Abstract: A method and apparatus for voice or sound activity detection for spatial audio. The method comprises receiving direct source information source detection decision and a primary voice/sound activity decision, and producing a spatial voice/sound activity decision based on the direct source detection decision and the primary voice/sound activity decision.

Abstract: A speech interface device is configured to update personalized data in local memory for responding to user speech. The speech interface device may receive compiled personalized data from a remote system, or raw personalized data from local devices in the environment of the speech interface device, the raw personalized data being compiled locally on the speech interface device. The compiled personalized data is received by an artifact manager of the speech interface device for storage in the memory of the speech interface device. A local speech processing component of the speech interface device may use the compiled personalized data when processing user speech in order to understand a spoken form of a word or phrase that is associated with a user. This allows for responding to personal user speech, even when the speech interface device is unable to communicate with a remote speech processing system over a wide area network.

Abstract: A camera includes a first microphone, a second microphone, and a processor. The processor determines a correlation metric between portions of audio signals obtained from the first and second microphones. The camera includes a memory to store the portions of the audio signals as portions of an output audio signal.

Abstract: In an audio setup comprising at least one audio headset configurable to process audio for a user (e.g., when participating in an online multiplayer game), input audio and/or output audio in the audio headset may be monitored, and when the audio matches triggering criteria, one or more update messages may be triggered via a social networking service. The triggering criteria may comprise (or be set based on) identity of the speaker, content of the audio, and/or conditions association with the audio. Different triggering criteria may be associated with different applications (e.g., different video games). The update messages may be made available to one or more other users, who may be selected based on matching particular user selection criteria and/or based on successful user validation. The user selection criteria may comprise participation in the same online multiplayer game.

Abstract: An assignment of one of phase set of different loss concealment tools of an audio decoder to a portion of the audio signal to be decoded from a data stream, which portion is affected by loss, that is the selection out of the set of different loss concealment tools, may be made in a manner leading to a more pleasant loss concealment if the assignment/selection is done based on two measures: A first measure which is determined measures a spectral position of a spectral centroid of a spectrum of the audio signal and a second measure which is determined measures a temporal predictability of the audio signal. The assigned or selected loss concealment tool may then be used to recover the portion of the audio signal.

Abstract: A user's set top box detects the ringing of a telephone, mobile device or other type of audible notification of an incoming call or message and, in response, sends a command causing a current audio level of the television programming or other media currently being played to decrease such that the audible notification can be heard by the user. A device silencing manager on the set top box may detect the audible notification occurring by the sound waves of the audible notification from the mobile device picked up by a microphone of the receiving device. Additionally or alternatively, a device silencing manager on the set top box may wirelessly receive, either directly or indirectly from the mobile device, an electronic notification of the audible notification.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a ceiling tile microphone that includes: a plurality of microphones coupled together as a microphone array used for beamforming, the plurality of microphones are positioned at predetermined locations; a single ceiling tile with an outer surface on the front side of the ceiling tile where the outer surface is acoustically transparent, the microphone array combines with the ceiling tile as a single unit, the ceiling tile being mountable in a drop ceiling in place of a ceiling tile included in the drop ceiling; where the ceiling tile microphone further includes beamforming, acoustic echo cancellation, and auto voice tracking; where the ceiling tile microphone is used in a drop ceiling mounting configuration; where the microphone array couples to the back side of the ceiling tile and all or part of the ceiling tile microphone is in the drop space of the drop ceiling.

Abstract: A system for controlling an interior sound of a vehicle phase-changes the frequency of additional sound based on the engine operating state to increase the current density, thereby inhibiting signal distortion by increasing the current density. As a result, the distortion phenomenon caused by excessive use of amplifier current when generating the additional sound is reduced or minimized, and unnecessary noise is inhibited from occurring in a vibration generator and a frame of the vehicle.

Abstract: A hearing aid includes a sound classification module to classify environmental sound sensed by a microphone. The sound classification module executes an advanced sound classification algorithm. The hearing aid then processes the sound according to the classification.

