Audio User Interface Patents (Class 715/727)
  • Patent number: 8519248
    Abstract: A media application for providing outputs (e.g., audio outputs) in response to inputs received from an input device is provided. The media application may connect input mechanisms of an input device with parameters of channel strips (e.g., which may define output sounds) using an intermediate screen object. The media application may first assign an input mechanism to a screen object, and separately map a screen object to a channel strip parameter. The media application may map a screen object to several channel strips simultaneously such that, based on the value of the screen object, the volume of each of the several channel strips changes. The media application may provide a graphical representation of available channel strips using layers. As the media application accesses a channel strip, the appearance of the portion of the layer associated with the channel strip may change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kerstin Heitmann, Robert Chin, Jan-Hinnerk Helms, Sascha Hoehne
  • Patent number: 8516375
    Abstract: A slide kit creation system and method allows reviewers of a slide kit to insert non-textual comments, such as audio comments, to be associated with selected slides. In one embodiment, audio comments are transmitted to a host computer by telephone, and may be posted on the host computer for access by other reviewers. The audio comments may also be transcribed in text form. In another embodiment, comments may be associated with various portions of a video, in the same manner. A video navigation bar is coded to indicate which portions of the video are associated with comments. Alternatively, certain attributes of the video can be altered to indicate the presence of comments associated with specific scenes of the video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Litrell Bros. Limited Liability Company
    Inventors: Charles A. Bono, Ross E. Dworkin
  • Patent number: 8516394
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for adjusting a characteristic of a multimedia item are provided. The apparatus and method includes an auxiliary execution region and an execution region for adjusting a sound resource of a multimedia item, outputs a sound resource adjustment list on the auxiliary execution region according to the selection of a function of sound resource adjustment selected on the execution region, and outputs indexes capable of controlling a value of a corresponding sound resource adjustment if a specific sound resource adjustment item is selected. In this respect, the apparatus and method easily processes the sound resource adjustment based on the execution region and auxiliary execution region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bong Won Lee, Nho Kyung Hong
  • Patent number: 8516386
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for scrolling a virtual keyboard on a touch screen device including a display. A first aspect allows detecting a user contact swipe motion in a predetermined direction along said keyboard, scrolling said keyboard across said display in accordance with said motion, and stopping said scrolling upon termination of user contact swipe motion. A second aspect allows scrolling of a virtual keyboard to snap to an intelligent position based on a song key or relative minor of the song key. A third aspect allows a note to be held when a user's finger remains in contact with the display even though the finger is no longer in contact with a key linked to the note on the keyboard as a result of scrolling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christof Adam, Elliott Harris
  • Publication number: 20130212478
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods, apparatuses, devices and/or systems for navigating electronic interfaces via an audio signal comprising commands are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: TVG, LLC
    Inventor: TVG, LLC
  • Patent number: 8504364
    Abstract: Differential dynamic content delivery including providing a session document for a presentation, wherein the session document includes a session grammar and a session structured document; selecting from the session structured document a classified structural element in dependence upon user classifications of a user participant in the presentation; presenting the selected structural element to the user; streaming presentation speech to the user including individual speech from at least one user participating in the presentation; converting the presentation speech to text; detecting whether the presentation speech contains simultaneous individual speech from two or more users; and displaying the text if the presentation speech contains simultaneous individual speech from two or more users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Nuance Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: William K. Bodin, Michael John Burkhart, Daniel G. Eisenhauer, Thomas James Watson, Daniel Mark Schumacher
  • Publication number: 20130198635
    Abstract: Various embodiments of systems, methods, and computer programs are disclosed for managing multiple participants at the same location in an online conference. One embodiment is a method for providing an online conference comprising: a conferencing system establishing an audio conference with a plurality of client devices via a communication network, each client device associated with a first participant; the conferencing system determining at least one second participant co-located with one of the first participants and the corresponding client device; and the conferencing system presenting, to each of the client devices, the audio conference and a conference user interface, the conference user interface displaying a participant object identifying each of the first and second participants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: American Teleconferencing Services, Ltd.
