Abstract: A system and method for providing content offering recommendations to users based on the users' preferences. Content offerings may be assigned to a primary metagenre and one or more sub-genres, as well as a secondary metagenre (and additional sub-genres if desired). The offerings may also be identified by their source, and this information can be used with the primary/secondary metagenre/sub-genre data to prepare a listing of recommended files. The listing may be generated by first generating three match listings: 1) a strong genre match listing identifying those offerings that match two user preferred metagenres; 2) a genre/style match listing identifying those offerings whose primary metagenre and corresponding sub-genre are preferred by the user; and 3) a weak genre match listing identifying those offerings whose primary metagenre matches a user preference, but whose secondary metagenre does not.

Abstract: A method for validating a touch made on a touch-sensitive screen such as, for example, making a keystroke on a screen keyboard on a computing device with a touch-sensitive screen (such as a smart phone or a tablet computer). The user intends to make an intended single touch on a desired zone on the screen, and then touches an actually-touched zone on the screen. The actual touch may or may not be on the zone desired by the user. The computing device initiates, in real time, an audible response corresponding to the actual touch (such as a real time announcement of the keystroke actually made). The user can thus validate that as she types, each keystroke she makes is accurate, one by one, “on the fly”. Software embodying the method may be available in any form, such as embedded in an operating system or downloadable as a separate app.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer programs are presented for generating media tabs for playing media files of various websites or applications. One method includes detecting a selected website through a browser and scanning the selected website to identify media files. For identified media files in the selected website, the method creates a media tab for association with the browser. The method generates a unified set of media controls for the media tab, where the unified set of media controls is mapped to native controls of the selected website having the media files. The method provides tab rendering data for the media tab. The tab rendering data is configured for associating the media tab with the browser. The tab rendering data, when associated with the browser, enables input at the media tab to be communicated to selected ones of the native controls, without accessing the native controls at the selected website.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a device for using audio plug-ins in a mixer, provided with a mixer and a computer, whereby the mixer has a control panel and signal-processing electronics and the computer has an audio interface, and audio plug-ins can be installed on it, in which an audio plug-in host is installed on the computer for receiving plug-ins, that the mixer has a plug-in control system, that computer and mixer are connected to one another by means of audio tie lines and at least one control line, and that the entire control, including that of the audio plug-ins, can be carried out by the mixer.

Abstract: In an in-vehicle audio/visual apparatus which displays an external device screen of an external media player on a display unit, a communication unit is configured to communicate with an external media player. An external device screen displaying unit is configured to select one of a plurality of external device screens in accordance with the external media player and display the selected external device screen on the display unit.

Abstract: A system and mechanism for monitoring and/or controlling a sound masking system from a computer aided design drawing. According to an embodiment, the system is configured to allow an operator to “click” sound masking components on the design drawing and view operating/configuration settings, and/or edit, change or modify the operating/configuration settings, which are then applied via an interface to the associated physical sound masking component in the sound masking system. According to another embodiment, the system is configured to allow an operator to design or configure sound masking components on a design drawing. The sound masking components correspond to physical sound masking components in a sound masking system and comprise one or more active sound masking elements, which are configured to be responsive to an input and allow an operator to monitor, change and/or modify operating/configuration settings for physical sound masking component via the sound masking element in the design drawing.

Abstract: Methods of interacting with a mixed reality are presented. A mobile device captures an image of a real-world object where the image has content information that can be used to control a mixed reality object through an offered command set. The mixed reality object can be real, virtual, or a mixture of both real and virtual.

Abstract: A computer terminal changes the non-evaluation property of one of the reference timings to the evaluation property based on a result of the evaluation conducted by comparing one of the reference timings having the evaluation property with the timing of the input performed by the operator.

Abstract: A content reproduction apparatus includes: a partial reproduction unit for partially reproducing only a predetermined partial reproduction range in an entire reproduction range of contents before switching to next contents to partially reproduce only a predetermined partial reproduction range in an entire reproduction range of the next contents; a creation unit for creating a status bar by superimposing a partial reproduction range bar indicating the partial reproduction range on an entire reproduction range bar indicating the entire reproduction range; a display unit for displaying a reproduction screen when the partial reproduction is performed by the partial reproduction unit; and a control unit for displaying the status bar as superimposed on the reproduction screen.

