Abstract: A method of enhancing an audio signal from an audio output device is provided. For a frequency band, a user masking contour curve covering at least a part of said frequency band is obtained, a target masking contour curve is derived from the user masking contour curve, and a multi-band digital compression system is parameterized based on the sound level of the target masking contour curve at a given frequency and the sound level of the user masking contour curve at the same given frequency. The obtained parameters are outputted to provide an enhanced audio signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for authenticating access to multiple data stores substantially in real-time are disclosed. The system may include a server coupled to a network, a client device in communication with the server via the network and a plurality of data stores. The server may authenticate access to the data stores and forward information from those stores to the client device. An exemplary authentication method may include receipt of a request for access to data. Information concerning access to that data is stored and associated with an identifier assigned to a client device. If the identifier is found to correspond to the stored information during a future request for access to the store, access to that store is granted.

Abstract: Systems and methods for authenticating access to multiple data stores substantially in real-time are disclosed. The system may include a server coupled to a network, a client device in communication with the server via the network and a plurality of data stores. The server may authenticate access to the data stores and forward information from those stores to the client device. An exemplary authentication method may include receipt of a request for access to data. Information concerning access to that data is stored and associated with an identifier assigned to a client device. If the identifier is found to correspond to the stored information during a future request for access to the store, access to that store is granted.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an audio system can generate a parametrically formulated noise signal which can be mixed with an audio signal or acoustic signal. According to an embodiment, a parametrically formulated noise signal can be configured to have a power spectrum amplitude that is a function of frequency. According to an embodiment, a parametrically formulated noise signal can have a power spectrum amplitude across a range of frequencies that is a function of an individual's hearing thresholds across the range of frequencies.

Abstract: An assistive listening device includes a set of microphones including an array arranged into pairs about a nominal listening axis with respective distinct intra-pair microphone spacings, and a pair of ear-worn loudspeakers. Audio circuitry performs arrayed-microphone short-time target cancellation processing including (1) applying short-time frequency transforms to convert time-domain audio input signals into frequency-domain signals for every short-time analysis frame, (2) calculating ratio masks from the frequency-domain signals of respective microphone pairs, wherein the calculation of a ratio mask includes a frequency domain subtraction of signal values of a microphone pair, (3) calculating a global ratio mask from the plurality of ratio masks, and (4) applying the global ratio mask, and inverse short-time frequency transforms, to selected ones of the frequency-domain signals, thereby generating audio output signals for driving the loudspeakers.

Abstract: Techniques for employing natural language processing (NLP) to facilitate geospatial analysis are provided. In one example, a computer-implemented method comprises receiving, by a device operatively coupled to a processor, input information in a natural language format indicating a change to a state of a system comprising different nodes through which physical elements flow, wherein the system is associated with a state model that characterizes movement of the physical elements through the different nodes based on one or more flow parameters. The computer-implemented method further comprises, determining, by the device based on the input information, a subset of the one or more flow parameters associated with the change, determining, by the device based on the input information, one or more constraints to the subset that account for the change, and modifying, by the device, the state model based on the one or more constraints, resulting in a modified state model.

Abstract: A method for gesture-based multi-factor authentication includes receiving a gesture password from a user. The gesture password is mapped to a first substitution string. A cryptographic key is generated using the substitution string as an input to a password authenticated key exchange (“PAKE”) protocol. A challenge response is encrypted with the cryptographic key to generate an encrypted challenge response. A user identifier and the encrypted challenge question are transmitted to a relying party. The encrypted challenge response can be verified by the relying party by retrieving the first substitution string based on the user identifier, generating the cryptographic key using the first substitution string as an input to the PAKE protocol, decrypting the encrypted challenge response using the cryptographic key, and verifying the challenge response so as to authenticate the user.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to a method performed by a processor of a computing system. An example method includes receiving a user identifier and encrypted authentication data from a user. The encrypted authentication data includes a biometric sample encrypted using an encryption key that is generated using a previously established a user secret. The user identifier is matched with a stored user secret. The stored user secret is used to generate a decryption key. The decryption key is used to decrypt the encrypted authentication data. The user secret is extracted from the biometric sample. The user is authenticated by matching the extracted user secret with the stored user secret.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a traffic analysis service obtains telemetry data regarding network traffic associated with a device in a network. The traffic analysis service forms a histogram of frequencies of the traffic features from the telemetry data for the device. The traffic features are indicative of endpoints with which the device communicated. The traffic analysis service associates a device type with the device, by comparing the histogram of the traffic features from the telemetry data to histograms of traffic features associated with other devices. The traffic analysis service initiates, based on the device type associated with the device, an adjustment to treatment of the traffic associated with the device by the network.

