Abstract: Various aspects of this disclosure are directed to determining an orientation of a mobile computing device. The mobile computing device may include a first microphone-speaker system and a second microphone-speaker system that can each provide microphone and speaker capabilities. The first microphone-speaker system may be enabled to operate as a speaker device. The enabling of the first microphone-speaker system may include allowing the first microphone-speaker system to provide audio output and disallowing the mobile computing device to process audio input received from the first microphone-speaker system. The second microphone-speaker system may be enabled to operate as a microphone. Enabling the second microphone-speaker system may include allowing the mobile computing device to process audio input received from the second microphone-speaker system and disallowing the second microphone-speaker system to provide audio output.

Abstract: A headphone accessory for use with a portable audio device and headphones. The headphone accessory includes an audio source input for receiving audio signals from an audio device. An audio sound transducer receives external sounds and converts the external sound to external sound signals. A signal mixer for continuously varies the balance of a source audio volume to an external sound volume. The signal mixer mixes the volume-adjusted source audio signals with volume-adjusted external sound signals. An audio output outputs the mixed source audio and external sound signals.

Abstract: A method of operating a microphone system includes providing first and second microphones associated with a same human speaker. An analog ambient noise signal is received from the first microphone. An analog speech signal is received from the second microphone. The analog ambient noise signal is converted into a digital ambient noise signal. The analog speech signal is converted into a digital speech signal. Digital noise cancellation is performed on the digital speech signal dependent upon the digital ambient noise signal. The digital noise cancellation is performed by digital circuitry. The noise canceled digital speech signal is inputted into an intercom system. A low power condition of the microphone system and/or a failure of the digital circuitry is sensed. In response to the sensing step, an analog-based intercom signal is inputted into the intercom system. The analog-based intercom signal is dependent on the analog speech signal and substantially independent of the analog ambient noise signal.

Abstract: A volume control system comprises: an amplifying apparatus; and a controller connectable to the amplifying apparatus. The amplifying apparatus includes; a first receiving section for receiving a volume value from the controller, a first input section into which an instruction for changing the volume value is input by a user's operation, a first transmitting section for transmitting the volume value input into the first input section to the controller, and a volume control section for, when the first receiving section receives the volume value or the changed volume value is input into the first input section, controlling a volume value of the amplifying apparatus based on the volume value.

Abstract: A sound reproducing device has a loudspeaker arranged to produce sound from an audio signal provided by an audio signal source. A microphone is positioned to pick up ambient noise and generate a microphone signal which comprises the noise. An ambient noise cancellation (ANC) system receives the microphone signal from the microphone and generates anti-noise corresponding to the ambient noise in the microphone signal. An automatic polarity adaptation (AAP) system monitors the ANC system and, when a decision criterion is fulfilled, causes a switch in polarity for the generated anti-noise.

Abstract: A biasing circuit for an acoustic transducer is provided with: a voltage-booster stage, which supplies, on a biasing terminal, a boosted voltage for biasing a first terminal of the acoustic transducer; and filtering elements, set between the biasing terminal and the acoustic transducer, for filtering disturbances on the boosted voltage. The biasing circuit is further provided with switches, which can be actuated so as to connect the first terminal to the biasing terminal of the voltage-booster stage, directly during a start-up step of the biasing circuit, and through the filtering elements at the end of the start-up step.

Abstract: Under the control of a controller, a DSP supplies audio signals received from a switch circuit to a main zone DAC, subjects the audio signals received from the aforementioned switch circuit (i.e., audio signals for main zone use) to down-mixing processing so that the number of channels matches the number of output terminals assigned to each zone, and respectively supplies the audio signals subjected to down-mixing processing to the respective switch circuits of each zone. Each of the aforementioned switch circuits supplies the audio signals received from the subzone DAC to the respective volume adjustor of each zone.

