Abstract: A first playback device may include a processor and data storage including program code that, when executed by the processor, causes the first playback device to: playback a first audio content in synchrony with at least one second playback device; receive a command to play back a second audio content; stop playback of the first audio content based on the received command; and after stopping playback of the first audio content, play back the second audio content for a predefined duration of time. The program code may then cause the first playback device to: (i) after playing back the second audio content, resume playback of the first audio content in synchrony with the at least one second playback device, or (ii) play back the second audio content in synchrony with the at least one second playback device.

Abstract: A computerized method for engaging a user of a mobile computer system, The mobile computer system may be connectible to a server over a wide area network. An audio signal of ambient audio is autonomously sampled in the vicinity of the mobile computer system to capture one or more audio samples of the audio signal. The multiple samples of the audio signal are autonomously sampled without requiring any interaction from the user, thus avoiding an input from the user to capture each of the samples. The audio sample may be processed to extract an audio signature of the audio sample. The audio signature may be compared with multiple previously stored reference audio signatures. Upon matching the audio signature with at least one reference audio signature a matched reference audio signature may be produced.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for providing play/pause content. An example method includes receiving a command to play audio from a zone, the zone including one or more playback devices, wherein the zone is configured to play items from a playback queue responsive to the command to play audio. The example method also includes determining that the playback queue includes no playable items. The example method also includes automatically placing information identifying at least one playable item in the playback queue. The example method also includes, responsive to the command to play audio, causing to play the at least one playable item by the zone.

Abstract: My innovative idea to create, program and provide manufactured boomboxes/car stereos with capabilities to record, play, pause, rewind, fast forward and save live radio feeds.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein involve selecting a coordinator device for multichannel playback by a bonded zone. The bonded zone may be configured such that playback devices in the bonded zone may each be configured to render different components, such as a right channel component or a left channel component of media content being rendered in synchrony by the bonded zone. Selecting the coordinator device for the bonded zone may involve analyzing a wireless interface performance metric of a first playback device in the bonded zone, receiving a wireless interface performance metric of a second playback device in the bonded zone, comparing the wireless interface performance metrics of the two playback devices, selecting one of the two playback devices as the coordinator device, and causing the selected playback device to become the coordinator, or “primary” player of the bonded zone.

Abstract: A method for simultaneous playback of audio tracks from digital transceiver devices, which are adapted to define a communication network. The digital devices store audio tracks to be played. One of the digital devices is actuated as a Master device (M) and the remaining N digital devices as Slave devices. The master device generates a pilot signal by selecting a pilot audio track to be played from among stored audio tracks and by adding a synchronization frequency (fS) to the pilot audio track, having an assigned value that falls out of the sound wave frequency range. The Slave devices receive a pilot portion of the pilot signal and extract the synchronization frequency and the received part of the pilot audio track. The slave devices use the pilot to identify a stored track to be played using the synchronization frequency as a sampling frequency.

Abstract: An electronic device may contain an input-output device such as a speaker, vibrator, or near field communications antenna. The input-output device may include an inductor. The inductor in the input-output device may be shared by wireless charging circuitry in the electronic device so that wireless charging signals can be converted into power to charge a battery in the electronic device. A separate inductor may also be provided within an input-output device to support wireless charging. A drive circuit may supply drive signals to the input-output device such as audio signals, vibrator control signals, or near field communications output signals for external near field communications equipment. An input amplifier that is coupled across the inductor in the input-output device may be used in receiving near field communications signals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a plate speaker, and more particularly, to a guide damper intended for a plate speaker and made of a flexible synthetic resin material. The guide damper for a voice coil plate for a plate speaker includes: a coil plate bonding part made of a flexible synthetic resin material and having an integrated structure, wherein the coil plate bonding part has a groove in the lengthwise direction thereof such that the voice coil plate is seated on the central portion thereof; an outer frame having a closed loop shape and adhering to a base frame defining the outer shape of the plate speaker, wherein the outer frame defines the outer shape of the damper; and a damper bridge connecting each of the left and right sides of the coil plate bonding part to the outer frame, wherein the damper bridge provides damping between the coil plate bonding part and the outer frame.

Abstract: A flat-type speaker having a damper-lead plate of a PCB voice coil plate includes a pair of magnetic bodies having a magnet and a yoke formed side-by-side, separated at a predetermined interval; a voice coil plate inserted between the magnetic bodies, and having printed thereon a voice coil with a spiral pattern; a first damper-lead plate physically separated from a second damper-lead plate, each having +, ? terminals formed on the front ends thereof, the first and the second damper-lead plates each equipped with a coil plate spline, which adheres to the upper end of the voice coil plate, and at least one wing spline having one end thereof connected to the coil plate spline and the other end connected to the terminals; and a vibration plate, which vibrates from the vibration received from the voice coil plate, while being contacted to the upper end portion of the damper-lead plate.

