Abstract: A communication terminal for displaying a predetermined-area image includes circuitry. The circuitry receives first predetermined-area information indicating a first predetermined area, the first predetermined-area information being transmitted from another communication terminal displaying a first predetermined-area image. The circuitry calculates a direction of the first predetermined area with respect to a second predetermined area in a whole image, based on the first predetermined-area information and second predetermined-area information. The second predetermined area is an area of a second predetermined-area image being displayed by the communication terminal. The circuitry controls a display to display the second predetermined-area image including display direction information indicating the calculated direction. The circuitry accepts designation of the display direction information.

Abstract: A recording medium on which a user assistance program is recorded which makes a computer perform: based on image information obtained by photographing a plurality of users who use a given service, calculating state quantities of the plurality of respective users corresponding to the image information; counting, for each time period, a number of users whose amounts of change in the calculated respective state quantities are equal to or more than a given threshold value among the plurality of users; and detecting a time period in which the counted number of users satisfies a given condition.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an information processing device and information processing method capable of recognizing an acquisition position of voice data on an image. A web server transmits image frame size information indicating image frame size of image data and audio position information indicating acquisition position of voice data. The present disclosure is applicable to an information processing system or other like system including file generation device, web server, and video playback terminal to perform tiled streaming using a manner compliant with moving picture experts group phase-dynamic adaptive streaming over HTTP (MPEG-DASH).

Abstract: Techniques and architectures for establishing and/or evaluating a communication session that enables users from the same physical environment, different physical environments, or a combination to interact in a virtual coordinate system and perceive each other as being present are described herein. In some examples, representations of users may be aligned within a coordinate system while maintaining spatial alignment of the user in a physical environment and/or spatial alignment of the representations in another coordinate system. In some examples, a representation of a user may be output to another user in a manner that is aligned to input for the user. In some examples, a human model may be created for a user and used to provide representations of users that map to a human. In some examples, a representation of a user may be evaluated to determine if the representation is properly aligned to the user and/or a coordinate system.

Abstract: A method for implementing an encrypted client-server communication, wherein the server includes an entry point, service systems behind the entry point, and a secure system. The method includes incorporating common cryptographic material into the client and into the secure system, deriving key material from the common cryptographic material in the client for an encrypted communication between the client and a service system, deriving key material from the common cryptographic material in the secure system for an encrypted communication between the client and a service system, and transferring the key material into the service system or retaining the key material in the secure system.

Abstract: A network device comprises a storage device storing an application program for a secure communications service, and at least one processor configured to execute the application program for the secure communications service so as to enable the network device to send a request to look up a network address of a second device based on an identifier associated with the second device, receive an indication that the second device is available for the secure communications service, the indication including the requested network address and provisioning information for a secure communication link, connect to the second device over the secure communication link, using the received network address of the second device and the provisioning information for the secure communication link, and communicate at least one of video data and audio data with the second device using the secure communications service via the secure communication link.

Abstract: A display system has a first tablet terminal, a second tablet terminal, and a projector capable of communicating with the first tablet terminal and the second tablet terminal via the communication network. The projector requests transmission of first data to the first tablet terminal, and at the same time requests transmission of second data to the second tablet terminal. The first tablet terminal and the second tablet terminal transmit the first data and the second data to the projector in accordance with the request from the projector at respective timings different from each other via a communication network.

Abstract: There is provided at least one information processing apparatus capable of easily generating a skin color model in which peripheral darkening is considered that is possibly occurring due to an imaging apparatus. At least one embodiment of the information processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire a first image in which a predetermined object is captured with a predetermined exposure condition, and at least one second image in which the predetermined object is captured with an exposure condition or a plurality of exposure conditions different from the predetermined exposure condition; an extraction unit configured to extract color information relating to the predetermined object based on the first image and the at least one second image; and a generation unit configured to generate a color table based on the extracted color information.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method implemented on a video conference participant device includes: receiving video conference data for a video conference session, performing at least the following diagnostic tests: verifying receipt of a presenter image from a presenter video conference device where the presenter video conference device is in use by a participant of the video conference meeting, the participant designated as a presenter for said video conference meeting, verifying receipt of shared desktop content from the presenter video conference device, or verifying receipt of audio data from the presenter video conference device; and transmitting results of said, performing to said presenter video conference device.

