Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and a processing method in association with the system for customizing audio experience. Customization of audio experience can be based on derivation of at least one customized audio response characteristic which can be applied to an audio device used by a person. The customized audio response characteristic(s) can be unique to the person.

Abstract: There is provided a method and system for managing electronic messages in a closed network. Both the method and system include determining a quantity of credits to be expended for a transmission of each electronic message from a device in the closed network; and deducting the quantity of credits from a sender's account at a central credit repository. Preferably, the quantity of credits to be expended is dependent on an identity of a recipient of the electronic message. The identity of the recipient of the electronic message may preferably be associated with the recipient's position in an organizational hierarchy.

Abstract: A headphone for spatial audio rendering includes a first database having an impulse response pair corresponding to a reference speaker location. A head sensor provides head orientation information to a second database having rotation filters, the filters corresponding to different azimuth and elevation positions relative to the reference speaker location. A digital signal processor combines the rotation filters with the impulse response pair to generate an output binaural audio signal to transducers of the headphone. Efficiencies in creating impulse response or HRTF databases are achieved by sampling the impulse response less frequently than in conventional methods. This sampling at coarser intervals reduces the number of data measurements required to generate a spherical grid and reduces the time involved in capturing the impulse responses. Impulse responses for data points falling between the sampled data points are generated by interpolating in the frequency domain.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an ear tip for increasing mid-range frequency perception of an earpiece is provided. The ear tip includes a hollow main body having a first end defining a first opening and a second end defining a second opening for coupling to a coupling portion of a housing of the earpiece, and a peripheral portion integrally coupled to an outer surface of the first opening and shaped to conform to a surface of an ear canal. The peripheral portion has an outer edge with a plurality of wedge-shaped apertures formed integrally and spaced around the outer edge. The second opening and/or the coupling portion of the housing are adapted to be acoustically coupled with each other.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an ear tip for increasing mid-range frequency perception of an earpiece is provided. The ear tip includes a hollow main body having a first end defining a first opening and a second end defining a second opening for coupling to a coupling portion of a housing of the earpiece, and a peripheral portion integrally coupled to an outer surface of the first opening and shaped to conform to a surface of an ear canal. The peripheral portion has an outer edge with a plurality of wedge-shaped apertures formed integrally and spaced around the outer edge. The second opening and/or the coupling portion of the housing are adapted to be acoustically coupled with each other.

Abstract: An apparatus with acoustic enhancement and corresponding frequency response is disclosed. The apparatus includes a driver with a primary bass port having a primary bass port chamber and a secondary bass port having a secondary bass port chamber. The secondary bass port can be coupled to the primary bass port at one end and have substantially unimpeded air flow at another end. The apparatus may further include an acoustic chamber that is separated or isolated from either the primary bass port chamber, secondary bass port chamber, or both primary and secondary bass port chambers. A switch may also be included to dynamically control an air flow resistor at the latter end of the secondary bass port. The primary bass port chamber, secondary bass port chamber, acoustic chamber, and the air flow resistor can separately or collectively be used for tuning the frequency response according to the acoustic enhancement desired.

Abstract: An audio rendering system includes a processor that combines audio input signals with personalized spatial audio transfer functions preferably including room responses. The personalized spatial audio transfer functions are selected from a database having a plurality of candidate transfer function datasets derived from in-ear microphone measurements for a plurality of individuals. Alternatively, the personalized transfer function datasets are derived from actual in-ear measurements of the listener. Foreground and background positions are designated and matched with transfer function pairs from the selected dataset for the foreground and background direction and distance. Two channels of input audio such as voice and music are processed. When a voice communication such as a phone call is accepted the music being rendered is moved from a foreground to a background channel corresponding to a background spatial audio position using the personalized transfer functions.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and a processing method in association with the system for customizing audio experience. Customization of audio experience can be based on derivation of at least one customized audio response characteristic which can be applied to an audio device used by a person. The customized audio response characteristic(s) can be unique to the person.

Abstract: A headphone for spatial audio rendering includes a first database having an impulse response pair corresponding to a reference speaker location. A head sensor provides head orientation information to a second database having rotation filters, the filters corresponding to different azimuth and elevation positions relative to the reference speaker location. A digital signal processor combines the rotation filters with the impulse response pair to generate an output binaural audio signal to transducers of the headphone. Efficiencies in creating impulse response or HRTF databases are achieved by sampling the impulse response less frequently than in conventional methods. This sampling at coarser intervals reduces the number of data measurements required to generate a spherical grid and reduces the time involved in capturing the impulse responses. Impulse responses for data points falling between the sampled data points are generated by interpolating in the frequency domain.

