Abstract: The technology described in this document can be embodied in a computer-implemented method that includes receiving a portion of a feedback signal of an active noise control (ANC) system, and processing the portion of the feedback signal using an adaptive line enhancer (ALE) filter to detect a tonal signature. The method also includes determining, by one or more processing devices, that the tonal signature represents an unstable condition, and responsive to determining that the tonal signature represents an unstable condition, generating one or more control signals for adjusting one or more parameters of the ANC system, to mitigate the unstable condition.

Abstract: A narrow-profile balanced subwoofer or similar speaker includes a number of drivers placed side by side in the same lateral plane, with a first set of drivers facing one direction and second set of drivers facing the opposite direction. Their orientation is such that the sum of the forces from the first set of drivers is equal and opposite the sum of the forces from the second set of drivers, thus cancelling, and the sum of the moments from all of the drivers about a center or pivot point substantially equals zero. The speaker may include three or more drivers, symmetrically or asymmetrically spaced. The drivers may be of the same or different sizes, and the audio signal amplitudes may be adjusted to help balance the speaker. Each set of drivers may output sound into separate sound ducts, which may output sound from one or more apertures.

Abstract: Several embodiments include a remote tracker for a videography drone. The remote tracker can include a spatial information sensor and a microphone configured to capture audio data surrounding the remote tracker. The remote tracker can also include a logic control component configured to decorate the audio data with location-based metadata or temporal metadata. A network interface of the remote tracker can communicate with the videography drone, including streaming the audio data captured by the microphone to the videography drone.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for detecting blockage associated with a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) microphone of a device are presented. The device includes a MEMS acoustic sensor and a processor. The MEMS acoustic sensor is contained in a cavity within the device. The processor is configured to detect a blockage condition associated with an opening of the cavity that contains the MEMS acoustic sensor.

Abstract: A videoconferencing system has a plurality of displays arranged side-by-side. Top loudspeakers are arranged adjacent the tops of the displays, and bottom loudspeakers are arranged adjacent the bottoms of the displays. A control unit operatively coupled to the displays and the loudspeakers routes video to each of the displays and routes audio corresponding to each display to any of the top and bottom loudspeakers arranged adjacent the display. Thus, the top and bottom loudspeakers form a vertical pair of loudspeakers that output the corresponding audio for its respective display. In this way, the audio for the video of a given display is perceived by participants to originate from the center of the given display. If one of the loudspeakers is not provided, gain setting and mixing between adjacent sets of loudspeakers can produce a virtual loudspeaker for the one that is missing.

Abstract: A loudspeaker drive circuit uses a dynamic range compressor to implement a non-linear gain function between the input signal to the dynamic range compressor and an output signal from the dynamic range compressor. The output is used to drive a loudspeaker, and the operating parameters of the dynamic range compressor are varied in dependence on a criterion, such as the estimated voice coil temperature, the power consumption or the acoustical distortion.

Abstract: A control device for a portable digital media player is contained within a communications headset attached to a first ear of a user and complimented by an interpreter circuit adaptively paired with that media player. A microphone, located within the headset, is configured to receive vocal commands from the user and transmit those commands, via any wireless communication technology, to the interpreter interface removably inserted into a specialized port of the media player. The electronic circuitry within the adapter searches the input for recognizable phrases which have been pre-programmed to exert control over the media player. The adapter then converts the proper input into control signals for execution in the media player. The output of the media player is wirelessly transmitted back to the headset for the auditory enjoyment of the user.

Abstract: In a general aspect, a system includes circuitry for providing an engine harmonic scaling module and a summer. The engine harmonic scaling module is configured to receive a torque signal and a throttle signal, process the torque signal to generate a calibrated torque value, process the throttle signal to generate a throttle percentage value, determine a control parameter based on an examination of the calibrated torque value and the throttle percentage value, determine, based on the control parameter, a harmonic-specific scaling factor for each of one or more engine harmonic signals of a plurality of engine harmonic signals, and apply the corresponding harmonic-specific scaling factor to each of the one or more engine harmonic signals to generate corresponding scaled engine harmonic signals. The summer is configured to generate, from the scaled engine harmonic signals, a combined engine harmonic signal.

Abstract: An apparatus including at least one sensor configured to sense location of at least one portion of a head of a user relative to the apparatus; at least one processor; and at least one memory having software. The processor and the software are configured to process audio signals based, at least partially, upon output from the sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling engine noise reflecting engine vibration and driving conditions includes a sound generator that generates reinforcement noise in order to reinforce non-linear engine noise. The apparatus includes a vibration sensor measuring engine vibration as a noise source of the engine, a signal processing controller receiving the signal of the vibration sensor in real time and controlling the sound generator so that the engine noise may maintain linearity, and an amplifier receiving and then amplifying a control signal of the signal processing controller to transfer the amplified control signal to the sound generator.

