An information processing method includes: (i) determining whether a type of a predetermined sound and a type of an external sound match; (ii) determining whether the incoming direction of the predetermined sound and the incoming direction of the external sound overlap by comparing the incoming direction of the predetermined sound with the incoming direction of the external sound analyzed; and performing at least one of the following based on a result of (i) and a result of (ii): (a) adjusting at least one of a sound pressure of the predetermined sound or a sound pressure of the external sound; or (b) adjusting the incoming direction of the predetermined sound.

An audio system includes a sound output device, a microphone, and processing circuitry. The microphone is configured to capture environmental audio. The processing circuitry is configured to analyze the environmental audio to identify one or more properties of environmental audio conditions. The processing circuitry is configured to adjust one or more sound presentation parameters based on the one or more properties of the environmental audio conditions to account for the environmental audio conditions. The processing circuitry is configured to operate the sound output device to output audio according to the one or more sound presentation parameters.

Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for generating an immersive three-dimensional sound space for searching audio. The system generates a three-dimensional sound space having a plurality of sound sources playing at a same time, wherein each of the plurality of sound sources is assigned a respective location in the three-dimensional sound space relative to one another, and wherein a user is assigned a current location in the three-dimensional sound space relative to each respective location. Next, the system receives input from the user to navigate to a new location in the three-dimensional sound space. Based on the input, the system then changes each respective location of the plurality of sound sources relative to the new location in the three-dimensional sound space.

Example techniques involve a control hierarchy for a “smart” home having smart appliances and related devices, such as wireless illumination devices, home-automation devices (e.g., thermostats, door locks, etc.), and audio playback devices, among others. An example home includes various rooms in which smart devices might be located. Under the example control hierarchy described herein and referred to as “home graph,” a name of a room (e.g., “Kitchen”) may represent a smart device (or smart devices) within that room. In other words, from the perspective of a user, the smart devices within a room are that room. This hierarchy permits a user to refer to a smart device within a given room by way of the name of the room when controlling smart devices within the home using a voice user interface (VUI) or graphical user interface (GUI).

In a computing device for adjusting audio output during playback of 360 video, a 360 video bitstream is received, and the 360 video bitstream separated into video content and audio content. The audio content corresponding to a plurality of audio sources is decoded, wherein a number of audio sources is represented by N. The video content is displayed and the audio content is output through a plurality of output devices, wherein a number of output devices is represented by M. In response to detecting a change in a viewing angle for the video content, a determination is made, for each of the plurality of output devices, of a distribution ratio for each of the plurality of audio sources based on the viewing angle such that N×M distribution ratios are determined; and the audio content is output through each of the plurality of output devices based on the determined N×M distribution ratios.

A system includes a headset to capture sound and a visual signal of a local area including one or more sound sources. The system determines a strength of the audio signal and a portion of the visual signal associated with the audio signal, compares the strengths, selects the weaker signal, and augments the weaker signal. The headset accordingly presents augmented audio-visual content to a user, thereby enhancing the user's perception of the weak signal.

Eyewear providing a visual indicator to a hearing-impaired user indicating a direction of arrival of a sound relative to the eyewear to help the user obtain greater awareness of the surrounding environment. An eyewear optical assembly includes an image display displaying the visual indicator discernable by the user and corresponding to the direction of arrival of the sound, even when a sound source is not viewable through the optical assembly. The image display also displays an image indicative of the sound source. A front portion of an eyewear frame includes a light array, where one or more lights of the light array is illuminated to indicate the direction of arrival and intensity of the sound source. An array of vibrating devices may also be used to indicate the direction of arrival and intensity of the sound source.

Methods and apparatus, including software, for collecting and managing public music performance royalties and royalty payouts are described. On the listeners side, song/audio fingerprint data is collected and transmitted to the rights owner side, where the rights owner side verifies the song/audio fingerprint data, calculates royalty payments, and in some cases, automates the royalty payments. Public music performance royalty payments are based on the song/audio fingerprint data collected by listeners/clients, as well as business logic servers.

In one implementation, a method of changing an audio property of an object is performed at a device including one or more processors coupled to non-transitory memory. The method includes displaying, using a display, a representation of a scene including a representation of an object associated with an audio property. The method includes displaying, using the display, in association with the representation of the object, a manipulator indicating a value of the audio property. The method includes receiving, using one or more input devices, a user input interacting with the manipulator. The method includes, in response to receiving the user input, changing the value of the audio property based on the user input and displaying, using the display, the manipulator indicating the changed value of the audio property.

An alert system for generating a signal indicating at least one aspect of sound within a workspace environment, the system comprising at least a first sensor positioned one of within and proximate a workspace, the at least a first sensor sensing at least one aspect of sound generated within the workspace and generating a signal indicating the at least one aspect, a communication device located within the workspace, the communication device configured to generate a signal perceivable within the workspace and a processor receiving signals from the at least a first sensor and linked to the communication device, the processor programmed to perform the steps of identifying when the at least one aspect exceeds a threshold value and driving the communication device to indicate that the at least one aspect exceeds the threshold value.