Abstract: Digital data is optically broadcast through an environment by controllably switching the brightness or chrominance of LED solid state lamps, or of other illumination sources (e.g., television screens and backlit computer displays). This optical data channel is useful to convey cryptographic key data by which devices within the environment can authenticate themselves to a secure network. In some embodiments, the optical modulation is sensed by the camera of a smartphone. The row data output by the smartphone's camera sensor is processed to extract the modulated data signal. In some monochrome embodiments, data communication speeds far in excess of the camera's frame rate (e.g., 30/second), or even the camera's row rate (e.g., 14,400/second) are achieved. Still greater rates can be achieved by conveying different data in different chrominance channels. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: Implementations for providing role-based distributed key management (DKM) replication are described. A server node receives a request from a requester node to perform a DKM create or update function. The server node determines the role of the requester node based on a public key of the requester node. The server node determines whether the role of the requester node indicates that the requester node is authorized to request the DKM create or update function. If the requester node's role is authorized to request the DKM create or update function, then the server node performs the requested function. The DKM create or update function may involve a replication function. Public key and trust chains may be derived from physical cryptographic processors, such as TPMs.

Abstract: Provided is a data storage drive for encrypting data, comprising a microprocessor and circuitry coupled to the microprocessor and adapted to receive a session encrypted data key and to decrypt the session encrypted data key using a session key, wherein a result is a data key that is capable of being used to encrypt clear text and to decrypt cipher text written to a storage medium. Also provided is a system, comprising a microprocessor and circuitry coupled to the microprocessor and adapted to receive a session encrypted data key and to decrypt the session encrypted data key using a private key, wherein a result is a secret key that is capable of being used to encrypt clear text and to decrypt cipher text written to a storage medium.

Abstract: An audio signal processing device receives a plurality of audio signals via a left channel (L) and a right channel (R) so as to produce a composite signal L+R and a difference signal L?R. The composite signal L+R is changed in phase with an all-pass filter, while the difference signal L?R is changed in phase and frequency characteristic with a band-pass filter (e.g. a center frequency of 1 kHz). The band-pass filter has a gently curved frequency characteristic achieving a broad passing band. Additionally, a phase difference of 90 degrees is maintained between the all-pass filter and the band-pass filter over the entire audio frequency range. The composite signal and the difference signal are adjusted in their levels and then mixed together to produce a monaural signal achieving an audio surround effect for widely propagating sound into the surrounding space without degrading sound quality.

Abstract: Sound pressure level limiter with anti-startle feature for audio systems are disclosed. The anti-startle feature may be implemented with a delta incident detector for detecting delta acoustic incidents that exceed a predetermined acoustic startle boundary, a delta limiter for determining an anti-startle gain, and an amplifier to apply the anti-startle gain to the input signal. The delta incident detector may detect delta incidents based on an estimated true SPL delivered by a transducer to a predetermined datum point. The estimated true SPL may be determined by based on a measured receiving frequency response of the transducer. An SPL limiter may also determine an SPL gain in response to detecting an SPL acoustic incident that exceeds a predetermined SPL threshold, and an amplifier may apply the SPL gain to the input signal to reduce it below the threshold.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus receives sound signals that are respectively output by a plurality of microphones, and detects a sound arrival direction from which sounds of the sound signals are traveled. The image processing apparatus calculates a sound level of sounds output from the sound arrival direction, and causes an image that reflects the sound level of sounds output from the sound arrival direction to be displayed in vicinity of an image of a user who is outputting the sounds from the sound arrival direction.

Abstract: A method including: determining a time difference between at least a first audio channel and a second audio channel of the same acoustic space; and enabling a corrective time shift between the first audio channel and the second audio channel when the time difference exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an audio amplifier circuit designed to provide an output signal to an audio transducer, said audio amplifier circuit comprising an audio power amplifier designed to receive an audio signal and designed to generate said output signal, a sensor designed to detect an audible sound having at least one noise component, to generate a detected signal. The audio amplifier circuit also includes a processing block configured to receive said detected signal at its input and to generate an off signal at its output, the latter being located at the input of said audio power amplifier. The processing block processes the detected signal according to said input signal to identify said noise component of said detected signal to generate a reference signal. The processing block generates the off signal when the value of said input signal is lower than the value of said reference signal.

