Abstract: This disclosure describes a conferencing system with spatial rendering of audio data. The conferencing system includes a local conferencing device that includes a plurality of microphones, an audio encoder, and a spatial encoder that are associated with a local endpoint. The conferencing system further includes a remote conferencing device that includes a plurality of speakers, an audio decoder, and a spatial renderer that are associated with the remote endpoint. The spatial renderer is configured to superimpose a coordinate system for the plurality of speakers and a coordinate system for the plurality of microphones during spatial rendering of the audio data.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a beamforming microphone array integrated with a wall or ceiling tile that picks up audio input signals. The beamforming microphone array includes a plurality of microphones that picks up audio input signals. A wall or ceiling tile integrates with the beamforming microphone array.

Abstract: An illumination and imaging system that is used to obtain enhanced detailed images of objects. The system utilizes a flash element that produces a flash of polychromatic light. A plurality of fiber optic elements are provided that terminate with output ends. At least some of the fiber optic elements are doped to be different colors. Consequently, when each fiber optic element receives the flash of polychromatic light from the flash element, that fiber optic element propagates and filters the polychromatic light to produce colored filtered light. The colored filtered light is directed toward the object being imaged by the camera. The illumination has small points of origin, different color characteristics and simultaneous short flash duration. The combination of colored, directional light sources enables the camera to image very fine details by enhancing surface texture and embedding the image with the color photometric stereo information.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a networked amplifier in an audio video distribution system that converts a digital audio signal to and from an analog audio signal used in a video and audio system that uses a TCP/IP LAN (local area network) using TCP/IP as the communication protocol. The networked amplifier includes a network controller where the controller includes an embedded controller with a processor, memory, and storage functioning as a web server. Further included is a digital signal processor (DSP) that includes a pre-amplifier, amplifier, and an electronic crossover for frequency division. Also included are analog sensors that used for receiving and or gathering control information that enables internal auto adjustment. And further included is an analog driver circuitry.

Abstract: Voice over internet protocol (VoIP) devices and conferencing systems may include a spatial encoder associated with a first endpoint and a spatial renderer associated with a second endpoint. The spatial renderer may configured to receive audio data. The audio data may be rendered among a plurality of speakers based on a first set of spatial information for a plurality of microphones associated with the first endpoint, and a second set of spatial information for the plurality of speakers associated with the second endpoint. A method for generating a sound field may include determining spatial information for a plurality of microphones in a local room, determining spatial information for a plurality of speakers in a remote room, mapping the spatial information for the plurality of microphones and the spatial information for the plurality of speakers, and generating a sound field in the remote room based on the mapping.

Abstract: This disclosure describes an audio video distribution system that uses a local area network to distribute a digital audio signal and that uses multiple network speaker nodes to broadcast the digital audio in a multi speaker session. The system includes a local area network that distributes the digital audio signal for the audio video distribution system. In addition, the system includes a first network speaker node participating in a multi speaker session and performing in a master mode, and where the first network speaker node calculates, originates, and controls a distributed multi session clock that is distributed over the network. The system further includes one or more additional network speaker nodes participating in the multi speaker session and perform in a slave mode, and where the additional network speaker nodes receive the distributed multi session clock from the first speaker node.

Abstract: A face authentication or recognition system embodiment includes a processing unit; a flash illumination drive circuit; a flash illumination unit having a flashlamp configured to generate a set of flash illumination pulses; a set of spectral filters configured to pass a set of spectrally filtered flash illumination pulses; a lens; an image sensor configured to receive a set of filtered flash illumination pulses reflected from a subject's face and generate a corresponding facial image dataset; and a memory or data storage device configured to store facial image datasets, enrollment datasets, and query datasets, and which includes a face authentication or recognition module. Spectrally filtered flash illumination pulses have an intensity at least approximately equal to the intensity of ambient sunlight, essentially regardless of an outdoor environment under consideration upon or proximate to the surface of the earth.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods and apparatuses for echo cancelation involving multiple audio channels and the production, sensing, or a combination thereof of multiple audio channels in conferencing systems. A conferencing apparatus with a plurality of speakers configured to generate outgoing acoustic waves responsive to a multi-channel audio signal. One or more microphones are configured to sense incoming acoustic waves from the plurality of speakers and from locally produced acoustic waves from a participant of a conference to generate one or more incoming audio signals. A processor is operably coupled to the plurality of speakers and the one or more microphones. The processor is configured to perform acoustic echo cancelation on the one or more incoming audio signals relative to at least two different channels of the multi-channel audio signal.

Abstract: This disclosures describes a local area network (LAN) video and audio system 20. The disclosed system 20 includes a networked audio source node device 300 that couples to a plurality of network speaker nodes 100 via a TCP/IP LAN network 200 where the networked audio source node device is a video device. Additionally, the system includes an internet interface 400 and a network control server 310 that couple to the network speaker nodes 100 via said LAN network 200. Finally, the system 20 includes a legacy converter and controller 600 that couples to the LAN network 200 and further couples a legacy source 500 to the LAN network 200.

Abstract: This disclosure describes an intelligent network communication device in an audio video distribution system that uses a local area network that includes a network speaker node; an audio input device that receives the analog audio signal and that couples to a network speaker node through a speaker/microphone driver; and an audio output device that transmits the analog audio signal and that couples to the network speaker node through the speaker/microphone driver. The network speaker node further includes a controller with a network interface that couples to the local area network, where the controller further comprises an embedded controller with memory and which is programmed to function as a web server. The network speaker node further includes a digital signal processor that couples to the controller. And, the network speaker node further includes a speaker/microphone driver that couples to the digital signal processor.

