Abstract: Two different and separate audio data streams are processed through a personal computer (PC) system or other computing device so that the separate and distinct audio data streams are heard through separate sound transducers. In a preferred embodiment, chat messages received over a network during execution of a multiplayer game are processed separately from sounds produced by the multiplayer game, enabling a user to hear the game sounds from speakers, separate and distinct from verbal chat messages, which are heard through earphone(s). The earphone(s) are included in a headset, as well as a microphone that enables the user to produce verbal data that are conveyed to a hardware control unit that is connected to the PC system through a universal serial bus (USB) port. The chat audio data are converted into an analog audio signal that is heard by the user in the headphone(s) and is spatially separate and distinct from the game audio data heard through the speakers.

Abstract: A mobile telephone handset comprising a radio telecommunications interface for wirelessly transmitting and receiving radio signals to and from a mobile telecommunications network is disclosed. The handset comprises first and second audio loudspeakers positioned to output audio from two different locations on the handset, wherein the first audio loudspeaker is mounted on a first portion and the second audio loudspeaker is mounted on a second, different portion, and wherein the first and second portions are movable from a first relative position in which the handset is compact and in which the audio loudspeakers are relatively closely spaced to a second relative position in which the audio loudspeakers are relatively widely spaced.

Abstract: A headset system is proposed including a headset unit to be worn by a user and having two or more microphones, and a base unit in wireless communication with the headset. Signals received from the microphones are processed using a first adaptive filter to enhance a target signal, and then divided and supplied to a second adaptive filter arranged to reduce interference signals and a third filter arranged to reduce noise. The outputs of the second and third filters are combined, and are be subject to further a processing in the frequency domain. The results are transmitted to a speech recognition engine.

Abstract: In order to suppress as much noise as possible in a hands-free device in a motor vehicle, for example, two microphones (M1, M2) are spaced a certain distance apart, the output signals (MS1, MS2) of which are added in an adder (AD) and subtracted in a subtracter (SU). The sum signal (S) of the adder (AD) undergoes a Fourier transform in a first Fourier transformer (F1), and the difference signal (D) of the subtracter (SU) undergoes a Fourier transform in a second Fourier transformer (F2). From the two Fourier transforms R(f) and D(f), a speech pause detector (P) detects speech pauses, during which a third arithmetic unit (R) calculates the transfer function HT of an adaptive transformation filter (TF). The transfer function of a spectral subtraction filter (SF), at the input of which the Fourier transform R(f) of the sum signal (S) is applied, is generated from the spectral power density Srr of the sum signal (S) and from the interference power density Snn generated by the adaptive transformation filter (TF).

Abstract: A tailored active noise control design method is presented that provides for improved noise attenuation performance for each individual user and improved hearing protection in a specified noise field as a function of a specified metric indicative of a noise reduction objection. Characteristics of individual users, behavior of the associated passive hearing protection, and the external noise environment are all concurrently accounted for in an automatic method for designing an active controller that limits the exposed noise level for a specific individual. The controller manufacturing process and implementation may be performed in-situ for each individual automatically. The design method may also account for actuator limitations and can be applied equally well to any passive/active noise control devices including headphones and earplugs.

Abstract: A volume circuit contains resistive ladder circuits, from which a desired fractional voltage output (Vs) is extracted and supplied to an amplifier to provide an output voltage (Vout). The resistive ladder circuits comprise multiple lines of series resistances, wherein each line contains a resistance portion ‘nR’ (where ‘n’ denotes a division index, and ‘R’ denotes an element resistance) that is connected in parallel with a next line, so that an overall resistance of following lines is ‘(n?1)×n’ times larger than the element resistance. Secondary resistive ladder circuits can be additionally arranged in series in order to control a secondary amplifier that absorbs excessive currents flowing into the resistive ladder circuits. The secondary resistive ladder circuits are constituted symmetrically with the resistive ladder circuits, in which output terminals (t1-t12) are all set to the same potential.

