Abstract: An active noise cancelling system (20) comprising: an earphone (8?) comprising: an electro-acoustic driver (11); and at least one sensing microphone (12, 13); tunable active noise cancelling circuitry (7) operative to receive a signal from the at least one sensing microphone (12, 13), the tunable active noise cancelling circuitry (7) being pre-configured in a standard tuning for a reference ear and comprising at least one noise-control filter (14, 15); and a tuning module (24) operative to configure the earphone (8?) for an individual wearer by: comparing acoustic coupling of the earphone (8?) to the individual wearer's ear with acoustic coupling to the reference ear to determine a deviation in acoustic coupling; and using the determined deviation in acoustic coupling to modify the tunable active noise cancelling circuitry (7) by a predetermined degree based on the determined deviation in acoustic coupling.

Abstract: Apparatus for testing earphone apparatus (10) during manufacture includes a head simulator (30) including an ear simulator (40) defining a passageway (42) leading to an external opening (44), and an eardrum microphone (46) mounted in the passageway (42) of the ear simulator (40). The apparatus (10) includes one or more of: an ear plate (50) for simulating an outer ear, the ear plate (50) forming part of the ear simulator (40) and defining a substantially planar earphone engagement surface (52) substantially encircling the external opening (44); a mounting guide system for assisting correct placement of earphone apparatus on the head simulator (30) relative to the ear simulator (40); and a test module (100) for performing rapid automated testing of earphone apparatus mounted on the head simulator (30).

Abstract: Apparatus for testing earphone apparatus (10) during manufacture includes a head simulator (30) including an ear simulator (40) defining a passageway (42) leading to an external opening (44), a and an eardrum microphone (46) mounted in the passageway (42) of the ear simulator (40). The apparatus (10) includes one or more of: an ear plate (50) for simulating an outer ear, the ear plate (50) forming part of the ear simulator (40) and defining a substantially planar earphone engagement surface (52) substantially encircling the external opening (44); a mounting guide system for assisting correct placement of earphone apparatus on the head simulator (30) relative to the ear simulator (40); and a test module (100) for performing rapid automated testing of earphone apparatus mounted on the head simulator (30).

Abstract: An earphone device/test station pairing (1, 2) includes an earphone device (1) including: at least one electroacoustic driver (32, 33, 34); a digital module (31) including a processor module; and a digital interface configured to connect the earphone device (1) to a media/communications device having a digital output; a test station (2) including at least one transducer (40, 42, 6), the test station (2) being operative to communicate with the earphone device (1) via the digital interface to allow data transmission between the earphone device (1) and the test station (2) during a test/configuration procedure; and a test module (4) for performing automated testing of the earphone device (1) when mounted on/connected to the test station (2).

Abstract: An active Noise Reduction (ANR) device includes a plurality of inputs, a plurality of signal processing resources, an output for driving an earphone driver, a programmable switch arrangement capable of assigning any of the plurality of inputs to any of the plurality of signal processing resources, and a controller for programming the programmable switch arrangement in order to assign each of at least a subset of the plurality of inputs to a different one of the signal processing resources. The ANR device is dynamically configurable to vary which of the signal processing resources are selected to contribute to the output.

Abstract: An earphone test system (20) includes a plurality of test stations (22) each operative to perform a function during testing of an earphone device (12) coupled thereto. During testing of earphone devices (12) coupled to the plurality of test stations (22) the earphone test system (20) is operative to expose each of the plurality of test stations (22) to a noise field generated by a common noise field source (29).

Abstract: An active Noise Reduction (ANR) device includes a plurality of inputs, a plurality of signal processing resources, an output for driving an earphone driver, a programmable switch arrangement capable of assigning any of the plurality of inputs to any of the plurality of signal processing resources, and a controller for programming the programmable switch arrangement in order to assign each of at least a subset of the plurality of inputs to a different one of the signal processing resources. The ANR device is dynamically configurable to vary which of the signal processing resources are selected to contribute to the output.

Abstract: An earphone test system (20) includes a plurality of test stations (22) each operative to perform a function during testing of an earphone device (12) coupled thereto. During testing of earphone devices (12) coupled to the plurality of test stations (22) the earphone test system (20) is operative to expose each of the plurality of test stations (22) to a noise field generated by a common noise field source (29).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an Active Noise Reduction (ANR) device includes providing at a stage during manufacture a pre-completion ANR device in a non-final configuration, the pre-completion ANR device including a plurality of inputs, a plurality of signal processing resources, an output for driving an earphone driver, and a programmable switch arrangement capable of assigning any of the plurality of inputs to any of the plurality of signal processing resources, selecting from the plurality of signal processing resources a subset of signal processing resources to contribute to the output, whereby the remaining signal processing resources of the plurality do not contribute to the output in any mode of operation of the ANR device, and in a configuration step during manufacture, programming the programmable switch arrangement to assign each of at least a subset of the plurality of inputs to a different one of the selected subset of signal processing resources.

Abstract: An earphone device/test station pairing (1, 2) includes an earphone device (1) including: at least one electroacoustic driver (32, 33, 34); a digital module (31) including a processor module; and a digital interface configured to connect the earphone device (1) to a media/communications device having a digital output; a test station (2) including at least one transducer (40, 42, 6), the test station (2) being operative to communicate with the earphone device (1) via the digital interface to allow data transmission between the earphone device (1) and the test station (2) during a test/configuration procedure; and a test module (4) for performing automated testing of the earphone device (1) when mounted on/connected to the test station (2).

