Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to measure exposure to broadcast signals having embedded data are disclosed. Example meters disclosed herein are to decode a watermark from a first audio signal to obtain an identifier of a broadcast station, and query a data structure based on (i) the identifier of the broadcast station obtained from the watermark and (ii) a location, the query to obtain a transmission frequency of a broadcast signal corresponding to the audio signal. Disclosed example meters are also to tune a radio to the transmission frequency of the broadcast signal, and compare the first audio signal with a second audio signal from the radio to verify an identity of the broadcast station.

Abstract: An apparatus including means configured to: obtain at least one audio stream, wherein the at least one audio stream includes one or more transport audio signals, wherein the one or more transport audio signals is a defined type of transport audio signal; and convert the one or more transport audio signals to at least one or more further transport audio signals, the one or more further transport audio signals being a further defined type of transport audio signal.

Abstract: A device for locating a noise occurring in a steering system includes: a sound receiving unit detecting noise occurring in a steering system; a processing unit inputting data on the noise in the steering system into a neural network model that performs learning in advance and locating a position or a component at which the noise occurs in the steering system, the noise being detected by the sound receiving unit; and a storage unit in which the neural network model that performs the learning in advance is stored.

Abstract: A delay estimation method includes determining a cross-correlation coefficient of a multi-channel signal of a current frame, determining a delay track estimation value of the current frame based on buffered inter-channel time difference information of at least one past frame, determining an adaptive window function of the current frame, performing weighting on the cross-correlation coefficient based on the delay track estimation value of the current frame and the adaptive window function of the current frame, to obtain a weighted cross-correlation coefficient, and determining an inter-channel time difference of the current frame based on the weighted cross-correlation coefficient.

Abstract: Systems and methods for interfacing augmented reality (AR) camera devices to Internet of Things (IoT) devices include pairing an AR camera device to an IoT device to establish which actions recognized by the AR camera device may control the IoT device, receiving an action identifier representing a gesture or position of a body part that has been recognized by the AR camera device, and sending a command to the IoT device paired with the AR camera device to perform a requested action in response to the action identifier received from the AR camera device. Context information relating to the action identifier from the AR camera may be used to modify the command sent to the IoT device. The AR camera device may be paired with an IoT device pointed at by the AR camera device, selected through a user interface of the AR camera device, or determined from context information.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, there is provided a system and method for the generation of alternative versions of audio material in DAW projects, wherein the alternative versions feature differing energy and dynamics levels in terms of their musical content.

Abstract: An apparatus for reproducing a spatially extended sound source having a defined position and geometry in a space includes an interface for receiving a listener position; a projector for calculating a projection of a two-dimensional or three-dimensional hull associated with the spatially extended sound source onto a projection plane using the listener position, information on the geometry of the spatially extended sound source, and information on the position of the spatially extended sound source; a sound position calculator for calculating positions of at least two sound sources for the spatially extended sound source using the projection plane; and a renderer for rendering the at least two sound sources at the positions to obtain a reproduction of the spatially extended sound source having two or more output signals, wherein the renderer is configured to use different sound signals for the different positions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for summarizing captions, configuring playback speed, and rewriting the caption file for a media asset are disclosed. The system determines whether to display the original captions or a summarized version of the captions, which are based on user's language proficiency level, reading pace, and historical data, and can be generated either on-demand or automatically when rewinds and pauses are detected. The caption file which includes the original captions can be rewritten. The system determines whether to stream a caption or a rewritten file to a media device based on user or system selections. In the absence of a caption file, or when the caption file cannot be summarized, the playback speed of the media asset is slowed down to provide additional reading time to the user.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of blind detection of binauralized audio. If the input content is detected as binaural, a second binauralization may be avoided. In this manner, the user experience avoids audio artifacts introduced by multiple binauralizations.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field audio coding, an in particular to an audio decoder having at least two decoding modes, and associated decoding methods and decoding software for such audio decoder. In one of the decoding modes, at least one dynamic audio object is mapped to a set of static audio objects, the set of static audio objects corresponding to a predefined speaker configuration. The present disclosure further relates to a corresponding audio encoder, and associated encoding methods and encoding software for such audio encoder.

