Abstract: A method and system for a headset with programmable modes, where the headset comprises a beamforming microphone: sensing an ambient sound level near the headset, and configuring the headset in one of a plurality of modes by configuring a beam pattern of the beamforming microphone based on at least the sensed ambient noise level. A user of the headset may configure the headset in the one of the plurality of modes or it may be automatically configured. The beamforming microphone may comprise an array of sound sensing elements. The headset may be configured in a quiet mode when the sensed ambient sound level is below that of a desired sound source and may be configured with a wide beam pattern. The headset may be configured in a loud mode when the sensed ambient sound level is above that of a desired sound source.

Abstract: A system configured to create a flexible home theater group using a variety of different devices. To enable the home theater group to generate synchronized audio, the system performs device localization to generate map data, which represents locations of devices in a device map. The map data may include a listening position and/or television, such that the map data is centered on the listening position with the television along a vertical axis. To generate the map data, the system selects a primary device that determines calibration data indicating a sequence when each of the individual devices generates playback audio. The primary device sends the calibration data to secondary devices and each device generates playback audio at a designated time in the sequence, enabling other devices to capture the output audio and determine a relative position of the playback device (for example using angle of arrival and distance information). The playback audio may be outside a human hearing range.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for independent audio volume control. An example audio system may include a hearing device operable to adaptively control a first signal, according to a setting, to provide an audio output. The hearing device may be operable to generate a new value of the setting according to an input that is received at a particular time, and adjust the setting from an old value to the new value according to a delay with respect to the particular time. The adaptive controlling may include one or both of mixing of the first signal with a second signal and applying a volume adjustment of the audio output according to the setting. The second signal may include audio generated via a game console and/or via a smartphone.

Abstract: An enhancement equalizer (EEQ) can be configured to compensate for hearing loss. An app or application can assist a user with measuring hearing loss at various frequencies (e.g., threshold sensitivity versus normal hearing). Using these measurements, the system may compute a set of filters for an EEQ that can boost different frequencies by different amounts corresponding to the user's sensitivity to that frequency. The measurement and resulting EEQ may be earphone specific (e.g., both the measurement and the filter computation may depend on the particular type/model of earphone used). In some implementations, the system may allow the user to select correction strength that controls an amount of correction applied (e.g., 25%, 50%, or 75% of full correction). In some implementations, the system may adjust the EEQ and/or correction strength according to the volume of playback (e.g., by applying less correction at higher playback volumes to avoid triggering earphone limiters).

Abstract: In an audio device that includes a plurality of input controls, mixing circuitry, a left speaker, and a right speaker, a desired balance, between a first audio signal and a second audio signal, may be determined according to the plurality of input controls. A desired volume, of the first audio signal and the second audio signal, may be determined according to the plurality of input controls. A virtualization, of one or both of the first audio signal and the second audio signal, may be determined according to a head related transfer function. A stereo signal may be generated by combining the first audio signal and the second audio signal according to the desired balance, the desired volume, and the virtualization. A left channel of the stereo signal may be outputted to the left speaker and a right channel of the stereo signal may be outputted to the right speaker.

Abstract: A system configured to create a flexible home theater group using a variety of different devices. To enable the home theater group to generate synchronized audio, the system performs device localization to generate map data, which represents locations of devices in a device map. The map data may include a listening position and/or television, such that the map data is centered on the listening position with the television along a vertical axis. To generate the map data, the system selects a primary device that determines calibration data indicating a sequence when each of the individual devices generates playback audio. The primary device sends the calibration data to secondary devices and each device generates playback audio at a designated time in the sequence, enabling other devices to capture the output audio and determine a relative position of the playback device (for example using angle of arrival and distance information).

Abstract: A system comprising audio processing circuitry is provided. The audio processing circuitry is operable to receive audio signals. The audio processing circuitry is operable to process the audio signals to detect strength of a chat component of the audio signals and strength of a game component of the audio signals. The audio processing circuitry is operable to automatically control a volume setting based on one or both of: the detected strength of the chat component, and the detected strength of the game component. The combined-game-and-chat audio signals may comprise a left channel signal and a right channel signal. The processing of the combined-game-and-chat audio signals may comprise measuring strength of a vocal-band signal component that is common to the left channel signal and the right channel signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for gaming headset with enhanced off-screen awareness. An audio system that is used for outputting audio signals to a user may be configured for identifying in audio signals, based on parameters or criteria associated with a user of the system, one or more components in the audio signals; determining characteristics of the one or more components based on perception of the audio signals by the user; and adjusting based on the characteristics of the one or more components, the one or more components and/or one or more other components in the audio signals. The audio system may include circuits for handling the required functions. The circuits may include a detection circuit configured for identify the one or more components, one or more adjustment circuits for applying the adjustments, and a controller circuit for controlling applying the adjustments.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for gaming headset with enhanced off-screen awareness. An audio system that is used for outputting audio signals to a user may be configured for identifying in audio signals, based on parameters or criteria associated with a user of the system, one or more components in the audio signals; determining characteristics of the one or more components based on perception of the audio signals by the user; and adjusting based on the characteristics of the one or more components, the one or more components and/or one or more other components in the audio signals. The audio system may include circuits for handling the required functions. The circuits may include a detection circuit configured for identify the one or more components, one or more adjustment circuits for applying the adjustments, and a controller circuit for controlling applying the adjustments.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for gaming headset with enhanced off-screen awareness. An audio system that is used for outputting audio signals to a user may be configured for identifying in audio signals, based on parameters or criteria associated with a user of the system, one or more components in the audio signals; determining characteristics of the one or more components based on perception of the audio signals by the user; and adjusting based on the characteristics of the one or more components, the one or more components and/or one or more other components in the audio signals. The audio system may include circuits for handling the required functions. The circuits may include a detection circuit configured for identify the one or more components, one or more adjustment circuits for applying the adjustments, and a controller circuit for controlling applying the adjustments.

