Abstract: Technologies pertaining to human-robot interaction are described herein. The robot includes a computer-readable memory that comprises a model that, with respect to successful completions of a task, is fit to observed data, where at least some of such observed data pertains to a condition that is controllable by the robot, such as position of the robot or distance between the robot and a human. A task that is desirably performed by the robot is to cause the human to engage with the robot. The model is updated while the robot is online, such that behavior of the robot adapts over time to increase the likelihood that the robot will successfully complete the task.

Abstract: Technologies pertaining to human-robot interaction are described herein. The robot includes a computer-readable memory that comprises a model that, with respect to successful completions of a task, is fit to observed data, where at least some of such observed data pertains to a condition that is controllable by the robot, such as position of the robot or distance between the robot and a human. A task that is desirably performed by the robot is to cause the human to engage with the robot. The model is updated while the robot is online, such that behavior of the robot adapts over time to increase the likelihood that the robot will successfully complete the task.

Abstract: Technologies pertaining to human-robot interaction are described herein. The robot includes a computer-readable memory that comprises a model that, with respect to successful completions of a task, is fit to observed data, where at least some of such observed data pertains to a condition that is controllable by the robot, such as position of the robot or distance between the robot and a human. A task that is desirably performed by the robot is to cause the human to engage with the robot. The model is updated while the robot is online, such that behavior of the robot adapts over time to increase the likelihood that the robot will successfully complete the task.

Abstract: The privacy-preserving energy-efficient speaker implementations described herein improve user privacy while a user is listening to audio and can reduce the energy necessary to output the audio. This can be done by using parametric speakers and/or traditional loud-speakers. Signal splitting and masking can be used to improve user privacy. Additionally, a signal modulation technique which significantly reduces power requirements to output an audio signal, especially in the context of using parametric speakers, can also be employed.

Abstract: Technologies pertaining to human-robot interaction are described herein. The robot includes a computer-readable memory that comprises a model that, with respect to successful completions of a task, is fit to observed data, where at least some of such observed data pertains to a condition that is controllable by the robot, such as position of the robot or distance between the robot and a human. A task that is desirably performed by the robot is to cause the human to engage with the robot. The model is updated while the robot is online, such that behavior of the robot adapts over time to increase the likelihood that the robot will successfully complete the task.

Abstract: The current application is directed to flexible methods for motion-vector-based encoding of macroblocks within video frames. The flexible methods for encoding video-frame macroblocks provide for segmentation of a video-frame block and encoding the segmented video-frame block by a segmented-block motion vector that includes a reference to a segmentation-defining region of a segmentation map and that also includes references to sources of intensity-and-color data for each segment. Segmented-block motion vectors provide for flexible segmentation-based encoding of video-frame blocks without sacrificing the coding efficiencies attendant with conventional motion-vector-based video encoding.

Abstract: Technologies pertaining to human-robot interaction are described herein. The robot includes a computer-readable memory that comprises a model that, with respect to successful completions of a task, is fit to observed data, where at least some of such observed data pertains to a condition that is controllable by the robot, such as position of the robot or distance between the robot and a human. A task that is desirably performed by the robot is to cause the human to engage with the robot. The model is updated while the robot is online, such that behavior of the robot adapts over time to increase the likelihood that the robot will successfully complete the task.

Abstract: Techniques for automatically connecting to a service controller are described herein. In one example, a service controller device includes a processor and a computer-readable memory storage device storing executable instructions that cause the processor to broadcast at least one of an access credential, connection information or an access credential hash embedded in an audio signal. The processor can also authenticate a client device based on a transmission of at least one of the connection information, the access credential, or the access credential hash from the client device to the client connector and transmit data to the client device in response to authenticating the client device.

Abstract: Multi-view video that is being streamed to a remote device in real time may be encoded. Frames of a real-world scene captured by respective video cameras are received for compression. A virtual viewpoint, positioned relative to the video cameras, is used to determine expected contributions of individual portions of the frames to a synthesized image of the scene from the viewpoint position using the frames. For each frame, compression rates for individual blocks of a frame are computed based on the determined contributions of the individual portions of the frame. The frames are compressed by compressing the blocks of the frames according to their respective determined compression rates. The frames are transmitted in compressed form via a network to a remote device, which is configured to render the scene using the compressed frames.

Abstract: Various methods and systems for estimating a room impulse response between an audio source and an array of microphones are described. In one example, a method includes receiving audio signals at a microphone of an array of microphones. The audio signals correspond to each of the microphones in the array of microphones. The method also includes determining a room impulse response in a subspace that is compatible with a geometry of the array of microphones based on the received audio signals.

