Abstract: Scene changes that are done pleasingly and without user input or control. Based on the number of speakers and changes in speakers, either to a different individual or movement by the same speaker, based on the locations of the speakers and based on the overlap of the current and intended scenes, a decision is made whether to perform a smooth transition or do a cut. It has been determined that the decision on cut versus smooth transition is preferably based on the location of the center of the intended new scene versus the boundaries of the current scene, a cut used if the center is outside the boundaries and a smooth transition if inside. If a smooth transition, an easing function, such as ease in ease out, is performed to change the scene. A preferred value for the smooth transition is to perform the transition over 80 frames.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 14, 2020
Date of Patent:
August 17, 2021
Assignee:
PLANTRONICS, INC.
Inventors:
Rommel Gabriel Childress, Jr., Alain Elon Nimri, Stephen Paul Schaefer
Abstract: A method may include obtaining a sensor value from a sensor of a headset, the sensor value indicating the headset being worn by a user; determining a current state of the headset; and in response to the current state and the sensor value, presenting a first directional indication with an earphone of the headset and starting a presentation timer, the first directional indication identifying a coupling type of the earphone of the headset, and the presentation timer preventing a second directional indication from being presented.
Abstract: A method for determining camera framing in a teleconferencing system comprises a process loop which includes acquiring an audio-visual frame from a captured a video data frame; detecting objects and extracting image features of the objects within the video data frame, ingesting the audio-visual frame into a context-based audio-visual map in an intelligent manner, and selecting targets from within the map for inclusion in an audio-video stream for transmission to a remote endpoint.
Type:
Application
Filed:
December 21, 2020
Publication date:
July 29, 2021
Applicant:
Plantronics, Inc.
Inventors:
Rommel Gabriel CHILDRESS, JR., Alain Elon NIMRI, Stephen Paul SCHAEFER, David Young
Abstract: Utilization of a state machine to determine participant framing. The states include empty room, group framing, any talker, conversation mode and unambiguous talker. In empty room state, the conference room is framed. In group framing state, any participants in the room are framed. In any talker state, the talking participant is framed. In conversation mode state, all talking participants are framed. In unambiguous talker state, the single talking participant is framed. Various framing conditions define transitions between the states. Conditions include, presence of participants, which and number of participants that are talking for how long, system mute and far site talking. The conversation states and conditions and framing decisions provide a fully automated framing mechanism to provide pleasant framing of the individuals in the near site or end for any of the conditions relating to number of talkers, participants and the like.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 13, 2020
Date of Patent:
July 27, 2021
Assignee:
PLANTRONICS, INC.
Inventors:
Stephen Paul Schaefer, Alain Elon Nimri, Rommel Gabriel Childress, Jr.
Abstract: An analytics and device management platform includes a computer processor and instructions executing on the computer processor and causing the platform to obtain metrics from at least one endpoint. Each of the metrics is a quantification of a phenomenon detected in at least one of audio and video data obtained from an endpoint facilitating communication between meeting attendees. The instructions further cause the platform to generate indicators based on the metrics. Each of the indicators is a numeric descriptor derived from at least one of the metrics, and each of the indicators is of potential relevance to a user of the platform to inform a decision by the user. The instructions also cause the platform to determine at least one insight based on the indicators. The at least one insight is an indicator determined to be of relevance to the user to inform the decision.
Type:
Application
Filed:
December 31, 2020
Publication date:
July 8, 2021
Applicant:
Plantronics, Inc.
Inventors:
Daniel Paul Lange, Jeffrey Charles Adams, Eric Jay Nylander
Abstract: The invention relates to a method for enhanced voiceprint authentication. The method includes receiving an utterance from a user, and determining that a portion of the utterance matches a pre-determined keyword. Also, the method includes authenticating the user by comparing the portion of the utterance with a voiceprint that is associated with the pre-determined keyword. Further, the method includes identifying a resource associated with the pre-determined keyword while comparing the portion of the utterance with the voiceprint. Still yet, the method includes accessing the resource in response to authenticating the user based on the comparison.