Abstract: A behavior support system that implements behavior support taking account of uncertain information obtained in a vehicle is provided. Uncertain information containing at least a conversation between passengers is obtained and analyzed. Support information for supporting behaviors of the passengers is obtained based on a result of the analysis, and the obtained support information is output to a helmet of at least one of a first passenger and a second passenger. New information regarding a word for the second passenger is obtained as the support information, based on the word obtained from the second passenger, and the support information is output to the first passenger so that the new information is provided from the first passenger to the second passenger.

Abstract: The technology described in this document can be embodied in a computer-implemented method that includes presenting a first user-interface that includes a user-selectable menu of multiple virtual personal assistant (VPA) service providers, and receiving a user-selection identifying a particular VPA service provider. The method also includes receiving a first signal representing input speech data, and processing the first signal to generate a first electronic file that includes at least a portion of the input speech data, the first electronic file being generated in accordance with a specification of the particular VPA service provider. The method further includes transmitting the first electronic file to one or more remote computing devices associated with the particular VPA service provider, receiving at least a second electronic file including a response to the input speech data, and causing an acoustic transducer to generate an acoustic output based on the second electronic file.

Abstract: A speech recognition method and apparatus, and a storage medium are provided. The method includes: acquiring, by a digital signal processor (DSP), audio data; performing, by the DSP, fuzzy speech recognition on the audio data; waking up a central processing unit (CPU) in a dormant state if a fuzzy speech recognition result indicates that that a wakeup word exists in the audio data. The method also includes: reading, by the CPU, data corresponding to the wakeup word in the audio data from the DSP, to obtain wakeup data; determining, by the CPU, whether the wakeup word exists in the audio data by performing speech recognition on the wakeup data; if the wakeup word exists, performing, by the CPU, semantic analysis on the audio data; and if the wakeup word does not exist, determining, by the CPU, that the fuzzy speech recognition result is incorrect and entering the dormant state.

Abstract: Techniques for acoustic management of entertainment devices and systems are described. Various embodiments may include techniques for acoustically determining a location of a remote control or other entertainment device. Some embodiments may include techniques for controlling one or more entertainment components using voice commands or other acoustic information. Other embodiments may include techniques for establishing a voice connection using a remote control device. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for processing audio data are provided. The method includes: acquiring a first piece of audio data; and processing the first piece of audio data based on an antialias filter, to generate a second piece of audio data, a sampling rate of the second piece of audio data being smaller than a sampling rate of the first piece of audio data; the antialias filter being generated by: inputting training voice data in a training sample into an initial antialias filter; inputting an output of an initial antialias filter into a training speech recognition model, and generating a training speech recognition result; and adjusting the initial antialias filter based on the training speech recognition result and a target speech recognition result of the training voice data in the training sample.

Abstract: A voice interaction architecture has a hands-free, electronic voice controlled assistant that permits users to verbally request information from cloud services. The voice controlled assistant may be positioned in a room to receive voice commands from the user. The voice controlled assistant may also pick up background sources of speech, music, or other noise, such as from a television or stereo system, which may adversely impact the user's intended vocal input to the assistant. The assistant transmits the aggregated audio data (user command and background noise) over a network to the cloud services, which implements noise cancellation functionality to remove the background noise while isolating and preserving the user's command. Once isolated, the cloud serves can process and interpret the user input to perform some function, and return the response over the network to the voice controlled assistant for audible output to the user.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an image processing device, an operation method of the image processing device, and a computer-readable recording medium. The image processing device according to an embodiment in the present disclosure may comprise: a voice-obtaining unit for obtaining the voice of a user and generating a first voice signal; a communication interface unit for receiving a second voice signal of the user from an external device; and a processor which, after the first voice signal is received from the voice-obtaining unit, performs a first pre-processing operation employing voice amplification of the received first voice signal, and, after the second voice signal is received via the communication interface unit, performs a second pre-processing operation employing noise amplification of the second voice signal.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method and system for providing an acoustic sound design for an electrified vehicle Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS). The method minimizes annoyance from sound leaking into a vehicle compartment. Road and other functional vehicle made sounds (tread noise, fans, wind noise etc.) are used to create an alert sound that mimics these existing vehicle sounds and can be potentially masked, interiorly, by those same sounds. The sounds are recorded and thereafter shaped, amplified and broadcast by speaker(s) placed outside the interior cabin, i.e., one in an engine compartment and another at a rear of the vehicle, so that vulnerable road users can hear the approaching hybrid/electric vehicle. The sound meets jurisdictional requirements in accord with specified frequencies and sound levels. The result is an alert sound perceived as non-irritating and pleasant outside the vehicle, and unobtrusive and background inside the vehicle.

