Abstract: An exemplary media player system includes a media player and an earphone. The earphone includes a first earpiece, a second earpiece, a primary volume control unit, and a secondary volume control unit. The first earpiece and the second earpiece are configured for receiving first channel audio signals and second channel audio signals respectively, and converting the audio signals to yield audible sounds. The primary volume control unit adjusts the volume levels of the first earpiece and the second earpiece simultaneously. The secondary volume control unit adjusts the volume of sounds outputted from one of the first earpiece and the second earpiece.

Abstract: A method for generating a head related transfer function comprises downconverting each of a plurality of measured impulse responses from a first sampling frequency to a second sampling frequency and then converting each downconverted impulse responses to a set of head related transfer functions. Coordinate conversion can then be performed on each set of head related transfer functions. The converted sets of head related transfer functions are then averaged to generate one average head related transfer function. The average head related transfer function can be decimated to fit a filter engine of a target system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically remotely controlling an audio source providing the apparatus with audio for being audibly output to a user of the apparatus entails monitoring various sensors to determine whether or not one or more ear couplings of the apparatus are positioned in close proximity to one or both of the user's ears to determine whether the user is listening to the audibly output audio with either one or both ears, or is not listening at all. In response to changes in whether the user is listening with either one or both ears, or whether the user is listening at all, the audio source is automatically signaled with one or more commands to cease or resume providing the audio to the apparatus, perform or cease performing various alterations on the audio before providing it to the apparatus, etc.

Abstract: An earphone housing has a sound output port to be inserted into an ear. Multiple drivers are located in the housing. Each driver has a respective motor and a respective diaphragm. The diaphragm of one of the drivers is vented but that another is not. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A headphone pillow includes a support portion. The support portion is flexible and has a first end and a second end. A first pillow portion has a first pillow ear portion connected to the first end of the support portion. The first pillow portion has a first pillow receive portion. A second pillow portion has a second pillow ear portion connected to the second end of the support portion. The second pillow portion has a second pillow receive portion. The first pillow portion and the second pillow portion each have a release mechanism. The first pillow ear portion and the second pillow ear portion each have a first side and a second side. The second side of either the first pillow ear portion or the second pillow ear portion is independently removably connected to either the first pillow receive portion or the second pillow receive portion.

Abstract: A headphone (3) includes a pad (31) which is brought into contact with a human head, an enclosure (32) which outputs an audio, and a dome (33) as means for adjusting quality of the audio output by resonating or absorbing the sound wave emitted from the enclosure. The dome (33) has no parts other than those used for absorbing and reflecting audio and is almost hollow. In the dome (33) is arranged a circuit substrate (35) by using a circuit support part (34) having a shape not blocking the air flowing in the dome. Such a circuit substrate is also built in the other headphone. The circuit substrates arranged in the dome (33) of the headphone are connected by a cable arranged inside a head band (4) or an FPC for transmission of a signal and power supply. Thus, it is possible to provide an output device which can solve the problem of the dimensions for containing operation processing devices and the problem of heat dissipation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a mobile communication device are disclosed. The system generally includes a housing such as a headset, a speaker, a microphone, and a wireless communication module. The wireless communications module provides for directional communication links.

Abstract: An audio processing apparatus has converting means for converting n-channel (positive integral number: n?1) audio signals input from at least one sound source into two-channel signals, a pair of correcting filter means to which a pair of two-channel signals converted by the converting means are supplied and which corrects a difference of the sense of hearing due to a difference of headphone characteristics, and an output section for supplying a pair of output signals from the pair of correcting filter means to right and left speaker units of a headphone.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided including a first speaker which emits sound, a second speaker which emits sound, and a device which connects the first speaker and the second speaker. The device may connect the first speaker or front speaker, and the second speaker or rear speaker, so that the device can be attached to an ear of a person so that the first speaker lies near the middle of the ear while the second speaker lies at a location between an ear lobe of the ear and a mastoid of a skull of the person.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of simultaneously establishing the call connection among multi-users using a virtual sound field, in which when a plurality of users simultaneously make a video-telephone call to each other they can feel as if they conversed with each other in a real-space environment, and a computer-readable recording medium for implementing the same. The method comprises the steps of: a step of, when voice information is generated from any one of the plurality of speakers, separating image information, the voice information and position information of the speaker whose voice information is generated; a step of implementing the virtual sound field of the speaker using the separated position information of the speaker; and a step of displaying on the screen a result obtained by adding the implemented virtual sound field and the separated image information of the speaker together, and outputting the virtual sound field of the speaker through loudspeakers.

