Abstract: Audio systems, methods, and processor instructions are provided that detect voice activity of a user and provide an output voice signal. The systems, methods, and instructions receive a plurality of microphone signals and combine the plurality of microphone signals according to a first combination and a second combination. The first combination produces a primary signal having enhanced response in the direction of the user's mouth, and the second combination produces a reference signal having reduced response in the direction of the user's mouth. The primary signal and the reference signal are added and subtracted to produce a voice-enhanced signal and a voice-reduced signal, respectively. The voice-enhanced signal and the voice-reduced signal are compares and an output voice signal is provided based upon the comparison.

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.

Abstract: The disclosed systems and method provide for an audio playback device to form a Bluetooth connection with an audio source device based on audio generated by an acoustic transducer. The audio is encoded with Bluetooth connectivity data corresponding to the audio source device. The acoustic transducer can be arranged on the audio source device, or it can be arranged on an audio playback device connected to the audio source device via a Bluetooth connection. The audio is received by a microphone of an audio playback device. The audio playback device then extracts the Bluetooth connectivity information from the audio, and forms a Bluetooth connection with the audio source device. If the Bluetooth connection is a Broadcast Audio stream, as defined by the LE Audio standard, multiple audio playback devices can be able to connect audio source device, allowing for a communal listening experience.

Abstract: An earpiece includes an earbud that supports at least one electrode, and an ear tip that includes a hydrogel. The ear tip is configured to be coupled to the earbud such that the hydrogel overlies the at least one electrode and such that the hydrogel is disposed between the at least one electrode and the user's skin when the earpiece is worn.

Abstract: Various aspects include a wearable audio device having active noise reduction (ANR), where the ANR device includes: a feedback microphone; an electroacoustic transducer; and a feedback compensator configured to output a noise reduction signal to the electroacoustic transducer in response to a feedback signal from the feedback microphone, wherein the feedback compensator includes a tunable filter that modulates a loop gain in response to an adverse low frequency event being detected in the noise reduction signal outputted from the tunable filter, wherein the tunable filter is configured to maintain a substantially similar loop gain shape near a low frequency cross-over as the low frequency cross-over changes during loop gain modulation.

Abstract: A system for capturing a user's voice, including a plurality of microphones disposed about a vehicle cabin, each of the plurality of microphones generating a microphone signal, wherein the vehicle cabin defines a plurality of seating positions; a voice-activity detector configured to detect when, at least, a user seated in a target seat of the plurality of seating positions is speaking; and an adaptive beamformer configured to receive the microphone signals from the plurality of microphones and to generate, based on the microphone signals and a noise coherence matrix, an estimate of the acoustic signal at the target seating position, according to an adaptive beamforming algorithm, wherein the noise coherence matrix ceases to be updated when, according to the voice-activity detector, the user seated in the target seating position is speaking.

Abstract: A hearing aid includes a microphone, an electro-acoustic transducer, and a housing that supports the electro-acoustic transducer such that the housing and the electro-acoustic transducer together define a first acoustic volume and a second acoustic volume. The electro-acoustic transducer is arranged such that a first radiating surface of the transducer radiates acoustic energy into the front acoustic volume and such that a second radiating surface of the transducer radiates acoustic energy into the second acoustic volume. The hearing aid is configured such that the first and second acoustic volumes are acoustically coupled to the microphone when the hearing aid is worn. The housing supports an acoustic element that is acoustically coupled to the microphone and the second acoustic volume and is arranged such that acoustic energy radiated from the acoustic element sums with acoustic energy leaked from the first acoustic volume at the microphone so as to cancel each other.

Abstract: Technology described in this document can be embodied in an earpiece of an active noise reduction (ANR) device. The earpiece includes a plurality of microphones, wherein each of the plurality of microphones is usable for capturing ambient audio to generate input signals for both an ANR mode of operation and a hear-through mode of operation of the ANR device. The earpiece further includes a controller configured to: process a first subset of microphones from the plurality of microphones to generate input signals for the ANR mode of operation and process a second subset of microphones from the plurality of microphones to generate input signals for the hear-through mode of operation. The second subset of microphones excludes a first microphone from the plurality of microphones located closest to a noise pathway of the earpiece.

Abstract: A vehicle-implemented, adaptive noise-cancellation system responsive to entertainment audio is provided. The noise-cancellation system uses reference signal from a reference sensor, such as an accelerometer, to generate a noise-cancellation signal to destructively interfere with road noise in the vehicle cabin. A first set of entertainment audio thresholds triggers the system to enable or disable adaptation of an adaptive filter of the noise-cancellation system. A second set of entertainment audio thresholds triggers the system to enable, attenuate, or disable the noise-cancellation signal. As the entertainment audio increases, the system first disables the adaptation of the adaptive filter, then attenuates the noise-cancellation signal, then completely disables the noise-cancellation signal.