Abstract: Drug delivery devices that include a microphone and processing circuitry that can detect operating events, such as peak inspiratory flow (PIF) and Breath Actuated Mechanism (BAM) in dry powder inhalers can be used to improve clinical trials by providing information about the way in which the inhalers under test are being used.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mobile emulator determination using sound fingerprinting is disclosed. The method includes a verification computer system receiving a transaction request from a computing device purporting to be a mobile device. Responsive to receiving the request, the verification computer system transmits a request for verification information to the computing device. The verification system includes information regarding a tone to be generated by a speaker of the computing device. Thereafter, verification information is received from the computing device. The verification information includes information tone information generated by the computing device, wherein the tone is, after generation, detected by a microphone. The verification system then verifies, based on the receive verification information, whether the information indicates that the computing device is a mobile device.

Abstract: An implantable system for control of and communication with an implant in a body, comprising a command input device and a processing device coupled thereto, the processing device being adapted to generate input to a command generator which is comprised in the system coupled to the processing device and which is adapted to generate and communicate commands to the medical implant in response to input received from the processing device, the system further comprising a memory unit connected to at least one of said devices in the system for storing a memory bank of commands. The command input device is adapted to receive commands from a user as voice commands, and the processing device comprises a filter adapted to filter voice commands against high frequency losses and frequency distortion caused by the mammal body.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatic speech recognition are provided. Some methods can include a sensor detecting a relative location of a user within one of a plurality of voice pickup areas of a multi-directional microphone array and the multi-directional microphone array activating a direction setting of the multi-directional microphone array based on the relative location of the user within the one of the plurality of voice pickup areas.

Abstract: A microphone module comprises a housing, an audio bus, and a first plurality of microphones in communication with the audio bus. The microphone module further comprises a module processor in communication with the first plurality of microphones and the audio bus. The module processor is configured to detect the presence of an array processor in communication with the audio bus, detect the presence of a second microphone module in communication with the audio bus, and configure the audio bus to pass audio signals from both the first plurality of microphones and the second microphone module to the array processor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for selectively ignoring an occurrence of a wakeword within audio input data is provided herein. In some embodiments, a wakeword may be detected to have been uttered by an individual within a modified time window, which may account for hardware delays and echoing offsets. The detected wakeword that occurs during this modified time window may, in some embodiments, correspond to a word included within audio that is outputted by a voice activated electronic device. This may cause the voice activated electronic device to activate itself, stopping the audio from being outputted. By identifying when these occurrences of the wakeword within outputted audio are going to happen, the voice activated electronic device may selectively determine when to ignore the wakeword, and furthermore, when not to ignore the wakeword.

Abstract: A method for eliminating sound is disclosed. The method is applied to an electronic device capable of connecting with a sound playback device and includes a microphone. The method includes the following steps of: receiving a first input sound via the microphone to acquire a first input sound signal; recording the first input sound signal and transmitting the first input sound signal to the sound playback device; receiving a second input sound from the sound playback device to acquire a second input sound signal, wherein the second input sound is generated by the sound playback device according to the first input sound signal; determining a difference in generation times between the first input sound signal and the second input sound signal; and filtering the second input sound signal according to the difference in generation times and the first input sound signal.