Abstract: A head-worn audio device is provided with a circuit for voice signal enhancement. The circuit comprises at least a plurality of microphones, arranged at predefined positions, where each microphone provides a microphone signal. The circuit further comprises a directivity pre-processor and a blind source separation processor. The directivity pre-processor is connected with the plurality of microphones to receive the microphone signals and being configured to provide at least a voice signal and a noise signal. Directivity pre-processing increases the mutual independence of the signals provided to the blind source separation processor and thus improves processing by blind source separation. The blind source separation processor receives at least the voice signal and the noise signal, and is configured to conduct blind source separation on at least the voice signal and the noise signal to provide at least an enhanced voice signal with reduced noise components.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 6, 2019
Date of Patent:
June 29, 2021
Assignee:
PLANTRONICS, INC.
Inventors:
Shridhar K Mukund, Pamornpol Jinachitra
Abstract: A videoconferencing device at an endpoint determines whether a person is a real person standing in front of a display device or if the person is instead an image rendered by a display device. In the first instance the real person will be included in a video feed for transmission to a remote endpoint. In the second instance, images of the display device on which the person is rendered will not be included in the video feed.
Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for earphones are disclosed. In one example, an earphone includes a speaker arranged to output an audible sound to an earphone user ear. The earphone includes an earphone housing having a first earphone housing opening arranged to output the audible sound into an ear canal of the earphone user. The earphone housing further includes a second earphone housing opening arranged to port to an ambient air ear exterior when the earphone is inserted into the earphone user ear. The earphone includes a valve positioned between the first earphone housing opening and the second earphone housing opening. The valve is operated in an open position during a telephony mode to provide an acoustic leakage pathway between the first earphone housing opening and the second earphone housing opening. The valve is operated in a closed position during a media mode to close the acoustic leakage pathway.
Abstract: A headset system for interchangeable wearing styles is disclosed. A retention element is detachably coupled to an earpiece, allowing the headset to interchange between a headband, ear loop and neckband wearing style. The retention element comprises a security element that prevents rotation of the earpiece when coupled, providing a stable and ergonomic wearing experience.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 7, 2019
Date of Patent:
June 22, 2021
Assignee:
PLANTRONICS, INC.
Inventors:
Stefan Gougherty, John Kelley, Erik Tews
Abstract: A method is disclosed for forking call audio channels. The method includes, during an active call, receiving a first audio stream of first call audio that originates from a far-end telephony device, and receiving a second audio stream of second call audio that originates from a microphone of a near-end headset. Further, the method includes generating, during the active call, a third audio stream containing the first call audio by processing the first audio stream, and generating a fourth audio stream containing the second call audio by processing the second audio stream. Still yet, the method includes, during the active call, generating a fifth audio stream containing the first call audio, and generating a sixth audio stream containing the second call audio.
Type:
Application
Filed:
February 25, 2021
Publication date:
June 17, 2021
Applicant:
Plantronics, Inc.
Inventors:
Robert J. Kelly, Arun Rajasekaran, Nicholas K. Eisner
Abstract: An audio device for improved talker discrimination is provided. To improve suppression of close talker interference, the audio device comprises at least a first and a second audio input to receive a first and second voice input signal; a first filter bank, configured to provide a plurality of first sub-band signals; a second filter bank, configured to provide a plurality of second sub-band signals; a correlator, configured to determine at least one signal correlation between at least a group of the first sub-band signals and at least a group of the second sub-band signals; and an attenuator, arranged to receive at least the group of the first sub-band signals and configured to conduct signal attenuation on the group of the first sub-band signals to provide gain-controlled sub-band signals, wherein the signal attenuation is based on the determined at least one signal correlation.
Type:
Application
Filed:
February 1, 2021
Publication date:
May 20, 2021
Applicant:
Plantronics, Inc.
Inventors:
Iain McNEILL, Matthew Nunes Neves, Gavin Radolan