Abstract: A device includes a memory configured to store a captured audio input signal and one or more processors configured to process the captured audio input signal to determine auditory context information within the captured audio input signal. The one or more processors are configured to determine an audio quality enhancement level to be applied to the captured audio input signal based on the determined auditory context information, and perform audio quality enhancement on the captured audio input signal based on the determined audio quality enhancement level, wherein the audio quality enhancement level is dynamically adjusted during the storing of the captured audio input signal according to the determined auditory context information.

Abstract: A method for generating a user interface at a mobile device includes receiving an indication of a user configurable pattern at a processor. The user configurable pattern indicates locations on a user interface that are spatially separated. The locations are configured to receive user input to enable access to data at the mobile device. The method also includes generating the user interface based on the user configurable pattern.

Abstract: A method for operating a mobile device includes generating a user interface at a processor. The user interface includes one or more virtual objects. The method also includes changing a configuration of the one or more virtual objects. The method further includes monitoring a mannerism of a user of the mobile device. The mannerism is affected by a change in configuration of the one or more virtual objects. The method also includes performing a function based on the mannerism.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to systems, methods and apparatus to convert speech to text and vice versa. One apparatus comprises a vocoder, a speech to text conversion engine, a text to speech conversion engine, and a user interface. The vocoder is operable to convert speech signals into packets and convert packets into speech signals. The speech to text conversion engine is operable to convert speech to text. The text to speech conversion engine is operable to convert text to speech. The user interface is operable to receive a user selection of a mode from among a plurality of modes, wherein a first mode enables the speech to text conversion engine, a second mode enables the text to speech conversion engine, and a third mode enables the speech to text conversion engine and the text to speech conversion engine.

Abstract: A method for operating a mobile device includes generating a user interface at a processor. The user interface includes one or more virtual objects. The method also includes changing a configuration of the one or more virtual objects. The method further includes monitoring a mannerism of a user of the mobile device. The mannerism is affected by a change in configuration of the one or more virtual objects. The method also includes performing a function based on the mannerism.

Abstract: A method for generating a user interface at a mobile device includes receiving an indication of a user configurable pattern at a processor. The user configurable pattern indicates locations on a user interface that are spatially separated. The locations are configured to receive user input to enable access to data at the mobile device. The method also includes generating the user interface based on the user configurable pattern.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to methods and devices for fee-based wireless power. A method may include subscribing to a wireless power plan and receiving wireless power at one or more electronic devices according to a wireless power subscription.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to techniques for content-adaptive background skipping for region-of-interest (ROI) video coding. The techniques may be useful in video telephony (VT) applications such as video streaming and videoconferencing, and especially useful in low bit-rate wireless communication applications, such as mobile VT. The disclosed techniques analyze content information of a video frame to dynamically determine whether to skip a non-ROI area within the frame. For example, the skipping determination may be based on content activity, such as ROI shape deformation, ROI motion, non-ROI motion, non-ROI texture complexity, and accumulated distortion due to non-ROI skipping. The skip determination may operate in conjunction with either frame-level or macroblock-level bit allocation.

Abstract: A wireless communication system and related techniques and apparatuses are disclosed that predict future disconnections or other connection impairments with end-user portable devices in advance so that service interruptions can be handled more gracefully. The system can predict the loss of service based on user-usage information associated with the portable device, such as the current GPS location of the device, its direction and velocity of travel, a user calendar, user habits and other information, such as the time of day, weather conditions, or wireless network coverage maps. An impairment handling method is selected that alters the content presented by the portable device. The impairment handling method is executed by the system upon detecting the impairment of the wireless connection so that the content is altered during occurrence of the impairment. The alteration of the content is done to mitigate the user-perceived effect of the impairment.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for authenticating a user on a mobile device. The method may include initiating authentication of the user for access to the mobile device, where access to the mobile device is granted upon successful authentication of the user by the mobile device. The method may also include performing face recognition analysis on an image of a face of the user to determine an identity of the user. Furthermore, the method may also include determining whether a first pulse information and a second pulse information associated with the user indicate a pulse match. The method may also include authenticating the user for access to the mobile device when a pulse match is determined and the determined identity of the user has permission to access the mobile device.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to techniques for encoder-assisted adaptive interpolation of video frames. According to the disclosed techniques, an encoder generates information to assist a decoder in interpolation of a skipped video frame, i.e., an S frame. The information permits the decoder to reduce visual artifacts in the interpolated frame and thereby achieve improved visual quality. The information may include interpolation equation labels that identify selected interpolation equations to be used by the decoder for individual video blocks. As an option, to conserve bandwidth, the equation labels may be transmitted for only selected video blocks that meet a criterion for encoder-assisted interpolation. Other video blocks without equation labels may be interpolated according to a default interpolation technique.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to wireless power management. A method may include detecting one or more wireless chargers for charging an energy storage device of one or more monitored energy storage devices if the energy storage device drops below a threshold value. Moreover, the method may include selecting a charging scheme for an electronic device associated with the energy storage device.

