Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and machine-readable media for detecting head movement based on recorded sound signals are described.

Abstract: The Christmas tree is a fake Christmas tree rotatably engaged with respect to a stand having rotating means integrated thereon. The stand features a USB port and MP3 dock that enables audio to be played upon speakers vertically arranged upon said tree. The Christmas tree shall be either permanently or temporarily affixed to said stand. The rotating means of the stand consist of a motor and gearing system that can optionally provide different rates of rotation of said Christmas tree. An optional light system may be included to illuminate said Christmas tree.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that perform audio source localization in a manner that provides increased robustness and responsiveness in the presence of acoustic echo. The systems and methods calculate a difference between a signal level associated with one or more of the audio signals generated by a microphone array and an estimated level of acoustic echo associated with one or more of the audio signals. This information is then used to determine whether and/or how to perform audio source localization. For example, a controller may use the difference to determine whether or not to freeze an audio source localization module that operates on the audio signals. As another example, the audio source localization module may incorporate the difference (or the estimated level of acoustic echo used to calculate the difference) into the logic that is used to determine the location of a desired audio source.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention divides an audio signal into auditory events, each of which tends to be perceived as separate and distinct, by calculating the spectral content of successive time blocks of the audio signal, calculating the difference in spectral content between successive time blocks of the audio signal, and identifying an auditory event boundary as the boundary between successive time blocks when the difference in the spectral content between such successive time blocks exceeds a threshold. In another aspect, the invention generates a reduced-information representation of an audio signal by dividing an audio signal into auditory events, each of which tends to be perceived as separate and distinct, and formatting and storing information relating to the auditory events. Optionally, the invention may also assign a characteristic to one or more of the auditory events. Auditory events may be determined according to the first aspect of the invention or by another method.

Abstract: A stereophonic sound output apparatus and an early reflection generation method thereof. The stereophonic sound output apparatus includes an early reflection generator to implement an early reflection when a 5.1 channel audio signal is down-mixed to a 2-channel audio signal to play back a 5.1 channel audio signal through a 2-channel headphone. The early reflection generator generates early reflections in pairs in which there is an appropriate time difference between the left side reflections and the right side reflections by generating an interaural time difference between two input audio signals and filtering. It is possible to copy the characteristics of early reflections in a real listening room. It is also possible to implement an early reflection similar to a real reflection measured in an apparatus for playing back the 5.1 channel audio signal through 2-channel headphone. A natural 5.1 channel effect may also be obtained using little computation.

Abstract: The perception of musical sound with a music component and a speech component is intended to be improved. To this end, a method is proposed for controlling a binaural hearing system with a left hearing-device for a left ear and a right hearing-device for a right ear, which method contains the below described steps. First of all, the hearing system determines a hearing situation with the music component and the speech component. Thereupon, one of the two hearing devices is switched into a music mode and, at the same time, the other one of the two hearing devices is switched into a speech mode. The hearing-aid wearer himself/herself can then decide which component of the sound he/she would rather listen to.

Abstract: A controller device is provided whereby players can experience realistic sounds. The controller device is connected to the main body of an information processing apparatus, wherein the controller device comprises a first speaker for emitting a sound signal in a low frequency range, and a second speaker for emitting a sound signal in a frequency range that is higher in comparison with the first speaker.

Abstract: A method includes detecting, via a first microphone coupled to a user's left ear, a sound, detecting, via a second microphone coupled to the user's right ear, the sound, determining a time difference between detection of the sound at the first microphone and detection of the sound at the second microphone, and estimating a user's head size based on the time difference. The method also includes identifying a head-related transfer function (HRTF) associated with the user's head size or modifying, a HRTF based on the user's head size. The method further includes applying the identified HRTF or modified HRTF to audio signals to produce output signals and forwarding the output signals to first and second speakers coupled to the user's left and right ears.

Abstract: In a signal processing apparatus, a high frequency level detecting unit detects a level of a high frequency component adjusted with a first adjusting unit, and a first control unit controls a first gain of the adjusting unit according to the level of the high frequency component thus detected. Further, a low frequency level detecting unit detects a level of a low frequency component adjusted with a second adjusting unit. A second control unit controls a second gain according to the level of the high frequency component and the level of the low frequency component thus adjusted, so that a difference between the level of the high frequency component adjusted with the first adjusting unit and the level of the low frequency component adjusted with the second adjusting unit becomes smaller than a specific level determined in advance.

Abstract: To provide a microphone unit capable of acquiring a target sound with high accuracy. A microphone unit in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of microphones, a microphone substrate on which the plurality of microphones are mounted, and a vibration observation device disposed at roughly a center of gravity of a shape that is formed by connecting centers of certain adjacent microphones among the plurality of microphones.

Abstract: A frequency band of an audio input signal is analyzed to determine if a transient is present. When transients are detected, modifications are made to the intensity levels corresponding to the frequency band for a brief time period.

