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.

Abstract: Various implementations include devices, systems and approaches for tracking user orientation. In some cases, a wearable audio device includes: an electro-acoustic transducer for providing an audio output; an inertial measurement unit (IMU) for indicating motion of the wearable audio device; a set of distance sensors; and a controller coupled with the electro-acoustic transducer, the IMU and the set of distance sensors, the controller configured to: determine an orientation of a user of the wearable audio device based on the indication of motion from the IMU; verify the orientation of the user as detected by the IMU, using data from the set of distance sensors; and execute an orientation-based action in response to verifying the orientation of the user.

Abstract: Articles and methods are provided for miniature acoustic transducers having highly compliant suspension systems despite their small size. In various examples the suspension system is molded of a liquid silicone rubber (LSR) and is molded in an interior cavity geometry that includes at least one of a radial offset or an axial offset from a desired geometry of the suspension.

Abstract: A headphone, headphone system, and speech enhancing method is provided to enhance speech pick-up from the user of a headphone and includes receiving a plurality of signals from a set of microphones and generating a primary signal by array processing the microphone signals to steer a beam toward the user's mouth. A noise reference signal is also derived from one or more microphones via a delay-and-sum technique, and a voice estimate signal is generated by filtering the primary signal to remove components that are correlated to the noise reference signal.

Abstract: Methods for providing a customized audio experience to a user of an audio output device are provided. A user interface is provided on a user device communicatively coupled to the audio output device, the user interface capable of accepting user input for managing the audio experience for the user. A set of activities is provided via the user interface, wherein each activity in the set invokes a set of behaviors configured for the activity for providing the customized audio experience to the user, wherein each behavior in the set customizes the audio experience for the user. A capability is provided via the user interface for the user to launch an activity from the set for invoking the set of behaviors configured for the activity to receive the customized audio experience.

Abstract: A dynamic wake-up alarm is provided-for, including a clock, a contactless biometric sensor, a processor, memory, and a speaker. The processor may be configured to receive a wake-up rule based on at least two wake-up criteria including a time from the clock and data from the biometric sensor, and evaluate whether the criteria are met to activate an alarm.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide a smart relaxation mask configured to output a stimulus and collect biometric information while the stimulus is output to determine if the subject is paying attention to the stimulus. If the subject is not focused on the stimulus, the mask adjusts at least one of an audio, visual, or haptic output. The stimulus is adjusted in an effort to shift the subject's attention to the stimulus and away from racing thoughts.

Abstract: Various implementations include seats and related loudspeakers. In particular cases, a seat includes: a seat headrest portion; a seat backrest portion; and a loudspeaker assembly. The loudspeaker assembly includes at least one driver for generating an acoustic output; and an acoustic exit fixed in the seat backrest portion and angled to provide the acoustic output to a location below a nominal ear position of an occupant of the seat, wherein a firing angle of the at least one driver provides the acoustic output to achieve a consistent frequency response across a range of positions deviating from the nominal ear position.

Abstract: Various implementations include approaches for training a surface detection classifier and detecting characteristics of a surface, along with related micromobility vehicles. Certain implementations include a method including: comparing: i) detected movement of a micromobility (MM) vehicle or a device located with a user at the MM vehicle while operating the MM vehicle, with ii) a surface detection classifier for the MM vehicle; and in response to detecting that the MM vehicle is traveling on a restricted surface type for a threshold period, performing at least one of: a) notifying an operator of the MM vehicle about the travel on the restricted surface type, b) outputting a warning at an interface connected with the MM vehicle or the device, c) limiting a speed of the MM vehicle, or d) disabling operation of the MM vehicle.

Abstract: An in-ear wearable that can include an electro-acoustic transducer; a housing supporting the electro-acoustic transducer such that the housing and the electro-acoustic transducer together defining an acoustic volume, a feedback microphone disposed within the acoustic volume to receive the acoustic energy, the feedback microphone including a microphone port, the feedback microphone transducing acoustic energy received at the microphone port into a feedback microphone signal; and a port defined within the housing, the port extending from a first opening to a second opening, wherein the port acoustically couples the acoustic volume to a space outside the housing such that outside acoustic energy from the space outside the housing enters the first acoustic volume through a path that does not pass through the second acoustic volume, wherein the first opening does not extend beyond a first plane tangent to a point of the microphone port nearest to acoustic exit port and orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the hous

Abstract: A system for detecting parasitic oscillation in a wearable audio device that includes an electro-acoustic transducer that is configured to develop sound for a user, a housing that holds the transducer, at least one of a feedforward microphone that is configured to detect sound outside of the housing and output a feedforward microphone signal and a feedback microphone that is configured to detect sound inside of the housing and output a feedback microphone signal, and an opening in the housing that emits sound pressure from the transducer. The system includes a parasitic oscillation detector that is configured to determine a fundamental frequency of at least one of the feedforward and feedback microphone signals and compare an amplitude of the determined fundamental frequency to a threshold level, to determine parasitic oscillation.

