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.

Abstract: A keyboard attachment assembly for a computer device comprises a keyboard having a variably positionable connector and an adapter releasably couplable to the keyboard. The adapter comprises an alignment mechanism for moving the connector into alignment with a connector port of the computer device.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for simulating a 3D sound environment in an audio system using an at least two-channel reproduction device, the method including generating first and second pseudo head-related transfer function (HRTF) data, first using at least one speaker and then using headphones; dividing the first and second frequency representation of the data or using a deconvolution operator on the time domain representation of the first and second data, or subtracting the cepstrum representation of the first and second data, and using the results of the division or subtraction to prepare filters having an impulse response operable to initiate natural sounds of a remote speaker for preparing at least two filters connectable to the system in the audio path from an audio source to sound reproduction devices to be used by a listener.

Abstract: Optimal head related transfer function spatial configurations designed to maximize speech intelligibility in multi-talker speech displays by spatially separating competing speech channels combined with a method of normalizing the relative levels of the different talkers in a multi-talker speech display that improves overall performance even in conventional multi-talker spatial configurations.

Abstract: A M-bridge class-D audio amplifier for portable applications and a method of driving a three-wire audio output device comprises a stereo signal source producing a first and second input stereo digital signal; circuitry adapted to receive the first and second input stereo digital signals and produce three stereo signals comprising a first, second, and third digital signal, wherein the three stereo signals generate pulse-width modulation (PWM) waves comprising a first, second, and third digital signal PWM wave; exactly three pairs of MOSFETs driven by the first, second, and third digital signal PWM waves; and a three-wire speaker system comprising a first wire driven by the first digital signal PWM wave; a second wire driven by the second digital signal PWM wave; and a common wire driven by the third digital signal PWM wave.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the position of a sound source in relation to a reference position, comprising the steps of generating a sound signal emitted from the sound source, detecting the emitted sound signal, processing the sound signal by the use of a physiological model of the ear, deducing at least one of lateral deviation in relation to the reference position, time delay of the sound signal from the sound source to the reference position, and the sound level of the detected sound signal.

Abstract: In a speaker system, pulse width modulation signals are utilized for driving said speaker system, and duty cycles of both left audio channel signals and right audio channel signals of an earphone in said speaker system are modulated by said pulse width modulation signals. When the left audio channel or the right audio channel of the earphone has no inputted audio signals with the abovementioned modulated duty cycles, the speaker system may be prevented from unnecessary power consumption. Besides, audio signals from both the left audio channel and the right audio channel of the earphone and outputted from the speaker system may thus be synchronized further by both the pulse width modulation signals and a sawtooth wave source for generating said pulse width modulation signals, for reducing noise and increasing an output audio quality of the speaker system. The abovementioned speaker system is preferably utilized for a Class D amplifier.

Abstract: An acoustic image localization signal processing device capable of localizing an acoustic image in an arbitrary direction includes: a sound source data storage unit that stores second sound source data obtained by subjecting first sound source data to signal preprocessing in advance, such that the acoustic image is localized in a predetermined direction; and an acoustic image localization characteristic application processing unit that applies an acoustic image localization position characteristic, based on position information from an acoustic image control input unit, to the second sound source data, when the second sound source data are read from the sound source data storage unit and reproduced by headphones. Accordingly, the acoustic image localization position of the reproduced output signals resulting from the second sound source data is controlled.

Abstract: To assist headphones and headphone cords from becoming tangles, a connection source is made part of a first speaker enclosure and a connection target is made part of a second speaker enclosure.

Abstract: Methods and systems for distinguishing an auditory alert signal from a background of one or more non-alert signals. In a first embodiment, a prefix signal, associated with an existing alert signal, is provided that has a signal component in each of three or more selected frequency ranges, with each signal component in each of three or more selected level at least 3-10 dB above an estimated background (non-alert) level in that frequency range. The alert signal may be chirped within one or more frequency bands. In another embodiment, an alert signal moves, continuously or discontinuously, from one location to another over a short time interval, introducing a perceived spatial modulation or jitter.

