Abstract: An electronic device is configured to receive a first request to display a user interface of a first third-party application on a respective display that is in communication with the device. The device is further configured to, in response to receiving the request, obtain a first user-interface template configured to be used by a plurality of third-party applications, and request, from the first application, one or more values for populating the first template. The device is also configured to receive, from the first application, while the first application is running on the device, a first set of values for populating the first template; populate the first template with the first set of values; generate a first user interface for the first application using the first template populated with the first set of values; and send information to the respective display that enables the first user interface to be displayed.

Abstract: A device-specific and application-specific computing device, a playback device and a method for controlling the playback device using the computing device is disclosed. In accordance with the present invention, a user may control the playback device using a control information generated according to a device configuration information of the computing device in his/her possession.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer program product for: receiving an indication of a pre-defined gesture detected by a motion tracking device, in response to receiving the indication of the detected pre-defined gesture, activating a selection method, wherein the selection method is dependent on motion detected by the motion tracking device, and activating a confirmation method for confirming a selection, wherein the confirmation method is independent of motion detected by the motion tracking device.

Abstract: A method for generating an audible information request form, comprising, receiving web page data for a website, analyzing the web page data to determine attributes related to a user interactive web element of the website, generating an audible form comprising one or more audible information inquiries based on the user interactive web element and establishing a telephone connection with a phone device associated with a second user. In certain aspects, the method further comprises steps for prompting the second user by providing the one or more audible information inquiries to the phone device, receiving audible response information from the phone device, wherein the audible response information comprises one or more responses related to the one or more audible information inquiries; and generating a request form based on the one or more responses. Systems and computer-readable media are also provided.

Abstract: An audio user interface that provides audio prompts that help a user interact with a user interface of an electronic device is disclosed. The audio prompts can provide audio indicators that allow a user to focus his or her visual attention upon other tasks such as driving an automobile, exercising, or crossing a street, yet still enable the user to interact with the user interface. An intelligent path can provide access to different types of audio prompts from a variety of different sources. The different types of audio prompts may be presented based on availability of a particular type of audio prompt. As examples, the audio prompts may include pre-recorded voice audio, such as celebrity voices or cartoon characters, obtained from a dedicate voice server. Absent availability of pre-recorded or synthesized audio data, non-voice audio prompts may be provided.

Abstract: A method and a mobile device are described for activating voice intercom function of instant messaging application software. In the method, a touch screen detects a touch action. The mobile device determines whether the touch point of the touch action is located in a preset location area and whether the touch action is a preset touch action. The mobile device activates voice intercom function of instant messaging application software if both determination results are affirmative. The method and mobile device are configured to conveniently activate voice intercom function of instant messaging application software.

Abstract: A TV control device, for an external TV device includes a storage unit storing a user identification code and user setting data corresponding to the user identification code, and a wireless communication unit transmitting a control signal to the external TV device according to the user identification code and the user setting data, wherein the external TV device determines a TV setting of the external TV device according to the user identification code and the user setting data when the external TV device receives the control signal.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable product for positioning a virtual sound capturing device in a graphical user interface (GUI) are disclosed. The method includes displaying a virtual sound capturing device in relation to a virtual sound producing device in a three dimensional interface and in a two dimensional graphical map. Additionally, the method includes adjusting the display of the virtual sound capturing device in relation to the virtual sound producing device in both the three dimensional interface and the two dimensional graphical map in response to commands received from an input device.

Abstract: Adapting trick commands to prior trick command usage is disclosed. In one example, during playback of a video content item, a user input of a sequence of trick commands is received that has a net effect on a playback location in the video content item, and in response to the sequence of trick commands, response to a later trick command is adapted based upon the net effect of the sequence of trick commands.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable medium, and method for automatically determining a topic of a conversation and responding to the topic determination are provided. In the method, an active topic is defined as a first topic in response to execution of an application. The first topic includes first text defining a plurality of phrases, a probability of occurrence associated with each of the plurality of phrases, and a response associated with each of the plurality of phrases. Speech text recognized from a recorded audio signal is received. Recognition of the speech text is based at least partially on the probability of occurrence associated with each of the plurality of phrases of the first topic. A phrase of the plurality of phrases associated with the received speech text is identified. The response associated with the identified phrase is performed by the computing device.