Abstract: A flat-type speaker includes a voice coil plate, a pair of magnetic bodies having a magnet and a yoke formed side by side, separated at a predetermined interval; the voice coil plate being in a space between the magnetic bodies, and having printed thereon a voice coil with a spiral pattern; a vibration-lead plate having physically separated first and second vibration-lead plates, each having +, ? terminals formed on the front ends thereof, the first and the second vibration-lead plates each equipped with a coil plate spline, which adheres to the upper end of the voice coil plate, and at least one wing spline having one end thereof connected to the coil plate spline and the other end connected to the terminals; and a vibration plate, which vibrates from the vibration received from the voice coil plate, while being contacted to the upper end portion of the vibration-lead plate.

Abstract: A circuit for correcting the output of an audio level meter comprises input means for generating the square or the absolute value of an input signal, a low pass filter having a predetermined attack time and release time, and output means for converting the output signal from a linear scale to a logarithmic scale. The circuit further comprises a correction means to which an information about whether the input signal to the audio level meter was subject to squaring or converting into an absolute value at the input, as well as the attack and release time of the low pass filter, are supplied as input values, and which provides, at its output, a value representing the difference between the output of the audio level meter and the true signal power of the input signal.

Abstract: An ultrasonic audio speaker includes an emitter and a driver. The emitter can include a first layer having a conductive surface; a second layer having a conductive surface; and an insulating layer disposed between the first and second conductive surfaces, wherein the first and second layers are disposed in touching relation to the insulating layer. The driver circuit can include two inputs configured to be coupled to receive an audio modulated ultrasonic signal from an amplifier and two outputs, wherein a first output is coupled to the conductive surface of the first layer and the second output is coupled to the conductive surface of the second layer. Either one or both of the conductive surfaces of the first and second layers may be graphene.

Abstract: Embodiments are described herein that provide numerous volume enhancements to a media playback system, especially for use by a system that contains two or more zone players that are capable of being grouped to form a synchronous audio playback group.

Abstract: Disclosed is a three-way call detection system and method for use with a telephone management system. Specifically, a three-way call detection system and method for detecting continuous noise indicative of an attempt to mask a three-way call attempt. The continuous noise detection system and method may be stand alone or used in conjunction with any existing three-way call detection system and method.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for causing a playback device to pre-cache audio content in anticipation that a user will provide input to cause the playback device to render the audio content. The playback device may be configured to detect, using a proximity sensor on the playback device, movement in relation to the playback device, responsively retrieve audio content by the playback device from a networked audio source, prior to receiving a user command to play the audio content, storing the audio content in memory on the playback device, and cause the playback device to render the audio content upon receiving the user command. The audio content that may be pre-cached may be local audio content stored, on a local memory storage device, network audio content stored on a remote memory storage device, and accessed over a network, or streaming content retrieved over the Internet.

Abstract: A MEMS microphone includes a first diaphragm element, a counter electrode element, and a low pressure region between the first diaphragm element and the counter electrode element. The low pressure region has a pressure less than an ambient pressure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for objectively assessing acoustical performance of an in-ear device having a passageway extending there through use a dual microphone probe that removably engages the passageway. The acoustical performance of the in-ear device is performed with the in-ear device inserted into the ear canal of the user and a reference sound source. A clip holding the probe in an acoustic near field of the sound source permits real time calibration thereof. The method and apparatus allow on-site and in-situ measurement of a predicted personal attenuation rating of the device, a subject-fit re-insertion test, an acoustic seal test, a rating test, a stability and reliability test, as well as a protection test of the device with an assessment of a filtered predicted exposure level at the ear for a specific noise exposure level. The apparatus may be simply housed along with the sound source for in-field evaluation tests.

Abstract: A method includes implementing an audio framework to be executed on a data processing device with a virtual audio driver component and a User Mode Component (UMC) communicatively coupled to each other. The virtual audio driver component enables modifying an original default audio endpoint device of an application executing on the data processing device to an emulated audio device associated with a new audio endpoint in response to an initiation through the application in conjunction with the UMC. The virtual audio driver component also enables registering the new audio endpoint as the modified default audio endpoint with an operating system executing on the data processing device. Further, the virtual audio driver component enables capturing audio data intended for the original default audio endpoint device at the new audio endpoint following the registration thereof to enable control of the audio data.

Abstract: The present invention provides hearing systems and methods that provide an improved high frequency response. The high frequency response improves the signal-to-noise ratio of the hearing system and allows for preservation and transmission of high frequency spatial localization cues.

Abstract: A visual indicator is incorporated into an ultrasonic emitter/sound system for ultrasonic carrier audio applications. The visual indicator can be utilized to ensure that an orientation of the ultrasonic emitter is appropriate relative to a position of an intended target of the audio modulated ultrasonic carrier signal, or that a listener is appropriately located relative to the ultrasonic emitter such that it can receive a targeted audio transmission.