Abstract: A microphone system has an output and at least a first transducer with a first dynamic range, a second transducer with a second dynamic range different than the first dynamic range, and coupling system to selectively couple the output of one of the first transducer or the second transducer to the system output, depending on the magnitude of the input sound signal, to produce a system with a dynamic range greater than the dynamic range of either individual transducer. A method of operating a microphone system includes detecting whether a transducer output crosses a threshold, and if so then selectively coupling another transducer's output to the system output. Some embodiments combine the outputs of more than one transducer in a weighted sum during transition from one transducer output to another, as a function of time or as a function of the amplitude of the incident audio signal.

Abstract: An impedance matched resonant circuit uses inductors coupling an audio source and a speaker array in order to reduce feedback reflection induced by an audio signal traveling from the audio source to the array of speakers. An RC circuit could also be coupled to the positive and negative terminals of the speaker array to reduce the slope differential of the audio signal at certain frequencies. The circuit can be packaged together in a single module with switches to activate and deactivate portions of the circuit to alter the effectiveness of the circuit depending upon need.

Abstract: The sound pressure level at the eardrum may be determined by constructing an optimized model of the ear canal and then calculating the simulated sound pressure level at the eardrum. The model is obtained by comparing real-ear-to-coupler differences between the sound pressure level measured at a fixed distance from a hearing instrument and a simulation of the measurement, optimizing the model by varying the length and/or diameter of the canal model, repeating the simulation and determination of simulated real-ear-to-coupler difference until the differences between the measured and simulated values are minimized. The optimized real-ear-to-coupler difference at the eardrum may then be determined and in turn the sound pressure level at the eardrum may be calculated. The sound pressure level at the eardrum may then be used to acoustically fit the hearing instrument to the person.

Abstract: The performance of an echo canceller is assessed using a) a test signal launched from originating test equipment and b) a simulated echo of the test signal launched from terminating test equipment. The launch of the simulated echo signal is timed in such a way that it arrives at the tandem echo canceller(s) at a particular point in time relative to the arrival of the test signal, at the tandem echo canceller(s), when the tandem echo canceller(s) is (are) not able to cancel the simulated echo signal. The latter thus arrives uncanceled at the target echo canceller. The launch of the simulated echo signal is further timed in such a way that it arrives at the target echo canceller at a point in time relative to the arrival of the test signal, at the target echo canceller, when the target echo canceller is able to cancel the simulated echo signal.

Abstract: A multi-channel acoustic echo canceller arrangement comprises a microphone (111) providing a microphone signal having contributions from at least two audio sources (107, 109) to be cancelled. An echo canceling circuit (113, 115) performs echo cancellation of the two audio sources (107, 109) based on channel estimates for channels from each of the audio sources (107, 109) to the microphone (111). An estimation circuit (117) generates each of the channel estimates as a combination of a previous channel estimate and a channel estimate update where the combination includes applying a relative weight to the channel estimate update relative to the previous channel estimate. A weight processor 119 varies the relative weight in response to a time value. The arrangement may provide improved echo-cancellation for scenarios wherein the rendering of sound from the audio sources (107, 109) is time varying, such as when time varying decorrelation filters are used.

Abstract: A wireless headphone system 102 includes a headphone 144 and a headphone stand 104. The headphone 144 has two ear cups 150a and 150b. The ear cup 150a incorporates a receiving coil L3 and a capacitor C3. The ear cup 150b incorporates a charge controller 138 and a secondary battery 112. The headphone stand 104 incorporates a feeding coil L2. When the headphone 144 is set in the headphone stand 104, AC power is supplied from the feeding coil L2 to the receiving coil L3, and the secondary battery 112 of the headphone 144 is charged with the AC power.