Abstract: A voice-activated light system that includes a microphone for receiving one or more voice commands (which may be referred to as a “voice microphone”), one or more light sources (such as LEDs) coupled to a controller and a light driver. The light driver is for driving the light sources and the controller is for detecting a voice command in order to control the mode of operation of the one or more light sources. The controller can have multiple control commands each for selecting a different mode of operation of the light source(s). The modes can be controlled by a common voice input term followed by a second voice command corresponding to a mode of operation of the light source. The system may include a second microphone which may be referred to herein as a “music microphone”. The commands can include “light show,” “slow pulse,” “steady on,” “blinking,” or “off”.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are playback devices, groups of playback devices, and methods of operating playback devices and groupings thereof configured for hybrid sniffing and rebroadcast for networks, including Bluetooth networks.

Abstract: Example techniques involve controlling playback volumes. An example implementation includes displaying a group volume control of a synchrony group, the group volume control comprising a group volume indicator on a group volume slider and receiving, via the displayed group volume control, input data representing a selection of the group volume control. The implementation also includes displaying, concurrently with the group volume control, a first volume control comprising a first volume indicator on a first volume slider and a second volume control comprising a second volume indicator on a second volume slider. The implementation also includes receiving, via the displayed group volume control, input data representing an input to modify a first volume setting of the synchrony group to a second volume setting and transmitting instructions to cause the synchrony group to modify volume settings according to the second volume setting of the synchrony group.

Abstract: A method for managing voice-based interaction in an Internet of things (IoT) network system is provided. The method includes identifying a first voice utterance from a first IoT device among a plurality of IoT devices in the IoT network system. Further, the method includes identifying at least one second voice utterance from at least one second IoT device among the plurality of IoT devices in the IoT network system. Further, the method includes determining a voice command by combining the first voice utterance and the at least one second voice utterance. Furthermore, the method includes triggering at least one IoT device among the plurality of IoT devices in the IoT network system to perform at least one action corresponding to the voice command.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a method and system for audio generation from contextual text input is provided. The disclosure gives due importance to the granularity of the content. The system allows the user to specify the properties of the audio to be generated. Here, context is used to identify the importance of a particular sound over the others and thus automatic adjustments of the audio output to give a more realistic feel. The system generates dataset for training audio models. The user can give input query in natural language and the audio requested will be generated for training and developing the necessary classification or other necessary audio models. The system provides a feature of automated fine-tuning of the model parameters to suit the new automatically collected training data. Furthermore, the system provides a pre-trained inbuilt model repository with audio models belonging to the main categories of noises.

Abstract: A first input associated with an audio input from within a physical environment and an indication that a manual input device has been moved to a first operative position of the manual input device is received. The first input is mapped to a building automation control context. A controlled subsystem is caused to be operated in a manner associated with the first operative position and the building automation control context.

Abstract: A server system stores a list of trusted users that are authorized to access a first electronic device's shared listening sessions. While the first electronic device is hosting a shared listening session playing back media on a second electronic device, the server system receives, from a third electronic device, a request that includes an identifier of the second electronic device. In response to the first request and in accordance with a determination that the third electronic device is associated with a user that is on the list of trusted users, the server system automatically transmits, to the third electronic device, a session identifier for the first shared listening session. The server system receives, from the third electronic device, a request to join the shared listening session, in response to the second request, provides, to the third electronic device, access to control media playback of the first listening session.

Abstract: An audio playback system that provides intuitive audio playback of textual content responsive to user input actions, such as scrolling portions of textual content on a display. Playback of audio (e.g., text-to-speech audio) that includes textual content can begin based on a portion of textual content being positioned by a user input at a certain position on a device display. As one example, a user can simply scroll through a webpage or other content item to cause a text-to-speech system to perform audio playback of textual content displayed in one or more playback section(s) of the device's viewport (e.g., rather than requiring the user to perform additional tapping or gesturing to specifically select a certain portion of textual content).