Abstract: An electronic device with one or more processors and memory includes a procedure for using a digital assistant to automatically respond to incoming communications. In some embodiments, the device obtains a speech input from a user, and, in response to obtaining the speech input, the device determines whether the speech input includes instructions for performing a specified action in response to receipt of a subsequent incoming communication from one or more specified senders. After storing the instructions, the device obtains an incoming communication from a respective sender. The device determines whether the respective sender is one of the one or more specified senders, and, upon determining that the respective sender is one of the one or more specified senders, the device performs the specified action in accordance with the instructions and thereafter automatically deleting the instructions.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to implement a technique for using voice input to control a network-enabled device. In one implementation, this feature allows the user to conveniently register and manage an IPTV device using voice input rather than employing a bulky remote control or a separate registration website.

Abstract: An audio capture system for a sports camera includes at least one “enhanced” microphone and at least one “reference” microphone. The enhanced microphone includes a drainage enhancement feature to enable water to drain from the microphone more quickly than the reference microphone. A microphone selection controller selects between the microphones based on a microphone selection algorithm to enable high quality in conditions where the sports camera transitions in and out of water during activities such as surfing, water skiing, swimming, or other wet environments.

Abstract: A print control system including a printing apparatus and a server system. The print control system also includes a processor that executes instructions to receive a registration request of the printing apparatus, to register the printing apparatus based on the received registration request, and to transmit, based on receipt of a setting instruction concerning a setting of power of the printing apparatus by voice for a voice control device, to the registered printing apparatus, a change instruction for changing a setting of power of the registered printing apparatus. In addition, the processor executes the instructions to perform setting processing concerning the setting of power based on the transmitted change instruction.

Abstract: An example of an apparatus configured to be worn by a person who has an ear and an ear canal includes a first microphone adapted to be worn about the ear of the person, and a second microphone adapted to be worn at a different location than the first microphone. The apparatus includes a sound processor adapted to process signals from the first microphone to produce a processed sound signal, a receiver adapted to convert the processed sound signal into an audible signal to the wearer of the hearing assistance device, and a voice detector to detect the voice of the wearer. The voice detector includes an adaptive filter to receive signals from the first microphone and the second microphone.

Abstract: A method for automatically controlling audio output of a television system that includes a television device is provided. The method includes, by a processor of the television device: in response to receipt of a source signal, controlling an audio output unit to output an audio signal extracted from the source signal; activating an ambient sound monitoring unit to obtain ambient sound data; determining based on at least the ambient sound data, whether the audio output needs to be adjusted; and when it is determined that the audio output needs to be adjusted, adjusting the audio signal based on at least the ambient sound data to generate an adjusted audio signal, and controlling the audio output unit to output the adjusted audio signal.

Abstract: A user detection apparatus includes a processor for an information handling device and a memory that stores code executable by the processor. The code is executable by the processor to detect a user in a user space that is proximate to the information handling device in response to an airflow being detected in the user space and, in response to detecting the user, resume or begin operations in the information handling device.

Abstract: A user's set top box detects the ringing of a telephone, mobile device or other type of audible notification of an incoming call or message and, in response, sends a command causing a current audio level of the television programming or other media currently being played to decrease such that the audible notification can be heard by the user. A device silencing manager on the set top box may detect the audible notification occurring by the sound waves of the audible notification from the mobile device picked up by a microphone of the receiving device. Additionally or alternatively, a device silencing manager on the set top box may wirelessly receive, either directly or indirectly from the mobile device, an electronic notification of the audible notification.

Abstract: An embodiment of the technology provides a NFMI in-ear utility device that rests in the user's ear canal away from the user's eardrum. Embodiments of the in-ear utility device can be configured in a variety of ways, including, but in no way limited to, a multi flexible personal, Streaming Music, and multi internal and external communication device via wireless communication.

