Abstract: A headset, during play of a particular game, receives a plurality of audio channels carrying game sounds and determines whether a first of the game sounds overwhelms a second of the game sounds. In response to the determination, the headset adjusts a level of one or more of the audio channels such that perceptibility of the second game sound is improved relative to perceptibility of the first game sound prior to the adjustment, wherein for the adjustment, a level of one or more of the audio channels carrying the first game sound is decreased while a level of one or more of the audio channels carrying the second game sound is maintained or increased. The audio channels include three or more audio channels and the adjustment of the level of the audio channels is performed while the three or more audio channels are combined into two stereo channels.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an eyewear accommodating headset with adaptive and variable ear support. An example headset may comprise an ear cup with two or more distinct sections that differ in one or more characteristics. A first section is adaptively configured to accommodate a temple piece of a pair of eyeglasses of a wearer of the headset, and a second section is configured to maintain contact with a temple of the wearer of the headset. The different sections may comprise different foams (or different parts of foam, each with different characteristics). The characteristics may comprise hardness and/or density. Another example headset may comprise an ear cup with a divot that accommodates the temple piece of the eyeglasses.

Abstract: Computer vision drilling systems and methods may be used with a drilling rig. The computer vision systems and methods may be used during drilling of a well to monitor the drilling equipment and personnel on the drilling site to provide safer drilling operations. The results from the computer vision drilling system may be used to cause corrective actions to be performed if a safety condition arises. In addition, computer vision systems and methods are provided to automatically monitor the drilling site and drilling operations, such as by tallying pipe in the drill string and by monitoring equipment for anomalous drilling conditions, and automatically taking corrective action as may be needed.

Abstract: An electronic device may comprise audio processing circuitry and a universal serial bus (USB) connector having a first contact and a second contact. In a first mode of operation, the audio processing circuitry is configured to output one or more audio signals carrying music and/or voice via the first contact and the second contact. In a second mode of operation, the audio processing circuitry is configured to output a signal for delivering supply current via the first contact and the second contact. While the electronic device is in the first mode of operation, a gain and/or volume limit of the audio processing circuitry may be set to a first level, and while the electronic device is in the second mode of operation, the gain and/or volume limit of the audio processing circuitry may be set to a second level that is higher than the first level.

Abstract: A headset comprises an ear cup, at least one speaker, an adjustable ear cup shaper, and circuitry. The ear cup shaper is adjustable into at least two configurations, wherein a first of the configurations creates no depression or a first amount of depression in the ear cup and a second of the configurations creates a second amount of depression in the ear cup, where the second amount is greater than the first amount. The circuitry is operable to determine which one of the configurations the ear cup shaper is configured into, and set an audio setting applied to an audio signal output to the speaker based on the determined one of the configurations.

Abstract: A headset, during play of a particular game, receives a plurality of audio channels carrying game sounds and determines whether a first of the game sounds overwhelms a second of the game sounds. In response to the determination, the headset adjusts a level of one or more of the audio channels such that perceptibility of the second game sound is improved relative to perceptibility of the first game sound prior to the adjustment, wherein for the adjustment, a level of one or more of the audio channels carrying the first game sound is decreased while a level of one or more of the audio channels carrying the second game sound is maintained or increased. The audio channels include three or more audio channels and the adjustment of the level of the audio channels is performed while the three or more audio channels are combined into two stereo channels.

Abstract: A game headset receives a game audio during play of a particular game, monitors the game audio and detects an occurrence of one or more particular sounds in the game audio during the monitoring of the one or more of the plurality of audio channels. In response to the detecting, the game headset triggers playback of one or more of a plurality of voice commands that corresponds to the one or more particular sounds. The voice commands may be predefined and associated with the one or more particular sounds in a data structure. The voice commands may instruct the listener of the game headset to perform an action in the particular game. The characteristics of the one or more sounds may include direction, intensity, and/or frequency of the particular one or more sounds.

Abstract: A headset may comprise at least one ear cup and an ear cup shaper configurable into at least two configurations. When the ear cup shaper is configured in a first of the configurations, the ear cup is shaped to contact the temple of a wearer of the headset. When the adjustable ear cup shaper is configured in a second of the configurations, the ear cup is shaped to accommodate the temple piece of a pair of eyeglasses of a wearer of the headset. The ear cup may comprise a filler material such as foam, and the adjustable ear cup shaper when configured in the second of the configurations may create a depression in the foam. The adjustable ear cup shaper may comprise a strap and/or a plunger.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for independent audio volume control. User input may be received in an audio setup configured for combined-game-and-chat audio, with the user input including one or both of a selection of a desired volume of a chat audio component of the combined-game-and-chat audio signal, and a selection of a desired volume of a game audio component of the combined-game-and-chat audio signal. Based on the user input, a corresponding mix setting may be determined, with the mix setting including one or more control parameters for adaptively controlling mixing of the chat audio component and the game audio component to generate the combined-game-and-chat audio signal. The mix setting may be determined based on a data set characterizing an audio device where at least portion of the mixing is performed. The data set may be pre-programmed and/or determined based on testing of the audio device.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for earphones with motion sensitive inflation. Information may be obtained relating to a user of an audio output element that outputs audio signals, with at least portion of the audio output element being in contact with the user. One or both of outputting of the audio signals and the contact between the audio output element and the user may be assessed based on the obtained information. Based on the assessing, one or more adjustments applicable to the audio output element may be determined, with at least one adjustment applying to positioning of the at least portion of the audio output element. The determining includes configuring the at least one adjustment to account for and/or counteract effects of the positioning on one or both of outputting of the audio signals and the contact between the audio output element and the user.