Abstract: Application dependency mapping (ADM) can be automated in a network. The network can determine whether certain nodes form a cluster of a tier of an application. The network can monitor network data and process data for traffic passing through the network using a sensor network that provides multiple perspectives for the traffic. The network can analyze the network data and process data to determine respective feature vectors for nodes. A feature vector may represent a combination of the features corresponding to the network data and the features corresponding to the process data of a node. The network can compare the similarity of the respective feature vectors and determine each node's cluster based on similarity measures between nodes.

Abstract: The communication method includes performing, by a first terminal, consecutive video call with at least one or more second terminal; selecting, by the first terminal, at least one or more representative frame from among a plurality of frames of an image being photographed during each video call; detecting, by the first terminal, a face from the at least one or more representative frame; generating, by the first terminal, a face recognition result that includes information on a number of the faces detected from the at least one or more representative frame; outputting, by the first terminal, the face recognition result to a server; and upon completion of the video call with the at least one or more second terminal, performing, by the first terminal, video call with a third terminal selected based on the face recognition result from the server.

Abstract: Method and system for maintaining accuracy of voice recognition are described herein. The audio system reproducing sound using a loudspeaker array that is housed in a loudspeaker cabinet may selection from a number of sound rendering modes and changing the selected sound rendering mode based on the current playback volume set on the audio system. The sound rendering modes include at least one of: a number of free space modes and a number of complex modes. Other aspects are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A computing device for risk-based analysis of a payment card transaction is provided herein. The computing device includes a processor communicatively coupled to a memory. The computing device is programmed to receive a request for authentication of the payment card transaction. The payment card transaction includes a suspect consumer presenting a payment card from a digital wallet of a privileged cardholder. The computing device is also programmed to identify fraud feature data from the digital wallet. The computing device is further programmed to compute a fraud score for the payment card transaction based at least in part on the fraud feature data. The computing device is still further programmed to provide the fraud score for use during authentication of the suspect consumer.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, an apparatus for privacy protection is provided. The apparatus includes a random number generator providing a random number sequence. The apparatus also includes a key generator operable to receive the random number sequence and synthesize the random number sequence to generate a plurality of keys. The apparatus also includes a plurality of randomizing chains, each receiving a corresponding key from the key generator and providing a respective discrete random number sequence based on the corresponding key. The apparatus further includes output devices, each of which is connected to a respective randomizing chain to receive the respective discrete random number sequence and produces a respective output noise signal based on a function of the respective discrete random number sequence. The apparatus also includes interfaces mating the output devices with the input devices of a second device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an in-vehicle privacy system, comprising audio output means (146, 147) associated with a first zone (110) of an interior of a vehicle (100), audio source means (250) for providing an audio signal (205) to the audio output means (146, 147), speech intelligibility means (310) for estimating a speech intelligibility in the first zone (110), control means arranged to control one or more properties of the audio signal (205) in dependence on the estimate of speech intelligibility to mask speech of a second occupant in a second zone (150) of the interior of the vehicle (100) from a first occupant with the first zone.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of generating a sound masking signal, comprising: receiving an input sound signal, determining the frequency domain spectrum of the input sound signal, and generating a sound masking signal for the sound signal. The sound masking signal is generated from components comprising, i) a nominal component having a frequency domain spectrum the frequency band amplitudes of which are proportional to corresponding frequency band amplitudes of the input sound signal frequency domain spectrum, and ii) a decay biasing component that reduces the rate of at least some reductions in time domain amplitude of the sound masking signal where such reductions would be generated over time in accordance with the nominal component.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer readable program code are disclosed for authenticating a user having a mobile device with plural sensors. The method includes recognizing a situation of the mobile device or the user; determining if the situation of the mobile device or the user is a predetermined situation; when the situation is the predetermined situation: determining a first action as an authentication action; determining a single sensor or a first combination of sensors among the plural sensors; and executing a first authentication for the user by using the single sensor or the first combination of sensors; and when the situation is not the predetermined situation: determining a second action as the authentication action; determining a second combination of sensors among the plural sensors; and executing a second authentication for the user by using the second combination of sensors.

