Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for modifying an audio signal. A pitch associated with the audio signal is detected. A portion of the audio signal that is associated with the detected pitch is modified. Controlling the modification of a primary audio signal is disclosed. The level of a secondary audio signal is monitored. Modification of the primary audio signal is enabled if the level of the secondary audio signal rises above a first prescribed threshold at a time when the primary audio signal is not being modified. Modification of the primary audio signal is disabled if the level of the secondary audio signal drops below a second prescribed threshold at a time when the primary audio signal is being modified.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for adjusting at least one parameter of a video stream being received on a recipient screen, the video stream being captured by a sender's video capturing apparatus. The method includes providing a control device to a recipient to adjust the at least one parameter of the video stream captured by the sender's video capturing apparatus; interfacing the control device with a secondary application; the recipient using the control device for adjustment of the at least one parameter of the video stream captured by the sender's video capturing apparatus; and the recipient receiving and viewing the video stream on the recipient screen. There is also provided a control device for adjusting at least one parameter of a video stream being received on a recipient screen, the video stream being captured by a sender's video capturing apparatus.

Abstract: A stereo audio signal is processed to determine primary and ambient components by transforming the signal into vectors corresponding to subband signals, and decomposing the left and right channel vectors into ambient and primary components by matrix and vector operations. Principal component analysis is used to determine a primary component unit vector, and ambience components are determined according to a correlation-based cross-fade or an orthogonal basis derivation.

Abstract: There is provided a method and an apparatus for marketing an object. The apparatus includes a display with a first mode and a second mode; and a housing for containing the object adjacent to the display. The display may preferably be coupled to a controller circuit for activating transition of the display between the first mode and the second mode, with the object being viewable through the display in the second mode. The method includes carrying out activities to create an association between the apparatus and the object; using the apparatus for containment of items; and causing an increase in awareness in the object through use of the apparatus.

Abstract: Allpass arrays of arbitrary order are presented. The transducers in the arrays are configured with weights corresponding to the FIR approximation of an allpass filter such that a nearly uniform array response is provided.

Abstract: A transducer array includes speaker drivers having nonuniform asymmetric spacing. The array includes at least three drivers formed along a line or arc. The first of the drivers is positioned having a first spacing from an adjacent second driver that is different from a second spacing between the second driver and its adjacent third driver.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating user communication from a location. The system comprises two or more cameras for capturing two or more videos at a first location, a control unit for streaming one or more of the videos captured to a first communication unit at the first location through a first network, and streaming one or more of the videos captured to a second communication unit located at a second location through a second network, a server for identifying a location data of the first location based on an identifier of the control unit, and a communication platform associated with the first location. The communication platform is accessible by the first and second communication units through the first and second networks respectively.

Abstract: There is provided an automatic gain control circuit for volume control receiving at least one audio signal input via either a wired connection or a wireless connection. The circuit includes an output signal regulator receiving a first portion of the at least one audio signal input, with the regulator being able to vary an amplitude of the first portion of the at least one audio signal input when a control signal from a circuit controller is received. The circuit controller may be powered by a DC generator; with the DC generator receiving a second portion of the at least one audio signal input. A signal from the output signal regulator may be passed through an acoustic generator. It is preferable that the first portion of the at least one audio signal input is substantially more than the second portion. It is also preferable that the output signal regulator varies the amplitude of the at least one audio signal input by reducing the amplitude. A corresponding method of volume control is also disclosed.

Abstract: Processing an audio signal associated with a sound recording made available to be rendered to an end user is disclosed. The audio signal is received. A high-order perceptual attribute of the audio signal as rendered is changed by modifying the audio signal. The modification may be based on real-time analysis of the audio signal.

Abstract: There is provided a method for accessing at least one digital file from a collection comprising more than one digital file in an electronic device, including: generating one index comprising of information entries obtained from each of the more than one digital file in the collection, with each digital file in the collection information being linked to at least one information entry; receiving a speaker independent speech input in at least one language during a speech reception mode; determining a language of the speech input; and setting the speech reception mode to the language of the speech input; comparing the speech input received during the speech reception mode with the entries in the index. The file may advantageously be accessed when the speech input coincides with at least one of the information entries in the index. The digital files may be stored in the electronic device, any device functionally connected to the electronic device or a combination of the aforementioned.

Abstract: A method, performed by software executing on the processor of a portable music playback device, that automatically files tracks according to hierarchical structure of categories to organize tracks in a logical order. A user interface is utilized to change the hierarchy, view track names, and select tracks for playback or other operations.