Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a controller that allows a display device to display a settings screen for setting of a function by a user and executes a job based on a user setting made through the settings screen; and a backup device that backs up as backup data the user setting on a storage device each time the user setting is made. When execution of the job based on the user setting is completed, the controller deletes the user setting from the storage device. When, in newly displaying a settings screen on the display device for another job, the user setting for a function configurable on the settings screen is saved on the storage device, the controller determines the content of the user setting as a content of a setting for the job and allows the display device to display the settings screen showing the content of the setting.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a storage device and a control device. The storage device stores a document. The control device includes a processor and functions, through the processor executing a control program, as a character recognizer and a tag generator. The character recognizer analyzes the document stored in the storage device and recognizes characters contained in the document. The tag generator analyzes, based on a recognition result of the character recognizer, a sequence of characters contained in the document and generates a tag expressing a feature of descriptive content of the document.

Abstract: An earpiece includes an earpiece housing, a processor disposed within the earpiece, a speaker operatively connected to the processor, a microphone operatively connected the processor, and a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver disposed within the earpiece. A system may include a first earpiece having a connector with earpiece charging contacts, a charging case for the first earpiece, the charging case having contacts for connecting with the earpiece charging contacts, and a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver disposed within the charging case.

Abstract: A system, method, and wireless earpieces for implementing a virtual assistant. A request is received from a user to be implemented by wireless earpieces. A virtual assistant is executed on the wireless earpieces. An action is implemented to fulfill the request utilizing the virtual assistant. The wireless earpieces may be a set of wireless earpieces and the virtual assistant may be implemented independently by the wireless earpieces.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe systems, methods, and structures for aberration correction of optical phased arrays that employ a corrective optical path difference (OPD) in the near-field of an OPA to correct or cancel out aberrations in emitted beams of the OPA including those reaching far-field distances by generating a spatially-varying OPD across the aperture of the OPA that is substantially equal and opposite to an equivalent OPD of the aberration(s).

Abstract: Methods and systems for estimating call urgency of incoming telephone calls in order to improve call queue management and efficiency with respect to telephone support systems are provided. The method includes: receiving a first incoming telephone call from a first person; determining a geographical location from which the first incoming telephone call is originated; retrieving news information that relates to the geographical location; and assessing, based on the news information, an urgency of the first incoming telephone call. The assessed urgency is then usable for assigning a priority to the first incoming telephone call and determining an order of handling the first incoming telephone call with respect to other incoming telephone calls. The news information may indicate that a natural disaster, a weather event, or a crisis caused by human activity has occurred, and that the urgency is relatively high as a result.

Abstract: A method for performing voice dictation with an earpiece worn by a user includes receiving as input to the earpiece voice sound information from the user at one or more microphones of the earpiece, receiving as input to the earpiece user control information from one or more sensors within the earpiece independent from the one or more microphones of the earpiece, inserting a machine-generated transcription of the voice sound information from the user into a user input area associated with an application executing on a computing device and manipulating the application executing on the computing device based on the user control information.

Abstract: Methods and systems for estimating call durations while handling incoming telephone calls in order to improve call queue management and efficiency with respect to telephone support systems are provided. The method includes: receiving a first incoming telephone call from a first person; retrieving historical information that relates to the first person; forecasting, based on the historical information, a next customer state that relates to the first person; and estimating, based on the forecasted next customer state, a potential duration of the first incoming call. The estimated call duration is then usable for assigning a priority to the first incoming call and determining an order of handling the first incoming call with respect to each of a plurality of other incoming calls based on the assigned priority.

Abstract: A speaker can have a main body with a generally spheroidal shape, which can be supported standing on its end. The speaker can include a subwoofer that faces forward. A plurality of mid-range drivers can be distributed around the sub-woofer, facing generally forward and radially outward. A plurality of tweeters can be distributed around the sub-woofer, facing generally forward and generally outward. The outer housing portion of the speaker can be covered with a fabric material. A user interface ring 162 can be touch sensitive to receive input, and can have a plurality of lights that can be illuminated separately to convey information to the user.

Abstract: Methods and systems for handling telephone calls relating to recurring customer questions and inquiries so as to decrease a likelihood of additional calls regarding the same issues and thereby improve customer experience while reducing an overall call volume are provided. The method includes: receiving an incoming telephone call from a person; capturing an audio signal that corresponds to a voice of the person; analyzing the audio signal by detecting phonetic intonations applying a digital filter to the intonations; and determining whether an inquiry articulated by the person during the telephone call has been adequately addressed. The method may further include using machine learning to generate an output that indicates an expression of certainty or uncertainty in the voice of the person.

