Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems to help disambiguate channel identification in a scenario where a video fingerprint of media content matches multiple reference video fingerprints corresponding respectively with multiple different channels. Given such a multi-match situation, an entity could disambiguate based on an audio component of the media content, such as by further determining that an audio fingerprint of the media content at issue matches an audio fingerprint of just one of the multiple channels, thereby establishing that that is the channel on which the media content being rendered by the media presentation device is arriving.

Abstract: Provided are computer-implemented methods and systems for implementing and utilizing an audio and visual asset matching platform. The audio and visual asset matching platform may include a first interface, a digital asset creation platform, an asset matching engine, and a user feedback engine. The first interface may be configured to select at least one master digital asset. The digital asset creation platform may be configured to create digital assets, the digital assets comprising at least one of text, audio, image, video, 3D/4D virtual environments, and animation files and metadata. The asset matching engine may be configured to match digital assets and generate at least one output digital asset. The user feedback engine may be configured to monitor and analyze behavior in response to receipt of at least one output digital asset and generate feedback metrics to improve the matching of the asset matching engine.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for protecting objects monitors a zone in which at least one object is held. The method uses input that it acquired from at least one monitor in communication with a server computer performing the method. Subzones are determined within the zone. Each object is associated with and/or belongs to a subzone. The method monitors the zone for an incident. This monitoring is performed across a series of images. In response to an incident being detected within a subzone, the object belonging to the subzone is identified. An alarm output is generated that is unique to the object. The output is transmitted to an output device in communication with the server computer.

Abstract: A medical scan annotator system is operable to select a medical scan for transmission via a network to a first client device and a second client device for display via an interactive interface, and annotation data is received from the first client device and the second client device in response. Annotation similarity data is generated by comparing the first annotation data to the second annotation data, and consensus annotation data is generated based on the first annotation data and the second annotation data in response to the annotation similarity data indicating that the difference between the first annotation data and the second annotation data compares favorably to an annotation discrepancy threshold. The consensus annotation data is mapped to the medical scan in a medical scan database.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus include computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium, including a method for providing content. A user of an initiating device is identified. Profile information for the identified user is located. The initiating device includes a display for presenting content to the user. An indication is received from an application running on the initiating device of an intent by the user to receive a first content item on a separate but co-located presentation device having enhanced presentation characteristics for presenting content. Additional content items are selected for delivery along with the first content item. The selection includes identifying a second different content item based on the profile information for the identified user and the enhanced presentation characteristics.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for automatically and dynamically assigning the responsibility for tasks to the available computing components in a highly distributed data-processing system. The invention relates to a method by means of which the assignment of the responsibility for certain tasks (partitions) is adapted in a highly distributed data-processing system.

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 the 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 voice communication system (100) is described. The voice communication system (100) may include an audio engine (112) and a mapping engine (114). The audio engine (112) may cancel ambient noise from a plurality of acoustic signals, to obtain a first set of signals. Further, the audio engine (112) may determine a number of acoustic signals in the first set of acoustic signals and a number of sound sources pertaining to the first set of acoustic signals. The mapping engine (114) may suppress noise from each of the first set of acoustic signals to obtain a noise free set of acoustic signals. In addition, the mapping engine (114) may identify a primary acoustic signal from amongst the noise free set of acoustic signals by mapping each noise free acoustic signal to a corresponding sound source.

Abstract: In a network comprising a plurality of synchrony groups, including at least a first synchrony group and a second synchrony group, wherein a first zone player is a member of the first synchrony group and a second zone player is a member of the second synchrony group, a method comprising: transmitting, by the first zone player while the first zone player is playing a first audio information, a second audio information to the second zone player, wherein the second audio information is different from the first audio information; and playing, by the second synchrony group, the second audio information while the first synchrony group is playing the first audio information.

Abstract: A computing device identifies a plurality of media applications configured to operate at the computing device. The computing device accesses metadata and playback information for each media application of the plurality of media applications. The computing device generates a unified graphical user interface for the plurality of media applications. The unified graphical user interface provides media information and control access for each corresponding media application.

