Patent Publication Number: US-10762913-B2

Title: Image-based techniques for audio content

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     This application claims priority from, and is a continuation of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/254,685, filed on Sep. 1, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/677,682, filed on Apr. 2, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,521,365, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure is generally related to electronic devices and more particularly to the use of image-based techniques for audio content by electronic devices. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electronic devices may use networks to communicate audio information (e.g., audio files representing recorded speech) to users. As an example, users of electronic devices may use video meetings (e.g., video chats and video teleconferences) to communicate with other users. 
     In a video meeting, a first participant may use an image sensor (e.g., a camera) to capture video content and may also use an acoustic sensor (e.g., a microphone) to capture audio content. The video content and the audio content may be transmitted over a network and provided to an electronic device of a second participant (e.g., a display device and a speaker). Similarly, the second participant may communicate video content and audio content to the first participant. 
     In some circumstances, quality of audio content transmitted during the video meeting may be reduced due to noise or interference. To illustrate, if both participants of the video meeting are viewing a common television program, then the audio content captured by the first participant (e.g., speech) may include a representation of sound from the television program. Once the audio content is transmitted via the network and reproduced for the second participant, a delay between the transmitted sound and the sound generated by the television of the second participant may cause the second participant to perceive an “echo.” Further, in some cases, the sound from the television program may “drown out” the speech from the first participant, which may render the audio content unintelligible for the second participant. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a particular example of a system that uses image-based audio content; 
         FIG. 2  is a ladder diagram illustrating a particular example of operation of a system, such as the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a flow diagram that illustrates a particular example of a method of operation of a network device, such as a network device included in the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a flow diagram that illustrates a particular example of a method of operation of a media device, such as a media device included in the system of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram of an illustrative embodiment of a general computer system that uses image-based audio content. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A device in accordance with the disclosure may use an image-based technique to record information that can be used to reproduce sound. For example, in some cases, a high definition (HD) video camera may record information that indicates vibrations (or deformations) of an object that are caused by acoustic waves (e.g., speech and/or sound from a media device, such as a television). The information can be used to reproduce the speech (e.g., without recording the speech using a microphone). The image-based technique may be used in connection with any system that records, transmits, and/or reproduces audio information. As an illustrative example, the image-based technique may be used in connection with a video meeting (e.g., a video chat or a video teleconference) that records, transmits, and reproduces audio information. 
     Recording acoustic information using an image-based technique may enable speech of a first participant of a video meeting to be reproduced for a second participant of the video meeting without noise or other unwanted sound. For example, if the first participant and the second participant are viewing a common television program, then predetermined vibration information corresponding to the sound of the television program may be subtracted (e.g., canceled) from the information recorded by the HD video camera. After subtracting vibration information corresponding to the sound of the television program, the information may be used to reproduce speech of the user that does not include the sound of the television program (thus reducing or preventing perception of an “echo” by the second participant). Further, subtracting the vibration information may remove a “spoiler” from the video chat, such as when a touchdown of a football game is presented sooner to one video meeting participant than to another video meeting participant (e.g., due to network delay, latency, data buffering, or use of a digital video recorder, as illustrative examples). 
     In a particular example, a method includes receiving, at a device from a first media device associated with a first user, image information indicating vibrations of an object. The vibrations are caused at least in part by speech of the first user. The method further includes generating audio content by the device based on the image information. The audio content represents the speech of the first user. The method further includes transmitting the audio content from the device to a second media device. 
     In another particular example, an electronic device includes a processor and a memory in communication with the processor. The memory includes instructions executable by the processor to perform operations. The operations include generating audio content based on image information. The image information is received from a first media device associated with a first user, and the image information indicates vibrations of an object. The vibrations are caused at least in part by speech of the first user, and the audio content represents the speech of the first user. The operations further include transmitting the audio content to a second media device. 
     In another particular example, a computer-readable storage device includes instructions executable by a processor to perform operations. The operations include generating audio content based on image information. The image information is received from a first media device associated with a first user, and the image information indicates vibrations of an object. The vibrations are caused at least in part by speech of the first user, and the audio content represents the speech of the first user. The operations further include transmitting the audio content to a second media device. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a particular embodiment of a system is depicted and generally designated  100 . The system  100  may include a first media device  102 , a network device  130 , a database  140 , and a second media device  152 . Although  FIG. 1  illustrates two media devices (the media devices  102 ,  152 ) and one network device (the network device  130 ), it should be appreciated that the system  100  may include a different number of devices (e.g., three or more media devices and two or more network devices). Each of the first media device  102 , the network device  130 , and the second media device  152  may include one or more processors and one or more memories storing instructions that are executable by the one or more processors. 