Abstract: Wireless earphone systems provide earphones configured to be supported entirely by the ear canals of the wearer and to provide stereophonic reproduction of sound to the wearer based on a two-channel stereophonic signal from a transceiver that is attachable to a device. Certain systems include earphones configured such that channel reception can be switched between the earphones. Certain systems include an earphone that includes: a housing; a ground plane comprising circuitry; and a multi-segmented antenna configured to receive a signal from a transceiver, wherein the antenna and the ground plane are disposed within the housing, wherein the antenna is substantially parallel to the ground plane, and wherein the antenna and the ground plane are separated by a distance.

Abstract: A sound provider for providing sound to a person's ear includes one or more terminals for receiving a first electrical signal and a first sound emitter operatively connected to the one or more terminals for outputting a sound corresponding to the first electrical signal. The sound provider also includes a sound receiver for receiving sound and outputting a corresponding, second, electrical signal, and a second sound emitter operatively connected to the sound receiver for outputting a sound corresponding to the second electrical signal.

Abstract: A portable device that provides sound level attenuation while also providing an acoustic representation of the user's sound environment using microphones attached to, or embedded in, the device, and providing the ability to blend in a user adjustable auxiliary audio source with the user's sound environment signal, whereby placement of the sound signal from both the microphones and the auxiliary input can be adjusted in the stereo field using stereo width and panning controls.

Abstract: A system and method for switching a monaural headphone or headset to a binaural headphone or headset and vice versa. Such a system and method is especially useful for utilizing audio, video, telephonic, and/or other functions in multifunction electronic devices utilizing both monaural and binaural audio.

Abstract: In a short range radio communication headset, signals transmitted by the short range radio communications are received while direct sounds propagated from an external are detected. Then, a digital signal adaptation processing using either received signals or the direct sounds as reference signals are applied, and a ratio between the received signals and the direct sounds is controlled by correlating the reference signals and another one of the received signals and the direct sounds that are not used as the reference signals and extracting necessary components.

Abstract: A system and method for call announcement using a typical computing device permits a typical computing device, such as a PDA, to be used more effectively for telephony. In particular, a novel headphones connector and a software program/module being executed by the computing device are combined together to implement the call announcing method. The system permits the sound output of the computing device to be split in various manners in order to permit the computing device to be operated as a telephony device.

Abstract: Wearers of hearing apparatuses and in particular of hearing device systems having two speakers are to be able to enjoy the experience of spatial multi-channel reproduction. Provision is accordingly made to generate a dual-channel audio signal for a binaural hearing apparatus comprising a multi-channel audio signal having at least three individual channels. Accordingly at least one spatial impression-influencing signal level in at least one of the individual channels is changed, and a signal of at least one of the individual channels is connected with signals of the remaining individual channels to the dual-channel audio signal. A corresponding hearing apparatus and in particular a corresponding hearing device have a transformation system that takes over this preprocessing from the multi-channel audio signal to the dual-channel audio signal.

Abstract: A computationally efficient method and device for adding spatial audio capabilities to new and existing centrally switched communication systems without modifying the internal operation of the systems or the switching architecture by producing a digitally filtered copy of each input signal to represent a contralateral-ear signal with each desired talker location and treating each of a listener's ears as separate end users.

Abstract: A stereo headset interface that is compatible with mono for an audio playback device. A load in series between an audio output from a stereo headset driver and a ground of a mono headset plug prevents the audio output from being grounded when a mono headset plug is inserted into the stereo headset jack of the playback device. A second load in series between a second audio output and the mono headset plug balances the first and second audio outputs from the stereo headset driver.

