Abstract: Earpieces and methods for acute sound detection and reproduction are provided. A method can include measuring an external ambient sound level (xASL), monitoring a change in the xASL for detecting an acute sound, estimating a proximity of the acute sound, and upon detecting the acute sound and its proximity, reproducing the acute sound within an ear canal, where the ear canal is at least partially occluded by an earpiece. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An access control unit having a novel structure and arrangement, including a first layer comprising an electrostimulation contact interface, a second layer including a biometric sensor coupled to the electrostimulation contact interface, and a third layer including a microprocessor unit in communication with the electrostimulation contact interface. The second layer is sandwiched between the first layer and the third layer. The electrostimulation contact interface comprises one or more anode/cathode arrays configured to deliver neurostimulative excitations to the electrostimulation contact interface to elicit behavior modification.

Abstract: A mobile communication environment (100) can include a mobile device (160) to measure and send sound pressure level data. The mobile device (160) can initiate the collection of audio information responsive to detecting a trigger event. Mobile device (160) can measure or calculate the sound pressure level from the audio information. Metadata including time information and geographic location information can be captured with the collected audio information. Mobile device (160) can send the sound pressure level data and metadata through a wired or wireless communication path to a database (614).

Abstract: An access control unit having a novel structure and arrangement, including a first layer comprising an electrostimulation contact interface, a second layer including a biometric sensor coupled to the electrostimulation contact interface, and a third layer including a microprocessor unit in communication with the electrostimulation contact interface. The second layer is sandwiched between the first layer and the third layer. The electrostimulation contact interface comprises one or more anode/cathode arrays configured to deliver neurostimulative excitations to the electrostimulation contact interface to elicit behavior modification.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide for variable electrostimulative behavior modification. A method for variable electrostimulative behavior modification includes sensing placement of a first anatomical portion of a body in contact to a surface of a target object adapted for behavior modification with a multiplicity of electrostimulative end points coupled to an energy source. The method additionally includes delivering an electrical neurostimulus through one of the end points nearest to the placement of the first anatomical portion in proximity to the surface the electrical neurostimulus including a waveform promoting a modification of behavior associated with the placement of the first anatomical portion in proximity to the surface.

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: 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: A mobile communication environment (100) can include a mobile device (160) to measure and send sound pressure level data. The mobile device (160) can initiate the collection of audio information responsive to detecting a trigger event. Mobile device (160) can measure or calculate the sound pressure level from the audio information. Metadata including time information and geographic location information can be captured with the collected audio information. Mobile device (160) can send the sound pressure level data and metadata through a wired or wireless communication path to a database (614).

Abstract: An aural iris includes a lumen and an actuator coupled on or in or to the lumen for at least partially attenuating sound traversing through the lumen by selectively actuating the actuator on and off. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A personal audio assistant includes comprising a first microphone for capturing audio, a logic circuit coupled to the first microphone for analyzing the captured audio, a communication module coupled to the logic circuit, and a user interaction element. The interaction element is configured to control at least one function or operation among invoking an operation of an electronic device communicatively coupled to the personal audio assistant via the communication module, invoking access to information on a network, invoking delivery of audio content, invoking delivery of text to speech, invoking speech to text processing of email, invoking delivery of text to speech of stock market information, invoking execution of a commercial transaction, invoking delivery of calendaring information, invoking delivery of medication reminders, or invoking access to location information using a GPS system. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A personal audio assistant includes a first microphone for capturing audio, a logic circuit coupled to the first microphone for analyzing the captured audio, a communication module coupled to the logic circuit, and a user interaction element. The interaction element is configured to control at least one function or operation among invoking an operation of an electronic device communicatively coupled to the personal audio assistant via the communication module, invoking access to information on a network, invoking delivery of audio content, invoking delivery of text to speech, invoking speech to text processing of email, invoking delivery of text to speech of stock market information, invoking execution of a commercial transaction, invoking delivery of calendaring information, invoking delivery of medication reminders, or invoking access to location information using a GPS system. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A communication device and method can include one or more processors operatively coupled to memory, a sensor and an output device, where the one or more processors to perform operations of discovering neighboring short range communication enabled devices such as Bluetooth LE devices, creating presence lists from the discovered devices, and transferring biometric and personal data at least to or from the communication device or at least to or from one of the discovered devices. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A wearable multifunction device or earpiece or a pair of earpieces includes one or more processors, at least one microphone coupled to the one or more processors, a biometric sensor coupled to the one or more processors, and a memory coupled to the one or more processors, the memory having computer instructions causing the one or more processors to perform the operations of sensing a remaining battery life and based on the sensing, prioritizing one or more of the functions of always on recording, biometric measuring, biometric recording, sound pressure level measuring, voice activity detection, key word detection, key word analysis, personal audio assistant functions, transmission of data to a tethered phone, transmission of data to a server, transmission of data to a cloud device.

Abstract: An aural iris includes a lumen and an actuator coupled on or in or to the lumen for at least partially attenuating sound traversing through the lumen by selectively actuating the actuator on and off. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A personal audio assistant includes a first microphone for capturing audio, a logic circuit coupled to the first microphone, a communication module coupled to the logic circuit, a memory storage unit communicatively coupled to the logic circuit, and a user interaction element. The interaction element is configured to perform at least one among accessing selection of audio content via an audio input received at the first microphone or determining a user preference of audio content by tracking genre of content selected, artist of content selected, and at least one among the day of the week or time of day. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A control device configurable to couple to one or more devices having different control functions and a method of facilitating remote control of at least one device having different control functions includes a processor that receives an instruction for at least one of the control functions and additional information from the at least one device, the processor including a plurality of processing algorithms, the additional information received from the at least one device including at least a locally transmitted data signal. The processor selectably processes the additional information using at least one of the processing algorithms and controls a touch sensitive display reconfigurable for the different control functions, such that the at least one control function and the selectably processed additional information are presented on the touch sensitive display. The processor also generates at least one control signal responsive to receiving the locally transmitted data signal. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A wearable multifunction device or earpiece or a pair of earpieces includes one or more processors, at least one microphone coupled to the one or more processors, a biometric sensor coupled to the one or more processors, and a memory coupled to the one or more processors, the memory having computer instructions causing the one or more processors to perform the operations of sensing a remaining battery life and based on the sensing, prioritizing one or more of the functions of always on recording, biometric measuring, biometric recording, sound pressure level measuring, voice activity detection, key word detection, key word analysis, personal audio assistant functions, transmission of data to a tethered phone, transmission of data to a server, transmission of data to a cloud device.

Abstract: A wearable accessory for delivery of personalized audio service includes a first microphone for capturing sound, a first speaker for playing media, a logic circuit for creating a personalized Head Related Transfer Function (HRTF) to enhance listening experience of the media, a communication module for accessing the Internet and to provide access to the media in response to capturing the sound, and a memory storage unit for storing information related to the captured sound. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A personal audio assistant includes a first microphone for capturing audio, a logic circuit coupled to the first microphone, a communication module coupled to the logic circuit, a memory storage unit communicatively coupled to the logic circuit, and a user interaction element. The interaction element is configured to perform at least one among accessing selection of audio content via an audio input received at the first microphone or determining a user preference of audio content by tracking genre of content selected, artist of content selected, and at least one among the day of the week or time of day. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A communication device and method can include one or more processors operatively coupled to memory, a sensor and an output device, where the one or more processors to perform operations of discovering neighboring short range communication enabled devices such as Bluetooth LE devices, creating presence lists from the discovered devices, and transferring biometric and personal data at least to or from the communication device or at least to or from one of the discovered devices. Other embodiments are disclosed.