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for noise suppression within multiple time-frequency points of spectral representations. A multi-feature cluster tracker is used to track signal and noise sources and to predict signal versus noise dominance at each time-frequency point. Multiple features, such as binaural and monaural features, may be used for these purposes. A Gaussian mixture model (GMM) is developed and, in some embodiments, dynamically updated for distinguishing signal from noise and performing mask-based noise reduction. Each frequency band may use a different GMM or share a GMM with other frequency bands. A GMM may be combined from two models, with one trained to model time-frequency points in which the target dominates and another trained to model time-frequency points in which the noise dominates. Dynamic updates of a GMM may be performed using an expectation-maximization algorithm in an unsupervised fashion.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a crossover frequency between a plurality of audio speakers rendering audio content. In one example, a first subset of a plurality of audio speakers may be rendering a first sub-range of a range of audio frequencies of an audio content, and a second subset of speakers of the plurality of audio speakers may be rendering a second sub-range of the range of audio frequencies. In this example, the first sub-range and the second sub-range may be substantially separated at the crossover frequency. In one case, a playback volume at which the audio content is being rendered may be adjusted. In one instance, the crossover frequency may be adjusted in response to the volume adjustment to improve the audio content rendering quality by the respective subsets of audio speakers in the plurality of audio speakers.

Abstract: Frequency equalization system substantially equalizes the room frequency responses generated by at least one loudspeaker within a listening area so that the frequency responses in the listening area are substantially constant and flat within a desired frequency range. The frequency equalization system uses multiple microphones to measure the impulse responses of the room and uses the impulse responses to design filters to process the audio signals of one or more subwoofers to achieve an improved bass response that is flat across the relevant frequency range. The system employs an algorithm that is a closed-form, non-iterative, mathematical solution and features very short computation time.

Abstract: A processing chip for a digital microphone and related input circuit and a digital microphone are described herein. In one aspect, the input circuit for a processing chip of a digital microphone includes: a PMOS transistor, a resistor, a current source, and a low-pass filter. The described processing chip possesses high anti high-frequency interference capabilities and the described input circuit possesses high high-frequency power supply rejection ratio.

Abstract: A device and methods are provided for a guitar amplifier. In one embodiment, an amplifier includes an overdrive shaping circuit including one or more elements for harmonic shaping of a received signal. The amplifier may also include a power amplifier circuit configured to receive the harmonic shaped signal from the overdrive shaping circuit, wherein the power amplifier circuit includes a switchmode amplifier to amplify the harmonic shaped signal includes one or more elements to increase the output impedance of the switchmode amplifier. An output of the amplifier can output a signal with desired harmonic shaping and a dynamic response.

Abstract: An audio mixing console comprises a first amplifier, an analogue to digital converter, a second amplifier and a gain range control unit. The first amplifier may receive an analogue audio input signal and amplify the received audio input signal with a first adjustable gain. The analogue to digital converter may receive the amplified analogue audio input signal and generate a digital audio signal by an analogue to digital conversion of the analogue audio signal. The second amplifier may receive the digital audio signal and amplify the received digital audio signal with a second adjustable gain. The gain range control unit may identify a signal level overload at the analogue to digital converter and control the gain of the first and second amplifiers, respectively.

Abstract: A directional sound generating apparatus and a directional speaker array including the same are disclosed. The directional sound generating apparatus includes a sound transducer, a reflection plate which is located behind the sound transducer, and a blocking plate which is provided between a front portion and a back portion of the sound transducer.

Abstract: The present invention has: a condenser microphone unit which performs electroacoustic conversion according to a change in an electrostatic capacitance between a diaphragm and a fixed pole; a non-inverting amplifier which is connected to one of the diaphragm and the fixed pole, and which has an impedance converter which converts an output impedance of the microphone unit into a low impedance; an inverting amplifier which receives an input of an output signal of the non-inverting amplifier through an input resistance, and which has a feedback resistance; and a variable resistor which is connected between an output of the non-inverting amplifier and an output of the inverting amplifier, and in which a wiper is connected to the diaphragm or the fixed pole, whichever is not connected to the non-inverting amplifier, and the sensitivity changes according to the position of the wiper of the variable resistor.