Abstract: An audio control method of an audio player, the audio player includes an audio playing unit having a first channel and a second channel, and an audio control system executed by a processor of the audio player. The audio control system includes an audio playing module, a detection module and a channel adjustment module. The audio playing module plays an audio file and outputs audio signals of the audio file through the audio playing unit, the audio signals have a first channel signals and a second channel signals. The detection module detects whether the first channel signals and the second channel signals are normally played. The channel adjustment module combines one of the first and second channel signals to another of the first and second channel signals, to form combination signals, and plays the combination signals through the first or the second channel.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a speaker, a terminal, an amplifier, a power supply circuit, a setting module, a detection module, and a controller. The terminal is configured to input an audio signal from an external device. The amplifier is configured to amplify the audio signal, and to output audio from the speaker. The power supply circuit is configured to supply power to the amplifier. The setting module is configured to set data which indicates whether audio output from the speaker is to be enabled or disabled when the apparatus is in a non-operative state. The detection module is configured to detect a predetermined state of the apparatus. The controller is configured to control the power supply circuit, based on the data and the predetermined state, in order to supply the power to the amplifier when the apparatus is in the non-operative state.

Abstract: A circuit apparatus and a method for detecting an earphone in a portable terminal are provided. The apparatus includes an earjack, a first switch, a second switch, a comparator, and a main chip. The earjack outputs a signal informing whether an earphone is inserted, provides a signal input from a third pole of the inserted earphone to the first switch, and provides a signal input from a fourth pole to the second switch. The first switch outputs a signal provided from the earjack to one of a comparator and a ground depending on an input control signal. The second switch outputs a signal provided from the earjack to one of the comparator and the ground depending on the input control signal. The comparator compares a voltage of a signal provided from one of the first switch and the second switch with a reference voltage to output a signal representing a comparison result.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a button-press detection and filtering method, related circuit, and button-press detection chip for a external device. A button-press signal from a wire control apparatus is coupled to the button-press detection chip for the external device. The button-press detection chip for the external device can digitally sample the button-press signal through the filter circuit and outputs a digital logic signal corresponding to a button to an audio codec according to the sampling result. The audio codec can determine a pressed button according to the digital logic signal and performs a corresponding function. With the solutions of the disclosure, a noise interference signal in a button-press signal may be avoided and a pressed button may be accurately detected, without using a dedicated chip or complex software codes in a wire control apparatus and an electronic device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a driver circuit wherein upper and lower legs of a first driver comprise first and second sets of parellelly coupled semiconductor switches, respectively. A control circuit is configured to generate respective control signals for the first and second sets of parellelly coupled semiconductor switches to create a current path through the upper and lower legs during an overlap time period between state transitions of a driver output.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a switch of an audio output device selects any of an output of the buffer and an output of the zero data generation unit to output to the output port. The switch control unit controls the selection of the switch based on an instruction of an output control signal. The front address storage unit stores a setting value of a front address of the buffer. The offset value storage unit stores an offset value set in the buffer. The output address control unit outputs a value obtained by adding the offset value to the setting value of the front address as an output start address of the buffer.

Abstract: An amplified signal switching system comprises a plurality of transducers, and a switch operable for diverting amplified transient signals to selected transducers and preventing the amplified transient signals from being sent to non-selected transducers, wherein the amplified transient signals are AC or acoustic signals, wherein the plurality of transducers comprise a plurality of speakers, and wherein the plurality of transducers are isolated from one another. The switching system further comprises an amplifier operable for sending the amplified transient signals to the switch. The switch selectively turns the amplified transient signals on and off to the selected transducers in order to prevent the non-selected transducers from receiving the amplified transient signals. Moreover, the switch minimizes signal distortion in the selected transducers, and alternatively, the switch eliminates signal output to the non-selected transducers.

Abstract: An entertainment system for a vehicle, including a media player and a control panel having an option that allows a user to select either a first communication mode or a second communication mode, wherein the first communication mode sets the entertainment system to respond to a transmitted first set of codes and the second communication mode sets the entertainment system to respond to a transmitted second set of codes.