Abstract: A method and system for analyzing audio files is provided. Plural audio file feature vector values based on an audio file's content are determined and the audio file feature vectors are stored in a database that also stores other pre-computed audio file features. The process determines if the audio files feature vectors match the stored audio file vectors. The process also associates a plurality of known attributes to the audio file.

Abstract: First and second channel bridge amplifiers are dynamically configured to drive either speakers or headphones. The first channel bridge amplifier includes a first amplifier driving one end of a first speaker through a mechanical switch in a headphone-jack, and a second amplifier driving another end of the first speaker. The second channel bridge amplifier includes third and fourth amplifiers driving respective ends of a second speaker. An amplifier control circuit dynamically detects the insertion or removal of a plug in the jack and configures the amplifiers accordingly. When a plug is inserted into the jack, the mechanical switch disconnects the first speaker from the first amplifier, and the fourth amplifier is tri-stated disconnect the second speaker. The first and third amplifiers are configured to drive the first and second channels of the headphones, while the third amplifier drives the headphone common point (shield ring) as a virtual ground connection.

Abstract: A sound processing method and apparatus are provided, which are capable of performing sound processing on input audio signals containing a plurality of signal components being different in desired sound processing conditions, in a manner that allows natural sound to be reproduced. An input audio signal of at least one system is separated into a plurality of separated signal components, and each signal component of at least part of the plurality of separated signal components is subjected to individual sound processing according to the signal component, and the plurality of separated signal components are outputted as at least one audio signal after each signal component of the at least part thereof is subjected to the individual sound processing. The plurality of separated signal components are synthesized into a synthesized audio signal, which is then outputted, or alternatively, the plurality of separated signal components are outputted separately as audio signals.

Abstract: Multiple audio digital to analog converters (DACs) are provided to convert multiple digital audio streams to analog audio signals concurrently in a personal computer. Different digital audio streams are routed to each DAC and audio output device depending on priority, desired quality and the source of the audio stream.

Abstract: In an audio processing arrangement (2) input signals from a plurality of input sources (4,6) are weighted by weighting factors x and y using weighting elements (10, 12). The weighted input signals are combined to a combined signal by an adder (18). The output signal of the adder (18) constitutes the output of the audio processing arrangement. In order to pronounce the signal with the strongest signal, the weighting coefficients (x,y) are controlled to maximize the output signal of the adder (18) under the constraint that the sum of the squares of the weighting coefficients is equal to a constant.

Abstract: Herein disclosed a howling detecting and suppressing apparatus for detecting and suppressing howling sound components comprising: a frequency dividing processing section for converting a plurality of sound time signal segments each corresponding to a time segment into a plurality of sound frequency signal segments each corresponding to a frequency segment; a howling suppressing section for respectively adjusting gains for said sound frequency signal segments converted by said frequency dividing processing section to generate howling-suppressed sound frequency signal segments; a howling detecting section for judging whether a howling sound component is present or not for each of said howling-suppressed sound frequency signal segments generated by said howling suppressing section to detect howling sound frequency signal segments each in which it is judged that said howling sound component is present and non-howling sound frequency signal segments each in which it is judged that said howling sound component is n

Abstract: A microphone unit capable of suppressing the sensitivity reduction due to a parasitic capacitance that occurs depending on the structure of an electret capacitor, can be realized by the following manner. Specifically, an output signal (Vout) that is the inverted output of an input signal (Vin) is inputted to an operational amplifier (OP2) that is an inverting amplifier, such that the output signal (Vout) has the same phase as the input signal (Vin) and is amplified. With an output signal (Vfb) of the operational amplifier (OP2) connected to a first electrode of a parasitic capacitor (CX), the parasitic capacitor (CX) functions as a coupling capacitor, while a feedback is applied to an electret capacitor (EC). This allows for an increase in the voltage between both terminals of the electret capacitor (EC), and thus suppresses that the sensitivity of the microphone unit is lowered due to the parasitic capacitor.