Abstract: Techniques associated with conforming local and remote media characteristics data to target media presentation profiles are described, including a media characteristic configuration module comprising an audio characteristic manager configured to modify an audio portion of media content data received from a source to conform the audio portion to a target audio characteristic indicated in a target configuration profile, and to modify an audio portion of other media content data received from another source to conform the audio portion to the target audio characteristic indicated in the target configuration profile, a communication facility configured to receive media content data from different sources using different data communication protocols, and a storage device configured to store target configuration profiles and data associated with media content.

Abstract: A method includes syncing preset assignments on a plurality of audio playback devices such that preset assignments on any one of the audio playback devices correspond to respective preset assignments on each of the other audio playback devices, and, such that, if one of the preset assignments is changed on one of the audio playback devices, each of the other audio playback devices is automatically updated such that a corresponding change is made to a corresponding preset assignment on each of the other audio playback devices. Each preset assignment is an assignment of an entity associated with one of a plurality of digital audio sources to one of a plurality of preset indicators on the corresponding one of the audio playback devices. The preset indicators are source agnostic to provide for single press access to their respectively assigned entities in the same manner irrespective of the associated digital audio source.

Abstract: Systems, devices, apparatuses, components, methods, and techniques for identifying and playing media content are provided. An example media-playback device for identifying and playing media content for a user traveling in a vehicle includes an audio identification engine and a media playback engine. Audio content is recorded and identified by comparison to media content databases. The audio content is identified and immediately played on the same device. Additional media content is selected for playback based on user listening preferences.

Abstract: Described are techniques for determining whether a received audio signal is corrupted or a product of noise, prior to decoding the entire signal. A received audio signal may include both initialization data and encoded payload data. Correspondence between the initialization data and confirmation data may be determined. If the correspondence indicates a match, the audio receiver may continue decoding the audio signal to access the payload data. If the correspondence does not indicate a match, the audio receiver may cease decoding, which may conserve power, computing resources, and time, ensuring that subsequent audio signals are not missed while the audio receiver decodes a false or corrupted signal.

Abstract: Presented here is an apparatus and method to increase a listener's enjoyment of sound by combining in-ear headphones with either over-ear headphones or on-ear headphones. One embodiment is headphones that include an ear-cup with an ear-bud protruding toward the listener's ear-canal. The ear-cup substantially surrounds the listener's ear and delivers sub sonic and low-frequency vibrations to the listener's skin stimulating a vibrotactile response. The ear-bud is disposed within the listener's ear canal and delivers a full range of audible frequencies. Additionally, the headphones, along with the ear-cup in the ear-bud, provide both passive and active noise cancellation.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for audience measurement using a mobile device accessory are disclosed. In one aspect, a mobile device accessory includes a power source configured to provide power to the mobile device. The mobile device accessory further includes an audio capturing device configured to capture an ambient sound, and a microprocessor coupled to the audio capturing device and configured to identify distinctive features of the ambient sound and generate a digital representation of the ambient sound. The mobile device accessory further includes a memory coupled to the microprocessor and configured to store at least the digital representation, and a transmitter coupled to the microprocessor and configured to transmit at least the digital representation.

Abstract: Techniques for multiplexing audio recordings. Systems and methods for multiplexing and synchronizing audio recordings using data markers in the recorded files.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) microphone assembly is provided. The assembly includes an enclosure, a MEMS transducer, and a plurality of substrate layers. The single MEMS transducer is positioned within the enclosure. The plurality of substrate layers support the single MEMS transducer. The plurality of substrate layers define a first transmission mechanism to enable a first side of the single MEMS transducer to receive an audio input signal and a second transmission mechanism to enable a second side of the single MEMS transducer to receive the audio input signal.

Abstract: Disclosed are various designs of earbud structures including detachable and replaceable ear-wings and/or detachable and replaceable earplugs. In various embodiments, the body of a proposed earbud is a fixed component of the earbud which is configured to receive and accommodate different types of ear-wings and/or earplugs based on the user's need. Various embodiments of the proposed earbud designs provide an ear-wing structure that includes at least two components: a wing-shaped structure for fitting into the ear to achieve a desired stability, and a shell structure for attaching the wing-shaped structure onto the body of the earbud thereby attached the wing-shaped structure firmly onto the body of the earbud.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a micro electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) microphone on a substrate includes forming a sacrificial layer on a front surface of the substrate, forming a membrane within the sacrificial layer, forming a fixed plate on the sacrificial layer at a location corresponding to a location of the membrane, performing a laser cutting on the back surface of the substrate at a location corresponding to an edge region of the fixed plate until a surface of the sacrificial layer is expose to form an opening, forming a patterned photoresist layer on the back surface exposing a region within the boundary of the opening, removing a portion of the back surface using the patterned photoresist layer as a mask to form a cavity, and removing a portion of the sacrificial layer above and below the membrane to form an air gap between the membrane and the fixed plate.

