Abstract: The disclosed invention provides system and method for providing electronic collaborations between a plurality of user devices connected through networks. The user devices include one or more collaborator devices and one or more anonymous contributor devices. The system includes instructions for contribution processor and instructions for digital workspace processor. The contribution processor is coupled through the networks to the one or more anonymous contributor devices including contribution applications, and the digital workspace processor is coupled through the networks to the one or more collaborator devices including digital workspace applications. The system and method allows anonymous devices geographically located anywhere, in real-time, to simultaneously contribute data for the purpose of using the contributed data in one or more unique digital workspaces.

Abstract: A method and system for managing and organizing objects in a virtual workspace is disclosed. The method and system display a plurality of objects and containers on the virtual workspace. The objects and containers are assigned to corresponding layers. The method and system receive user input for changing the corresponding layer of one or more of the objects and containers, recursively fit test each of the layers for an overlap between the one or more of the objects and containers and each container assigned to each layer based on the user input, incorporate the one or more objects and containers into a target container assigned to a target layer when the overlap exceeds a predetermined threshold, and assigns the one or more of the objects and containers to a background layer when the overlap fails to exceed the predetermined threshold in the fit testing.

Abstract: Focusing sound signals in a shared 3D space uses an array of physical microphones, preferably disposed evenly across a room to provide even sound coverage throughout the room. At least one processor coupled to the physical microphones does not form beams, but instead preferably forms 1000's of virtual microphone bubbles within the room. By determining the processing gains of the sound signals sourced at each of the bubbles, the location(s) of the sound source(s) in the room can be determined. This system provides not only sound improvement by focusing on the sound source(s), but with the advantage that a desired sound source can be focused on more effectively (rather than steered to) while un-focusing undesired sound sources (like reverb and noise) instead of rejecting out of beam signals. This provides a full three dimensional location and a more natural presentation of each sound within the room.

Abstract: Method, apparatus, and computer-readable media for touch and speech interface includes structure and/or function whereby at least one processor: (i) receives an input from a touch sensitive input device; (ii) establishes a touch speech time window with respect to the received touch input; (iv) receives an input from a speech input device; (v) determines whether the received speech input is present in a global dictionary; (vi) if the received speech input is present in the global dictionary, determines whether the received speech input has been received within the established touch speech time window; and (vii) if the received speech input has been received within the established touch speech time window, activate an action corresponding to both the received touch input and the received speech input.

Abstract: Method, apparatus, and computer-readable media for virtual positioning one or more remote participants in a sound space includes structure and/or function whereby sound signals are received from a plurality of microphones in the shared space. One or more processors identifies one or more sound sources in the shared space, based on the received sound signals. The processors(s) map respective locations of the sound source(s) in the shared space, based on the received sound signals. The processor(s) receive from the remote participant(s) signals corresponding to respective position placements of the remote participant(s) in the shared space. The processor(s) mix the received sound signals to output corresponding sound signals for each participant based on relationships between (i) the respective locations of the sound source(s) and (ii) the respective position placements of the remote participant(s) in the shared space. The processor(s) then transmit the corresponding sound signals to the remote participant(s).

Abstract: A system and method for processing and enhancing utility of a sound mask noise signal, including generating, by a signal processor, the sound mask noise signal by modulating a noise signal with embedded additional information; outputting, by a plurality of audio speakers, sound signals comprising the sound mask noise signal with the embedded additional information; and receiving, by one or more microphones, the outputted sound signals comprising the sound mask noise signal, wherein an impulse response between each audio speaker and each microphone is measured in real time based on the embedded additional information.

Abstract: Focusing sound signals in a shared 3D space uses an array of physical microphones, preferably disposed evenly across a room to provide even sound coverage throughout the room. At least one processor coupled to the physical microphones does not form beams, but instead preferably forms 1000's of virtual microphone bubbles within the room. By determining the processing gains of the sound signals sourced at each of the bubbles, the location(s) of the sound source(s) in the room can be determined. This system provides not only sound improvement by focusing on the sound source(s), but with the advantage that a desired sound source can be focused on more effectively (rather than steered to) while un-focusing undesired sound sources (like reverb and noise) instead of rejecting out of beam signals. This provides a full three dimensional location and a more natural presentation of each sound within the room.

Abstract: Method, apparatus, and computer-readable media for touch and speech interface includes structure and/or function whereby at least one processor: (i) receives an input from a touch sensitive input device; (ii) establishes a touch speech time window with respect to the received touch input; (iv) receives an input from a speech input device; (v) determines whether the received speech input is present in a global dictionary; (vi) if the received speech input is present in the global dictionary, determines whether the received speech input has been received within the established touch speech time window; and (vii) if the received speech input has been received within the established touch speech time window, activate an action corresponding to both the received touch input and the received speech input.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for automatic gain control utilizing sound source position information in a shared space having a plurality of microphones and a plurality of sound sources. Sound signals are received from the microphones. One or more processors locate position information corresponding to each of the sound sources. The processor(s) determine the distance to each of the sound sources from each of the microphones. The processor(s) define a predetermined gain weight adjustment for each of the microphones. The processor(s) apply the defined weight adjustments to the microphones to achieve a consistent volume of the desired plurality of sound sources. The processor(s) maintain a consistent ambient sound level regardless of the position of the sound sources and the applied gain weight adjustments. The processor(s) output a summed signal of the sound sources at a consistent volume with a constant ambient sound level across the plurality of sound source positions.

Abstract: Method, apparatus, and computer-readable media for touch and speech interface, with audio location, includes structure and/or function whereby at least one processor: (i) receives a touch input from a touch device; (ii) establishes a touch-speech time window; (iii) receives a speech input from a speech device; (iii) determines whether the speech input is present in a global dictionary; (iv) determines a location of a sound source from the speech device; (v) determines whether the touch input and the location of the speech input are both within a same region; (vi) if the speech input is in the dictionary, determines whether the speech input has been received within the window; and (vii) if the speech input has been received within the window, and the touch input and the speech input are both within the same region, activates an action corresponding to both the touch input and the speech input.

Abstract: Focusing sound signals in a shared 3D space uses an array of physical microphones, preferably disposed evenly across a room to provide even sound coverage throughout the room. At least one processor coupled to the physical microphones does not form beams, but instead preferably forms 1000's of virtual microphone bubbles within the room. By determining the processing gains of the sound signals sourced at each of the bubbles, the location(s) of the sound source(s) in the room can be determined. This system provides not only sound improvement by focusing on the sound source(s), but with the advantage that a desired sound source can be focused on more effectively (rather than steered to) while un-focusing undesired sound sources (like reverb and noise) instead of rejecting out of beam signals. This provides a full three dimensional location and a more natural presentation of each sound within the room.