Abstract: Electronic device, accessory, and method for detecting an accessory are provided. The electronic device includes a connector, a control unit, and an audio processing unit. The connector is configured to connect to an accessory and has an audio contact. The control unit has first and second terminals, which are coupled to the audio contact. The control unit is configured to send a command, which is represented by a first serial digital signal, to the accessory through the first terminal and audio contact when the accessory is electrically connected to the connector, and to receive accessory data, which is represented by a second serial digital signal and generated by the accessory in response to the command, through the second terminal and audio contact. The audio processing unit is coupled between the audio contact and control unit, and configured to receive an audio signal from the accessory through the audio contact.

Abstract: An interactive toy for audio output is provided having a speaker contained within a housing, connected to an electrical signal defining an audio output to be generated by the speaker. The housing may include a humanoid face defined at least in part by lights contained within the housing; and an information processor that measures a variable audio characteristic of the electrical signal, prompts a user to change the variable audio characteristic and controls a pattern scheme for the lights. A pattern scheme for the lights may include a first pattern scheme in which the lights illuminate in multiple ascending groups and a second pattern scheme in which the lights illuminate in multiple descending groups.

Abstract: Signal of a channel selected in accordance with a cue instruction is supplied to a cue bus. Cue signal processing section provided in the cue bus can perform one or more signal processing operations, selected from among a predetermined plurality of different signal processing operations, such as “Delay”, “Insert” and “Equalizer”. For each of a plurality of channel types, a set of setting information is stored which contains information for setting ON or OFF of individual ones of the plurality of different signal processing operations. The set of setting information corresponding to the type of the channel selected via the cue instruction is referenced, and one or more signal processing operations is determined in such a manner that each signal processing operation set in an ON state in the setting file in correspondence with the type of the selected channel is performed on the signal supplied to the cue bus.

Abstract: A switching section causes the first amplification section to amplify the expansion left audio signal and supply the amplified expansion left audio signal to the first speaker terminal and causing the second amplification section to amplify the expansion right audio signal and supply the amplified expansion right audio signal to the second speaker terminal when the Bi-Amp function is not used. The switching section causes the first amplification section to amplify the left audio signal for Bi-Amp and supply the amplified left audio signal for Bi-Amp the first speaker terminal and causing the second amplification section to amplify the right audio signal for Bi-Amp and supply the amplified right audio signal for Bi-Amp to the second speaker terminal when the Bi-Amp function is used.

Abstract: A terminal having plural audio signal output ports and an audio signal output method thereof are provided. The audio signal output method of a terminal having at least two audio signal output ports includes setting allocation information on which audio signal source is allocated to each of the audio signal output ports according to a user input, extracting the set allocation information, and outputting an audio signal of an audio signal source through a corresponding audio signal output port according to the extracted allocation information. An audio signal output apparatus capable of variously using an audio signal output port according to the need of a user, and a method thereof may be provided.

Abstract: An audio compensation unit includes a detection subunit and a compensation subunit. The detection subunit is for detecting an audio signal to obtain an original frequency. The detection subunit defines a predetermined low frequency band and a predetermined high frequency band. The detection subunit is also for generating a first control signal when the original frequency is within the low frequency band, and a second control signal when the original frequency is within the high frequency band. The compensation subunit includes an electronic switch, a first compensation circuit, and a second compensation circuit. The electronic switch enables the first compensation circuit according to the first control signal, for compensating the audio signal. The electronic switch is further enables the second compensation circuit according to the second control signal, for compensating the audio signal.

Abstract: A device comprises: a first acoustic transducer; a second acoustic transducer; one or more transducer drivers; one or more signal receivers; and a transducer configuration device for selectively configuring connections between: (1) at least one of the first and second acoustic transducers; and (2) the one or more transducer drivers and the one or more signal receivers, according to a selected operating mode for the device among a plurality of possible operating modes.

Abstract: A system for wireless control of audio signal switching. The system includes a wireless transmitter having a physically actuated switch, and a main unit. The main unit includes a wireless receiver and one or more relays which may switch the path of the audio signal or provide remote control of external devices, in response to input at the physically actuated switch.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer program wherein the apparatus comprises: a housing comprising a convex portion configured to enable the apparatus to rock in response to an impulse provided by a user; and a processor configured to enable a function of the apparatus to be performed in response to the detection of the rocking of the apparatus.

