Abstract: A portable communication device implements a position indication method to determine and convey the relative locations of other portable communication devices in a group. In one embodiment, the portable communication devices are equipped with a GPS sensor and the position indication method determines relative locations of devices using GPS location data. In another embodiment, the portable communication devices determine relative locations of devices using the strength of the received signal as a proxy for distance. In some embodiments, the relative location information is conveyed to each portable communication device by modifying the audio signal playback. For example, a 3D audio playback may be used to convey the relative location information. In other embodiments, other non-audible location indication may be provided on each portable communication device.

Abstract: A portable communication device that is a first electronic device, the first electronic device comprising: an interface for electronic communication with a second electronic device; one or more digital processors; and at least one memory. The processors and memory are collectively configured to implement simultaneous radio frequency voice communication between a user and multiple other ones of the devices. Voice communication comprises: transmitting audio data corresponding to speech of the user to each of the other devices, receiving audio data from each of the other devices, mixing the received audio data, and transmitting the mixed audio data to the user so as to direct to the user combined and simultaneous speech of users of each of the other devices. The processors and memory are also collectively configured to implement transmission of at least one audio stream received from the second electronic device to each of the other devices.

Abstract: A portable communication device implements a position indication method to determine and convey the relative locations of other portable communication devices in a group. In one embodiment, the portable communication devices are equipped with a GPS sensor and the position indication method determines relative locations of devices using GPS location data. In another embodiment, the portable communication devices determine relative locations of devices using the strength of the received signal as a proxy for distance. In some embodiments, the relative location information is conveyed to each portable communication device by modifying the audio signal playback. For example, a 3D audio playback may be used to convey the relative location information. In other embodiments, other non-audible location indication may be provided on each portable communication device.

Abstract: A portable communication device implements a position indication method to determine and convey the relative locations of other portable communication devices in a group. In one embodiment, the portable communication devices are equipped with a GPS sensor and the position indication method determines relative locations of devices using GPS location data. In another embodiment, the portable communication devices determine relative locations of devices using the strength of the received signal as a proxy for distance. In some embodiments, the relative location information is conveyed to each portable communication device by modifying the audio signal playback. For example, a 3D audio playback may be used to convey the relative location information. In other embodiments, other non-audible location indication may be provided on each portable communication device.

Abstract: A method to automate media stream curation implements verbal and non-verbal audio cue analysis of an audio track recorded contemporaneously with a media stream. The media stream may be a video stream or an audio stream. The audio track is recorded contemporaneously with the media stream using a recording device separate from the media recording device used to record the media stream. Audio cue analysis of the audio track is performed to detect for audio cues which indicate the locations or timestamps associated with elements of interest. The identified elements of interest are then used to extract segments of the media stream to form a curated media stream containing clips associated with the elements of interest.

Abstract: A portable communication device comprises a housing having therein: a microphone interface for receiving a first audio signal generated by a microphone connected thereto; an audio processing block in electronic communication with the microphone interface so as to receive the first audio signal, the audio processing block configured to generate a second audio signal corresponding to the first audio signal; a transmitter in electronic communication with the audio processing block so as to be configured to transmit the second audio signal; a receiver configured to receive third audio signals; an audio receive block in electronic communication with the receiver so as to generate a plurality of fourth audio signals, each fourth audio signal corresponding to a respective one of the third audio signals; and a speaker interface for connection to a speaker configured to emit audio corresponding to the fourth audio signals.

Abstract: A portable communication device implements a position indication method to determine and convey the relative locations of other portable communication devices in a group. In one embodiment, the portable communication devices are equipped with a GPS sensor and the position indication method determines relative locations of devices using GPS location data. In another embodiment, the portable communication devices determine relative locations of devices using the strength of the received signal as a proxy for distance. In some embodiments, the relative location information is conveyed to each portable communication device by modifying the audio signal playback. For example, a 3D audio playback may be used to convey the relative location information. In other embodiments, other non-audible location indication may be provided on each portable communication device.

Abstract: A method to automate media stream curation implements verbal and non-verbal audio cue analysis of an audio track recorded contemporaneously with a media stream. The media stream may be a video stream or an audio stream. The audio track is recorded contemporaneously with the media stream using a recording device separate from the media recording device used to record the media stream. Audio cue analysis of the audio track is performed to detect for audio cues which indicate the locations or timestamps associated with elements of interest. The identified elements of interest are then used to extract segments of the media stream to form a curated media stream containing clips associated with the elements of interest.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for generating a media playlist by a media rendering device having a proximity detector. The proximity detector detects a first identification device, receives a first identification associated with the first identification device, and selects a first preference list associated with the first identification. The proximity detector detects a second identification device, receives a second identification associated with the second identification device, and selects a second preference list associated with the second identification. The media player generates a combined preference list based upon the first preference list and the second preference list and generates a playlist of songs based on the combined preference list.

