Abstract: A hybrid headphone includes a variable aperture device configured to reversibly switch the hybrid headphone between an open-back mode of operation and a closed-back mode of operation. Closed-back mode may be used to provide acoustic isolation from ambient noise to improve audio intelligibility of content due to a reduction and/or elimination of the ambient noise. The hybrid headphone may automatically be switched from the open-back mode to the closed-back mode when ANC is activated or in response to a signal or data. The hybrid headphone may include a semi-open-back mode that is between the open-back and closed-back modes. The variable aperture device may be commanded to an open position for the open-back mode, a closed position for the closed-back mode, and a partially open position for the semi-open mode. The variable aperture device may include a shutter, a hole, a port, or a port including a variable acoustic impedance material.

Abstract: A headset (e.g., on-ear headphone, over-ear headphone, earphones, earbuds, in-ear headphone, etc.) may include one or more transducers (e.g., microphones, accelerometers, vibration sensors, etc.) operative to measure leakage of sound generated by a loudspeaker(s) of the headset (e.g., leakage from an imperfect seal between a headset interface and a pinna interface). The headset may receive content from a memory, a wireless communications link (e.g., Bluetooth, WiFi, NFC) and/or from a wired communications link (e.g., a headphone cable or a USB cable). The headset may include systems to detect the leakage and adjust audio parameters (e.g., frequency response, equalization, etc.) caused by the leakage. Active noise cancellation and/or active leakage path(s) may be used to adjust the audio parameters.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to wearable electrical and electronic hardware, computer software, wired and wireless network communications, and to wearable/mobile computing devices configured to process audio, in view of noise, and communicate audio. More specifically, disclosed are wearable devices, platforms and methods directed to, for example, provide wearable communication devices, such as a headset. In various embodiments, a wearable communication device includes an array of microphone, an audio processor coupled to the array of microphones, and a vibration detector including, for example, a skin surface microphone (“SSM”).