Abstract: A transient detector is provided for generating an ambience signal suitable for being emitted via loudspeakers for which there is no special loudspeaker signal to detect a transient period. A synthesis signal generator produces a synthesis signal which fulfills the transient condition on the one hand and the continuity condition for the synthesis signal on the other hand. A signal substituter will then substitute a portion of the examination signal by the synthesis signal to obtain an ambience signal for the surround channels.

Abstract: Methods and systems are taught for testing microphone packages—including measuring non-acoustic noise for the package. A package positioner holds a microphone package such that an acoustic input port of the microphone package is aligned with a plug. An actuator moves the plug relative to the microphone package between a first position—where the plug does not obstruct the acoustic input port of the microphone package—and a second position—where the plug obstructs the acoustic input port and restricts acoustic pressures from entering the microphone package through the acoustic input port. A controller monitors an output of the microphone package and identifies the output as indicative of isolated non-acoustic noise when the plug is in the second position.

Abstract: A voice-activated computing device configured to transmit a pilot tone and then capture or receive a signal, which corresponds to the pilot tone, reflected from within the environment containing the voice-activated computing device. The voice-activated computing device, or some other computing system or device, analyzes the received signal in order to determine analyze one or more characteristics present within the signal, i.e. noise, echo, etc. Based upon the analysis, models for signal processing can be determined, selected and/or altered. Future signals received by the voice-activated computing device can be processed with such models. The analysis can also allow for the models to be dynamically updated and for models to be dynamically created.

Abstract: The MPEG2 Advanced Audio Coder (AAC) standard limits the number of filters used to either one filter for a “short” block or three filters for a “long” block. In cases where the need for additional filters is present but the limit of permissible filters has been reached, the remaining frequency spectra are simply not covered by TNS. Two solutions are proposed to deploy TNS filters in order to get the entire spectrum of the signal into TNS. The first method involves a filter bridging technique and complies with the current AAC standard. The second method involves a filter clustering technique. Although the second method is both more efficient and accurate in capturing the temporal structure of the time signal, it is not AAC standard compliant. Thus, a new syntax for packing filter information derived using the second method for transmission to a receiver is also outlined.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for using a hidden audio signal. In one exemplary embodiment, the method includes registering, at a central database, one or more of an identifier and a destination resource associated with the identifier, and encoding the one or more of the identifier and the destination resource in a hidden audio signal. The method further includes transmitting the hidden audio signal, including the one or more of the identifier and the destination resource, in connection with an acoustic signal, and receiving the acoustic signal at a user device. In addition, the method includes decoding the encoded one or more of the identifier and the destination resource at the user device; and requesting, from the central database, information associated with the one or more of the identifier and the destination resource. Further, the method includes receiving, at the user device, the requested information.

Abstract: Mitigating disruption to a voice recognition system in a vehicle caused by a passing source of noise is provided. Sensors sense an approaching truck or the like that is likely to disrupt operation of the in-vehicle voice recognition system. Countermeasures are initiated to mitigate the disruption.

Abstract: A controlled noise source is for attachment to an exhaust pipe of a vehicle. The noise source comprises an axially compliant member that couples to the exhaust pipe such that an enclosed internal volume of the axially compliant member is in fluid communication with the interior of the exhaust pipe. A dynamic driver is coupled to the axially compliant member. The dynamic driver oscillates the axially compliant member so as to vary the internal volume of the axially compliant member and thereby introduce controlled pressure waves to the interior of the exhaust pipe that counteract sound produced by the engine.

Abstract: A sound processing apparatus which can improve precision of analyzes on ambient sounds, carries out analysis on the ambient sounds based upon collected sound signals acquired by two sound collectors. The sound processing apparatus is provided with a level signal converter that converts the collected sound signal into a level signal, which indicates an absolute value of the collected sound signal from which phase information is removed. A level signal synthesizer generates a synthesized level signal in which the level signals acquired from the collected sound signals of the two sound collectors are synthesized, and a detector/identifier carries out analysis on the ambient sounds, based upon the synthesized level signal.

Abstract: A positioning network comprises an array of signal sources that transmit signals with unique characteristics that are detectable in signals captured through a sensor on a mobile device, such as a microphone of a mobile phone handset. Through signal processing of the captured signal, the positioning system distinguishes these characteristics to identify distinct sources and their corresponding coordinates. A position calculator takes these coordinates together with other attributes derived from the received signals from distinct sources, such as time of arrival or signal strength, to calculate coordinates of the mobile device. A layered protocol is used to introduce distinguishing characteristics in the source signals. This approach enables the use of low cost components to integrate a positioning network on equipment used for other functions, such as audio playback equipment at shopping malls and other venues where location based services are desired.

Abstract: Systems and methods that use ultrasonic emitters for producing multi-dimensional parametric audio are provided. The systems and methods can be configured to determine HRTF filters for the left and right ears of a listener using an optical imaging system to scan a profile of a listener. Audio content may be encoded into a left and right channel for producing a three dimensional sound effect for the listener of the audio content by: processing the sound channel into left and right input channel signals; applying the HRTF filters and acoustic crosstalk cancellations filters to the left and right channel signals to generate output left and right channel signals; and modulating the left and right output channel signal frequencies onto an ultrasonic carrier.