Abstract: The technology described in this document can be embodied in a method of using a silver-zinc rechargeable battery to power a device. The method includes drawing, in a first mode of operation of a power management circuit, a first current from the battery to power the device. The first current is selected such that a target percentage of a capacity of the battery is discharged in a predetermined time of use of the device. The method also includes switching to a second mode of operation after the target percentage of the capacity of the battery is discharged. In the second mode of operation, a second current is drawn from the battery, wherein the second current is less than the first current. The method further includes powering the device using the second current.

Abstract: Various implementations include systems for processing audio signals to remove artifacts introduced by a machine learning system in challenging environments. In particular implementations, a method includes generating a processed audio signal for a hearing assistance device in which the processed audio signal is intended to perceptually dominate a user auditory experience, including: processing an unprocessed audio signal received by the hearing assistance device, wherein the processing includes utilizing a machine learning (ML) system to generate an ML enhanced audio signal; determining a mixing coefficient from an environmental noise assessment; mixing the ML enhanced audio signal with the unprocessed audio signal using the mixing coefficient to generate the processed audio signal; and outputting the processed audio signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improving the robustness of wireless communications. The methods and systems provided transmit data packets over a first isochronous stream and transmit one or more supplemental data packets over the same time intervals. The one or more supplemental data packets are used to re-create and/or enhance at least a portion of one or more data packets of the plurality of data packets that have already been sent. Alternatively, the one or more supplemental data packets are used to create and/or enhance at least a portion of one or more data packets of the plurality of data packets that will be received during the next isochronous intervals. The methods and system described herein allow for increased robustness by allowing for better retransmission with correctly received packets and the methods set forth herein work with any Bluetooth broadcaster sink without modification.

Abstract: A method of forming a device having a compliant member includes creating a membrane having one or more elastomeric layers which are at least partially cured. Another elastomeric layer is provided on the membrane in an uncured state. At least one of a bobbin and a housing are positioned so that an end of the bobbin or housing, or the ends of both the bobbin and housing, extend at least partially into the uncured elastomeric layer. The uncured elastomeric layer is then cured to secure it to the membrane and to the housing or bobbin, or both the housing and bobbin. The method substantially reduces or eliminates the formation of holes that can form during fabrication or use of the device.

Abstract: An active noise reduction earbud and method. The earbud includes a housing comprising an outlet portion that defines a sound outlet, wherein the outlet portion is configured to be located in or proximate the external auditory meatus of a user's ear, a first feedforward microphone configured to develop a first input signal, and a first sound inlet opening in the housing and configured to conduct external sound to be sensed by the first feedforward microphone, wherein the first sound inlet opening is proximate the outlet portion.

Abstract: An earphone includes a loudspeaker, a microphone, a housing supporting the loudspeaker and microphone, and ear tip surrounding the housing and configured to acoustically couple both the loudspeaker and the microphone to an ear canal of a user, and to acoustically close the entrance to the user's ear canal. A processor provides output audio signals to the loudspeaker, receives input audio signals from the microphone, extracts a rate of respiration from the input audio signals, adjusts the output audio signals based on the extracted rate of respiration, and provides the adjusted output audio signals to the loudspeaker.

Abstract: Various implementations include systems for processing microphone audio signals for a wearable audio device. In particular implementations, a method for processing signals includes: capturing an internal signal with an inner microphone configured to be acoustically coupled to an environment inside an ear canal of a user; extracting a low frequency audio signal from the internal signal; capturing an external signal with an external microphone configured to be acoustically coupled to an environment outside the ear canal of the user; extracting a high frequency audio signal from the external signal; and mixing the high frequency audio signal with the low frequency audio signal.

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: A system for controlling the gain of an input signal in an audio signal amplifier. The system includes a user-operable gain control, and analog and digital circuit elements that together are configured to modify the gain of the input signal in response to the user-operable gain control.

Abstract: A case for an electronic device. The case includes a lower housing having a cavity to receive the electronic device, and an electrical connector configured to couple to the electronic device. A lid is attached to the lower housing with a pivotable joint allowing the lid to rotate between a closed position where the lid is aligned over the cavity and an open position where the lid is angularly displaced allowing the electronic device to be removed from the cavity. The case also includes a hinge that provides the pivotable joint. The hinge is configured such that, when the lid is in the closed position, it is biased to remain closed via a detent, and, such that the lid has one or more stable positions between the fully open and fully closed positions.