Methods and devices responsive to ambient audio
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method comprising:
- receiving, through a user interface of a device, a user input signaling interest in ambient audio;
capturing the ambient audio with a microphone;
converting the captured ambient audio into digital form;
providing the digital form of the ambient audio to a processor;
receiving data corresponding to the ambient audio back from the processor;
storing the received data in a memory of the device for later transmission in a store-and-forward mode;
at a later time, recalling the received data from the memory of the device, and also recalling identification information from a memory, wherein the identification information comprises information identifying a model of the device;
transmitting both the recalled received data and the recalled identification information to a remote computer;
receiving information relating to the ambient audio in response to the transmission of both the recalled received data and the recalled identification information; and
controlling an operational aspect of the device in accordance with the received information.
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Abstract
A portable device uses a microphone to listen to ambient audio, derives data from captured audio signals, and uses the derived data to request delivery of the audio or related information to the user'"'"'s home or other location. The device is desirably pocket-sized, or suitable for carrying on a key-ring. The device may also detect a watermark signal that is present in the user'"'"'s environment (e.g., played through a public address speaker system) to aid the user in recalling the context from which the audio was requested.
228 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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receiving, through a user interface of a device, a user input signaling interest in ambient audio; capturing the ambient audio with a microphone; converting the captured ambient audio into digital form; providing the digital form of the ambient audio to a processor; receiving data corresponding to the ambient audio back from the processor; storing the received data in a memory of the device for later transmission in a store-and-forward mode; at a later time, recalling the received data from the memory of the device, and also recalling identification information from a memory, wherein the identification information comprises information identifying a model of the device; transmitting both the recalled received data and the recalled identification information to a remote computer; receiving information relating to the ambient audio in response to the transmission of both the recalled received data and the recalled identification information; and controlling an operational aspect of the device in accordance with the received information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A device comprising:
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a transducer configured to receive ambient audio and to output electrical signals corresponding thereto; a processor configured to decode a watermark from the electrical signals corresponding to the ambient audio, wherein the watermark comprises an identifier; a memory configured to store identification information; and an interface configured to transmit both the identifier and at least some of the identification information to a relay station. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method comprising:
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receiving identification data originally transmitted from a portable device, wherein the identification data corresponds to a watermark encoded in audible or visual information sensed by a sensor at the portable device; by reference to the identification data, making an identification of the sensed information; and transmitting, to a destination device distinct from the portable device, information corresponding to the identified information. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A method comprising:
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sampling content from the user'"'"'s environment, using an audio sensor or a video sensor in a microprocessor-equipped first device; decoding a watermark from the sampled content, wherein the watermark comprises identification data; and wirelessly transmitting the identification data, together with context information, from the first device, wherein the context information relates to a second microprocessor-equipped device. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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23. A method comprising:
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sampling human perceptible content, using one or more sensors for producing data corresponding to human perceptible stimulus; decoding a first watermark from the sampled content, wherein the first watermark comprises identification data; decoding a second watermark from the sampled content, wherein the second watermark comprises context information, wherein the context information is different than the identification information and is different than the sampled content; and wirelessly transmitting at least the identification information and the context information from the device. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, if executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform operations comprising:
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receiving identification data originally transmitted from a portable device, wherein the identification data corresponds to a watermark encoded in audible or visual information sensed by a sensor at the portable device; by reference to the identification data, making an identification of the sensed information; and transmitting, to a destination device distinct from the portable device, information corresponding to the identified information.
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29. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, if executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform operations comprising:
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receiving data corresponding to sampled human perceptible content; decoding a first watermark from the data, wherein the first watermark comprises identification data; decoding a second watermark from the data, wherein the second watermark comprises context information, wherein the context information is different than the identification information and is different than the data; and transmitting at least the identification information and the context information to a remote device.
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Specification