Abstract: A social media platform is provided for interacting in a three-dimensional platform. The platform leverages a social graph from a user's social network to enable the user to invite social networking friends to interact within a three-dimensional virtual social venue. The platform also provides avatars to the user and friends who enter the virtual social venue. The platform also leverages the social graph to import user profile pictures from the social network, superimpose them onto the avatars, and display the avatars with the superimposed profile pictures within the context of the virtual three-dimensional space. Alternatively, the platform imports streaming images of the users from cameras, superimpose them onto the avatars, and display the avatars with their superimposed streaming images within the context of the virtual three-dimensional space.

Abstract: A controller for use by a user is utilized to select media for playback by an entertainment system. A display displays a hierarchy of levels of options to the user. One level of the hierarchy of levels is displayed at a time. A physical dial is utilized to select an option on the one level of the hierarchy of levels in response to a physical movement of the physical dial. A processing device updates the display of the hierarchy of levels in response to selection of the option by the user. The processing device performs one of the following in response to the user selecting the option on the one level: (a) displaying a higher level of the hierarchy of levels, or (b) generating an instruction to cause media corresponding to the option to be played by the entertainment system.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing an audio signal and method thereof are disclosed. The method comprises receiving a downmix signal, object information indicating attribute of the object and including object number information, preset information to render the downmix signal, external preset information being inputted from external, and applied object number information indicating the number of object being applied the external preset information; determining whether the applied object number information is identical to the object number information; and rendering the downmix signal by using the external preset information, if the applied object number information is identical to the object number information, wherein the external preset rendering parameter renders the object being included in the downmix signal and the external preset metadata indicates attribute of the external preset rendering parameter.

Abstract: An information processing unit according to the present invention includes: a content information acquiring portion which acquires meta data containing a thumbnail of a content corresponding to the content data and information indicating presence/absence of a preview of the content and the content data; a display control portion which displays a list of the content thumbnails on a display portion; and an operation detecting portion which detects the operation of a position specifying object for specifying the content to be reproduced from the displayed thumbnail, wherein if the position specifying object stays in the thumbnail corresponding to the content whose preview is present in a predetermined time interval, the content information acquiring portion acquires content data relating to the preview, and the display control portion automatically reproduces the acquired content data relating to the preview.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing accessible reading modes in electronic computing devices. The user can transition between a manual reading mode and an automatic reading mode using a transition gesture. The manual reading mode may allow the user to navigate through content, share content with others, aurally sample and select content, adjust the reading rate, font, volume, or configure other reading and/or device settings. The automatic reading mode facilitates an electronic device reading automatically and continuously from a predetermined point with a selected voice font, volume, and rate, and only responds to a limited number of command gestures that may include scrolling to the next or previous sentence, paragraph, page, chapter, section or other content boundary. For each reading mode, earcons may guide the selection and/or navigation techniques, indicate content boundaries, confirm user actions or selections, or to otherwise provide an intuitive and accessible user experience.

Abstract: In a portable computing device having at least one kind of input, at least one kind of output, and a data communications interface, a method and apparatus for obtaining entity-related “acceptable or unacceptable” decisions based on matching the results of internet information retrieval against user-supplied, persistent preferences are described. User-supplied preferences consist of a list of internet information resources the user wants to be examined to obtain a decision about whether or not an entity is acceptable, and of a list of criteria that an entity from said internet information resources has to meet to be found acceptable by the user. In one embodiment, a graphical user interface on the portable computing device is provided, allowing the identification of an entity.

Abstract: A television and a method are provided. The television includes a display, a first network interface to a packet-based network, a first modular card receptacle coupled to the first network interface, and an audio receiver modular card coupled to the first modular card receptacle, the audio receiver modular card to process audio data, wherein the television is operable to display video content on the display promptly upon receipt of a user request.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for creating a new roundup of an audiovisual document previously recorded in a device. The document contains two parts, one being the roundup and the other composed of a plurality of reports. The roundup is itself divided into a plurality of parts. The device first searches for the associations between the roundup parts and the reports, and detects the reports that are not associated with roundup parts. Then, summaries are created for the reports not associated with the roundup, and incorporated into the initial roundup to create a new roundup. In this manner, the user can easily select any report from the roundup part associated with this report. The invention also relates to the receiver suitable for implementing the method.

