Abstract: Wireless headphones with user controls and methods for using are disclosed. In one embodiment, a wireless headphone includes a left earcup comprising a left speaker driver and a left earcup housing; and a right earcup comprising a right speaker driver and a right earcup housing; a processor; a microphone; user controls including: a voice assistant activator control; a volume slider; a play control slider; a play-pause control; and instructions configuring the processor to: commence a voice assistant recognition routine when sound received by the microphone matches a wake word, and perform an action based on instructions returned from the voice assistant; update a current volume of the headphone to a higher volume when the volume slider receives a swipe; skip to a next track of a current media content when the play control slider receives a swipe; and toggle playback of the media content when the play-pause control is activated.

Abstract: Systems and methods discussed herein involve designating a default playback device in a local playback network. One method may involve determining that a networked microphone device is available for assignment to one or more playback zones within a local playback network, displaying a prompt to indicate at least one playback zone to which the network microphone device is to be assigned, receiving an input indicating a particular playback zone in the local playback system to which the network microphone device is to be assigned, and storing data indicating an assignment of the network microphone device to the particular playback zone.

Abstract: There is provided a hearing protector that has an earmuff (2) formed by a cup-shaped shell and a cushion. The hearing protector has a sound inlet (5) formed of at least one acoustic membrane that replaces a portion of the shell or by a hole into the cushion. The sound inlet locally reduces the sound barrier of the hearing protector predominantly with respect to sound originating from an anterior direction (11) that is defined in accordance to on the anatomic directions of a wearer when the hearing protector is worn. The present disclosure helps enabling directional hearing with a hearing protector.

Abstract: An over-the-ear hearing assessment device and a method for evaluating the performance of over-the-ear hearing devices are described. An exemplary over-the-ear hearing assessment device includes an ear cup defining an interior volume and positionable at least partially over the ear of a user. The ear cup includes a shell, a cushion, and an acoustic port extending from an exterior to the interior volume of the ear cup. The acoustic port is sealably engagable with a microphone.

Abstract: A method performed by a programmed processor of an in-ear headphone that is to be worn by a user. The method obtains, over a wireless communication link and via a first wireless connection that uses an accessory profile, a first request, from an audio source device, to start a measurement process. In response to obtaining the request, the method 1) establishes, over the link, a second wireless connection that uses an audio distribution profile between the headphone and the source device, 2) obtains, via the second wireless connection, an audio signal for driving a speaker of the headphone to output sound, 3) responsive to the outputted sound, determining a fit parameter, and 4) transmitting the fit parameter to the source device via the first wireless connection.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for receiving a request to output audio at a first speaker and a second speaker of an electronic device, determining that the electronic device is oriented in a portrait orientation or a landscape orientation, identifying, based on the determined orientation, a first equalization setting for the first speaker and a second equalization setting for the second speaker, providing, for output at the first speaker, a first audio signal with the first equalization setting, and providing, for output at the second speaker, a second audio signal with the second equalization setting.

Abstract: This invention relates to microphone accessories, particularly to microphone flags for use with a hand-held microphone having a bulbous head and elongate stalk extending therefrom. The microphone accessory extends substantially radially outward from the microphone head or windshield and displays a communication, where a camera is configured to film the microphone accessory and to transmit the filmed communication to an audience for viewing.

Abstract: An earpiece (100) and acoustic management module (300) for in-ear canal echo suppression control suitable is provided. The earpiece can include an Ambient Sound Microphone (111) to capture ambient sound, an Ear Canal Receiver (125) to deliver audio content to an ear canal, an Ear Canal Microphone (123) configured to capture internal sound, and a processor (121) to generate a voice activity level (622) and suppress an echo of spoken voice in the electronic internal signal, and mix an electronic ambient signal with an electronic internal signal in a ratio dependent on the voice activity level and a background noise level to produce a mixed signal (323) that is delivered to the ear canal (131).

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and computer-readable medium are provided for processing wind noise. Audio input is processed by receiving an audio input. A wind noise level representative of a wind noise at the microphone array is measured using the audio input and a determination is made, based on the wind noise level, whether to perform either (i) a wind noise suppression process on the audio input on-device, or (ii) the wind noise suppression process on the audio input on-device and an audio reconstruction process in-cloud.

Abstract: A system and method for selecting audio capture sensors of wearable devices in obtaining voice data. The method provides obtaining signals associated with the user's voice at first and second wearable devices, comparing energy levels of the first and second signals, and selecting one or more audio capture sensors based on the energy levels of each signal. Due to the symmetry of the acoustic energy produced by the user's voice to a first and second wearable device, any difference in energy level between the total energy obtained by the first wearable device and the total energy obtained by the second wearable device can be attributed solely to ambient noise. Thus, the device with the higher total energy has a lower signal-to-noise ratio and selection of an audio capture sensor of the other wearable device with a higher signal-to-noise ratio is provided to obtain voice data moving forward.

