Abstract: An audio system, method, and computer program product which includes a wearable audio device and a mobile peripheral device. Each device is capable of determining its respective absolute or relative position and orientation. Once the relative positions and orientations between the devices are known, virtual sound sources are generated at fixed positions and orientations relative to the peripheral device such that any change in position and/or orientation of the peripheral device produces a proportional change in the position and/or orientation of the virtual sound sources. Additionally, first order and second order reflected audio paths may be simulated for each virtual sound source to increase the realism of the simulated sources. Each sound path can be produced by modifying the original audio signal using head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) to simulate audio as though it were perceived by the user's left and right ears as coming from each virtual sound source.

Abstract: Various implementations include systems for processing audio signals. In particular implementations, a system for processing audio signals includes: a wearable audio device having a transducer and a communication system; and an accessory device configured to wirelessly communicate with the wearable audio device, the accessory device having a processor configured to process a source audio signal according to a method that includes: source separating the source audio signal; and providing a source separated audio signal to the wearable audio device for transduction.

Abstract: A loudspeaker system includes a subwoofer. The subwoofer includes a housing having a plurality of walls which together define an acoustic cavity. The plurality of walls includes a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, and a plurality of sidewalls extending between the top and bottom walls and between the front and rear walls. A first transducer mounted to the front wall of the housing. The first transducer includes a diaphragm having a major axis and a minor axis. The major axis has a fist end proximate the bottom wall and an opposite, second end proximate the top wall, such that the major axis is arranged vertical, relative to ground when the subwoofer is rested on its bottom wall. The top wall has a handle such that the loudspeaker can be carried with the major axis arranged vertical to ground.

Abstract: An earbud with an electro-acoustic transducer for producing sound, a proximity sensor that is configured to detect when the earbud is close to a user's skin, an orientation sensor that is configured to detect an orientation of the earbud, and a processor that is configured to estimate, based on the proximity sensor and the orientation sensor, whether the earbud has been inserted into the user's ear canal.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure are directed to techniques and apparatus for media coordination. One example method generally includes receiving, from a first user device, a command to play a voice message and media content at one or more second user devices, and determining whether one or more services accessible by the one or more second user devices can be used to play the media content. The method may also include coordinating the voice message and the media content to be played by the one or more second user devices based on the determination.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for distributing audio. An audio system is provided that includes one or more audio interfaces, at least one of which is a wireless audio interface. An audio hub couples to the one or more audio interfaces and detects the presence of one or more headphones coupled to the wireless audio interfaces. The audio hub selectively establishes communication channel(s) to convey audio content between a plurality of devices coupled to the audio interfaces. The plurality of devices may include one or more headphones, an infotainment head unit, a microphone, and a speaker. Accordingly, headphone users may hold conversations with each other and/or other occupants of a vehicle, and various users may share audio content with headphone users and/or other occupants of a vehicle.

Abstract: A method performed by a head-mounted wearable audio output device is provided. The audio output device is worn on a head of a user and includes at least one sensor. The device detects a user activity based on motion of the user's body using the at least one sensor. The devices detects an orientation of the head of the user is one of upward or downward using the at least one sensor. The devices controls at least one of: a level of attenuation applied to external noise or audio output based on the detected user activity and the detected orientation of the head of the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that provide respiration entrainment cues to a user to encourage relaxation or a sleep state. The entrainment cues may be audible, visible, or tactile (or any combination). The entrainment cues include a rhythmic component associated with a target respiration rate and may include sub-components associated with a target breath architecture, such as an inhale-exhale cycle. The systems and methods detect the user's respiration to determine whether the user's respiration matches the entrainment cues or whether the user has fallen asleep.

Abstract: A method performed by a wearable audio output device worn by a user is provided for controlling external noise attenuated by wearable audio output device. A speech is detected from a user wearing the wearable audio output device, wherein the audio output device has active noise reduction turned on. It is determined, based on the detecting, that the user desires to speak to a subject in the vicinity of the user. In response to the determining, a level of noise reduction is reduced to enable the user to hear sounds external to the audio output device. It is determined that the user desires to speak to the subject by detecting at least one condition of a plurality of conditions.

Abstract: A headset that can detect the voice activity of a user includes an inner microphone generating an inner microphone signal; an outer microphone generating an outer microphone signal, wherein the inner microphone and outer microphone are positioned such that, when the headset is worn by a user, the inner microphone is disposed nearer to the user's head; and a voice-activity detector determining a sign of a phase difference between the inner microphone signal and the outer microphone signal and generating a voice activity detection signal representing a user's voice activity when the sign of the phase difference indicates that the outer microphone received an audio signal after the inner microphone received the audio signal.