Abstract: An ear interface mode of headphones may be determined by measuring an acoustic response of the headphones. For example, the headphones may be determined to be in a leaky or sealed configuration. An adaptive noise cancellation (ANC) system may be controlled based on the determined ear interface mode of the headphones. For example, a set of configuration parameters may be loaded for the ANC system corresponding to the known ear interface mode. An anti-noise signal may be generated according to the selected configuration parameters, and that anti-noise signal added during playback of media, such as voice recordings, music, videos, or telephone call speech.

Abstract: A method, system and software for assessing an entity (15) at a first user terminal (13) connected to a data network (10). A control system (11) is used to receive an access request (101) from the entity (15) or an assessing user (16) at a second user terminal (14). The control system (11) invokes or facilitates transmission of a time-delimited sequence of unpredictable prompts (18) to the entity (15) for a performance of visible prompted actions (20). A video recording (21) of the prompted action performance is stored in a data store (61) and the control system performs an automated assessment of the video recording (21) by a gesture recognition system (67d) and generates an assessment signal respectively including a positive or negative indication of whether or not said entity (15) validly performed said prompted actions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for visualizing distractions are described. In one example, audio data is received from microphones in an open space. A human speech distractor presence is identified by one or more of: (a) detecting voice activity from the audio data, (b) receiving motion sensor data from motion sensors in the open space and detecting motion activity from the motion sensor data, or (c) receiving video sensor data from video sensors in the open space and detecting a human presence from the video data. A source location of the human speech distractor presence within the open space is identified utilizing one or more of the audio data, the motion sensor data, or the video data. A distraction index parameter is generated from the audio data. The distraction index parameter is visually indicated on an open space map at the source location of the human speech distractor presence.

Abstract: A medical scan annotator system is operable to select a medical scan for transmission via a network to a first client device and a second client device for display via an interactive interface, and annotation data is received from the first client device and the second client device in response. Annotation similarity data is generated by comparing the first annotation data to the second annotation data, and consensus annotation data is generated based on the first annotation data and the second annotation data in response to the annotation similarity data indicating that the difference between the first annotation data and the second annotation data compares favorably to an annotation discrepancy threshold. The consensus annotation data is mapped to the medical scan in a medical scan database.

Abstract: Provided is an information processing device including a processing unit acquisition portion that acquires one or more processing units, on the basis of noise, from a first recognition string obtained by performing speech recognition on first input speech, and a processor that processes a processing target, when any one of the one or more processing units is selected as the processing target.

Abstract: Examples described herein involve configuring a playback device based on distortion, such as that caused by a barrier. One implementation may involve causing the playback device to play audio content according to an existing playback configuration, determining an existing frequency response of the playback device in a given system, and determining whether a difference between the existing frequency response of the playback device in the given system and a predetermined frequency response for the playback device is greater than a predetermined distortion threshold. If it is determined that the difference between the existing frequency response of the playback device and the predetermined frequency response for the playback device is greater than the predetermined distortion threshold, then the existing playback configuration of the playback device is changed to an updated playback configuration of the playback device and the playback device plays audio content according to the updated playback configuration.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a first microphone device, a speaker, a memory circuit, and a processor. The first microphone device is configured to generate first data based on a first sound. The memory circuit at least stores acoustic data. The processor is coupled to the first microphone device and the speaker. The processor generates second data based on the first data and the acoustic data. The speaker generates a second sound based on the second data. The acoustic data includes the frequency-response of human ear and sound-masking data.

Abstract: A wireless sound-emitting device includes a housing adapted to be coupled to a wall at a source of electric power, a loudspeaker positioned at a periphery of the housing, a control module outputting an electric audio signal to the at least one loudspeaker, and a wireless communications module in electrical communication with the control module. The loudspeaker emits acoustic signals in a direction parallel to the wall, when the housing is coupled to the wall, with the acoustic signals reflecting off the wall. The device may produce a sound masking noise or play a sound recorded on an internal memory. The device may include an electric plug or be adapted to replace an electric outlet faceplate. The device may have electric pass-through outlets and may be powered by the source of electric power. The device may be controlled remotely, for example via an Internet of Things (IoT) platform.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle relates to a voice masking technology for allowing only a specific passenger among passengers in the vehicle to listen to a voice communication signal such as a dial tone, and the technology inhibits the remaining passengers other than the specific passenger from listening to the voice communication signal. The vehicle includes a voice signal receiver to receive a voice signal, a speaker provided in the vehicle to output the voice signal, and a controller to perform frequency conversion of the received voice signal. In particular, the controller generates a masking sound for inhibiting transmission of information contained in the voice signal on the basis of a frequency band of the converted voice signal, and generates a control signal in a manner that the generated masking sound is output to a predetermined region of an indoor space of the vehicle.