Abstract: A distributing circuit distributes audio signals of a predetermined number of channels to audio signals of a predetermined number of channels. A first signal processing circuit processes audio signals that are output from the distributing circuit in parallel, reproduces the resultant signals with a plurality of speakers, and localizes sound images of the individual audio signals at predetermined positions. A second signal processing circuit inputs audio signals that are output to the plurality of speakers and performs signal processes equivalent to the transfer functions from the individual speakers to both the ears of the listener. The output signals of the second signal processing circuit are reproduced with the headsets.

Abstract: An earphone structure including one or more composite chambers is described. Each of the composite chambers includes sub-speakers. The sounds generated by these sub-speakers are uniformly distributed in the composite chamber and a composite sound field is generated by these sub-speakers. The sound field generated by each of these sub-speakers can be adjusted by re-locating the position of the sub-speaker, for example, by re-locating the sub-speaker, or by re-locating the sub-speaker in different angles, to generate the composite sound field. The sound field generated by the main speaker and the composite sound field generated by these sub-speakers can form a spatial sound with very good quality. By using of its physical characteristics of locations of these sub-speakers, the sound generated by the earphone has an uniformly diffusion sound pressure and a surround effect, which allows a user of the earphone to enjoy a sound field similar to that in a theater.

Abstract: A headphone device includes a pair of headphone units composed of a left headphone unit and a right headphone unit, a band section that is attached to the left headphone unit and the right headphone unit, and arranged so as to be positioned at the back of a head, a headphone cord attached to the left headphone unit or the right headphone unit, and a headphone cord attaching section that freely changes a branch point of the band section and the headphone cord by moving along the band section in a freely sliding manner in order to place the headphone cord along the band section to integrate the headphone cord and the band section with each other.

Abstract: A system for processing audio data is provided. A left channel system receives a first channel of audio data, and a right channel system receiving a second channel of audio data. A delay coupled to one of the left channel system and the right channel system provides a delay to one of the first channel of audio data and the second channel of audio data, wherein the delay causes an apparent location of a source to a listener to occur in a single location.

Abstract: A compact audio speaker assembly that fits into the ear canal without occluding the ear canal, thus allowing ambient sounds to be heard along with the audio source. The ear speaker is secured in the ear canal by a ribbon or wire like spring structure anchoring the speaker to the concha portion of the outer ear and typically pushing the speaker up against the top side of the ear canal, leaving a space for external sounds to bypass the speaker to the eardrum. The speaker may further include a connecting signal cable that passes over the ear and behind the ear to provide additional support for the speaker and strain relief for the signal cable. One embodiment may include a shell over the speaker connected to the wire like spring anchor and may include an ear wax screen. Two speakers may be configured for stereo listening.

Abstract: In a method and a media system of/for generation of at least one output signal (HPL,HPR) from at least one input signal belonging to a second set of sound signals (M) having a related second set of Head Related Transfer Functions, in which the media system can be a TV, a CD player, a DVD player, a Radio, a display, an amplifier, a headphone or a VCR, the method includes the steps of determining, for each signal in the second set of sound signals, a weighted relation (14) including at least one signal belonging to a third set of intermediate sound signals (CHI1, CHI2) and at least one weight value (Weights); determining a first set of Head Related Transfer Functions (HRTFs) based on the second set of sound signals, the second set of Head Related Transfer Functions and the weighted relation; and transferring at least one signal belonging to the third set of intermediate sound signals by means of at least one HRTF belonging to said first set of Head Related Transfer Functions in order to generate at least one ou

Abstract: An earpiece (100) and acoustic management module (300) for in-ear canal echo suppression control suitable is provided. The earpiece can include an Ambient Sound Microphone (111) to capture ambient sound, an Ear Canal Receiver (125) to deliver audio content to an ear canal, an Ear Canal Microphone (123) configured to capture internal sound, and a processor (121) to generate a voice activity level (622) and suppress an echo of spoken voice in the electronic internal signal, and mix an electronic ambient signal with an electronic internal signal in a ratio dependent on the voice activity level and a background noise level to produce a mixed signal (323) that is delivered to the ear canal (131).