Abstract: A method for disambiguating entities on a multi-level security display includes receiving a selection of a particular security level and rendering entities having a different security level in a visually distinct way. Visual distinction may include not drawing the entities on the multi-level security display.

Abstract: Provided are an electronic device and an operating method thereof. When a predetermined event occurs while contents are being output, a video and a sound of the contents are controlled to be respectively output through different electronic devices, thus improving a content provision environment for a user.

Abstract: A method for automatic volume adjustment performed by a physical computing system includes, with the computing system, determining a virtual proximity between a user and a number of applications running on the computing system, the virtual proximity based in part on a type of one of the number of applications, and with the computing system, automatically adjusting a volume of the number of applications linked with a sound peripheral connecting to the computing system, the volume of each of the number of applications being based on the virtual proximity.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system having a controller to detect a selection of media content from a media content source, detect that the selected media content comprises a plurality of media content types, present a plurality of media content type options, each option corresponding to one of the plurality of media content types or combinations thereof, detect a selection from the plurality of media content type options, submit a request to a targeted communication device to accept or decline the selected media content according to the selected media content type option, retrieve one or more metadata pointers from the media content source for retrieving the selected media content responsive to receiving an acceptance from the targeted communication device, and store the one or more metadata pointers and the selected media content type option. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of defining a voice browser for browsing a plurality of voice sites, at least some of the voice sites having different telephone numbers, the voice sites being configured to be accessed by telephone, is provided including storing information relating to voice sites visited by a voice user; and providing forward and back functions, comprising transferring a user from one voice site to another, in response to commands by the user. Computer program code and systems are also provided.

Abstract: In a mixer, each input channel adjustment unit includes a main system unit that generates a main system signal, and a plurality of MIX send units that generate a plurality of MIX send signals. In each MIX send unit, a signal selection unit selects an audio signal from a plurality of audio signals being involved in the main system unit and including at least an audio signal to be inputted to a filter unit of the main system unit and an audio signal to be inputted to a main system gain adjustment unit. A linked gain setting unit of the MIX send unit applies a gain that increases or decreases in linking with the gain of the main system gain adjustment unit, to the audio signal that is selected by the signal selection unit. A linked ON/OFF unit of the MIX send unit sets ON state or OFF state of the audio signal that is selected by the signal selection unit in linking with the ON state or OFF state of a main system ON/OFF unit.

Abstract: A system, a computer readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for playing intro music while an online game loads on a client system. One or more intro songs are identified, and the stages of loading are monitored. Once the loading reaches a stage where interactivity between the user and the online game is possible, the currently playing intro song finishes playing while interactivity is permitted, but after the currently playing intro song finishes, the intro music has ended.

Abstract: Various aspects described or referenced herein are directed to different methods, systems, and computer program products relating to multi-media management and streaming techniques implemented over a computer network. In one embodiment, a Multi-Media Management and Streaming (MMMS) System may be configured or designed to provide online users with “location based” streaming radio functionality. Users from different geographic locations may access a variety of MMMS System GUIs to access information relating to one or more artists/bands, songs, venues, and/or events such as live music performances. Users may also access a variety of MMMS System GUIs to search for, create, and/or share customized streaming radio stations which may be configured to identify, present information relating to, and/or play/stream music associated with one or more artists/bands, songs, venues, and/or events.

Abstract: A screen reader application for visually impaired users suppresses unwanted content that is output by Braille or text-to-speech. The invention accesses, but does not modify, the document object model of the web page and enumerates web page elements for the end user to either hide or skip to. The end user selections are saved as rules which may be applied according to various levels of scope include web page specific, site specific or web-wide. A screen magnification application for visually impaired users automatically sets the visual focus and magnification level on a web page element according to end-user selection.

Abstract: Speech-enabled content navigation and control of a distributed multimodal browser is disclosed, the browser providing an execution environment for a multimodal application, the browser including a graphical user agent (‘GUA’) and a voice user agent (‘VUA’), the GUA operating on a multimodal device, the VUA operating on a voice server, that includes: transmitting, by the GUA, a link message to the VUA, the link message specifying voice commands that control the browser and an event corresponding to each voice command; receiving, by the GUA, a voice utterance from a user, the voice utterance specifying a particular voice command; transmitting, by the GUA, the voice utterance to the VUA for speech recognition by the VUA; receiving, by the GUA, an event message from the VUA, the event message specifying a particular event corresponding to the particular voice command; and controlling, by the GUA, the browser in dependence upon the particular event.