Abstract: A wireless earpiece includes a wireless earpiece housing, a processor, and a transceiver configured to produce electromagnetic pulses capable of reaching a brain of a user. A method of stimulating the brain of the user using the wireless earpiece includes receiving a request at the wireless earpiece and generating an electromagnetic pulse in response to the request.

Abstract: A wireless earpiece includes a wireless earpiece housing, a processor disposed within the wireless earpiece housing, at least one microphone operatively connected to the processor, and at least one speaker operatively connected to the processor. The processor is configured to receive audio from the at least one microphone, perform processing of the audio to provide processed audio, and output the processed audio to the at least one speaker. The processing of the audio involves identifying body generated sounds generated by a body of a user of the wireless earpiece and removing the body generated sounds.

Abstract: A method of providing an enhanced gaming experience includes steps of sensing environmental audio with at least one microphone of an earpiece, combining a game sound with the environmental audio to provide a composite audio signal, and transducing the composite audio signal at the earpiece. The game sound may be positioned within a three-dimensional audio environment. The composite audio signal may be transduced to provide a three-dimensional audio experience.

Abstract: A wireless earpiece system, method, and one or more wireless earpieces for communications between one or more wireless earpieces and a wireless dongle. The one or more wireless earpieces are associated with the wireless dongle. Biometric readings of a user are performed using the wireless earpieces. Content is communicated between the one or more wireless earpieces and the wireless dongle in response to determining the user is authorized to communicate with the wireless dongle based on the biometric readings. The wireless dongle is physically connected to a report of a system.

Abstract: A system comprising: a wireless kill switch and a computer; said wireless kill switch comprising: a housing, a radio transmitter, a microcontroller, an operable button, and a battery; said housing encasing the radio transmitter, the microcontroller, and the battery and allowing for operation of the operable button; the radio transmitter transmitting a continuous service signal to be received by a receiver on said computer and a heartbeat signal generated as a data packet on a first predetermined time basis; wherein said system maintains an operational state upon receipt of the continuous service signal and receipt of the heartbeat signal at a second predetermined time basis; and wherein the system modifies the computer to a different state than the operational state upon omission of the continuous service signal or the heartbeat signal.

Abstract: A system, method, and wireless earpieces for implementing a virtual assistant. A request is received from a user to be implemented by wireless earpieces. A virtual assistant is executed on the wireless earpieces. An action is implemented to fulfill the request utilizing the virtual assistant. The wireless earpieces may be a set of wireless earpieces and the virtual assistant may be implemented independently by the wireless earpieces.

Abstract: A method of providing an enhanced gaming experience includes steps of sensing environmental audio with at least one microphone of an earpiece, combining a game sound with the environmental audio to provide a composite audio signal, and transducing the composite audio signal at the earpiece. The game sound may be positioned within a three-dimensional audio environment. The composite audio signal may be transduced to provide a three-dimensional audio experience.

Abstract: A system, method and wireless earpieces for populating an electronic medical record utilizing wireless earpieces. The sensor measurements are analyzed. The sensor measurements are associated with the electronic medical record of the user. The electronic medical record of the user is populated with the sensor measurements. Communications including the electronic medical record are communicated.

Abstract: A system comprising: a wireless kill switch and a computer; said wireless kill switch comprising: a housing, a radio transmitter, a microcontroller, an operable button, and a battery; said housing encasing the radio transmitter, the microcontroller, and the battery and allowing for operation of the operable button; the radio transmitter transmitting a continuous service signal to be received by a receiver on said computer and a heartbeat signal generated as a data packet on a first predetermined time basis; wherein said system maintains an operational state upon receipt of the continuous service signal and receipt of the heartbeat signal at a second predetermined time basis; and wherein the system modifies the computer to a different state than the operational state upon omission of the continuous service signal or the heartbeat signal.

Abstract: A wireless earpiece system, method, and one or more wireless earpieces for communications between one or more wireless earpieces and a wireless dongle. The one or more wireless earpieces are associated with the wireless dongle. Biometric readings of a user are performed using the wireless earpieces. Content is communicated between the one or more wireless earpieces and the wireless dongle in response to determining the user is authorized to communicate with the wireless dongle based on the biometric readings. The wireless dongle is physically connected to a report of a system.