Abstract: An ear-hook earphone with detachable microphone support includes an earphone body, a microphone support and an ear hook. The earphone body includes a housing assembly, a speaker unit, a first connection member and a second connection member, the housing assembly accommodates the speaker unit, the first connection member and the second connection member. The microphone support includes a plug, and the plug is detachably inserted into the first connection member. The ear hook includes a docking end and a flexible hook part connected to the docking end, and the docking end is detachably inserted into the second connection member.

Abstract: A user interface for a system such as a virtual assistant is automatically adapted for hands-free use. A hands-free context is detected via automatic or manual means, and the system adapts various stages of a complex interactive system to modify the user experience to reflect the particular limitations of such a context. The system of the present invention thus allows for a single implementation of a complex system such as a virtual assistant to dynamically offer user interface elements and alter user interface behavior to allow hands-free use without compromising the user experience of the same system for hands-on use.

Abstract: Methods, systems and/or software for distributing transportation-related alerts to mobile devices may do so in accordance with various factors, such as device-specific and/or location-specific factors. In some variations, transportation-related alerts may be presented to the user in audio format and/or visual format. In some variations, these may be user-selectable options, and in other variations, a speed at which the mobile device is moving may be considered in determining how to present the transportation-related alerts to the user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for detachably engaging wireless headsets (100), and more particularly to detachably engage with individual wireless earpiece modules. Accordingly, the apparatus includes: a) a neck-band or neck-loop module (110) with at least one battery pack (112); b) at least one earpiece holders (116); wherein the at least one earpiece holder (116) is adapted to be detachably engaged with at least one wireless earpiece module (120); and wherein the at least one battery pack (112) of the neck-band or neck-loop module (110) is configured to supply power to the at least one wireless earpiece module (120) via the at least one earpiece holder (116).

Abstract: A sun visor assembly includes a body having a first face, a second face and an internal receiver between the first face and the second face. The sun visor assembly also includes a microphone that his held in the internal receiver as well as a baffle that is carried on the body and configured to efficiently and effectively direct sound toward the microphone.

Abstract: This application is directed to a compact voice-activated electronic device with speakers and electronic components and a dual waveguide/heatsink structure configured to direct sound from the speakers to the outside of the device and to dissipate to the outside of the device heat from the electronic components.

Abstract: An electronic device and a method for controlling the electronic device are provided. The electronic device includes a communication interface configured to receive a message, at least one processor configured to determine a notification scheme for outputting the message based on status information about the electronic device and obtain a summary message by converting the message according to the notification scheme, and an output module for outputting the summary message.

Abstract: An electronic device in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present technology includes a rigid covering substrate, an acoustic port extending through the covering substrate, an acoustic transducer carried by the covering substrate, and another electronic component (e.g., a touch sensor or an antenna) also carried by the covering substrate. The electronic device can also include processing circuitry and an array of electrodes through which the acoustic transducer and the other electronic component are electrically connected to the processing circuitry. The array of electrodes can be part of a flexible circuit board extending between a contact region of the covering substrate and the processing circuitry. The transducer lead can extend between a region of the covering substrate including the acoustic port and the contact region.

Abstract: A user input processing method is provided. The user input processing method determines, based on a recognition reliability of a user input for a function, a delay time and whether the function is to be performed, the function being determined in advance, and controls the function based on the delay time and whether the function is to be performed.

Abstract: A communication apparatus includes a first connector, a communication unit, and at least one processor. The first connector is configured to be attachable to and removable from a second connector of a portable telephone to which a cable is attached in transmission and reception of data to and from another device. The communication unit is configured to convert data into a radio signal and transmit the radio signal and to convert a received radio signal into data. The processor is configured to receive data from a portable telephone through the first connector, output the received data to the communication unit, receive data converted by the communication unit, and output the received data to a portable telephone through the first connector.