Abstract: A method consistent with the present invention involves displaying a window on a computer monitor; at one or more programmed processors, determining a position of the window on the computer monitor; at the one or more programmed processors, deducing a user position for a user of the window with the window based on the position of the window on the computer monitor; and steering audio signals from an application running in the window to a loudspeaker in an array of loudspeakers, where the loudspeaker is a loudspeaker in the array of loudspeakers closer to the deduced user position than another loudspeaker in the array. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for displaying a list of people associated with a message item along with images and other personal context information in a PIM application. The people associated with the message item are identified and a list is generated containing a name, an image, and other personal context information for each. The list of people associated with the message item is displayed in a window of the PIM along with the information regarding the message item.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system are provided for profiling or analyzing audio data based on an audio parameter. The audio data is divided into audio data into segments. Each segment is characterized by the audio parameter in a defined range. Effects are selected according to the segments meeting criteria for the audio parameter of the effects. A media presentation is authored or generated using the selected effects.

Abstract: A system is provided to i) Allow a computer to access multiple streams of multi-media content, such as video, audio and RSS content; ii) put a “place holder” inside software applications into which the multi-media content can be directed; and iii) direct the multi-media content to any software application running in the foreground that contains a place holder.

Abstract: Provided is a method of operating a portable terminal. A recording menu is displayed through a display unit. A signal sound received through a microphone is recorded according to a selection of the recording menu. Product information is extracted from the recorded signal sound for signal processing. A diagnosis is performed based on the extracted product information. A result of performing the diagnosis is displayed through the display unit.

Abstract: Various methods and devices for vehicles are provided, wherein directional output of sound is used. In some embodiments, speech signals assigned to different speakers in a telephone conference are reproduced with different directional characteristics. In other embodiments, menu items of a menu are reproduced using different directions. In some embodiments, a loudspeaker arrangement may be provided at a dashboard or in a backrest of a seat of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing an audio signal and method thereof are disclosed. The present invention includes receiving the audio signal and preset information; obtaining preset matrix from the preset information, wherein the preset matrix indicates contribution degree of the object to output channel; and adjusting output level of the object by using the preset matrix. Accordingly, without user's setting for each object, if preset metadata to be applied to an audio signal is selected with reference to previously-set preset metadata, levels of objects included in the audio signal can be easily adjusted using preset rendering data corresponding to the selected preset metadata.

Abstract: A system, method and program product for mapping voice response units (VRUs). A system is provided that includes: an interrogation system for interrogating a VRU and gathering a hierarchical set of options associated with the VRU; a map building system for converting the hierarchical set of options into a VRU map suitable for display; and a user interface for displaying the VRU map to an end user.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for manipulating graphical objects are provided. For example, a polygonal mesh may be modeled based on graphical object content, and then both a graphical object based on the graphical object content and a map of control points based on the polygonal mesh may be rendered on a display. A user may activate one or more of the displayed control points and may provide one or more user movements to reposition the activated control points. The polygonal mesh may be physically simulated in response to the user movements of the control points, and then the graphical object and the map of control points may be re-rendered based on the physical simulation of the polygonal mesh. The graphical object content may include multiple character glyphs of a text string, and the polygonal mesh for that content may include one or more intra-character polygons per character glyph.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for location based sound management. Information associated with a display is defined or selected based on user inputs and sounds associated with responsive locations of the display. Defining of the information associated with the display may be based at least in part on user touches to a touch screen display. Parameters for playback are also selected, such as a number of audio channels, based on user inputs that may similarly comprise user touches to the touch screen display. Playback parameters may be changed during playback based on user inputs occurring during playback.

Abstract: A file execution method and system for a portable device for expediting an execution of files is provided. A method for executing an audio file including at least one track associated with a cover image includes displaying a first cover image associated with a track that is playing and displaying a first track list on the first cover image in response to a first key input signal, the first track list listing tracks associated with the first cover image. The portable device implemented with the file execution method and system of the present invention enables a track list to be displayed together with a cover image shared by a set of tracks listed on the track list, thereby expediting execution of files.

Abstract: A video services receiver system for providing video content to a display for viewing by a customer is presented here. The video services receiver system includes a receiver interface configured to receive data associated with video services, and a display interface for the display. The display interface provides a graphical interactive programming interface for the video services, the programming interface having a plurality of user-selectable elements. The video services receiver system also includes an audio interface configured to generate audio signals associated with operation of the video services receiver system. A processor of the system detects selection of one of the user-selectable elements, which results in a selected element. In response to selection of an element, the processor initiates generation of audio with the audio interface, the audio conveying content associated with the selected element.

Abstract: Apparatus comprises means for independently controlling the output volume levels of a plurality of software applications associated with the apparatus; means responsive to a user command to change a master volume level for changing the volume levels of each of the software applications in the same sense; and when one of the plurality of software applications is at a maximum volume level, means responsive to a user command to increase the master volume level for increasing the volume levels of each of the other software applications which are not at the maximum level.