Abstract: A method of processing which can include receiving input signals from a plurality of sources, data mining the input signals, interpreting the mined data, optionally providing a set of settings and processing the input signals based on the interpretation of the mined data and, optionally, the set of settings to produce output signals. The input signals can be data mined to identify one or both of unique characteristics and attributes associable with the input signals. The mined data can be interpreted in a manner so as to form association based on one or both of the unique characteristics and attributes. The output signals can correspond to adaptably altered input signals which can be associated with adaptable alteration of one or both of visual perception and audio perception of the input signals.

Abstract: An audio rendering system includes a processor that combines audio input signals with personalized spatial audio transfer functions preferably including room responses. The personalized spatial audio transfer functions are selected from a database having a plurality of candidate transfer function datasets derived from in-ear microphone measurements for a plurality of individuals. Alternatively, the personalized transfer function datasets are derived from actual in-ear measurements of the listener. Foreground and background positions are designated and matched with transfer function pairs from the selected dataset for the foreground and background direction and distance. Two channels of input audio such as voice and music are processed. When a voice communication such as a phone call is accepted the music being rendered is moved from a foreground to a background channel corresponding to a background spatial audio position using the personalized transfer functions.

Abstract: A user interface device provides access to at least one of a plurality of digital content sources. The interface device is configured to catalog the plurality of digital content sources to correspond to a plurality of channels in a tuning band, to present the plurality of channels sequentially in response to a user initiated tuning movement, and to select one of the sequentially presented channels for playback.

Abstract: A method is provided for generating a personalized Head Related Transfer Function (HRTF). The method can include capturing an image of an ear using a portable device, auto-scaling the captured image to determine physical geometries of the ear and obtaining a personalized HRTF based on the determined physical geometries of the ear. In addition, a system and a method in association with the system are also provided for customizing audio experience. Customization of audio experience can be based on derivation of at least one customized audio response characteristic which can be applied to an audio device used by a person. Finally, methods and systems are provided for rendering audio over headphones with head tracking enabled by, for example, exploiting efficiencies in creating databases and filters for use in filtering 3D audio sources for more realistic audio rendering and also allowing greater head movement to enhance the spatial audio perception.

Abstract: An apparatus with acoustic enhancement and corresponding frequency response is disclosed. The apparatus includes a driver with a primary bass port having a primary bass port chamber and a secondary bass port having a secondary bass port chamber. The secondary bass port can be coupled to the primary bass port at one end and have substantially unimpeded air flow at another end. The apparatus may further include an acoustic chamber that is separated or isolated from either the primary bass port chamber, secondary bass port chamber, or both primary and secondary bass port chambers. A switch may also be included to dynamically control an air flow resistor at the latter end of the secondary bass port. The primary bass port chamber, secondary bass port chamber, acoustic chamber, and the air flow resistor can separately or collectively be used for tuning the frequency response according to the acoustic enhancement desired.

Abstract: System, device, and method for audio reproduction are provided. The system includes a media computing device and an electronic device connected such that their speakers can be used in combination in optimizing the audio reproduction of media being played or streamed. Each device can be portable and the audio reproduction can include virtual/spatial/surround audio reproduction. When connecting, the media computing device serves as a host and the electronic device serves as a slave for data communication. As such, the media computing device can process an audio signal into any portion for reproduction on any speaker. Further, when connecting and if needed, the electronic device serves as a host and the media computing device serves as a slave for power management. Depending on the system configuration, a suitable connection can be made via a wireless or single cable wired connection between the media computing device and the electronic device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and a processing method in association with the system for customizing audio experience. Customization of audio experience can be based on derivation of at least one customized audio response characteristic which can be applied to an audio device used by a person. The customized audio response characteristic(s) can be unique to the person.

Abstract: A method is provided for generating a personalized Head Related Transfer Function (HRTF). The method can include capturing an image of an ear using a portable device, auto-scaling the captured image to determine physical geometries of the ear and obtaining a personalized HRTF based on the determined physical geometries of the ear. In addition, a system and a method in association with the system are also provided for customizing audio experience. Customization of audio experience can be based on derivation of at least one customized audio response characteristic which can be applied to an audio device used by a person. Finally, methods and systems are provided for rendering audio over headphones with head tracking enabled by, for example, exploiting efficiencies in creating databases and filters for use in filtering 3D audio sources for more realistic audio rendering and also allowing greater head movement to enhance the spatial audio perception.

Abstract: Techniques are provided to transform external sound from an external position of an external audio space to an internal position of an internal audio space where the external sound would be heard naturally. The techniques involve capturing the external sound with a microphone and processing the captured external sound to appear as if it was captured at the internal position of the internal audio space, which may correspond to an output of a driver or a user's eardrum. Then the processed captured external sound may be conditioned for the individual user or further combined with conditioned audio content to create an augmented audio experience for the user. Any combination of the techniques can be implemented in real time.