Abstract: Apparatus for testing earphone apparatus (10) during manufacture includes a head simulator (30) including an ear simulator (40) defining a passageway (42) leading to an external opening (44), and an eardrum microphone (46) mounted in the passageway (42) of the ear simulator (40). The apparatus (10) includes one or more of: an ear plate (50) for simulating an outer ear, the ear plate (50) forming part of the ear simulator (40) and defining a substantially planar earphone engagement surface (52) substantially encircling the external opening (44); a mounting guide system for assisting correct placement of earphone apparatus on the head simulator (30) relative to the ear simulator (40); and a test module (100) for performing rapid automated testing of earphone apparatus mounted on the head simulator (30).

Abstract: An in-ear earphone includes a body configured to be placed at the entrance to or to be inserted at least in part into the auditory canal of a user's ear, the body housing an electro-acoustic driver and defining a passageway structure extending from the electro-acoustic driver to an opening in an outer surface of the body for allowing sound generated by the electro-acoustic driver to pass into the auditory canal of the user's ear. The passageway structure includes a flow divider section positioned to receive forward-radiated sound from the electro-acoustic driver, an output passageway extending from the flow divider section to the opening in the body, and an unvented enclosure in fluid communication with the flow divider section and operative to provide an acoustic impedance in parallel to the output passageway.

Abstract: A system and method for providing real-time, image-guided high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) targeting and treatment of tissue. In one embodiment, the system includes an HIFU applicator and a user interface with a touchscreen display for three-dimensional visualization of the tissue. Image frames displayed on the user interface depict real-time images of the tissue, including an image parallel to a feature of the applicator and an image orthogonal to the parallel image. Reference lines may be sketched using the touchscreen and displayed on the image frames. In one embodiment, tissue boundaries are detected and marked on the image frames, either by the user or automatically by the system. In another embodiment, the user interface includes a footswitch for the user to interact with the system. In another embodiment, the system includes an ultrasound imaging component configured to undock from the system for use as a stand-alone ultrasound imaging device.

Abstract: An in-ear device incorporating active noise reduction has a housing adapted for location in or adjacent to an auditory canal. The housing contains a driver and an acoustic path is provided from the driver to an outlet of the device. A microphone and an acoustic impedance are provided in the acoustic path. The impedance increases the stability of the device.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an Active Noise Reduction (ANR) device includes providing at a stage during manufacture a pre-completion ANR device in a non-final configuration, the pre-completion ANR device including a plurality of inputs, a plurality of signal processing resources, an output for driving an earphone driver, and a programmable switch arrangement capable of assigning any of the plurality of inputs to any of the plurality of signal processing resources, selecting from the plurality of signal processing resources a subset of signal processing resources to contribute to the output, whereby the remaining signal processing resources of the plurality do not contribute to the output in any mode of operation of the ANR device, and in a configuration step during manufacture, programming the programmable switch arrangement to assign each of at least a subset of the plurality of inputs to a different one of the selected subset of signal processing resources.

Abstract: Earphone apparatus (40) comprising: a substantially planar substrate (43) defining at least one electrical connection path (44); an electro-acoustic driver (41) and sensing microphone (42) each mounted on the substrate (43) and connected to the at least one electrical connection path (44); wherein the substrate (43) at least in part defines an acoustic waveguide (47) having a part extending through the substrate (43) for conveying sound from outside of the earphone apparatus (40) to the sensing microphone (42); and the part of the acoustic waveguide (47) extends through the substrate (43) substantially normal to the thickness of the substrate (43).

Abstract: Earphone apparatus (10) comprising: a body (20) configured to be inserted at least in part into an auditory canal of a user's ear, the body (20) housing a driver (30) and defining a passageway (40) connecting the driver (30) to an opening (50) in the body (20) for allowing sound generated by the driver (30) to pass into the auditory canal of the user's ear; and a sensing microphone (60) coupled to the body (20) for providing a feedback signal to a signal processor, the sensing microphone (60) comprising a sensing element (62)(62?)(62?) positioned to sense sound present in the auditory canal of the user's ear; wherein the sensing element (62) (62?)(62?) is spaced from the driver (30).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for coupling a high intensity focused ultrasound transducer to a skin surface using water as a coupling agent.

Abstract: A system and method for providing real-time, image-guided high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) targeting and treatment of tissue. In one embodiment, the system includes an HIFU applicator and a user interface with a touchscreen display for three-dimensional visualization of the tissue. Image frames displayed on the user interface depict real-time images of the tissue, including an image parallel to a feature of the applicator and an image orthogonal to the parallel image. Reference lines may be sketched using the touchscreen and displayed on the image frames. In one embodiment, tissue boundaries are detected and marked on the image frames, either by the user or automatically by the system. In another embodiment, the user interface includes a footswitch for the user to interact with the system. In another embodiment, the system includes an ultrasound imaging component configured to undock from the system for use as a stand-alone ultrasound imaging device.

Abstract: Earphone apparatus (40) comprising: a substantially planar substrate (43) defining at least one electrical connection path (44); an electro-acoustic driver (41) and sensing microphone (42) each mounted on the substrate (43) and connected to the at least one electrical connection path (44); wherein the substrate (43) at least in part defines an acoustic waveguide (47) having a part extending through the substrate (43) for conveying sound from outside of the earphone apparatus (40) to the sensing microphone (42); and the part of the acoustic waveguide (47) extends through the substrate (43) substantially normal to the thickness of the substrate (43).