Abstract: A noise detecting playback system is provided to facilitate adaptive output of audio content by an audio player in response to detecting noise interferences such as external noise outside of the playback. The detection playback system assesses microphone signals and sensor data of the playback system for signs of attention requiring features to trigger playback of the audio content. Microphone signals may provide volume level of a particular external noise, which is contrasted with output volume of the audio content, other noises in the environment, and/or a lack of detected noise in the environment to determine that the particular external noise is interfering or potentially interfering with the audio content. Image sensor data of the surroundings of the listener acquired by a camera coupled to a personal listening device may also be assessed for attention features associated with an external noise.

Abstract: A noise cancelation override system is provided to enables a listener to consume audio content using noise cancelation technology without concern that the listener will miss external noises that require attention. The override system identifies external noise in the environment of the listener that is in need of the attention of the listener and overrides an activated noise canceling mode of a personal listening device. Signals and data from the environment of the listener are collected by microphone(s) and/or sensor(s) of the override system to assess various external noises for attention features. In some instances, an attention feature may be associated with characteristic(s) of the listener and/or environmental characteristics of the location of the listener.

Abstract: An audio playback system is provided to facilitate adaptive output of audio content, such as spoken word content, by an audio player in response to detecting noise interferences such as external noise outside of the playback system and/or a noise indicator that external noise is about to occur. The playback system utilizes a natural skip back point found in the audio content for playback when audio content is disrupted by external noise. Content features are used to determine the skip back point in the audio content. The audio content is replayed from such a skip back point in a manner that provides a smooth transition to pre-played content and enables a listener to follow the content. Detection of multiple interfering noises within a condensed period of time are addressed to limit redundant and time consuming playbacks.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for disinfection of an object. The apparatus includes a rotatable platform, a reflective surface on the rotatable platform, and a transmissive base to carry the object. The apparatus acquires information associated with the object, which includes one of a size of the object, a relative position, or an angular orientation of the object with respect to an ultraviolet light source. The apparatus determines one or more control parameters based on the acquired information, which includes one of a distance between the transmissive base and the reflective surface, a time period, or a speed of rotation of the rotatable platform. Based on the one or more control parameters, the apparatus controls a movement of the transmissive base and the rotation of the rotatable platform, to cause the reflective surface to reflect an ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet light source onto the object, via the transmissive base.

Abstract: Implementations generally relate to noise cancelation for loud ambient transient sound. In some implementations, a method includes capturing, by a one or more microphones coupled to one or more earbuds, ambient sounds from an environment of the user while the user is wearing the one or more earbuds. The method further includes enabling, by the one or more earbuds, the user to hear the ambient sounds and media content sounds. The method further includes attenuating the ambient sounds based on one or more noise cancellation policies.

Abstract: A user starts playback of an audio or AV program, which starts up a large language model (LLM) such as a generative pre-trained transformer. The LLM follows the program with the user as the program is being watched. Audio is converted to text and video is converted to text-based description. The LLM essentially trains on the resulting “corpus” so that should the user subsequently want to access part of the program using a simple conversational query about the program, the LLM can provide the answer.

Abstract: Implementations generally relate to an earbud mounted camera. In some implementations, a method includes capturing, by one or more cameras coupled to one or more earbuds, images of an environment of the user while the user is wearing the one or more earbuds. The method further includes converting data associated with the images to audio. The method further includes providing, by the one or more earbuds, the audio to the user.

Abstract: To enable a person to quickly and easily establish an audio profile for a TV, speaker, or other audio device, an audio profile is downloaded to the TV or speaker (and stored, if desired). The profile in the recipient device can be one of many that can be interchanged quickly on-the-fly. A voice assistant may enable the person to pick an audio profile from a list of audio profiles or user interface, either on the TV or the device the profile was created on. Using either method, voice assistant or UI, the profile can be downloaded from a mobile or PC device where the profile was created, or from the cloud where a previously created profile was uploaded and stored. A dual UI using voice and visual on-screen options makes the profiles accessible to most people.

Abstract: A user query for information related to an audio video (AV) program is received and processed by a machine learning (ML) model such as an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot. The chatbot returns a response to the query in conversational form. To ensure the chatbot does not spoil the ending for a user in the middle of the AV program, the chatbot is fed only portions of corresponding text up to the time the user is in viewing.

