Abstract: An apparatus includes an interface for microphones, a separated source processor configured to analyze channels from the microphones, and a voice activity detector (VAD) circuit. The VAD circuit is configured to generate a voice estimate (VE) value. The VE value is to indicate a likelihood of human speech received by the microphones. Generating the VE value includes adjusting the VE value based upon a delay between two of the microphones. The VAD circuit is configured to provide the VE value to the separated source processor.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a wire connector configured to receive a connection to an external device. The external device includes a speaker and is configured to output audible sounds. The apparatus includes a connection detection circuit configured to determine whether the external device has connected to the apparatus through the wire connector. The apparatus includes an output test circuit configured to, upon detection of a connection to the external device, issue a test signal to the external device, evaluate a response to the test signal, the response based upon a resistance value within the external device, and determine an identity of the external device based upon the response to the test signal.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a network circuit to communicate with a network and a server on the network. The apparatus includes a wireless circuit to communicate with another wireless device. The apparatus includes control logic to determine that the other wireless device is within a given proximity of the apparatus, and to determine that the other wireless device is configured to perform automatic pairing. The control logic is further to, based on a determination that the other wireless device is within the given proximity of the apparatus and is configured to perform automatic pairing, access the server to determine whether to perform automatic pairing with the other wireless device. The control logic is to pair with the other wireless device without further input from a user of the apparatus.

Abstract: A connection base includes a first connection interface for connecting to and receiving an audio stream from a first endpoint, and a second connection interface for connecting to and transmitting the audio stream to a second endpoint. The connection base further includes an inference processing unit (IPU), connected to the first connection interface and the second connection interface, the IPU configured to execute an inference algorithm on an audio stream to obtain an inference result. The connection base is configured to output the inference result.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for switching connections of Bluetooth headsets. The method includes indicating, on a user interface of the first Bluetooth device, (i) the first Bluetooth device has a first Bluetooth connection with a Bluetooth headset, and (ii) a second Bluetooth device has no Bluetooth connection with the Bluetooth headset. Also, the method includes receiving user input to establish a second Bluetooth connection between the second Bluetooth device and the Bluetooth headset. Further, the method includes sending a message to the Bluetooth headset. The message includes a unique device identifier of the second Bluetooth device. The message represents a command for the Bluetooth headset to establish the second Bluetooth connection with the second Bluetooth device. Responsive to the message, the Bluetooth headset (i) releases the first Bluetooth connection with the first Bluetooth device and (ii) establishes the second Bluetooth connection with the second Bluetooth device.

Abstract: A system for processing speech signals includes an audio input device configured to obtain an incoming degraded speech signal and an equalizer configured to be programmed by multiple equalizer parameter sets. The system further includes an equalizer parameterization controller configured to select a first equalizer parameter set to program the equalizer to generate an enhanced speech signal from the incoming degraded speech signal.

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 estimate 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 method may include generating, for a user of a computing device, an aggregator widget of the user. The computing device is connected to a monitor. The method may further include obtaining a list of windows currently being displayed on the monitor, determining that the list of windows being displayed on the monitor is empty, and in response to determining that the list of windows being displayed on the monitor is empty, displaying the aggregator widget on the monitor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for multiple radio frequency band operation are described. In one example, a first device is operated in a first radio frequency band. A connection request is received at the first device from a second device utilizing the first radio frequency band. The connection request is processed to designate whether the connection request is a priority services request type or a non-priority services request type. Responsive to designating the connection request as the non-priority services request type, a non-priority services communications channel is established utilizing a second radio frequency band. Responsive to designating the connection request as a priority services request type, it is determined whether a priority services channel is available or not available in the first radio frequency band.

Abstract: A computer implemented method may include determining a content rating level to apply to streaming content; separating at least one stream out from the streaming content; detecting that the at least one stream fails to satisfy the content rating level; and blocking at least a portion of the at least one stream in response to the at least the portion of the at least one stream failing to satisfy the content rating level.