Abstract: An articulating speaker assembly includes a first member pivotally connected to a second member for selectively changing the profile of the speaker assembly. A central driver is positioned between the first member and the second member. The first member includes a first enclosure with a cavity shaped and dimensioned for receiving a first driver, the first driver being secured within the first enclosure. The second member includes a second enclosure with a cavity shaped and dimensioned for receiving a second driver, the second driver being secured within the second enclosure. Each of the first member and the second member includes a central driver aperture and the central driver is mounted within the central driver apertures of the first member and the second member.

Abstract: An audio reproduction apparatus is provided which is capable of maintaining the sense of dimensions in an acoustic space even when multi-channel input audio signals are reproduced using speakers having different frequency characteristics.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and techniques are described to perform operations including receiving speech that includes audio signals from a talker. A fundamental frequency, unique to the talker, is extracted from the audio signals. A tone in frequency with the extracted fundamental frequency of the received speech is modulated and the modulated tone is delivered to an audio transducing device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to a hearing ability and a hearing aid using the same are described. The hearing aid outputs a sound to test a hearing ability of a user, to detect an electrical signal generated in a body of the user as a result of the output sound, amplifies the electrical signal detected by an electrode unit, and to determine an amplification ratio of a surrounding sound detected by the hearing aid based on characteristics of peaks of waveforms of the amplified signal.

Abstract: A system and method for identification of a peripheral device is provided. A system and method for automatic parameter adjustment of a destination device based on the identification of a peripheral device is provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a waterproof speaker system for use in residential and commercial applications. The disclosed speaker system is particularly applicable to wet conditions such as greenhouses, gardens, boats, and other outdoor installations or where traditional speakers are negatively affected by water and humidity. The waterproof speaker system generally comprises a solid water impermeable cast rear and side casing, and internal front frame member housing the speaker drivers and in some cases a simple electronics or amplification circuit, and a water impermeable front face panel sealed to the front frame member and/or the rear casing to completely enclose the speaker driver from contact with moisture.

Abstract: An annular diaphragm compression driver for electro-acoustic conversion has an annular diaphragm, which bears a moving coil, and a compression driver housing with a closed housing base. Opposite the housing base is a sound wave routing element having a sound discharge channel. The compression driver also has an annular magnet system unit, which has an annular magnet gap (M) and a compression chamber, adjoining the magnet gap (M), for the annular diaphragm. The open exit end of the sound discharge channel is in slot form and its entry start is annular. The sound path between the compression chamber and the entry start contains an annular collecting space. The collecting space and the sound discharge channel contain a central sound guidance body having a portion which merges to match the slot-like exit end. The sound discharge channel is formed between the sound guidance body and the sound wave routing element.

Abstract: In accordance with methods and systems of the present disclosure, a mobile device may include an enclosure adapted such that the enclosure is readily transported by a user of the mobile device, a speaker associated with the enclosure for generating sound, and a controller within the enclosure, communicatively coupled to the speaker. The controller may be configured to receive a signal from the speaker, the signal induced at least in part by sound incident on the speaker other than sound generated by the speaker and process the signal.

Abstract: An earphone device includes a housing having a driver unit, and a sound guide tube mounted on a front surface of the housing to protrude from the front surface, in which the sound guide tube is disposed at a position deviated from a center position of the housing.

Abstract: A headphone with articulating earpieces includes a headband, a hinged fork, and earpieces connected to the fork in a manner allowing the earpieces to articulate relative to the fork as a hinge on the fork articulates. The earpieces are arranged on the fork in a manner allowing them to face each other while articulating from a folded position adjacent the headband, to an unfolded position for listening. When unfolded for listening, the earpieces are adapted to fully extend into a biased open position with an audible click. Similarly, when articulating the earphones to a closed position, they are biased against the headband with an audible click.