    Inventor: American Teleconferencing Services, Ltd.
  • Publication number: 20130191753
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventors: Nobukazu Sugiyama, James Amendolagine, Djung Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8494669
    Abstract: Control node includes: current memories provided in corresponding relation to a plurality of equipments to store, for each of the equipments, a first current data set for remote-controlling an operational condition of the equipment and a second current data set for remote-controlling a logical connection between the equipment and another equipment; and library memories provided in corresponding relation to the equipments to store, for each of the equipments, a plurality of first data sets each for remote-controlling the operational condition of the equipment and a plurality of second data sets each for remote-controlling the logical connection between the equipment and another equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20130185639
    Abstract: A terminal having plural audio signal output ports and an audio signal output method thereof are provided. The audio signal output method of a terminal having at least two audio signal output ports includes setting allocation information on which audio signal source is allocated to each of the audio signal output ports according to a user input, extracting the set allocation information, and outputting an audio signal of an audio signal source through a corresponding audio signal output port according to the extracted allocation information. An audio signal output apparatus capable of variously using an audio signal output port according to the need of a user, and a method thereof may be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
  • Patent number: 8488014
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to create and reproduce a panoramic sound image. Initially, there is a plurality of images associated with sound sequences, these images are for example taken using a camera, this camera having recorded the ambient sound at the time of taking the photograph. The ambient sound is then filtered to keep only the stationary component. Then, the images are concatenated to form a unique image called “panoramic”, each sound sequence being associated with a part of the panoramic image containing the image associated with this sequence. Finally, the commands are introduced to display the parts of the panoramic image. The command also enables to reproduce continually the stationary component of at least a sound content associated with at least a displayed part of the panoramic image. According to an improvement, the sound sequence is reproduced continually until the introduction of a new command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Louis Chevallier, Lionel Oisel, Jean-Ronan Vigouroux
  • Patent number: 8483853
    Abstract: In general, techniques of controlling a plurality of multimedia players in groups are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a mechanism is provided to allow a user to group some of the players according to a theme or scene, where each of the players is located in a zone. When the scene is activated, the players in the scene react in a synchronized manner. For example, the players in the scene are all caused to play a multimedia source or music in a playlist, wherein the multimedia source may be located anywhere on a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Lambourne
  • Patent number: 8484231
    Abstract: A process includes mapping a data format in an object in a source schema to a data format in an object in a destination schema. The process includes defining an attribute mapping, defining a relation between the data format in the object in the source and the data format in the object in the destination, mapping the data format in the object in the source to the data format in the object in the destination, and converting the data format in the object in the source to another data format within the source. When the object in the source has no analog in destination, a foreign object is introduced into the destination, and when the object in the destination refers to one or more dependent objects, one or more instances of referred objects are generated according to a predefined policy in the mapping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Cheng Jun Li, Henry Chen, Jian Geng Du, Conrad Bruce Beaulieu
  • Patent number: 8477095
    Abstract: A system for producing audio output from interaction with printed material and a pen based computer system. The system includes a printed page including a substantially invisible position code and a human viewable image. The system further includes a pen-based computer system for determining a position of the human viewable image in response to interactions there between, e.g., based upon the pen tip's proximity to the image. The pen-based computer is operable to produce a human-audible output corresponding to the human viewable image contemporaneously with the interaction. The human viewable image may be produced independent of the pen based computer and may include a textual word and/or an image. A plurality of pages may be provided in book form allowing a plurality of audio recordings to be rendered in connection with a plurality of images, thusly providing an interactive audio book experience for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Leapfrog Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Hendrickson, Christa Sinclair
