Abstract: An automobile audio system includes a signal processor configured to receive and process audio signals from a source and provide processed audio signals to an amplifier, a first headrest including a headrest speaker and coupled to a driver's seat, a first fixed speaker positioned near a left corner of the vehicle's cabin forward of the headrest, a second fixed speaker positioned near a right corner of the vehicle's cabin forward of the headrest, and a headrest accessory port located in a passenger's seat. The port is configured to connect the audio system to a second headrest speaker. The processor uses a first set of parameters for processing the received audio signals when the first headrest speaker is connected and the second headrest speaker is not connected, and a second set of parameters for processing the received audio signals when both the first and second headrest speaker are connected.

Abstract: Signals in an automobile audio system having at least two near-field speakers located close to an intended position of a listener's head are adjusted such that in a first mode, audio signals are distributed to the near-field speakers according to a first filter that causes the listener to perceive a wide soundstage, and in a second mode, the audio signals are distributed to the near-field speakers according to a second filter that causes the listener to perceive a narrow soundstage. A user input of a variable value is received and, in response, distribution of the audio signals is transitioned from the first mode to the second mode, the extent of the transition being variable based on the value of the user input.

Abstract: There is provided a headrest with speakers capable of exhibiting an excellent sound effect. The headrest with speakers includes: a headrest frame; a pair of left and right enclosures supported by the headrest frame; speaker units supported in the enclosures respectively; and a headrest cushion member supported by the headrest frame to support a head, the headrest cushion member including: a net member having a pair of left and right acoustically transparent parts at places substantially facing the respective speaker units; and soundproof parts disposed between the pair of left and right acoustically transparent parts in the net member and between the pair of left and right enclosures respectively.

Abstract: Signals in an automobile audio system having at least two near-field speakers located close to an intended position of a listener's head are adjusted such that in a first mode, audio signals are distributed to the near-field speakers according to a first filter that causes the listener to perceive a wide soundstage, and in a second mode, the audio signals are distributed to the near-field speakers according to a second filter that causes the listener to perceive a narrow soundstage. A user input of a variable value is received and, in response, distribution of the audio signals is transitioned from the first mode to the second mode, the extent of the transition being variable based on the value of the user input.

Abstract: A signal input module receives at least one of an entertainment audio signal and a telephony audio signal from vehicle sound circuitry. A level control module executes gain level control logic to balance the entertainment audio signal and a telephony audio signal according to a ratio. A gain control signal is applied to at least one of the entertainment audio signal and the telephony audio signal. A routing module mixes the entertainment audio signal and the telephony audio signal and routes the mixed signal to an output channel associated with a speaker.

Abstract: A vehicle headrest includes a main body portion having a front surface arranged to support a back of a head of a user. The main body portion includes first and second speakers which are disposed within the main body portion, and a cushion layer that is configured to surround the speakers and provide cushioning for a user's head. The cushion layer includes acoustic channels for controlling a radiation pattern of acoustic energy radiated from the speakers.

Abstract: Signals in an automobile audio system having at least two near-field speakers located close to an intended position of a listener's head are adjusted such that in a first mode, audio signals are distributed to the near-field speakers according to a first filter that causes the listener to perceive a wide soundstage, and in a second mode, the audio signals are distributed to the near-field speakers according to a second filter that causes the listener to perceive a narrow soundstage. A user input of a variable value is received and, in response, distribution of the audio signals is transitioned from the first mode to the second mode, the extent of the transition being variable based on the value of the user input.

Abstract: An automobile audio system includes a signal processor configured to receive and process audio signals from a source and provide processed audio signals to an amplifier, a first headrest including a headrest speaker and coupled to a driver's seat, a first fixed speaker positioned near a left corner of the vehicle's cabin forward of the headrest, a second fixed speaker positioned near a right corner of the vehicle's cabin forward of the headrest, and a headrest accessory port located in a passenger's seat. The port is configured to connect the audio system to a second headrest speaker. The processor uses a first set of parameters for processing the received audio signals when the first headrest speaker is connected and the second headrest speaker is not connected, and a second set of parameters for processing the received audio signals when both the first and second headrest speaker are connected.

Abstract: An automobile audio system having at least two near-field speakers located close to an intended position of a listener's head is configured by determining a first binaural filter that causes sound produced by each of the near-field speakers to have characteristics at the intended position of the listener's head of sound produced by a sound source located at a first designated position other than the actual locations of the near-field speakers, determining an up-mixing rule to generate at least three component channel signals from an input audio signal having at least two channels, and configuring the audio system to, determine a first binaural signal corresponding to a combination of the component channel signals originating at the first designated position, and filter the first binaural signal using the first binaural filter and to output the filtered signals using the near-field speakers.

Abstract: A liver-targeting active compound has the general formula (I):- wherein A is &agr;-OH or &bgr;-OH, B is &agr;-H or &bgr;-H, C is —H, &agr;-OH or &bgr;-OH, or B and C together form a double bond, D is —H, &agr;-OH or &bgr;-OH, E is —H, &agr;-OH or &bgr;-OH, —G-is a side chain moiety, —NH—J is selected from (i) a residue of an amino group-containing active compound wherein said —NH— group is provided by said amino group of the active compound, and (ii) a residue of an active compound to which an amino group has been added wherein said —NH— group is provided by said added amino group; each of X and Y independently represents a single bond, —(CH2)z— (where z is 1 to 8), —O— or —S—; n is 0 or 1; m is 0 or 1; and p is 0 or 1; provided that, when —NH—J is (i), m is 1. A method of producing such as compound is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for the determination of liver function, comprises the steps of:(i)introducing an effective amount of a coloured or fluorescent bile acid derivative intravenously into a patient,(ii)collecting samples of blood which has passed through the liver of the patient at timed intervals after step (i), and(iii)assessing the colour or fluorescence of bile acid derivative in each sample.