1812 results about "Auditory perception" patented technology

A context-aware voice guidance method is provided that interacts with other voice services of a user device. The voice guidance does not provide audible guidance while the user is making a verbal request to any of the voice-activated services. Instead, the voice guidance transcribes its output on the screen while the verbal requests from the user are received. In some embodiments, the voice guidance only provides a short warning sound to get the user's attention while the user is speaking on a phone call or another voice-activated service is providing audible response to the user's inquires. The voice guidance in some embodiments distinguishes between music that can be ducked and spoken words, for example from an audiobook, that the user wants to pause instead of being skipped. The voice guidance ducks music but pauses spoken words of an audio book in order to provide voice guidance to the user.

An electronic translator translates input speech into multiple streams of data that are simultaneously delivered to the user, such as a hearing impaired individual. Preferably, the data is delivered in audible, visual and text formats. These multiple data streams are delivered to the hearing-impaired individual in a synchronized fashion, thereby creating a cognitive response. Preferably, the system of the present invention converts the input speech to a text format, and then translates the text to any of three other forms, including sign language, animation and computer generated speech. The sign language and animation translations are preferably implemented by using the medium of digital movies in which videos of a person signing words, phrase and finger spelled words, and of animations corresponding to the words, are selectively accessed from databases and displayed. Additionally the received speech is converted to computer-generated speech for input to various hearing enhancement devices used by the deaf or hearing-impaired, such as cochlear implants and hearing aids, or other output devices such as speakers, etc. The data streams are synchronized utilizing a high-speed personal computer to facilitate sufficiently fast processing that the text, video signing and audible streams can be generated simultaneously in real time. Once synchronized the data streams are presented to the subject concurrently in a method that allows the process of mental comprehension to occur. The electronic translator can also be interfaced to other communications devices, such as telephones. Preferably, the hearing-impaired person is also able to use the system's keyboard or mouse to converse or respond.

Disclosed embodiments comprise an energy harvesting computer device in association with a communication device comprising interactive user interface operatively configured with CMOS multiple antennas on chip for boosting signal receptions and for providing faster data transmission speed. Disclosed embodiment encompasses three modes of communications—the Cell phone, wireless Internet applications, and Global communication and media information. Embodiments provide communication apparatus operable to enhance mobile communication efficiency with touch sensitive display comprising energy harvesting platform in communication with a charging circuit board configured with memories, processors, sensors, and modules. Embodiments further provide a gaming device, a wireless media device configured with touch pads comprising sensors being embedded in silicon substrate and fused in nano-fiber / microfiber material having excellent electrical characteristics. Certain embodiments provide communication apparatus configured for voice enabled applications comprising human voice auditory operable to convert text into voice auditory and / or voice auditory into text applications.

A context-aware voice guidance method is provided that interacts with other voice services of a user device. The voice guidance does not provide audible guidance while the user is making a verbal request to any of the voice-activated services. Instead, the voice guidance transcribes its output on the screen while the verbal requests from the user are received. In some embodiments, the voice guidance only provides a short warning sound to get the user's attention while the user is speaking on a phone call or another voice-activated service is providing audible response to the user's inquires. The voice guidance in some embodiments distinguishes between music that can be ducked and spoken words, for example from an audiobook, that the user wants to pause instead of being skipped. The voice guidance ducks music but pauses spoken words of an audio book in order to provide voice guidance to the user.

Embodiments are described for a system of rendering object-based audio content through a system that includes individually addressable drivers, including at least one driver that is configured to project sound waves toward one or more surfaces within a listening environment for reflection to a listening area within the listening environment; a renderer configured to receive and process audio streams and one or more metadata sets associated with each of the audio streams and specifying a playback location of a respective audio stream; and a playback system coupled to the renderer and configured to render the audio streams to a plurality of audio feeds corresponding to the array of audio drivers in accordance with the one or more metadata sets.

The wearable tactile navigation system frees you from requiring to use your eyes as there is no display, all positional information is conveyed via touch. As a compass, the device nudges you towards North. As a GPS navigator, the device orients you towards a landmark (i.e., home) and lets you feel how far away home is. A bluetooth interface provides network capabilities, allowing you to download map landmarks from a cell phone. The bidirectional networking capability generalizes the device to a platform capable of collecting any sensor data as well as providing tactile messages and touch telepresence. The main application of the device is a wayfinding device for people that are blind and for people that suffer from Alzheimer's disease but there are many other applications where it is desirable to provide geographical information in tactile form as opposed to providing it in visual or auditory form.