Abstract: Techniques for acoustic management of entertainment devices and systems are described. Various embodiments may include techniques for acoustically determining a location of a remote control or other entertainment device. Some embodiments may include techniques for controlling one or more entertainment components using voice commands or other acoustic information. Other embodiments may include techniques for establishing a voice connection using a remote control device. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A microphone module includes a first MEMS microphone and a second MEMS microphone, wherein the first MEMS microphone includes a first modulator, and wherein the second MEMS microphone includes a second modulator. For the purpose of noise reduction, a defined offset can be applied to an input of the first modulator or of the second modulator. Alternatively, for the purpose of noise reduction, the first modulator and the second modulator can be operated with different modulation frequencies.

Abstract: Example techniques relate to voice interaction in an environment with a media playback system that is playing back audio content. In an example implementation, while playing back first audio in a given environment at a given loudness: a playback device (a) detects that an event is anticipated in the given environment, the event involving playback of second audio and (b) determines a loudness of background noise in the given environment, the background noise comprising ambient noise in the given environment. The playback device ducks the first audio in proportion to a difference between the given loudness of the first audio and the determined loudness of the background noise and plays back the ducked first audio concurrently with the second audio.

Abstract: An electronic device, a method and a non-transitory computer-readable medium of messaging are disclosed herein. The electronic device includes at least one processor, a touch-sensitive module, a display module and a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The non-transitory computer-readable medium includes one or more sequences of instructions to be executed by the processor for performing a messaging method. The messaging method includes the following steps: sensing a touch corresponding to a first contact icon displayed on the display module; counting a time duration of the touch; recording a message when the time duration exceeds a first predetermined time period; and sending the message according to contact information corresponding to the first contact icon.

Abstract: A method of controlling audio within a vehicle. The method includes determining a selectable driving mode, ascertaining an operating state of an engine in the vehicle, and identifying at least one of an engine start status and a drivetrain status of the vehicle. In response to at least one of the determining, ascertaining, and identifying, selecting a predetermined sound to be output within a passenger cabin of the vehicle; and applying a signal to a speaker of the passenger cabin of the vehicle based on the predetermined sound.

Abstract: An audio signal classification method and apparatus includes determining, according to voice activity of a current audio frame, whether to obtain a frequency spectrum fluctuation of the current audio frame and store the frequency spectrum fluctuation in a frequency spectrum fluctuation memory, updating, according to whether the audio frame is percussive music or activity of a historical audio frame, the frequency spectrum fluctuations stored in the frequency spectrum fluctuation memory, and classifying the current audio frame as a speech frame or a music frame according to statistics of a part or all of effective data of the frequency spectrum fluctuations that is stored in the frequency spectrum fluctuation memory.

Abstract: A remote control device may transmit electrical signals to a wireless hub to cause control of a display device in a first zone having first devices registered to the wireless hub. The remote control may receive, from the wireless hub based on a user initiated source change, a control signal to assign buttons for control of the display device. The remote control may transmit to the wireless hub a first signal responsive to a voice command detected by the sound detection device to cause control of content and a second signal responsive to a gesture command detected by a motion sensing device to cause a source change on the display device and to cause control of another display device in a second zone having second device.

Abstract: A user speech interface for interactive media guidance applications, such as television program guides, guides for audio services, guides for video-on-demand (VOD) services, guides for personal video recorders (PVRs), or other suitable guidance applications is provided. Voice commands may be received from a user and guidance activities may be performed in response to the voice commands.

Abstract: A power mitigation algorithm in a loudspeaker amplification system that includes a loudspeaker driver, an audio amplifier, and a constant output power, power supply. A power requirement for the amplifier to output an audio signal is determined. A gain adjustment signal is then determined based on a difference between the power requirement and a power budget of the amplifier. Gain of the audio signal is adjusted according to the gain adjustment signal, for output through the loudspeaker driver. As a result, a peak level of the power consumption of the amplifier while outputting the gain-adjusted audio signal becomes less than the power budget. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method and a device for cancelling an echo, and a computer readable storage medium. The device includes a loudspeaker configured to play an acoustic signal corresponding to an analog audio signal. The device further includes a microphone configured to convert a mixed acoustic signal received into a mixed audio signal. The mixed acoustic signal includes an echo of the acoustic signal played and an acoustic signal from a user. The device further includes an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the analog audio signal into a digital signal as an echo reference signal. The device further includes an echo canceller, configured to cancel an echo component from the mixed audio signal using the echo reference signal to obtain a user audio signal corresponding to the acoustic signal from the user.