Abstract: A portable communication device comprises a user interface, one or more digital processors in electronic communication with the user interface, and at least one memory in electronic communication with the one or more digital processors, the one or more digital processors and the at least one memory collectively configured to implement simultaneous radio frequency voice communication between a user of the device and multiple other ones of the devices. The voice communication comprises: transmitting audio data corresponding to speech of the user to each of the other ones of the devices, receiving audio data from each of the other ones of the devices, and transmitting the received audio data to the user so as to direct to the user combined and simultaneous speech of users of each of the other ones of the devices.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for generating a media playlist by a media rendering device having a proximity detector. The proximity detector detects a first identification device, receives a first identification associated with the first identification device, and selects a first preference list associated with the first identification. The proximity detector detects a second identification device, receives a second identification associated with the second identification device, and selects a second preference list associated with the second identification. The media player generates a combined preference list based upon the first preference list and the second preference list and generates a playlist of songs based on the combined preference list.

Abstract: A media rendering system includes a proximity detecting device configured to detect a user identification device and receive a user identity from a user identification device when the user identification device is located within a proximity detecting region of the proximity detecting device. A media rendering device is in communication with the proximity detecting device. The media rendering device is configured to receive one or more user identities from the proximity detecting device and render media according to an operating manner determined at least in part by the received one or more user identities.

Abstract: A media rendering system includes a controller device and a media rendering device in communication via a communication network. The media rendering device is configured to render a media recording. The controller device includes a sensor configured to detect and receive an audio portion of the rendered media recording. The controller device is configured to identify the rendered media recording, and to determine a location of the controller device within a proximity of the media rendering device.

Abstract: A media rendering system includes a controller device and a media rendering device in communication via a communication network. The media rendering device is configured to render a media recording. The controller device includes a sensor configured to detect and receive an audio portion of the rendered media recording. The controller device is configured to identify the rendered media recording, and to determine a location of the controller device within a proximity of the media rendering device.

Abstract: A media rendering system includes a proximity detecting device configured to detect a user identification device and receive a user identity from a user identification device when the user identification device is located within a proximity detecting region of the proximity detecting device. A media rendering device is in communication with the proximity detecting device. The media rendering device is configured to receive one or more user identities from the proximity detecting device and render media according to an operating manner determined at least in part by the received one or more user identities.

Abstract: A portable communication device comprises a user interface, one or more digital processors in electronic communication with the user interface, and at least one memory in electronic communication with the one or more digital processors, the one or more digital processors and the at least one memory collectively configured to implement simultaneous radio frequency voice communication between a user of the device and multiple other ones of the devices. The voice communication comprises: transmitting audio data corresponding to speech of the user to each of the other ones of the devices, receiving audio data from each of the other ones of the devices, and transmitting the received audio data to the user so as to direct to the user combined and simultaneous speech of users of each of the other ones of the devices.

Abstract: A portable communication device comprises a housing having therein: a microphone interface for receiving a first audio signal generated by a microphone connected thereto; an audio processing block in electronic communication with the microphone interface so as to receive the first audio signal, the audio processing block configured to generate a second audio signal corresponding to the first audio signal; a transmitter in electronic communication with the audio processing block so as to be configured to transmit the second audio signal; a receiver configured to receive third audio signals; an audio receive block in electronic communication with the receiver so as to generate a plurality of fourth audio signals, each fourth audio signal corresponding to a respective one of the third audio signals; and a speaker interface for connection to a speaker configured to emit audio corresponding to the fourth audio signals.

Abstract: A portable communication device that is a first electronic device, the first electronic device comprising: an interface for electronic communication with a second electronic device; one or more digital processors; and at least one memory. The processors and memory are collectively configured to implement simultaneous radio frequency voice communication between a user and multiple other ones of the devices. Voice communication comprises: transmitting audio data corresponding to speech of the user to each of the other devices, receiving audio data from each of the other devices, mixing the received audio data, and transmitting the mixed audio data to the user so as to direct to the user combined and simultaneous speech of users of each of the other devices. The processors and memory are also collectively configured to implement transmission of at least one audio stream received from the second electronic device to each of the other devices.

Abstract: An apparatus for consolidated data services comprising a plurality of devices, a plurality of data services and a content application programming interface (API). A user API provides user identification for each of the plurality of devices using one or more of a plurality of user API methods. A feedback API configured to receive data from each of the plurality of devices that identifies media content that was delivered to the plurality of devices using one or more of a plurality of feedback API methods. A device API configured to provide a client system to one or more of the plurality of devices using one or more of a plurality of device API methods. A web service consolidator coupled to the content API, the user API, the feedback API, the device API, the update API, a plurality of data services and the plurality of devices through the communications media.