Abstract: An audio system and method for establishing wireless data connections between a case and at least one wearable audio device is provided. The audio system can establish a first wireless data connection between the case and the wearable audio device and establish a second wireless data connection between the case and the internet. The case, in addition to electrical energy storage capacity or battery bank capabilities, can directly communicate with the internet to receive update data directly from a remote server and can pass on update data to wearable audio devices without the need for a peripheral device such as a smart phone or tablet operating an affiliated software application. The audio system provided allows for information, data, and functionality to be passed between the wearable audio devices and cloud-based services, via the case, including social networking, messaging, music services, news, entertainment, and Voice-Over-Internet-Protocol (VOIP) communication services.

Abstract: An audio system and method for establishing wireless data connections between a case and at least one wearable audio device is provided. The audio system can establish a first wireless data connection between the case and the wearable audio device and establish a second wireless data connection between the case and the internet. The case, in addition to electrical energy storage capacity or battery bank capabilities, can directly communicate with the internet to receive update data directly from a remote server and can pass on update data to wearable audio devices without the need for a peripheral device such as a smart phone or tablet operating an affiliated software application. The audio system provided allows for information, data, and functionality to be passed between the wearable audio devices and cloud-based services, via the case, including social networking, messaging, music services, news, entertainment, and Voice-Over-Internet-Protocol (VOIP) communication services.

Abstract: An acoustic device includes at least one acoustic transducer disposed such that, in a head-worn state, the at least one acoustic transducer is in an open-ear configuration in which an ear canal of a user of the acoustic device is unobstructed. The acoustic device also includes an array of two or more first microphones that captures audio preferentially from a first direction as compared to at least a second direction different from the first direction, wherein the audio captured using the array is processed and played back through the at least one acoustic transducer, and an active noise reduction (ANR) engine that includes one or more processing devices. The ANR engine is configured to generate a driver signal for the at least one acoustic transducer, the driver signal having phases that reduce effects of audio captured from at least the second direction.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide methods, apparatuses, and systems for dynamic starting rates for guided breathing. According to an aspect, a user's initial breathing metric is determined. A multiplier is then determined, where the multiplier varies as a function of the initial breathing metric within a range. The level of intensity of the multiplier may vary, and may be a dynamic feature based on the determination of the user's initial breathing metric. Once the multiplier is determined, the multiplier is applied to the user's initial breathing metric to determine a starting breathing metric for guided breathing. The starting breathing metric is slower than or equal to the user's initial breathing metric.

Abstract: Various implementations include approaches for controlling a wearable audio device. In some cases, a method includes: detecting an initiation trigger for initiating a spatialized augmented reality (AR) menu mode; providing at least two distinct audio choices corresponding with spatially delineated zones in a menu defined relative to a physical position of the wearable audio device, in response to the initiation trigger, wherein each audio choice is associated with a selection from the menu; receiving a selection command indicating selection of one of the audio choices, wherein the selection command comprises a gesture detected by a gesture detection system at the wearable audio device; and in response to receiving the selection command: a) initiating playback of audio content associated with the selected audio choice, b) adjusting a setting at the wearable audio device, c) entering an additional menu related to the selection command, or d) exiting the menu.

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: An audio system and method for data management including establishing a first connection between a first wearable audio device and a first peripheral device, the first wearable device or the first peripheral device being operational in a critical listening state and a non-critical listening state; establishing, when the first wearable audio device or the first peripheral device is in the critical listening state, a first data stream within the first connection, the first data stream established using a first communication protocol, the first communication protocol having an audio-centric data slot template; and, establishing, when the first wearable device or the first peripheral device is in the non-critical listening state, the first data stream within the first connection, the first data stream established using the first communication protocol, the first communication protocol having a voice-centric data slot template.

Abstract: Various implementations include devices and approaches for managing multimedia communications. In one aspect, a computer-implemented method of controlling a device connection includes: receiving audio data and video data from an input device connected with a peripheral bus input port; converting the audio data for transmission over an audio over internet protocol (IP) connection or a balun connection and converting the video data for transmission over a video over internet protocol (IP) connection or the balun connection; and transmitting the converted audio data and the converted video data for decoding and output to at least one output device via a multimedia audiovisual interface output port, where the peripheral bus input port is configured to support bidirectional audio and bidirectional video exchange with the input device and bidirectional exchange of IP-based control signals or balun-based control signals with the input device.

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: Various implementations include loudspeaker transducers. In some aspects, an electro-acoustic transducer includes: a diaphragm configured to move along an axis; a voice coil having a plurality of windings around the axis; a voice coil support configured to transfer forces from the voice coil to the diaphragm; a support structure that inhibits radial motion or tilting motion of the diaphragm and the voice coil support; and a magnetic core for driving the voice coil, the magnetic core including: two magnets having opposite polarity and approximately equal magnetic strength, where each of the magnets surrounds the voice coil, where a magnetic field from each magnet is approximately symmetric along the axis, and where the magnetic field from both magnets drives the voice coil.