Abstract: An extended cognitive loudspeaker system (CLS) including a system manager coupled to a basic service set (BSS) of a wireless network, wherein the system manager establishes a CLS network using an independent BSS (IBSS) of the wireless network. A first CLS playgroup is formed by the system manager through the CLS network IBSS, wherein the first CLS playgroup includes a first control station (CS) and a first group of sound production stations (SPSs). A second CLS playgroup is formed by the system manager through the CLS network IBBS, wherein the second CLS playgroup includes a second CS station and a second group of SPSs. The second CLS playgroup can be dissolved, and the first CLS playgroup can be modified to include the second group of SPSs. The second group of SPSs can include mobility functions to enable any required movement of the second group of SPSs.

Abstract: A data gate apparatus for integrating functionalities of an interface format into a plurality of services. The data gate comprises a storage device, a communication interface and a processor coupled to the storage device and the communication interface. The processor detects a device supporting a first interface format that is different than the interface formats stored in the storage device. The processor learns the first interface format by receiving data function in the first interface format and associating a field in the data function with a variable representing information of a particular type. The processor verifies that the first interface format has been successfully learnt by generating a message in the first interface format and sending the message to the device. The processor receives a response to the message and parses the response to thereby confirm that the first interface format is functional and integrable into the plurality of services.

Abstract: An accurate and flexible merged reality system and method configured to enable remotely viewing and participating in real or virtual events. In the merged reality system, at least one portion of the real or a virtual world may be respectively replicated or streamed into corresponding sub-universes comprised within the virtual world system, wherein some of the sub-universes comprise events that guests may view and interact with from one or more associated guest physical locations. Other virtual elements, such as purely virtual objects or graphical representations of applications and games, can also be included in the virtual world system. The virtual objects comprise logic, virtual data and models that provide self-computing capabilities and autonomous behavior. The system enables guests to virtually visit, interact and make transactions within the event through the virtual world system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a remote notification to a user of a cellular, or mobile, phone as the result of a particular activity or any activity at all (e.g., an incoming call from a particular person, group, or just an incoming call). In one embodiment, a sensing device is provided on the cellular phone that communicates/routes an alert to a remote notification device. In one economical embodiment, the notification device may have a short wire-based communication channel (e.g., roughly 1 foot to 5 feet) and only have a single output device (e.g., a light-emitting device). Thus, a woman may be able to quietly receive notifications of a cell phone event when her cell phone is stored in her purse.

Abstract: A content sharing system for sharing digital content within a conference space, where specific zones within the space are associated with different stations, includes at least one large common emissive surface arranged for viewing by users within the space, at least a first sensor device located within the space for identifying locations of portable computing devices used by conferees within the space, and a processor linked to the emissive surface and the sensor device. The processor is programmed to determine the location of a portable computing device within the space, recognize that the portable computing device is within one of the specific zones associated a station within the space, and, for each portable computing device that is at a station within the conference space, establish a wireless communication link with the portable computing device and enable the portable computing device to share content on the common emissive surface.

Abstract: A multi-way speaker array is disclosed that includes rings of transducers of different types. The rings of transducers may encircle the cabinet of the speaker array such that the speaker array is rotationally symmetric. The distance between rings of transducers may be based on a logarithmic scale. By separating rings of transducers using logarithmic spacing, denser transducer spacing at short wavelengths is achieved while limiting the number of transducers needed for longer wavelengths by spacing them in larger and larger logarithmic increments. Transducers with overlapping frequency ranges may be used in the speaker array to avoid initial dips or shortfalls in directivity for corresponding beam patterns.

Abstract: Methods and system for providing scene layouts during a network conference. In an embodiment, a method for providing a scene layout for use by conference participants during a network conference is disclosed. The method includes identifying a conference host and conference attendees from the conference participants, identifying a scene layout selected by the conference host, and distributing the scene layout to the conference participants. The scene layout includes a plurality of video areas. The method also includes assigning selected video areas of the scene layout to selected conference participants, respectively, receiving video streams from the selected conference participants, and displaying the scene layout so that the video streams from the selected conference participants are displayed in their associated video areas, respectively.

Abstract: An operating method of a terminal may include establishing a video call session between the terminal and a counterpart terminal; acquiring a first video that is captured by the terminal and includes a plurality of frames; censoring the first video based on a censorship algorithm for determining whether or not at least one object preset as an inappropriate element is included in a frame within a predetermined video; and displaying the first video instead of a second video received from a counterpart terminal when it is determined that the at least one object is included in at least one of the plurality of frames as a result of censoring the first video.

Abstract: In one aspect, a device may include at least one processor and storage accessible to the at least one processor. The storage may include instructions executable by the at least one processor to facilitate, at a first device, a video conference. The instructions may also be executable to determine, at the first device and based on input from at least one sensor, a first video feed for the video conference to provide. The instructions may then be executable to, based on the determination, provide the first video feed as part of the video conference.