Abstract: In an audio setup comprising at least one audio headset configurable to process audio for a user (e.g., when participating in an online multiplayer game), input audio and/or output audio in the audio headset may be monitored, and when the audio matches triggering criteria, one or more update messages may be triggered via a social networking service. The triggering criteria may comprise (or be set based on) identity of the speaker, content of the audio, and/or conditions association with the audio. Different triggering criteria may be associated with different applications (e.g., different video games). The update messages may be made available to one or more other users, who may be selected based on matching particular user selection criteria and/or based on successful user validation. The user selection criteria may comprise participation in the same online multiplayer game.

Abstract: An electronic device may comprise audio processing circuitry and a universal serial bus (USB) connector having a first contact and a second contact. In a first mode of operation, the audio processing circuitry is configured to output one or more audio signals carrying music and/or voice via the first contact and the second contact. In a second mode of operation, the audio processing circuitry is configured to output a signal for delivering supply current via the first contact and the second contact. While the electronic device is in the first mode of operation, a gain and/or volume limit of the audio processing circuitry may be set to a first level, and while the electronic device is in the second mode of operation, the gain and/or volume limit of the audio processing circuitry may be set to a second level that is higher than the first level.

Abstract: Computer vision drilling systems and methods may be used with a drilling rig. The computer vision systems and methods may be used during drilling of a well to monitor the drilling equipment and personnel on the drilling site to provide safer drilling operations. The results from the computer vision drilling system may be used to cause corrective actions to be performed if a safety condition arises. In addition, computer vision systems and methods are provided to automatically monitor the drilling site and drilling operations, such as by tallying pipe in the drill string and by monitoring equipment for anomalous drilling conditions, and automatically taking corrective action as may be needed.

Abstract: A gaming headset receives a plurality of audio channels during play of a particular game, determines an identity and/or an age of a gamer that is wearing the gaming headset, and configures operation of the gaming headset based on the determined identity and/or age of the gamer. The gaming headset logs into the particular game using credentials associated with the determined identity and/or age, and selects settings based on the determined identity and/or age of the gamer that is wearing the gaming headset. One or more sensors communicatively coupled to the gaming headset may be activated and information received from the sensors is utilized to determine the identity and/or the age of the gamer that is wearing the gaming headset. The sensors determine, for example, the head size, ear size, voice characteristics and/or biometric information for the gamer that is wearing the gaming headset.

Abstract: A headset comprises an ear cup, at least one speaker, an adjustable ear cup shaper, and circuitry. The ear cup shaper is adjustable into at least two configurations, wherein a first of the configurations creates no depression or a first amount of depression in the ear cup and a second of the configurations creates a second amount of depression in the ear cup, where the second amount is greater than the first amount. The circuitry is operable to determine which one of the configurations the ear cup shaper is configured into, and set an audio setting applied to an audio signal output to the speaker based on the determined one of the configurations.

Abstract: A headset may comprise at least one ear cup and an ear cup shaper configurable into at least two configurations. When the ear cup shaper is configured in a first of the configurations, the ear cup is shaped to contact the temple of a wearer of the headset. When the adjustable ear cup shaper is configured in a second of the configurations, the ear cup is shaped to accommodate the temple piece of a pair of eyeglasses of a wearer of the headset. The ear cup may comprise a filler material such as foam, and the adjustable ear cup shaper when configured in the second of the configurations may create a depression in the foam. The adjustable ear cup shaper may comprise a strap and/or a plunger.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for gaming headset with enhanced off-screen awareness. An audio system that is used for outputting audio signals to a user may be configured for identifying in audio signals, based on parameters or criteria associated with a user of the system, one or more components in the audio signals; determining characteristics of the one or more components based on perception of the audio signals by the user; and adjusting based on the characteristics of the one or more components, the one or more components and/or one or more other components in the audio signals. The audio system may include circuits for handling the required functions. The circuits may include a detection circuit configured for identify the one or more components, one or more adjustment circuits for applying the adjustments, and a controller circuit for controlling applying the adjustments.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for gaming headset with enhanced off-screen awareness. An audio system that is used for outputting audio signals to a user may be configured for identifying in audio signals, based on parameters or criteria associated with a user of the system, one or more components in the audio signals; determining characteristics of the one or more components based on perception of the audio signals by the user; and adjusting based on the characteristics of the one or more components, the one or more components and/or one or more other components in the audio signals. The audio system may include circuits for handling the required functions. The circuits may include a detection circuit configured for identify the one or more components, one or more adjustment circuits for applying the adjustments, and a controller circuit for controlling applying the adjustments.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for gaming headset with enhanced off-screen awareness. An audio system that is used for outputting audio signals to a user may be configured for identifying in audio signals, based on parameters or criteria associated with a user of the system, one or more components in the audio signals; determining characteristics of the one or more components based on perception of the audio signals by the user; and adjusting based on the characteristics of the one or more components, the one or more components and/or one or more other components in the audio signals. The audio system may include circuits for handling the required functions. The circuits may include a detection circuit configured for identify the one or more components, one or more adjustment circuits for applying the adjustments, and a controller circuit for controlling applying the adjustments.

Abstract: In an audio setup comprising at least one audio headset configurable to process audio for a user (e.g., when participating in an online multiplayer game), input audio and/or output audio in the audio headset may be monitored, and when the audio matches triggering criteria, one or more update messages may be triggered via a social networking service. The triggering criteria may comprise (or be set based on) identity of the speaker, content of the audio, and/or conditions association with the audio. Different triggering criteria may be associated with different applications (e.g., different video games). The update messages may be made available to one or more other users, who may be selected based on matching particular user selection criteria and/or based on successful user validation. The user selection criteria may comprise participation in the same online multiplayer game.