Abstract: There is provided a method of reducing power consumption of a gesture sensor. The method utilizes an auxiliary sensing device to detect whether an object exists in a sensing covering range of the gesture sensor, thereby determining operating states and power consumptions of the gesture sensor and the auxiliary sensing device. If the auxiliary sensing device does not detect that the object exists in the sensing covering range of the gesture sensor or the object moves, the gesture sensor is allowed to be in a low power consumption operating state, thereby reducing the power consumption.

Abstract: A telemedicine system including a cart that allows for two-way audio/video conferencing between patients or local care providers and remote care providers or family members. The cart employs a modular design that allows its capabilities to be expanded to meet the needs of particular telemedicine applications. In addition, the cart provides thermal imaging and a user interface that allows local care provers to access various capabilities of the device while the device is not in session with a remote party.

Abstract: A video decoding method is implemented by a computer having multiple parallel processing units. A stream of data elements is received, some of which encode video content. The stream comprises marker sequences, each marker sequence comprising a marker which does not encode video content. A known pattern of data elements occurs in each marker sequence. A respective part of the stream is supplied to each parallel processing unit. Each parallel processing unit processes the respective part of the stream, whereby multiple parts of the stream are processed in parallel, to detect whether any of the multiple parts matches the known pattern of data elements, thereby identifying the markers. The encoded video content is separated from the identified markers. The separated video content is decoded, and the decoded video content outputted on a display.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a household appliance control method, which includes: receiving pupil detection information sent by a household appliance, the pupil detection information being acquired when the household appliance detects pupils of a user; determining whether the household appliance satisfies a preset control condition according to the pupil detection information; and sending a control instruction to the household appliance to enable the household appliance to be turned on or turned off according to the control instruction, when the household appliance satisfies the preset control condition. Correspondingly, the present disclosure also provides a central processing device including a household appliance control device. By utilizing embodiments of the present disclosure, the household appliances can be turned on or turned off automatically according to eyes of the user, and user experience is enhanced.

Abstract: A communication augmentation agent (CAA) is described herein which presents a shared user experience to at least a first user and a second user. In one manner of operation, the CAA operates by intelligently determining. (1) when to offer a shared user experience to the users; (b) the particular form of the shared user experience; and (c) the manner of delivering the shared user experience to the users. In determining the form of the shared experience, the CAA can optionally customize the shared resource so that it includes common-interest information and, with respect to each user, user-specific information. The CAA also includes a mechanism by which a registered user may invite a non-registered user to take part in the shared user experience.

Abstract: A videoconferencing system includes multiple videoconferencing rooms, and a server adapted to store information regarding each videoconferencing room. Each videoconferencing room includes a videoconferencing codec and a system controller in communication with the videoconferencing codec via one or more wired and/or wireless communication networks to control the videoconferencing codec. The system also includes a mobile computing device configured to exchange data with the server to determine whether at least one of the videoconferencing rooms is within a defined proximity of the mobile computing device, and to transmit one or more commands to the server. The server is configured to transmit the command(s) to the system controller located in the at least one of the videoconferencing rooms, and the system controller is configured to control its corresponding videoconferencing codec according to the one or more commands to establish or control a videoconference in said at least one the videoconferencing rooms.

Abstract: An always-on telepresence device for permanently connecting two distinct locations in a way that allows for “incidental contact” between people at the distinct locations.

Abstract: A transmission system includes a first information processing apparatus and a second information processing apparatus. The first information processing apparatus includes: a material transmitter that uploads material data to a third information processing apparatus; an operation acquiring unit that acquires an operation by a user and outputs operation information indicating the acquired operation; and a transmission side controller that causes a transmission side display unit to display the material data and changes how the material data is displayed in accordance with the operation by the user. The second information processing apparatus includes: a material receiver that downloads the material data from the third information processing apparatus; and a reception side controller that causes a reception side display unit to display the downloaded material data and changes how the material data is displayed in accordance with the operation information acquired by the first information processing apparatus.