Abstract: An audio enabled control menu system, method and device is provided. Embodiments of the present invention include an encoder including an input device actuation of the encoder by an operator of the control menu device; memory including a menu structure and a plurality of audio segments stored in the memory; and a microcontroller in operable communication with the encoder and the memory, the microcontroller further configured to receive menu navigation input from the encoder and output one of the plurality of audio segments in response to the menu navigation input, the microcontroller further configured to execute predetermined control actions in response to the menu navigation input. Embodiments of the invention transmit menu options to an operator in an audio format such that the operator can browse and select menu options with one hand and does not need to look at a visually displayed menu.

Abstract: Modular auxiliary processor circuitry, capable of performing telematics services, including wireless communications, diagnostic assessment and reporting, location based services, and internetworking, couples with a vehicle head unit through an auxiliary processing module interface. When so coupled, the auxiliary processing module circuitry can perform tasks, services, functions, and aspect that a lower-capability processor of the head unit cannot perform as quickly or as efficiently, if at all. When the auxiliary processor module is coupled and active, its display output can couple to a display device either permanently fixed in the vehicle, or portable and mobile with respect to the vehicle, through conductors or a wireless link.

Abstract: A system and method for interacting with a graphical user interface (GUI) on a display means of a computing device. The system includes a multifunctional input device configured to interact with a simplified graphical user interface (GUI) of the computing device. The multifunctional input device is configured to provide improved accessibility to the computing device for users having limited computing knowledge and/or skills, as well as limited physical and/or cognitive abilities.

Abstract: A device, computer program and method for outputting linguistic information. The voice output device, for example, includes an output information acquisition unit acquiring linguistic information and attribute information. Attribute information includes an attribute added to each linguistic element included in the linguistic information. A tactile pattern storage unit stores a predetermined tactile pattern corresponding to each linguistic element. A tactile pattern acquisition unit acquires the tactile pattern from the tactile pattern storage unit. A voice output unit reads aloud the linguistic elements and a tactile pattern output unit outputs, in parallel with reading aloud each linguistic element, the tactile pattern corresponding to the attribute added to the linguistic element, thereby allowing a user to sense the tactile pattern by the sense of touch.

Abstract: A method of using conversation state information in a conversational interaction system is disclosed. A method of inferring a change of a conversation session during continuous user interaction with an interactive content providing system includes receiving input from the user including linguistic elements intended by the user to identify an item, associating a linguistic element of the input with a first conversation session, and providing a response based on the input. The method also includes receiving additional input from the user and inferring whether or not the additional input from the user is related to the linguistic element associated with the conversation session. If related, the method provides a response based on the additional input and the linguistic element associated with the first conversation session. Otherwise, the method provides a response based on the second input without regard for the linguistic element associated with the first conversation session.

Abstract: Automated methods are used to augment an original script of a time-based media program that contains speech with timing metadata and an indication of a confidence level with which script portions are matched with the speech in the program audio track. An editor uses a spot dialog editor tool to produce a word-accurate spot dialog master by reviewing and editing script portions displayed next to the corresponding portions of the time-based media. The spot dialog editor tool selects for review and editing the parts of the script having a low confidence match with the speech in the program.

Abstract: Examples of systems and methods for voice-based navigation in one or more virtual areas that define respective persistent virtual communication contexts are described. These examples enable communicants to use voice commands to, for example, search for communication opportunities in the different virtual communication contexts, enter specific ones of the virtual communication contexts, and bring other communicants into specific ones of the virtual communication contexts. In this way, these examples allow communicants to exploit the communication opportunities that are available in virtual areas, even when hands-based or visual methods of interfacing with the virtual areas are not available.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and user equipment for unlocking a screen saver, which can implement personalized operations of screen saver unlocking. The method includes: detecting a position of a first input on a screen; detecting a duration of the first input when the position of the first input falls into a user-preset track; and unlocking the screen saver when the duration exceeds a time threshold. The corresponding user equipment includes a position detecting module, a time detecting module, and a screen. The above technical solutions may implement personalized operations of screen saver unlocking and increase fun by detecting whether the position of a user input falls into a user-preset track and detecting the duration of the user input.

Abstract: A method includes steps determining individual ones of speakers and microphones connected to a first computerized appliance by execution of a software routine, determining individual ones of computer applications executable on the first or a second computerized appliance, and capable of audio input and output, and associating the speakers and microphones with the computer applications such that audio output from individual applications is provided to associated speakers only and audio input from individual microphones is provided to associated applications only.

