Audible Patents (Class 340/4.14)
  • Patent number: 11257396
    Abstract: Geospatial data can be converted into audio outputs. For example, a system can receive a dataset indicating geospatial locations of objects within a region. Based on the dataset, the system can generate a virtual map representing the region and including virtual points representing the objects. The virtual points can be spatially positioned at locations in the virtual map corresponding to the geospatial locations of the objects in the region. The system can receive a user input via a user input device for interacting with a particular virtual point among the virtual points in the virtual map. The system can determine one or more sound characteristics for a sound based on receiving the user input. The system can then transmit an audio signal to an audio device for causing the audio device to generate the sound having the one or more sound characteristics, which may assist with exploring the virtual map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: SAS INSTITUTE INC.
    Inventors: Claude Edward Summers, II, Sean Patrick Mealin, Julianna Elizabeth Langston, Gregory David Kraus, Jonathan Tyler Williamson, Lisa Beth Morton Robinson, Jesse Daniel Sookne, Brice Joseph Smith
  • Patent number: 11205074
    Abstract: A method detects the image of an obstacle-free region surrounding a photograph-capturing unit. A photograph of a portion of the environment of the photograph-capturing unit is created by the photograph-capturing unit and a digital picture is created. The digital picture is examined for the presence of possible boundaries of an obstacle-free region, a boundary indicator value being determined for each individual pixel of the digital picture in accordance with the picture data of the digital picture within an environment of the pixel in question. The picture data being defined pixel by pixel, the boundary indicator value indicating the probability that the image of the boundary of an obstacle-free region is located within a specified pixel environment. A coordinate parameterization having two parameters is specified for the digital picture, which coordinate parameterization corresponds in particular to the pixel coordinates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Tec-Innovation GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Raffer, Kevin Pajestka, Friedrich Fraundorfer, David Schinagl
  • Patent number: 11024304
    Abstract: In some aspects, disclosed herein is a device that stores one or more pre-recorded or dynamically generated voice commands that are capable of activating a virtual assistant via a voice-based user interface and causing the virtual assistant to perform a specific task. The device may be activated manually, e.g., by pushing a button. In some aspects, the device relieves a user of a virtual assistant of the need to speak a specific command in order to cause a virtual assistant to perform a specific task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Zyus Life Sciences US Ltd.
    Inventor: Theodore Russell Smith
  • Patent number: 10870003
    Abstract: A prosthetic hearing implant kit is disclosed. The prosthetic hearing implant kit comprises internal components configured to be implanted in a recipient and comprises an internal coil; external components configured to be worn by the recipient and comprises an external coil adapted to be inductively coupled with said internal coil; and an alert system having a second external coil and adapted to receive an external alarm and to transmit signals to said implanted components via said external coil for providing the recipient with a corresponding alarm indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Brian Gordon, Charles Roger Aaron Leigh, Tadeusz Jurkiewicz, Kiangkai Tankongchumruskul
  • Patent number: 10869805
    Abstract: A system and method for providing navigation information including the steps of detecting a proximate object to a referenced location, transmitting the referenced location to the proximate object, wherein the referenced location is arranged to be processed to derive a location of the proximate object, and where guidance information is available for the referenced location, transmitting the guidance information to the proximate object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Fruit Innovations Limited
    Inventor: Kin Siu Ng
  • Patent number: 10853101
    Abstract: Certain aspects and features of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for simultaneously providing two versions of an application's interface using a single codebase. More specifically, certain aspects and features of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for executing a single codebase to depict time-bound information in a calendar format and, at the same time, make the displayed time-bound information consumable by screen reader applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Mudit Gupta, Jeevan Selvan Job John, Shinoj Parameswaran, Veena Vasu, Russell Broom, Pramod Agrawal
  • Patent number: 10817102
    Abstract: In one example a input device for an electronic device comprises a first panel comprising an array of pressure sensors, a second panel comprising an array of apertures in fluid communication with the pressure sensors, and a controller comprising logic, at least partly including hardware logic, to receive a plurality of output signals from the plurality of pressure sensors, determine, from the plurality of output signals, a location of an input on the second panel, and generate a data point on a bitmap corresponding to the location of the input on the second panel. Other examples may be described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hong W. Wong, Wah Yiu Kwong, Xiaoguo Liang, Jiancheng Tao, Yanbing Sun