Abstract: A technique for reducing noise in a listening environment. The technique includes dividing the listening environment into a plurality of zones, where each zone is associated with a different active noise cancellation (ANC) system. A boundary between a first zone included in the plurality of zones and a second zone included in the plurality of zones comprises open space. The technique further includes assigning a plurality of acoustic sensors and a plurality of speakers to the ANC system associated with each zone included in the plurality of zones. The technique further includes, for each zone included in the plurality of zones, acquiring acoustic data via the plurality of acoustic sensors, processing the acoustic data, via a processor, to generate noise cancellation signals, and outputting the noise cancellation signals via the plurality of speakers.

Abstract: Systems and methods for handling silence in audio streams are disclosed. In one aspect, a transmitter detects a halt in an audio stream. After detection of the halt in the audio stream, the transmitter embeds a silence signal into the audio stream and transmits the silence signal to associated receivers. The associated receivers may respond to the embedded silence signal by “playing” silence or by using the silence signal to activate a silence protocol. In either event, the associated receivers do not receive the original audio halt and do not produce an unwanted audio artifact.

Abstract: Systems and methods for handling silence in audio streams are disclosed. In one aspect, a transmitter detects a halt in an audio stream. After detection of the halt in the audio stream, the transmitter embeds a silence signal into the audio stream and transmits the silence signal to associated receivers. The associated receivers may respond to the embedded silence signal by “playing” silence or by using the silence signal to activate a silence protocol. In either event, the associated receivers do not receive the original audio halt and do not produce an unwanted audio artifact.

Abstract: Technologies for user authorization include a compute device configured to determine one or more physical attributes of a non-electronic physical object and authorize a user to a protected system based on the determined physical attributes of the non-electronic physical object. The physical attributes may include, for example, an acoustic signature, a color signature, a shape signature, a weight signature, a position signature, or other physical attribute or set of physical attributes of the non-electronic physical object. The physical attributes may be sensed by various sensors of the compute device and compared to previously sensed or determined physical attributes to authorize the user to the protected system.

Abstract: A method of enhancing an audio signal from an audio output device is provided. For a frequency band, a user masking contour curve covering at least a part of said frequency band is obtained, a target masking contour curve is derived from the user masking contour curve, and a multi-band digital compression system is parameterized based on the sound level of the target masking contour curve at a given frequency and the sound level of the user masking contour curve at the same given frequency. The obtained parameters are outputted to provide an enhanced audio signal.

Abstract: A method of a server for controlling, a device of one region among a plurality of regions is provided. The method includes acquiring situation information of a first region among the plurality of regions, determining a state of a user in the first region based on the acquired situation information of the first region, determining a device set-up value of a second region adjacent to the first region among the plurality of regions based on the determined state of the user in the first region, and transmitting the determined device set-up value of the second region to a device of the second region or a gateway connected to the device of the second region.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a band-limited beamforming microphone array made by the augmenting a beamforming microphone array with non-beamforming microphones. The band-limited beamforming microphone array includes a plurality of first microphones configured as a beamforming microphone array to resolve first audio input signals within a first frequency range. The band-limited array further includes one or more additional microphone configured to resolve second audio input signals within a restricted second frequency range such that the additional microphones are coupled to the beamforming microphone array. In addition, the band-limited array includes augmented beamforming that processes audio signals from the beamforming microphone array and the additional microphone(s), where the augmented beamforming combines the beamformed first audio input signal with the resolved and restricted second audio input signals to create an audio signal within a band-limited frequency range.

Abstract: A speech reproduction device for reproducing speech based on a received speech signal so that the reproduced speech is intelligible in a clear speech zone and unintelligible in a masked speech zone includes an audio processing module configured for receiving the speech signal; a set of speech loudspeakers configured for reproducing the speech based on one or more speech loudspeaker signals; and a set of masking sound loudspeakers configured for producing a masking sound based on one or more masking sound loudspeaker signals, wherein the masking sound masks the speech in the masked speech zone; wherein the audio processing module includes a speech signal analysis module configured for producing one or more analysis signals based on spectral and/or temporal characteristics of the speech signal; wherein the audio processing module includes a masking sound generator configured for producing one or more masking sound signals based on the one or more analysis signals.