Abstract: A portable virtual input control device and a method thereof are provided, which can achieve a purpose of human-machine interaction and remote control. The portable virtual input control device comprises a main body, an operation interface display unit connected to the main body, an image capturing module adjacent to the main body, and a central processing module, built in the main body. The operation interface display unit is movably disposed in front of a head of the user for displaying an operation interface corresponding to a controlled device. The image capturing module captures a position image of a hand of the user outside the operation interface display unit.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for remotely monitoring a plurality of amplifiers on a display device. The amplifiers are provided to process audio signals and directly or indirectly connected to a network. In the apparatus, a collecting section collects a group code from each of the amplifiers through the network. The group code is allocated to each amplifier according to a grouping system for grouping the plurality of the amplifiers. A display control section displays a tree diagram of the amplifiers according to the collected group codes on the display device as a graphical representation of the grouping system.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products adapt gaming applications to participants. Should one of the participants be a minor, for example, the gaming application may adapt to scenarios that are appropriate for minors. Similarly, the gaming application may adapt to customs associated with a country of a participant.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of a portable terminal outputting a sound effect are provided. An operation method of the portable terminal includes sensing an input, identifying a handwriting tool used for the input and a handwriting face displayed, and outputting a sound that mimics an actual handwriting operation of the portable terminal.

Abstract: A stand-alone desktop application (i.e., client) that resides on an end user's local computer and receives customized music playlists and content via the Internet from a network of distributed servers. The end user may install the application in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to, downloading it from the Internet or installing it from a CD that has been pre-loaded with the client. Songs downloaded through the application may be cached locally. The application forms a playlist based on user-entered preferences, an analysis of music already existing on the computer, and previous user interactions with the application. Similar or related songs, albums, bands, or artists can be displayed graphically in a “song cloud” around a graphical representation of the song being played.

Abstract: A mobile computerized device receives an indication of a first user input comprising a button actuation to initiate a push-to-talk voice search. The device receives from the user a spoken search phrase comprising one or more search terms, and receives an indication of a second user input comprising releasing the actuated button which indicates that the user has finished speaking the search phrase. The mobile device generates a search query using the one or more search terms in the spoken search phrase, responsive to receiving the second user input. In a further example, the computerized mobile device displays one or more likely text search phrases derived from the spoken search phrase via voice-to-text conversion, receives a user input indicating which of the likely text search phrases is an intended search phrase, and uses the intended search phrase as the one or more search terms used in generating the search query.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for enabling a collaborative music session between multiple participants. In certain embodiments, a user may create a jam session using his/her electronic device. One or more other participants may then join the jam session using their electronic devices. The jam session participants may then jam together using their electronic devices as virtual music instruments. A musical memento of the jam session can then be stored for subsequent playback.

Abstract: A mobile terminal is provided including a display unit, a sensing unit, and a controller. The display unit is configured as a touch screen for displaying album art of a song currently being played. The sensing unit is for sensing a touch applied to the touch screen. The controller is for controlling play of the song based on a touch sensed at a certain region of the album art displayed on the display unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods to select media content are provided. A method includes dynamically selecting content items for presentation via a media player based on user media selection settings. The user media selection settings specify a proportion of a first category of media content to be presented and a proportion of at least one second category of media content to be presented. The at least one second category includes a user defined category. First media content is associated with the first category based on an intrinsic property of the first media content and second media content is associated with the user defined category based on a property that is not intrinsic to the second media content. The method also includes generating an output stream presenting the dynamically selected content items.

Abstract: A computer program of the type commonly known as a “wizard” is disclosed that initializes user interface software for controlling an audio conferencing device. The wizard allows the desired audio inputs (e.g., microphone, telephones, etc.) and audio outputs (speakers, recording devices, etc.) to be chosen by an audio system administrator. Thereafter, the wizard allows an audio conferencing device (or devices) to be chosen by the administrator, or allows such a device(s) to be optimally chosen dependent upon the chosen inputs and outputs. The wizard then maps the inputs and outputs to the input and output ports on the audio conferencing device. When the administrator finishes the wizard, the wizard computes the mapping parameters and other audio-optimizing parameters for the selected inputs and outputs. These parameters are then loaded into the user interface software automatically.

Abstract: A method for prompting user input for a multimodal interface including the steps of providing a multimodal interface to a user, where the interface includes a visual interface having a plurality of input regions, each having at least one input field; selecting an input region and processing a multi-token speech input provided by the user, where the processed speech input includes at least one value for at least one input field of the selected input region; and storing at least one value in at least one input field.