Abstract: A voltage supply circuitry is capable of coupling to wired audio headset circuitry and configurable to operate in a first mode, wherein the voltage supply circuitry provides a voltage supply to the wired audio headset functionality circuitry. The voltage supply circuitry is further capable of coupling to visual indication circuitry and further configurable to operate in a second mode, wherein the voltage supply circuitry provides a voltage supply to the visual indication circuitry.

Abstract: Provided is an output control apparatus connected to an audio output apparatus controlling output of audio data, including: a receiving unit configured to receive encoded data obtained by encoding multi-channel audio data; a decoding unit configured to decode the encoded data; an output control unit configured to control output of a predetermined number of channels of audio data among the multi-channel audio data obtained by the decoding; a transmitting unit configured to transmit any one of audio data different from the audio data of which the output is controlled by the output control unit among the multi-channel audio data obtained by the decoding and the encoded data to an audio output apparatus connected through an integrated cable formed by integrating at least a video line, an audio line, and a control line; and a control unit configured to control the audio output apparatus through the integrated cable.

Abstract: An audio system for a vehicle has at least one source of audio signals. At least one array of speaker elements is located at each seat position that radiates within a range of bass frequencies. For each at least one array, the speaker elements receive a common audio signal, and a respective filter is disposed between the common audio signal and each of the speaker elements. Each respective filter processes magnitude and phase of the common audio signal independently of each other respective filter to thereby define a directional audio radiation from the at least one array.

Abstract: An acoustic user interface system and method for tracking spatial location data. A location tracking unit provides location information with respect to an object in an environment. The location information may be further employed to synthesize a perception of three-dimensional spatial location data with respect to multiple objects in the environment. The acoustic user interface communicates the three-dimensional spatial location data via an auditory channel to a stereophonic device based on a human stereophonic perception of one or more acoustic signal variable correlated with a relative location of the objects in order to co-ordinate and communicate location information effectively.

Abstract: Electronic devices are provided that communicate over cables and other communications paths that include optical and electrical paths. A cable may include wires for forming an electrical path and one or more optical fibers for forming an optical path. Connectors at one or both ends of the cable may include electrical contacts and an optical coupling structure associated with the optical path. Optical paths may be included in connectors such as tip-ring-sleeve connectors and connectors of other types. Interface circuitry may be included in a connector to convert between optical and electrical signaling schemes. Wavelength-division-multiplexing may be used to support bidirectional communications. Breakout boxes and other equipment may be connected using the cables. Digital signals such as digital noise cancellation signals may be conveyed over the optical paths. Power and other electrical signals may be conveyed over the electrical paths.

Abstract: In an aspect, the invention features an active noise reduction device including an electronic signal processing circuit. The electronic signal processing circuit includes a first input for accepting a first signal, a second input for accepting a second signal, an output for providing a third signal, a feed-forward path from the first input to the output, and a feed-forward controller for determining the control parameter by calculating a control signal using the first signal and the second signal and then using the control signal to determine the control parameter. The feed-forward path includes a fixed compensation linear filter and a variable compensation filter having an input for receiving a control parameter that applies a selected linear filter from a family of linear filters that vary in both gain and spectral shape and are selectable by the control parameter.

Abstract: A method for dynamically adjusting the spectral content of an audio signal, which increases the harmonic content of said audio signal, said method comprising translating an encoded digital signal into data bands, creating a psychoacoustic model to identify sections of said data bands that are deficient in harmonic quality, analyzing the fundamental frequency and amplitude of said harmonically deficient data bands, creating additional higher order harmonics for said harmonically deficient data bands, adding said higher order harmonics back to said encoded digital signal to form a newly enhanced signal, inverse filtering said newly enhanced signal, and converting said inverse filtered signal to an analog waveform for consumption by the listener.

Abstract: A volume correction device includes: a variable gain means for controlling a gain, given to an input audio signal, according to a gain control signal; a consecutive relevant sounds interval detection means for detecting a consecutive relevant sounds interval, during which a group of temporally adjoining consecutive relevant sounds is present, in the input audio signal; a mean level detection means for detecting the mean level of the input audio signal attained during the consecutive relevant sounds interval, and whose time constant for mean level detection is set to a smaller value during the leading period of the consecutive relevant sounds interval than during the remaining period; a gain control signal production means for producing the gain control signal, so that the mean level will be equal to a reference level, and feeding the gain control signal to the variable gain means.

Abstract: Electronic devices are provided that communicate over cables and other communications paths that include optical and electrical paths. A cable may include wires for forming an electrical path and one or more optical fibers for forming an optical path. Connectors at one or both ends of the cable may include electrical contacts and an optical coupling structure associated with the optical path. Optical paths may be included in connectors such as tip-ring-sleeve connectors and connectors of other types. Interface circuitry may be included in a connector to convert between optical and electrical signaling schemes. Wavelength-division-multiplexing may be used to support bidirectional communications. Breakout boxes and other equipment may be connected using the cables. Digital signals such as digital noise cancellation signals may be conveyed over the optical paths. Power and other electrical signals may be conveyed over the electrical paths.