Abstract: The disclosed generative composition system produces a composition to a briefing that describes a musical journey in emotional descriptions. The composition is assembled from concatenated interchangeable Form Atoms “FAs” selectable by tags aligning emotional descriptions with respective compositional heuristics. Each FA has self-contained constructional properties representative of an historical musical corpus. These heuristics support generation of chords, in chord schemes of musical tonics, achieving an equivalent form function. Each FA also includes chord spacer heuristics that temporally space generated chords across a defined musical window, and a chord list in a local tonic defining branching structures giving options for generating different chords. A progression descriptor, in combination with a form function, expresses musically a question, an answer or a statement, with each FA creating a meta-map of a chord scheme for a musical section.

Abstract: An example system is configured to: (i) receive data indicating a command to play back audio content, where the data indicating the command to play back audio content is received via a voice input that is detected by a first zone player, (ii) based on the data indicating the command, determine a playback condition comprising a particular zone player, (iii) identify a user account associated with the first zone player, (iv) based at least on (a) the command and (b) the identified user account, determine audio content for playback, and (v) play back the determined audio content via the particular zone player.

Abstract: An example system is configured to: (i) receive data indicating a command to play back, via a playback device of a media playback system, media content; (ii) based on the data indicating the command, detect a first playback condition comprising a first user identity; (iii) identify, from one or more user accounts associated with the playback device, a first user account corresponding to the first user identity; (iv) based at least on (1) the command and (2) one or more properties of the first user account, determine first media content for playback by the playback device; and (v) cause the playback device to play back the first media content.

Abstract: A group of devices acquire audio input of a sound, such as speech, using respective microphones. For pairs of devices in the group, intensity of energy of audio input at each of the devices in the pair is used to determine first proximity data. Relative differences in time-of-arrival of the sound at the devices in the pair is used to determine second proximity data. The first and second proximity data are used to determine an estimated closest device of the pair with respect to the sound. Comparison of the first proximity data to the second proximity also allows a confidence value to be associated with the estimated closest device. The estimated closest device with the greatest confidence value may be selected for use to acquire audio input, present output, and so forth. Additional techniques such as beamforming techniques may be applied to the audio input from the selected device.

Abstract: A method on a mobile device for a wireless network is described. An audio input is monitored for a trigger phrase spoken by a user of the mobile device. A command phrase spoken by the user after the trigger phrase is buffered. The command phrase corresponds to a call command and a call parameter. A set of target contacts associated with the mobile device is selected based on respective voice validation scores and respective contact confidence scores. The respective voice validation scores are based on the call parameter. The respective contact confidence scores are based on a user context associated with the user. A call to a priority contact of the set of target contacts is automatically placed if the voice validation score of the priority contact meets a validation threshold and the contact confidence score of the priority contact meets a confidence threshold.

Abstract: Systems and methods for interfacing augmented reality (AR) camera devices to Internet of Things (IoT) devices include pairing an AR camera device to an IoT device to establish which actions recognized by the AR camera device may control the IoT device, receiving an action identifier representing a gesture or position of a body part that has been recognized by the AR camera device, and sending a command to the IoT device paired with the AR camera device to perform a requested action in response to the action identifier received from the AR camera device. Context information relating to the action identifier from the AR camera may be used to modify the command sent to the IoT device. The AR camera device may be paired with an IoT device pointed at by the AR camera device, selected through a user interface of the AR camera device, or determined from context information.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (100) having an input (11, 12, 15, 16) and an output (13, 14, 17, 18) and having an effect device with volume-regulated audio signals from an audio file or audio source, wherein the audio signals have input levels at an input of the effect device and output levels at an output of the effect device. In order to achieve background sound which is as optimal as possible, the invention proposes that each input level is assigned to a preset output level irrespective of the content of the audio file or audio source, wherein the input level is regulated to the output level.