Abstract: Audio device systems and methods are provided to enhance speech pick-up from a user. The systems and methods include a plurality of left signals and right signals from microphones coupled to left and right earpieces. Various of the signals are combined to provide a primary signal having enhanced acoustic response in the direction of a selected location, such as the user's mouth. Additionally, the left signals are combined to provide a left reference signal having reduced acoustic response from the selected location, and the right signals are combined to provide a right reference signal also having reduced acoustic response from the selected location. Each of the left and right reference signals are filtered to provide left and right noise estimates, respectively, and the left and right noise estimates are subtracted from the primary signal.

Abstract: A method of mixing microphone signals. First and second microphone signals are obtained from respective first and second microphones. In at least one affected subband, the first and second microphone signals are mixed to produce first and second mixed signals. At least one reference subband of the first and second microphone signals is processed in order to identify a binaural cue between the first and second microphone signals, the reference subband being distinct from the or each affected subband. The affected subband in the first and second mixed signals is modified in order to re-emphasize the identified binaural cue.

Abstract: A headphone system is provided that includes a left and right earpiece having a left and right microphone, respectively, to receive left and right acoustic signals and provide left and right signals for processing. The left and right signals are added to provide a principal signal, and the left and right signals are subtracted to provide a reference signal. A detection circuit compares the principal signal to the reference signal and selectively indicates whether a user is speaking.

Abstract: Techniques for altering audio being output by a voice-controlled device, or another device, to enable more accurate automatic speech recognition (ASR) by the voice-controlled device. For instance, a voice-controlled device may output audio within an environment using a speaker of the device. While outputting the audio, a microphone of the device may capture sound within the environment and may generate an audio signal based on the captured sound. The device may then analyze the audio signal to identify speech of a user within the signal, with the speech indicating that the user is going to provide a subsequent command to the device. Thereafter, the device may alter the output of the audio (e.g., attenuate the audio, pause the audio, switch from stereo to mono, etc.) to facilitate speech recognition of the user's subsequent command.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microphone apparatus (10) with a main beamformer (F, BF) that provides a directional audio output (SF) by combining microphone signals (X, Y) from multiple microphones (11, 12). The quality of beamformed microphone signals normally depends on the individual microphones having equal sensitivity characteristics across the used frequency range. The invention enables automatic adaptation of the main beamformer (F, BF) to variations in microphone sensitivity and to changes in the alignment of the microphone apparatus (10) with respect to the user's mouth (7).

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for automatically changing the priority of a media asset using a continuous listening device. The system may receive an audio clip of a conversation a user, and then determine whether that conversation relates to any of the programs recorded or scheduled to be recorded on a storage device associated with the user. In response to determining that the media asset does relate to one of the programs recorded or scheduled to be recorded on the storage device, a user profile may be consulted to determine past instances of the user discussing the media asset, and, if a measure of the total number of instances the user discussed the media asset meets a threshold measure, the priority of the media asset may be updated.

Abstract: A remote controller and a power control method are disclosed. The remote controller includes a voice recognizer a voice recognizer configured to recognize a voice utterance, a user interface configured to receive a user command; and a controller configured to, when a user command is input through the user interface to enter a voice recognition mode, convert a stand-by mode into an active mode, and convert the active mode into the stand-by mode depending on whether the utterance is recognized within a preset critical time. Accordingly, the remote controller, enabling an operation mode of a voice recognition module which recognizes a user voice utterance to be maintained as an active mode, can reduce power unnecessarily consumed.