  • Publication number: 20130159861
    Abstract: Various techniques for adaptively varying audio feedback data on an electronic device are provided. In one embodiment, an audio user interface implementing certain aspects of the present disclosure may devolve or evolve the verbosity of audio feedback in response to user interface events based at least partially upon the verbosity level of audio feedback provided during previous occurrences of the user interface event. In another embodiment, an audio user interface may be configured to vary the verbosity of audio feedback associated with a navigable list of items based at least partially upon the speed at which a user navigates the list. In a further embodiment, an audio user interface may be configured to vary audio feedback verbosity based upon the contextual importance of a user interface event. Electronic devices implementing the present techniques provide an improved user experience with regard to audio user interfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • Patent number: 8467663
    Abstract: Video context popups are disclosed. In some implementations, video popups can be displayed in a video editor to provide context to a user who is editing a video clip sequence. In some implementations, a user can indicate a position in a video clip sequence where one or more video clips may be added to the video clip sequence and one or more video popups can be presented that display a portion of one or more video clips that are adjacent to the indicated position. Implementations include a method, system and computer-readable medium for performing video context popups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Hafeneger, Gary Flint
  • Publication number: 20130151959
    Abstract: A user interface includes a tactile interface on a client device that allows users to interact with social networking system content in a manner that is optimized for touch screens and mobile devices. The tactile interface allows users to efficiently navigate the social networking system data as well as to capture new content for upload to the social networking system. New content may be captured in a way that allows the user to preview the content in-context.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Inventors: William Joseph Flynn, III, Michael Dudley Johnson, Hsi Wang
  • Publication number: 20130145271
    Abstract: Information from communications is displayed in a calendar format. Text from the communications is used to determine whether a scheduling entry should be created. If so, text from the communication is used to create a proposed calendar or to-do list entry, which can be saved, modified or canceled by the user. Information from a call log can be filtered and displayed in a calendar format.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc.
    Inventors: Snehal Desai, Jack Jachner, Atiya Suhail, Kashipati G. Rao
  • Patent number: 8456420
    Abstract: Many embodiments may comprise logic such as hardware and/or code to implement user interface for traversal of long sorted lists, via audible mapping of the lists, using sensor based gesture recognition, audio and tactile feedback and button selection while on the go. In several embodiments, such user interface modalities are physically small in size, enabling a user to be truly mobile by reducing the cognitive load required to operate the device. For some embodiments, the user interface may be divided across multiple worn devices, such as a mobile device, watch, earpiece, and ring. Rotation of the watch may be translated into navigation instructions, allowing the user to traverse the list while the user receives audio feedback via the earpiece to describe items in the list as well as audio feedback regarding the navigation state. Many embodiments offer the user a simple user interface to traverse the list without visual feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Lama Nachman, David L. Graumann, Giuseppe Raffa, Jennifer Healey
  • Publication number: 20130139062
    Abstract: A mobile communication device and method for controlling a user interface of the mobile communication device are disclosed. The method includes generating a multi-page graphical user interface that enables a user of the mobile communication device to control operations of the mobile communication device, displaying a current page of the multi-page user interface, changing the current page of the multi-page user interface that is displayed in response to a user action, and projecting an audible sound for each page of the multi-page user interface that is displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: QUALCOMM INNOVATION CENTER, INC.