Abstract: In general, techniques of controlling a plurality of multimedia players in groups are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a mechanism is provided to allow a user to group some of the players according to a theme or scene, where each of the players is located in a zone. When the scene is activated, the players in the scene react in a synchronized manner. For example, the players in the scene are all caused to play a multimedia source or music in a playlist, wherein the multimedia source may be located anywhere on a network.

Abstract: Devices connected with a computer system are interrogated to detect whether they are configured and functioning. In an audio device implementation, a known audio sample is output to a loudspeaker. If the loudspeaker is properly configured and functional, an attached microphone will capture the sound corresponding to the audio sample generated by the loudspeaker. If sound corresponding to the audio sample is detected, an indication is provided to the user that the microphone and loudspeaker are operational. If no sound corresponding to the audio sample is detected, an indication is provided to the user that the loudspeaker is not enabled and additional configuration is required.

Abstract: A multimode audio reproduction device is disclosed that comprises first and second audio reproduction modules coupled by a support structure. The first and second audio reproduction modules are movable between two configurations. In the first configuration the audio reproduction device serves as a loudspeaker while in the second configuration the audio reproduction device serves as a headphone.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing or entirely canceling background or ambient noise from a voice transmission from a communications device. A communications device, such as a mobile telephone, is configured with an ambient noise compensation signal generator that is connected between a microphone and a mixer. The original output of the microphone and a compensation signal generated by the ambient noise compensation signal generator are mixed together prior to being passed to a transmitter. In one embodiment a buffer is provided between the microphone and the mixer to help synchronize the timing of the signals to be mixed. In another embodiment a second microphone is employed to detect ambient noise.

Abstract: In order to facilitate the operation to select a directional microphone and a non-directional microphone, an IC recorder includes a directional microphone having directivity, a non-directional microphone not having directivity, a scene selection portion to select one of the four scenes of oral dictation, conference, lecture, and music, a first EEPROM for storing in advance a correspondence table that assigns either one of the directional microphone and the non-directional microphone to each of the four scenes, and a microphone switching portion to switch, between the directional microphone and the non-directional microphone, to the one assigned to the selected scene by the correspondence table in response to one of the four scenes being selected by the scene selection portion.

Abstract: An application for present invention includes a television with a set of speaker outputs including at least a left speaker and a right speaker. On screen displays are used to properly configure the speakers and assure maximum audio quality from the television. In some embodiments, a cross-point switch connects the speakers attached to the television with the correct outputs of an internal amplifier.

Abstract: A power supply circuit including a voltage regulator and a headphone driving circuit employing the same are disclosed. In accordance with the present invention, the power supply circuit may provide stable power supply to the amplifier since the power supply circuit generates the constant voltage +Vreg and the constant voltage ?Vreg from +VDD robust to stronger than a power noise, and the balanced signal path for isolating the noise of the input signal to be amplified is not required, thereby simplifying the constitution of the circuit.

Abstract: An external equipment controlling apparatus includes: a connecting unit, connected to an external equipment via an interface to input/receive data into/from the external equipment, the external equipment to which audio data is input and which performs an acoustic process to a sound corresponding to the audio data and causes a speaker to emit the sound; an audio data outputting unit, operable to generate the audio data, and operable to output the audio data to the external equipment; an identification information acquiring unit, configured to acquire identification information for specifying the external equipment from the external equipment; a program acquiring unit, configured to acquire a control program corresponding to the external equipment specified by the identification information from a server via a network; a video data outputting unit, operable to generate video data for displaying a setting screen for setting the acoustic process on a displaying unit, and operable to output the video data to the d

Abstract: An audio processing apparatus includes: a transmission signal input/output unit that inputs or outputs a video signal, an audio signal, and a control signal; a reproduction processing unit that reproduces the audio signal inputted to the transmission signal input/output unit or an audio signal inputted to any other audio signal input unit; an output unit that outputs the audio signal, which is processed by the reproduction processing unit, through a loudspeaker; and a control unit that when detecting that a control signal signifying that a predetermined mode concerning the display image quality represented by the video signal should be designated is inputted to the transmission signal input/output unit, instructs the reproduction processing unit to perform predetermined sound-field processing or sound-quality processing during the reproduction.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a circuit with three-stage of power-on sequence used for suppressing the pop noise in audio system. It mainly comprises a first resistor (R1); a capacitor (Cout); a first switch (SW1); a second switch (SW2); a soft start device; a first feedback amplifier; and a second feedback amplifier. By using the three-stage of power-on sequence, the present invention can effectively suppress the pop noise when the audio driver is power on.

