Abstract: An audio distribution system includes an audio source; and a plurality of audio playback devices in communication with each other and with the audio source. A group of the audio playback devices are arranged to render audio content provided by the audio source in synchrony. One of the audio playback devices within the group is configured as an audio master which distributes audio content from the audio source to the other audio playback devices within the group, and one of the plurality of audio playback devices, other than the audio master, is configured as a clock master, which distributes clock information that the group of audio playback devices synchronizes to.

Abstract: A sleeping mask includes a signal processor for processing sensor data, an infrared light source coupled to the signal processor and configured to emit infrared light toward an eyelid of a user, and an array of infrared sensors coupled to the signal processor and configured to receive infrared light reflected from the eyelid of the user.

Abstract: Different embodiments of methods and apparatus to produce audio output signals are disclosed. In one embodiment, an ultrasonic speaker outputting ultrasonic signals can be transformed into first audio output signals, which are directional. A non-ultrasonic speaker can output second audio output signals. The embodiment can be configured to output the first audio output signals or the second audio output signals in a vehicle. Another embodiment can be configured to output the first and the second audio output signals together. Yet another embodiment can be configured to be personalized to hearing characteristics of a user, or to depend on sound level of an environment of the user. One embodiment can include a directional speaker attached to a vehicle, with its output steerable towards a user in the vehicle.

Abstract: A conference room intelligent management method, executing a self-inspecting process before a conference starts The self-inspecting process is configured to automatically detect a camera device, a radio device, a speaker and a lighting device arranged in the conference room, and has operations comprising: controlling the camera device to capture a testing image corresponding to a self-inspecting image; determining whether the camera device is abnormal, and generating a abnormal testing signal when determining the camera device is abnormal; controlling the speaker to receive a sampling audio signal corresponding to the self-inspecting audio signal; determining whether the speaker is abnormal, and generating the abnormal testing signal when determining the speaker is abnormal; and transmitting the abnormal testing signal to an electronic device to notify, and removing an abnormal situation of the conference room device before the conference starts.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed relating to applying an analytical geometric projection that has been modified by an amplitude function. One example provides a computing device comprising a logic subsystem and a storage subsystem holding instructions executable by the logic subsystem to receive an image of a scene as acquired by an image sensor, apply a mapping to the image of the scene that maps pixels of the image to projected pixels on an analytical projection that is modified by an amplitude function such that the analytical projection achieves a higher zoom effect on pixels closer to a center of the image compared to pixels closer to an edge of the image, thereby obtaining a corrected image, and output the corrected image.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes: a display module including a display panel configured to display an image, a vibration plate on a rear surface of the display module, a connection member between the rear surface of the display module and the vibration plate, at least one vibration module on the vibration plate, and an enclosure between the display module and the vibration plate, the enclosure being spaced apart from the vibration module, the enclosure surrounding the vibration module.

Abstract: The present invention may include a computer that intercepts a video stream. The computer determines user preferences associated with the user based on identifying the user using an optical instrument. The computer identifies one or more faces from the video stream of the video conference and obfuscates the video stream based on the user preferences associated with the one or more faces.

Abstract: A telecommunication and multimedia management apparatus and method that supports voice and other media communications and that enables users to: (i) participate in multiple conversation modes, including live phone calls, conference calls, instant voice messaging or tactical communications; (ii) review the messages of conversations in either a live mode or a time-shifted mode and to seamlessly transition back and forth between the two modes; (iii) participate in multiple conversations either concurrently or simultaneously; (iv) archive the messages of conversations for later review or processing; and (v) persistently store media either created or received on the communication devices of users. The latter feature enables users to generate or review media when either disconnected from the network or network conditions are poor and to optimize the delivery of media over the network based on network conditions and the intention of the users participating in conversations.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing displays on video communication devices are disclosed. A video communication session is established to a remote device. A video signal is received from the remote device. Images from the video signal are shown on the display. A blur command is received from a user of the video communication device or automatically based on a set of rules. At least a portion of the images on the display are blurred in response to the blur command. The blurring may comprise, blurring one or more objects in a background of the images, blurring one or more faces in the images, and/or blurring static background objects in the images.

Abstract: Different embodiments on hearing enhancement enhancing a user's hearing. For example, a system can include an interface unit with a directional speaker and a microphone. The microphone captures input audio signals that are transformed into ultrasonic signals. The speaker transmits the ultrasonic signals, which are transformed into output audio signals by interaction with air. At least part of the output audio signals is modified to enhance the hearing of the user. Based on the system, the user's ear remains free from any inserted objects and thus is free from annoying occlusion effects. Compared to existing hearing aids, the system is relatively inexpensive. In another embodiment, the system can also be used as a phone. In another embodiment, the system can also access audio signals from other portable or non-portable instruments, wired or wirelessly, such as from home entertainment units, phones, microphones at a conference or speakers at a movie theater.

