Systems and methods are disclosed in which a playback device transmits a first sound signal including a predetermined waveform. In one example, the playback device receives a second sound signal including at least one reflection of the first sound signal. The second sound signal is processed to determine a location of a person relative to the playback device, and a characteristic of audio reproduction by the playback device is selected, based on the determined location of the person.

A videoconference system is described that generates a video for a room including multiple videoconference participants and outputs the video as part of the videoconference. The videoconference system is configured to generate the video as including a detailed view of one of the multiple videoconference participants located in the room. To do so, the videoconference system detects user devices located in the room capable of capturing video and determines a position of each user device. The videoconference system then detects a user speaking in the room and determines a position of the active speaker. At least one of the user devices is identified as including a camera oriented for capturing the active speaker. Video content captured by one or more user devices is then processed by the videoconference system to generate a detailed view of the active speaker.

A videoconference system is described that generates a video for a room including multiple videoconference participants and outputs the video as part of the videoconference. The videoconference system is configured to generate the video as including a detailed view of one of the multiple videoconference participants located in the room. To do so, the videoconference system detects user devices located in the room capable of capturing video and determines a position of each user device. The videoconference system then detects a user speaking in the room and determines a position of the active speaker. At least one of the user devices is identified as including a camera oriented for capturing the active speaker. Video content captured by one or more user devices is then processed by the videoconference system to generate a detailed view of the active speaker.

Embodiments include apparatus and method for collecting observation data for updating a geographic database. An initial observation is collected by a first mobile device, a first vehicle, or a first sensor. Along with the geographic position, data indicative of the first observation is send to a server. The central server may analyze of the initial observation data to determine if additional observations should be made and define a bounding box from the geographic position of the first mobile device and the analysis of the initial observation data. A request for additional observations is generated and sent to at least one second mobile device, second vehicle, or second sensor based on the bounding box.

Embodiments include apparatus and method for collecting observation data for updating a geographic database. An initial observation is collected by a first mobile device, a first vehicle, or a first sensor. Along with the geographic position, data indicative of the first observation is send to a server. The central server may analyze of the initial observation data to determine if additional observations should be made and define a bounding box from the geographic position of the first mobile device and the analysis of the initial observation data. A request for additional observations is generated and sent to at least one second mobile device, second vehicle, or second sensor based on the bounding box.

A sensor control device includes a plurality of drive units for oscillating respective transducers included in a plurality of ultrasonic sensors, a driving signal generation section for generating driving signals capable of oscillating the respective plurality of transducers, a control unit having a control signal output section for outputting, to each one of the plurality of drive units, a control signal as an input command for the driving signal to the respective transducer and a bus line configured to connect the control unit to the plurality of drive units in form of a daisy-chain, the bus line being used for bidirectional communication of communication data between the control unit and the plurality of drive units based on preset time-division, the communication data being comprised of a data structure having a first band that allows superimposition of audio data thereon. Control data based on the control signal is included in the first band.

A sensor control device includes a plurality of drive units for oscillating respective transducers included in a plurality of ultrasonic sensors, a driving signal generation section for generating driving signals capable of oscillating the respective plurality of transducers, a control unit having a control signal output section for outputting, to each one of the plurality of drive units, a control signal as an input command for the driving signal to the respective transducer and a bus line configured to connect the control unit to the plurality of drive units in form of a daisy-chain, the bus line being used for bidirectional communication of communication data between the control unit and the plurality of drive units based on preset time-division, the communication data being comprised of a data structure having a first band that allows superimposition of audio data thereon. Control data based on the control signal is included in the first band.

Described is a system for producing an acoustic field from a plurality of ultrasonic transducer arrays, each of which has known relative positions and orientations. The acoustic field comprises a carrier wave and a modulated wave. The carrier wave has a plurality of modulated focal areas. A plurality of control points having a known spatial relationship relative to at least one of the plurality of ultrasonic transducer arrays is used. The plurality of ultrasonic transducer arrays are calibrated by using the relative position of each of the plurality of ultrasonic transducer arrays.

Described is a system for producing an acoustic field from a plurality of ultrasonic transducer arrays, each of which has known relative positions and orientations. The acoustic field comprises a carrier wave and a modulated wave. The carrier wave has a plurality of modulated focal areas. A plurality of control points having a known spatial relationship relative to at least one of the plurality of ultrasonic transducer arrays is used. The plurality of ultrasonic transducer arrays are calibrated by using the relative position of each of the plurality of ultrasonic transducer arrays.

Systems and methods are disclosed in which a playback device transmits a first sound signal including a predetermined waveform. In one example, the playback device receives a second sound signal including at least one reflection of the first sound signal. The second sound signal is processed to determine a location of a person relative to the playback device, and a characteristic of audio reproduction by the playback device is selected, based on the determined location of the person.