Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a headphone listening apparatus including an audio listening device is provided. The audio listening device is programmed to receive an incoming ambient audio signal indicative of an external ambient sound and to store a plurality of desired audio triggers. The audio listening device is further programmed to compare the external ambient sound to the plurality of desired audio triggers and to transmit a notification signal to headphones in response to the ambient sound being generally similar to a first desired audio trigger of the plurality of desired audio triggers. The headphones are programmed to provide an audio alert to a user to indicate the presence of the external ambient sound.

Abstract: A speaker rigging system is provided with a frame, a cam pivotally connected to the frame about a pivot axis and a sector secured to the cam with a peripheral surface with a plurality of teeth formed therein. The speaker rigging system also includes a lever arm and a pawl. The lever arm is pivotally connected to the frame with a proximal end and an intermediate portion extending between the proximal end and the pivotal connection to be oriented proximate to the sector. The pawl extends from the intermediate portion of the lever arm and is spring-biased toward the sector for engaging one of the plurality of teeth to lock the cam to the frame in a locked condition.

Abstract: An audio playback device may drive an audio reproduction device at a volume level. An audio capture device may convert sound waves into audio input. An environment sensing device may detect, based on the audio input, environmental conditions surrounding a user of the audio playback device, the environmental conditions including a loudness estimation indicative of a level of background noise included in the audio input and an audio content classification indicative of presence of speech in the audio input. The environment sensing device may also determine, according to the environmental conditions, a playback action to alter the volume level being provided by the audio playback device, and provide, to the audio playback device, an adjustment to the volume level in accordance with the playback action.

Abstract: Embodiments provided herein describe a feedback system that alters the distribution of a sound in a vehicle from a default configuration indicating to the driver that his action is dangerous or inefficient. The feedback system monitors one or more forces or accelerations such as speeding up, slowing down, changing the vehicle's direction, etc. Moreover, the feedback system may have one or more thresholds associated with these accelerations. If the measured acceleration satisfies the threshold, the feedback system alters the distribution of sound to inform the driver that his driving decisions may be dangerous or inefficient (e.g., causing excessive wear and tear on the vehicle). Furthermore, the change in the sound distribution may mimic the effect of the force or acceleration on the driver or vehicle to provide a more subtle or intuitive sonification relative to outputting a distinct audio alert.

Abstract: A loudspeaker includes a motor assembly having a back plate and a pole piece centrally disposed with respect to the back plate. The pole piece has a first end and a second end, where the pole piece has a center vent allowing bi-directional air flow in and out of the motor assembly. The motor assembly further includes a top plate concentrically disposed with respect to the pole piece, and a magnet disposed between the back plate and the top plate, wherein a magnetic air gap is defined between the pole piece and the top plate. The loudspeaker further includes a voice coil disposed in the air gap. The pole piece includes at least one NACA duct formed therein, the at least one NACA duct having an inlet located at an internal surface of the pole piece in fluid communication with the center vent and an outlet located at an exterior surface of the pole piece in fluid communication with the magnetic air gap in order to extract air flow from the center vent and redirect the air flow toward the voice coil.

Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating performance of a headphone assembly is provided with a base and a support having a proximal end extending from the base. The support includes a distal end that is adapted for supporting a headphone assembly, and the support includes a pair of opposing sides that are laterally spaced apart. The apparatus also includes a pair of plates and at least two microphones. Each plate is mounted to one of the opposing sides of the support, and includes a central portion with at least two apertures formed therein. The central portion is sized for receiving a headphone of the headphone assembly. Each microphone is disposed within one of the apertures and arranged such that an outer surface of the microphone is oriented substantially parallel to an outer surface of the plate and adapted for receiving sound emitted from the headphone.

Abstract: An apparatus used to communicate with a plurality of audio/video (A/V) end nodes in an Audio Video Bridging (AVB) network. The apparatus may include a first A/V end node. The first A/V end node may be configured to transmit a clock reference stream including a plurality of timestamps to a plurality of A/V end nodes. The plurality of A/V end nodes may transmit a media stream including a plurality of video samples and a plurality of audio samples to one another. The media stream may be separate from the plurality of timestamps. The plurality of A/V end nodes may be arranged to syntonize or synchronize the plurality of video samples and the plurality of audio samples with one another for playback in response to the plurality of timestamps.

Abstract: Embodiments herein describe an audio system that adjusts based on the location of a person. That is, instead of relying on fixed speakers, the audio system adjusts the direction of audio output for one or more speakers to optimize the performance of the audio system based on the location of a user or based on the number of users. To do so, the audio system may include a camera and a tracking application which identifies the location of a user and/or the number of users in front of the camera. Using this information, the audio system adjusts one or more actuators coupled to a speaker to change the direction of the audio output of the speaker. As the user continues to move or shift, the audio system can continually adjust the speaker to optimize the performance of the system.

Abstract: Impedance matching circuitry is positioned on a signal line intermediate the terminals of the signal line in an integrated circuit. The impedance matching circuitry can include discrete components off the integrated circuit and on a substrate, e.g., a board. The impedance matching circuitry can operate to match the impedance of a signal line in the integrated circuit, e.g., a memory device such as a DRAM or DDR DRAM.