    Inventor: Chang J. Rhee
  • Publication number: 20130139061
    Abstract: Multiple applications may execute on a computing device and the computing system may monitor the multiple applications, identify a set e applications generating sound and determine whether at least one sound related criterion is satisfied. If at least one sound related criterion is satisfied, the computing system displays sound indicators for the set of applications generating sound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Inventors: Maureen E. Strode, Brian M. Stevens
  • Patent number: 8452430
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing an audio signal and method thereof are disclosed. The apparatus comprises an information receiving unit receiving a downmix signal including and a plurality of preset informations; an external preset information receiving unit receiving a plurality of external preset informations being inputted from external; an external preset applying-determining unit determining whether the plurality of the external preset informations applies to the downmix signal; an external preset information selecting unit selecting one external preset information, if the plurality of external preset informations is selected; and a rendering unit controlling the object by applying the external preset information to the all data regions. Accordingly, an audio signal can be efficiently reconstructed by individually selecting and applying external preset information by a data region unit or by selecting and applying the same external preset information to a whole downmix signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyen O Oh, Yang Won Jung
  • Patent number: 8452603
    Abstract: Methods and systems for enhancement of device accessibility are described. In an example, an operating system configured to be executed on a device, may be configured to support a plurality of software applications and to support a plurality of modes of operation of the device. A given software application may include a user-interface comprising a user-interface item having a text in a first language. The operating system may be configured to receive a selection of the user-interface item of the given software application. Based on the operating system being in an accessibility mode common to the plurality of software applications, the operating system may be configured to determine a translation of the text into a second language; and a voice output corresponding to a spoken utterance of the translation of the text. The operating system further may be configured to provide, by the device, the voice output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Mindy Liu, Xin Zheng, Kaihua Zhu, Ning Wang, Joshua Zhu
  • Patent number: 8453058
    Abstract: An audio shortcut may involve an audio command being used to represent a sequence of one or more inputs on a client device. When the client device receives the audio command, the client device may automatically perform the sequence of one or more inputs, as if this sequence were entered manually. If a threshold number of client devices share the same or a similar audio shortcut with a server device, the server device may make this audio shortcut available to additional client devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Noah B. Coccaro, Ciprian I. Chelba
  • Patent number: 8442189
    Abstract: A unified communications appliance provides integration of various types of information, regardless of the modality, in a common, centralized interface where the various types of information are grouped based on what they are related to. For example, as is common with most modalities of information exchange, there exists a “subject” that is present in one of the fields of communication. The ability to associate all of the types of communication with a common “subject” (or conversation) and provide an interface that allows access to the various types of information, regardless of the modality is provided by the unified communications interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Roller Michaelis, Jason H. Vick
  • Patent number: 8441344
    Abstract: Vehicle alarm customization systems and methods are disclosed. An exemplary method includes a vehicle alarm customization system providing a user interface configured to facilitate end-user customization of a vehicle alarm, receiving an end-user selection of an audio content instance via the user interface, accessing data representative of the audio content instance, and customizing the vehicle alarm to sound at least part of the audio content instance in response to a vehicle alarm trigger event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventor: Randal S. Milch
  • Patent number: 8438485
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for generating, customizing, distributing, and presenting an interactive audio publication to a user are provided. A plurality of text-based and/or speech-based content items is converted into voice-navigable interactive audio content items that include segmented audio data, embedded visual content, and accompanying metadata. An audio publication is generated by associating one or more audio content items with one or more audio publication sections, and generating metadata that defines the audio publication structure. Assembled audio publications may be used to generate one or more new custom audio publications for a user by utilizing one or more user-defined custom audio publication templates. Audio publications are delivered to a user for presentation on an enabled presentation system. The user is enabled to navigate and interact with the audio publication, using voice commands and/or a button interface, in a manner similar to browsing visually-oriented content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: uNews, LLC
    Inventors: Zachary R. Kulis, Kirsten B. Kulis
  • Publication number: 20130111348