Abstract: A method and a system including at least three image capturing devices for generating depth information are proposed. Multiple depth maps associated with a specific scene are obtained, where each of the depth maps corresponds to a different group of the image capturing devices and a different estimated region of the specific scene. For each pixel corresponding to the specific scene, whether the pixel is within a joint overlapping region of its estimated region is determined. If no, the depth information of the pixel is set according to its depth value in the depth map corresponding to a non-joint overlapping region of its estimated region. If yes, the depth information of the pixel is set according to its depth values in the depth maps corresponding to the joint overlapping region within its estimated region. An integrated depth map is generated by using the depth information of all the pixels.

Abstract: Methods and systems for virtual on-set communication are provided. In one aspect, a method includes receiving, from a device of a first user, an input indicating that the first user is ready to start working on a project associated with the first user. The method also includes identifying, based on the project associated with the first user, a second set of users associated with the project. The method also includes generating a session identifier for a communication channel between the first user and one or more users of the second set of users. The method also includes generating messages for the communication channel, wherein the messages include a link to the communication channel. The method also includes transmitting the messages to the one or more users of the second set of users.

Abstract: A novel universal bridge (UB) can handle and conduct multimedia multipoint conferences between a plurality of MREs and LEPs without using an MRM, an MCU and a gateway. Further, a UB can be configured to allocate and release resources dynamically according to the current needs of each conferee and the session.

Abstract: Techniques are described for sending output indications in codec-hybrid multi-layer video coding, in which a base layer of video data is provided by an external system and conforms to a different video codec standard than one or more enhancement layers of the video data. An enhancement layer video decoder receives an enhancement layer bitstream that includes at least one enhancement layer to be decoded, an indication that the base layer is provided externally, and an indication of which layers are target output layers to be output for display. The external system does not receive a target output layer indication in a base layer bitstream. The disclosed techniques enable the enhancement layer video decoder, when the base layer is provided by the external system, to send an output indication to the external system indicating whether the base layer or specific base layer decoded pictures need to be output for display.

Abstract: Transferring motion between consecutive frames to a digital image is leveraged in a digital medium environment. A digital image and at least a portion of the digital video are exposed to a motion transfer model. The portion of the digital video includes at least a first digital video frame and a second digital video frame that is consecutive to the first digital video frame. Flow data between the first digital video frame and the second digital image frame is extracted, and the flow data is then processed to generate motion features representing motion between the first digital video frame and the second digital video frame. The digital image is processed to generate image features of the digital image. Motion of the digital video is then transferred to the digital image by combining the motion features with the image features to generate a next digital image frame for the digital image.

Abstract: An application server determines a screen layout according to the number of participants in a video conference and a media transmission and reception flow going through all devices used by the participants, and transmits the screen layout and the media transmission and reception flow to each of the plurality of devices, and at least one of the plurality of devices transmits a screen image where an image generated by itself is superimposed in an upper layer of a base layer, which is an image received from a device located previous to itself in the media transmission and reception flow, according to the screen layout by using the Web application received from the application server, to a device located subsequent to itself. This achieves media communication that is two-way and allows connection of many devices only by peer-to-peer communication between devices without through a server that relays media communication.

Abstract: A video conferencing system includes a processing device and a memory device and is configured to manage a video conference to manage a video conference feed to a plurality of participant devices. The system includes an interface control module that receives a plurality of video feeds and audio feeds associated with participants to the video conference, and generates a video conference feed including a video conference interface for being displayed to the plurality of participants. The system also includes a context analysis module that analyzes the audio feeds to identify contextual information associated with the conversation. The system further includes a participant modeling module that calculates a topic relevance score for each of the plurality of participants based on the contextual information. During a video conference, the interface control module emphasizes a video feed of a participant associated with a topic relevance score greater than a threshold.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium has stored therein a mapping program that causes a computer to execute a process. The process includes: first calculating a matching rate between top-level parent items in a hierarchical relationship between a first plurality of items of a first data and a second plurality of items of a second data based on an item information relating to the first plurality of items and the second plurality of items, the first data including one or a plurality of items before a change, the second data including one or a plurality of items after the change; and associating the parent items of the first data and the second data with each other based on the calculated matching rate.