This paperless book is portable and uses removable ROM devices to provide the visual and aural information displayed in the paperless book. The book can be read in a visual mode, as print, or in an aural mode, as the spoken word corresponding to the print, or in both visual and aural modes. The display mode may be conveniently shifted back and forth between visual and aural, for use, for example, by a counter who uses the book in the aural mode while driving and switches to the visual mode while riding on a train. In addition, the visual display may be manipulated affecting the appearance, for use, for example, by persons with reduced visual acuity. Movies also may be viewed using the paperless book. Finally, portions of the text may be enhanced by additional visual images, music or other sounds.

The present invention relates to an electronic reader. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for providing an electronic reader having interactive and educational features. Generally, the electronic reader allows a user to view text on a visually perceptible output device (e.g., a screen) and to interact with the electronic reader through a tactile input device (e.g., a mouse). The user selects and, thereby, visually and / or audibly emphasizes words in the text through the use of the tactile input device. In some cases, the electronic reader records and reports the words that the user selects. Additionally, in some cases, pages of text displayed on the visually perceptible output device can be peeled back to reveal additional pages of text.

A scheme for stereo and multi-channel synthesis of inter-channel correlation (ICC) (normalized cross-correlation) cues for parametric stereo and multi-channel coding. The scheme synthesizes ICC cues such that they approximate those of the original. For that purpose, diffuse audio channels are generated and mixed with the transmitted combined (e.g., sum) signal(s). The diffuse audio channels are preferably generated using relatively long filters with exponentially decaying Gaussian impulse responses. Such impulse responses generate diffuse sound similar to late reverberation. An alternative implementation for reduced computational complexity is proposed, where inter-channel level difference (ICLD), inter-channel time difference (ICTD), and ICC synthesis are all carried out in the domain of a single short-time Fourier transform (STFT), including the filtering for diffuse sound generation.

System and method for visual and audible communication between a central operator and N mobile communicators (N≧2), including an operator transceiver and interface, configured to receive and display, for the operator, visually perceptible and audibly perceptible signals from each of the mobile communicators. The interface (1) presents an audible signal from each communicator as if the audible signal is received from a different location relative to the operator and (2) allows the operator to select, to assign priority to, and to display, the visual signals and the audible signals received from a specified communicator. Each communicator has an associated signal transmitter that is configured to transmit at least one of the visual signal and the audio signal associated with the communicator, where at least one of the signal transmitters includes at least one sensor that senses and transmits a sensor value representing a selected environmental or physiological parameter associated with the communicator.

The aural similarity measuring system and method provides a measure of the aural similarity between a target text (10) and one or more reference texts (11). Both the target text (10) and the reference texts (11) are converted into a string of phonemes (15) and then one or other of the phoneme strings are adjusted (16) so that both are equal in length. The phoneme strings are compared (12) and a score generated representative of the degree of similarity of the two phoneme strings. Finally, where there is a plurality of reference texts the similarity scores for each of the reference texts are ranked (13). With this aural similarity measuring system the analysis is automated thereby reducing risks of errors and omissions. Moreover, the system provides an objective measure of aural similarity enabling consistency of comparison in results and reproducibility of results.

Systems for determining structural integrity of a bone within the spine of a patient, the bone having a first aspect and a second aspect, wherein the second aspect separated from the first aspect by a width and located adjacent to a spinal nerve. A stimulator is configured to generate an electrical stimulus to be applied to the first aspect of the bone. A monitor is configured to electrically monitor a muscle myotome associated with the spinal nerve to detect if an onset neuro-muscular response occurs in response to the application of the electrical stimulus to the first aspect of the bone. An adjuster is configured to automatically increase the magnitude of the electrical stimulus to until the onset neuro-muscular response is detected. Lastly, a communicator is configured to communicate to a user via at least one of visual and audible means information representing the magnitude of the electrical stimulus which caused the onset neuro-muscular response.

A cochlear implant placed in a cochlea of a living subject for stimulating the auditory system of the living subject, where the auditory system comprises auditory neurons. In one embodiment, the cochlear implant includes a plurality of light sources, {Li}, placeable distal to the cochlea, each light source, L1, being operable independently and adapted for generating an optical energy, Ei, wherein i=1, . . . , N, and N is the number of the light sources, and delivering means placeable in the cochlea and optically coupled to the plurality of light sources, {Li}, such that in operation, the optical energies {Ei} generated by the plurality of light sources {Li} are delivered to target sites, {Gi}, of auditory neurons, respectively, wherein the target sites G1 and GN of auditory neurons are substantially proximate to the apical end and the basal end of the cochlea, respectively.