Abstract: The privacy-preserving energy-efficient speaker implementations described herein improve user privacy while a user is listening to audio and can reduce the energy necessary to output the audio. This can be done by using parametric speakers and/or traditional loud-speakers. Signal splitting and masking can be used to improve user privacy. Additionally, a signal modulation technique which significantly reduces power requirements to output an audio signal, especially in the context of using parametric speakers, can also be employed.

Abstract: Techniques for automatically connecting to a service controller are described herein. In one example, a service controller device includes a processor and a computer-readable memory storage device storing executable instructions that cause the processor to broadcast at least one of an access credential, connection information or an access credential hash embedded in an audio signal. The processor can also authenticate a client device based on a transmission of at least one of the connection information, the access credential, or the access credential hash from the client device to the client connector and transmit data to the client device in response to authenticating the client device.

Abstract: A “Media Transmission Optimizer” provides a media transmission optimization framework for lossy or bursty networks such as the Internet. This optimization framework provides a novel form of dynamic Forward Error Correction (FEC) that focuses on the perceived quality of a recovered media signal rather than on the absolute accuracy of the recovered media signal. In general, the Media Transmission Optimizer provides an encoder that optimizes the transmission of redundant frames of electronic media information encoded at different bit rates, and provides optimized playback quality by providing a decoder that automatically selects an optimal path through one or more available representations of each frame as a function of overall rate/distortion criteria.

Abstract: A peer-aware voice stream ranking method that makes decisions based on information about participants of a voice conference over a network. Whether to send a participant's own audio packet out on the network is based both on information about the participant's own voice packet and voice packets that the participant receives from other clients. A Voice Activity Score (VAS) is computed for each frame of a particular voice stream. The VAS includes a voiceness component, indicating the likelihood that the audio frame contains speech or voice, and an energy level component that indicating the ratio of current frame energy to the long-term average of energy for a current speaker. Using the VAS from the participants, the method also ranks the client's voice stream as compared to other clients' voice streams in the voice conference. If there are participants higher ranking, the client's voice stream is not sent.

Abstract: Described herein are various technologies pertaining to parametric speakers. A parametric speaker is driven based upon a determined location of an ear of a listener. The parametric speaker outputs an ultrasonic beam that comprises several modulated signals, the modulated signals being carrier signals modulated by an audio signal. The parametric speaker is driven such that a main lobe of the ultrasonic beam has a focal point between the ear of the listener and the parametric speaker.

Abstract: Described are systems and methods performed by computer to reduce crosstalk produced by loudspeakers when rendering binaural sound that is emitted from the loudspeakers into a room. The room may have sound-reflecting surfaces that reflect some of the sound produced by the loudspeakers. To reduce crosstalk, a room model stored by the computer, is accessed. The room model models at least sound reflected by one or more of the physical surfaces. The room model is used to calculate a model of an audio channel from the loudspeakers to a listener. The model of the audio channel models sound transmission from the loudspeakers to the listener. The computer uses the model of the audio channel to cancel crosstalk from the loudspeakers when rendering the binaural sound.

Abstract: Various methods and systems for estimating a room impulse response between an audio source and an array of microphones are described. In one example, a method includes receiving audio signals at a microphone of an array of microphones. The audio signals correspond to each of the microphones in the array of microphones. The method also includes determining a room impulse response in a subspace that is compatible with a geometry of the array of microphones based on the received audio signals.

Abstract: Technologies pertaining to human-robot interaction are described herein. The robot includes a computer-readable memory that comprises a model that, with respect to successful completions of a task, is fit to observed data, where at least some of such observed data pertains to a condition that is controllable by the robot, such as position of the robot or distance between the robot and a human. A task that is desirably performed by the robot is to cause the human to engage with the robot. The model is updated while the robot is online, such that behavior of the robot adapts over time to increase the likelihood that the robot will successfully complete the task.

Abstract: Confidential information is provided to a proxy computer in communication between an unsecured computer and a computer having information desired by a user. The proxy computer receives the confidential information in either an encrypted form or having arbitrary information combined therewith. The proxy computer ascertains the confidential information and forwards it to the computer having the information desired by the user.

Abstract: A person is provided with the ability to auditorily determine the spatial geometry of his current physical environment. A spatial map of the current physical environment of the person is generated. The spatial map is then used to generate a spatialized audio representation of the environment. The spatialized audio representation is then output to a stereo listening device which is being worn by the person.