Abstract: In addition to other aspects disclosed, a docking station that receives content through a wired connection from a handheld media device, plays or displays the content through a speaker, and transmits content to a remote speaker.

Abstract: A speaker includes a housing; an electroacoustic driver secured to the housing, and an element that is secured to a movable portion of the driver. The element is accessible from outside of the housing and is capable of having an object secured to the element. When the driver is operated in a first mode in a first frequency band, motion is imparted through the element to the object.

Abstract: An audio demonstration kit encourages understanding of audio concepts by enabling children to construct and study speaker performance. In a particular example, the audio demonstration kit includes a paper speaker and instructions. The paper speaker includes a backplate, a suspension, and a diaphragm cut from a single sheet of paper. The demonstration kit may feature an amplifier that is configurable to accommodate various hardware additions as a child is ready for more progressively challenging construction. For example, the amplifier of an example allows single and dual mode operation, as well as drives a rotary motor and is coordinated with a strobe light. The amplifier of an example is synchronized with the strobe light and a moveable platform to create the impression of that jiggling figures attached to the table are dancing. Interfaces with smart phone, recording, and other technologies further enhances and encourages the learning experience.

Abstract: An audio demonstration kit encourages understanding of audio concepts by enabling children to construct and study speaker performance. In a particular embodiment, the audio demonstration kit includes a paper speaker and instructions. The paper speaker includes a backplate, a suspension, and a diaphragm cut from a single sheet of paper. The demonstration kit may feature an amplifier that is configurable to accommodate various hardware additions as a child is ready for more progressively challenging construction. For example, the amplifier of an embodiment allows single and dual mode operation, as well as drives a rotary motor and is coordinated with a strobe light. The amplifier of an embodiment is synchronized with the strobe light and a moveable platform to create the impression of that jiggling figures attached to the table are dancing. Interfaces with smart phone, recording, and other technologies further enhances and encourages the learning experience.

Abstract: This document provides methods and devices for metering fluids. In some cases, the methods and devices include intersecting channels that include capillary-stop geometries at each intersection point that guides the fluids on a desired path, which is controlled by the opening and closing of valves. For example, a metering channel can intersect a loading channel and intersect an outflow channel and a metering portion can be defined by the geometry of the metering channel between the intersection points.

Abstract: An audio system includes a base station, an interface that enables transmission of audio content from a handheld media device to the base station via a cable, and one or more remote speakers configured to receive the audio content from the base station. The base station includes a housing, a speaker integrated within the housing to produce an audible signal from the audio content provided by the handheld media device, and a transceiver integrated within the housing for wirelessly transmitting the audio content to the one or more remote speakers. The one or more remote speakers are configured to wirelessly relay the audio content, thereby to supply the audio content beyond the transmission range of the transceiver.

Abstract: An audio system includes a base station, an interface that enables wireless transmission of audio content from a handheld media device to the base station, and one or more remote speakers configured to receive the audio content from the base station. The base station includes a housing, a speaker integrated within the housing to produce an audible signal from the audio content provided by the handheld media device, and a transceiver integrated within the housing for wirelessly transmitting the audio content to the one or more remote speakers. The one or more remote speakers are configured to wirelessly relay the audio content, thereby to supply the audio content beyond the transmission range of the transceiver.

Abstract: This document provides methods and devices for metering fluids. In some cases, the methods and devices include intersecting channels that include capillary-stop geometries at each intersection point that guides the fluids on a desired path, which is controlled by the opening and closing of valves. For example, a metering channel can intersect a loading channel and intersect an outflow channel and a metering portion can be defined by the geometry of the metering channel between the intersection points.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a headphone driver and a processor in communication with the headphone driver. The processor is configured to receive an audio setting selection from among a plurality of audio setting selections. Each audio setting selection is associated with a frequency range that includes at least one frequency that is outside of a range of human hearing. The processor is further configured to receive an audio signal and to process the audio signal according to the selected audio setting selection to generate an output signal. The processor is configured to provide an output signal to the headphone driver.

Abstract: Zeotropic effects are created while an observer experiments with video data and speed controls of a rotary motor. A system facilitates user creation of a customized zoetrope animation disc by enabling a user to take a video of a repetitive motion (e.g., a person doing a jumping jack, a hand opening and closing, a person swinging back and forth on a swing, etc.). The system prompts a user to select a start point and end point to the video. The system further prompts the user to specify a number of frames desired for the animation disc. The animation disc is then printed for use on a rotary motor based on the user input.