Abstract: Herein provided is a method and system to determine a sound source direction using a microphone array comprising at least four microphones by analysis of the complex coherence between at least two microphones. The method includes determining the relative angle of incidence of the sound source and communicating directional data to a secondary device, and adjusting at least one parameter of the device in view of the directional data. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a haptics device may be provided. The haptics device may include: an input circuit configured to receive audio input; a phase determination circuit configured to determine a phase of the audio input; a peak amplitude determination circuit configured to determine a peak amplitude of the audio input; and a haptics controller configured to control at least one actuator based on the phase of the audio input and based on the peak amplitude of the audio input.

Abstract: A sound source localization apparatus configured to identify a location for an active sound object within a defined physical space is described. The sound source localization apparatus may include an acoustic component, a thermal component, and an analysis component. The acoustic component determines an approximate location for at least one sound object within the defined physical space. The thermal component determines an approximate location for at least one thermal object within the defined physical space. The analysis component identifies the active sound object when the approximate locations for at least one acoustic object and at least one thermal object match. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for providing a connection between electronic devices using authentication based on biometric information are provided. The electronic device includes: a first communication circuit to support NFC; a second communication circuit to support non-NFC; a biometric sensor; a memory to store first authentication information corresponding to an external device; and a processor.

Abstract: An example operation may include one or more of generating a local audio file comprising audio captured of a user participating in a teleconference, receiving one or more other local audio files of the teleconference captured by one or more other audio devices that participated in the teleconference, determining a synchronized playback order for audio portions of the generated local audio file and audio portions of the one or more received local audio files based on timing information included in the generated local audio file and the received timing information, and outputting a playback of the audio portions of the generated local audio file and the detected audio portions of the one or more received local audio files synchronized together based on the determined synchronized playback order.

Abstract: An embodiment of an electronic processing system may include an application processor, persistent storage media communicatively coupled to the application processor, a graphics subsystem communicatively coupled to the application processor, a power budget analyzer to identify a power budget for one or more of the application processor, the persistent storage media, and the graphics subsystem, a target analyzer communicatively coupled to the graphics subsystem to identify a target for the graphics subsystem, and a parameter adjuster to adjust one or more parameters of the graphics subsystem based on one or more of the identified power budget and the identified target.

Abstract: An electronic device includes one or more sensors having at least an audio sensor and one or more processors. The one or more sensors detect multiple persons within an environment about the electronic device and identify at least one person as an authorized user of the electronic device. The audio sensor receives audio input from the environment, and the one or more processors filter the audio input into authorized user generated audio input and other audio input, record audio signals representing the authorized user generated audio input, and preclude the recording of other audio signals representing to the other audio input.

Abstract: An endpoint optimizes bandwidth by initiating a peer-to-peer conference with a plurality of remote devices, generating a first quality list comprising a first device of the plurality of remote devices from which to receive a first data stream at a first quality level, transmit a request to the first device to receive the first data stream at the first quality level, determining that a second device of the plurality of remote devices is not a member of the first quality list, and in response to determining that the second device of the plurality of remote devices is not a member of the first quality list, transmitting a request to the second device to receive a second data stream at a second quality level.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for frontal audio rendering in interaction with a screen size, the method including measuring playback environment information used to play back input content; and correcting an audio signal to be output based on the measured playback environment information and production environment information included in the input content.