Abstract: Confidence of attentiveness of a consumer of a media object on a media playback device is estimated by monitoring for a user action performed on a mobile computing device while the media objects are being played back; responsive to a user action, retrieving descriptors for the media object; computing a relevance of the detected user action and the descriptors using correlation; if sufficiently correlated, determining a degree of confidence that the user is attentive to the media object; and recording the one user action, the media object descriptors, and the degree of confidence into digital results for reporting and usage by other devices and processes to improve viewership, readership, and listenership measurements.

Abstract: A sound receiving device and a noise signal generating method thereof are disclosed. A linear voltage regulator module of the sound receiving device receives a power signal for converting into a first current signal. A microphone is used to receive an external audio signal. A digital modulation module receives the first current signal so as to process the external audio signal to become a digital audio signal. After the linear voltage regulator module receives a control signal, the first current signal is stopped, and the power signal is transmitted through a current limiting resistor to generate a second current signal to the digital modulation module, so that the digital modulation module generates and output a noise signal, wherein an amperage of the second current signal is less than an amperage of the first current signal and is not enough to normally drive the digital modulation module.

Abstract: The subject matter of this specification generally relates to pre-caching data for a predicted future action. In some implementations, a client device includes a data storage device having a cache that stores data received for one or more mobile applications and a data processing apparatus that communicates with the data storage device and a display. A user interface context can be determined for a given user interface being presented for a given application. A predicted next action that a user of the client device will perform at the given user interface can be determined based on the user interface context. Prior to detecting the predicted next action, a request for next action data that will be presented in response to the user performing the predicted next action can be transmitted over a network. The next action data can be received and stored in the cache.

Abstract: A technique for auditory masking for a coherence-controlled calibration system includes generating a first auditory masking pattern based on a frequency spectrum of at least a first frame of a first audio signal. The technique continues by generating a first calibration signal based on the first auditory masking pattern. The technique then includes producing a combined input signal based on the first audio signal and the first calibration signal. The technique also includes performing one or more calibration operations based on the combined input signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for authenticating access to multiple data stores substantially in real-time are disclosed. The system may include a server coupled to a network, a client device in communication with the server via the network and a plurality of data stores. The server may authenticate access to the data stores and forward information from those stores to the client device. An exemplary authentication method may include receipt of a request for access to data. Information concerning access to that data is stored and associated with an identifier assigned to a client device. If the identifier is found to correspond to the stored information during a future request for access to the store, access to that store is granted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an acoustic measurement system for determining individual noise sound contributions of a plurality of physical noise sources of a motorized vehicle at a target or reference location. The method comprises steps of placing a plurality of reference microphones at respective reference positions adjacent to respective ones of the physical noise sources, placing a measurement microphone at the target location, recording a plurality of noise sound signals and recording a target noise signal. The plurality of noise sound signals are adaptively separated using blind source separation to produce a plurality of mutually independent noise sound signals representing respective estimated noise sound signals of the plurality of physical noise sources.

Abstract: A method for enhancing quality of media transmitted via network uses an AI enhancing model built-in the client device to enhance the quality of video streams received from network. The AI enhance module is pre-trained by using a neural network in the server to analyze differences between the decoded images and the raw images that are generated by the server. Wherein, the AI enhance module enhances decoded images by using algorithms which are defined by analyzing differences between the decoded images and the raw images that are generated by the server. Such that, the enhanced images are visually more similar to the raw images than the decoded images do.

Abstract: Ambient sound is converted into an ambient audio stream. A processed ambient audio stream is generated by processing the ambient audio stream in accordance with a selected set of processing parameters selected from the plurality of processing parameter sets stored in the memory. Trigger data is searched and a new set of processing parameters is requested. The trigger data identifies the new set of processing parameters that is available for use in processing the ambient audio stream. A received new set of processing parameters is selected as the selected set of processing parameters. The processed ambient audio stream is converted into processed output sound.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for selecting a targeted portion of a digital image. In one embodiment, a selection cursor having central and peripheral regions is provided. The central region is used to force a selection or a deselection, and therefore moving the central region over a portion of the image causes that portion of the image to be selected or deselected, respectively. The peripheral region of the cursor surrounds the central region and defines an area where a localized level set algorithm for boundary detection is performed. This provides more accurate boundary detection within the narrowly-focused peripheral region and eliminates the need to apply the level set algorithm across the entire image. Thus moving the peripheral region of the selection cursor over a boundary of the targeted portion of the image applies the level set algorithm in that boundary region and increases the likelihood that the boundary will be detected accurately.