  • Patent number: 10733893
    Abstract: A system for warning vulnerable road users (i.e., pedestrians, cyclists, other, etc) that a vehicle or cyclist is approaching and there may be a potential danger of a collision. The system may also provides an alert to an oncoming vehicle or cyclist of the location of a vulnerable road user within a cross-walk. The system includes intelligent intersections which are enabled with dedicated short range communication (“DSRC”) for detecting vehicles and vulnerable road users. This information may be received by DSRC enabled vehicles and allow the vehicles to warn the drivers of various situations which may be potentially dangerous. A plurality of lights is embedded along the edges of a crosswalk which provides an alert or signal to a vulnerable road user that a vehicle or cyclist is approaching. Sections lights may be illuminated to provide an indication of the location of the vulnerable road user within the cross-walk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Vivian Swan
  • Patent number: 10339481
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide a mechanism to directly interact and access with micro-services and/or services using natural-language and machine intelligence and algorithmic learning so that users may access desired micro-services and/or services with minimal interaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Liquid Analytics, Inc.
    Inventors: Vishvas Trimbak Canaran, David Andrew Ellis, Phuonglien Thi Nguyen, Andrea Kallies
  • Patent number: 10204499
    Abstract: A system and method for efficiently establishing patterns of behavior for location-aware monitoring applications. An administrator registers a trackable entity with a tracking service by providing identification of at least the trackable entity, a point of origin and a destination. To identify and select paths between the point of origin and the destination, the tracking service accesses crowdsourced information corresponding to the history of movements of trackable entities between the point of origin and the destination. The tracking service identifies intermediate locales along the selected paths and determines an expected duration of stay for each of the intermediate locales based on the history of movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Symantec Corporation
    Inventors: Keith Newstadt, Lei Gu
  • Patent number: 9626860
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed that, in some aspects, provide for receiving input from sensors placed in a user's mouth. The methods and systems may include a plurality of sensors in communication with a controller. Each sensor may be affixed to one of a plurality of teeth. The controller may generate an action signal when a sensor signal exceeds a sensor signal threshold value. Aspects of the disclosure also provide for methods that may include detecting a sensor signal exceeding a sensor signal threshold value, generating an action signal, and transmitting the action signal, the action signal comprising information identifying the sensor associated with the detected sensor signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Andy Martushev, Mehul Patel, Jonathan Alan Leech, Edward David Monnerat
  • Patent number: 9599484
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for social media based weighted route selection are provided in the illustrative embodiments. It is detected that a first route and a second route are possible between two places. A first set of points of interest (POIs) is identified relative to the first route. By accessing a social media source, a set of social information is collected comprising information related to a POI. A subset of the social information is organized into a set of categories related to the POI. Each information in the subset is assigned a corresponding weight to compute a value for each information. A total value of each POI is determined using the computed values. From the first route and the second route, that route as presented as socially preferred route which has a higher total route value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James E. Bostick, John M. Ganci, Jr., Sarbajit K. Rakshit, Craig M. Trim
  • Patent number: 9489131
    Abstract: A method of presenting a web page is described which incorporates navigation techniques and tools to allow impaired users to navigate throughout a web page in a convenient and geographically intuitive manner. Elements are sampled for in a region located in a user-specified direction, and a UI tool is presented for a detected element. Elements that are “hit” during sampling may be tested for materiality, and the material element with precedence will become the detected element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Taylor Seymour, Patti P. Hoa, Richard W. Fabrick, II
  • Patent number: 9269249
    Abstract: The present invention builds on TASOS as well as recent discoveries in how the human brain manages multiple tasks and deals with new information or stimuli in order to impact a perpetrator's ability to complete a crime, deter, delay, disrupt and distract perpetrators of violent crimes. A sensory overload controller is used to initiate various audible and visual events to deliver sophisticated mental stimulation that challenge a perpetrator's ability to mentally focus and succeed at certain tasks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Inventor: David Amis
  • Patent number: 9244441
