Abstract: A method and system directed to controlling audio devices with active noise reduction. The system detects a first instability condition in a first headphone based on one or more parameters; alters a parameter of the one or more parameters; and detects a second audio instability condition in the first headphone based on the altered parameter of the one or more parameters. The first and second audio instability conditions are related to audio feedback.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the disclosure, an audio device is provided comprising a communications interface configured to be communicatively coupled to an audio source, at least one sensor, and a controller configured to control the audio device to be in a low-power mode, receive, from the sensor(s), information indicative of a presence of a user's body, initiate, via the communications interface responsive to receiving the information, a wireless communication pairing process to establish a wireless communication bond with the audio source prior to determining that the audio device is fully engaged with the user's body, determine, subsequent to initiating the wireless communication pairing process and based on information received from the sensor(s), that the audio device is fully engaged with the user's body, and control, responsive to determining that the audio device is fully engaged with the user's body, the audio device to be in an active mode.

Abstract: Various implementations include vehicle headrest configurations and related audio systems. In some cases, a headrest includes: a main body having a front surface to support a back of a user's head and a pair of acoustic channels each formed in part by a side wall having a front edge that is offset from the front surface, the main body having a portion configured to receive first and second transducers, where a transducer mount in each of the pair of acoustic channels for mounting respective ones of the first and second transducers, wherein a dimension (Dimension C) is defined by a rotation angle of the transducer mount relative to a centerline of the vehicle headrest, wherein Dimension C is approximately ?20 degrees to approximately zero degrees.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer has formed within it a plurality of piston tops of equal area. Each of the piston tops includes a thin flat region from which a majority of the thickness of the original semiconductor wafer may have been removed. A first one of the piston tops has a lower thickness than a second one of the piston tops. The second piston top has at least one hole in it, the volume of the hole corresponding to the difference in thickness between the first and second piston tops, such that the masses of the first and second piston tops differ by less than the variation in thickness between them.

Abstract: An acoustic noise reduction (ANR) headphone described herein has current detection circuitry that detects current consumed by an acoustic driver amplifier as a result of pressure changes due to a tapping of the headphone. Tapping may be performed to change an audio feature or operating mode of the audio system for the headphone. The current detection circuitry senses a characteristic of the current consumed by the acoustic driver amplifier that can be used to determine an occurrence of a tap event. Examples of a characteristic include an amplitude, waveform or duration of the sensed current. Advantageously, the ANR headphones avoid the need for control buttons to initiate the desired changes to the audio feature or operating mode.

Abstract: An open-ear headphone with an acoustic module that is configured to be located at least in part in a concha of an outer ear of a user. The acoustic module includes an acoustic transducer, and a sound-emitting opening that is configured to emit sound produced by the acoustic transducer. A battery housing is configured to be located behind the outer ear and contains a battery power source. A compliant connecting portion couples the battery housing to the acoustic module. The connecting position enables displacement of the battery housing relative to the acoustic module.

Abstract: Various aspects include wearable audio devices enabling modular component attachment and detachment. In certain implementations, a wearable audio device includes: a headband for contacting a head of a user; an earpiece coupled with the headband for positioning proximate an ear of the user, the earpiece having an electro-acoustic transducer configured to output audio signals; and a slot configured to engage an electronic component, where the slot includes one or more snap-fit and/or friction-fit connectors for selectively engaging the electronic component.

Abstract: Noise cancellation systems and methods are provided that generate an anti-noise signal configured to destructively interfere with noise in a cancellation zone. The systems and methods receive a signal representative of the noise in the cancellation zone. The signal is analyzed to identify a frequency to be reduced in the cancellation zone, and the signal is down converted to place the identified frequency at baseband. A baseband anti-noise signal is generated based upon the down converted signal. The baseband anti-noise signal is up converted to the identified frequency to produce an anti-noise signal having components at the identified frequency, and the anti-noise signal is provided to be transduced into an acoustic signal.