Abstract: An appropriate level index is obtained from an input audio waveform. An audio signal processing method includes detecting one or more level values in each of a plurality of attack sections included in an audio signal including the plurality of attack sections and a plurality of non-attack sections different from the plurality of attack sections; and generating a histogram of the detected level values in each of the plurality of attack sections, the generated histogram excluding level values of the plurality of non-attack sections.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments for implementing audio enhancements based on video detection. An embodiment operates by receiving an audio clip corresponding to a video clip to be output simultaneously. A background of the video clip is detected. It is determined that the audio clip is to be output with one of wet sounds or dry sounds based on the detected background of the video clip. The audio clip is configured to enhance the determined one of wet sounds or dry sounds when the audio clip is output. The configured audio clip is provided to the audio output device to audibly output the configured audio clip with the enhanced wet sounds or dry sounds when the video clip is output.

Abstract: In an exemplary technique, speech input including one or more instructions is received. After the speech input has stopped, if it is determined that one or more visual characteristics indicate that further speech input is not expected, a response to the one or more instructions is provided. If it is determined that one or more visual characteristics indicate that further speech input is expected, a response to the one or more instructions is not provided.

Abstract: An electronic device and related operating methodology are disclosed here. The device includes a touchscreen display, at least one memory storage device, and at least one processor. The at least one storage device has instructions stored therein and configurable to be executed by the at least one processor to: control display of a media player on the touchscreen display; control display of an interactive lock element on the touchscreen display; detect occurrence of an activate lock trigger event; and, in response to detecting the occurrence of the activate lock trigger event, lock or disable at least some touchscreen functionality of the media player during playback of media content.

Abstract: A machine may be configured to generate one or more audio fingerprints of one or more segments of audio data. The machine may access audio data to be fingerprinted and divide the audio data into segments. For any given segment, the machine may generate a spectral representation from the segment; generate a vector from the spectral representation; generate an ordered set of permutations of the vector; generate an ordered set of numbers from the permutations of the vector; and generate a fingerprint of the segment of the audio data, which may be considered a sub-fingerprint of the audio data. In addition, the machine or a separate device may be configured to determine a likelihood that candidate audio data matches reference audio data.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide methods and systems for managing a sound profile. An example playback device includes a network interface and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored therein instructions executable by the processor. When executed by the processor, the instructions are to configure the playback device to receive, via the network interface over a local area network (LAN) from a controller device, an instruction. The example playback device is to obtain, based on the instruction, via the network interface from a location outside of the LAN, data comprising a sound profile. The example playback device is to update one or more parameters at the playback device based on the sound profile. The example playback device is to play back an audio signal according to the sound profile.

Abstract: A secure executable container executed by a network device establishes a two-way trusted relationship in a secure peer-to-peer data network with a network entity, generates a secure key for the network device in the secure peer-to-peer data network, and associates the endpoint device with a federation identifier identifying the user entity in the secure peer-to-peer data network. The secure executable container also: establishes a two-way trusted relationship between the network device and a target network device; obtains, based on the two-way trusted relationship, cohort interface element definition describing commands executable by the target network device; and generates a data object identifying a selected command from the commands and identifying an identifier for the target network device as a subscriber to the data object, causing the target network device to securely retrieve and execute the selected command.

Abstract: Disclosed is a signal processing apparatus including a surrounding sound signal acquisition unit, a NC (Noise Canceling) signal generation part, a cooped-up feeling elimination signal generation part, and an addition part. The surrounding sound signal acquisition unit collects a surrounding sound to generate a surrounding sound signal. The NC signal generation part generates a noise canceling signal from the surrounding sound signal. The cooped-up feeling elimination signal generation part generates a cooped-up feeling elimination signal from the surrounding sound signal. The addition part adds together the generated noise canceling signal and the cooped-up feeling elimination signal at a prescribed ratio.

Abstract: A method for training a speech recognition model includes obtaining sample utterances of synthesized speech in a target domain, obtaining transcribed utterances of non-synthetic speech in the target domain, and pre-training the speech recognition model on the sample utterances of synthesized speech in the target domain to attain an initial state for warm-start training. After pre-training the speech recognition model, the method also includes warm-start training the speech recognition model on the transcribed utterances of non-synthetic speech in the target domain to teach the speech recognition model to learn to recognize real/human speech in the target domain.