Abstract: The setting and/or adjustment of a hearing device for a user is provided. The hearing device includes a signal processing facility for processing an input sound to form an output sound, with a perceptive model being implemented in the signal processing facility or in a processing facility connected in a data link therewith, with which perceptive model a psychoacoustic variable can be provided in respect of the output sound. A visualization facility, for instance integrated in a remote control comprising the processing facility, is preferably wirelessly connected to the signal processing facility. A value of the psychoacoustic variable can thus be visualized accordingly. In this way an assisting person obtains an item of information relating to the perception of the sound supplied by the hearing device by the user, as a result of which the setting is facilitated for the assisting person.

Abstract: A hearing system is provided that includes a left device that supplies an electrical sound signal for supplying the left ear of the user, and a right device that supplies an electrical sound signal for supplying the right ear of the user. A perceptive model for binaural hearing is implemented at least in one of the two devices or a further device belonging to the hearing system, with which a left setting value for the left device and/or a right setting value for the right device can be determined on the basis of the two sound signals. The left device can then be set with the left setting value and/or the right device with the right setting value. The entire process of the binaural hearing and not only the monaural hearing is thus taken into consideration for the setting of the hearing system.

Abstract: A pen based computing system concurrently captures handwriting gestures and records audio using binaural recording. A binaural headset communicatively coupled to the smart pen device uses at least two microphones. A left microphone is placed in or near the left ear and the right microphone is placed in or near the right ear, each facing outward. Speakers are integrated into a shared housing with the microphones facing inward towards the ear canal to play back the audio recordings. By recording audio with microphones placed close to the ears, the system provides realistic sounding playback and allows users to more easily differentiate between multiple sources of audio.

Abstract: Disclosed is a headset assembly communicable with a portable device capable of receiving and processing biological sensor data. The headset assembly includes a body portion, an earbud coupled with the body portion, a speaker component coupled with the earbud, one or more bio sensors displaced about the outer surface of the earbud that can monitor and pick-up biological characteristics of the user when in contact with the user's skin, and means for coupling the headset assembly with the portable device.

Abstract: A system and method for providing audio communications for a simulation system. A computer network has a server in data communication with client systems. The server receives audio from a transmitting client. It then executes transceiver models and impairment models, which inject effects of audio communications media and equipment into sampled audio data. The server then delivers the “impaired” audio to a receiving client.

Abstract: A stereo sound image forward headphone is provided. The stereo sound image forward headphone utilizes a speaker provided on the ear hanger, which is spaced apart from a user's ear by a distance, such that sound from the speaker is on the front side of the user's ear. The stereo sound image forward headphone not only creates a natural impression of sound heard from various directions as in natural hearing, but also protects the user's ear from hearing loss which might otherwise result from long use of a headphone.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus is designed for simulating an acoustic characteristic of an acoustic space which contains a sound source for generating a sound and a sound receiving point for receiving the sound. In the apparatus, each of a plurality of characteristic control sections processes sound data and outputs the processed sound data. The characteristic control sections correspond to transmission paths which must exist in the acoustic space such that the sound generated from the sound source travels to the sound receiving point through the respective transmission paths. An instruction section provides a processing instruction of the sound data to each characteristic control section such that each characteristic control section processes the sound data according to the provided processing instruction to thereby execute the simulation of the sound traveling through the corresponding transmission path.

Abstract: This invention may provide a headphone driving circuit needless of coupling condenser even if the power supply supplies a single output voltage. The headphone driving circuit comprises (1) a first amplifier to amplify a first composite signal generated by subtracting a second channel audio signal from a first channel audio signal, then driving one end of a first voice coil of a stereo-headphone, (2) a second amplifier to amplify a second composite signal generated by subtracting the first channel audio signal from the second channel audio signal, then driving one end of a second voice coil of the stereo-headphone, (3) a third amplifier to amplify a third composite signal generated by adding the first channel audio signal and the second channel audio signal for driving the other end of the first and the second voice coil of the stereo-headphone.

