Abstract: An exemplary low-profile loudspeaker can be provided having an enclosure volume defined between a bottom and an outer wall with an outer periphery configured to suspend such membrane in the center, and excite the membrane at the periphery. An exemplary loudspeaker membrane can also be provided with a suspension path along which to suspend the membrane in a loudspeaker and with an excitation path along which to excite the membrane to produce sound when suspended and excited. The membrane can have an outward face for radiating sound and opposite an inward face for facing towards a volume of a loudspeaker, the membrane having a plurality of structure paths each single structure path substantially extending between the excitation path and the suspension path and along each individual structure path being non-flush structures to the otherwise flush outward face.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device 10 for processing mixed audio data, including decomposing in real-time with low latency, in which a continuous stream of mixed audio data is received from an audio source 14, a first chunk of the stream of mixed audio data is loaded into a buffer, the audio data contained in the buffer is decomposed to obtain first decomposed audio data representing audio signals of a predetermined timbre, and a first chunk of output data is obtained from the first decomposed audio data, preferably for direct playback via speaker 26.

Abstract: An earpiece is configured for providing audiometric testing. The earpiece includes an earpiece housing, an intelligent control system disposed within the earpiece housing, at least one transducer operatively connected to the intelligent control, and at least one speaker operatively connected to the intelligent control. The earpiece is configured to perform audiometric testing of a user by reproducing sounds at the at least one transducer and receiving user feedback regarding the sounds to provide audiometric test data.

Abstract: Example techniques are provided for controlling volume of A/V devices using an improved volume control. The volume control may be implemented as a slider, where the sliding element is temporarily slid in response to user input (e.g., touched and dragged by the user), but then automatically “snaps” back to the center of the slider's range when the user input ends (e.g., is released by the user). Movement of the element from the center is interpreted as a relative volume adjustment, with the rate of volume change being proportional to the distance between the center of the range and the temporary position of the element. An indicator is provided indicating the rate, to provide user feedback. The volume control may be utilized as a master volume control in a home automation system.

Abstract: When a hearing device is determined to be capable of being of being paired with each of a plurality of appliances, a one of the plurality of appliances is automatically selected for an attempted pairing with the hearing device. The one of the plurality of appliances is selected using priority information that has been associated with each of the plurality of appliances. One the one of the plurality of appliances has been selected; the hearing device is caused to automatically attempt to pair with the selected one of the plurality of appliances.

Abstract: The specification and drawings present a new method, apparatus and software related product (e.g., a computer readable memory or a storage device) for automatically stabilizing a volume of different audio streams/contents to predefined boundary levels which may be requested by a user. According to an embodiment, an automated volume control feature may allow a user to set the highest level of volume for any audio stream played on a user's device for automatically adjusting the incoming audio content volume of audio streams not to exceed at least the highest level of volume set as the maximum threshold volume.

Abstract: An audio codec circuit includes: an audio processing circuit; an output driver circuit for generating an analog output signal based on the output of the audio processing circuit; an analog signal pin for outputting the analog output signal to an active amplifier; a multifunction signal pin for providing different signal transmission functionalities according to the configuration of the audio processing circuit; at least one de-pop switch arranged between the analog signal pin and a first fixed-voltage terminal or between the multifunction signal pin and a second fixed-voltage terminal; and a de-pop switch control circuit, coupled with the audio processing circuit and the at least one de-pop switch, arranged to operably control the at least one de-pop switch based on the instruction from the audio processing circuit.

Abstract: A vibration module for applying vibrational tractions to a wearer's skin is presented. Use of the vibration module in headphones is illustrated for providing tactile sensations of low frequency for music, for massage, and for electrical recording and stimulation of the wearer. Damped, planar, electromagnetically-actuated vibration modules of the moving magnet type are presented in theory and reduced to practice, and shown to provide a substantially uniform frequency response over the range 40-200 Hz with a minimum of unwanted audio.

Abstract: A vibration module for applying vibrational tractions to a wearer's skin is presented. Use of the vibration module in headphones is illustrated for providing tactile sensations of low frequency for music, for massage, and for electrical recording and stimulation of the wearer. Damped, planar, electromagnetically-actuated vibration modules of the moving magnet type are presented in theory and reduced to practice, and shown to provide a substantially uniform frequency response over the range 40-200 Hz with a minimum of unwanted audio.

Abstract: An audio system includes a transducer assembly, an audio sensor, and a controller. The transducer assembly is coupled to a back of an auricle of an ear of the user. The transducer assembly vibrates the auricle over a frequency range to cause the auricle to create an acoustic pressure wave in accordance with vibration instructions. The acoustic sensor detects the acoustic pressure wave at an entrance of the ear of the user. The controller dynamically adjusts a frequency response model based in part on the detected acoustic pressure wave, updates the vibration instructions using the adjusted frequency response model, and provides the updated vibration instructions to the transducer assembly.