Abstract: A virtual-reality device displays a virtual scene. The device generates audio data for an area source in the virtual scene. The area source is within a predefined near-field distance from the listener. The device selects sample points from the area source and determines, for each sample, energy contributions to two respective successive shells of spherical shells that extend from the listener to the predefined near-field distance. The two shells enclose the sample point source, and the determined energy contributions correspond to sound originating from the sample point source. For each shell, the device determines a head-related impulse response (HRIR) by combining the determined energy contributions for that shell. The device determines an overall HRIR for the virtual scene by combining the determined HRIRs for the shells and combines the audio data with the overall HRIR. The device transmits the combined audio data to sound-producing elements of the device.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to audio playback resumption and adjustment of audio resumption settings based on feedback. A first date timestamp and a playback timestamp of audio content may be stored when pausing audio content. Then when resuming the audio content, a time interval between the first date timestamp and a current date timestamp may be determined. A resumption timestamp in the audio content may be determined based on the time interval being within a certain time range. After resuming playback, a feedback input may be determined. The feedback may be used in adjusting the resumption settings. The adjusted resumption settings may be used in subsequent resumption of the same or different content.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to managing audio messages. In some examples, user interfaces for displaying visual indications are described.

Abstract: Audio rendering devices comprising at least one audio rendering unit for playing audio streams, a processing circuit and a wireless communication unit for establishing wireless links and related method are disclosed. One audio rendering device is configured to receive a remote audio stream prioritization policy comprising one or more lists of associations between audio stream attributes and priority values, update a local audio stream prioritization policy based on the remote audio stream prioritization policy, identify audio streams available via wireless links, retrieve audio stream attributes of the available audio streams, select an available audio stream to be played among the available audio streams, based on the updated local audio stream prioritization policy and based on the audio stream attributes of the available audio streams, and play the selected audio stream, by the audio rendering unit of the audio rendering device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to data processing technologies, and disclose a fingerprint data processing method and a processing apparatus. In some embodiments, the fingerprint data processing method includes: receiving a first ciphertext that carries fingerprint data; decrypting the first ciphertext to obtain the fingerprint data; identifying the fingerprint data and generating an identification result; encrypting the identification result and generating a second ciphertext that carries the identification result; and sending the second ciphertext. Some embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a fingerprint data processing apparatus. With some embodiments of the present disclosure, the fingerprint data can be transmitted in a ciphertext form, thereby ensuring the confidentiality of the fingerprint data, and improving the security of the fingerprint data.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided to recognize features and activities from an audio signal. In one embodiment, a model is generated from sound effect data, which is augmented and projected into an audio domain to form a training dataset efficiently. Sound effect data is data that has been artificially created or from enhanced sounds or sound processes to provide a more accurate baseline of sound data than traditional training data. The sound effect data is augmented to create multiple variants to broaden the sound effect data. The augmented sound effects are projected into various audio domains, such as indoor, outdoor, urban, based on mixing background sounds consistent with these audio domains. The model is installed on any computing device, such as a laptop, smartphone, or other device. Features and activities from an audio signal are then recognized by the computing device based on the model without the need for in-situ training.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and method for interoperability of blockchains thereby allowing use of smart contracts across blockchains in real time and in a secured manner. A plurality of blockchains are connected to each other and allow use of smart contracts written on them by other connected blockchains without the need of rewriting and/or downloading the smart contract on other blockchain. The disclosed system and methods use a distributed file system storage for secured processing of information flowing from one blockchain to other connected blockchain. Further, each connected blockchain is associated with distinct private and public key in order to encrypt and decrypt the data flowing across blockchains.

Abstract: The various implementations described herein include methods, devices, and systems for clarifying media content. In one aspect, a method is performed at a client device that includes a microphone, memory, and one or more processors. The method includes: (1) while a media content item is playing on a second client device in proximity to the client device, receiving, via the microphone, a verbal query from a user of the client device; (2) sending a request to a remote server system; (3) receiving from the remote server system information responsive to the verbal query for a portion of the media content item; and (4) presenting the information to the user.

Abstract: A device such as a network-attachable data transfer device may be configured to operate in a cluster to coordinate the storage of data. A cluster manifest may include data and/or metadata related to devices of the cluster. In some cases, a cluster manifest may include, for each of one or more devices of a cluster: an encrypted payload; an identifier associated with the particular device; and an encrypted data entry. The encrypted payload may encode a cryptographic payload key used in part to perform storage operations. The encrypted data entry may include one or more encrypted partitions that are each decryptable by a different security module of the device. The decrypted partitions may be assembled to form a cryptographic key that may decrypt the encrypted payload. The cluster manifest may be provided to a locked device of a cluster as part of a process for unlocking the locked device.

Abstract: Confidence of attentiveness of a consumer of a media object on a media playback device is estimated by detecting a user action performed on a mobile computing device while or soon after the media objects are presented; responsive to the user action detection, retrieving descriptors for the media object; correlating the detected user action and the descriptors; if sufficiently correlated, determining a degree of confidence that the user is attentive to the media object; and recording the one user action, the media object descriptors, and the degree of confidence into digital results into computer memory.

