Abstract: Methods and systems for sensing an auditory environment using a tympanic membrane of an individual are disclosed. An embodiment of a method comprises a step of dynamically sensing a displacement of the tympanic membrane in response to excitation by the auditory environment. An electrical signal based upon the sensed displacement is produced. Consequently, the electrical signal is representative of the auditory environment as sensed by the individual. Embodiments for sensing the displacement of the tympanic membrane are based upon laser interferometry and ultrasonic ranging. Further disclosed are methods and systems for modifying a sensed auditory environment, and methods and systems for producing a virtual auditory environment based upon directly sensing the displacement of the tympanic membrane of an individual.

Abstract: This invention is a component of an adaptive filter signal processor whose purpose is to separate a mixture of signals received by each of a plurality of transducers. This invention accomplishes a key step in that separation: it estimates, from the transducer signals, the relative propagation delays among the transducers for each source. First, it randomly generates a fixed number of sets of delay parameters, called a population. Thereafter, the following events occur at each clock cycle. Each set is processed by an instantaneous-performance calculator, to generate an instantaneous-performance value. The instantaneous performance value of each set is added to a cumulative performance value. The set with the greatest cumulative performance value is transferred to the adaptive filter signal processor. New parameter sets are generated at random.

Abstract: A portable, wearable personal audio system which includes an acoustic sample chamber and an acoustically transparent ear insert member. A tubular member transmits the audio from the sample chamber and module to the ear canal. The ear insert stabilizes and secures the tubular member in the ear canal. One or more surfaces of the ear insert member can be coated with a perforated flexible material. An additional transducer, preferably made from a piezoelectric material, can be provided in the ear insert member or at the outer end of the tubular member. An electronics mechanism is preferably supplied as part of a behind-the-ear module or as part of the temple of a pair of eyeglasses. Stereo systems require separate systems for each ear.

Abstract: A wearable portable entertainment and personal communication system which provides high quality sound, particularly at low audio frequencies, and which does not block or attenuate environmental sounds is disclosed. In a first embodiment, a transducer or transducer array is positioned on a wall in a sampling chamber between two cavities. One of the cavities is sealed and the other has one or more conduit members which direct the acoustic signals to one or both of the wearer's ears. In a second embodiment, both cavities have conduits, one directed to each of the wearer's ears. With either embodiment, the sampling chamber optionally can be combined with separate high frequency transducers. With both embodiments, the chambers are incorporated into a wearable garment and the transducers are connected to a source of audio signals.

Abstract: A wearable portable entertainment and personal communication system which provides high quality sound, particularly at low audio frequencies, and which does not block or attenuate environmental sounds is disclosed. In a first embodiment, a transducer or transducer array is positioned on a wall in a sampling chamber between two cavities. One of the cavities is sealed and the other has one or more conduit members which direct the acoustic signals to one or both of the wearer's ears. In a second embodiment, both cavities have conduits, one directed to each of the wearer's ears. With either embodiment, the sampling chamber optionally can be combined with separate high frequency transducers. With both embodiments, the chambers are incorporated into a wearable garment and the transducers are connected to a source of audio signals.

Abstract: A device with a speaker system and adapted to wear on the head of a wearer, such as a headband, is provided. Transducers are situated in a wearable device and positioned on opposite sides of the wearer's head, adjacent the ears. In one embodiment, the transducers share a common enclosure and are driven 180.degree. out of phase, so that back pressures cancel and low frequency response is enhanced. In another embodiment, two vented enclosures are provided, each with its own transducers. In other embodiments, acoustic concentrators can be incorporated to direct the audio more directly toward the wearer's ears. The speaker system is connected to or in communication with a conventional source of audio signals, such as a radio, tape player, CD player, cellular telephone or the like.

Abstract: An audio interface garment includes systems for attenuating the influence of sound waves generated by audio output devices on output signals from a plurality of input devices an. In one embodiment, input signals which are applied to the audio output devices are combined by a mixer to form a mixed audio signal. A plurality of Widrow-Hoff least mean square adaptive filters each form a corresponding filtered signal based upon the mixed audio signal and the output signal from a corresponding one of the input devices. A plurality of processed signals are formed by differencing each filtered signal from the corresponding output signal. The weight values of the adaptive filters are modified according to the least mean square method. The processed signals provide signals in which the first sound waves are attenuated.