    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. The user request including the speech input is processed to obtain a representation of user intent for identifying items of a selection domain based on at least one selection criterion. A prompt is provided to the user, the prompt presenting two or more properties relevant to items of the selection domain and requesting the user to specify relative importance between the two or more properties. A listing of search results is provided to the user, where the listing of search results has been obtained based on the at least one selection criterion and the relative importance provided by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • Patent number: 8434005
    Abstract: A method for generating an audio/video report, to be used with a report of radiographic image(s) is disclosed. The audio/video report is created by the radiologist while generating the report. The audio/video report includes a portion of a screen image selected by the radiologist, as well as the spoken words of the radiologist. The audio/video report is stored in the database with the report for access by clinicians and others. The audio/video report may be used as a tool for teaching interesting cases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Rose Radiology, LLC
    Inventor: Greg Rose
  • Patent number: 8433431
    Abstract: Technologies described relate to coordination between audio and tracking of the corresponding text in an audio recognition mode and an audio playback mode. Optionally, audio recognition includes receiving a signal corresponding to an audio track; determining an identity of the audio track and a current audio position within the audio track; displaying on a display a portion of a text that is linked and synchronized to the audio track identified and automatically scrolling the portion of the text displayed in pace with the audio track playing; and displaying a current text indicator that emphasizes current text, wherein the current text indicator is visually synchronized on the display to current audio playing from the audio track. Optionally include redetermining the current audio position in the audio track from the signal received and updating synchronization of the current text indicator with the current audio playing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Soundhound, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Master, Kamyar Mohajer, Keyvan Mohajer, Timothy P. Stonehocker, Bernard Mont-Reynaud
  • Publication number: 20130104039
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a sensor for determining the position of an input member, such as a user's finger or stylus, for example, relative to a user interface of the device. Before the input member contacts the user interface, the sensor detects the horizontal and vertical positions of the input member and generates positional signals indicative of those positions. A controller at the device determines the horizontal and vertical positions of the input member based on the positional signals, and generates first and second feedback signals as a function of the detected horizontal and vertical positions to indicate the input member position relative to the user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventors: Mats Ormin, Joakim Eriksson
  • Patent number: 8428758
    Abstract: Various dynamic audio ducking techniques are provided that may be applied where multiple audio streams, such as a primary audio stream and a secondary audio stream, are being played back simultaneously. For example, a secondary audio stream may include a voice announcement of one or more pieces of information pertaining to the primary audio stream, such as the name of the track or the name of the artist. In one embodiment, the primary audio data and the voice feedback data are initially analyzed to determine a loudness value. Based on their respective loudness values, the primary audio stream may be ducked during the period of simultaneous playback such that a relative loudness difference is generally maintained with respect to the loudness of the primary and secondary audio streams. Accordingly, the amount of ducking applied may be customized for each piece of audio data depending on its loudness characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Devang Kalidas Naik, Kim Ernest Alexander Silverman, Baptiste Pierre Paquier, ShawShin Zhang, Benjamin Andrew Rottler
  • Publication number: 20130097510
    Abstract: An audio adjustment system is provided that can output a user interface customized by the provider of the audio system instead of the electronic device manufacturer. Such an arrangement can save both field engineers and manufacturers a significant amount of time. Advantageously, in certain embodiments, such an audio adjustment system can be provided without knowledge of the electronic device's firmware. Instead, the audio adjustment system can communicate with the electronic device through an existing audio interface in the electronic device to enable a user to control audio enhancement parameters in the electronic device. For instance, the audio adjustment system can control the electronic device via an audio input jack on the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: DTS LLS
    Inventors: James Tracey, Daekyoung Noh
  • Publication number: 20130097511
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • Patent number: 8418062
    Abstract: Computer software allowing enhanced control of the playout of audio/video works on a computer system. In various embodiments, the software allows key events from dedicated audio/video keys, whether part of a full sized keyboard or on a hand-held remote, to control the actions of an audio/video playout program running within a browser environment without requiring the user to direct the key event focus of the operating system to the audio/video playout program. In one embodiment, software associated with the browser window forwards to the audio/video playout program any key events received from audio/video keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventors: Jonah Peskin, Robert Richmond
  • Patent number: 8416218