Abstract: Techniques described herein include a platform for generating customized media content to a user. In some embodiments, a service provider may receive attribute data related to an environment in which a media file is to be presented. In some embodiments, the service provider may receive a user configuration setting indicating one or more preferences for media presentation. The service provider may store media content as separate components, with each component being separately adjustable. Upon receiving a request for particular media content, the service provider may generate a media file from the stored media content in accordance with the user configuration settings and/or environment attribute data.

Abstract: An audio system attachable to a computer includes a sound reproduction device for producing audible sound from audio signals. The sound reproduction device includes a radio tuner and a powered speaker. The audio system further includes a connector for connecting the sound reproduction device with a computer. The computer provides audio signals from a plurality of sources, the sources including a computer CD player, digitally encoded computer files stored on the computer, and a computer network connected to the computer. The sound reproduction device further includes control buttons for controlling at least one of the computer CD player, the digitally encoded computer files and the computer network.

Abstract: An apparatus including a home automation system, a memory device of the home automation system containing a plurality of musical performances, a processor that recognizes a command from a user to play one of a plurality of musical performances and a processor that receives a verbal input at least partially mimicking a portion of one or more of the plurality of musical performances from the user, matches the verbal input with one or more of the plurality of musical performances and plays a matching musical performance.

Abstract: Methods and systems described herein relate to management of media playback based on media preferences. A computing device may receive data indicating that a media item is available to be played by a media playback system. A media preference associated with the media item may then be identified based on the received data. The media preference may be identified in a preference database. Based on the media preference, the computing device determines whether the media item is or is not to be played by the media playback system. If a determination is made that the media item is not to be played, the computing device sends to the media playback system, an indication that the media item is not to be played. If a determination is made that the media item is to be played, the computing device causes the media item to be played by the media playback system.

Abstract: Sensor data generated by one or more sensors associated with a digital content playback device can be used to identify that a modification to a current audio content item being supplied to a user by the digital content playback device is indicated. The current audio content item can be modified accordingly. Methods, systems, articles of manufacture and the like are also described.

Abstract: An audio speaker having a suspension system including a surround to support a diaphragm within a frame and to reduce non-pistonic motion of the diaphragm at several resonant frequencies is disclosed. More particularly, embodiments of the surround include a film that undulates in a peripheral direction around the diaphragm and includes several undulations above and below a radial gap between the diaphragm and the frame. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A vibration unit for an acoustic arrangement includes an encircling frame, a vibration member, and a weaving suspension extended between the vibration member and the encircling frame for enabling the vibration member to be reciprocatingly moved. The weaving suspension includes a plurality of reinforcing ribs radially and outwardly extended from the vibration member to the encircling frame to form a weaving-like structure, such that the vibration member is prohibited to move along a rib extending direction of each of the reinforcing ribs to ensure the vibration member to be reciprocatingly moved in a linear direction.

Abstract: Examples described herein involve maintaining a database of audio processing algorithms. Maintaining the database may involve generating or updating audio processing algorithm entries. In one example, generating an audio processing algorithm may involve a computing device causing a playback device to play a first audio signal in a playback zone, receiving (i) data indicating one or more characteristics of a playback zone, and (ii) data indicating a second audio signal detected by a microphone of the playback device in the playback zone. Based on the second audio signal and a characteristic of the playback device, an audio processing algorithm may be determined. The an association between the determined audio processing algorithm at least one of the one or more characteristics of the playback zone may be stored in the database.

Abstract: An example method involves monitoring, by a computing device, a communications feed for an indication of media and detecting, in the communications feed, the indication of the media. The method may further involve identifying at least one media item corresponding to the indication of the media and causing a playback queue of a media playback system to include one or more of the identified at least one media item.

Abstract: A listening device processes an electric input sound signal and provides an output stimulus perceivable to a wearer of the listening device as sound, the listening device comprising a signal processing unit for processing an information signal originating from the electric input sound signal and to provide a processed output signal forming the basis for generating said output stimulus. A perception unit establishes a perception measure indicative of the wearer's present ability to perceive said information signal. A signal interface communicates the perception measure to another person or device.