Abstract: A method for receiving an alarm sound at a hearing aid including the steps of: receiving sound at a hearing aid, wherein the sound is an alarm; determining a type of alarm; and generating a notification based on the type of alarm.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided for control of an execution of a third-party application based on a blacklisting function. The electronic device includes circuitry that executes a monitor application that is a part of an operating system rooted onto the electronic device. The monitor application has system privileges to examine the code and execution of the third-party application installed on the electronic device. The circuitry identifies, by the monitor application, one or more requests to access a network resource from a runtime code of the third-party application. The circuitry extracts, by the monitor application, one or more first network resource identifiers associated with the network resource from the one or more requests. The circuity compares, by the monitor application, the first network resource identifiers with the blacklist associated with the monitor application. The circuitry controls, by the monitor application, the execution of the third-party application based on the comparison.

Abstract: To enable a person to quickly and easily establish an audio profile for a TV, speaker, or other audio device, an audio profile is downloaded to the TV or speaker (and stored, if desired). The profile in the recipient device can be one of many that can be interchanged quickly on-the-fly. A voice assistant may enable the person to pick an audio profile from a list of audio profiles or user interface, either on the TV or the device the profile was created on. Using either method, voice assistant or UI, the profile can be downloaded from a mobile or PC device where the profile was created, or from the cloud where a previously created profile was uploaded and stored. A dual UI using voice and visual on-screen options makes the profiles accessible to most people.

Abstract: Cognitive aids for various aspects of an audio book may be provided to aid an end-user in following the book's characters and plot and to remind the end-user about prior aspects of the audio book. In some specific examples, the aid may be requested audibly, and the plot data and/or other data may be presented audibly.

Abstract: Implementations generally relate to a mobile personal audio recorder (PAR) for radio. In some implementations, a method includes determining a target radio program for recording, where the radio program is an Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) radio program, and where the target radio program is broadcast at a predetermined broadcast time. The method further includes receiving the target radio program while being broadcast. The method further includes recording the target radio program while being broadcast. The method further includes playing the target radio program for a user at a time that is different from the predetermined broadcast time.

Abstract: A digital content playback application (“app”) for a digital platform may be used for receiving content and for optionally generating or modifying, and then using an audio profile of a first user. The app may also be executed to modify, within the app, audio of a digital content per the audio profile. For example, a built-in media player incorporated into the app may be used to modify the audio of the digital content within the app per the audio profile prior to outputting the audio to the digital platform.

Abstract: Implementations generally relate to hearing aids. In some implementations, a method includes receiving outside sound at a hearing aid. The method further includes amplifying the outside sound. The method further includes generating an in-ear announcement. The method further includes providing the in-ear announcement, wherein the in-ear announcement is at a higher volume level than the outside sound.

Abstract: An app a configuring device is used for generating an audio profile of a first user. A display device such as a TV or a standalone speaker is configured with the audio profile so that demanded audio is played in an altered form than demanded according to the audio profile.

Abstract: To enable a person to quickly and easily establish an audio profile for a TV, speaker, or other audio device, an audio profile is downloaded to the TV or speaker (and stored, if desired). The profile in the recipient device can be one of many that can be interchanged quickly on-the-fly. A voice assistant may enable the person to pick an audio profile from a list of audio profiles or user interface, either on the TV or the device the profile was created on. Using either method, voice assistant or UI, the profile can be downloaded from a mobile or PC device where the profile was created, or from the cloud where a previously created profile was uploaded and stored. A dual UI using voice and visual on-screen options makes the profiles accessible to most people.

Abstract: A method for providing selectivity to a speech-to-text system operates a voice transcription assistant coupled to the speech-to-text system such that speech detected by the speech-to-text system is not transcribed into text for display to a user unless the voice transcription assistant determines that the detected speech is relevant to the user. Smart glasses, including at least one microphone, a speech-to-text processing unit, a display, and a voice transcription assistant, provide selective speech-to-text functionality. The voice transcription assistant has one or more processors; and logic encoded in one or more non-transitory media for execution by the one or more processors and when executed operable to prevent the speech-to-text processing unit providing text to the display in response to the reception of speech by the microphone unless the logic determines that the received speech is relevant to the user.

Abstract: An electronic device and method for real-time verification of Caller IDs for live-human and robot call filtering is provided. A first electronic device receives an incoming first call from a second electronic device associated with a Caller identification (ID). The first electronic device transmits a verification text message to the second electronic device using the Caller ID, while the first call is still incoming. The first electronic device receives a response to the verification text message and compares the received response with a pre-defined response. If the response is correct and received within a predefined time, the first electronic device allows the call to connect. If a correct response is received beyond the predefined time, the Caller ID is added to a whitelist so that a next call from the same Caller ID is received automatically. In such case, the current first call is redirected to a voicemail system.