Abstract: A hands-free device includes upper and lower earphones; a hands-free main body having opened top and bottom surfaces; a control unit mounted in the hands-free main body and configured to apply an operation signal; and an earphone protruding unit formed in the hands-free main body and configured to protrude the upper earphone through a rear surface of the hands-free main body in response to a protrusion operation signal of the control unit; and an earphone drawing unit formed in the hands-free main body and configured to draw one or more of the upper and lower earphones through one or more of the top and bottom surfaces of the hands-free main body in response to a draw operation signal of the control unit.

Abstract: Disclosed loudspeakers include a frame, a magnetic yolk affixed to the frame, a voicecoil, a spider, a resilient surround, and a cone. The yoke includes a slotted sidewall and a central slug that form an air-gap. The voicecoil is within the gap and includes a former, with top and bottom edges, and at least one winding on the former. The voicecoil moves when receiving alternating electrical potentials. The spider has a flexible outer portion, has an inner portion with rigid members that always extend through the yolk slots, and is affixed to the former bottom edge. The cone includes an inner portion affixed to the former top edge and an outer portion affixed to the frame through the surround, wherein the inner portion includes rigid members capable of movement within the sidewall slots with movement of the voicecoil.

Abstract: A speaker diaphragm of the present invention is formed by mixing polylactic acid as a plant-derived resin, bamboo fibers and a natural binder. It is thereby possible to realize a speaker diaphragm capable of obtaining sufficient sound velocity, while having low environmental load and high sound quality.

Abstract: A magnetic circuit includes an upper plate, a magnet, a lower plate, and a center pole. The outer circumference of a frame is coupled with a diaphragm. One end of a voice coil is coupled with the diaphragm, and the other end is inserted into a magnetic gap formed between the upper plate and the center pole. The frame is provided with a through hole. An insertion part provided on the outer circumference of the upper plate is inserted into the through hole. The frame is coupled with the upper plate by bending the insertion part.

Abstract: A method of processing an image is provided. The method includes estimating a thickness of an object that includes at least two materials, from a radiation image taken with radiations of at least two energy bands; and generating an image by comparing the estimated thickness to a thickness of a local region and extracting a region of interest.

Abstract: A video display method which allows a visible light communication signal to be appropriately transmitted includes: Step SL21 of generating an image having a stripe pattern as a visible light communication image; Step SL22 of calculating average luminance of the visible light communication image; Step SL23 of generating a visible light superimposition image by superimposing the visible light communication image only on, among one or more sub-images included in an image of a video signal that is displayed in the frame, a sub-image that is displayed in a specific sub-frame that is, among one or more sub-frames in each of which a corresponding one of the one or more sub-images is displayed, a sub-frame for representing the average luminance calculated; and Step SL24 of displaying the visible light superimposition image in the specific sub-frame.

Abstract: A variety of methods and systems involving sensor-equipped portable devices, such as smartphones and tablet computers, are described. One particular embodiment decodes a digital watermark from imagery captured by the device and, by reference to watermark payload data, obtains salient point data corresponding to an object depicted in the imagery. Other embodiments obtain salient point data for an object through use of other technologies (e.g., NFC chips). The salient point data enables the device to interact with the object in a spatially-dependent manner. Many other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses systems for tracking objects. A system in accordance with the present invention comprises a positioning mechanism, a camera, coupled to the positioning mechanism, a controller, coupled to the positioning mechanism, and a position sensor, coupled to the controller, wherein the position sensor sends data related to a geolocation of the position sensor to the controller, and the controller moves the positioning mechanism based on the data related to the geolocation of the position sensor.

Abstract: Automatic depth camera aiming is provided by a method which includes receiving from the depth camera one or more observed depth images of a scene. The method further includes, if a point of interest of a target is found within the scene, determining if the point of interest is within a far range relative to the depth camera. The method further includes, if the point of interest of the target is within the far range, operating the depth camera with a far logic, or if the point of interest of the target is not within the far range, operating the depth camera with a near logic.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing an image to facilitate automated object recognition are disclosed. More particularly, an image is processed based on a perceptual grouping for the image (e.g., derived via segmentation, derived via contour detection, etc.) and a geometric-configuration model for the image (e.g., a bounding box model, a constellation, a k-fan, etc.).