Methods for determining structural integrity of a bone within the spine of a patient, the bone having a first aspect and a second aspect, wherein the second aspect separated from the first aspect by a width and located adjacent to a spinal nerve. The methods involve (a) applying an electrical stimulus to the first aspect of the bone; (b) electrically monitoring a muscle myotome associated with the spinal nerve to detect if an onset neuro-muscular response occurs in response to the application of the electrical stimulus to the first aspect of the bone; (c) automatically increasing the magnitude of the electrical stimulus to until the onset neuro-muscular response is detected; and (d) communicating to a user via at least one of visual and audible means information representing the magnitude of the electrical stimulus which caused the onset neuro-muscular response.

The invention comprises a totally implantable hearing prosthesis for hearing impaired persons. An inertial vibrational element is hermetically sealed and implanted in bone between the lateral and superior semicircular canals without breaching the integrity of the canals. The vibrational element is adapted to vibrate the walls of the canals and the fluids contained therein, thereby vibrating contiguous fluids within the cochlea thus stimulating hair cells and creating a hearing percept. The invention can also be adapted to be a tinnitus masking system, and / or used in combination with a coehlear implant hearing system.

The wearable tactile navigation system frees you from requiring to use your eyes as there is no display, all positional information is conveyed via touch. As a compass, the device nudges you towards North. As a GPS navigator, the device orients you towards a landmark (i.e., home) and lets you feel how far away home is. A bluetooth interface provides network capabilities, allowing you to download map landmarks from a cell phone. The bidirectional networking capability generalizes the device to a platform capable of collecting any sensor data as well as providing tactile messages and touch telepresence. The main application of the device is a wayfinding device for people that are blind and for people that suffer from Alzheimer's disease but there are many other applications where it is desirable to provide geographical information in tactile form as opposed to providing it in visual or auditory form.

The present invention provides a user interface for providing press-to-talk-interaction via utilization of a touch-anywhere-to-speak module on a mobile computing device. Upon receiving an indication of a touch anywhere on the screen of a touch screen interface, the touch-anywhere-to-speak module activates the listening mechanism of a speech recognition module to accept audible user input and displays dynamic visual feedback of a measured sound level of the received audible input. The touch-anywhere-to-speak module may also provide a user a convenient and more accurate speech recognition experience by utilizing and applying the data relative to a context of the touch (e.g., relative location on the visual interface) in correlation with the spoken audible input.

The present invention discloses a speech-to-speech translation device which allows one or more users to input a spoken utterance in one language, translates the utterance into one or more second languages, and outputs the translation in speech form. Additionally, the device allows for translation both directions, recognizing inputs in the one or more second languages and translating them back into the first language. The device recognizes and translates utterances in a limited domain as in a phrase book translation system, so the translation accuracy is essentially 100%. By limiting the domain the system increases the accuracy of the speech recognition component and thus the accuracy of the overall system. However unlike other phrase book systems, the device also allows wide variations and paraphrasing in the input, so that the user is much more likely to find the desired phrase from the stored list of phrases. The device paraphrases the input to a basic canonical form and performs the translation on that canonical form, ignoring the non-essential variations in the surface form of the input. The device can provide visual and / or auditory feedback to confirm the recognized input and makes the system usable for non-bilingual users with absolute confidence.

A wireless apparatus and method for the measurement and monitoring of bioelectric signal patterns associated with EEG, EOG and EMG readings is provided. The apparatus is comprised of at least one measurement device employing the use of three bioelectric sensing electrodes, wherein at least one of the electrodes is configured for secure placement within the ear canal of an individual under medical surveillance. Acoustic stimulation may be provided directly into the ear canal of the individual via an auditory stimulus emitted from the measurement device for evoking brain activity and the subsequent measurement of bioelectric signal patterns associated with the evoked activity.