     The first media device  102  may include one or more electronic devices. For example, although the first media device  102  is described as a single device for convenience, it should be appreciated that the first media device  102  may include a set-top box (STB), a customer premises equipment (CPE) device, a television, a monitor, a camera, a microphone, a mobile device (e.g., a cellular telephone), a gaming system, a computer (e.g., a laptop computer, a desktop computer, or a tablet computer), another electronic device, or a combination thereof, as illustrative examples. In an illustrative implementation, the first media device  102  includes an STB and a display (e.g., a television or a monitor). 
     In the example of  FIG. 1 , the first media device  102  includes an image sensor  106  (e.g., a camera, a video recorder, a video camera, or a camcorder, such as a high definition (HD) camcorder, or a combination thereof) and a user interface  108  (e.g., a monitor, a television display, a speaker, an input device, or a combination thereof, as illustrative examples). The image sensor  106  may include an optical imaging device (e.g., a charge-coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) device), an acoustic imaging device (e.g., an ultrasonic imaging device), or a combination thereof. The image sensor  106  and the user interface  108  may be integrated within a single electronic device or may be included in multiple electronic devices, any of which may be communicatively coupled (e.g., via a wired connection, a wireless connection, or an optical connection). 
     The first media device  102  may be associated with a first user  110 . A reference object  112  may be proximate to the first media device  102  and the first user  110 . For example, the reference object  112  may be sufficiently proximate to the first user  110  to vibrate in response to speech from the first user  110 , and the reference object  112  may be sufficiently proximate to the image sensor  106  to enable the image sensor  106  to capture images of the reference object  112 . As an illustrative example, the image sensor  106 , the first user  110 , and the reference object  112  may be located in a common room. 
     The second media device  152  may include one or more electronic devices. For example, although the second media device  152  is described as a single device for convenience, it should be appreciated that the second media device  152  may include a STB, a CPE device, a television, a monitor, a camera, a microphone, a mobile device (e.g., a cellular telephone), a gaming system, a computer (e.g., a laptop computer, a desktop computer, or a tablet computer), another electronic device, or a combination thereof, as illustrative examples. In an illustrative implementation, the second media device  152  includes an STB and a display (e.g., a television or a monitor). 
     In the example of  FIG. 1 , the second media device  152  includes an image sensor  156  (e.g., a camera, a video recorder, a video camera, or a camcorder, such as an HD camcorder, or a combination thereof) and a user interface  158  (e.g., a monitor, a television display, a speaker, an input device, or a combination thereof, as illustrative examples). The image sensor  156  may include an optical imaging device (e.g., a CCD or a CMOS device), an acoustic imaging device (e.g., an ultrasonic imaging device), or a combination thereof. The image sensor  156  and the user interface  158  may be integrated within a single electronic device or may be included in multiple electronic devices, any of which may be communicatively coupled (e.g., via a wired connection, a wireless connection, or an optical connection). 
     The second media device  152  may be associated with a second user  160 . A reference object  162  may be proximate to the second media device  152  and the second user  160 . For example, the reference object  162  may be sufficiently proximate to the second user  160  to vibrate in response to speech from the second user  160 , and the reference object  162  may be sufficiently proximate to the image sensor  106  to enable the image sensor  106  to capture images of the reference object  162 . As an illustrative example, the image sensor  156 , the second user  160 , and the reference object  162  may be located in a common room. 
     In some implementations, the network device  130  includes a server, such as a media content server, which may provide content to users (e.g., the users  110 ,  160 ). The network device  130  may include a content generator  132 , such as an image-based audio content generator. In an illustrative implementation, the content generator  132  includes a processor and a memory in communication with the processor, where the memory stores instructions executable by the processor. The network device  130  may be communicatively coupled to the database  140 , such as via a local area network (LAN), a wireless LAN (WLAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, a cellular network, an optical network, a secure network, or another network, as illustrative examples. In some implementations, the database  140  may be included in the network device  130 . 
       FIG. 1  illustrates that the first media device  102 , the network device  130 , and the second media device  152  may be communicatively coupled via a network  150 . For example, the network  150  may include a content distribution network, the Internet, a cellular network, an optical network, another network, or a combination thereof, as illustrative examples. Although the network  150  is described as a single network for convenience, it is noted that the network  150  may include multiple networks. 