Abstract: Techniques for advertisement placement prioritization are described. In one or more implementations, a likely line of sight of a viewer of an event to a focus point of the event is determined. Then, a relative location of one or more display devices is identified in relation to the likely line of sight of the viewer. In addition, a priority level is assigned to respective display devices based on corresponding relative locations in relation to the likely line of sight. Further, various demographics and characteristics of audience members can be obtained to determine context-sensitive media content associated with the audience members to present via relatively higher priority display devices. Also, performances of event participants can be determined based on commentary analysis and used to determine context-sensitive media content associated with the event participants to present via the higher priority ad boards.

Abstract: A method for providing content via a computer network and computing device, which may include: storing data associated with and indicative of a plurality of presentations; receiving a request to host an audio presentation; receiving and storing data associated with the requested audio presentation; initiating and recording one or more telephone calls; and, presenting at least a portion of the stored data for selection by the computing device; wherein, selection causes the stored data indicative of the selected audio/visual or audio presentation to be provided to the computing device for playback thereby via the computer network. The method may include storing data associated with and indicative of a first plurality of presentations; storing data associated with a plurality of second presentation feeds: automatically and periodically accessing each of the feeds; and aggregating each of the presentations for delivery via the computer network.

Abstract: Techniques are described by which multiple, independently encoded video streams may be combined into a single decodable video stream. These techniques take advantage of existing features of commonly used video codecs that support the independent encoding of different regions of an image frame (e.g., H.264 slices or HEVC tiles). Instead of including different parts of the same image, each region corresponds to the encoded image data of the frames of one of the independent video streams.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a sound collection apparatus in which a user can easily find a sound collection direction, and furthermore, can readily control the sound collection direction. A sound collection apparatus comprises: an operation unit capable of visually indicating one direction and three-dimensionally and sequentially varying the direction; a sound collection unit that provides directivity for sound collection; and a control unit. The control unit includes a direction detection unit for detecting a direction indicated by the operation unit. The control unit controls the collection directivity of the sound collection unit according to the direction detected by the direction detection unit. The sound collection unit includes a plurality of microphones. The control unit further includes a beam forming production unit for controlling a beam by a microphone array including the plurality of microphones according to the direction detected by the direction detection unit to vary collection sound directivity.

Abstract: To achieve a configuration enabling identification of to which viewing user the displayed user displayed on the display unit is speaking. The configuration includes a display image generation unit that generates dialog pair identification information enabling identification of to which viewing user among the plurality of viewing users the displayed user on the display unit is speaking, and outputs the generated information together with the displayed user, to the display unit. The display image generation unit generates, as the dialog pair identification information, an arrow or an icon, a face surrounding frame or a face side line, a virtual viewpoint background image or the like, directed from the displayed user forming the dialog pair to the viewing user forming the dialog pair, and displays the generated dialog pair identification information together with the displayed user, on the display unit.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for enhanced video conference management. In some implementations, a media stream is received from each of multiple endpoint devices over a communication network. A video conference session among the endpoint devices is managed such that at least one or more of the media streams are transmitted over the communication network for display by the endpoint devices. A plurality of audio and/or video characteristics from the media stream from a particular endpoint device of the multiple endpoint devices are measured. Based on the audio and/or video characteristics, a collaboration factor score is determined for the particular endpoint device for each of a plurality of collaboration factors. The video conference of the endpoint devices by performing a video conference management action selected based on the collaboration factor scores.

Abstract: The invention relates to a furniture system, consisting of a height-adjustable chair and a height-adjustable table. According to the invention, the chair and the table can be height-adjusted synchronously by means of a common control device, wherein the height adjustment of the table and the height adjustment of the chair are synchronized with each other in such a way that, at different heights, an ideal distance between the tabletop and the seat surface of the chair is always maintained.

Abstract: A computer program causes an object tracking device to realize functions of: acquiring a first image of a scene including an object captured with a camera positioned at a first position; deriving a 3D pose of the object in a second image captured with the camera positioned at a second position using a 3D model corresponding to the object; deriving 3D scene feature points of the scene based at least on the first image and the second image; obtaining a 3D-2D relationship between 3D points represented in a 3D coordinate system of the 3D model and image feature points on the second image; and updating the derived pose using the 3D-2D relationship, wherein the 3D points include the 3D scene feature points and 3D model points on the 3D model.

