Abstract: One or more embodiments include an emotion analysis system for computing and analyzing emotional state of a user. The emotion analysis system acquires, via at least one sensor, sensor data associated with a user. The emotion analysis system determines, based on the sensor data, an emotional state associated with a user. The emotion analysis system determines a first component of the emotional state that corresponds to media content being accessed by the user. The emotion analysis system applies a first function to the emotional state to remove the first component from the emotional state.

Abstract: A system may present notifications to an occupant of a vehicle and determine whether the occupant has given attention to the notification. The system oscillates a visual notification at an output frequency. The system captures images of an eye of the occupant to determine an eye pupil oscillation frequency associated with the occupant. The system compares the eye pupil oscillation frequency to the output frequency. The system determines whether attention was given to the notification based on whether the output frequency and the eye pupil oscillation frequency match. If the system determines that attention was not given, the system may cause performance of one or more follow-up operations.

Abstract: A drone speaker system is configured to deploy a fleet of drone speaker units. Each drone speaker unit includes a speaker configured to broadcast acoustic signals and a flight system configured to aerially transport a speaker. The drone speaker system initially generates a spatial map of a location where the drone speaker units are to be deployed. The drone speaker system then identifies suitable perching locations for the drone speaker units. Then, the drone speaker system deploys the fleet of drone speaker units to those perching locations to place one or more speakers. Once positioned in this manner, the speakers can generate a sound field. The drone speaker units may also reconfigure the speakers to achieve different sound fields having varying characteristics.

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: 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: In various embodiments, a driver sensing subsystem computes a characterization of a driver based on physiological attribute(s) of the driver that are measured as the driver operates a vehicle. Subsequently, a driver assessment application uses a confidence level model to estimate a confidence level associated with the driver based on the characterization of the driver. The driver assessment application then causes driver assistance application(s) to perform operation(s) that are based on the confidence level and modify at least one functionality of the vehicle. Advantageously, by enabling the driver assistance application(s) to take into account the confidence level of the driver, the driver assessment application can improve driving safety relative to conventional techniques for implementing driver assistance applications that disregard the confidence levels of drivers.

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: A system for interacting with a computing device includes a visual projection system configured to project a visual output onto a projection surface and a haptic output device configured to deliver a haptic output to a surface of a body part of the user while the visual projection system projects the visual output onto the projection surface.

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 interacting with a computing device includes a visual projection system configured to project a visual output onto a projection surface and a haptic output device configured to deliver a haptic output to a surface of a body part of the user while the visual projection system projects the visual output onto the projection 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: A system for displaying visual information to a user of a vehicle includes a projection system included in the vehicle and configured to project a first visual output onto a first projection surface of a head-mounted device of the user to cause at least a first portion of the visual information to be displayed to a first eye of the user; a position-tracking system included in the vehicle and configured to determine a location of the head-mounted device with respect to the projection system and an orientation of the head-mounted device with respect to the projection system; and a processor configured to execute instructions to cause the projection system to project the first visual output to the first projection surface based on the position and the orientation.

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: One embodiment of the present disclosure set forth a resonator device for generating a resonance map of a surface. The resonator device includes an actuator mechanism that vibrates the surface. The resonator device further includes one or more sensors that detect a deflection of the surface responsive to the actuator mechanism vibrating the surface. The resonator device further includes a processor. The processor is configured to generate the resonance map based on the detected deflection.

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: Techniques for determining a cognitive reaction to a software application update include determining that a software application executing on a computing device has been modified into an updated software application; acquiring, via at least one sensor, sensor data associated with a user of the updated software and determining, based on the sensor data, at least one of a cognitive workload and an emotional state associated with a user interaction with a feature of the updated software application.

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: A system for interactions with an autonomous vehicle includes a proprioceptive device; and a controller. The controller is configured to: detect a first condition external to the autonomous vehicle; generate a first proprioceptive output in response to the first condition, the first proprioceptive output changing a shape of the proprioceptive device; receive a first input force from the proprioceptive device; determine a first user input based on the first input force; and, based on the first user input, cause the autonomous vehicle to perform a navigation action.

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.