Re: Invention needed
I want a Billy Mayes Automute box. A electronic device that will automatically mute Billy's voice when any of his infomercials comes on. I find his voice very annoying. Worse than a nagging mother-in-law
Well, it should be possible. I'd guess you would need some sort of sound sampling equipment - perhaps a laptop & microphone, then some software to compare the sampled sound with a 'library', and finally a way for the device to 'mute' the TV. (Could be by actually controlling the mute/volume, or by 'repeating' the sound - but out of phase so it cancels.)
It wouldn't need to be 'state of the art' - you don't want a transcript, just matching the sounds should be enough. In this scenario, you'd have to identify each commercial you don't want to hear - not the 'person'.
I could put this on my project backlog if you want, looks like I'd be able to schedule it for.. say.. mid 2015. I'll make a telephone version too - should sell pretty well for screening those 'vote for xxxxxx' calls.
-V