     In operation, any of the first media device  102 , the network device  130 , and the second media device  152  may communicate using the network  150 . In an illustrative example, the first user  110  may initiate a meeting (e.g., a video meeting, such as a video chat or a video conference) with the second user  160  (or vice versa). For example, the first user  110  may send (e.g., using the first media device  102 ) a meeting invitation, and the second user  160  may receive (e.g., using the second media device  152 ) the meeting invitation. An example of a video meeting is a picture-in-picture video meeting. For example, during a picture-in-picture meeting, the second user  160  may be presented with images of the first user  110  overlaying media content (e.g., a television program rendered at the user interface  158 ), and the first user  110  may be presented with images of the second user  160  overlaying the media content (e.g., at the user interface  108 ). 
     During the meeting, the users  110 ,  160  may exchange communications, such as video messages, audio messages, text messages, or one or more other messages, as illustrative examples. In an illustrative example, the meeting is a video meeting in which the users  110 ,  160  exchange video messages (or video “clips”) regarding content rendered at the media devices  102 ,  152  (which may be supplied by the network device  130 ). For example, the content may relate to an event, such as a sports event (e.g., a football game), which the users  110 ,  160  may discuss via the meeting. In this example, the event may be a live event, and the content may be rendered at the media devices  102 ,  152  concurrently or substantially concurrently (e.g., by streaming the content to the media devices  102 ,  152 ). In other cases, the event may be a recorded event. In these cases, the meeting may be conducted “off-line,” such as if the first user  110  records video clips that are presented to the second user  160  at a later time (e.g., by recording comments related to a television program or movie that the second user  160  has not yet viewed). 
     In a particular implementation, initiation of the meeting may “trigger” the image sensor  106  to capture images of the reference object  112 . For example, the reference object  112  may be positioned at a location that is “known” to the image sensor  106 , and the image sensor  106  may capture images of the reference object  112  (e.g., upon initiation of the meeting). In some cases, the reference object  112  may include a communication device, such as a near field communication (NFC) device, which may provide a signal to enable the image sensor  106  to locate the reference object  112 . As used herein, the reference object  112  may include any object that is capable of vibrating (e.g., experiencing deformation or perturbations) in response to speech by the first user  110  such that the vibrations may be detected by a sensor, such as the image sensor  106 . 
     During the meeting, the first user  110  may provide comments (e.g., comments related to content rendered at the first media device  102 ) in the form of speech. The reference object  112  may vibrate in response to the speech, and the image sensor  106  may capture image information  114  of the reference object  112  while the reference object  112  is vibrating. For example, the image information  114  may include video frames captured using a video recorder, such as an HD video stream of images of the reference object  112  captured while the first user  110  is speaking. 
     The image sensor  106  may be configured to capture images of the reference object  112  using a passive imaging process, an active imaging process, or a combination thereof. To illustrate, the image sensor  106  may be configured to capture images using a passive imaging process using ambient light (e.g., sunlight or room lighting). In some cases, ambient light may be insufficient to capture images of the reference object  112 . As an illustrative example, if the first user  110  views a television program in the dark, then ambient light may be insufficient to capture images of the reference object  112 . The image sensor  106  may be configured to capture images using an active imaging process, such as by directing electromagnetic signals (e.g., infrared (IR) signals) or acoustic signals (e.g., ultrasonic signals) to the reference object  112  and by detecting reflections of the electromagnetic signals or acoustic signals. In an illustrative implementation, the image sensor  106  includes a device (e.g., a photodiode) configured to generate a signal that indicates a degree of ambient light. If the signal fails to satisfy a threshold (e.g., if a current magnitude of the signal fails to satisfy a magnitude threshold), the image sensor  106  may cease use of a passive imaging process and may initiate use of an active imaging process. If the signal satisfies the threshold (e.g., in response to activation of room lighting), the image sensor  106  may cease use of an active imaging process and may initiate use of a passive imaging process (e.g., to conserve power). 
     In some cases, the meeting between the users  110 ,  160  is a video meeting. In this case, the image sensor  106  may record video content  116  (e.g., a video stream) of the first user  110  while the first user  110  is speaking (and while the image sensor  106  is generating the image information  114 ). In this example, the image sensor  106  may include multiple image sensors. It should be appreciated that the example of a video meeting is illustrative and that other examples may not include the video content  116  (e.g., in the case of an audio meeting between the users  110 ,  160 ). 
     In the example of  FIG. 1 , the first media device  102  may send the image information  114  and the video content  116  to the network device  130  via the network  150 . The network device  130  may be configured to generate (or “extract”) image-based audio information  134  using the image information  114 . For example, the content generator  132  may be configured to detect vibration information indicated by the image information  114 , such as by performing image processing operations to detect vibrations of the reference object  112 . In this example, the image-based audio information  134  may indicate amplitude of the vibrations, phase of the vibrations, frequency of the vibrations, or a combination thereof. 