Abstract: Input digital sound signals are subjected to filtering for convolution of respective impulse responses, and the resulting signals are supplied to time delay setting circuits. In each of the time delay setting circuits, output signals from two adjacent stages of the time delay setting circuits, which correspond to a direction closest to a detected facing direction of a listener, are taken out as two pairs of signals. In crossfade processing circuits, the signals in each pair are added at a proportion depending on the detected facing direction of the listener. Output signals of the crossfade processing circuits are taken out through correction filters for compensating frequency characteristic changes in a high frequency range. As a result, when listening to sound with headphones and localizing a sound image at an arbitrary fixed position outside the listener's head, noises generated upon a change in the facing direction of the listener are reduced.

Abstract: In a multichannel amplifier according to the present invention, in a case where a headphone is not connected to a headphone output terminal, a switch IC and first to third switches are on/off controlled by a control unit so that an audio signal path for outputting a front channel signal FL/FR to a front speaker and extending from a first input terminal 1 to a front speaker output terminal 6 via a buffer circuit 10a, a switch IC 9, a first volume control unit 3a, a buffer circuit 10b, and a first amplifying unit 4a is not electrically connected to another audio signal path.

Abstract: A headset (1) and a headphone has two speakers (2, 3) connected via a headband (4) and is configured such that the headset may be used as a conventional headset or as a stereo speaker set, where the speakers of the headband and the headset constitute supports against a substrate. The headband may expediently be made of a permanently deformable material in the form of a sandwich structure, which is constructed as three layers, or may be composed of one or more rotary joints or of one or more bistable joints, which provides many possible settings of the support against the substrate, of which there may be more than one. In addition, the headset may incorporate a DSP which is adapted to received signals from a sensor sensing whether the headset is used as a conventional headset or as a stereo speaker set, and, where appropriate, sets some ether electrical circuits incorporated in the headset, which regulate volume and transmission characteristics, automatically on the basis of the sensed signals.

Abstract: A surround sound headphone has a plurality of sound-producing planes provided in each of the earpieces of the headphone, and at least one diaphragm arranged on each of the sound-producing planes for producing sounds in directions toward a user's ear, such that the sounds produced by the diaphragms converge at a user's ears, enabling the user to experience a stereo and surround sound effect.

Abstract: A sound processing system reduces speaker distortion at high volume levels by attenuating the filter gain and/or tone of audio and mixed output signals. The sound processing system has one or more filters to attenuate the filter gain and tone in response to the high volume levels. The sound processing system also can attenuate the filter gain and tone in response to a sound pressure level, which may be provided by a microphone.

Abstract: A driver amplifier operative from a single DC voltage supply, coupled directly to the output load without the need for DC coupling capacitors used for preventing DC reaching the output load. An onboard power supply generates a negative voltage rail that powers the output amplifiers, allowing driver amplifier operation from both positive and negative rails. Since the amplifiers can be biased at ground potential (0 volts), no significant DC voltage exists across the load and the need for DC coupling capacitors is eliminated.

Abstract: A bone-conduction loudspeaker set is provided which is similar to the form of a personal ornament. Systems suitable for this are also provided. The bone-conduction loudspeaker set includes: two bone-conduction loudspeaker units; and a loudspeaker-microphone switching unit which switches from a mode where the two bone-conduction loudspeaker units are used as right and left stereo loudspeakers to a mode where one of them is used as a loudspeaker and the other is used as a microphone, and vice versa. A system includes: a mutual-distance detection unit which detects the distance between the two bone-conduction loudspeaker units being within a predetermined distance; and a distress-signal issuance unit which issues a distress signal based on a detection result obtained by the mutual-distance detecting unit.

Abstract: A headphone apparatus is presented so that a sound image of game sound outputted from an on-line game machine having a communication function is localized at one or more positions out of the head of the listener wearing a headphone while a sound image of an opponent player's voice outputted from the game machine is localized at a position in the head of the listener.

Abstract: A headphone includes left and right receivers each including an elongate shell including a peg projecting inwardly from either end; a housing shaped to conform to the shell and including a peripheral wall, a slot in either end, the slot adapted to securely engage with the peg, a first receiving space at one portion, a second receiving space at the other portion in communication with the first receiving space, and a plurality of bottom holes; a speaker mounted in the first receiving space; a plurality of buttons including a volume button mounted on a bottom of the second receiving space; and a cap fitted on the second receiving space; a band having both ends secured to the caps; and a swivel microphone secured to an outer surface of either receiver. Additional components (e.g., battery) can be mounted in the second receiving space.

