The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus and an information processing method as well as a program that make it possible to control, by a partition provided on a boundary between two spaces, a visual shielding property and an auditory shielding property of a first space to a person in a second space in an interlocking relationship with each other in response to a distance between the person in the second space and the partition. A distance between the partition, which partitions the first space and the second space, and a person in the second space is measured, and transmittance of the partition and magnitude of output of audio in the first space to the second space are controlled in response to the measured distance. The present disclosure can be applied to a control apparatus for a partition section.

This disclosure describes, in part, soundproof covers for voice-controlled devices. For instance, a first portion of a soundproof cover may include a soundproof material that does not allow outside sound to travel to microphone(s) of a voice-controlled device. A second portion of the soundproof cover may include a material and/or openings that allows interior sound output by speaker(s) of the voice-controlled device to travel outside of the soundproof cover. In some instances, such as when the voice-controlled device includes a display, a third portion of the soundproof cover may include material and/or an opening that allows the display to be visible.

Embodiments for providing adversarial protection of speech in audio signals by a processor. Security defenses on one or more audio devices may be provide against automated audio analysis of audio signals by using adversarial noise.

A transportation vehicle provides a workspace in a passenger cabin to support a teleconference with a remote party. External sensors are configured to scan the exterior of the vehicle. A sound exciter is configured to generate a masking noise directed to the exterior. A control circuit which enhances privacy of the teleconference is configured to A) detect the audio content of the teleconference being present in the interior of the vehicle, B) quantify an interior sound level of the audio content, C) estimate a discernability of the audio content at an external location accessible to passersby where the audio content can be overheard, and D) activate the sound exciter such that the masking noise is adapted to mask the audio content at the external location.

In accordance with some embodiments, an apparatus for privacy protection is provided. The apparatus includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion arranged to receive and enclose one or more personal communication devices. The apparatus further includes at least one sound attenuation layer disposed in the second housing portion, the at least one sound attenuation layer absorbs sound. The apparatus also includes a noise generator to provide one or more noise signal streams and audio output device(s), which are at least partially supported by the first housing portion and coupled to the noise generator to receive the one or more noise signal streams. The audio output device(s) are operable to output noise signal based on the one or more noise signal streams and direct the noise signal at the one or more personal communication devices placed adjacent the at least one sound attenuation layer.

A vehicle and a controlling method thereof are disclosed. The vehicle includes a first seat in which a talker is seated; a second seat in which a passenger is seated; a plurality of speakers provided in the first seat and the second seat; a microphone for receiving the voice of the passenger or the voice of the talker; and a controller configured to control the speaker to output a masking sound tuned based on the voice of the talker or the voice of the passenger.

This disclosure describes, in part, covers for electronic devices. For instance, a portion of a cover may attach to a portion of an electronic device. In some instances, the portion of the electronic device is associated with receiving sound. The cover may include one or more speakers that are configured to output sound towards one or more microphones of the electronic device. By outputting the sound towards the one or more microphones, the one or more microphones may receive more of the sound than sound (e.g., user speech) located in an environment that includes the electronic device. The cover may also include one or more microphones for generating audio data representing commands. For example, the commands may cause the cover to output the sound using the one or more speakers and/or cease outputting the sound using the one or more speakers.

A mobile terminal booth with a sound masking function includes a sound absorbing panel which partitions a space as viewed from the above to provide a place where a user of a mobile terminal can have a telephone conversation; a speaker provided to emit sounds to an outside of the mobile terminal booth; and a masking sound generation unit provided to emit a masking sound through the speaker. The harsh-sounding high frequency components of the masking sound which is output from the speaker are attenuated so that the masking sound gives less uncomfortable feeling to persons surrounding the mobile terminal booth.

This disclosure describes, in part, soundproof covers for voice-controlled devices. For instance, a first portion of a soundproof cover may include a soundproof material that does not allow outside sound to travel to microphone(s) of a voice-controlled device. A second portion of the soundproof cover may include a material and/or openings that allows interior sound output by speaker(s) of the voice-controlled device to travel outside of the soundproof cover. In some instances, such as when the voice-controlled device includes a display, a third portion of the soundproof cover may include material and/or an opening that allows the display to be visible.

This disclosure describes, in part, soundproof covers for voice-controlled devices. For instance, a first portion of a soundproof cover may include a soundproof material that does not allow outside sound to travel to microphone(s) of a voice-controlled device. A second portion of the soundproof cover may include a material and/or openings that allows interior sound output by speaker(s) of the voice-controlled device to travel outside of the soundproof cover. In some instances, such as when the voice-controlled device includes a display, a third portion of the soundproof cover may include material and/or an opening that allows the display to be visible.