Abstract: A subcutaneous implant for displaying various re-programmable information or decorative patterns beneath the surface of the skin of a person or an animal. A biologically inert subcutaneous implant is constructed of a flexible material so as to conform to the skin's surface. The subcutaneous implant includes a battery for providing power to the implant. The subcutaneous implant also includes a receiver for receiving programming information from a user, and a display for displaying the programming information through the skin.

Abstract: A personal wearable portable communication and entertainment system which provides improved quality audio response and which does not interfere with the wearer's activities or block environmental sounds is disclosed. Transducers or speakers, which preferably are provided in arrayed pairs, are situated in a wearable structure, such as a garment for the wearer's torso or a headband for the wearer's head. The transducers are positioned on opposite sides of the wearer's torso or head, adjacent the ears. In one embodiment, the transducers share a common closed enclosure and are driven 180.degree. out of phase, so that back pressures cancel. In another embodiment, two hollow enclosures are provided, each with its own transducer and acoustic aperture. In a further embodiment, the transducers are positioned in a common hollow enclosure with at least one acoustic aperture between them.

Abstract: A message signal which is to be securely communicated is encoded, using a preselected code, to generate an encoded signal. A radio frequency signal representative of the encoded signal is transmitted, wherein the radio frequency signal may propagate beyond the predetermined boundary. A code signal representative of the preselected code is also transmitted, wherein propagation of the code signal is confined within the predetermined boundary. At a corresponding receiver within the predetermined boundary, the code signal and the radio frequency signal are received. The encoded signal represented by the radio frequency signal is decoded based upon the preselected code in order to recover the message signal.

Abstract: The invention causes a panoramic view to be realistically displayed to a viewing audience. A fixed display device displays a portion of the panoramic view and a rotating support structure supports the viewing audience. The orientation of the portion of the panoramic view shown by the display device changes in coordination with the rotation of the support structure, while the viewing audience changes its viewing direction to continue looking at the display device. The characteristics of the system (in particular, the rotation of the support structure) are controlled so that the viewing audience is not conscious of the movement of the support structure, but thinks, instead, that the display device (and the displayed portion of the panoramic view) is moving about the support structure as the viewing audience changes its viewing direction. The invention can be implemented as a non-interactive system in which the system operates independently of the viewing audience.

Abstract: A method and system for permitting a user to spatially access and playback time-based information having a plurality of segments. Each of the plurality of segments are mapped to a corresponding one of a plurality of mapped spatial coordinates. A user interface determines an input spatial coordinate corresponding to a portion of a user's body within an input coordinate space. A segment of the time-based information corresponding to the input spatial coordinate is accessed and played back using a playback device. A sensory output which corresponds to the segment is produced for sensing by the portion of the user's body. The sensory output aids the user in obtaining a sense of the whole of the time-based information in the input coordinate space.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining a position and an orientation utilize a radio frequency signal transmitted from an effective source location which moves along a first closed, non-planar path. The closed, non-planar path has a plurality of local extreme points with respect to a predetermined axis. The radio frequency signal is received at an effective receiving location which may, optionally, move along a second closed, non-planar path. A phase signal representative of the phase of the received radio frequency signal is detected. The phase signal is filtered and processed to form at least one signal quantity representative of elevation, bearing, and/or orientation.

Abstract: A personal communications apparatus using a garment-based audio interface. A garment member is worn on the upper torso of a person, wherein the garment member includes a neck opening which allows extension therethrough of the neck of the person. An audio output device capable of producing hi-fidelity spatialized 3-D sound aiming in selected directions is located adjacent the neck opening of the garment member. A receiver capable of receiving at least one transmitted signal and producing an audio signal based thereupon is coupled to the audio output device. An audio input device capable of capturing spatialized 3-D sound from selected directions is located adjacent the neck opening of the garment member. The audio signal from the audio input device is provided to a transmitter capable of transmitting a signal in dependence upon the audio signal. Embodiments of the garment member include a shirt and a necklace.

Abstract: A method and system for accessing time-based information based on spatial coordinate information obtained from a user. Time-based information is mapped into a spatial representation by mapping and transforming the timing of time-based information segments to spatial coordinates. Such spatial coordinates could be either one, two, or three dimensional. With this mapping, segments of time-based information can be associated with different parts of a spatial object, a spatial representation, or different position of a spatial movement. These segments can be accessed by the user by physical inputs in such a fashion that the kinesthetic or touching memory of the user can be relied upon to re-access information and to create a sense of the whole in the information.