Abstract: Headphones with a multichannel guiding mechanism having different channel speakers positioned within each of earphones and separate sound-guiding chambers for receiving the different channel speakers. In taking the acoustics into account, the separate sound chambers are installed within the earphones according to the sound effect of different channel speakers. An inner and an outer tube are installed within the first sound chamber. The inner tube defines a treble area in the middle of the front main speaker while the outer tube defines a bass area around the treble area whereby the first sound chamber has a tube-in-tube configuration. Accordingly, a clear positioning of the acoustic field is achieved by different installation position of the speakers within the earphones. In addition, the interference of sound waves is avoided and the reproduction of original sound is achieved.

Abstract: A new approach to capturing and reproducing either live or recorded three-dimensional sound is described. Called MTB for “Motion-Tracked Binaural,” the method employs several microphones, a head tracker, and special signal-processing procedures to combine the signals picked up by the microphones. MTB achieves a high degree of realism by effectively placing the listener's ears in the space where the sounds are occurring, moving the virtual ears in synchrony with the listener's head motions. MTB also provides a universal format for recording spatial sound.

Abstract: So as to put binaural beam-forming into practice selected acoustical situations are dealt with having minimum processing power and power consumption ability at a binaural hearing system. For near-to-ear acoustical sources the contra-lateral (7L) as well as the ipsi-lateral (7R) output electrical-to-mechanical converters of two hearing devices of the binaural hearing system are operated substantially exclusively in dependency from the output signal of the one ipsi-lateral input acoustical-to-electrical converter arrangement (3R).

Abstract: A method for estimating the location of a sound source. First, a first microphone and a second microphone are moved relative to the sound source. Then the Intra-aural Time Difference (ITD) between the two microphones is measured. The moving and the measuring are repeated until the Intra-aural Time Difference (ITD) is smaller than a predefined threshold.

Abstract: A multi-channel decoder for generating a binaural signal from a downmix signal using upmix rule information on an energy-error introducing upmix rule for calculating a gain factor based on the upmix rule information and characteristics of head related transfer function based filters corresponding to upmix channels. The one or more gain factors are used by a filter processor for filtering the downmix signal so that an energy corrected binaural signal having a left binaural channel and a right binaural channel is obtained.

Abstract: A multi-channel headphone includes a case adapted to be worn on user's ear and cover the whole ear, in which a middle speaker, a front speaker, rear speaker and a bass speaker are provided. The front speaker has a broadcasting portion facing a front side of an auricle of the ear and the rear speaker has a broadcasting portion facing a rear side of the auricle. The headphone provides a sound closing to the idea surround sound.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a hearing system comprising an input unit, an output unit and a transmission unit operationally interconnecting said input output units. Said transmission unit implements a transfer function describing, how audio signals generated by said input unit are processed in order to derive audio signals fed to said output unit, and can be adjusted by one or more transfer function parameters. Said method comprises obtaining, by means of said input unit and with a first directional characteristic, first audio signals from incoming acoustic sound; deriving from said first audio signals a first set of sound-characterizing data; and deriving, in dependence of first directional information, which is data comprising information on said first directional characteristic, and of said first set of sound-characterizing data, a value for each of said one or more transfer function parameters.

Abstract: The method for operating a hearing device having an adjustable transfer function comprising M sub-functions, wherein M is an integer with M?1, and wherein said transfer function describes how input audio signals generated by an input transducer unit of said hearing device relate to output audio signals to be fed to an output transducer unit of said hearing device, comprises the steps of: deriving said input audio signals from a current acoustic environment; and for each of said M sub-functions: deriving, on the basis of said input audio signals and for each class of N classes each of which describes a predetermined acoustic environment, a class similarity factor indicative of the similarity of said current acoustic environment with the predetermined acoustic environment described by the respective class, wherein N is an integer with N?2; deriving from N predetermined base parameter sets assigned to the respective sub-function and in dependence of said class similarity factors an activity parameter set fo