Abstract: A vehicle of recognizing received voice based on a language set in an external apparatus includes: a communication unit configured to receive text data stored in an external apparatus; a data converter configured to convert the received text data into voice data; a speech input unit configured to receive a speech from a user; a speech recognizer configured to recognize the received speech based on a language set in the external apparatus; and a controller configured to search for voice data corresponding to the recognized speech in the converted voice data, to generate a control command including the voice data found by the controller based on the recognized speech, and to transmit the control command to the external apparatus through the communication unit.

Abstract: A protective arrangement for an electronic device includes a flexible cover having a panel and a skirt that form an interior cavity to receive an electronic device; an adapter fixedly positioned in the flexible cover and having a male plug with connectors extending into the interior cavity of the flexible cover in an arrangement for mating with a female socket of the device and a contactor with contacts adjacent outwardly from the flexible cover and electrically coupled to one or more of the connectors of the plug; and a hard shell to be disposed around at least a portion of the flexible protective cover and having an opening through which the contactor of the adapter is extendable. Alternatively, the hard shell can be configured and arranged to be disposed within the flexible cover.

Abstract: A system and method for processing Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) data including determining whether received audio data is VoIP data, transferring, when received audio data is VoIP data, the received VoIP data to a first path, and transferring, when received audio data is not VoIP data, the received audio data to a second path. The system and method can process, when received audio data is VoIP data, the received VoIP data via a VoIP data processing path including a voice engine for VoIP, instead of an audio data processing path, irrespective of types of mobile devices and types of applications.

Abstract: A combined cellular telephone and wrist watch including a wrist watch having a housing provided with a fixed and rigid shape, and a flexible wrist band attached to the housing; and a cellular telephone located at the housing and spaced from the wrist band. A user of the cellular telephone is permitted to selectively generate, send and receive text and telephone messages while the cellular telephone is at the manual response operating mode (not within an operating vehicle). Conversely, a user of the cellular telephone is prohibited from selectively generating, sending and receiving text and telephone messages while the cellular telephone is at the automatic response operating mode (within an operating vehicle).

Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic device including: a housing (110) in which at least one sound hole (113) and at least one sound hole (114) are formed; an oscillator (120) that is provided inside the housing (110) and outputs a modulated wave for a parametric loudspeaker; a sound demodulation unit (130) that is not provided in the sound hole (113) but provided in the sound hole (114) and demodulates the modulated wave; and a sound hole opening and closing unit (112) that is mounted to the housing (110) and opens and closes the sound hole (113).

Abstract: A method is disclosed for acoustic feedback attenuation at a telecommunications terminal. A speakerphone equipped with a loudspeaker and two microphones is featured. Signals from the two microphones are subjected to a calibration stage and then to a runtime stage. The purpose of the calibration stage is to match the microphones to each other by advantageously using both magnitude and phase equalization across the frequency spectrum of the microphones. During the runtime stage, the microphones monitor the ambient sounds received from sound sources, such as the speakerphone's users and the loudspeaker itself, during a conference call. The speakerphone applies the generated set of filter coefficients to the optimized microphone's signals. By combining the signal from the reference microphone with the filtered signal from the optimized microphone, the speakerphone is able to attenuate the sounds from the loudspeaker that would otherwise be transmitted back to other conference call participants.

Abstract: Method, user terminal and computer program product for controlling audio signals at the user device during a communication session between the user device and a remote node, in which a primary audio signal is received at audio input means of the user device for transmission to the remote node in the communication session. It is determined whether the user device is operating in (i) a first mode in which secondary audio signals output from the user device are likely to disturb the primary audio signal received at the audio input means, or (ii) a second mode in which secondary audio signals output from the user device are not likely to disturb the primary audio signal received at the audio input means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a signal processing system, comprising a number of microphones and loudspeakers, a hands-free set configured to receive a telephone signal from a remote party and to transmit a microphone signal supplied by at least one of the microphones to the remote party; an in-vehicle communication system configured to receive a microphone signal supplied by at least one of the microphones; receive the telephone signal; amplify the microphone signal to obtain at least one first output signal; output the at least one first output signal and/or a second output signal corresponding to the telephone signal to at least one of the loudspeakers; and wherein the signal processing systems is configured to detect speech activity in the telephone signal and to control the in-vehicle communication system to reduce amplification of the microphone signal by a damping factor, if it is detected that speech activity is present in the telephone signal.