    Abstract: Systems and methods for using biometrics to select music preference are provided. A system for using biometrics to select music preferences for a user in a vehicle, comprises a music selection module electrically coupled to at least one biometric sensor in the vehicle, wherein the at least one biometric sensor senses a characteristic of the user and outputs data for the sensed characteristic to the music selection module, and wherein the music selection module selects a music selection for the user based on the sensed characteristic data, and a controller module electrically coupled to the music selection module to control playing of the music selection, wherein the controller module receives an output including the music selection from the music selection module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sasha P. Caskey, Dimitri Kanevsky, Sameer R. Maskey, Tara N. Sainath
  • Patent number: 9235198
    Abstract: Systems and methods for using biometrics to select music preference are provided. A system for using biometrics to select music preferences for a user in a vehicle, comprises a music selection module electrically coupled to at least one biometric sensor in the vehicle, wherein the at least one biometric sensor senses a characteristic of the user and outputs data for the sensed characteristic to the music selection module, and wherein the music selection module selects a music selection for the user based on the sensed characteristic data, and a controller module electrically coupled to the music selection module to control playing of the music selection, wherein the controller module receives an output including the music selection from the music selection module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sasha P. Caskey, Dimitri Kanevsky, Sameer R. Maskey, Tara N. Sainath
  • Patent number: 9117363
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, systems, and computer-readable media for communicating via an electronic device for use in a mouth environment of an animal and resistant to damage from bodily fluids and pressure. The device can be pierced through a tongue, a lip, or a cheek, anchored to a tooth or a teeth of the mandible, or implanted in (or attached to an implant in) the maxilla or mandible. The device includes: a power device, which can power the apparatus, a memory storage device, which can store and recall data; a communications subsystem, which communicates with one or more remote devices; an output device, which creates stimulus directly or indirectly observable in the mouth environment; an input device, which can create signals according to activity in the mouth environment and can send them to the memory storage device and/or processor; and a processor coupled to the memory storage device, the communication subsystem, the output device and the input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Inventor: Dustin Ryan Kimmel
  • Patent number: 8947220
    Abstract: Speech recognition in a vehicle through an extrinsic device includes detecting, via the vehicle, a presence of a mobile communications device that is configured with a speech recognition component. A vehicle processor encodes data lists stored in the vehicle and transmits the data lists and a vehicle identifier to the mobile communications device. In response to receiving a request to initiate a voice recognition session, the vehicle transmits the request and the vehicle identifier to the mobile communications device that causes activation of the speech recognition component. The mobile communications device retrieves the data lists via the identifier. In response to a voice command received by the speech recognition component, the speech recognition component interprets the voice command, determines an action by evaluating the voice command in view of the data lists, and transmits an instruction to the vehicle processor directing the vehicle to implement the action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Douglas C. Martin, Nathan D. Ampunan
  • Publication number: 20140176297
    Abstract: A method of operating a system for providing hearing assistance involves capturing audio signals by a manually controlled transmission unit having a user interface and default values setting transmission unit operating parameter storage, and transmitting audio signals from the transmission unit to a receiver unit, the audio signals being processed in the receiver unit and/or in the transmission unit; stimulating the user's hearing according to the audio signals from the receiver unit; logging user preference data by recording data concerning the manual operation of the user interface of the transmission unit and by recording data concerning the respective use situation of the transmission unit; evaluating, in the transmission unit, the logged user preference data to extract user preferences concerning use of the transmission unit; and adjusting, in the transmission unit, the stored default values of the at least one operating parameter setting according to said extracted user preferences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Phonak AG
    Inventors: Hans Mülder, Felix Goldbeck, Timothée Jost, Rainer Platz, Christoph Schmid
  • Patent number: 8710967
    Abstract: In one example, information is presented to a user in a non-visual manner. In this example, a list of visually representable items defined by a beginning and at least one of dimension of time and space is accessed. Each of the visually representable items within the dimension is placed in one of a plurality of non-visual sensory categories. A non-visual sensory preview is rendered, in sequence for each item in the list, from the plurality of non-visual sensory categories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Jerome Pasquero, David Ryan Walker
  • Patent number: 8629754