Abstract: An audio data processing device (100), comprising a first audio data storage unit (101) and a first processor unit (102), wherein the first audio data storage unit (101) is adapted to store first audio data, wherein the first processor unit (102) is coupled to the first audio data storage unit (101) and is adapted to process the first audio data so that the first audio data is reproducible by a first audio reproduction unit (103), wherein the first processor unit (102) is adapted to be synchronized with a second processor unit (105) coupled to a second audio data storage unit (104), and the second processor unit (105) being adapted to process second audio data stored in the second audio data storage unit (104) so that the second audio data is reproducible by a second audio reproduction unit (106) synchronized to a reproduction of the first audio data by the first audio reproduction unit (104).

Abstract: A surround experience for headphones can be created using various techniques and tools. The described techniques and tools can be applied separately or in combination. For example, a surround experience can be created by splitting input audio channel signals into high-pass and low-pass signals. The low-pass signals can undergo cross-mixing and artificial reverberation. The artificial reverberation can apply different delay profiles to the low-pass audio signals. The high-pass and low-pass audio signals can be combined to generate output audio channel signals. A surround experience can be crated using a system comprising an input module, a crossover module, a channel cross-mixing module, a reverberation module, and an adder module.

Abstract: A stereophonic sound output apparatus and an early reflection generation method thereof. The stereophonic sound output apparatus includes an early reflection generator to implement an early reflection when a 5.1 channel audio signal is down-mixed to a 2-channel audio signal to play back a 5.1 channel audio signal through a 2-channel headphone. The early reflection generator generates early reflections in pairs in which there is an appropriate time difference between the left side reflections and the right side reflections by generating an interaural time difference between two input audio signals and filtering. It is possible to copy the characteristics of early reflections in a real listening room. It is also possible to implement an early reflection similar to a real reflection measured in an apparatus for playing back the 5.1 channel audio signal through 2-channel headphone. A natural 5.1 channel effect may also be obtained using little computation.

Abstract: An active type earphone with multiple speakers provides filters, amplifiers, a cell and speakers therein to allow the earphone receiving sound track signals individually and dividing the sound track signals into a plurality of band signals. Hence, different band signals are played with the speakers for better stereo sound effect being obtained.

Abstract: A listening device for presenting at least one audio signal to a user comprises a first ear piece and a second ear piece, each of the first ear piece and the second ear piece including at least one speaker and each being adapted to block substantially all external sounds from entering an ear of a user. The device further comprises a microphone for sensing a first audio signal and a differential amplifier coupled to the microphone for amplifying the first audio signal. The differential amplifier is coupled to a first electrical ground. A switching arrangement coupled to and receiving a second audio signal from an external audio source and the external audio source having a second electrical ground that is electrically distinct from the first electrical ground.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing virtual sound sources that are externally perceived and positioned at any orientation in azimuth and elevation from a listener is described. In this system, a set of speakers is mounted in a location near the temple of a listener's head. A head tracking system determines the location and orientation of the listeners head and provides the measurements to a computer which processes audio signals, from an audio source, in conjunction with a head related transfer function (HRTF) filter to produce spatialized audio. The HRTF filter maintains the virtual location of the audio signals/sound, thus allowing the listener to change locations and head orientation without degradation of the audio signal. The audio system of the present invention produces virtual sound sources that are externally perceived and positioned at any desired orientation in azimuth and elevation from the user.

Abstract: A media player capable of automatically adjusting equalizer parameter thereof is provided. The media player includes a speaker, a processor, a memory, an audio amplifier, a decoder, an analog to digital (D/A) converter, an earphone jack for connecting with an earphone, a switch and a detecting circuit. The memory stores audio files and a voltage value-equalizer parameter look-up table. The detecting circuit detects a voltage of the speaker or the second dynamic contact of the switch and obtains a voltage value. The processor compares the voltage value with predetermined voltage values and obtains a comparison result, and reads corresponding equalizer parameters from the table according to the comparison result. The media player plays an audio files according to the equalizer parameters, thus to obtain audio effect optimization.