Abstract: Improved tools for authoring and rendering audio reproduction data are provided. Some such authoring tools allow audio reproduction data to be generalized for a wide variety of reproduction environments. Audio reproduction data may be authored by creating metadata for audio objects. The metadata may be created with reference to speaker zones. During the rendering process, the audio reproduction data may be reproduced according to the reproduction speaker layout of a particular reproduction environment.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer-readable media, for per-station punctured transmissions. A wireless local area network (WLAN) device may determine available resource units (RUs) within a wireless channel that has a punctured frequency range. The WLAN device may allocate a plurality of RUs, from among the available RUs, for to include data for a same station. For example, a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) may include more than one RU for a first station. The RUs that are allocated to the first station may exclude the punctured frequency range. In some implementations, the plurality of RUs may be separated by at least the punctured frequency range. A signaling header in the PPDU may indicate which RUs are allocated to the first station. By allocating a plurality of RUs in a PPDU, a WLAN may support per-station puncturing within the PPDU.

Abstract: A control terminal and a method of controlling thereof, include receiving and group setting tasks or steps. The receiving task/step receives a selection of a first device, from among a plurality of devices, and a group setting operation for the first device. The group setting task/step, when the first device was previously selected, receives a first client selection of at least a second device, from among the plurality of devices, as a client, and generates a group setting that includes the first device and the at least the second device.

Abstract: A network media system forms a group comprising a first networked device and a second networked device using a first media playback protocol. The network media system includes the first networked device and the second networked device. The network media system determines a group coordinator for the group using the first media playback protocol. The network media system transmits, to a media source device, a group network identity using a second media playback protocol. The media source device and one of the first networked device and the second networked device are configured to use the first media playback protocol and the second media playback protocol. The first media playback protocol and the second media playback protocol are incompatible.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a method comprising determining a recurring event involving a first vehicle based on location information for the first vehicle over a pre-determined period of time, and determining one or more recurring vehicles for the recurring event. Each recurring vehicle is a different vehicle, and a number of times the recurring vehicle is within proximity of the first vehicle over the pre-determined period of time satisfies a pre-determined threshold. The method further comprises establishing a vehicle social network including the first vehicle and the one or more recurring vehicles. The method further comprises generating a shared pool of resources and caching power by pooling together resources and caching power of each vehicle included in the vehicle social network, and utilizing the shared pool of resources and caching power to facilitate collaborative caching between vehicles in the vehicle social network.

Abstract: Various implementations include approaches for controlling a wearable audio device. In some cases, a method includes: detecting an initiation trigger for initiating a spatialized augmented reality (AR) menu mode; providing at least two distinct audio choices corresponding with spatially delineated zones in a menu defined relative to a physical position of the wearable audio device, in response to the initiation trigger, wherein each audio choice is associated with a selection from the menu; receiving a selection command indicating selection of one of the audio choices, wherein the selection command comprises a gesture detected by a gesture detection system at the wearable audio device; and in response to receiving the selection command: a) initiating playback of audio content associated with the selected audio choice, b) adjusting a setting at the wearable audio device, c) entering an additional menu related to the selection command, or d) exiting the menu.

Abstract: An example method involves causing a control device to display a graphical user interface that comprises an indication of a first zone of a media playback system, wherein the media playback system comprises the first zone and a second zone, and wherein the graphical user interface does not comprise an indication of the second zone. The example method further involves detecting, by the control device, an input that indicates a command to cause the first zone to form a zone group with the second zone and play back a target media in synchrony with the second zone. The method further comprises, based on the detected input, causing the first zone to form a zone group with the second zone and play back the target media in synchrony with the second zone.

Abstract: A method of summarizing data files includes implementing, at a server, a storage event for a data file, analyzing the data file and creating a summary of the data file, and storing the summary linked to the data file.

Abstract: A technique for detecting a music segment in an audio signal is disclosed. A time window is set for each section in an audio signal. A maximum and a statistic of the audio signal within the time window are calculated. A density index is computed for the section using the maximum and the statistic. The density index is a measure of the statistic relative to the maximum. The section is estimated as a music segment based, at least in part, on a condition with respect to the density index.

Abstract: A playback device detects a first playback condition and a second playback condition related to an identified first user of a first media playback system. The playback device identifies an audio track associated with each of the first playback condition and the second playback condition. The playback device detects a third playback condition related to a geographical location, and based on the detected third playback condition, plays back audio content beginning with the identified audio track.