Abstract: A communication device includes an upper housing and a bottom housing connected to each other, a master Printed Circuit Board (PCB) for realizing a communication function, a speaker and a keypad assembly. The master PCB board is arranged on the bottom housing, wherein the upper housing includes a front housing and a front cover, the keypad assembly is arranged between the front housing and the front cover; the speaker is arranged under the front housing, the keypad assembly is connected to the master PCB board by a flexible circuit board which passes through the front housing; voice spreading holes connecting to the front cavity of the speaker are correspondingly arranged on the front cover, the keypad assembly and the front housing; the joints among the front housing, the keypad assembly, the front cover and the speaker are waterproof.

Abstract: One feature discloses a method operational at a multimedia mobile call transfer device, the method comprising: receiving a first video data associated with a multimedia call from a mobile device; receiving a first audio data associated with the multimedia call from the mobile device; processing the received first video data and the received first audio data; transmitting the processed first video data to a multimedia device for display on the multimedia device; and transmitting the processed first audio data to the multimedia device for play on speakers of the multimedia device.

Abstract: A communication system includes a local communication device that communicates with a remote communication device via a wired or wireless communication link between the devices. The local communication device and the remote communication device are each capable of switching between a multiple user mode and a single user private mode in response to a mode change request. The local and remote communication devices include respective profiles that include profile attributes that define how the respective communication device responds to a mode change request. A user of one communication device may send a mode change request to the other communication device. In response to the mode change request, the other communication device changes mode between multiple participant mode and single participant mode if the profile of that communication device permits the mode change.

Abstract: Disclosed is a charging cradle for a headset device, which includes a housing with a surface providing a mounting depression, and a cover with a transparent surface pivotably connected to the housing so as to open and close the mounting depression. The headset device is mounted in the mounting depression so as to charge an internal battery pack provided in the headset device. The cradle protects the headset device under charging, enabling the user to observe the charging state without opening it. An earphone cover for a headset device includes a projected semi-circular fixing ring for preventing the earphone from being removed from the ear. The earphone cover is provided in various sizes to fit a user's ear size, and may be rotated to change the rotational position of the fixing ring so as to enable the user to put the headset device selectively on the right or left ear.

Abstract: A sensor network system including node devices connected in a network via predetermined propagation paths collects data measured at each node device to be aggregated into one base station via a time-synchronized sensor network system. The base station calculates a position of the signal source based on the angle estimation value of the signal from each node device and position information thereof, designates a node device located nearest to the signal source as a cluster head node device, and transmits information of the position of the signal source and the designated cluster head node device to each node device, to cluster each node device located within the number of hops from the cluster head node device as a node device belonging to each cluster. Each node device performs an emphasizing process on the received signal from the signal source, and transmits an emphasized signal to the base station.

Abstract: An earbud headset, a handset including the same, and methods of operating the headset and handset are provided. In one embodiment, an earbud headset includes a speaker portion that is retractable into and extendable from a base portion, thereby allowing for a thin profile form factor. Advantageously, the earbud headset allows for more convenient storage and/or integration with a handset such that a user may carry the handset and headset much like a single item.

Abstract: A mobile communication terminal and text-to-speech method. The mobile communication terminal includes a display unit for displaying at least one object on a screen; a controller for identifying a depth of an activated object on the screen and finding a speech data set mapped to the identified depth; a speech synthesizer for converting textual contents of the activated object into audio wave data using the found speech data set; and an audio processor for outputting the audio wave data in speech sounds. As a result, textual contents of different objects are output in different voices so the user can easily distinguish one object from another object.

Abstract: Method, user terminal and computer program product for controlling audio signals at the user device during a communication session between the user device and a remote node, in which a primary audio signal is received at audio input means of the user device for transmission to the remote node in the communication session. It is determined whether the user device is operating in (i) a first mode in which secondary audio signals output from the user device are likely to disturb the primary audio signal received at the audio input means, or (ii) a second mode in which secondary audio signals output from the user device are not likely to disturb the primary audio signal received at the audio input means.