Abstract: Provided is an information processing device including a display control unit configured to initiate a selective displaying of content screens, and a sound output control unit configured to generate localization information of a notification sound associated with a first content screen that is not currently being displayed and initiate an outputting of the notification sound to a user in accordance with the localization information while a second content screen is being displayed.

Abstract: Various aspects disclosed herein are directed to different techniques for: analyzing webpage content, and identifying references to artist names. When a match is identified, the web page may be dynamically and automatically modified to causes display of a “play” button next to the matched artist name displayed on the webpage. When the play button is selected by a user, this may cause a streaming media player to open at the user's system and begin playing streamed music relating to the matched artist.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving the scrolling of user interfaces of electronic devices are provided.

Abstract: An operation input unit detects an operation position corresponding to an operation input; a display processing unit changes a display item to be displayed on a display unit of a plurality of items, depending on a change of the operation position; a processing control unit continues a process of changing the display item to be displayed on the display unit until a predetermined input is received, while a vehicle is moving, and when an operation speed of moving the operation position is higher than a preset threshold of the operation speed, or an operation acceleration at which the operation speed changes is higher than a preset threshold of the operation acceleration; and an item selecting unit selects any of the plurality of items based on the predetermined input.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment involves receiving identifications of audio problems in a segment of audio and identifications of corrections for applying to attempt to correct the audio problems, wherein the audio problems were identified by a device applying one or more audio problem detection algorithms to the segment of audio. The exemplary embodiment further involves displaying a user interface comprising representations of the audio problems and representations of the corrections and, in response to receiving a command through the user interface to initiate application of a correction of the corrections, initiating application of the correction.

Abstract: The interactive authentication system allows a consumer to interact with a base station, such as broadcast media (e.g., television and radio) or PC, to receive coupons, special sales offers, and other information with an electronic card. The electronic card can also be used to transmit a signal that can be received by the base station to perform a wide variety of tasks. These tasks can include launching an application, authenticating a user at a website, and completing a sales transaction at a website (e.g., by filling out a form automatically). The interaction between the base station and the electronic card is accomplished by using the conventional sound system in the base station so that a special reader hardware need not be installed to interact with the electronic card. The user is equipped with an electronic card that can receive and transmit data via sound waves. In the various embodiments, the sound waves can be audible or ultrasonic (which can be slightly audible to some groups of people).

Abstract: A system and method for visual representation of sound, wherein the system and method obtain sound information from a multimedia content; generate an icon based on the sound information obtained; generate a directional indicator based on the sound information; and then display the icon and the directional indicator on a display screen. The sound information typically includes various attributes that can be mapped to various properties of the display elements (icon and directional indicator) to provide details relating to the sound via a visual display.

Abstract: A list of notification items is received, the list including a plurality of notification items, wherein each respective one of the plurality of notification items is associated with a respective urgency value. An information item is detected. In some implementations, the information item is a communication (e.g., an email). In some implementations, the information item is a change in context of a user. Upon determining that the information item is relevant to the urgency value of the first notification item, the urgency value of the first notification item is adjusted. Upon determining that the adjusted urgency value satisfies the predetermined threshold, a first audio prompt is provided to a user.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are described wherein an auxiliary sensor attachable to a touchscreen computing device provides an additional form of user input. When used in conjunction with an accessibility process in the touchscreen computing device, wherein the accessibility process generates audible descriptions of user interface features shown on a display of the device, actuation of the auxiliary sensor by a user affects the manner in which concurrent touchscreen input is processed and audible descriptions are presented.

Abstract: A system and method for recording and managing a plurality of sound takes for an at least one sound part associated with a sound project are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, a primary user is capable of selectively adding at least one sound part to the sound project, and at least one sound take for a given sound part. The primary user is also able to select one of the previously recorded sound takes for each of the at least one sound parts for simultaneous playback during the recording of any new sound takes.