    Abstract: In a pen-based computing system, multi-modal data is transferred between a paper domain and a digital domain. Data initially generated in the paper domain is captured by a smart pen and a digital file including the captured data is generated. For example, a computing system coupled to the smart pen generates a digital file including the captured data. A paper representation of the digital file is subsequently generated. The digital file can subsequently be modified by editing the paper representation of the digital file using the smart pen. Edits to the paper representation of the digital file are captured by the smart pen and converted to the digital domain where they are used to edit the content of the digital file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Livescribe, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Marggraff, Tracy L. Edgecomb
  • Patent number: 8417703
    Abstract: Spatial auditory cues are produced while a user searches a database for stored information. The spatial auditory cues assist the user in quickly locating stored information by producing sounds that are perceived at specific physical locations in space around the user as the search proceeds. Each location may be associated with different information. Thus, using the techniques disclosed herein, a user can more easily recall stored information by remembering the locations of sound produced by particular spatial auditory cues. The spatial auditory cues may be used in conjunction with a visual search interface. A method of producing auditory cues includes receiving a search action at a user interface included in a device, translating the search action into a spatial auditory cue corresponding to a specific location within a space, and rendering the spatial auditory cue as an audio output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Pei Xiang, Manish Mahajan
  • Patent number: 8406435
    Abstract: Described herein are one or more implementations offering a centralized (e.g., single-point) user-interface, where a user may manipulate audio properties (e.g., volume level) for one or more audio submixes produced by each of multiple active operating-system processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Frank D. Yerrace, Lawrence W Osterman
  • Patent number: 8401680
    Abstract: When any one of a plurality of amplifiers has been selected in response to amplifier selecting operation, an amplifier Detail View of the selected amplifier is displayed, where corresponding parameters are displayed via elements of the amplifier Detail View. When any one of a plurality of groups has been selected in response to group selecting operation, a group Detail View of the selected group is displayed, where maximum and minimum values detected from among values of a parameter of individual amplifiers of the selected group are displayed via a band-shaped element of a corresponding fader element. In another example, where a hierarchical group is selected in a tree display section on a control screen, respective state information, including parameter values or states of parameters, of a plurality of amplifiers belonging to the selected hierarchical group is displayed in a state information section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Takaaki Muto, Ken Iwayama, Takaaki Makino, Naohide Kohyama, Akihiko Suyama
  • Patent number: 8392835
    Abstract: In an apparatus having a display for supplying parameters to a mixing system, a first display control section controls the display to present a scene list containing identifications of each scene and configuration data of the mixing system specified by first specification data contained in each scene. A scene selection acceptance section accepts selection of a scene from the scene list presented on the display. A second display control section controls the display to present operation data of the mixing system specified by second specification data contained in the selected scene, such that the display presents each portion of the operation data. Each portion contains one option of the operation data specified by the second specification data in manner distinguishable from another option not specified by the second specification data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Takemura, Makoto Hiroi, Hiromu Miyamoto, Toshiyuki Ito
  • Patent number: 8392005
    Abstract: In an acoustic design support apparatus, a speaker selection supporter selects a desired speaker as a candidate for use in a given space based on shape information representing a shape of the space. A speaker mounting angle optimizer calculates an optimal mounting direction of the selected speaker by selecting a mounting direction pattern which minimizes a degree of variation among sound pressure levels at a plurality of positions on a sound receiving surface defined in the space. An acoustic parameter calculator calculates a variety of acoustic parameters at sound receiving points within the space based on both of the shape information of the space and the optimal mounting direction of the speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Hideo Miyazaki, Takayuki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8386934
    Abstract: In an information presenting apparatus, information associated with each of one or more motion images stored in a storage apparatus is displayed at a location corresponding to a file production time in the form of a calendar view. A plurality of frames of representative images are extracted from each motion image in accordance with a specified frame extraction method. Thumbnail images of the respective extracted representative images are produced, and each thumbnail image is related to a playback position in the motion image. The resultant thumbnail images are managed as a set of motion image thumbnail images in accordance with a production time of the motion image. Information associated with each motion image is displayed at a location corresponding to the production time of the motion image in the form of the calendar view. Thumbnail images associated with each motion image are displayed in an expanded form in the order of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Takakura, Hiroki Masuda, Masatomo Kurata, Masakazu Hayashi, Yuji Kojima, Yoshiki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8386581