Abstract: Proximity sensor, particularly for usage in an electronic mobile device, comprising at least one acoustic transducer adapted for receiving acoustic signals at least in parts of the frequency range of human audible sound and emitting and/or receiving ultrasonic signals for proximity estimation. The acoustic transducer preferably is a Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) microphone. Further, a method in an electronic device comprising an acoustic transducer is provided comprising the steps of generating at least one electric signal in the frequency range of ultrasonic sound, emitting at least one ultrasonic signal by means of the acoustic transducer; receiving at least one ultrasonic signal by means of the acoustic transducer; deducing from the at least one emitted ultrasonic signal and the at least one received ultrasonic signal at least the delay between emission of the emitted ultrasonic signal and reception of the corresponding ultrasonic signal.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of using a speaker phone mode of a portable voice communications device having a built-in camera are described herein. In one embodiment, the speaker phone mode is activated if it is determined that an image captured by the device is black or nearly black, which indicates that the device is placed flat or nearly flat against surface. In one embodiment, the speaker phone mode is activated based on the results of comparing the captured image to a plurality of previously stored captured images wherein the previously stored captured images include images captured by the device in situations where it would be desirable for the speaker phone mode to be activated. In one embodiment, the speaker phone mode is activated based on a comparison of a captured image and previously stored captured images and their respective speaker phone mode statuses. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a signal processing system, comprising a number of microphones and loudspeakers, a hands-free set configured to receive a telephone signal from a remote party and to transmit a microphone signal supplied by at least one of the microphones to the remote party; an in-vehicle communication system configured to receive a microphone signal supplied by at least one of the microphones; receive the telephone signal; amplify the microphone signal to obtain at least one first output signal; output the at least one first output signal and/or a second output signal corresponding to the telephone signal to at least one of the loudspeakers; and wherein the signal processing systems is configured to detect speech activity in the telephone signal and to control the in-vehicle communication system to reduce amplification of the microphone signal by a damping factor, if it is detected that speech activity is present in the telephone signal.

Abstract: A mobile communication terminal and text-to-speech method. The mobile communication terminal includes a display unit for displaying at least one object on a screen; a controller for identifying a depth of an activated object on the screen and finding a speech data set mapped to the identified depth; a speech synthesizer for converting textual contents of the activated object into audio wave data using the found speech data set; and an audio processor for outputting the audio wave data in speech sounds. As a result, textual contents of different objects are output in different voices so the user can easily distinguish one object from another object.

Abstract: Improved approaches for users of electronic devices to communicate with one another are disclosed. The electronic devices have audio and/or textual output capabilities. The improved approaches can enable users to communicate in different ways depending on device configuration, user preferences, prior history, etc. In one embodiment, the communication between users is achieved by short audio or textual messages.

Abstract: A vehicle hands-free communication apparatus includes an identifier receiver, a storage, a compatibility information receiver, a renewing device, a determination device, a connecting device, and an informing device. The identifier receiver receives a phone identifier from a mobile phone. The storage stores compatibility information. The compatibility information receiver receives renewed compatibility information. The renewing device replaces the compatibility information stored in the storage with the renewed compatibility information. The determination device determines whether the mobile phone is compatible with the hands-free communication apparatus by comparing the phone identifier and the stored compatibility information. The connecting device establishes a communication between the apparatus and the mobile phone when the determination device determines that the mobile phone is compatible with the apparatus.

Abstract: An electronic device may include a printed circuit board and a speaker box defining an acoustic volume between spaced apart first and second speaker box walls with the first speaker box wall being between the second speaker box wall and the printed circuit board. A loudspeaker may be coupled to the first speaker box wall, and the loudspeaker may include an acoustic actuator that is configured to generate displacements in response to an electrical signal applied thereto. The loudspeaker may further include a speaker membrane that is mechanically coupled to the acoustic actuator and that is configured to deflect in directions toward and away from the second speaker box wall responsive to displacements of the acoustic actuator. Related assemblies and methods are also discussed.