Abstract: An electronic device is associated with a media-providing service. The electronic has one or more processors and memory storing instructions for execution by the one or more processors. For each track of a plurality of tracks consumed by a user of the media-providing service, the electronic device determines, based on a listening history of the user with the media-providing service, whether the track has previously been consumed by the user. The electronic device determines, for the user, a discovery score based on a number of the plurality of tracks determined to not have been previously consumed by the user. The electronic device provides personalized content to the user based on the discovery score.

Abstract: A sound enrichment system for provision of tinnitus relief to a user, the sound enrichment system includes: a signal generator for provision of a carrier signal; at least one signal modulator including a first signal modulator for modulation of the carrier signal to a modulated signal; an output transducer for conversion of the modulated signal to an acoustic signal for presentation to the user; and a memory configured to store at least one feature including a first feature; wherein the at least one signal modulator is configured to modulate the carrier signal according to the at least one feature such that the acoustic signal converted from the modulated signal resembles a natural sound signal for the user.

Abstract: A medical scan annotator system is operable to select a medical scan for transmission via a network to a first client device and a second client device for display via an interactive interface, and annotation data is received from the first client device and the second client device in response. Annotation similarity data is generated by comparing the first annotation data to the second annotation data, and consensus annotation data is generated based on the first annotation data and the second annotation data in response to the annotation similarity data indicating that the difference between the first annotation data and the second annotation data compares favorably to an annotation discrepancy threshold. The consensus annotation data is mapped to the medical scan in a medical scan database.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for addressing open space noise are disclosed. In one example, a method for masking open space noise includes receiving a microphone output signal from a microphone, the microphone one of a plurality of microphones in an open space. The method includes detecting a presence of a noise source from the microphone output signal, and determining whether the noise source is capable of being masked with a noise masking sound. The method further includes increasing a volume of a noise masking sound output from a loudspeaker responsive to a determination that the noise source is capable of being masked, the loudspeaker located in a same geographic sub-unit of the open space as the microphone. The loudspeaker is one of a plurality of loudspeakers in the open space.

Abstract: A hearing device adapted to a specific user comprises a) a forward path for processing an electric signal representing sound, and comprising an input unit, a signal processing unit, and an output unit, b) a configurable tinnitus signal generator for generating a tinnitus masking signal intended to relieve a tinnitus of the user, and c) a combination unit operationally connected to the configurable tinnitus signal generator and to the forward path, d) an analysis path comprising d1) an analysis unit for providing a forward path analysis control signal; d2) a control unit for receiving the forward path analysis control signal, and providing a resulting tinnitus control signal based on a predefined criterion involving said number of control input signals, wherein the control unit is adapted to control the configurable tinnitus signal generator, depending on the resulting tinnitus control signal, to thereby adaptively control a level of the tinnitus masking signal.

Abstract: A television set is connected to a sensor and a height adjusting apparatus. The sensor detects location information of a user, a watching mode of the user, a visual angle of the user and a neck deviation angle of the user, by using the sensor when the television set is turned on. The television set calculates a proper height for the user under different watching modes, according to the location information of the user, the watching mode of the user, and the visual angle and the neck deviation angle of the user. The television set further controls the height adjusting apparatus to adjust the visual height of the television set according to the calculated proper height of the television. A method for automatically adjusting the visual height of the television set is also provided.

Abstract: Provided is a business card management server that makes it possible to efficiently input information on business cards while protecting personal security, including: a business card information storage unit 101 in which business card information having a business card image and a business card identifier is stored; a piece storage unit 102 in which two or more pieces, each of which is an image in which only part of a business card image is recognizable, are stored for each business card image; a piece transmitting unit 104 that transmits two or more piece information each of which has one of two or more pieces corresponding to one business card image and further has a business card identifier, to one or more input terminals 20; a partial business card information receiving unit 105 that receives partial business card information having a business card identifier and a business card partial character string corresponding to a piece, from the input terminals 20; and a business card partial character string acc