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: 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 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: 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: 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 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.

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 system capable of synchronizing audio by determining a playback delay between when an audio sample is sent to and then output from a speaker. The system may generate a test signal configured to reach a saturation threshold and may send the test signal at a first time, followed by blank audio samples, from a first processor to a second processor to be output by the speaker. The second processor may detect that an audio sample exceeds a saturation threshold at a second time, generate a timestamp and send the timestamp to the first processor. The first processor may determine a playback delay between the first time and the second time and may also determine a number of blank audio samples sent between the first time and the second time. Using the playback delay and the number of blank audio samples, the system may generate audio using precise timing.

Abstract: A diaphragm ported tweeter includes a ring structure having an upper portion and a lower portion, and a dome-shaped diaphragm having a periphery secured to the upper portion of the ring structure and a concentrically positioned aperture at an apex of the dome-shaped diaphragm. The diaphragm ported tweeter also includes an acoustic duct having an open first end coupled to the aperture and a second open end extending away from the aperture. The diaphragm ported tweeter is configured as a Helmholtz resonator to increase an output level over a range of frequencies.

Abstract: A MEMS microphone may include a backplate comprising first and second electrodes electrically isolated from one another and mechanically coupled to the backplate in a fixed relationship relative to the backplate and a diaphragm configured to displace relative to the backplate as a function of sound pressure incident upon the diaphragm, the diaphragm comprising third and fourth electrodes electrically isolated from one another and mechanically coupled to the diaphragm in a fixed relationship relative to the diaphragm such that the third and fourth electrodes displace relative to the backplate as a function of sound pressure incident upon the diaphragm. The first and third electrodes may form a first capacitor and the second and fourth electrodes may form a second capacitor, the capacitance of each which may be a function of the displacement of the diaphragm, and each of which may be biased by an alternating-current voltage waveform.