Abstract: Various implementations include systems for providing enhanced aware mode capabilities in an ANR audio device. In particular implementations, a method includes receiving an ambient noise signal from a microphone associated with a wearable audio device; determining a gain value based on a sound pressure level (SPL) of the ambient noise signal; generating a gain adjusted ambient noise signal by applying the gain value to the ambient noise signal; generating a total external microphone signal by adding the gain adjusted ambient noise signal to a noise reducing ambient signal; generating an expanded audio signal by selectively adjusting a source audio signal based on the gain adjusted ambient noise signal; and combining and outputting the expanded audio signal with the total external microphone signal to an acoustic transducer.

Abstract: The disclosure is related to compositions having an elastomer and phase change materials, materials having an ability to provide one or more sensations upon contact with a person's skin, or a combination thereof. The compositions are suitable for use in earpieces such as in-ear earpieces.

Abstract: Various implementations include systems and approaches for binaural testing. In one implementation, a system includes a binaural test dummy including a body having: a head-and-neck region; and a set of head-mounted microphones coupled with the head-and-neck region at anatomically correct ear locations; and a control system coupled with the binaural test dummy for incrementally modifying a position of the binaural test dummy across a range of motion.

Abstract: Various implementations include systems and approaches for binaural testing. In one implementation, a system includes a binaural test dummy including a body having: a head-and-neck region; and a set of head-mounted microphones coupled with the head-and-neck region at anatomically correct ear locations; and a control system coupled with the binaural test dummy for incrementally modifying a position of the binaural test dummy across a range of motion.

Abstract: An audio system includes a plurality of near-field speakers arranged in a listening area. A plurality of cross-talk cancellation filters are coupled to the speakers. The speakers and the filters are arranged to provide first and second listening zones in the listening area such that audio from the first listening zone is cancelled in the second listening zone and vice versa. The system also includes at least one audio source providing audio content. Volume-based equalization circuitry receives an audio signal representing audio content for the first listening zone from the audio source and controls a volume adjustment applied to the audio signal to control a volume of audio in the first listening zone. The circuitry limits attenuation or amplification of a first frequency portion of the audio signal when a volume setting differential corresponding to a difference between volume settings for the first and second zones exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A loudspeaker includes a horn including a first end panel, a second end panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. Edges of at least the first and second side panels define a diffraction slot opening. The first and second side panels are each fabricated from a sheet of flexible material held in a stressed, curved shape by at least a rigid support member. The panels are designed by an automated process based on a number of electro-acoustic transducers to be used in a loudspeaker, horizontal and vertical coverage angles for the loudspeaker, and a wall length for a horn of the loudspeaker.

Abstract: An audio system includes a plurality of near-field speakers arranged in a listening area. A plurality of cross-talk cancellation filters are coupled to the speakers. The speakers and the filters are arranged to provide first and second listening zones in the listening area such that audio from the first listening zone is cancelled in the second listening zone and vice versa. The system also includes at least one audio source providing audio content. Volume-based equalization circuitry receives an audio signal representing audio content for the first listening zone from the audio source and controls a volume adjustment applied to the audio signal to control a volume of audio in the first listening zone. The circuitry limits attenuation or amplification of a first frequency portion of the audio signal when a volume setting differential corresponding to a difference between volume settings for the first and second zones exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: The disclosure is related to compositions having an elastomer and phase change materials, materials having an ability to provide one or more sensations upon contact with a person's skin, or a combination thereof. The compositions are suitable for use in earpieces such as in-ear earpieces.

Abstract: An audio system includes a plurality of near-field speakers arranged in a listening area. A plurality of cross-talk cancellation filters are coupled to the speakers. The speakers and the filters are arranged to provide first and second listening zones in the listening area such that audio from the first listening zone is cancelled in the second listening zone and vice versa. The system also includes at least one audio source providing audio content. Volume-based equalization circuitry receives an audio signal representing audio content for the first listening zone from the audio source and controls a volume adjustment applied to the audio signal to control a volume of audio in the first listening zone. The circuitry limits attenuation or amplification of a first frequency portion of the audio signal when a volume setting differential corresponding to a difference between volume settings for the first and second zones exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A sound system design/simulation system provides a more realistic simulation of an existing venue by matching a measured reverberation characteristic of the existing venue and adjusting one or more acoustic parameters characterizing the model such that a predicted reverberation characteristic substantially matches the measured reverberation characteristic.