Abstract: A device for detecting an audio interface includes a processing unit, a first audio interface transmitting circuit, and a second audio interface transmitting circuit. The processing unit is utilized to generate a clock signal and a word select (WS) signal. The first audio interface transmitting circuit is utilized to generate a first audio data according to the clock signal. The second audio interface transmitting circuit is utilized to generate a second audio data according to the clock signal and the WS signal. The processing unit switches to the first audio interface transmitting circuit if a voltage potential of the WS signal remains at a high voltage level or remains at a low voltage level longer than a predetermined period. The processing unit switches to the second audio interface transmitting circuit if the voltage potential of the WS signal changes during the predetermined period.

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: Systems and methods in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure provide improved techniques to process and identify segments of media content and associated intellectual property rights associated with the media content. Intellectual property rights associated with media content may include copyright, trademarks, licenses to composition, synchronization, performance, recordings, etc. In particular, various embodiments provide improved techniques to identify segments of media content using fingerprinting and/or other heuristic rules to identify the original source of the segments of media content, the rights holders, and/or rights associated with the segments of media content.

Abstract: A loudspeaker system can have first and second loudspeakers selectively operable in a single-channel mode or in a multi-channel mode. In the single-channel mode, the first and the second loudspeakers are configured to simultaneously reproduce a substantially identical signal. In the multi-channel mode, the first loudspeaker reproduces a first-channel signal and the second loudspeaker reproduces a second-channel signal. The first-channel signal and the second-channel signal can constitute respective portions of a multi-channel signal. Such loudspeaker systems can also have a mode selector configured to select one of the single-channel mode and the multi-channel mode. In some embodiments, such selection can occur in response to one or more detected proximities of another loudspeaker system. Multi-zone loudspeaker systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for low-latency content streaming are described. In various embodiments, multiple data fragments may be sequentially generated. Each data fragment may represent a distinct portion of media content generated from a live content source. Each data fragment may include multiple sub-portions. Furthermore, for each data fragment, generating that fragment may include sequentially generating each sub-portion of that fragment. Embodiments may include, responsive to receiving a request for a particular data fragment from a client during the generation of a particular sub-portion of that particular data fragment, providing the particular sub-portion to the client subsequent to that particular sub-portion being generated and prior to the generation of that particular data fragment being completed in order to reduce playback latency at the client relative to the live content source.

Abstract: An audio streaming system including an audio streamer connected to an audio source, and at least one ear worn device. The audio streamer includes a first antenna with a first polarization, a second antenna with a second polarization, and a radio configured for transmitting a first audio stream signal (30) from the first antenna and a second audio stream signal (31) from the second antenna. The first audio stream signal (30) and the second audio stream signal (31) carry the same audio information and are shifted in time. At least one ear worn device is configured to receive the first audio stream signal (30) and the second audio stream signal (31), compare the signal strength of the first audio stream signal (30) and the second audio stream signal (31), and select either the first audio stream signal (30) and the second audio stream signal (31) as input for audio reception.

Abstract: Method for suppressing acoustic interfering signals, introduced into a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, including: detecting a physical size in the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, generating a detection information describing the detected physical size in the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, selection of a counter-signal parameter influencing the acoustic counter-signal, depending upon the physical size described through the detection information, and/or adaptation of a counter-signal parameter influencing the acoustic counter-signal, depending upon the physical size described through the detection information, generating an acoustic counter-signal on the basis of the selected counter-signal parameter and/or on the basis of the adapted counter-signal parameter, and outputting the generated acoustic counter-signal into the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle to suppress acoustic interfering signals, introduced into the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, resulti

Abstract: Arrangement for distributing head related transfer function filters. In the arrangement a user device sends a request for a head related transfer function filter to the service being used. The service verifies if the user of the device has a subscription for a head related transfer function filters in the service being used and retrieves a filter as a response to a positive verification result. The service may filter audio channels and transmit filtered audio further. In an alternative embodiment the service transmits the filter to the user device for filtering the audio.

Abstract: An audio system with an audio playback device that is configured to operatively connect to a digital audio source for playback of content from the digital audio source and a software program configured to run on a separate computer, wherein the software program provides a user interface configured to present to a first authorized user a selection of whether the audio playback device will be public and thus available to other authorized users or private and thus not available to other authorized users. In response to the first authorized user making a selection of whether the audio playback device will be public or private, an audio playback device access control is provided, wherein the access control is configured such that if the audio playback device is public, other authorized users are able to access and control the public audio playback device and if the audio playback device is private, other authorized users are not able to control the private audio playback device.

