Abstract

A computing device (e.g., a smartphone, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a smartwatch, etc.) may monitor audio streams and adjust non-navigational audio streams based on a detected real-life context. The computing device may evaluate the real-life context and identify situations requiring reduced distractions. The computing device may determine, based on the evaluation of the audio streams, whether a user may be focused on an activity and should not be distracted from potential hazards. The computing device may additionally evaluate the audio streams and identify navigational and non-navigational streams. Based on the identified real-world context and audio streams, the computing device may pause non-navigational audio and censor potentially distracting sounds and words. The computing device may pause or modify audio streams while a user of the computing device is engaged in any number of activities such as running, walking, driving, biking, etc. as well as alert a user to potential hazards. For example, a driver may approach a section of road with multiple tight turns while distracting audio streams like music or podcasts are playing. The computing device may improve safety by pausing the distracting audio streams. In another example, an assistant on the computing device is reading a book to a listener while the listener is approaching a sidewalk. The computing device may pause reading the book so the listener can hear vehicles approaching the sidewalk. The computing device may alert the listener of the oncoming traffic in addition to pausing the audio.

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Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

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