    Abstract: This invention relates to a communication system including a first apparatus having a first storage medium, and a second apparatus for transmitting data to the first apparatus, the second apparatus comprising: a second storage medium for storing management information of data to be transferred to the first storage medium; communication means for communicating data with the first apparatus; edit means capable of editing the management information; and control means for making a control to transfer data stored in the second storage medium to the first storage medium by way of the communication means on the basis of the management information edited by the edit means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Akihiro Morohashi
  • Publication number: 20130047087
    Abstract: Related information successively outputting and providing methods and apparatus are disclosed wherein the processing load to a related information successively providing apparatus upon provision of content related information can be reduced significantly. The outputting apparatus selects content identification information set as a successive output object in a list included in page information acquired from the providing apparatus as noticed content information, and acquires content related information coordinated with the selected content identification from the providing apparatus. The outputting apparatus outputs the acquired content related information and detects an end of the outputting. When an end of the outputting is detected, the selection of noticed content information, acquisition and outputting of related information and detection of an end of outputting are successively executed again.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Sony Corporation
  • Patent number: 8379883
    Abstract: In each of a plurality of input channels of an audio mixer, there are provided a fader operator for adjusting a tone volume level, and a send level adjustment section for adjusting a send level of an audio signal to be sent from the channel to individual mixing buses. On an operation panel of the mixer, there are provided a plurality of bus selection switches in corresponding relation to the mixing buses. Once any one of the bus selection switches is depressed once, the mixing bus corresponding to the operated bus selection switch is allocated to a selected send level operator. Activation/deactivation of a Sends On Fader (SOF) function may be instructed by a user depressing any one of the bus selection switches twice in succession.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Kotaro Terada, Hideki Hagiwara, Takamitsu Aoki, Masaaki Okabayashi
  • Patent number: 8381108
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for combining interactive gaming aspects into a linear story. A user may interact with the linear story via a NUI system to alter the story and the images that are presented to the user. In an example, a user may alter the story by performing a predefined exploration gesture. This gesture brings the user into the 3-D world of the displayed image. In particular, the image displayed on the screen changes to create the impression that a user is stepping into the 3-D virtual world to allow a user to examine virtual objects from different perspectives or to peer around virtual objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Fuller, Rudy Poat, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman, Kathryn Stone Perez
  • Patent number: 8381107
    Abstract: Various techniques for adaptively varying audio feedback data on an electronic device are provided. In one embodiment, an audio user interface implementing certain aspects of the present disclosure may devolve or evolve the verbosity of audio feedback in response to user interface events based at least partially upon the verbosity level of audio feedback provided during previous occurrences of the user interface event. In another embodiment, an audio user interface may be configured to vary the verbosity of audio feedback associated with a navigable list of items based at least partially upon the speed at which a user navigates the list. In a further embodiment, an audio user interface may be configured to vary audio feedback verbosity based upon the contextual importance of a user interface event. Electronic devices implementing the present techniques provide an improved user experience with regard to audio user interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Andrew Rottler, Aram Lindahl, Allen Paul Haughay, Jr., Shawn A. Ellis, Policarpo Wood
  • Patent number: 8370747
    Abstract: A method of generating a multimedia user interface includes playing music with an electronic device; ascertaining a parameter associated with the music; and adapting visual content displayed on a display of the electronic device in conformance with the parameter of the music by applying a visual effect to the visual content, the visual effect having an association with the parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Mobile Communications AB
    Inventor: Eral D. Foxenland
  • Patent number: 8364297
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an audio playing method adapted for an electronic device. The audio playing method includes (a) providing the electronic device, the electronic device comprising a processor, an audio playing program executed by the processor, and a storage system comprising a playlist comprising a plurality of audio files; (b) invoking and running the audio playing program; (c) accessing the playlist and selecting an audio file; (d) determining if the audio file selected has been previously selected as a prompt signal of the electronic device; (e) accessing another audio file in the playlist if the audio file has been previously selected as a prompt signal; and (f) playing the audio file if the audio file has not been previously selected as a prompt signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zhao Jin
  • Patent number: 8364298
    Abstract: A system, method, and program product are provided for filtering sound from a selected application on a computer without interrupting voice communications on the computer. The method comprises: monitoring a selected program for an outgoing digital audio signal from a selected application; detecting said digital audio signal; and filtering an analog microphone input with the digital audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William Arthur Griffith, Indran Naick, Wing Sent