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 system and method executed by audio processing software on one or more electronic devices in a computer system to process digital audio signals.

Abstract: An audio headset receives one or more audio signals carrying one or more audio channels and processes the audio channels to generate stereo signals for output to a left and a right speaker of the audio headset. The processing determines a number of the audio channels carried in the received audio signal(s), adjusts level(s) of the audio channels based on the determined number of audio channels and/or adjusts gain and/or phase of the audio channels to control a perceived location of a listener wearing the headset relative to a source of sounds carried in the stereo signals.

Abstract: A method for editing video clips includes obtaining a latest video clip to be appended to a series of video clips, each video clip of the series of video clips recorded separately from each other. The method also includes, prior to recording a next video clip, displaying the latest video clip in response to receiving a request to navigate back to the latest video clip. The method also includes editing the latest video clip through a timeline, the timeline comprising thumbnails of the latest video clip, wherein editing the latest video clip comprises adjustments to the latest video clip. The method also includes generating an edited video clip based on edits to the latest video clip. The method also includes appending the edited video clip to the series of video clips. The method also includes recording the next video clip for appending to the edited video clip.

Abstract: Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to provide media content are disclosed. Example apparatus disclosed herein include means for identifying primary media content presented on a first media presentation device. Disclosed example apparatus also include means for accessing a secondary content schedule associated with the primary media content. The secondary content schedule includes a plurality of secondary content items and time values associated with the secondary content items. The secondary content items are also associated with a loyalty value for a user of the first media presentation device. Disclosed example apparatus further include means for selecting one of the secondary content items to be accessed in response to a timestamp associated with the primary media content being between time values associated with the selected one of the secondary content items in the secondary content schedule.

Abstract: A method and a terminal for playing an audio file in a multi-terminal cooperative manner include obtaining, by a source terminal, an audio signal frame, the audio signal frame includes a left channel signal and a right channel signal, obtaining, by the source terminal, a central channel signal and a surround channel signal based on the left channel signal and the right channel signal, obtaining, by the source terminal, a current location of a virtual sound source corresponding to the central channel signal, and generating, based on the current location and the central channel signal, a sound channel signal corresponding to the terminal in at least two sound channel signals, superposing, by the source terminal, the sound channel signal on the surround channel signal, to obtain a to-be-played sound channel signal corresponding to the terminal, and playing, by the source terminal, the to-be-played sound channel signal.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method to create a cinematic storytelling experience is provided. The method includes receiving, from a client device, a user selection of a story, and obtaining, from a server, (i) a lexicon associated with the selected story, the lexicon comprising a limited number of keywords, and (ii) instructions associated with the selected story, the instructions including instructions to perform at least one action responsive to the client device detecting a keyword. The method further includes receiving user input to initiate verbal recitation of the selected story, detecting correspondence between the verbal recitation and at least one of the keywords, and performing the at least one action according to the instructions for the at least one keyword.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are directed toward audio and visual mapping. A visual frame associated with an environment may be received. The visual frame may be segmented into a plurality of regions of interest. A first position for a first region of the plurality of regions of interest is determined. A determination may be made that the first position intersects with a projected area associated with a user. The projected area is to include one or more areas that are outside of a current direction of movement of the user. One or more characteristics of a first auditory stimulus are selected based on the first position and the determination that the first position is within the projected area.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to interfaces and techniques for media playback on one or more devices. In accordance with some embodiments, an electronic device includes a display, one or more processors, and memory. The electronic device receives user input and, in response to receiving the user input, displays, on the display, a multi-device interface that includes: one or more indicators associated with a plurality of available playback devices that are connected to the device and available to initiate playback of media from the device, and a media playback status of the plurality of available playback devices.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a production content server system with a computing device processing operations include causing a content reader server to couple to a content source with content using a wired or wireless link, and downloading at least one content file associated with content retrieved from the content source, where content file includes audio and/or a video. The operations include transcoding at least a portion of the at least one content file with a dynamic range compression to a specified dynamic range, equalization and duration, and processing at least one content audio file from the at least one content file. The operations further include storing the at least one content audio file to a production content database. Some embodiments include processing a production break audio file including blending the at least one production break audio file with at least one other content file.

Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for a computer-based method for modifying a sound source, including accessing, by an acoustic processing facility including at least one processor, a multi-dimensional sound profile of an acoustic environment, wherein the multi-dimensional sound profile comprises a time-based sound reflection sequence for the acoustic environment; and modifying, by the acoustic processing facility, a sound source data based on the multi-dimensional sound profile to generate a modified sound data.