Abstract: A multiple channel earphone is provided with an external tube disposed on the earphone main body. The earphone includes a case, a case extension unit, and a cover. A main sound field is formed in an interior chamber enclosed by the case, the case extension unit and the cover. By adjusting the space in the external tube, the spatial effect of the sound field is significantly increased. The proposed multiple channel earphone selectively has a mechanism for sound field balancing by the sounds generated from these two sub-speakers spaced apart from each other for better sound quality. The sound field of the proposed multiple channel earphone can also be spaced apart into two physically separated sound fields by disposing an external chamber on the earphone main body.

Abstract: A headworn listening device includes a right ear assembly and a left ear assembly interconnected by a headband. The headworn listening device is preferably comfortable to wear and provides high-quality audio and flexible signal processing features without requiring customized fitting. The listening device includes a signal processor with programmable signal processing characteristics and a memory storing a plurality of user-selectable signal processing settings. For example, there may be signal processing settings for different environments, such as a first setting for a quiet environment and a second setting for a noisy environment. In operation, a user actuates a user-operable control coupled to a microcontroller to select a desired signal processing setting.

Abstract: A crosstalk cancellation system for preserving quality of sound and the parameter determining method thereof. The system can cancel a two-channel audio signal without compensating a frequency response of an ipsilateral HRTF. The method includes providing an audio signal input device for inputting the two-channel audio signal, modeling a relation between parameters of the crosstalk cancellation system and a head related transfer function (HRTF) to thereby obtain an output transfer impulse response, setting contralateral parts of the output transfer impulse response approximate to zero, setting ipsilateral parts of the output transfer impulse response equal to a delay of ipsilateral head related impulse responses (HRIRs) corresponding to the HRTF, and performing an inverse operation to compute the parameters of the crosstalk cancellation system.

Abstract: The invention concerns a circuit for adapting the signals from different channels (L, R) delivered by an audio reproduction system (10) in conditions specific to headset listening.

Abstract: A wireless audio distribution system may include a wireless transmitter transmititing an encoded digital bitstream serially combining each of a plurality of audio input channels and control data, a wireless receiver receiving the transmitted bitstream, a manual selector switch to for selecting one or more of the audio input channels and a sound producing device reproducing the selected audio channels in accordance with the control data. A system may include a wireless receiver receiving an encoded digital bitstream combining each of a plurality of audio input channels with control data disbursed therein, a manual selector switch for selecting audio input channels and a sound producing device for selectively decoding and demultiplexing the selected audio channels to be reproduced in accordance with the control data.

Abstract: A stereo headset (104) with push-to-talk function can be interfaced with a wireless communication device (102) via a connector interface. The connector interface preferably includes a jack at the wireless communication device (102) and a compatible plug at the stereo headset (104). An electrical contact (310) at the connector interface can contemporaneously interconnect both electrical audio signals between the wireless communication device (102) and at least one of the speakers of the stereo headset (104) and electrical user input signals from an external push-to-talk user input device (232) to the wireless communication device (102).

Abstract: A method of improving 3D sound reproduction is described, in which virtual sound sources to be positioned behind a listener 10 are filtered using an HF-cut filter in order to remove distracting high-frequency components caused by incomplete transaural crosstalk cancellation. Sound sources placed in the rearward hemisphere of reference sphere 30 are filtered by an amount dependent on the position of the sound source in order to provide a smooth transition between the filtered and unfiltered hemispheres. HF-cut filtering is at a maximum when the sound source is placed directly behind the listener, and is progressively reduced as the forward hemisphere is approached. The invention offers an advantage in that virtual sound images may be placed more effectively behind the listener, given improved realism of 3D effects.