    Abstract: A method of informing a user of an identity of an input of a remote control device is presented. In the method, user activation of one of the inputs of the remote control device is detected. An audible signal associated with the activated input is determined. Each of the inputs of the remote control device is associated with a unique one of a plurality of audible signals. The audible signal associated with the activated input is produced to inform the user of the identity of that input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: Adam Schafer, Joseph Tomko, Jeremy Mickelsen
  • Patent number: 8525662
    Abstract: An out of product indicator is provided. The out of product indicator includes a power generator, a sensor and an alarm. The power generator is configured to generate power based on an interaction with at least one aspect of the device it is coupled thereto. The sensor is configured to determine when a product is low. The alarm is coupled to receive power generated by the power generator. Moreover the alarm is activated based on an output of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Aron D. Dahlgren, Christopher D. Diller, Nicholas D. Parent, Blake R. Otting
  • Patent number: 8493188
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a device and a method for providing a haptic motion feedback to user interacting with a simulated three-dimensional (“3D”) environment. In one embodiment, the device includes a base and a belt assembly, coupled to the base. The belt assembly includes a housing having an opening and a belt adapted to rotate within the housing for conveying a motion of an object moving in the simulated 3D environment. To indicate a horizontal component of object's motion, in one embodiment, the base is rotated, thus causing the belt assembly to rotate around its central axis. To indicate a vertical component of the object's motion, in one embodiment, the belt assembly is tilted. Optionally, the belt may include a plurality of protrusions and/or indentations on its surface for indicating to the user distances covered by the object within the simulated 3D environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Brian J Cragun
  • Publication number: 20130162391
    Abstract: A computerized method for inputting numbers 0-9 using a communication device, the communication device includes an input unit defining a touch sensitive circular guideway thereon configured for inputting the numbers 0-9. The circular guideway is divided into a plurality of identical segments. A movement distance of a slide action applied on the circular guideway along a predetermined direction from a predetermined starting point on the circular guideway is detected. An inputted number is determined according to the movement distance of the slide action and a length of each of the segments, when the slide action on the circular guideway is completed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., FU TAI HUA INDUSTRY (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
  • Patent number: 8325131
    Abstract: A system which uses movement of a human body to control a function of a terminal comprises: a detecting device for detecting variation of the movement of the human body depending on an intention of a user so as to transmit a detection signal; and a terminal for storing a reference signal according to at least one class of movement and a control signal corresponding to the reference signal, for searching for a reference signal the same as the detection signal received from the detecting device, and for processing a function based on the control signal corresponding to the reference signal when the reference signal the same as the detection signal is identified. Thereby, a user not only controls the terminal or a driving device, but also performs authentication processing using simple movement of his/her body without any hand operation. A corresponding method for controlling a function using movement of the human body is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Beom-Su Chung
  • Patent number: 8294548
    Abstract: A method for associating sounds with different keypresses, involving receiving an input of a first keypress from a keyboard including a plurality of keys, wherein the keyboard is associated with a computing device, determining whether a key corresponding to the first keypress is one of a plurality of significant elements, wherein the plurality of significant elements is a subset of the plurality of keys, determining a first sound event associated with the key, when the key is one of the plurality of significant elements, and outputting a first sound associated with the first sound event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert F. Mori
  • Publication number: 20120112876
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a road guide apparatus for a visually impaired person, which not only senses the yellow color of Braille blocks installed on a road to guide the visually impaired person, but also reads information from an RFID tag to guide the visually impaired person. The road guide apparatus for a visually impaired person comprises a road sensing apparatus 10 including a handle, wheels attached to a main body 30 of the apparatus 10, a handle rod 20 fixed at the main body 30 via hinge 22, and a control unit 50 installed within the main body 30 and connected to a yellow color sensing unit 40 and a tag sensing unit 60. The yellow color sensing unit 40 senses the yellow color of a Braille block 2 or a yellow line and transmits a signal to the control unit 50. The tag sensing unit 60 senses a signal of the RFID tag installed on the road and transmits the signal to the control unit 50.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventor: Ji Hoon Kim