Abstract: An accessory having an earbud for insertion into a user's ear is disclosed. The earbud may include a speaker and a microphone in which the speaker plays an audio signal for the user and the microphone receives the audio signal. The accessory includes a processor that is coupled to the speaker and the microphone to execute various operations. For example, the operations may include: determining a ratio of an energy estimation of the speaker audio signal to an energy estimation of the audio signal received by the microphone; determining a gain for the speaker audio signal based upon the ratio; based upon the gain, selecting a shelving filter; and applying the shelving filter to the speaker audio signal.

Abstract: An audio signal processing system is configured to separate an audio signal into a dry signal component and one or more reverberant signal components. The dry signal component and the reverberant signal components can be separately modified and then recombined to form a processed audio signal. Alternatively, the dry signal component may be combined with an artificial reverberation component to form the processed audio signal. Modification of the reverberation signal component and generation of the artificial reverberation component may be performed in order to modify the acoustic characteristics of an acoustic space in which the audio signal is driving loudspeakers. The audio signal may be a pre-recorded audio signal or a live audio signal generated inside or outside the acoustic space.

Abstract: A system is provided and includes a plurality of acoustic devices disposed in locations arrayed throughout a defined space, each one of the plurality of acoustic devices being receptive of acoustical attributes such as sound or noise levels generated in the defined space and configured to issue signals reflective of the generated acoustical attributes and an acoustic data unit disposed in signal communication with each of the plurality of acoustic devices. The acoustic data unit is receptive of the signals issued from the plurality of acoustic devices and configured to convert the signals into digital acoustic data and to output the digital acoustic data in a serialized format compatible with a network protocol.

Abstract: A test system for evaluates acoustic feedback characteristics of a listening device by changing the transfer function of the signal path from an acoustic output to an acoustic input of the listening device. A variable filter comprises an acoustic input, an acoustic output, and a control unit for changing a transfer function of the filter. First and/or second acoustic propagation elements propagate acoustic sound, the first acoustic propagation element acoustically connecting the acoustic output of the listening device with the acoustic input of the variable filter, the second acoustic propagation element acoustically connecting the acoustic output of the variable filter with the acoustic input of the listening device; wherein the system is configured to allow a determination of acoustic feedback or a level of acoustic feedback of the listening device at different frequencies.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for using a hidden audio signal. In one exemplary embodiment, the method includes registering, at a central database, one or more of an identifier and a destination resource associated with the identifier, and encoding the one or more of the identifier and the destination resource in a hidden audio signal. The method further includes transmitting the hidden audio signal, including the one or more of the identifier and the destination resource, in connection with an acoustic signal, and receiving the acoustic signal at a user device. In addition, the method includes decoding the encoded one or more of the identifier and the destination resource at the user device; and requesting, from the central database, information associated with the one or more of the identifier and the destination resource. Further, the method includes receiving, at the user device, the requested information.

Abstract: A sound reproduction apparatus includes a sound source localization estimating unit that performs estimates using input audio signals in an acoustic space when the input audio signals are reproduced by speakers placed in standard positions; and a sound source signal separating unit that calculates a sound source localization signal and separates, from the input audio signals, sound source non-localization signals. Additionally, a sound source position parameter calculating unit calculates parameters indicating a position of the sound source localization signal in the acoustic space; and a reproduction signal generating unit uses the sound source position parameters to distribute the sound source localization signal to front speakers placed in the standard positions in front and headphones placed near the ears of a listener and in positions different from the standard positions, by combining the sound source localization signal and the sound source non-localization signals.

Abstract: A method and device of channel equalization and beam controlling for a digital speaker array system includes (1) converting digital format; (2) performing channel equalization; (3) controlling beam-forming; (4) performing multi-bit ?-? modulation; (5) performing thermometer code conversion; (6) performing dynamic mismatch-shaping processing; and (7) extracting the channel information to send to the digital power amplifier and drive the array sound. A device includes a sound source, a digital converter, a channel equalizer, a beam-former, a ?-? modulator, a thermometer coder, a dynamic mismatch shaper, an extraction selector, a multi-channel digital power amplifier and a speaker array. Each unit connects to each other serially.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and method for diagnosing an audio circuitry, which is applied to a mobile terminal and its earphone. Both of the mobile terminal and its earphone include: a MIC circuit and a sounding circuit, wherein, this device includes: a MIC Circuit Diagnosis Module and a Sounding Circuit Diagnosis Module; A MIC Circuit Diagnosis Module is used for obtaining an amplitude and frequency of a sine wave signal sampled by the MIC circuit, determining whether the MIC circuit is qualified or not according to the amplitude and frequency and outputting the sine wave signal.

Abstract: Provided is a signal processing method which reduces a plurality of echoes by receiving a plurality of reception signals and subtracting a pseudo echo generated by a plurality of adaptive filters which input the reception signals from a plurality of echoes generated by the reception signals. At least one of the reception signals is delayed to generate a delayed reception signal. The reception signal and the delayed reception signal are inputted to the adaptive filters to generate a pseudo echo. The frequency of inputting the reception signal and the delayed reception signal to the adaptive filters is controlled in accordance with the sensitivity of a localization change of the reception signals.

Abstract: A media player/recorder includes a wireless receiver to receive a signal representing media data, a storage device to store the media data, a storage controller to retrieve the media data from the storage device, and an output circuit to output the media data. The storage device stores a list of identifiers of desired media selections. The wireless receiver receives a signal representing an identifier of an offered media selection. The storage device stores the offered media selection when the identifier of the offered media selection corresponds to the identifier of one of the desired media selections.