Abstract: A loudspeaker system includes a subwoofer. The subwoofer includes a housing having a plurality of walls which together define an acoustic cavity. The plurality of walls includes a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, and a plurality of sidewalls extending between the top and bottom walls and between the front and rear walls. A first transducer mounted to the front wall of the housing. The first transducer includes a diaphragm having a major axis and a minor axis. The major axis has a fist end proximate the bottom wall and an opposite, second end proximate the top wall, such that the major axis is arranged vertical, relative to ground when the subwoofer is rested on its bottom wall. The top wall has a handle such that the loudspeaker can be carried with the major axis arranged vertical to ground.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques, including devices and system implementing the techniques, to provide feedback to a user of an event when the user is wearing a wearable device. For example, the wearable device may provide high quality noise canceling audio playback to the user, lowering the user's situation awareness. The techniques include measuring ambient sound using two or more microphones on the wearable device. The measured ambient sound is used to determine a related event worth relaying to the user. Based on the location attribute and sound properties, the nature and/or classification of the event may be ascertained using pattern recognition algorithms according to user threshold settings. Insignificant events that the user prefers to ignore will be ruled out by the algorithm. Upon determining the event that merits the user's attention, the wearable device provides feedback to the user indicating the nature and location of the event.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide methods, apparatuses, and systems for closed-loop sleep protection and/or sleep regulation. According to an aspect, sleep disturbing noises are predicted and a biosignal parameter is measured to dynamically mask predicted disturbing environmental noises in the sleeping environment with active attenuation. Environmental noises in a sleeping environment of a subject are detected, input, or predicted based on historical data of the sleeping environment collected over a period of time. The biosignal parameter is used to determine sleep physiology of a subject. Based on the environmental noises in the sleeping environment and the determined sleep physiology, the noises are predicted to be disturbing or non-disturbing noises. For predicted disturbing noises, one or more actions are taken to regulate sleep and avoid sleep disruption by using sound masking prior to or concurrently with the occurrence of the predicted disturbing noises.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide methods, apparatuses, and systems for accurately determining sleep and wake onset based on a user's personalized physiological parameters for sleep and wake. First, a user is determined to be asleep using population level data. Thereafter, sensor collected data is used to determine the user's distribution of values of a physiological parameter when the user is asleep. This distribution of values is then used, instead of population-level data, to determine the user is asleep in real-time. As a result, the content and interventions are provided to help users get back to sleep. Further, the described techniques allow more accuracy in determining sleep statistics which can guide recommended interventions and therapies.

Abstract: A method includes wirelessly receiving audio content via a first transceiver included in a housing of a first device and producing a first audible signal from the audio content via a speaker included in the housing of the first device. The audio content is wirelessly transmitted via the first transceiver to a second transceiver integrated within a first remote speaker. A second audible signal is produced from the audio content via the first remote speaker. The method also includes wirelessly relaying the audio content via the second transceiver to a third transceiver integrated within a second remote speaker and producing a third audible signal from the audio content via the second remote speaker. The second remote speaker is located outside of the transmission range of the first transceiver.

Abstract: An open audio device including an acoustic radiator that emits front-side acoustic radiation from its front side, and emits rear-side acoustic radiation from its rear side. A front acoustic cavity receives front-side acoustic radiation and comprises at least one front sound-emitting opening, and a rear acoustic cavity receives rear-side acoustic radiation and comprises at least one rear sound-emitting opening. The front and rear acoustic cavities each have a fundamental frequency. The fundamental frequencies are within one octave of each other.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improving the robustness of wireless communications. The methods and systems provided transmit data packets over one or more isochronous stream and transmit one or more supplemental data packets over the same time intervals. The one or more supplemental data packets are used to recreate and/or enhance at least a portion of one or more data packets of the plurality of data packets that have already been sent. Alternatively, the one or more supplemental data packets are used to create and/or enhance at least a portion of one or more data packets of the plurality of data packets that will be received during the next isochronous intervals. The methods and system described herein allow for increased robustness by allowing for better retransmission with correctly received packets.

Abstract: A system for providing augmented spatialized audio in a vehicle, including a plurality of speakers disposed in a perimeter of a cabin of the vehicle; and a controller configured to receive a position signal indicative of the position of a first user's head in the vehicle and to output to a first binaural device, according to the first position signal, a first spatial audio signal, such that the first binaural device produces a first spatial acoustic signal perceived by the first user as originating from a first virtual source location within the vehicle cabin, wherein the first spatial audio signal comprises at least an upper range of a first content signal, wherein the controller is further configured to drive the plurality of speakers with a driving signal such that a first bass content of the first content signal is produced in the vehicle cabin.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems are provided for synchronizing a source device with a sink device. In some examples, the source device plays first audio using, e.g., an electro-acoustic transducer. The source device transmits a stream of packets to the sink device to be used by the sink device for playing second audio, where the playing of the second audio is to be synchronized within a predefined tolerance with the playing of the first audio. In response to determining there is a delay in average packet arrival times of the stream of packets at the sink device, the source device adjusts the playing of the first audio to maintain synchronization with the playing of the second audio within the predefined tolerance.

Abstract: Various implementations include audio devices and components of such devices. Certain implementations include an audio device with a sealing member for providing a substantially water resistant seal. Certain additional implementations include an audio device with an internal heat sink for transferring heat away from device components such as a control module.

Abstract: A method performed by a wearable audio output device worn by a user is provided for controlling external noise attenuated by wearable audio output device. A speech is detected from a user wearing the wearable audio output device, wherein the audio output device has active noise reduction turned on. It is determined, based on the detecting, that the user desires to speak to a subject in the vicinity of the user. In response to the determining, a level of noise reduction is reduced to enable the user to hear sounds external to the audio output device. It is determined that the user desires to speak to the subject by detecting at least one condition of a plurality of conditions.