Abstract: Examples described herein involve calibration of a microphone of a network device based on a first signal detected by the microphone of the network device and a second audio signal detected by a microphone of the playback device. While the network device is positioned within a predetermined physical range of a microphone of a playback device, a microphone of the network device may detect a first audio signal. The network device may also receive data indicating a second audio signal detected by the microphone of the playback device. Based on data indicating the first audio signal and the data indicating the second audio signal, the network device may identify a microphone calibration algorithm, and apply the microphone calibration algorithm when performing a calibration function associated with the playback device. Similar functions may also be performed by a computing device, such as a server to coordinate calibration of the microphone of the network device.

Abstract: A noise-canceling device includes a processing circuit configured to detect vibrational noise sound waves near a listener's ear using a vibration sensor, generate a vibrational noise-canceling signal, and control operation of a speaker to provide a desired sound signal and the vibrational noise-canceling signal to at least partially cancel the vibrational noise sound waves.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus includes: a control section; a signal processing section connected with a plurality of signal processing elements and configured to perform signal processing for enhancing or attenuating an input signal in a specific frequency band; and a crossfade signal section including a crossfade signal processing element capable of replacing at least one of the signal processing elements, wherein the control section is configured to control any one of the signal processing elements among the plurality of signal processing elements, and the crossfade signal processing element, to crossfade to the crossfade signal processing element having the signal processing element as a new characteristic, to perform processing for replacing any one of the signal processing elements by the crossfade signal processing element, and to perform the processing on remaining signal processing elements of the plurality of signal processing elements in the signal processing section.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a receiver and a hardware processor. The receiver is configured to receive an audio signal. The hardware processor is configured to enable a first function comprising separating the audio signal into a voice signal and a background sound signal and emphasizing or suppressing either the voice signal or the background sound signal and enable a second function comprising giving an acoustic effect to the audio signal. The hardware processor is further configured to receive an user operation to turn on either the first function or the second function and restrict the second function, if the first function is turned on.

Abstract: A noise cancelling headset includes first and second earpieces, each earpiece including a respective feedback microphone, a respective feed-forward microphone, and a respective output driver. A first feedback filter receives an input from at least the first feedback microphone and produces a first filtered feedback signal. A first feed-forward filter receives an input from at least the first feed-forward microphone and produces a first filtered feed-forward signal. A first summer combines the first filtered feedback signal and the first filtered feed-forward signal and produces a first output signal. An output interface provides the first output signal as an output from the headset.

Abstract: An apparatus including an input configured to receive at least one first audio signal from a first apparatus; an input configured to receive at least one second audio signal from a second apparatus; a distance detector configured to determine a distance between the first and the second apparatus; and a level control generator configured to generate a level control for mixing the at least one first audio signal and the at least one second audio signal based on the distance between the first and the second apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for addressing road noise are provided. The apparatus is configured to determine at least one from among a location of a vehicle and a noise feature of a road on which the vehicle is traveling, retrieve road noise cancellation information based on the determined at least one from among the location of the vehicle and the noise feature of the road on which the vehicle is traveling, and output a signal to cancel road noise based on the road noise cancellation information. The apparatus may be installed in vehicle to address road noise heard by occupants of the vehicle.

Abstract: A sound or thermal baffling device comprising an enclosure containing a variable density fluid and a force generating means for preserving and creating the structure and form of the enclosure, the shape and composition of the enclosure crafted to vary the baffling characteristics of the enclosure, and a further embodiment showing how a cellular material containing a variable density fluid may be created and used, and a still further embodiment showing improvements to ear protectors and head phone sets, including latching means for attaching these and other devices to the ears and head. Various applications involving previous as well as new uses are set out, including a description of how dynamic sound baffling may be implemented.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods for detecting corona using audio data are disclosed. A method of processing audio data to detect corona includes determining an indicator of energy at a substantially fundamental frequency in the audio data, determining an indicator of the energy at a plurality of harmonic frequencies in the audio data, determining an indicator of the noise energy in the audio data, determining a comparison indicator of the noise energy relative to the energy at the harmonic frequencies, determining a masking indicator having thresholds for each of the harmonics relative to the fundamental frequency, and determining a corona detection indicator. An apparatus for detecting corona includes a memory, an audio detector configured to obtain the audio data near an electrical conductor in an AC system, and a processor to process the audio data, fundamental and harmonic frequencies of the audio data and their corresponding thresholds to detect corona.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a system for estimating acoustic noise levels. The invention may advantageously be applied in systems comprising multiple audio communication devices, such as e.g. telephones, mobile phones, headsets and headset base stations. It is an object of the present invention to provide respectively a method for estimating acoustic noise levels and a system for estimating acoustic noise levels, which enable a more efficient use of resources and may reduce cluttering in offices and other working environments than the prior art.