Abstract: A video system for creating a display in a video conference. The video system includes a web camera to capture an image of a user at a first distance from the web camera and a background that extends away from the camera at a second distance greater than the first distance. The video system also has a distance measuring system to measure the first distance between the user and the web camera. The video system establishes an artificial focal length at least as great as the first distance and less than the second distance to artificially blur the background while maintaining the user in focus. The display thus shows the user in focus and a blurred background. The purposefully-blurred background is known as synthetic bokeh.

Abstract: An audio retrieval and recognition method and device are provided. The method includes acquiring an audio fingerprint of a query audio; and recognizing the query audio according to the audio fingerprint to obtain a recognition result. The audio fingerprint includes a first part configured for indicating a content feature of the query audio and a second part configured for indicating credibility of the first part.

Abstract: As noted above, example techniques relate to playback transitions between platforms. In an example implementation, while a first playback device is playing back audio content during a first playback session in a first domain, a mobile device detecting a first event configured as a trigger to transfer playback to a second domain on a second playback device. In response to detecting the first event, the mobile device determining playback information for the playback session and sends, via a network interface, instructions to initiate a playback session in the second domain to reproduce the first playback session in the first domain.

Abstract: Provided herein are system, apparatus, device, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for streaming a video chat from a mobile device on a display device. In a given embodiment, a first mobile device and second video device can communicate audio and video data to one another, via a video chat. The incoming audio and video data for the first mobile device can be streamed to and output by an external display device. The streaming request is generated in response to the first mobile device coupling with a rotating base, controlled by the first mobile device.

Abstract: A system includes a traveling unit provided with a movement mechanism; a plurality of types of main body units equipped with different facilities, each main body unit being configured to form an emergency vehicle by being coupled with the traveling unit; and an information processing apparatus configured to manage the traveling unit and the plurality of types of main body units. The information processing apparatus includes a processor configured to analyze details of a first emergency call made to a fire-fighting organization, select a main body unit of a first type equipped with a facility matching the details of the first emergency call from the plurality of types of main body units, and dispatch an emergency vehicle coupling the main body unit of the first type and the traveling unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating sounds in a vehicle, comprising generating a first type of sound via a first channel, and generating remaining sounds via a second channel, wherein the second channel is different than the first channel, and wherein the remaining sounds are different than the first type of sound. In at least one example, the first channel has a volume output that is fixed-defined in an audio system of the vehicle. The first channel may additionally have a fixed output channel with a subset of speakers of the first channel being fixed-defined in the audio system.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing privacy protection for video conference screen sharing. An example methodology implementing the techniques includes receiving a video stream of a first participant in a video conference session between at least the first participant and a second participant, wherein the first participant is associated with a first conference client device and the second participant is associated with a second conference client device, and determining that the first participant is performing screen sharing. The method also includes identifying a first item of content in the video stream to shield from being viewable during rendering of the video stream, obfuscating the identified first item of content in the video stream, and providing the video stream showing the obfuscated first item of content to the second conference client device to be rendered for display on a display device of the second conference client device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for enhanced video conference management. In some implementations, a media stream is received from each of multiple endpoint devices over a communication network. A video conference session among the endpoint devices is managed such that at least one or more of the media streams are transmitted over the communication network for display by the endpoint devices. A plurality of audio and/or video characteristics from the media stream from a particular endpoint device of the multiple endpoint devices are measured. Based on the audio and/or video characteristics, a collaboration factor score is determined for the particular endpoint device for each of a plurality of collaboration factors. The video conference of the endpoint devices by performing a video conference management action selected based on the collaboration factor scores.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer-usable medium are disclosed for generating a composited video layout of facial images in a video conference. In at least one embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes receiving a video frame from a video source, where the video frame includes faces of individuals engaged in a video conference; generating, from the received video frame, a windowed image for each face in the video frame; generating a composite video frame including the windowed images; and providing the composite video frame for use as video of a video-conferencing application. Other embodiments include corresponding computer systems, apparatus, and computer programs recorded on one or more computer storage devices, each configured to perform the actions of the methods.

Abstract: The present technology relates to a signal processing apparatus and method that are capable of reproducing sound at an optional listening position with a high sense of reality. The signal processing apparatus includes a rendering unit that generates reproduction data of sound at an optional listening position in a target space on the basis of recording signals of microphones attached to a plurality of moving bodies in the target space. The present technology can be applied to a reproduction apparatus.

Abstract: One or more sensors are configured to contextualize a series of user generated movements to control one or more electronic devices. For example, a set of earphones comprises one or more sensors for sensing a location of the earphones. The one or more sensors enable earphones such as a pair of bluetooth or earphones wirelessly coupled to a bluetooth enabled electronic device, the capability to understand the configuration of use of the earphones. Based on a location and use or non-use of the earphones, one or more contextual responses is able to be applied for a given action. In addition, a garment comprises one or more sensors for sensing a motion of a user as the garment is being used. The one or more sensors allow the user to control one or more electronic devices through a series of user generated movements.