Abstract: A mobile device of executing an action in a display unchecking mode and a method of controlling the same are provided. The method includes detecting a display unchecking mode trigger, entering into the display unchecking mode, upon detection of the display unchecking mode trigger, detecting a predetermined execution trigger in the display unchecking mode, and executing a predetermined action corresponding to the predetermined execution trigger, upon the detecting of the predetermined execution trigger.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for setting a section of a multimedia file in a mobile device are provided. The apparatus may allow a user to select a section of multimedia file in an intuitive and simple manner. After selecting a multimedia file, the mobile device activates a section selection function of the multimedia file and displays a section selection mark for setting a section. The mobile device then selects the section of the multimedia file by moving the section selection mark along a progress bar indicating a total play time of the selected multimedia file.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system are provided for visually indicating a replay status of media items on a media device. Aspects of the method and system include displaying in a graphical user interface (GUI) of the media device a representation of a first media item; displaying a profile score of the first media item that is based on user preferences; and displaying a replay score for the first media item that affects replay of the first media item.

Abstract: A computer-implemented user interface method for a computing device is disclosed. The method includes associating each of a plurality of telephone keys with a direction of each key relative to a center of a telephone keypad, receiving a contact from a user of the device at a location on a touchscreen display of a computing device and an input at a direction relative to the location of the user contact, and causing a telephone number to be entered on the computing device based on the direction of each key relative to the center of the telephone keypad corresponding to the direction relative to the location of the user contact.

Abstract: A system allocates channel bandwidth based on the data received from a plurality of remote sources. A de-multiplexer/priority circuit separates two or more different data streams into their components parts. A stream modification driver modifies one or more characteristics of the data received from the de-multiplexer/priority circuit based on a priority assigned to the data by the de-multiplexer/priority circuit. The de-multiplexer/priority circuit determines the data transfer rates for each of the different data streams based on the assigned priority.

Abstract: Managing playlists, comprising: displaying a current playlist and one or more playlists that intersect the current playlist at a current media item; selecting one of the following: (1) when a pivot command to pivot from the current playlist to a pivoted playlist is received, first moving to a next media item of the pivoted playlist, and displaying the pivoted playlist and one or more playlists that intersect the pivoted playlist at the next media item of the pivoted playlist; (2) otherwise when no pivot command is received, second moving to a next media item of the current playlist, and displaying the current playlist and one or more playlists that intersect the current playlist at the next media item of the current playlist.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing improved 3D sound experience to a user. The sound generation layer is customizable to allow the user and/or application provider to modify the internal rules the sound generation layer uses to render sounds, to amplify sounds that fall below a pre-set or user-set volume level, and to specifically amplify/soften certain sounds (such as game specific sounds like gunfire or footsteps), or specific frequencies of sounds. A graphical user interface can communicates with the sound generation layer to handle any or all the above, so that a lay user can easily adjust these settings without having to understand the underlying algorithms.

Abstract: A media player user interface on behalf of a user associated with a user account is generated that has a social network module that includes music updates associated with other users to which the user is linked. Media player actions associated with the user occurring in the media player user interface are also captured, updates are generated and provided to social network modules in a media player user interface associated with other linked users.

Abstract: A screen reader software product for low-vision users, the software having a reader module collecting textual and non-textual display information generated by a web browser or word processor. Font styling, interface layout information and the like are communicated to the end user by sounds broadcast simultaneously rather than serially with the synthesized speech to improve the speed and efficiency in which information may be digested by the end user.

Abstract: Media players and associated methods are described that may allow a user to navigate content or other media assets. A media player or portable media device, can include features for generating and utilizing navigation information for navigating content, such as audio books. An audio book may be analyzed to determine one or more locations within the audio book that represent chapters, paragraphs, sentences, or the like. Navigation information may be generated indicative of the one or more locations that may be used by a media player or portable media device to play content in the audio book. The navigation information may include audio clips extracted from the audio book to represent the chapters and the like. In addition, a user may navigate content in response to predetermined user motions. A media player may scroll through content based on the predetermined user motions.

Abstract: A method and system of controlling and/or configuring an electronic audio processor and/or synthesizer, comprises a network or bi-directional data port that allows such a device to be connected to a computer or computer network, as well as within the memory of the device, or within memory or other data storage attached to or integrated with the device, the software required for the user to control and/or configure the device itself from a computer, such that the software can be transferred to the computer, executed, and used to control and/or configure the device without requiring the user to have previously found and installed such control and/or configuration software on the computer through means other than those described herein.

