Abstract: A transactional method and system of managing access to API services based on the performance of computational tasks by an end-user is disclosed. The system and method are configured to identify requests from an end-user to an API for services that are associated with a transactional cost. This cost is passed on to the end-user by generation of a computational task assignment to be completed by the client computing system. Once the assignment has been performed, the end-user may be granted access to the requested service.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring driving conditions and reacting to the driving conditions is disclosed. The system includes a risk monitoring system that can detect adverse road conditions. The method includes performing rerouting when hazardous road conditions are detected. The vehicle may be routed along a different route that lacks the hazardous road condition. The method also includes providing feedback to the driver when adverse driver behavior, such as a drowsy driver, is detected.

Abstract: A system and a method for diagnosing a problem with a motor vehicle using sound. Ambient noise information for the motor vehicle is determined. Current sound information is received, and whether there is a variation in sound between the current sound information and the ambient noise information is determined. The ambient noise information is subtracted from the current sound information if the variation has been identified, to identify a sound anomaly. A sound anomaly signal is extracted and compared with predetermined anomaly signal information stored in a database. The predetermined anomaly signal information is associated with diagnostic information.

Abstract: A method and system of intelligently alerting and/or routing vehicles to improve driving safety is disclosed. The method includes sharing data collected by vehicles in different locations to determine whether the presence of dynamically moving objects such as animals and pedestrians will affect traffic conditions for other vehicles on the nearby roadways. If the system determines there is a likelihood of such objects being obstacles to other vehicles, an alert can be automatically presented to the drivers of the impacted vehicles. The method further includes generating routes for the driver that avoid, or limit, the driver's exposure to the obstacle.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting deviations in building structures over time is disclosed. The system and method use range images of buildings captured using range imaging cameras (for example, time-of-flight cameras) to construct 3D models with sufficient resolution to detect deviations in structures that may not be obvious from looking at only photographic images. The system can also use augmented reality to project parts of a 3D model over photographic images of a structure to facilitate easy inspection of the structure.

Abstract: A method and system of providing guidance and information to customers by presentation of a virtual avatar. The virtual avatar is controlled in real-time by a remote customer service agent. The method includes sharing images of a physical space with the customer service agent, and enabling the customer service agent to project a virtual avatar on the physical space such that the virtual avatar appears to interact and move through the physical space. The dynamic projection of the virtual avatar is received by the customer as an augmentation of their own view of the physical space.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically deploying an autonomous drone from a vehicle in response to a triggering event or accident so that data associated with the triggering event or accident may be automatically obtained are described. In one embodiment, a method for deploying an autonomous drone in response to a triggering event is described. The method includes providing an autonomous drone in a vehicle. The method also includes detecting a triggering event associated with the vehicle. Upon detection of the triggering event, the method includes automatically deploying the autonomous drone from the vehicle. The method further includes implementing, by the autonomous drone, a plurality of automatic actions, including recording data associated with the vehicle in which the autonomous drone is provided.

Abstract: A system and a method for diagnosing a problem with a motor vehicle using sound. Ambient noise information for the motor vehicle is determined. Current sound information is received, and whether there is a variation in sound between the current sound information and the ambient noise information is determined. The ambient noise information is subtracted from the current sound information if the variation has been identified, to identify a sound anomaly. A sound anomaly signal is extracted and compared with predetermined anomaly signal information stored in a database. The predetermined anomaly signal information is associated with diagnostic information.

Abstract: A method and system of providing a wearable expanded display system for portable computing devices is disclosed. The method includes connecting a head-mounted display system to the portable computing device and anchoring a virtual projection of content from the portable computing device to a screen of the portable computing device to provide the user with an augmented reality viewing experience. The virtual projection can present the content in an enlarged view with richer content options than the smaller screen of the portable computing device. The position of the virtual projection will adapt to changes in pose of the screen to maintain the anchored relationship.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a headset system including a microphone including a microphone transducer configured to receive vocal sounds from a user of the headset system and to generate a voice audio signal representing the vocal sounds; a first earcup including a first housing, wherein the first housing further includes a voice canceling circuit, an inner speaker, and a first outer speaker; the voice canceling circuit configured to receive the voice audio signal and configured to generate a first voice canceling signal to cancel the voice of the user; and the first outer speaker including a first speaker transducer configured to generate and output sounds representing the first voice cancelling signal to cancel the vocal sounds of the user.