     In certain cases, the image-based audio information  134  may be affected by sound other than speech of the first user  110 . For example, if the first user  110  is watching a television program at the first media device  102 , sound associated with the television program may affect vibrations of the reference object  112 . In some implementations, the database  140  stores sets of vibration information (e.g., vibration information  144 ,  146 , and  148 , or audio information related to the vibration information  144 ,  146 , and  148 ), and the content generator  132  is configured to access the database  140  and to select particular vibration information in order to filter (e.g., subtract or “cancel”) the particular vibration information from the image-based audio information  134 . In this example, the vibrations of the reference object  112  are further caused by the sound associated with media content rendered at the first media device  102 , and the particular vibration information (e.g., the vibration information  144 ,  146 , or  148 ) represents the sound associated with the media content. 
     To illustrate, in one example, the vibration information  144  indicates vibration information associated with sound of a first content item (e.g., a first television program), the vibration information  146  indicates vibration information associated with sound of a second content item (e.g., a second television program), and the vibration information  148  indicates vibration information associated with sound of a third content item (e.g., a third television program). If the first content item is rendered at the first media device  102  when the image information  114  is captured by the image sensor  106 , the content generator  132  may select the vibration information  144  and to “cancel” (or compensate for) the vibration information  144  from the image-based audio information  134 . For example, the first media device  102  may send an indication of content rendered at the first media device (i.e., the first content item in this example) and timestamps to indicate a time interval during which the image information  114  is captured by the image sensor  106 . The content generator  132  may be configured to select a particular portion of the vibration information  144  corresponding to the time interval and to filter (e.g., subtract or “cancel”) the particular portion from the image-based audio information  134 . In some implementations, the content generator  132  may be configured to convert the image information  114  to an audio representation (e.g., a digital audio file, such as a digital audio bitstream) to generate the image-based audio information  134  and to cancel an audio representation of the vibration information  144  from the image-based audio information  134 . 
     Alternatively or in addition, the content generator  132  may be configured to utilize one or more device attributes of the first media device  102  based on a table  142  (e.g., a lookup table or an index). As an illustrative example, the first media device  102  may provide an indication of a device type of the first media device  102  (e.g., an image sensor type of the image sensor  106  or an imaging process type used by the image sensor  106 ) or an environment context associated with the first media device  102  (e.g., a size, material, or acoustic property of a room in which the first media device  102 , the first user  110 , and the reference object  112  are located). In this example, the table  142  may map device attributes (e.g., device type and environment context) to certain acoustic properties. Because the device type and the environment context may affect the image-based audio information  134  (e.g., by affecting amplitude, phase, or frequency of the vibrations of the reference object  112 ), the content generator  132  may modify the image-based audio information  134  based on the one or more device attributes to compensate for effects of the device type and the environment context. To illustrate, in a large room, reverberation may affect vibrations of the reference object  112  more as compared to a smaller room. The table  142  may indicate that for a larger room, the image-based audio information  134  is to be modified to compensate for the reverberation. 
     In a particular implementation, the table  142  stores a profile associated with the first user  110 . For example, during a setup process, the first media device  102  may generate a reference sound (e.g., using the user interface  108 ) having a particular frequency, amplitude, and phase. While the reference sound is generated, the image sensor  106  may capture images indicating vibrations of the reference object  112 . By analyzing deviation of the vibrations from “expected” vibrations of the reference object  112 , the first media device  102  or the network device  130  may determine an environment context associated with the reference object  112  (e.g., an amount of reverberation, an amount of phase delay, an amount of amplitude attenuation, an amount of harmonic distortion, or one or more other parameters, as illustrative examples). The environment context information may be stored in the table  142  and associated with the first user  110 . In some implementations, the setup procedure may include a “scan” to identify a reference object, such as the reference object  112  (e.g., by emitting “pings” to identify the reference object  112 ). It is noted that a setup process may be performed one time, periodically, occasionally, or continuously. 
     The content generator  132  may be configured to generate audio content  124  based on the image-based audio information  134  (or based on the portion of the image-based audio information  134  remaining after filtering vibration information from the image-based audio information  134 ). The audio content  124  may represent speech of the first user  110  (e.g., phase of the speech, amplitude of the speech, and/or frequency of the speech). In some implementations, the content generator  132  may include an encoder or a coder/decoder (CODEC) configured to transform the image-based audio information  134  into a file having a particular audio file format. In an illustrative example, in connection with a video meeting between the users  110 ,  160 , the content generator  132  is configured to encode the video content  116  and the audio content  124  into a message  122  (e.g., a video stream or a packet of a video stream) and to send the message  122  to the second media device  152 . 