Abstract: An electronic device includes an audio power amplifier used to output a left and a right channel audio signal, an earphone jack assembly, and a switching circuit automatically switching between a speaker mode and an earphone mode. The audio power amplifier includes a control pin enabling the audio power amplifier to be electrically connected to the speaker. The control pin activated at a low level and disabled at a high level. The switching circuit is capable of enabling the control pin to switch between the low level and the high level. The switching circuit includes a power supply, a first resistor, a second resistor, a third resistor, and a diode. The resistance of the third resistor far exceeds that of the first resistor.

Abstract: A directional transducer array system comprising a plurality of transducers with mathematical sequence spacing mounted on an array tile or host device. In an embodiment, the invention allows the construction of a receiving or transmitting, tiled (modular) directional audio array while simultaneously retaining desirable directional characteristics, improving gain, and limiting negative impacts on side lobe attenuation as the array is scaled (i.e. identical or similar tiles are added to or subtracted from the array); and allows the construction of a receiving or transmitting directional audio array that is light weight and robust enough to be used in body-worn, body-carried, vehicular, and fixed installations.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a media device is configured so that it automatically causes a first predetermined channel to be displayed on an output device when a user sends a request signal to the media device to turn the output device off. The media device may be configured so that it causes the output device to shut off after the first predetermined channel has been on for a dwell period of time after the request signal has been received. The dwell period of time may be approximately two seconds. In some embodiments, a media device is configured so that it automatically causes a first predetermined channel to be displayed on an output device when a user sends a request signal to the media device to turn the output device on. In some embodiments, the media device is a television device. In other embodiments, the media device is a radio device.

Abstract: A digital audio driver having a floating PWM input and for controlling a stage of high voltage, high speed high- and low-side MOSFETs series connected at a node. The driver includes a floating input interface circuit having a protection circuit to provide secure protection sequence against over-current conditions; and high and low side circuits for driving the high- and low-side MOSFETs, each high and low side circuit including a bi-directional current sensing circuit which requires no external shunt resistors that enables capture of over-current conditions at either positive or negative load current direction. The RDS(ON) of the high- and low-side MOSFETs is used as current sensing resistors, once the RDS(ON) exceeds a pre-determined threshold, an over current output signal is fed to the protection block to shutdown the MOSFET to protect the devices.

Abstract: An audio device and an audio input/output method are described, which is coupled to an audio port, and includes a capacitor, a load, an output amplifying module, and an input amplifying module. The capacitor and the load are coupled to the audio port. The output amplifying module is operated at a first working voltage, for outputting a first audio signal to the audio port. A direct current (DC) level of the first audio signal is substantially zero volts. The input amplifying module is operated at a second working voltage, in order to receive a second audio signal from the audio port. When the audio port is in an output state, the output amplifying module is enabled and the input amplifying module is disabled, and when the audio port is in an input state, the input amplifying module is enabled and the output amplifying module is disabled.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a speaker, a terminal, an amplifier, a battery, a power supply circuit, and a controller. The terminal is configured to input an audio signal from an external device. The amplifier is configured to amplify the audio signal which is input from the terminal, and to output audio from the speaker. The power supply circuit is configured to supply power from the battery to the amplifier. The controller is configured to control the power supply circuit, based on a residual capacity of the battery and a preset battery level, in order to supply the power to the amplifier when the electronic apparatus is in a non-operative state.

Abstract: Systems and methods of placeshifting media playback between two or more devices are provided. For example, a method for placeshifting media may include sending a first message from a media-receiving electronic device to a media-playing electronic device playing a media file and receiving a response identifying the media file and a point at which the media file was being played when the first message was received. The media-receiving electronic device may play a copy of the media file at the point where the media-playing electronic device left off.