Abstract: Various implementations include headphone systems. In one implementation, a headband for a headphone system, includes: a continuous spring section sized to extend over a head of a user; an earcup mount coupled with an end of the continuous spring section, where the earcup mount allows for both translation and rotation of an earcup relative to the continuous spring section without altering a length of the continuous spring section; and a friction assembly spanning between the continuous spring section and the earcup mount.

Abstract: An acoustic device with an open audio device structure that is configured to be carried on the head or upper torso of a user, a housing carried by the open audio device structure, the housing having opposed first and second ends, a flat diaphragm in the housing and comprising a front face and a rear face, the diaphragm configured to radiate front acoustic radiation from its front face and rear acoustic radiation from its rear face, wherein the front and rear acoustic radiations are out of phase, structure that supports the diaphragm such that the diaphragm can move relative to the housing, a primary magnet adjacent to the rear face of the diaphragm, a magnetic circuit that defines a path for magnetic flux of the primary magnet, a voice coil that is exposed to the magnetic flux and is configured to move the diaphragm up and down along a radiation axis that is normal to the front face of the diaphragm, and first and second sound-emitting outlets in the housing, wherein the first sound-emitting outlet is in or p

Abstract: Methods and systems for dynamically adjusting a data rate in a wireless connection. The method and system include a source device and a sink device configured to establish a wireless connection. The quality of the wireless connection is monitored, and, should the quality degrade so as to satisfy a triggering event, the source controller can adjust the data rate, e.g., the bit rate or sample rate, used to reduce the number of dropped, lost, or retransmitted packets. The reduction in bit rate and/or sample rate results in packets of decreased size and additional unused air-time. The unused air-time provided can be filled with at least a portion of a frame of data originally associated with another packet. This will result in at least one packet being free to include additional retransmission packets. Additionally, should the quality of the connection improve, the source controller can adjust increase the data rate accordingly.

Abstract: A computer program product having a non-transitory computer-readable medium including computer program logic encoded thereon that, when performed on a surround sound audio system that is configured to render left front, right front, and center front audio signals, and also render left and right near-field binaurally-encoded audio signals, causes the surround sound audio system to develop the left and right near-field binaurally-encoded audio signals, and provide the left near-field binaurally-encoded audio signal to a left non-occluding near-field driver and provide the right near-field binaurally-encoded audio signal to a right non-occluding near-field driver.

Abstract: An in-ear wearable that can include an electro-acoustic transducer; a housing supporting the electro-acoustic transducer such that the housing and the electro-acoustic transducer together defining an acoustic volume, a feedback microphone disposed within the acoustic volume to receive the acoustic energy, the feedback microphone including a microphone port, the feedback microphone transducing acoustic energy received at the microphone port into a feedback microphone signal; and a port defined within the housing, the port extending from a first opening to a second opening, wherein the port acoustically couples the acoustic volume to a space outside the housing such that outside acoustic energy from the space outside the housing enters the first acoustic volume through a path that does not pass through the second acoustic volume, wherein the first opening does not extend beyond a first plane tangent to a point of the microphone port nearest to acoustic exit port and orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the hous

Abstract: An ear tip includes a body configured to be mounted onto an earbud. The body includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and an inner wall extending between the first and second ends. The inner wall defines and surrounds a hollow passage that is configured to conduct sound waves. The body also includes an outer wall that is connected to the inner wall at the first end and extends away from the inner wall toward the second end. The inner wall has an oblong cross-sectional shape that is configured to accommodate a corresponding nozzle on the earbud. The inner wall includes a ring that is formed of a rigid material and engages and conforms to the oblong shape of the nozzle, which inhibits improper mounting and rotation of the ear tip relative to the nozzle.

Abstract: An open audio device with a body that has an inner surface that is configured to be located behind an outer ear of a user and in contact along a length of the body at multiple locations of at least one of the outer ear and the head proximate the intersection of the head and the outer ear. The inner surface of the body lies generally along a decaying helix. An acoustic module is carried by the body and is configured to be located against the outer ear above the ear canal opening.

Abstract: Methods and systems for easily establishing or switching between wireless connections by sending a Bluetooth Low-Energy (BLE) command from a first BLE enabled device to a second BLE enabled device, where the BLE command causes the second BLE enabled device to attempt to establish a Bluetooth Classic connection with one or more source devices from a list of source devices that have previously been paired with the second BLE device. The first BLE device is configured to obtain or receive the list from the second BLE device, and in response to one or more triggers, send the BLE command. The list of previously paired source devices may be presented to a user via a display screen with touch-screen functionality, and in some examples, may utilize one or more algorithms to intelligently order the available source devices based on a variety of factors.