Abstract: The directivity of a loudspeaker describes how sound produced by the speaker varies with angle and frequency. Low-frequency sound tends to be relatively omnidirectional, while high-frequency sound tends to be more strongly directional. Because the two ears of a listener are in different spatial positions, the direction-dependent performance of the speakers can produce unwanted differences in volume or spectral content between the two ears. For example, high-frequency sounds may appear to be muffled in one ear, compared to the other. A multi-speaker sound system can employ binaural directivity compensation, which can compensate for directional variations in performance of each speaker, and can reduce or eliminate the difference in volume or spectral content between the left and right ears of a listener. The binaural directivity compensation can optionally be included with spatial audio processing, such as crosstalk cancellation, or can optionally be included with loudspeaker equalization.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for encoding audio events as geo-referenced audio events for use in location establishment. Methods may include: receiving first audio data from a first sensor; identifying, within the first audio data, a first audio event, where the first audio event satisfies at least one predefined criteria; identifying a location corresponding to the first audio event; encoding the first audio event in a database to correspond to the location; receiving second audio data from a second sensor; identifying, within the second audio data, a second audio event; correlating the second audio event with the first audio event; and providing the location in response to the second audio data. The at least one criteria may include a statistically significant change in amplitude in the audio data.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a radio and method for automatically adjusting, in response to ambient noise, the volume setting of a radio. The radio comprises a microphone for receiving ambient audio and generating a microphone signal; a codec for receiving the microphone signal and generating a processor signal representative of the ambient audio; and processor circuitry operable to receive the processor signal, determine an ambient audio level in response to the processor signal, and determine an adjusted radio volume to generate a radio volume control signal, wherein the adjusted radio volume is determined by calculating a difference between a baseline volume level and ambient audio level and adding a current volume level setting, wherein the codec is also operable to receive the radio volume control signal and generate an output signal to adjust the radio volume setting to maintain a net difference between the adjusted radio volume and ambient audio.

Abstract: A method for detecting ambient noise to change the playing voice frequency and a sound playing device thereof are disclosed. The method includes the following steps: obtaining an input voice; detecting an ambient noise, and analyzing a noise frequency range of the ambient noise; determining whether a consonant frequency range of the input voice falls within the noise frequency range; if yes, adjusting the frequency of the consonant of the input voice to avoid the noise frequency range to form a modified voice; and playing an output voice, wherein the output voice includes the modified voice.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing modified reverb techniques for audio signals are described. The method may involve receiving an audio signal, a modal reverb effect to be applied to the audio signal, and an indication of a plurality of frequencies. Modes of vibration of a space simulated by the reverb effect may be separated into a set of frequencies included in the input, and a set frequencies not included in the input. The modal reverb effect may be modified by separately adjusting the separate sets of modes of vibration. The modified effect may then be applied to the audio signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for introducing loudspeaker harmonic nonlinearities to a signal without outputting the signal as audio or sound through a loudspeaker and recording the output audio or sound. The device includes a resistive element and an inductive element. The resistive element includes a hollow core and a first wire wound around the hollow core in a first direction. The inductive element is inserted within the hollow core of the resistive element, and includes a metal-based core and a second wire wound around the metal-based core in an opposite second direction. A signal or current is first passed through the inductive element, creating electromagnetic distortion between the resistive element and the inductive element that simulates inductance of the loudspeaker voice-coil. The electromagnetic distortion alters the signal by introducing harmonic nonlinearities into the signal.

Abstract: A thermal excitation acoustic-wave-generating device includes a first acoustic wave source that includes a first heating element and a substrate that includes a main surface along which the first heating element is disposed, a second acoustic wave source that includes a second heating element and a facing body that includes a main surface along which the second heating element is disposed, and a pair of electrodes connected to the first and second heating elements. The first and second acoustic wave sources are arranged such that the first and second heating elements are separated from each other and face each other. The pair of electrodes are disposed between the first and second acoustic wave sources.

Abstract: The technology described in this document can be embodied in a computer-implemented method of controlling a wearable audio device configured to provide an audio output. The method includes receiving data indicating the wearable audio device is proximate a geographic location associated with a localized audio message, and determining that the localized audio message has a higher priority compared to at least one other localized audio message associated with another geographical location proximate to the wearable audio device. The method also includes, responsive to determining that the localized audio message has the higher priority, providing a prompt to initiate playback of the localized audio message with the higher priority to a user of the wearable audio device, and initiating playback of the localized audio message with the higher priority at the wearable audio device in response to actuation of the prompt by the user.

Abstract: System for automatic right-left ear detection for headphone comprising: first earcup and second earcup that are identical. Each of first and second earcups includes: first microphone located on perimeter of each earcup, when first earcup is worn on user's right ear first microphone of first earcup is at location farthest from user's mouth when headphone is worn in normal wear position; second microphone located on perimeter of each earcup, when first earcup is worn on user's right ear, second microphone of first earcup is at location closer than first microphone of first earcup to user's mouth; third microphone located inside each earcup facing user's ear cavity, fourth microphone located at perimeter and bottom center portion of each earcup and facing exterior of each earcup, and fifth microphone located on perimeter of each earcup above and to left of second microphone when looking at outside housing of each earcup.

Abstract: Embodiments include fenestration units with active sound canceling properties, retrofit units with active sound canceling properties and related methods. In an embodiment a fenestration unit with active sound canceling properties can include an glazing unit including an exterior transparent pane, an interior transparent pane, and an internal space disposed between the exterior and interior transparent panes. The fenestration unit can include an active noise cancellation system including an exterior module including a sound input device and a signal emitter. An interior module can include a signal receiver to receive the signal from the signal emitter, and a vibration generator configured to vibrate the interior transparent pane. A sound cancellation control module can control the vibration generator to vibrate the interior transparent pane and generate pressure waves causing destructive interference with a portion of the sound waves received by the sound input device.