     In some implementations, certain components and operations of the second media device  152  may be as described with reference to components and operations of the first media device  102 . For example, the image sensor  156  may capture image information  118  associated with the reference object  162  while the second user  160  is speaking. In connection with a video meeting, the image sensor  156  (or another image sensor) may also record video content  120 . The second media device  152  may provide the image information  118  and the video content  120  to the network device  130 . 
     The network device  130  may generate audio content  128  based on vibrations indicated by the image information  118 . For example, the content generator  132  may detect phase of the vibrations, amplitude of the vibrations, frequency of the vibrations, or a combination thereof. The audio content  128  may represent speech of the second user  160  (e.g., phase of the speech, amplitude of the speech, and frequency of the speech). In some implementations, the content generator  132  may cancel any of the vibration information  144 ,  146 , and  148  from the vibrations indicated by the image information  118 . In an illustrative implementation, the content generator  132  is configured to encode the audio content  128  and the video content  120  into a message  126 , such as a video stream or a packet of a video stream in connection with a video meeting. 
     The example of  FIG. 1  illustrates that an image-based process may be used to generate audio content. The image-based process may be utilized in cases where microphone-based sound recording is infeasible or would result in artifacts (e.g., an “echo” of a television program that may be perceived by a participant of a meeting). 
     It should be appreciated that the examples of  FIG. 1  are illustrative and that modifications of the examples are within the scope of the disclosure. For example, in some implementations, one or more features and operations described with reference to the network device  130  may be implemented at a media device, such as a CPE device. To illustrate, one or more of the media devices  102 ,  152  may include a content generator corresponding to the content generator  132  and/or a database corresponding to the database  140 . In this example, operations described with reference to the content generator  132  and/or the database  140  may be performed at one or more of the media devices  102 ,  152 . In these examples, the messages  122 ,  126  may be communicated between the media devices  102 ,  152  without use of the network device  130 . 
     In some implementations, one or both of the media devices  102 ,  152  may include an audio sensor (e.g., a microphone) configured to record sound using an acoustic-based process. During communication, one or both of the media devices  102 ,  152  may use either an image-based process or an acoustic-based process as a default and may switch to the other of the image-based process or the acoustic-based process if signal quality fails to satisfy a threshold (e.g., in case of loud noises during an acoustic-based process, or in case of poor image quality during an image-based process). Thus, the techniques of  FIG. 1  may be utilized to increase sound quality (e.g., by selectively using either an image-based process or an acoustic-based process). 
     It is also noted that the examples of  FIG. 1  can be implemented using more than or fewer than two media devices. For example, a meeting may involve three or more media devices. In an illustrative example, operations described with reference to the network device  130  may be performed by a third media device that is in communication with the media devices  102 ,  152 . 
     In another example, operations described with reference to  FIG. 1  may involve a single media device and/or a single user. To illustrate, in some cases, the first media device  102  may send image information to the network device  130 , and the network device  130  may send audio content to the first media device  102  based on the audio content. This technique may be advantageous in certain environments in which audio is difficult to discern. For example, in a loud sports bar with multiple televisions, the techniques of  FIG. 1  may enable reconstruction of the sound of a particular television, which can be replayed to a patron (e.g., via headphones). As another example, the techniques of  FIG. 1  assist a user who had muted his or her television to recover “lost” sound, or to assist a user who is hearing impaired. To further illustrate, instead of sending the message  122  to the second media device  152  as described with reference to  FIG. 1 , the network device  130  may send the message  122  to the first media device  102  (e.g., to enable the first user  110  to “recover” sound generated at the first media device  102 ). In another example, the second media device  152  is associated with the first user  110 , and the network device  130  sends the message  122  to the first user  110  via the second media device  152 . As an illustrative example, the second media device  152  may include a hearing assistance device (e.g., a headset) to enable the first user  110  to hear sound generated at the first media device  102  (e.g., a television in a loud sports bar, as an illustrative example). 
       FIG. 2  is a ladder diagram that illustrates certain operations  200  that may be performed in accordance with the disclosure. The operations  200  may be based on an event  201  (e.g., a sports event, such as a football game) and may involve the first user  110 , the second user  160 , the first media device  102 , the second media device  152 , and the network device  130  of  FIG. 1 . 
     The operations  200  may include rendering information related to the event  201 , at  202 , such as by displaying a television program (e.g., a football game) to a first user (e.g., the first user  110 ). The operations  200  may further include rendering the information (e.g., displaying the television program) to a second user (e.g., the second user  160 ), at  204 . In the example of  FIG. 2 , the event  201  may be displayed to the first user and the second user at different times (e.g., due to network delay, latency, data buffering, or use of a digital video recorder, as illustrative examples). In other cases, the event  201  may be displayed concurrently or substantially concurrently to the first user and the second user. 