Abstract: A telecommunication and multimedia management apparatus and method that supports voice and other media communications and that enables users to: (i) participate in multiple conversation modes, including live phone calls, conference calls, instant voice messaging or tactical communications; (ii) review the messages of conversations in either a live mode or a time-shifted mode and to seamlessly transition back and forth between the two modes; (iii) participate in multiple conversations either concurrently or simultaneously; (iv) archive the messages of conversations for later review or processing; and (v) persistently store media either created or received on the communication devices of users. The latter feature enables users to generate or review media when either disconnected from the network or network conditions are poor and to optimize the delivery of media over the network based on network conditions and the intention of the users participating in conversations.

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 phone appliance and method of use are provided where the phone appliance can be used to make VoIP communications calls. In a preferred embodiment, the phone appliance includes an RF connection for connecting to a computer or other computing device for facilitating the placement of the VoIP communications calls. The phone appliance further includes a display or portal for depicting advertisements provided by various advertisers. The advertisements provided can be used to defray all or part of the cost associated with making VoIP communications calls. The portal can also be used to communicate with businesses for ordering products, such as ordering a pizza, and to perform various services, such as purchasing stocks. In an exemplary system, the phone appliance is used to transmit to a control center information related to the user of the phone appliance, such as interests and buying habits, and queries for receiving additional information for various advertised products and services.

Abstract: A voice-controlled system for allowing a guest of a hospitality establishment to play desired media content on an in-room device includes one or more servers coupled to a network and a plurality of in-room devices. A user device captures audio from a microphone and converts the audio into a text transcript utilizing a voice-to-text conversion service. The user device passes the text transcript to the servers where a particular room of the hospitality establishment with which the user device is currently associated is determined. The servers check a program guide for the particular room in order to determine a channel on which a program name determined according to the text transcript is currently playing, and determine one or more target in-room devices of the particular room. The servers send commands causing the target in-room devices to play the channel on which the program name is currently playing.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a video room system that can efficiently and flexibly generate and facilitate video rooms for video chatting between participant devices by prioritizing video streams to provide to participant devices based on performance parameters. For example, the video room system can provide different video room streams to different participant devices based on the performance parameters of the participant devices. In addition, the video room system can customize or tailor video room streams based on identifying dominant speaker devices, determining connections between participant devices as indicated by a social graph of a social networking system, and/or based on join methods utilized by participant devices to join a video room.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for generating a teleconference space for two or more initial communication devices using a computer coupled with a database and comprising a processor and memory. The computer generates a teleconference space and transmits requests to join the teleconference space to the two or more initial communication devices. The computer stores in memory identification information, and audiovisual data associated with one or more users, for each of the two or more initial communication devices. The computer transmits audiovisual teleconference data to each of the two or more initial communication devices. The computer transmits a request to join the teleconference space to a third communication device, stores identification information and audiovisual data from the third communication device, and transmits audiovisual teleconference data that includes audiovisual data from the third communication device to each of the three or more communication devices.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a video room system that can efficiently and flexibly generate and facilitate video rooms for video chatting between participant devices by prioritizing video streams to provide to participant devices based on performance parameters. For example, the video room system can provide different video room streams to different participant devices based on the performance parameters of the participant devices. In addition, the video room system can customize or tailor video room streams based on identifying dominant speaker devices, determining connections between participant devices as indicated by a social graph of a social networking system, and/or based on join methods utilized by participant devices to join a video room.

Abstract: A visual enhancement engine is used to render a tile-based image generated on a user's device based on facial image movements within a video signal. The visual enhancements include orientation and size adjustments to the tile, based on a facial tracking algorithm. The enhanced image provides a more robust and realistic interactive video session in a multi-participant video conference environment.

Abstract: A method for providing participant status to facilitate video teleconferencing management is disclosed.

Abstract: A system for enhancing audio including a plurality of sensors, an output device, and a processor in communication with the plurality of sensors and the output device. The processor is configured to process data captured by the plurality of sensors, and based on that, modify an output of the output device. The processor also is configured to determine whether there are a plurality of users associated with a video conferencing session, determine which user of the plurality of users is speaking, and enhance the audio or video output of the speaking user on the output device.