Abstract: A transactional method and system of managing access to API services based on the performance of computational tasks by an end-user is disclosed. The system and method are configured to identify requests from an end-user to an API for services that are associated with a transactional cost. This cost is passed on to the end-user by generation of a computational task assignment to be completed by the client computing system. Once the assignment has been performed, the end-user may be granted access to the requested service.

Abstract: A method and system of reducing noise associated with telephony-based activities occurring in shared workspaces is provided. An end-user may lower their own voice to a whisper or other less audible or intelligible utterances and submit such low-quality audio signals to an automated speech recognition system via a microphone. The words identified by the automated speech recognition system are provided to a speech synthesizer, and a synthesized audio signal is created artificially that carries the content of the original human-produced utterances. The synthesized audio signal is significantly more audible and intelligible than the original audio signal. The method allows customer support agents to speak at barely audible levels yet be heard clearly by their customers.

Abstract: A system and method for managing customized vehicle settings across multiple vehicles is disclosed. The system comprises a vehicle customization platform where a user customization profile with information about customized settings can be transferred to a customization management system within each of multiple vehicles that may be driven by a user with the user customization profile. The customized vehicle settings include seat position settings, horsepower settings, mirror position settings, climate settings, and audio system settings. Upon receiving the user customization profile, a customization management system passes customized settings to different vehicle control systems to automatically set the customized settings.

Abstract: A security device is disclosed. The security device includes multiple fingerprint sensors. Activating the security device requires users to enter an authentication sequence comprised of different finger-to-fingerprint-sensor combinations. This increases the number of available distinct elements that can be used in an authentication sequence of a given length for a fixed number of buttons. The device also combines two different modes of authentication to improve security. The security device can be integrated into motor vehicles, mobile computing devices or other systems.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a headset system including a microphone including a microphone transducer configured to receive vocal sounds from a user of the headset system and to generate a voice audio signal representing the vocal sounds; a first earcup including a first housing, wherein the first housing further includes a voice canceling circuit, an inner speaker, and a first outer speaker; the voice canceling circuit configured to receive the voice audio signal and configured to generate a first voice canceling signal to cancel the voice of the user; and the first outer speaker including a first speaker transducer configured to generate and output sounds representing the first voice cancelling signal to cancel the vocal sounds of the user.

Abstract: A method and system of providing a wearable expanded display system for portable computing devices is disclosed. The method includes connecting a head-mounted display system to the portable computing device and anchoring a virtual projection of content from the portable computing device to a screen of the portable computing device to provide the user with an augmented reality viewing experience. The virtual projection can present the content in an enlarged view with richer content options than the smaller screen of the portable computing device. The position of the virtual projection will adapt to changes in pose of the screen to maintain the anchored relationship.

Abstract: A method and system of providing guidance and information to customers by presentation of a virtual avatar. The virtual avatar is controlled in real-time by a remote customer service agent. The method includes sharing images of a physical space with the customer service agent, and enabling the customer service agent to project a virtual avatar on the physical space such that the virtual avatar appears to interact and move through the physical space. The dynamic projection of the virtual avatar is received by the customer as an augmentation of their own view of the physical space.

Abstract: A method and system of intelligently alerting and/or routing vehicles to improve driving safety is disclosed. The method includes sharing data collected by vehicles in different locations to determine whether the presence of dynamically moving objects such as animals and pedestrians will affect traffic conditions for other vehicles on the nearby roadways. If the system determines there is a likelihood of such objects being obstacles to other vehicles, an alert can be automatically presented to the drivers of the impacted vehicles. The method further includes generating routes for the driver that avoid, or limit, the driver's exposure to the obstacle.

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: A system and method for monitoring driving conditions and reacting to the driving conditions is disclosed. The system includes a risk monitoring system that can detect adverse road conditions. The method includes performing rerouting when hazardous road conditions are detected. The vehicle may be routed along a different route that lacks the hazardous road condition. The method also includes providing feedback to the driver when adverse driver behavior, such as a drowsy driver, is detected.