An interactive automatic system and technique for measuring and training of mental ability. In the illustrative embodiment, the invention is implemented on a computer which automatically presents a variety of visual and auditory stimuli. The system then measures reaction to the stimuli, adjusts certain stimulus parameters, and provides scores in response thereto. The scores are tabulated and displayed for analysis. In particular embodiments, the invention tests for physical reaction time, perceptual awareness thresholds, attention level, speed, efficiency and capacity of information processing by the brain and elementary cognitive processes, including memory, memory access and decision-making speed. The invention measures, identifies and quantifies noise in the subject's brain and elementary cognitive processing system, and the information exchange rate between the subject's left and right brain hemispheres. The inventive system compiles a history of the test scores, renders an overall performance rating, and delivers comments based on the subject scores. The complexity of the tests are adjusted based on the scores to optimally challenge cognitive capacities, thereby rendering more accurate evaluations of cognitive capacity, and optimizing learning of desired improvements in perceptual, physical and mental response speeds and efficiencies.

An interactive system for improving conversational listening and speaking skills in a target language through interaction between personal communications devices (for example, mobile telephones using cellular or other wireless networks, telephones using PSTN lines, VOIP-enabled communications devices, smart phones, voice-enabled PDAs) and an automated system that provides oral / aural instruction and practice in vocabulary, pronunciation and grammar / syntax, engages the learner in simulated conversations, and provides personalized feedback and suggestions for further practice based on an analysis of the type and frequency of specific pronunciation and grammatical / syntactical errors.

A tinnitus masking system for use by a person having tinnitus The system comprises a sound delivery system having left and right ear-level audio delivery devices and is configured to deliver a masking sound to the person via the audio delivery devices such that the masking sound appears to originate from a virtual sound source location that substantially corresponds to the spatial location in 3D auditory space of the source of the tinnitus as perceived by the person. The masking sound being represented by left and right audio signals that are converted to audible sound by the respective audio delivery devices.

The navigational system comprises a plurality of mobile and stationary telemetry-devices, recording spatial data-artifacts, transmitting forecasted positional phase-changes, density point clustering schema that Maptrac's each transport imechanixm; providing calculated digital navigation directives transmitted to a plurality of devices equipped with pAvics, Obvipro and / or other certified compliant telemetry-devices, attached to and or carried by humans, motorcycles, bicycles, skis, snow boards and or a plurality of transport imechanixms; telematic-data of each transmits collected data-relics through a subnaysys network-topology provided by telemetry mobility, viewable and / or audibly heard on iNavX2 virtual interface and or iNavCom centers and / or a facilities interface.

An audible based electronic challenge system is used to control access to a computing resource by using a test to identify an origin of a voice. The test is based on analyzing a spoken utterance using optimized challenge items selected for their discrimination capability to determine if it was articulated by an unauthorized human or a text to speech (TTS) system.

It is a robotics visual and auditory system provided with an auditory module (20), a face module (30), a stereo module (37), a motor control module (40), and an association module (50) to control these respective modules. The auditory module (20) collects sub-bands having interaural phase difference (IPD) or interaural intensity difference (IID) within a predetermined range by an active direction pass filter (23a) having a pass range which, according to auditory characteristics, becomes minimum in the frontal direction, and larger as the angle becomes wider to the left and right, based on an accurate sound source directional information from the association module (50), and conducts sound source separation by restructuring a wave shape of a sound source, conducts speech recognition of separated sound signals from respective sound sources using a plurality of acoustic models (27d), integrates speech recognition results from each acoustic model by a selector, and judges the most reliable speech recognition result among the speech recognition results.

An auditory prosthesis (30) comprising a microphone (27) for receiving the sound and producing a microphone signal responding to the received sound, an output device for providing audio signals in a form receivable by a user of the prosthesis (30), a sound processing unit (33) operable to receive the microphone signal and carry out a processing operation on the microphone signal to produce an output signal in a form suitable to operate the output device, wherein the sound processing unit (33) is operable in a first mode in which the processing operation comprises at least one variable processing factor which is adjustable by a user to a setting which causes the output signal of the sound processing unit (33) to be adjusted according to the preference of the user for the characteristics of the current acoustic environment.

A diagnostic system for collecting, processing, recording and analyzing sounds associated with the physiologic activities of various human organs. The system includes a plurality of transducers placed on the body surface at the operator's discretion. The microphones are coupled to analogue / digital signal processing circuitry for enhancement of the desired signal and exclusion of ambient noise. An A / D converter digitizes the incoming data and transmits data, which is divided into a multitude of discrete blocks, received over very finite intervals of time, to a computer workstation and moved through an analysis program sequentially. The program is displayed as a series of icons which depict operations that the program performs and which allow the operator to reprogram the system at any time. The data is finally displayed in graphical format and stored in memory as the program processes each block sequentially.