Abstract: An electronic device may comprise audio processing circuitry and a universal serial bus (USB) connector having a first contact and a second contact. In a first mode of operation, the audio processing circuitry is configured to output one or more audio signals carrying music and/or voice via the first contact and the second contact. In a second mode of operation, the audio processing circuitry is configured to output a signal for delivering supply current via the first contact and the second contact. While the electronic device is in the first mode of operation, a gain and/or volume limit of the audio processing circuitry may be set to a first level, and while the electronic device is in the second mode of operation, the gain and/or volume limit of the audio processing circuitry may be set to a second level that is higher than the first level.

Abstract: An example first playback device includes programming to perform functions including receiving a first request to associate with a first playback queue that is stored remotely from, and persists unassociated with, any playback device of the media playback system. The functions also include associating with the first playback queue and designating the first playback queue as an active queue of the first playback device. The functions also include receiving a second request to enter into a group with a second playback device that is associated with a second playback queue, entering into the group with the second playback device, associating with the second playback queue, and designating the second playback queue as the active queue of the first playback device. The functions also include receiving a third request to leave the group, and after receiving the third request, de-designating the second playback queue as its active queue.

Abstract: Example embodiments involve a standby mode of a playback device. An example implementation involves a first playback device receiving, while an audio processing component of the first playback device is in standby, a first packet over a network. The audio processing component consumes relatively less power in standby compared with not operating in standby. In response to receiving the first packet, the first playback device exits standby, and enters a non-standby mode. Entering the non-standby mode enables the audio processing component of the first playback device. The first playback device also broadcasts over the network a second packet comprising a payload that is associated with a destination address. After receiving the first packet, the first playback device forwards packets to a second playback device. Once the first playback device is no longer forwarding the packets, the first playback device enters standby.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein include, determining that a requirement exists to output a system response. In response to determining that a requirement exists to output a system response, (i) setting a system response volume for a first speaker associated with a first networked device and (ii) outputting a system response at the set system response volume via the first speaker associated with the first networked device.

Abstract: A communication transmission device is provided with an input sound level detection unit for dividing, per unit time, sound data of a predetermined period of time and converting the sound data into a bit string according to whether or not a sound level thereof exceeds a predetermined threshold value, an arithmetic processing unit for performing predetermined arithmetic processing on the sound data an output sound level detection unit for dividing, per the unit time, sound data of the predetermined period of time after the arithmetic processing and converting the sound data into a bit string according to whether or not a sound level thereof exceeds the predetermined threshold value, and a comparison determination unit for determining whether or not a sound failure has occurred on the basis of a predetermined logic by which the bit string before the arithmetic processing and the bit string after the arithmetic processing are compared.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include playback devices configured to operate in one or more playback configurations including configurations individual playback devices play back one or more corresponding channels of multichannel audio content. An audio parameter can be determined based on a distance between playback devices. In some examples, the audio parameter comprises a filter such as a low frequency filter that varies based on at least the distance between the playback devices. After the audio parameter is determined, the playback devices can play back audio content according to the determined audio parameter.

Abstract: A customer service system that includes a customer device associated with a customer, an agent device associated with an agent, and a monitoring system. The monitoring system includes a memory that stores instructions and a processor that executes the instructions. The instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the monitoring system to monitor a conversation between the customer device and the agent device to identify a context of the conversation. Moreover, the instructions cause the monitoring system to identify a disclosure notice based at least part on the context of the conversation, in which the disclosure notice comprises an indication of a disclosure to be read in light of the context of the conversation.