Abstract: An adjustable sensor mount and associated headset that may include a band with circumaural earcups and cushions may be configured to position a sensor forward of the tragus of a user. The headset may include a speaker, a microphone, and a controller. The mount may include a base configured for sliding engagement with the cushion and a sensor holder secured to the base and configured to receive the sensor. The base may be made of a generally C-shaped resilient plastic or metal material. The holder may be pivotably secured and/or slide relative to the base. The holder may include a support arm that slides and/or pivots relative to the base and receives a housing adapted to secure the sensor. The housing may slide and/or rotate relative to the support arm, and may have an elastomeric covering. Sensor signals may be processed to provide a gating signal for the microphone.

Abstract: A method including determining and tracking a position of an observed sound source to an observation point at an audio monitoring device; determining an identifier for the observed sound source based upon the determined and tracked position of the observed sound source; receiving distributed audio capture application signals at the audio monitoring device, where the distributed audio capture application signals include at least one audio mixing parameter for individual audio object channels and identifiers for respective audio objects of the individual audio object channels; and associating a first one of the individual audio object channels with the observed sound source based upon the received identifier of the first individual audio object channel and the determined identifier.

Abstract: A speaker system is provided with a docking station, a removable housing mounted to the docking station, and a transducer supported by the removable housing. The speaker system is also provided with a processor supported by the removable housing and programmed to separate an audio signal into channels and provide at least one channel to the transducer based a location of the removable housing relative to the docking station.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided for recording high output power levels of sound at low sound pressure levels. For example, an apparatus comprises an enclosure, a speaker disposed within the enclosure, a microphone disposed within the enclosure, and an evacuation port. The evacuation port is configured to connect to a system that reduces a pressure level within the enclosure to a level that is less than an ambient air pressure level outside the enclosure. The enclosure is sealed or otherwise configured to provide a sealed enclosure, to maintain the reduced air pressure within the enclosure. The speaker can be driven by an amplifier at high output power levels to generate a distorted sound of an amplified electric musical instrument for recording purposes, while the reduced pressure level within the enclosure serves to attenuate the sound pressure level and perceived loudness which emanates from the speaker.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for receiving a voice command and determining an appropriate action for the media playback system to execute based on user identification. The systems and methods receive a voice command for a media playback system, and determines whether the voice command was received from a registered user of the media playback system. In response to determining that the voice command was received from a registered user, the systems and methods configure an instruction for the media playback system based on content from the voice command and information in a user profile for the registered user.

Abstract: An earpiece including an intra-auricular support positionable in an auricle of an ear, a portion of the intra-auricular support configured as an intra-auricular support base securable to an earphone housing of an earphone.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed, which include or present “soundscapes” in or for online mapping utilities. To obtain the data for such soundscapes, along with cameras for visual images, a microphone array can be mounted on a vehicle to record sounds along the streets travelled for linking to an online map. A speech recognition algorithm is used to identify private conversations and remove them from the recording. The systems and methods for accomplishing this task include use of an array of microphones mounted in a special pattern with special materials on top of the vehicle to record sounds as the vehicle travels through space and time. A set of signal processing algorithms is also used to process the microphone signals autonomously in real-time, allowing the operator to immediately review them for quality assurance.

Abstract: A headset includes a circumaural assembly having an adjustable sensor mount configured to secure a sensor forward of the tragus of a user. The mount is movable relative to the assembly to position the sensor in contact with or proximal to the user skin. The mount may extend from an interior side or flat component of the assembly into an opening of a circumaural cushion. The sensor mount may include a resilient support arm or structure extending from behind a circumaural cushion, or integrated into the cushion, to urge the sensor into contact with the user. The mount may include a spring-biased rotatable knob having an eccentrically located aperture configured to secure the sensor, and rotatable to position the sensor. Sensor signals may be processed to detect blood flow, heart rate, etc. and/or movement, such as jaw movement indicative of talking for use in automatically muting an associated microphone.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an apparatus, system, and method for generating a head related audio transfer function in real time. Specifically, the present invention utilizes unique structural components including a tragus structure and an antihelix structure in connection with a microphone in order to communicate the location of a sound in three dimensional space to a user. The invention also utilizes an audio processor to digitally process the head related audio transfer function.

Abstract: Earphone assemblies with wingtips are provided for anchoring to a user during use. A wing may extend from and between two different ends coupled to a housing of an earphone, while each of the at least one flex arm may extend along the wing. At least one flex arm may be rigid enough to prevent at least a portion of the wing from bending out of a plane of the wing such that a portion of the wing may maintain a functional position under and/or behind at least a portion of a crus of an anti-helix of a user's ear to anchor the earphone to the user's ear during use, while at least a portion of the wing may be flexible enough to provide comfort to the user's ear.