Abstract: A system encourages experimentation with audio frequency and speaker technologies while causing an inanimate figure to appear to dance. The system applies a bandpass filter to an incoming audio stream (e.g., in a low frequency bass band). The system monitors the magnitude of the audio content in a frequency band of interest. When an amplitude peak or other threshold magnitude is detected, a controller injects a short pulse (e.g., 3 cycles) of a sub-audible low frequency sine wave to a platform. Preferably, the sub-audible low frequency sine wave is at a resonance frequency of the platform to maximize its movement. The figure is positioned on the platform and appears to dance to the beat of the music.

Abstract: An audio system includes a docking cradle for receiving and supporting a portable device. The docking cradle includes an interface for providing a connection for receiving audio content from the portable device. The docking cradle is configured to be wirelessly coupled to a first speaker package for transmitting wireless signals containing audio content between the docking cradle and the first speaker package.

Abstract: An audio system includes a base station, an interface that enables wireless transmission of audio content from a handheld media device to the base station, and one or more remote speakers configured to receive the audio content from the base station. The base station includes a housing, a speaker integrated within the housing to produce an audible signal from the audio content provided by the handheld media device, and a transceiver integrated within the housing for wirelessly transmitting the audio content to the one or more remote speakers. The one or more remote speakers are configured to wirelessly relay the audio content, thereby to supply the audio content beyond the transmission range of the transceiver.

Abstract: In one aspect, a speaker kit includes a first portion of a speaker housing, and an electroacoustic driver that can be secured to the housing first portion. The kit has one or more additional portions of the speaker housing. One of the one or more additional housing portions has at least one electrical component secured thereto. The kit also has one or more mechanisms that can be used to hold the housing portions together such that the housing portions form an acoustic seal that encompasses an acoustic volume. The one or more mechanisms are removable from the housing portions such that the housing portions can be moved away from each other without damage to the housing portions or the one or more mechanisms.

Abstract: A system encourages experimentation with audio frequency and speaker technologies while causing an inanimate object to appear to lip-sync. The system applies a bandpass filter to an incoming audio stream to determine a magnitude of audio content in a frequency band of interest. For example, the system may filter results directed at the voice band, associated with speech. A controller controls a strobe light to flash at a particular point of travel of a platform reciprocating at a known frequency. An illusion is created that a sculpture, such as a piece of paper formed into a ring, is lip-synching to music.

Abstract: A system encourages experimentation with audio frequency and speaker technologies while causing an inanimate figure to appear to dance. The system applies a bandpass filter to an incoming audio stream (e.g., in a low frequency bass band). The system monitors the magnitude of the audio content in a frequency band of interest. When an amplitude peak or other threshold magnitude is detected, a controller injects a short pulse (e.g., 3 cycles) of a sub-audible low frequency sine wave to a platform. Preferably, the sub-audible low frequency sine wave is at a resonance frequency of the platform to maximize its movement. The figure is positioned on the platform and appears to dance to the beat of the music.

Abstract: Zeotropic effects are created while an observer experiments with video data and speed controls of a rotary motor. A system facilitates user creation of a customized zoetrope animation disc by enabling a user to take a video of a repetitive motion (e.g., a person doing a jumping jack, a hand opening and closing, a person swinging back and forth on a swing, etc.). The system prompts a user to select a start point and end point to the video. The system further prompts the user to specify a number of frames desired for the animation disc. The animation disc is then printed for use on a rotary motor based on the user input.

Abstract: In one aspect, a speaker kit includes a first portion of a speaker housing, and an electroacoustic driver that can be secured to the housing first portion. The kit has one or more additional portions of the speaker housing. One of the one or more additional housing portions has at least one electrical component secured thereto. The kit also has one or more mechanisms that can be used to hold the housing portions together such that the housing portions form an acoustic seal that encompasses an acoustic volume. The one or more mechanisms are removable from the housing portions such that the housing portions can be moved away from each other without damage to the housing portions or the one or more mechanisms.

Abstract: An audio system includes a docking cradle for receiving and supporting a portable device. The docking cradle includes an interface for providing a connection for receiving audio content from the portable device. The docking cradle is configured to be wirelessly coupled to a first speaker package for transmitting wireless signals containing audio content between the docking cradle and the first speaker package.