Abstract: An audio system includes a plurality of near-field speakers arranged in a listening area. A plurality of cross-talk cancellation filters are coupled to the speakers. The speakers and the filters are arranged to provide first and second listening zones in the listening area such that audio from the first listening zone is cancelled in the second listening zone and vice versa. The system also includes at least one audio source providing audio content. Volume-based equalization circuitry receives an audio signal representing audio content for the first listening zone from the audio source and controls a volume adjustment applied to the audio signal to control a volume of audio in the first listening zone. The circuitry limits attenuation or amplification of a first frequency portion of the audio signal when a volume setting differential corresponding to a difference between volume settings for the first and second zones exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A media playback device has programmable signal processing capabilities and an input receiving signals representative of ambient noise. The media playback device identifies an output response characteristic and an attenuation characteristic of a set of headphones associated with the media playback device, predicts a property of audio output by the headphones at a user's ear based on the ambient noise input signal, the output response characteristic, and the attenuation characteristic of the headphones, predicts expected residual ambient noise at the user's ear, when wearing the headphones, derived from the ambient noise input signal and the attenuation characteristic, and modifies masking audio signals to be provided to the headphones such that they will mask the expected residual ambient noise at the user's ear.

Abstract: A directional acoustic device that has an acoustic source or an acoustic receiver, and a conduit to which the acoustic source or acoustic receiver is acoustically coupled and within which acoustic energy travels in a propagation direction from the acoustic source or to the acoustic receiver, the conduit having finite extent at which the conduit structure ends. The conduit has a radiating portion that has a radiating surface with leak openings that define controlled leaks through which acoustic energy radiated from the source into the conduit can leak to the outside environment or through which acoustic energy in the outside environment can leak into the conduit. The only path for acoustic energy in the conduit to reach the external environment or acoustic energy in the external environment to enter the conduit is through the controlled leaks.

Abstract: A directional acoustic device that has an acoustic source or an acoustic receiver, and a conduit to which the acoustic source or acoustic receiver is acoustically coupled and within which acoustic energy travels in a propagation direction from the acoustic source or to the acoustic receiver, the conduit having finite extent at which the conduit structure ends. The conduit has a radiating portion that has a radiating surface with leak openings that define controlled leaks through which acoustic energy radiated from the source into the conduit can leak to the outside environment or through which acoustic energy in the outside environment can leak into the conduit. The only path for acoustic energy in the conduit to reach the external environment or acoustic energy in the external environment to enter the conduit is through the controlled leaks.

Abstract: In general, in some aspects, a loudspeaker includes a horn including a first end panel, a second end panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. Edges of at least the first and second side panels define a diffraction slot opening. A plurality of manifold components each has an output opening coupled to the diffraction slot opening. The output openings of the plurality of manifold components together constitute a diffraction slot source at the diffraction slot opening. A plurality of electro-acoustic transducers are each coupled to an input opening of one of the manifold components.

Abstract: A media playback device has programmable signal processing capabilities and an input receiving signals representative of ambient noise. The media playback device identifies an output response characteristic and an attenuation characteristic of a set of headphones associated with the media playback device, predicts a property of audio output by the headphones at a user's ear based on the ambient noise input signal, the output response characteristic, and the attenuation characteristic of the headphones, predicts expected residual ambient noise at the user's ear, when wearing the headphones, derived from the ambient noise input signal and the attenuation characteristic, and modifies masking audio signals to be provided to the headphones such that they will mask the expected residual ambient noise at the user's ear.

Abstract: A media playback device has programmable signal processing capabilities and an input receiving signals representative of ambient noise. The media playback identifies an output response characteristic and an attenuation characteristic of a set of headphones associated with the media playback device, and dynamically modifies audio output signals to be provided to the headphones based on a combination of the output response characteristic, the attenuation characteristic, and the ambient noise input signal.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the power delivered to cookware by a power control system that comprises a heating control user interface that is set by the user to a particular heating control user interface set point within an operating range. A controller derives from the heating control user interface set point a desired cookware temperature set point, and, over at least a first portion of the operating range that encompasses the boiling range, also derives from the heating control user interface set point a maximum limit of power that can be delivered to the cookware to maintain the cookware at the desired cookware temperature set point. The maximum power limit varies monotonically over the first portion of the operating range.

Abstract: A loudspeaker includes a horn including a first end panel, a second end panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. Edges of at least the first and second side panels define a diffraction slot opening. The first and second side panels are each fabricated from a sheet of flexible material held in a stressed, curved shape by at least a rigid support member. The panels are designed by an automated process based on a number of electro-acoustic transducers to be used in a loudspeaker, horizontal and vertical coverage angles for the loudspeaker, and a wall length for a horn of the loudspeaker.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the power delivered to cookware by a power control system that comprises a heating control user interface that is set by the user to a particular heating control user interface set point within an operating range. A controller derives from the heating control user interface set point a desired cookware temperature set point, and, over at least a first portion of the operating range that encompasses the boiling range, also derives from the heating control user interface set point a maximum limit of power that can be delivered to the cookware to maintain the cookware at the desired cookware temperature set point. The maximum power limit varies monotonically over the first portion of the operating range.