     A video meeting may be initiated by the first user (e.g., to discuss the television program with the second user), at  206 . In a particular example, to facilitate the video meeting, one or more video cameras (e.g., an HD camcorder, which may correspond to the image sensor  106 ) are used to record first video content (e.g., images of the first user, such as a video stream, which may correspond to the video content  116 ). The one or more video cameras may also capture first image information (e.g., the image information  114 ) related to vibrations of an object (e.g., the reference object  112 ) caused by speech of the first user (and other acoustic signals, such as sound of the television program), at  208 . The first image information may include video representations of amplitude, phase, and/or frequency of vibrations in the object caused by acoustic signals. 
     The operations  200  may also include transmitting, by a first media device (e.g., the first media device  102 ) associated with the first user, the first video content and the first image information to a network device (e.g., the network device  130 ), at  210 . The network device may subtract vibration information (e.g., any of the vibration information  144 ,  146 , and  148 ) corresponding to sound of the television program from the first image information to recreate the speech of the first user, at  212 . To illustrate, in a particular embodiment, the television program may be played (prior to broadcasting the television program to users), and vibration information associated with the television program (e.g., amplitude, phase, and/or frequency of vibrations in an object caused by sound of the television program) may be recorded and stored in a database (e.g., the database  140 ). In this example, the database may be accessed to retrieve the vibration information, and the vibration information associated with the television program may be subtracted (or canceled) from the first image information, such as by subtracting the amplitude, phase, and/or frequency of vibrations caused by the sound of the television program from the first image information. 
     After subtracting the vibration information associated with the television program from the first image information, the network device may generate first audio content, at  214 . The first audio content may be encoded (e.g., into a message, such as the message  122 ) with the first video content associated with the first user. The message may be transmitted to a second media device (e.g., the second media device  152 ) associated with the second user (e.g., via the network  150 ), at  216 . The first audio content and the first video content may be presented to the second user (e.g., via a television that displays the television program, such as using a picture-in-picture technique), at  218 . 
     The second user may utilize one or more video recorders (which may include the image sensor  156 ) to record second video content (e.g., images of the second user, such as the video content  120 ) and second image information (e.g., the image information  118 ) related to vibrations of an object (e.g., the reference object  162 ) caused by speech of the second user (and other acoustic signals, such as sound of the television program), at  220 . Examples of second image information may include video representations of amplitude, phase, and/or frequency of vibrations in the object caused by acoustic signals. 
     The second media device may be connected to the network, and the second media device may transmit the second video content and the second image information to the network device, at  222 . The network device may subtract vibration information (e.g., any of the vibration information  144 ,  146 , and  148 ) corresponding to sound of the television program from the second image information to recreate the speech of the second user, at  224 . The vibration information associated with the television program (e.g., amplitude, phase, and/or frequency of vibrations in an object caused by sound of the television program) may be retrieved from the database. 
     After subtracting the vibration information associated with the television program from the second image information, the network device may generate audio content that is encoded into a message (e.g., the message  126 ) with the second video content, at  226 . The audio content and the second video content may be transmitted to the first media device (e.g., via the network  150 ), at  228 . The audio content and the second video content may be presented to the first user (e.g., via a television that is displaying the television program, such as using a picture-in-picture technique), at  230 . 
     The example of  FIG. 2  illustrates an image-based audio generation process. In an illustrative embodiment, the image-based audio generation process may enable users to communicate during a television program without perceiving an “echo” resulting from recording speech during viewing of the television program. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a particular illustrative example of a method is depicted and generally designated  300 . The method  300  may be performed at a device. In some implementations, the device may include a network device, such as the network device  130  of  FIG. 1 , the network device described with reference to  FIG. 2 , or a combination thereof. Alternatively or in addition, operations of the method  300  may be performed at another device, such as at a CPE device. In some implementations, the method  300  may be performed at a third media device that is in communication with the media devices  102 ,  152 . 
     The method  300  includes receiving, at the device from a first media device associated with a first user, image information indicating vibrations of an object, at  304 . The vibrations are caused at least in part by speech of the first user. To illustrate, the image information may correspond to the image information  114 . As additional examples, the first user may correspond to the first user  110 , and the object may correspond to the reference object  112 . 
     The method  300  further includes generating audio content by the device based on the image information, at  308 . The audio content represents the speech of the first user. To illustrate, the audio content may correspond to the audio content  124  and may be generated by the content generator  132 . 