Abstract: Upon detecting input of an instruction to change a display layout of a document on a display screen, display control of the document on the display screen is performed so that a character output as a voice by a voice output unit at the time of detection is displayed on the display screen.

Abstract: Digital television channels are preemptively cached based on a modeling of a user to reduce delays while switching channels. A current television channel is selected using a first tuner. A future television channel selection of the user is then predicted based on a modeling of the user. The recorded content of the predicted future television channel is preemptively cached using a second tuner. A buffer of the recorded content of the predicted future television channel is displayed when the user switches from the current television channel to the predicted future television channel. The modeling of the user is updated and stored in storage.

Abstract: A method is described for user correction of speech recognition results. A speech recognition result for a given unknown speech input is displayed to a user. A user selection is received of a portion of the recognition result needing to be corrected. For each of multiple different recognition data sources, a ranked list of alternate recognition choices is determined which correspond to the selected portion. The alternate recognition choices are concatenated or interleaved together and duplicate choices removed to form a single ranked output list of alternate recognition choices, which is displayed to the user. The method may be adaptive over time to derive preferences that can then be leveraged in the ordering of one choice list or across choice lists.

Abstract: A method and system for defining standard catch styles used in generating speech application code for managing catch events, in which a style-selection menu that allows for selection of one or more catch styles is presented. Each catch style represents a system response to a catch event. A catch style can be selected from the style-selection menu. For each selected catch style, the system can prepare a response for each catch event. If the selected catch style requires playing a new audio message in response to a particular catch event, a contextual message can be entered in one or more text fields. The contextual message entered in each text field corresponds to the new audio message that will be played in response to the particular catch event. In certain catch styles, the entered contextual message is different for each catch event, while in other catch styles, the entered contextual message is the same for each catch event.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable storage medium related to operating an intelligent digital assistant are disclosed. A user request is received, the user request including at least a speech input received from a user. Two or more alternative interpretations of user intent are obtained based on the received user request. One or more commonalities and one or more differences among the two or more alternative interpretations of user intent are identified. A response is provided to the user, the response presenting at least one of the identified differences and eliciting additional user input to choose among the two or more alternative interpretations of user intent based on the at least one difference.

Abstract: A dialog design tool includes a dialog manager including a system prompt generator and a response generator which allows a dialog designer to generate at least one response; a dialog synthesizer for structurally managing the input and response; and an output and display unit for outputting and displaying at least one dialog structure. At least one system prompt and at least one response are included in each state, and a linking unit may link a first state to a second state related to the first state, link the second state to a third state, and so on until certain system actions can be achieved. A dialog synthesizer includes a loop detecting unit which detects and identifies loops in the dialog structure. Thus, the dialog design tool facilitates the creation of natural language dialogs by creating data structures for voice user interfaces.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for facilitating the use of an electronic device having a user interface that is sensitive to a user's gestures. An “eyes-free” mode is provided in which the user can control the device without looking at the device display. Once the eyes-free mode is engaged, the user can control the device by performing gestures that are detected by the device, wherein a gesture is interpreted by the device without regard to a specific location where the gesture is made. The eyes-free mode can be used, for example, to look up a dictionary definition of a word in an e-book or to navigate through and select options from a hierarchical menu of settings on a tablet. The eyes-free mode advantageously allows a user to interact with the user interface in situations where the user has little or no ability to establish concentrated visual contact with the device display.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for facilitating the use of an electronic device having a user interface that is sensitive to a user's gestures. An “eyes-free” mode is provided in which the user can control the device without looking at the device display. Once the eyes-free mode is engaged, the user can control the device by performing gestures that are detected by the device, wherein a gesture is interpreted by the device without regard to a specific location where the gesture is made. The eyes-free mode can be used, for example, to look up a dictionary definition of a word in an e-book or to navigate through and select options from a hierarchical menu of settings on a tablet. The eyes-free mode advantageously allows a user to interact with the user interface in situations where the user has little or no ability to establish concentrated visual contact with the device display.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for annotating video content with metadata generated using speech recognition technology. The method begins by rendering video content on a display device. A segment of speech is received from a user such that the speech segment annotates a portion of the video content currently being rendered. The speech segment is converted to a text-segment and the text-segment is associated with the rendered portion of the video content. The text segment is stored in a selectively retrievable manner so that it is associated with the rendered portion of the video content.