Abstract: A data management tool is provided. The tool comprises a first processor, a server application that, when executed on the first processor, manages allocation of equipment serial numbers (ESNs) used in executing test cases related to mobile devices, aggregates test progress data in a defect board, maintains a test chat forum, and sends a notification of a defect when the defect is reported to the server application, a second processor, and a thick client that, when executed on the second processor, receives the notification of the defect, participates in the test chat forum and requests one of the equipment serial numbers from the server application.

Abstract: A degree of seal of an ear about a speaker port may be estimated by detecting touch contact between the ear and at least one touch sensor in fixed relation to the speaker port. The degree of seal is estimated based on the detected touch contact. Based upon the estimated degree of seal, the acoustic output of the speaker may be adjusted. The adjustment may compensate for perceived changes to the quality of the acoustic output resulting from the degree of seal. The at least one touch sensor may be a plurality of touch sensors spaced around the speaker port. Each sensor may have a truncated wedge shape, with a narrow end closest to the speaker port. Upon receipt of user input indicative of a high degree of ear seal, a sample of the sensor(s) may be taken and stored for using during future estimation of the degree of seal.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of using a speaker phone mode of a portable voice communications device having a built-in camera are described herein. In one embodiment, the speaker phone mode is activated if it is determined that an image captured by the device is black or nearly black, which indicates that the device is placed flat or nearly flat against surface. In one embodiment, the speaker phone mode is activated based on the results of comparing the captured image to a plurality of previously stored captured images wherein the previously stored captured images include images captured by the device in situations where it would be desirable for the speaker phone mode to be activated. In one embodiment, the speaker phone mode is activated based on a comparison of a captured image and previously stored captured images and their respective speaker phone mode statuses. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a speakerphone may comprise multiple (e.g., 16) microphones placed in a circular array around a central speaker. The microphones may be mounted vertically in the speakerphone with their respective diaphragms substantially parallel to the top surface of the speakerphone. The centrally mounted speaker may be coupled to a stiff internal speaker enclosure. The speaker enclosure may be made of a stiff, heavy material (e.g., a dense plastic) to prevent the speaker vibrations from excessively vibrating the speakerphone enclosure (which may affect the microphones). The speaker enclosure may also include a raised rim and ridges to increase its stiffness.

Abstract: A mobile device, particularly a wireless headset, includes a cord to which an earpiece is fixed and a module having a spring-actuated retractor reel into which the cord is retracted for storage. A fastener on the module makes the device wearable. A rotary encoder generates a position data output according to the rotational position of the reel, and a controller receives the position data output from the sensor, and, in response, controls a function such as placing the device in an on-hook or off-hook state.

Abstract: Improved approaches for users of electronic devices to communicate with one another are disclosed. The electronic devices have audio and/or textual output capabilities. The improved approaches can enable users to communicate in different ways depending on device configuration, user preferences, prior history, etc. In one embodiment, the communication between users is achieved by short audio or textual messages.

Abstract: A wireless headphone assembly has left and right speakers attached to ends of a headphone body, and at least two antennas, e.g., one located at each speaker. Reception can be improved by selecting a “best” one of the antennas based on a quality metric.

Abstract: In a system in which a first computer transmits data to a second computer, the first computer transmits data conveying time information to the second computer, with the information expressing a first time point that occurs prior to commencement of the transmission and, following reception of the time information, the second computer compares the first time point information with a current time point, to thereby obtain a communication delay amount that includes a delay in transmitting data from the first to the second computer.

Abstract: A new speakerphone wherein a loudspeaker is oriented to face the listeners of an audio conference is disclosed. New speakerphones which have a bass loudspeaker and at least one tweeter loudspeaker wherein the tweeter loudspeaker is oriented towards listeners of an audio conference are also disclosed.