Abstract: A wireless speaker system may include a primary speaker including a first transceiver and a second transceiver and programmed to receive audio data from a user device at the first transceiver, and at least one secondary speaker including a receiver and programmed to receive a wireless signal including the audio data from the primary speaker at the receiver, each speaker configured to transmit audio signals consistently there between based on the received audio data.

Abstract: A portable media enhancement device for use with a mobile device for processing one or more media files is provided. The mobile device is located separately from the portable media enhancement device. The portable media enhancement device comprises a docking connection input used to communicate with the mobile device and at least one control module. The control module is configured to establish a connection with the mobile device via the docking connection input and to receive one or more media files from the mobile device. The control module is further configured to decode the one or more media files and post process the one or more media files. The control module is further configured to transmit the decoded and processed media files to the mobile device.

Abstract: An adjustable occlusion headphone includes a housing having a face, a resilient seal member on the housing, adapted to surround the user's ear, and with the face of the housing form a chamber enclosing the user's ear. A speaker communicates through the face of the housing to provide sound to the user's ear. There is at least one port in the face of the housing. A passage extends from each port to the exterior of the housing. A valve member associated with each passage, is operable between an open position and a closed position, and an operator for operating each valve member between its open and closed position to control sound communication from outside the housing to the chamber.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a programmable pedalboard for a musical instrument is provided. The pedalboard includes a docking station for receiving a removable portable computer that provides a plurality of instrument effects. The docking station is configured to receive an audio signal from a musical instrument and to modify the audio signal from the musical instrument based on at least one instrument effect from the plurality of instrument effects.

Abstract: A media apparatus for selecting a media source to provide media content to a playback device that plays back the media content as at least one of audio and video content may include a controller programmed to detect a media zone that includes a playback device, detect a presence of a portable user device that provides media content, determine a number of media sources that are available in the media zone, select a first media source of the number of media sources as a preferred media source based on a hierarchy table, determine whether the preferred media source includes the media content that is provided by the portable user device, and control the preferred media source to provide the media content to the playback device.

Abstract: A system or method for controlling speaker acoustic output in a multi-speaker audio system having multiple listening zones include substantially simultaneously adjusting gain and at least one additional parameter, such as filtering and/or other signal processing parameters of at least a first speaker relative to at least a second speaker in response to a change in balance and/or fade settings of the audio system across a range of balance and fade settings except for a maximum or minimum setting, and muting at least one speaker in response to the maximum or minimum balance or fade setting.

Abstract: A roadway projection system integrated into a vehicle is configured to identify a specific driving scenario encountered by a driver of the vehicle, and to then project an image onto a roadway along which the vehicle travels based on that scenario. The image is intended to provide guidance to the driver in negotiating the identified scenario and/or to visualize potential driving actions of the driver for the benefit of others. The image could be, for example, and without limitation, an indicator that the driver should follow to perform a specific driving or navigation action, or a preference that the driver wishes to share with other drivers. In addition, the roadway projection system may detect images projected by other roadway projection systems in other vehicles and to determine mutual preferences shared between drivers. When a shared preference is violated, the roadway projection system may alert the driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving audio data from a nomadic device is provided. The apparatus comprises a first portable speaker for being operably coupled to the nomadic device. The nomadic device receives first information indicative of a first crossover frequency for the first portable speaker and determines the first crossover frequency based on the first information. The nomadic device transmits the audio data to the first portable speaker in accordance to the first crossover frequency. The first portable speaker is configured to playback the audio data at the first crossover frequency.

Abstract: A dual coil transducer is provided that has a low profile construction. The transducer includes a voice coil disposed around a central region of the transducer, a diaphragm with flexible suspension extending generally outwardly from the central region and including an inner edge attached to the voice coil, where the diaphragm includes a concave surface, and at least one magnet assembly disposed forward of the concave surface, where the at least one magnet assembly defines at least two magnetic gaps disposed about the central region. The transducer will usually be mounted with the motor outside of the loudspeaker enclosure for best heat dissipation.

Abstract: A location aware self-configuring loudspeaker includes a plurality of ultrasonic receivers that each provide an associated received ultrasonic receiver signal. An RF receiver receives adjacent loudspeaker RF data from an adjacent location aware self-configuring loudspeaker and provides received RF data indicative thereof. A data receiver receives audio data and provides received audio data indicative thereof. The location aware self-configuring loudspeaker also includes a processor that receives and processes the received ultrasonic receiver signals and the received RF data to determine a location of detected adjacent loudspeakers and the location of the location aware self-configuring loudspeaker. The processor also provides data indicative of the determined location of the detected adjacent loudspeakers and the location of the self-configuring loudspeaker.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth an earplug for selectively providing sound to a user. The earplug includes a microphone, a processing unit, and a speaker. The microphone is configured to acquire ambient sound. The processing unit is configured to determine that a first sound included in the ambient sound is associated with a first set of sound parameters and, in response, generate a first cancellation signal associated with the first sound. The processing unit is further configured to determine that a second sound included in the ambient sound is associated with a second set of sound parameters and, in response, generate a second signal to cause the second sound to be produced. The speaker is configured to produce one or more sound waves based on the first cancellation signal to cancel the first sound from the ambient sound and produce the second sound based on the second signal.