Abstract: A mechanical connection is provided for a microelectromechanical and/or nanoelectromechanical device for measuring a variation in pressure. The device includes a fixed component extending in a main plane, a mobile component to move or deform in an out-of-plane direction under effect of a variation in pressure, and a detector of movement or deformation having at least one mobile element.

Abstract: A method and system dynamically adjusts the audio of an audio and video signal to improve its overall sound quality and dialog intelligibility. Some embodiments use gain, equalization, audio signal compression and spatial enhancement (reverb) on individual channels of a multichannel audio signal.

Abstract: A noise cancellation technique is presented with improved frequency resolution. The method includes: acquiring a digitized noise signal from an environment in which the audio signal stream is present; receiving a data sample from the digitized noise signal; appending one or more additional samples to the data sample to form a series of samples, where magnitude for each of the one or more additional samples is substantially zero; computing a frequency domain representation of the series of samples in the frequency domain; shifting the frequency domain representation of the series of samples in time using the digital processor circuit, thereby producing a shifted frequency domain representation of the series of samples; converting the shifted frequency domain representation of the series of samples to time domain to form a portion of an anti-noise signal; and outputting the anti-noise signal into the audio signal stream to abate the noise through destructive interference.

Abstract: A sensor pod assembly comprising a gel pad, a gel pad cap, a piezoelectric sensor, a base plate, a base plate support, a wiring harness, a battery, a noise attenuating backing, and a charging component; said gel pad comprising a top and bottom, said bottom having a flat bottom and a concave recess; said flat bottom acoustically contacting said piezoelectric sensor; said piezoelectric sensor secured to a first side of said base plate support, and a second side of said base plate support secured to said base plate, a wiring harness and a battery connected to said base plate, and a charging component having exposed annular rings on the exterior side of said sensor pod assembly; a noise attenuating backing compressing the charging component against the base plate; and a gel pad cap having an outer face and an inner face, said inner face in contact with said base plate support.

Abstract: A mixing device of a first signal and a second signal on a time-frequency plane, includes a control signal generation unit to generate a control signal indicating whether to perform prioritized mixing that includes amplification of the first signal and attenuation of the second signal; and a gain derivation unit to derive a first gain for amplifying the first signal and a second gain for attenuating the second signal based on the control signal. The control signal takes at least a first value and a second value different from the first value, wherein the first value is not continuous beyond a predetermined bandwidth on a frequency axis. The mixing device applies the prioritized mixing to the first and second signals when the control signal indicates the first value, and applies simple addition to the first and second signals when the control signal indicates the second value.

Abstract: Systems and methods can provide an elevated, virtual loudspeaker source in a three-dimensional soundfield using loudspeakers in a horizontal plane. In an example, a processor circuit can receive at least one height audio signal that includes information intended for reproduction using a loudspeaker that is elevated relative to a listener, and optionally offset from the listener's facing direction by a specified azimuth angle. A first virtual height filter can be selected for use based on the specified azimuth angle. A virtualized audio signal can be generated by applying the first virtual height filter to the at least one height audio signal. When the virtualized audio signal is reproduced using one or more loudspeakers in the horizontal plane, the virtualized audio signal can be perceived by the listener as originating from an elevated loudspeaker source that corresponds to the azimuth angle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting proximity of a wireless listening device to a user's ear comprise a housing adapted for positioning in and/or adjacent to an ear canal of a user, wireless components disposed within the housing, the wireless components operable to receive a wireless signal from a host device, and in-ear detection components operable to analyze the wireless signal and detect a proximity of the housing to the ear canal of the user. The in-ear detection components may include a differentiator operable to receive a gain of the wireless signal and output a rate of change of the gain, a comparator operable to output a proximity state if the rate of change is greater than a threshold value, wherein the proximity state includes an in-ear state and an open-air state, and false detection components operable to analyze the wireless signal to confirm the determined proximity state for an interval of time.

Abstract: A metamaterial loudspeaker diaphragm is disclosed. The diaphragm includes a cone structure having a periodic arrangement of two dissimilar materials, e.g., soft and hard, in an alternating periodic pattern to achieve an anisotropic structure, which results in passive amplification of the sound. The anisotropic cone structure includes a baseline cone material and a different, compatible second material. The cone includes a body having a conical cross-section, an interior side, an exterior side, and concentric circles of material alternating between a soft material and a rigid material. Circumferential grooves disposed within the concentric circles include rigid material. Concentric circles including rigid material line the interior side of the body. Substantially all the soft material of the concentric circles is disposed on the exterior side of the cone. Spokes disposed on the exterior side of the cone extend from a base toward a vertex of the cone.

Abstract: An adaptive noise filtering system and method detect sounds using a sensor onboard a vehicle system. A value of a signal associated with operation of the vehicle system is determined. One or more sounds detected by the sensor are filtered out based on the value of the signal that is determined. Operation of the vehicle system may be controlled using the remaining sound(s).

Abstract: A beamforming system comprises an input module, a phase-difference module, a delay distribution module, and a delay estimation module configured to make a final delay estimation based on the delay distribution. The final delay estimation is applied to align one of two selected channels and combine the two channels to obtain a signal of interest. The phase-difference module calculates phase differences for a range of frequency bins. The delay estimation module considers all possible delays derived from the phase differences, including multiples of ±2? to overcome the ambiguity in high frequency bins when the spacing between two acoustic sensors is longer than the half of the wavelengths.