Abstract: A communications system may include at least one mobile wireless communications device, and a wireless communications network for sending text messages thereto. More particularly, the at least one mobile wireless communications device may include a wireless transceiver and a controller for cooperating therewith for receiving text messages from the wireless communications network. It may further include a headset output connected to the controller. The controller may be for switching between a normal message mode and an audio message mode based upon a connection between the headset output and a headset. Moreover, when in the audio message mode, the controller may output at least one audio message including speech generated from at least one of the received text messages via the headset output.

Abstract: According to an aspect of an embodiment, a mobile terminal device includes a lower casing, an upper casing, and an intermediate casing, an intermediate casing connected to the lower casing by a hinge structure which enables the intermediate casing to rotate about an axis, the intermediate casing supporting a back surface of the upper casing by a front surface of the intermediate casing, wherein the upper casing has a first groove formed in a vertical direction with respect to the rotation axis on a surface facing the intermediate casing, the intermediate casing has a first portion protruding from a surface facing the upper casing and fitting the groove of the upper casing, and the upper casing is rotatable with respect to the intermediate casing for the portion being guided by the groove.

Abstract: A phone for pets and pet owners is taught which allows the owner to call the house and “talk” to the pet. The owner can then see a video image of the pet in front of the pet phone to verify presence and happiness. The device can also present the owner's scent to the pet and deliver treats on remote command. In some embodiments, the pet can initiate the phone call.

Abstract: A method for conveying media source location information includes receiving a first communication from a first endpoint and receiving location information indicating a first location of the first endpoint. The method also includes presenting the first communication to a user of a second endpoint in a manner to reflect the first location relative to a second location of the second endpoint.

Abstract: A technique is directed to controlling speaker volume of a speaker of a portable communications device (e.g., a cellular telephone, a cordless hand phone, a combination of a cellular phone and a hands-free ear piece, etc.). The technique involves receiving an environmental signal from an environmental microphone of the portable communications device. The technique further involves identifying a level of environmental noise based on the environmental signal, and adjusting the speaker volume of the speaker of the portable communications device (e.g., ringer volume, voice output volume, etc.) based on the identified level of environmental noise. Such operation enables a user to accommodate a variety of settings without burdening the user with ongoing manual volume control of the portable communications device.

Abstract: A hands-free headset adapter comprises a first telephone connector configured to couple with the base unit of a landline telephone; a second telephone connector configured to couple with the handset of the landline telephone, the second telephone connector coupled to the first telephone connector via a communication channel; receive and transmit circuits coupled to the communication channel and configured to receive and transmit audio information with the base unit of the landline telephone; and a hands-free transceiver coupled to the receive and transmit circuits and configured to communicate over a desired standard, e.g., the Bluetooth® standard, with a hands-free headset. The second connector may be configured to reconnect the original telephone handset, thereby maintaining the original integrity of the desk/wall-mount telephone. The desired standard may include the same wireless standard as a user's cellular telephone.

Abstract: A mobile terminal having acoustic transducers and method for using the same are provided. The acoustic transducers are detachably mounted in a terminal body. When the acoustic transducers are mounted in the terminal body, they are operated as speakers, and when the acoustic transducers are separated from the terminal body, the acoustic transducers are operated as at least one of a wireless earphone and the microphone.

Abstract: In a communication device (1) that is designed to deliver sound, in an against the-ear mode, into a space (22) bounded by the ear and, in an away-from-the-ear mode, into an acoustic free space, a loudspeaker (3) is provided for generating the sound and a holding device (2) is furthermore provided, which holding device (2) comprises a first holding-device region (16) via which, in the against-the-ear mode, the sound generated by the loudspeaker (3) can be delivered without hindrance by the ear and which holding device (2) comprises a second holding-device region (15A) that does not comprise the first holding-device region (16) and via which, in the against-the-ear mode, the sound generated by the loudspeaker (3) can be fed to the space (22) bounded by the ear and a first sound-conveying device is furthermore provided with whose aid the sound generated by the loudspeaker (3) can be conveyed, in the away-from-the-ear mode, through the first holding-device region (16) into the acoustic free space, and a second so