Abstract: A face authentication or recognition system embodiment includes a processing unit; a flash illumination drive circuit; a flash illumination unit having a flashlamp configured to generate a set of flash illumination pulses; a set of spectral filters configured to pass a set of spectrally filtered flash illumination pulses; a lens; an image sensor configured to receive a set of filtered flash illumination pulses reflected from a subject's face and generate a corresponding facial image dataset; and a memory or data storage device configured to store facial image datasets, enrolment datasets, and query datasets, and which includes a face authentication or recognition module. Spectrally filtered flash illumination pulses have an intensity at least approximately equal to the intensity of ambient sunlight, essentially regardless of an outdoor environment under consideration upon or proximate to the surface of the earth.

Abstract: This disclosures describes a legacy converter and controller 600 for an audio video distribution system 20. The legacy converter and controller 600 includes the following: a network controller 620, a network interface 610, an audio format converter 621, an analog to digital converter (ADC), a legacy controller 624, a legacy audio network interface 625 that couples the legacy sources 500 to the legacy controller 624, and a legacy control network interface 625 that couples the legacy control network 700 to the legacy controller 624.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include an apparatus (210, 230, 240, 250) configured to perform beamforming on multiple audio input signals. The apparatus (210, 230, 240, 250) includes one or more illumination devices (222, 232, 242, 252) and a beamforming microphone system (116) integrated with the one or more illumination devices. The beamforming microphone system (116) includes a first plurality of microphones (302, 502) configured to resolve first audio input signals within a first frequency range. The beamforming microphone system (116) also includes at least one microphone (504) configured to resolve second audio input signals within a second frequency range. A lowest frequency in the first frequency range is greater than a lowest frequency in the second frequency range.

Abstract: A monitoring system to control lift axles on a vehicle having a means for sensing vehicle speed and direction, a means for measuring the weight on the lift axles and fixed axles on the vehicle, and a control module for controlling one or more lift axles on the vehicle is provided. The control module comprises a receiver for receiving information from the sensing means and the measuring means, a processor, and output means for causing the lift axles to be lifted when the vehicle is moving in reverse. The processor causes or permits the lift axle to 1) lower when the vehicle moves forward for a programmable distance, 2) assume or maintain a lifted position when the vehicle is below a predetermined weight, 3) assume or maintain a lowered position when the vehicle carries over a predetermined weight, and 4) equalize weight between the lift axles and the fixed axles.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a bridge and control proxy for unified communication systems. The bridge transmits and receives data from a unified communication system. In addition, the bridge transmits and receives data from a non-compatible device. The bridge translates the data between the unified communication system and the non-compatible device. The bridge stores selected data such as presence information for later use by the unified communication system and/or the non-compatible device. Further, the bridge uses Web services to discover, promote, and/or advertise non-compatible devices to the unified communication system.

Abstract: A system and method for capturing an image for biometric identification. To obtain the image, a person stands or moves in a target zone. A flash element provides an incoherent flash of light through an aperture. The flash is filtered to produce filtered light. The filtered light has primary wavelengths no longer than that of blue light. The filtered light is not perceived well by the human eye due to its short duration, color and small point of origin. The intensity of the filtered light at the target area surpasses the intensity of all ambient light. In this manner, a person in the target area will always be properly illuminated, even if that person were backlit by full sunlight. An image of the person is taken with a camera. The image is analyzed to obtain any biometric patterns that can be used for identification.

Abstract: This disclosures describes an audio home network system 20. The system 20 includes the following: a home network backbone 200; a plurality of network speakers 100 operating in a multi speaker session; and an audio source device 300 that provides digital audio to the network speakers wherein the digital audio is in a compressed format. The network speakers 100 further include a microphone that may be used for receiving and or gathering control information from said network speakers surroundings. And, the network speakers 100 send control information to other devices on the home network backbone 200. In addition, the network speakers 100 operate in either a master mode or a slave mode where a first network speaker operates in the master mode and a second or subsequent network speaker operates in the slave mode. The audio home network system 20 optimizes the audio for the network speakers 100 current location.

Abstract: A system and method for capturing an image for biometric identification. To obtain the image, a person stands or moves in a target zone. A flash element provides an incoherent flash of light through an aperture. The flash is filtered to produce filtered light. The filtered light has primary wavelengths no longer than that of blue light. The filtered light is not perceived well by the human eye due to its short duration, color and small point of origin. The intensity of the filtered light at the target area surpasses the intensity of all ambient light. In this manner, a person in the target area will always be properly illuminated, even if that person were backlit by full sunlight. An image of the person is taken with a camera. The image is analyzed to obtain any biometric patterns that can be used for identification.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for supporting unified streaming communications. A communication apparatus is configured to communicate over a network to incorporate a wide variety of protocols and peripheral devices for use in audio, video, and media communication systems.

Abstract: Voice over internet protocol (VoIP) devices and conferencing systems may include a spatial encoder associated with a first endpoint and a spatial renderer associated with a second endpoint. The spatial renderer may configured to receive audio data. The audio data may be rendered among a plurality of speakers based on a first set of spatial information for a plurality of microphones associated with the first endpoint, and a second set of spatial information for the plurality of speakers associated with the second endpoint. A method for generating a sound field may include determining spatial information for a plurality of microphones in a local room, determining spatial information for a plurality of speakers in a remote room, mapping the spatial information for the plurality of microphones and the spatial information for the plurality of speakers, and generating a sound field in the remote room based on the mapping.