Abstract: An audio headset receives one or more audio signals carrying one or more audio channels and processes the audio channels to generate stereo signals for output to a left and a right speaker of the audio headset. The processing determines a number of the audio channels carried in the received audio signal(s), adjusts level(s) of the audio channels based on the determined number of audio channels and/or adjusts gain and/or phase of the audio channels to control a perceived location of a listener wearing the headset relative to a source of sounds carried in the stereo signals.

Abstract: A system comprising audio processing circuitry is provided. The audio processing circuitry is operable to receive audio signals. The audio processing circuitry is operable to process the audio signals to detect strength of a chat component of the audio signals and strength of a game component of the audio signals. The audio processing circuitry is operable to automatically control a volume setting based on one or both of: the detected strength of the chat component, and the detected strength of the game component. The combined-game-and-chat audio signals may comprise a left channel signal and a right channel signal. The processing of the combined-game-and-chat audio signals may comprise measuring strength of a vocal-band signal component that is common to the left channel signal and the right channel signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for independent audio volume control. An audio system may include a circuit for controlling one or both of generation and output of combined audio, with the circuit being configured to determine, based on user input, a mix setting applicable in the audio system to mixing of a first audio and a second audio when generating the combined audio, wherein the combined audio comprises at least a portion of each of the first audio and the second audio; determine a corresponding volume setting applicable at an audio output element of the audio system during outputting of the combined audio; determine a corresponding delay applicable to one or both of the mix setting and the volume setting; and apply one or both of the mix setting and the volume setting based on at least the delay.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for gaming headset with enhanced off-screen awareness. An audio system that is used for outputting audio signals to a user may be configured for identifying in audio signals, based on parameters or criteria associated with a user of the system, one or more components in the audio signals; determining characteristics of the one or more components based on perception of the audio signals by the user; and adjusting based on the characteristics of the one or more components, the one or more components and/or one or more other components in the audio signals. The audio system may include circuits for handling the required functions. The circuits may include a detection circuit configured for identify the one or more components, one or more adjustment circuits for applying the adjustments, and a controller circuit for controlling applying the adjustments.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for gaming headset with enhanced off-screen awareness. An audio system that is used for outputting audio signals to a user may be configured for identifying in audio signals, based on parameters or criteria associated with a user of the system, one or more components in the audio signals; determining characteristics of the one or more components based on perception of the audio signals by the user; and adjusting based on the characteristics of the one or more components, the one or more components and/or one or more other components in the audio signals. The audio system may include circuits for handling the required functions. The circuits may include a detection circuit configured for identify the one or more components, one or more adjustment circuits for applying the adjustments, and a controller circuit for controlling applying the adjustments.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for gaming headset with enhanced off-screen awareness. An audio system that is used for outputting audio signals to a user may be configured for identifying in audio signals, based on parameters or criteria associated with a user of the system, one or more components in the audio signals; determining characteristics of the one or more components based on perception of the audio signals by the user; and adjusting based on the characteristics of the one or more components, the one or more components and/or one or more other components in the audio signals. The audio system may include circuits for handling the required functions. The circuits may include a detection circuit configured for identify the one or more components, one or more adjustment circuits for applying the adjustments, and a controller circuit for controlling applying the adjustments.

Abstract: A game headset receives a plurality of channels of game and/or chat audio during game play, monitors the plurality of channels, and detect one or more sounds on the channels during the monitoring. The game headset determines characteristics of the detected one or more sound and outputs one or more signals for generating a visual representation of the detected one or more sounds based on the determined characteristics. The game headset output the signals to a game console that provides the game play. The game console displays the visual representation during the game play based on the communicated visualization information. The one or more signals is a video stream of an in-game visualization. The game headset outputs the one or more signals to a second screen communication device that generates the visual representation during the game play based on the signals.

Abstract: An audio headset receives one or more audio signals carrying one or more audio channels and processes the audio channels to generate stereo signals for output to a left and a right speaker of the audio headset. The processing determines a number of the audio channels carried in the received audio signal(s), adjusts level(s) of the audio channels based on the determined number of audio channels and/or adjusts gain and/or phase of the audio channels to control a perceived location of a listener wearing the headset relative to a source of sounds carried in the stereo signals.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for independent audio volume control. User input may be received in an audio setup configured for combined-audio, with the user input including one or both of a selection of a desired volume of a first type audio component of the combined-audio signal, and a selection of a desired volume of a second type audio component of the combined-audio signal. Based on the user input, a corresponding mix setting may be determined, with the mix setting including one or more control parameters for adaptively controlling mixing of the first type audio component and the second type audio component to generate the combined-audio signal. The mix setting may be determined based on a data set characterizing an audio device where at least portion of the mixing is performed. The data set may be pre-programmed and/or determined based on testing of the audio device.

Abstract: A method and system for a headset with programmable modes, where the headset comprises a beamforming microphone: sensing an ambient sound level near the headset, and configuring the headset in one of a plurality of modes by configuring a beam pattern of the beamforming microphone based on at least the sensed ambient noise level. A user of the headset may configure the headset in the one of the plurality of modes or it may be automatically configured. The beamforming microphone may comprise an array of sound sensing elements. The headset may be configured in a quiet mode when the sensed ambient sound level is below that of a desired sound source and may be configured with a wide beam pattern. The headset may be configured in a loud mode when the sensed ambient sound level is above that of a desired sound source.