Abstract: One variation of a method for influencing entities proximal a road surface includes, at an autonomous vehicle: over a first period of time, detecting a pedestrian proximal a road surface; predicting an initial path of the pedestrian an initial confidence score for the initial path of the pedestrian based on and motion of the pedestrian during the first period of time; in response to the initial confidence score falling below a threshold confidence, replaying an audio track audible to the pedestrian and calculating a revised path of the pedestrian and a revised confidence score for the revised path based on motion of the pedestrian following replay of the audio track; and autonomously navigating across the road surface according to a planned route in response to the revised path of the pedestrian falling outside of the planned route and the revised confidence score exceeding the threshold confidence.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture to fingerprint an audio signal. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes an audio segmenter to divide an audio signal into a plurality of audio segments, a bin normalizer to normalize the second audio segment to thereby create a first normalized audio segment, a subfingerprint generator to generate a first subfingerprint from the first normalized audio segment, the first subfingerprint including a first portion corresponding to a location of an energy extremum in the normalized second audio segment, a portion strength evaluator to determine a likelihood of the first portion to change, and a portion replacer to, in response to determining the likelihood does not satisfy a threshold, replace the first portion with a second portion to thereby generate a second subfingerprint.

Abstract: An encoded representation of a picture of a video stream is decoded by retrieving buffer description from the encoded representation. The buffer description information is used to determine at least one picture identifier identifying a respective reference picture as decoding reference for the picture. A decoded picture buffer is updated based on the determined picture identifier. The encoded representation of the picture itself comprises the information needed by a decoder to identify the reference pictures required to decode the encoded representation.

Abstract: A device is configured to operate a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system. The device is further configured to determine that the speed of a combustion air inducer has exceeded a speed threshold value. The device is further configured to receive an audio signal from a microphone while operating the HVAC system, to identify an audio signature for the combustion air inducer from an audio signature library, and to determine the audio signature for the combustion air inducer is present within the audio signal. The device is further configured to determine a fault type based on the determination that the audio signature for the combustion air inducer is present within the audio signal, to identify a component identifier for a component of the HVAC system that is associated with fault type, and to output a recommendation identifying the component identifier.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a system and associated method for audio source separation based on generative priors trained on individual sources. Through the use of projected gradient descent optimization, the present approach simultaneously searches in the source-specific latent spaces to effectively recover the constituent sources. Though the generative priors can be defined in the time domain directly, it was found that using spectral domain loss functions leads to good-quality source estimates.

Abstract: Synchronized output of audio on a group of devices can comprise sending audio data from an audio distribution master device to one or more slave devices in the group. Scores can be assigned to respective audio playback devices, the scores being indicative of a performance level of the respective audio playback devices acting as a master device. The device with the highest score is designated as a candidate master device and one or more remaining devices are designated as a candidate slave(s). A throughput test is conducted with the highest scoring device acting as the candidate master device. The results of the throughput test are used to determine a master device for a group of devices. Latency of the throughput test can be reduced by using a prescribed time period for completion of the throughput test, and/or by selecting a first group configuration to passes the throughput test.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for audio detection are described. A security and automation system may include a control system that includes a hub device and one or more user interfaces. The control system is configured to receive, at a microphone included in the control system, an audio signal from a zone within the premises. In some examples, the control system may be configured to communicate with nodes of the security and automation system using one or more wireless access technologies and one or more wired access technologies. The control system may determine, at a first processor of the control system, that a set of characteristics of the audio signal satisfies a threshold. The control system may transmit a notification of an event in the zone of the premises based on determining that the set of characteristics of the audio signal satisfies the threshold.

Abstract: Vocal audio of a user together with performance synchronized video is captured and coordinated with audiovisual contributions of other users to form composite duet-style or glee club-style or window-paned music video-style audiovisual performances. In some cases, the vocal performances of individual users are captured (together with performance synchronized video) on mobile devices, television-type display and/or set-top box equipment in the context of karaoke-style presentations of lyrics in correspondence with audible renderings of a backing track. Contributions of multiple vocalists are coordinated and mixed in a manner that selects for presentation, at any given time along a given performance timeline, performance synchronized video of one or more of the contributors. Selections are in accord with a visual progression that codes a sequence of visual layouts in correspondence with other coded aspects of a performance score such as pitch tracks, backing audio, lyrics, sections and/or vocal parts.

Abstract: The present application discloses playback devices and networks, software for operating playback devices and playback device networks, and methods of operating playback devices and networks, where an individual network device is configured to switch between operating various operating modes comprising a non-paired mode and a paired mode, where the playback device is configured to output various channels of audio content within various audio frequency ranges while operating in the various operating modes.