Abstract: In an audio reproducing apparatus, first and second filters convolute impulse responses corresponding to transfer functions from a position where a right-hand sound source is located to the right and left ears of the listener into an audio signal, respectively, and third and fourth filters convolute impulse responses corresponding to transfer functions from a position where a left-hand sound source is located to the right and left ears of the listener into another audio signal, respectively. Fifth and sixth filters extract low-frequency components of the audio signal, and seventh and eighth filters extract low-frequency components of the another audio signal. The output signals of the first, third, fifth, and seventh filters are added, and the output signals of the second, fourth, the sixth, and eighth filters are added.

Abstract: Control data is stored in a first memory. Control data inputted from an external device is stored a second rewritable memory. A control section selects either one of the first and second memories and controls operation according to a control program using the control data stored in the memory selected. An image corresponding to control data is displayed on a display screen. Through the image, it is possible to select particular control data from a plurality of control data. The control data selected via the screen is sent to the second memory. Processing can be therefore executed to appropriately cope with requirements of the user.

Abstract: Indicating a spatial location of a virtual sound source by determining an output for each of one or more physical speakers as a function of an orientation of corresponding virtual speakers that track the position and orientation of a virtual listener relative to the virtual sound source in a virtual environment or game simulation. A vector distance between the virtual sound source and each virtual speaker is used to determine a volume level for each corresponding physical speaker. Each virtual speaker is specified at a fixed location on a unit sphere centered on the virtual listener, and the virtual sound source is normalized to a virtual position on the unit sphere. All computations are performed in Cartesian coordinates. Preferably, each virtual speaker vector distance is used in a nonlinear function to compute a volume attenuation factor for the corresponding physical speaker output.

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: Face of a listener (user) is photographed by a CCD camera, and a face width and auricle size of the listener are detected on the basis of the picture of the listener's face. Head-related transfer functions, which are transfer functions of sounds propagated from virtual rear loudspeakers to both ears of the listener, are calculated, using the detected face width and auricle size as head shape data of the listener. Then, a filter process is performed by a DSP of a USB amplifier unit so as to attain characteristics of the head-related transfer functions, as a result of which sound image localization of the rear loudspeakers can be achieved via front loudspeakers.

Abstract: A wireless transmission device for communicating a plurality of audio streams to remote devices may include a plurality of inputs for receiving a plurality of digital audio streams, a combiner connected to the inputs for combining control codes and the received audio streams in a predetermined format to form a signal wherein the control codes for controlling the operation of a remote device equipped for processing the signal to extract the audio streams therefrom in accordance with the predetermined format, and a transmitter connected to the combiner to transmit the signal for reception by the remote device. The transmitter may include an infra-red light emitter for transmitting the signal as an infra-red light signal.

Abstract: A three-dimensional sound reproducing apparatus is configured by cascading a sound field effect adding unit and a crosstalk canceling unit. The sound field effect adding unit adds a predetermined three-dimensional sound field effect to an input audio signal, thereby generating audio signals respectively corresponding to left and right channels. The crosstalk canceling unit performs a calculation process on the audio signals of the two channels so that, when the audio signals are respectively generated by two loudspeakers positioned in front of a listener, the audio signals reach the left and right ears of the listener without producing crosstalk. The resulting audio signals are supplied to the loudspeakers, respectively.

Abstract: A method of performing sound effect comprising providing a headphone-like or earphone-like device with rear speakers carried therein, wherein the headphone-like or earphone-like device includes an opening for receiving the front speaker signal. Then, the signal is transmitted to the front, rear and sub-woofer signal to associated speakers. The signal to the rear speakers is processed by HRTF and means for creating virtual speakers to obtain virtual speakers of the rear side. The processed signal is transmitted to the rear speaker.

Abstract: In an audio reproducing apparatus, first and second filters convolute impulse responses corresponding to transfer functions from a position where a right-hand sound source is located to the right and left ears of the listener into an audio signal, respectively, and third and fourth filters convolute impulse responses corresponding to transfer functions from a position where a left-hand sound source is located to the right and left ears of the listener into another audio signal, respectively. Fifth and sixth filters extract low-frequency components of the audio signal, and seventh and eighth filters extract low-frequency components of the another audio signal. The output signals of the first, third, fifth, and seventh filters are added, and the output signals of the second, fourth, the sixth, and eighth filters are added.

