controller. When a user of the universal device controller verbally expresses a command from a universal command language understood by the device, the universal device controller analyzes the verbal expression of the user and identifies a wireless device capable of executing the associated command. The universal device controller then identifies an API for interacting with the identified device and translates the verbal expression into a device command that the identified device is capable of executing. The universal device controller then issues the device command to the identified device.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and computer program product for monitoring a subject person's environment while the person is isolated from the environment. The system can use a microphone and/or a digital camera or imager to detect and capture sounds, voices, object, symbols, and faces in the subject person's environment, for example. The captured items can be analyzed, identified, and provided in an events log. The subject person can later review the events log to understand what happened while isolated. In various instances, the subject person can select an event from the log and review the underlying detected sounds, voices, object, symbols, and faces.

Abstract: A technique for modifying an affect of a voice. The technique includes determining an emotional state associated with a person, and modifying one or more acoustic characteristics of a voice sample acquired from the person based on the emotional state to alter an affect associated with the voice sample. The technique further includes generating a second voice sample based on the one or more acoustic characteristics that have been modified, and transmitting the second voice sample.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for adaptively interacting with a driver via voice interaction is provided. The apparatus includes a computational models block and an adaptive interactive voice system. The computational models block is configured to receive driver related parameters, vehicle related parameters, and vehicle environment parameters from a plurality of sensors. The computational models block is further configured to generate a driver state model based on the driver related parameters and to generate a vehicle state model based on the vehicle related parameter. The computational models block is further configured to generate a vehicle environment state model based on the vehicle environment parameters. The adaptive interactive voice system is configured to generate a voice output based on a driver's situation and context as indicated on information included within at least one of the driver state model, the vehicle state model, and the vehicle environment state model.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for calibrating an audio system. The technique includes transmitting information to a robotic vehicle for positioning a microphone at a plurality of different listening locations within a listening environment and, for each different listening location, acquiring a sound measurement via the microphone. The technique further includes calibrating at least one audio characteristic of the audio system based on the sound measurements acquired at the different listening locations.

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 determining, based on the at least one hand position, an interaction between a first virtual object that corresponds to an audio event and a second virtual object that corresponds to the hand of the user. The technique further includes, based on the interaction, modifying a spatial audio parameter associated with the audio event to generate a modified audio stream and 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.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for generating an audio event within a listening environment. The technique includes determining a speaker orientation based on a location of the audio event within a sound space being generated within the listening environment and causing a speaker to be positioned according to the speaker orientation. The technique further includes, while the speaker is positioned according to the speaker orientation, causing the audio event to be transmitted by the speaker.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for transmitting an audio event to an ear of a user. The technique includes acquiring sensor data associated with the ear of the user and analyzing the sensor data to determine a position of the ear. The technique further includes determining a speaker orientation based on the position of the ear and a location of a shoulder-mounted speaker. The technique further includes causing the shoulder-mounted speaker to transmit the audio event to the ear of the user based on the speaker orientation.

Abstract: An amplification system selectively amplifies acoustic signals derived from a particular direction or a particular acoustic source. A user of the amplification system may indicate the direction of interest by facing a specific direction or looking in a particular direction, among other possibilities. The amplification system identifies the direction of interest and may then amplify acoustic signals originating from that direction. The amplification system may alternatively identify a particular acoustic source within the direction of interest, and then amplify acoustic signals originating from that source, continuously tracking the source.

Abstract: A navigation system is configured to monitor various contextual data associated with the driving and navigation of a vehicle, and to scale the level of detail of driving instructions based on that contextual data. In doing so, the navigation system may estimate a level of familiarity that a driver of the vehicle has with a current route, and then identify and/or determine a degree to which the driver of the vehicle diverges from the current driving instructions. Based on either one of, or both, of the familiarity level and the divergence level, the navigation system scales the level of detail of the driving instructions so that the driver is provided with an appropriate amount of information.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose an augmented reality writing system and method thereof. According to one example embodiment, the system includes a handheld writing tool having an end portion and a display device for displaying digital content for viewing by an operating user. An optical sensor is coupled to the display device and includes a field of view facing away from the operating user. Furthermore, coupled to the optical sensor is a processing unit configured to detect and track the position of the end portion of the handwriting tool. In accordance therewith, handwritten content is digitally rendered on the display device to correspond with the handwriting motion of the writing tool within the field of view of the optical sensor.

Abstract: System, method, and computer program product to perform an operation, the operation comprising generating a three-dimensional graphical output comprising: a three-dimensional representation of a vehicle instrument cluster comprising a plurality of instruments at a first depth level, and a three-dimensional representation of a navigation system map at a second depth level, and outputting the three-dimensional graphical output for display on a three-dimensional display in a vehicle.