Abstract: An audio device for improved talker discrimination is provided. To improve suppression of close talker interference, i.e., of a person talking in close proximity to the user of the audio device, the audio device comprises at least an audio input to receive a voice input signal; a filter bank, configured to provide a plurality of sub-band signals from the voice input signal; a multi-band audio expander, arranged to receive at least a group of the sub-band signals and configured to conduct audio expansion on the group of sub-band signals to provide gain-controlled sub-band signals; and an audio output, configured to provide a voice output signal from at least the gain-controlled sub-band signals.

Abstract: A video system includes a camera, at least one magnet providing a magnetic field, a magnetometer, and a processing system. The magnetometer is configured to measure the magnetic field to generate a magnetometer readout. The magnetic field is altered when a lens cap blocks a view of the camera. The processing system is configured to detect, based on the magnetometer readout of the magnetic field, whether the lens cap is blocking the view of the camera.

Abstract: Systems and methods for audio anomaly detection in a voice signal are provided. In some embodiments, a system comprises a voice history database storing historic audio metadata of past voice signals acquired during operation of a user audio device; a data clustering processor, connected to the voice history database and configured for cluster analysis of the historic audio metadata into a normal operation cluster and an anomalous operation cluster and to provide a user audio model therefrom; a voice model database, configured to receive and to store the user audio model; and a classification processor, connected with the voice model database. The classification processor may receive current audio metadata of the voice signal from the user audio device; compare the current audio metadata with the user audio model; and determine if the voice signal corresponds to a normal operating mode or an anomalous operating mode of the user audio device.

Abstract: A video conferencing system for a reconfigurable meeting room is disclosed. To make the process of reconfiguring a video conferencing system easy and frictionless and in an embodiment, the system may comprise a camera for capturing video of at least a section of the meeting room and to provide video data; a microphone for capturing audio in the meeting room and to provide audio data; and processing circuitry, connected at least with the camera and microphone to receive at least one of the video and audio. The processing circuitry is configured to determine if a change in the layout of the meeting room has occurred, using at least one of the camera and the microphone, and upon determination that the change in the layout has occurred, operate in a proximity joining mode in which the processing circuitry allows linking with at least one proximate video conferencing system for joined operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for identifying the true content of a data packet wirelessly transmitted and retransmitted from a first device to a second device. The second device receives an original transmission of the data packet (first packet instance), followed by first and second retransmissions of the data packet (second and third packet instances), thus defining a group of three received packet instances, each including erroneous data. The second device may execute a hierarchical packet analysis algorithm to determine the true content of the transmitted data packet, which includes (a) testing selected pairs of the three packet instances to attempt to determine the true content of the transmitted data packet; and (b) if the pair-wise analysis fails, analyzing the first, second, and third packet instances collectively (triplet analysis) to attempt to determine the true content of the transmitted data packet.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for connection and disconnection of a shared audio endpoint. One method includes monitoring a connection between a first user mobile device and a shared audio endpoint. The method also includes making, while monitoring, a first determination that a signal strength of the connection between the first user mobile device and the shared audio endpoint is less than a disconnection threshold. Further, the method includes making, while monitoring, a second determination that an active communication stream does not exist between the first user mobile device and the shared audio endpoint. Still further, the method includes closing the connection between the shared audio endpoint and the first user mobile device in response to both the first determination and the second determination.

Abstract: A multi-interface telecommunication device includes a multitude of communication interfaces including: a telephone network interface configured to interface with a telephone network, a personal computer interface configured to interface with a personal computing device, a user communication interface configured to interface with a two-way audio device of a user operating the multi-interface telecommunication device, and a programmable mixer configured to process a multitude of audio signals associated with the multitude of communication interfaces according to a mixing instruction received from the personal computing device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for detecting user speech are described. In one example, a method for detecting user speech includes receiving a microphone output signal corresponding to sound received at a microphone and identifying a spoken vowel sound in the microphone signal. The method further includes outputting an indication of user speech detection responsive to identifying the spoken vowel sound.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for discontinuous transmission on short-range packet-based radio links. As one option, during a communication session with a far-end system on a short-range packet-based radio link, an audio stream received on an audio line in is monitored for voice-based signals. Based on monitoring the audio stream for the voice-based signals, a voice activity estimation signal is generated. While the voice activity estimation signal exceeds a predetermined threshold, one or more voice packets are generated based on the audio stream, and transmitted to the far-end system at one or more times. Also, in response to determining that the voice activity estimation signal is below the predetermined threshold, one or more zero-payload packets are transmitted to the far-end system at one or more subsequent times.

Abstract: A computer implemented method includes gathering metrics from components of a conferencing endpoint in a conference call, and determining status indicator values according to the metrics. The status indicator values each identify a component status of a component. The status indicator values are combined to infer a user status. The computer implemented method further includes generating a description of a user status of a target user with respect to the conference call, and presenting the description of the user status.

Abstract: A tabletop microphone assembly is provided that exhibits improved spatial audio pick-up characteristics, for example for use as an extension microphone for a conference system. In one embodiment, the tabletop microphone assembly comprises at least a housing with a top cover and a bottom cover, wherein the bottom cover is configured for placement on a table surface; a printed circuit board, arranged in the housing; and a microphone, arranged between the printed circuit board and the bottom cover; wherein the microphone is facing the bottom cover.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for detecting user speech are described. In one example, a method for detecting user speech includes receiving a microphone output signal corresponding to sound received at a microphone and identifying a spoken vowel sound in the microphone signal. The method further includes outputting an indication of user speech detection responsive to identifying the spoken vowel sound.

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.

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: Described herein are systems and methods for discontinuous transmission on short-range packet-based radio links. As one option, during a communication session with a far-end system on a short-range packet-based radio link, an audio stream received on an audio line in is monitored for voice-based signals. Based on monitoring the audio stream for the voice-based signals, a voice activity estimation signal is generated. While the voice activity estimation signal exceeds a predetermined threshold, one or more voice packets are generated based on the audio stream, and transmitted to the far-end system at one or more times. Also, in response to determining that the voice activity estimation signal is below the predetermined threshold, one or more zero-payload packets are transmitted to the far-end system at one or more subsequent times.

Abstract: The invention relates to a head-worn audio device having a first earcup, a second earcup, and a headband extending between the first earcup and the second earcup. The headband includes a spring member disposed along a longitudinal axis of the headband. The spring member has a first end and a second end. The headband also includes a first headband tube coupled to the first earcup and the first end of the spring member. Further, the headband includes a second headband tube coupled to the second earcup and the second end of the spring member. The first headband tube is configured to rotate around the first end of the spring member, and the second headband tube is configured to rotate around the second end of the spring member.