     The method  300  may further include transmitting the audio content from the device to a second media device, at  312 . For example, the second media device may correspond to the second media device  152 , and the second user may correspond to the second user  160 . In another example, the second media device may be associated with the first user  110 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a particular illustrative example of a method is depicted and generally designated  400 . The method  400  may be performed by a media device, such as the first media device  102  of  FIG. 1 , the first media device described with reference to  FIG. 2 , or a combination thereof. 
     The method  400  includes generating, at a first media device associated with a first user, image information indicating vibrations of an object, at  404 . The vibrations are caused at least in part by speech of the first user. For example, the first user may correspond to the first user  110 , and the first media device may correspond to the first media device  102 . As additional examples, the image information may correspond to the image information  114 , and the object may correspond to the reference object  112 . 
     The method  400  further includes transmitting the image information to a network device to enable the network device to generate audio content based on the image information, at  408 . For example, the network device may correspond to the network device  130 , and the audio content may correspond to the audio content  124 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , an illustrative embodiment of a general computer system is shown and is designated  500 . The computer system  500  includes a set of instructions that can be executed to cause the computer system  500  to perform any one or more of the methods or computer based functions disclosed herein. The computer system  500  may operate as a standalone device or may be connected, e.g., using a network, to other computer systems or peripheral devices. For example, one or more components of the computer system  500  may include or be included within any one or more of the first media device  102 , the network device  130 , the second media device  152 , or a combination thereof. 
     In a networked deployment, the computer system  500  may operate in the capacity of a server or as a client user computer in a server-client user network environment, or as a peer computer system in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. The computer system  500  may also be implemented as or incorporated into various devices, such as a mobile device, a palmtop computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a communications device, a wireless telephone, a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a personal digital assistant (PDA), an endpoint device, a web appliance, or any other machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. In a particular embodiment, the computer system  500  may be implemented using electronic devices that provide video, audio, or data communication. Further, while a single computer system  500  is illustrated, the term “system” shall also be taken to include any collection of systems or sub-systems that individually or jointly execute a set, or multiple sets, of instructions to perform one or more computer functions. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the computer system  500  may include a processor  502 , e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or both. For example, when the computer system  500  corresponds to a media device, the processor  502  may include or correspond to a processor of the first media device  102 , the second media device  152 , or a combination thereof. As another example, when the computer system  500  corresponds to a network device (e.g., a server), the processor  502  may include or correspond to processor(s) of the network device  130 . Moreover, the computer system  500  may include a main memory  504  and a static memory  506 , which can communicate with each other via a bus  508 . For example, when the computer system  500  corresponds to a media device, the main memory  504  may include or correspond to the first media device  102 , the second media device  152 , or a combination thereof. As another example, when the computer system  500  corresponds to a server, the main memory  504  may include or correspond to a memory of the network device  130 . As shown, the computer system  500  may further include a video display unit  510 , such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display, a touch screen display, a flat panel display, or a solid state display. Additionally, the computer system  500  may include an input device  512 , such as a remote control device or a keyboard, and a cursor control device  514 , such as a mouse. In some embodiments, the input device  512  and the cursor control device  514  may be integrated into a single device, such as a capacitive touch screen input device. The computer system  500  may also include a signal generation device  518 , such as a speaker, and a network interface device  520 . Some computer systems  500  may not include certain components depicted in  FIG. 5 , such as an input device (e.g., a server may not include an input device). To illustrate, when the computer system  500  corresponds to the network device  130 , the computer system  500  may not include an input device. 
     The computer system  500  may correspond to a mobile device that includes one or more antennae, such as an antenna  540 . In other cases, the computer system  500  may be a wired device (e.g., a server) that does not include an antenna. 
     In a particular embodiment, as depicted in  FIG. 5 , the computer system  500  may include computer-readable storage  522  in which one or more sets of instructions  524 , e.g. software, can be embedded. The computer-readable storage  522  may be random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), register(s), solid-state memory, hard disk, a removable disk, a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, magnetic storage devices, or any other storage device that can be used to store program code in the form of instructions or data and that can be accessed by a computer and/or a processor. Computer-readable storage is not a signal. Further, the instructions  524  may embody one or more of the methods or logic as described herein. 
     When the computer system  500  corresponds to a network device,  FIG. 5  illustrates that the instructions  524  may include video-based audio content generation instructions  526 . The instructions  524  may be executable by the processor  502  to perform one or more functions or methods described herein, such as one or more of the operations  200  of  FIG. 2  or one or more operations of the method  300  of  FIG. 3 . In this case, the instructions  524  may be executable by the processor  502  to perform operations described with reference to the content generator  132  of  FIG. 1 . In an alternative embodiment, components of the computer system  500  are integrated within the media devices  102 ,  152 , and the instructions  524  are executable by the processor  502  to perform operations described with reference to the media devices  102 ,  152  and/or the method  400  of  FIG. 4 . 