Abstract: In a network communications environment supporting realtime communications between respective network nodes of a user and other communicants in virtual areas each of which is associated with its own respective set of communicant members, a graphical user interface is provided in connection with the user's network node. The graphical user interface includes controls for establishing presence in respective ones of the virtual areas, managing realtime communications with other communicants in respective ones of the virtual areas, and presenting different views of communicants associated with the network communications environment.

Abstract: A system for providing a shared experience of virtual environments is disclosed. The system comprises a processing device for maintaining and rendering of a virtual environment to generate a plurality of visual components and a shared acoustic component representing the virtual environment, a plurality of interfaces connected to the processing device, each interface for connecting with a client device to continuously provide one of the plurality of visual components to the client device for display on the client device, and a sound device connected to the processing device for reproducing the shared acoustic component. The display of the plurality of visual components on respective client devices is synchronized with the reproduction of the shared acoustic component by the sound device. Furthermore, a method and a processing device for providing a shared experience of virtual environments and a corresponding client device are described.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a display, one or more processors, and memory storing one or more programs configured to be executed by the one or more processors. The one or more programs may include instructions for displaying a live video communication user interface that includes concurrently displaying representations of a first, second, and third participant in the live communication session. While displaying the live video communication user interface, the one or more programs may also include instructions for include receiving data indicating that an activity level of the second participant has increased above the activity level of the first participant. Further, in response to receiving the data, the one or more programs may further include instructions for changing a size and/or position of the representations of the first, second, and third participants.

Abstract: A method for high-availability operation is provided. The method includes communicating state information from each of a plurality of network elements to at least a first master network controller. The method includes communicating transformed state information from the first master network controller to the plurality of network elements and to each of a plurality of follower network controllers. The method includes continuing the high-availability operation with a new master network controller selected from among the plurality of follower network controllers as a failover, using the transformed state information in the new master network controller and in the plurality of network elements, responsive to a failure of the first master network controller. A network controller system is also provided.

Abstract: A multi-channel, two-way video chat mirroring communication system capable of mirroring disparate video clients at a central coordinator terminal into a two-way video and audio conversation with one another. The central coordinator mirroring terminal system is functionally placed in the middle between a provider video chat user device, and a patient's video chat user device. The central coordinator mirroring terminal manages an individual video and audio link with a provider's video chat user device using the provider's preferred communication technology, and another individual video and audio link with the patient's video chat user device that uses its own preferred communication technology, which may or may not be the same as that of the provider's video chat user device. Because the video-mirroring system manages those individual video and audio streams, it produces a seamless experience for both the provider's video chat user device and the patient's video chat user device.

Abstract: A communication system, method, and components are described. Specifically, a communication system having the ability to enable a media server to provide audio substitution during a dynamic device pairing scenario is disclosed. The media server may be included in the call topology, for instance, by way of a dynamic device pairing server or application that facilitates the dynamic pairing of a media device and a control device for a communication session.

Abstract: A method may include obtaining information from multiple local devices. The information may indicate a configuration of each of the multiple of local devices with respect to a capability to: receive and broadcast remote audio and display transcriptions of the remote audio. The method may also include establishing a communication session with a remote device and after establishing the communication session with the remote device, obtaining the remote audio from the remote device. The method may further include directing the remote audio to a first local device of the multiple local devices based on the first local device being configured to receive and broadcast remote audio. The method may also include directing transcript data that includes a transcription of the remote audio to a second local device of the multiple local devices based on the second local device being configured to display transcriptions of the remote device audio.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes sending, to client computing devices that are each associated with a particular user identifier, conversation-group information that identifies a conversation group. The conversation-group information includes a user identifier of a first user of the conversation group. The user identifier of the first user is associated with a first one of the client computing devices. The conversation-group information also includes a server identifier of a streaming server for the conversation group. The method includes receiving, from the first one of the client computing devices, a first audio stream and a first video stream. The method includes receiving, from each of one or more of the client computing devices other than the first one of the client computing devices, a request to access the conversation group.