Abstract: A target detection method including the following steps controlling a modulated light emitting device to emit optical pulse signals with a first light intensity and a second light intensity to a target to be detected and a background, controlling an image sensor to acquire images of the target to be detected and the background, and distinguishing the target to be detected and the background, using the first frame image and the second frame image.

Abstract: An image of a prescribed frame of images of respective frames is set as a target image, and an area including a prescribed pattern is detected from the target image as a specific area. An image other than the target image is set as a non-target image, and the specific area in the non-target image is predicted. The images of the respective frames are encoded so that the specific area is encoded to have higher image quality than an area other than the specific area. In encoding, the images of the respective frames are encoded so that the specific area in the non-target image is not referred to from another frame.

Abstract: Foreground object image features are extracted from input video via application of a background subtraction mask, and optical flow image features from a region of the input video image data defined by the extracted foreground object image features. If estimated movement features indicate that the underlying object is in motion, a dominant moving direction of the underlying object is determined. If the dominant moving direction is parallel to an orientation of the second, crossed thoroughfare, an event alarm indicating that a static object is blocking travel on the crossing second thoroughfare is not generated. If the estimated movement features indicate that the underlying object is static, or that its determined dominant moving direction is not parallel to the second thoroughfare, an appearance of the foreground object region is determined and a static-ness timer run while the foreground object region comprises the extracted foreground object image features.

Abstract: A certain amount of unique data of a target is extracted from image information that was read, and it is determined whether or not the target is valid on the basis of the extracted unique data. Processes are executed by means of an image reading unit which extracts an image by scanning a target, an individual difference data calculating unit which calculates individual difference data from the obtained image, an individual difference data comparing unit which compares the calculated individual difference data, and a determination unit which determines whether or not to grant validation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for visualizing zones of higher activity in a monitoring scene monitored by at least one monitoring device (111, 111?, 111?), wherein moving objects (112, 112?, 112?) are identified and/or tracked (102, 102?, 102?) by the at least one monitoring device. A spatial localization (113, 113?,113?) of the moving objects (112, 112?, 112?) is determined (103, 103?, 103?), the zones of higher activity are detected and a visualization of zones of higher activity of the moving objects (112, 112?, 112?) is performed.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for tracking object clusters. The method comprises obtaining a first sensor image and a second sensor image. Angular measurements between objects of the first sensor image are determined. Angular measurements between objects of the second sensor image are also determined. Angular measurements from the first sensor image are compared to angular measurements of the second image, and correlated object clusters are identified. The sensor system includes a command and decision unit that receives a first sensor image and a second sensor image. The command and decision unit determines angular measurements for the first sensor image, and determines angular measurements for the second sensor image. The command and decision unit compares the angular measurements for the first sensor image to the angular measurements for the second sensor image, and identifies correlated object clusters based on the comparison.

Abstract: Systems and methods for computing optical flow are provided. One exemplary method includes obtaining four input color vectors respectively associated with four input pixels. The four input pixels are at four known input positions of an initial image. The method further includes obtaining a subject color vector associated with a subject pixel. The subject pixel is at a known subject position of a subsequent image. Inverse bilinear interpolation is performed for the subject color vector with respect to the four input color vectors to obtain an estimated position. An optical flow vector is formed from the estimated position to the known subject position. An exemplary system for forming a plurality of optical flow fields includes a computing device having a memory and a processor.

Abstract: A method for the detection of a target present in at least two images of the same scene acquired simultaneously by different cameras comprises, under development conditions, a prior target-learning step, said learning step including a step of modeling of the data X corresponding to an area of interest in the images by a distribution law P such that P(X)=P(X2d,X3d,XT)=P(X2d)P(X3d)P(XT) where X2d are the luminance data in the area of interest, X3d are the depth data in the area of interest, and XT are the movement data in the area of interest. The method also comprises, under operating conditions, a simultaneous step of classification of objects present in the images, the target being regarded as detected when an object is classified as being one of the targets learnt during the learning step. Application: monitoring, assistance and security on the basis of stereoscopic images.