Abstract: A mobile device for providing multi-channel sound collection and output using a common connector, and a driving method thereof are provided. A mobile device having a sound compressor and a sound decompressor includes a connector slidably receiving a sound collector plug or a sound output plug, a plug identification unit for, if one of the sound collector plug and the sound output plug is coupled to the connector, identifying if the plug coupled to the connector is the sound collector plug or is the sound output plug, a switching unit for electrically coupling the plug coupled to the connector, to the sound compressor, or electrically coupling the plug coupled to the connector, to the sound decompressor, and a controller for controlling switching of the switching unit according to the identification outcome.

Abstract: There is provided a device control apparatus including a wearing information detection section which detects wearing information of a sound output apparatus, and an output control section which switches an output destination of an input sound between the sound output apparatus and another sound output apparatus in accordance with a detection result obtained by the wearing information detection section.

Abstract: A sound signal transmitter-receiver includes a differential microphone for receiving sounds respectively at first and second points to convert the receiving sounds into a transmission sound signal; a transmission-reception unit for receiving an incoming signal as a reception sound signal; an addition unit for adding the reception sound signal from the transmission-reception unit and the transmission sound signal to produce an addition signal; and a speaker outputting sound based on the addition signal.

Abstract: A sound collector includes a first microphone unit and a second microphone unit having a single directivity and being pivotally supported in a manner that directions of directional axes of the units are changeable in an identical flat plane and a switch to be controlled in conjunction with the rotations of the first and the second microphone units. Output signals of the first and the second microphone units are outputted with channels of the signals being exchanged or non-exchanged by the switch in accordance with an angle formed by the directional axes.

Abstract: In each of a plurality of input channels of an audio mixer, there are provided a fader operator for adjusting a tone volume level, and a send level adjustment section for adjusting a send level of an audio signal to be sent from the channel to individual mixing buses. On an operation panel of the mixer, there are provided a plurality of bus selection switches in corresponding relation to the mixing buses. Once any one of the bus selection switches is depressed once, the mixing bus corresponding to the operated bus selection switch is allocated to a selected send level operator. Activation/deactivation of a Sends On Fader (SOF) function may be instructed by a user depressing any one of the bus selection switches twice in succession.

Abstract: Feedback is reduced by routing an input signal through a kick gate that opens for a predetermined time period then closes. The gate may be kept closed for a predetermined minimum time period before being allowed to open again. The gate is triggered open based on the input signal and may include a plurality of triggering conditions.

Abstract: An audio host device has an electrical interface having a speaker contact, a microphone contact, and a reference contact. The reference contact is shared by a microphone and a speaker. The reference contact is also directly coupled to a power return plane of the audio host device. A difference amplifier is provided, having a cold input and a hot input. The hot input is coupled to the microphone contact. A switched attenuator circuit is also provided that has first and second states. In the first state, the attenuator circuit couples a sense point of the reference contact to the cold input, while in the second state the cold input is isolated from the reference sense point. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for switching audio channels of a communication module are disclosed by the disclosure, wherein the method comprises the following steps of: establishing one-to-one corresponding audio channels for signal type combinations of all audio interfaces of the communication module; receiving external audio channel switching instructions, and selecting the audio channels which are to be switched according to the audio channel switching instructions; and switching the selected audio channels, which are to be switched, to the corresponding audio interfaces of the communication module. With the disclosure, the communication module can be adapted to various signal type combinations of different products, i.e., the communication module can select appropriate audio channels according to audio input/output types of different products, thus the applicability of the communication module is improved enormously.

Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a player, a speaker, a control circuit, a switch circuit, and a current limiter. The player is for outputting analog audio signals. The speaker is for transforming the analog audio signals into sound. The control circuit is for generating a first control signal when ambient light intensity is lower than a predetermined value. The switch circuit is for turning on and transmitting the analog audio signals to the speaker when receiving the first control signal. The current limiter is for transmitting the analog audio signals to the speaker when the switch circuit turns off, and for limiting a current flowing through the speaker.