Abstract: This disclosure describes selection of reference video units to be used for interpolation or extrapolation of a video unit, such as a video frame. A decoder may apply a quality-focused mode to select a reference frame based on quality criteria. The quality criteria may indicate a level of quality likely to be produced by a reference frame. If no reference frames satisfy the quality criteria, interpolation or extrapolation may be disabled. Display of an interpolated or extrapolated frame may be selectively enabled based on a quality analysis. A decoder may apply a resource-focused frame interpolation mode to enable or disable frame interpolation or extrapolation for some frames based on power and quality considerations. In one mode, frame interpolation may be disabled to conserve power when reference frames are not likely to produce satisfactory quality. In another mode, the threshold may be adjustable as a function of power saving requirements.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to systems, methods and apparatus to convert speech to text and vice versa. One apparatus comprises a vocoder, a speech to text conversion engine, a text to speech conversion engine, and a user interface. The vocoder is operable to convert speech signals into packets and convert packets into speech signals. The speech to text conversion engine is operable to convert speech to text. The text to speech conversion engine is operable to convert text to speech. The user interface is operable to receive a user selection of a mode from among a plurality of modes, wherein a first mode enables the speech to text conversion engine, a second mode enables the text to speech conversion engine, and a third mode enables the speech to text conversion engine and the text to speech conversion engine.

Abstract: A mobile device that is capable of automatically starting and ending the recording of an audio signal captured by at least one microphone is presented. The mobile device is capable of adjusting a number of parameters related with audio logging based on the context information of the audio input signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for authenticating a user on a mobile device. The method may include initiating authentication of the user for access to the mobile device, where access to the mobile device is granted upon successful authentication of the user by the mobile device. The method may also include performing face recognition analysis on an image of a face of the user to determine an identity of the user. Furthermore, the method may also include determining whether a first pulse information and a second pulse information associated with the user indicate a pulse match. The method may also include authenticating the user for access to the mobile device when a pulse match is determined and the determined identity of the user has permission to access the mobile device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, devices, and computer program products are described for controlling access to electronic applications by a user. A request may be received (e.g., from a user) to access an electronic application. The availability of points, credits, or time for the particular user may be determined, and access to the electronic application granted or denied based on the determination. User identity may be verified through biometric data, with such verification repeated at periodic or random intervals. Access may be restricted based on a permission level of a particular authority that has responsibility for all or a portion of the user's activities during a particular time period. Access may also be restricted based on the location of the user at the time of the access request.

Abstract: A mobile device that is capable of automatically starting and ending the recording of an audio signal captured by at least one microphone is presented. The mobile device is capable of adjusting a number of parameters related with audio logging based on the context information of the audio input signal.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to techniques for evaluating temporal quality of encoded video. Instead of estimating jerkiness based solely on frame rate or motion activity, the number of consecutive dropped frames forms a basic estimation unit. Several human visual system factors, such as sensitivity to temporal quality fluctuation and motion activity, have been taken into account to make the predicted jerkiness more consistent with the actual human visual response. The temporal quality metric can be used to estimate human perceived discomfort that is introduced by temporal discontinuity under various combinations of video shots, motion activity and local quality fluctuations. The techniques can be applied in two modes: (1) bitstream or (2) pixel mode. The quality metric can be used to evaluate temporal quality, or to control encoding or decoding characteristics to enhance temporal quality.

Abstract: This disclosure describes adaptive spatial variant interpolation (SVI) techniques for image upscaling. In various embodiments, the interpolation techniques described in this disclosure may support low complexity upscaling of image while promoting high image quality, including enhanced sharpness, higher contrast and more accurate interpolation. The interpolation techniques may be applied using generalized finite impulse response (FIR) filters. In some embodiments, the interpolation techniques may be content-adaptive to provide more accurate interpolation while suppressing significant artifacts associated with sharp edges. In addition, the interpolation techniques may be readily applicable to upscaling of color imagery and video, e.g., in both YCbCr (luminance, blue chrominance, red chrominance) and RGB (red, green, blue) formats.