     In a particular embodiment, the instructions  524  may reside completely, or at least partially, within the main memory  504 , the static memory  506 , and/or within the processor  502  during execution by the computer system  500 . The main memory  504  and the processor  502  also may include a computer-readable storage device.  FIG. 5  also illustrates that the computer-readable storage  522  may include data  530 . For example, the data  530  may include image information  536  (e.g., the image information  114  of  FIG. 1 ). 
     In an alternative embodiment, dedicated hardware implementations, such as application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices, may be constructed to implement one or more of the methods described herein. Various embodiments may include a variety of electronic and computer systems. One or more embodiments described herein may implement functions using two or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and data signals that can be communicated between and through the modules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Accordingly, the present system encompasses software, firmware, and hardware implementations. 
     In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the methods described herein may be implemented by software programs executable by a computer system, a processor, or a device, which may include forms of instructions embodied as a state machine implemented with logic components in an ASIC or a field programmable gate array (FPGA) device. Further, in an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment, implementations may include distributed processing, component/object distributed processing, and parallel processing. Alternatively, virtual computer system processing may be constructed to implement one or more of the methods or functionality as described herein. It is further noted that a computing device, such as a processor, a controller, a state machine or other suitable device for executing instructions to perform operations may perform such operations directly or indirectly by way of one or more intermediate devices directed by the computing device. 
     The present disclosure includes computer-readable storage  522  that stores instructions  524 , so that a device connected to a network  528  (e.g., the network  150 ) may communicate voice, video or data over the network  528 . While the computer-readable storage  522  is shown to be a single device, the computer-readable storage  522  may include a single device or multiple devices, such as a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers that store one or more sets of instructions. The computer-readable storage  522  is capable of storing a set of instructions for execution by a processor to cause a computer system to perform any one or more of the methods or operations disclosed herein. For example, the computer-readable storage  522  may store instructions for execution by a processor to cause a computer system to perform one or more of the operations  200  of  FIG. 2 , one or more operations of the method  300  of  FIG. 3  or one or more operations of the method  400  of  FIG. 4 . 
     In a particular non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, the computer-readable storage  522  may include a solid-state memory such as embedded memory (or a memory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatile read-only memories). Further, the computer-readable storage  522  may be a random access memory or other volatile re-writable memory. Additionally, the computer-readable storage  522  may include a magneto-optical or optical device, such as a disk or tapes or other storage device. Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more of a computer-readable storage device and other equivalents and successor devices, in which data or instructions may be stored. 
     Although the one or more components and functions may be described herein as being implemented with reference to particular standards or protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards and protocols. Such standards are from time-to-time superseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentially the same functions. Wireless standards for device detection, short-range communications, and long-range communications can be used by the computer system  500  in selected embodiments. 
     The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of the various embodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a complete description of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systems that utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many other embodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from the disclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Figures are also merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Accordingly, the disclosure and the figures are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. 
     Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangement designed to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments. 
     Less than all of the steps or functions described with respect to the exemplary processes or methods can also be performed in one or more of the exemplary embodiments. Further, the use of numerical terms to describe a device, component, step or function, such as first, second, third, and so forth, is not intended to describe an order unless expressly stated. The use of the terms first, second, third and so forth, is generally to distinguish between devices, components, steps or functions unless expressly stated otherwise. Additionally, one or more devices or components described with respect to the exemplary embodiments can facilitate one or more functions, where the facilitating (e.g., facilitating access or facilitating establishing a connection) can include less than every step needed to perform the function or can include all of the steps needed to perform the function. 
     In one or more embodiments, a processor (which can include a controller or circuit) has been described that performs various functions. It should be understood that the processor can be implemented as multiple processors, which can include distributed processors or parallel processors in a single machine or multiple machines. The processor can be used in supporting a virtual processing environment. The virtual processing environment may support one or more virtual machines representing computers, servers, or other computing devices. In such virtual machines (e.g., virtual servers), components such as microprocessors and storage devices may be virtualized or logically represented. The processor can include a state machine, an application specific integrated circuit, and/or a programmable gate array (PGA) including a FPGA. In one or more embodiments, when a processor executes instructions to perform “operations”, this can include the processor performing the operations directly and/or facilitating, directing, or cooperating with another device or component to perform the operations. 
     The Abstract is provided with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together or described in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter may be directed to less than all of the features of any of the disclosed embodiments. Thus, the following claims are incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as defining separately claimed subject matter. 
     The above-disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments, which fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present disclosure is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.