Abstract: A set of user pools can be determined based on location data associated with each device in an audio/video (A/V) conference. A key active user can be determined for each user pool of the set of user pools based on valid audio signals received from each device within each user pool. A determination can be made whether there is feedback within each user pool. Responsive to determining feedback in at least one user pool, speakers of devices within the at least one user pool can be disconnected except for the key active user device within each respective user pool.

Abstract: A robot includes a microphone configured to receive sound signals, and one or more controllers configured to determine a reference sound pressure level of background noise based on a sound signal received at a first time point via the microphone, detect occurrence of a sound event based on the reference sound pressure level and a sound pressure level of a sound signal received at a second time point via the microphone, recognize an event corresponding to the detected sound event, and control an operation of the robot based on the recognized event.

Abstract: A wearable audio output device is in communication with a first device and with a second device that is different from the first device. While outputting first audio from the first device, the wearable audio output device receives a first input corresponding to a request to output second audio from the second device; and, in response to receiving the first input: in accordance with a determination that the second audio from the second device satisfies audio priority criteria with respect to the first audio from the first device, the wearable audio output device: ceases to output the first audio from the first device; outputs the second audio from the second device; and causes the first device to display a first alert indicating that the first audio from the first device is not being output by the wearable audio output device.

Abstract: A system for generating audio content in dependence upon an input audio track comprising audio corresponding to one or more sound sources, the system comprising an audio input unit operable to input the input audio track to one or more models, each representing one or more of the sound sources, and an audio generation unit operable to generate, using the one or more models, one or more audio tracks each comprising a representation of the audio contribution of the corresponding sound sources of the input audio track, wherein the generated audio tracks comprise one or more variations relative to the corresponding portion of the input audio track.

Abstract: Ear buds may have optical proximity sensors and accelerometers. Control circuitry may analyze output from the optical proximity sensors and the accelerometers to identify a current operational state for the ear buds. The control circuitry may also analyze the accelerometer output to identify tap input such as double taps made by a user on ear bud housings. Samples in the accelerometer output may be analyzed to determine whether the samples associated with a tap have been clipped. If the samples have been clipped, a curve may be fit to the samples. Optical sensor data may be analyzed in conjunction with potential tap input data from the accelerometer. If the optical sensor data is ordered, a tap input may be confirmed. If the optical sensor data is disordered, the control circuitry can conclude that accelerometer data corresponds to false tap input associated with unintentional contact with the housing.

Abstract: Wireless earphones comprising a first antenna module, at least one second antenna module, a radio frequency module, a sensing module, a speaker module and a processing module. The radio frequency module is used to receive or transmit radio frequency signals by the first antenna module or the second antenna module; the sensing module is used to sense a capacitance value of a first parasitic capacitance of the first antenna module and generate a corresponding first sensing signal and used to sense a capacitance value of a second parasitic capacitance of the second antenna module and generate a corresponding second sensing signal; the speaker module is used to play audio signals; and the processing module is used to generate a control signal according to the radio frequency signal, the first sensing signal or the second sensing signal to control the speaker module to play the audio signal corresponding to the control signal.

Abstract: A feedforward ambient noise reduction arrangement includes, within a housing, a loudspeaker device for directing sound energy into an ear of a listener. Disposed externally of the housing, and positioned to sense ambient noise on its way to the listener's ear, are plural microphone devices capable of converting the sensed ambient noise into electrical signals for application to the loudspeaker to generate an acoustic signal opposing the ambient noise. Importantly, the overall arrangement is such that the acoustic signal is generated by said loudspeaker means in substantial time alignment with the arrival of said ambient noise at the listener's ear.

Abstract: The disclosed technology generally relates to a hearing device configured to detect tapping based on input from at least two sensors of the hearing device. The tapping can relate to a tapping gesture that includes a single tap or double tapping. In response to the single or double tap, the hearing device can perform an operation to modify the device (e.g., change the mode, change, or modify a setting, provide a sound, or perform a task). The first sensor can be an accelerometer configured to detect a change in acceleration of the hearing device and the second sensor can include a photodiode to detect a change in distance between the hearing device and the ear with the hearing device. The disclosed technology can be implemented in a method and comprises a computer-readable medium storing instructions to perform the method.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a method of generating a hearing impairment compensation function to process audio reproduced by an earphone device. The compensation function includes processing the audio to compensate for frequency sensitivity to improve speech intelligibility.

Abstract: Audio systems and methods are provided that receive a sound management input signal as a reference signal to remove related content from a microphone signal in, e.g., an automotive hands-free system. The sound management signal may provide an acoustic augmentation to reduce, enhance, or create an acoustic effect, e.g., of an engine, motor, or other operating components. A signal processor receives the sound management signal and the microphone signal, and reduces or removes the sound management signal components from the microphone signal.