Abstract: A system is provided for automated configuration of a connection interface between a headset device (e.g., a headset base) and a telephone (e.g., desktop phone). The system includes configuration circuitry designed to automatically perform a sequential analysis of multiple interface configuration options for the connection interface between the headset device and telephone. The analysis of each respective interface configuration option includes (a) accessing stored configuration information defining predefined switch positions for an array of controllable switches (e.g., optical switches) corresponding with the respective interface configuration option, (b) set the array of switches to the predefined switch positions specified by the accessed configuration information, and (c) performing a signal analysis to analyze electrical signals on the connection interface.

Abstract: An earpiece including an earbud. The earbud includes a stem having a proximal end and a distal end, a speaker disposed inside the stem at the distal end, and a sleeve disposed inside the stem. The earpiece also includes a housing connected to the proximal end of the stem. The housing contains firmware configured to communicate electronically with the speaker and to communicate wirelessly with an external device. The housing also contains curved partial sleeves. Each of the curved partial sleeves is adjacent an inner surface of a wall of the housing.

Abstract: A coupler includes a first member having a first engagement surface and a second member having a second engagement surface disposed for relative positioning of the first and second members along a line of adjustment. One or more magnetic elements are arranged on the first and second members to establish a magnetic flux between the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface, and thereby establishing a frictional force tending to hold the relative positions of the first and second members. The magnetic flux varies as a function of relative position of the first and second members along the line of adjustment, and has peaks at a plurality of detent positions along the line of adjustment.

Abstract: A headset control pod stores a headset for charging when not in use. When the headset is in signal communication with a smart device, a user can use the control pod to mute and unmute a call of the smart device with no need to access the smart device. When the headset is used for music playback from the smart device, the control pod can be used to pause or advance playback. The control pod can also control playback by a headset of music stored in the control pod.

Abstract: A wearable media device comprising a substantially U-shaped body configured to be worn around a neck of a user. The U-shaped body includes a left section, right section and middle section. The left section is configured to be disposed on the left side of the neck of the user and includes a first docking port configured to receive a first wireless earbud. The right section is configured to be disposed on the right side of the neck of the user and includes a second docking port configured to receive a second wireless earbud. The middle section couples the left and right sections and is configured to be disposed on the back of the neck of the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for connection and disconnection of a shared audio endpoint. In one aspect, a method includes detecting a charging event of a user mobile device being electrically coupled to a charger, and in response to detecting the charging event, broadcasting a beacon comprising a name of a shared audio endpoint. The shared audio endpoint accepts a connection request to connect the user mobile device to the shared audio endpoint based on the beacon.

Abstract: Systems and methods of managing videoconferencing endpoint capacity based on safety concerns (e.g., COVID-19), comprising: capturing a video feed corresponding to a geographic location; detecting a presence of one or more persons corresponding to the geographic location, based on data of the video feed; determining a quantity of persons corresponding to the geographic location, based the data of the video feed; determining that the quantity of persons corresponding to the geographic location exceeds a first predetermined threshold; and—in response to the determination that the quantity of persons corresponding to the geographic location exceeds the first predetermined threshold—issuing one or more alert messages and/or taking other appropriate action(s).

Abstract: A secure video conferencing system for a meeting room is discussed. The secure video conferencing system comprising a camera for capturing video of at least one writing board in the meeting room and to provide video data thereof; and processing circuitry, connected at least with the camera to receive the video data. The processing circuitry is configured to determine a change in room occupancy of the meeting room and to detect user content on the at least one writing board using the video data. The processing circuitry is further configured to provide a security notification if upon the determination of the change in room occupancy, user content is present on the at least one writing board.

Abstract: A headset is described that utilizes magnetic frictional couplers. A coupler includes a first member having a first engagement surface and a second member having a second engagement surface disposed for relative positioning of the first and second members along a line of adjustment. One or more magnetic elements are arranged on the first and second members to establish a magnetic flux between the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface, and thereby establishing a frictional force tending to hold the relative positions of the first and second members. The magnetic flux varies as a function of relative position of the first and second members along the line of adjustment, and has peaks at a plurality of detent positions along the line of adjustment.

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.