Abstract: An audio speaker includes a glass, a light emitting device, a filter device, and a vibration device. The glass includes light scattering patterns and guides incoming light onto the light scattering patterns. The light emission device includes light emitting members and a control member. The filter device translates an audio signal to a control signal taking account of a plurality of different frequency bands, and transmits the control signals to the vibration device and the light emission device. The vibration device translates the control signals to controlled current applied to the light emitting members. The light intensities of the light emitting member relate to the controlled current and correspond to a height of illumination of the light scattering patterns.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein involve selecting a coordinator device for multichannel playback by a first playback device and a second playback device are joined into a zone group of playback devices that are configured to render audio content from an audio source in synchrony. An example implementation may involve determining that a wireless interface performance metric of the first playback device exceeds a wireless interface performance metric of the second playback device. Based on such a determination, the first playback device and the second playback device may be configured as a group coordinator and a group member of the zone group, respectively. The group coordinator (a) receives the audio content from the audio source, and (b) forwards at least a portion of the received audio content to a group member during rendering of the audio content by the zone group of playback devices.

Abstract: An audio system of a vehicle includes a detection module configured to detect an occurrence of a sound when a pressure measured by an exhaust pressure sensor in an exhaust system is greater than a predetermined pressure. A sound control module is configured to, in response to the detection of the sound, increase a magnitude of a predetermined sound to be output within a passenger cabin of the vehicle. An audio driver module is configured to apply power to a speaker of the passenger cabin of the vehicle based on the predetermined sound.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for causing a playback device to pre-cache audio content in a playback queue. An example implementation involves a playback device detecting by a sensor on the playback device, movement in relation to the playback device. In response to detecting the movement, the playback device identifies a particular media item in a playback queue associated with the playback device. Prior to receiving a user command to play the media item, the playback device stores at least a portion of the particular media item in memory on the playback device.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a receiver comprising an outer housing that consists of a first housing, a second housing and a third housing fitting to each other from top to bottom. The third housing is an integral structure, and includes a magnetic conductive piece and a plastic piece integrally injection-molded therewith. The magnetic conductive piece is bonded and fixed with a magnet and a washer. The magnetic conductive piece, the magnet and the washer together form a magnetic circuit system of the receiver, and the third housing is fixed with the second housing by ultrasonic welding through the plastic piece. The receiver of the present invention can realize one-step assembly of the rear cavity housing of the product, simplify the production process of the product, save the production time, and further reduce the production cost of the product.

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: A method of operating a hearing aid system with virtually zero delay and phase distortion. The invention also provides a hearing aid system (100) adapted for carrying out such a method.

Abstract: A system for playing media content items operates to provide smooth transitions between the media content items to continuously support a user's repetitive motion activity. The system can generate crossfade data containing information for transitions between media content items. The mix-in and mix-out points for the transitions are calculated to eliminate one or more portions of media content items that have lower musical energy than a majority portion of the items, and to maintain substantially consistent and/or stable musical energy (e.g., audio power or sound power) throughout the media content items including transitions therebetween.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein involve facilitating synchronous playback in a media playback system that includes a first media device and a second media device. An example implementation involves receiving an instruction to form a zone group that includes the first media device and the second media device. The implementation further involves comparing first network performance metrics corresponding to a network interface of the first media device to second network performance metrics corresponding to a network interface of the second media device. The implementation also involves identifying the first media device as a group coordinator of the zone group based on the comparison. Based on identifying the first media device as the group coordinator, the first media device is configured to provide data indicating audio content and audio content playback timing information to the second media device to facilitate synchronous playback of the audio content as the zone group.

Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein may provide for processing audio with increased loudness and dynamics. A first clock frequency associated with a digital audio file may be increased to a second clock frequency, which speeds up the playback of the audio. The digital audio file may then be converted to analog at the higher second frequency, where it is further modified in the analog domain. The analog audio is then converted back into digital audio at the second clock frequency. The clock frequency is then decreased back to the first clock frequency for playback or storage of the processed (i.e., modified or manipulated) digital audio file. Alternatively, the entire process can take place in the digital domain.

Abstract: A method of controlling audio speaker settings in a vehicle with a rear row of seating comprises: requesting an operator of the vehicle to make a choice between a first option, wherein the vehicle automatically controls audio speaker settings based on a dynamically determined occupancy state of the rear row of seating, and a second option, wherein the vehicle recommends audio speaker settings to the operator based on the dynamically determined occupancy state; dynamically determining the occupancy state; if the operator chooses the first option, then automatically controlling audio speaker settings based on the dynamically determined occupancy state; and if the operator chooses the second option, then providing recommended audio speaker settings to the operator based on the dynamically determined occupancy state. The audio speaker settings include volume.

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 described herein that provide numerous volume enhancements to a media playback system. An example implementation involves a playback device playing audio content at a first volume level as part of a first audio playback group configuration, storing a first volume level in association with the first audio playback group configuration, joining a second audio playback group configuration, playing audio content at a second volume level as a part of the second audio playback group configuration, receiving a command to play audio content as part of the first audio playback group configuration, identifying the first volume level in the data storage; and playing audio content at the first volume level as part of the first audio playback group configuration.

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: The present invention discloses a synchronized audio playing method, apparatus, and system for playing audio synchronously. By outputting designated data using a designated data buffer area before arrival of the starting time point of synchronous playing so as to make an audio link in a stable state, the method shuns from the impact of factors like system process scheduling interruption and system hardware on synchronous playing, thereby enhancing the precision of synchronous playing; moreover, upon arrival of the starting time point of synchronous playing, by computing a tuning amount of the audio data in the local synchronization buffer area, adjusting the audio data in the local synchronization buffer area according to the tuning amount, and meanwhile performing output playing on the tuned audio data, the method achieves audio synchronization play.

Abstract: Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to provide media content are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes receiving an audio signal output by a first media presentation device, the audio signal being associated with first media content, decoding the audio signal to extract a code from the audio signal, the code identifying at least one of the first media content or a broadcaster of the first media content, setting a clock using a timestamp associated with the code, obtaining second media content based on the code and the timestamp, the second media content comprising a plurality of pieces of secondary content for respective ones of a plurality of timestamps, and presenting, at a second media presentation device, a first of the plurality of pieces of secondary media when its respective timestamp substantially corresponds to a time value obtained from the clock.

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 first playback device plays first audio content in synchrony with at least one second playback device. One or more commands is received that define a duration of time. The first playback device stops playback of the first audio content based on the received one or more commands. After stopping playback of the first audio content, second audio content is played for the duration of time defined by the one or more commands. After playing the second audio content for the duration of time, the first playback device resumes playback of the first audio content in synchrony with the at least one second playback device.

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: An example implementation may involve a first playback device rendering audio content. The example implementation may also involve the first playback device detecting that a second playback device has been connected to a playback system. After detecting that the second playback device has been connected to the playback system, the first playback device may determine a playback responsibility associated with the second playback device. The determined playback responsibility may include a grouping with the first playback device. After determining the playback responsibility associated with the second playback device, the first playback device may direct the second playback device to render the audio content.