Abstract: A method of performing sound effect comprising providing a headphone-like or earphone-like device with rear speakers carried therein, wherein the headphone-like or earphone-like device includes an opening for receiving the front speaker signal. Then, the signal is transmitted to the front, rear and sub-woofer signal to associated speakers. The signal to the rear speakers is processed by HRTF and means for creating virtual speakers to obtain virtual speakers of the rear side. The processed signal is transmitted to the rear speaker.

Abstract: A wireless audio distribution system having a wireless transmitter, responsive to a plurality of audio input channels, for transmitting a encoded digital bitstream serially combining each of the audio input channel, the encoded digital bitstream further including control data disbursed therein, a receiver, responsive to the transmitted encoded digital bitstream, for decoding and demultiplexing the digital bitstream, a manual selector switch, connected to the receiver device for selecting one or more of the audio input channels to be reproduced, and a sound producing device for selectively reproducing the one or more selected audio channels in accordance with the control data.

Abstract: Means for compensating rear sound effect, comprising a headphone-like or an earphone-like device with rear speakers carried therein, the headphone-like or earphone-like device including an opening for receiving the front speaker signal, wherein the headphone-like or the earphone-like device includes a housing for receiving the rear speakers, wherein the housings opposite each other, the two housings being joined by a headband, to compose the headphone-like structure; an input plug with conductive wire connected to the housing; and wherein the earphone-like or headphone-like device cannot cover the whole ear for receiving the sound from the front speakers and sub-woofer speaker, the opening allowing the ears to listen the sound from the front speakers, the rear speakers being respectively located on both sides of the earphone-like or headphone-like device to provide virtual speaker of rear side without losing rear bass.

Abstract: A small-sized audio signal reproducing apparatus for hearing reproduced audio signals with the aid of a headphone is disclosed. Digitized and compression encoded audio signals, stored in a semiconductor memory, are read out so as to undergo a decoding operation, which is an inverse operation to compression encoding, to reproduce the audio signals, and the reproduced signals are heard by the headphone. The apparatus may be significantly reduced in size and weight as compared to the apparatus in which a tape or a disk is used as the recording medium.

Abstract: In the stereophonic sound field reproducing apparatus for reproducing a stereophonic sound field, at the time of using, a signal processing unit (4) executes a process on signals to reproduction-use minispeakers (6L1 through 6LN, 6R1 through 6RN) so as to simultaneously correct characteristics between the reproduction-use minispeakers (6L1 through 6LN, 6R1 through 6RN) and a head of a user (5) and characteristics between the reproduction-use minispeakers (6L1 through 6LN, 6R1 through 6RN), and the reproduction-use minispeakers (6L1 through 6LN, 6R1 through 6RN) arranged around the head of the user (5) input signals and output sound waves.

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, such for example, on an eyeglass frame or inside a helmet, rather than in earphones. A head tracking system determines the location and orientation of the listener's head and provides the measurements to a computer which processes audio signals, from a 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 listener.

Abstract: A headphone system includes a headphone; and a signal processing circuit for outputting an acoustic signal to the headphone. The headphone includes a first speaker and a third speaker for a right ear of a listener, a second speaker and a fourth speaker for a left ear of the listener, and a support for supporting the first through fourth speakers so that the first and second speakers are located forward with respect to a vertical plane including a straight line connecting the hole of the right ear and the hole of the left ear of the listener, the second and fourth speakers are located rearward with respect to the vertical plane, and the first through fourth speakers are out of contact with the right ear and the left ear of the listener.

Abstract: An infrared emitter comprises a preamplifier, an infrared RF emitter, an infrared channel controller and a photodiode emitting-medium. With the emitter, by switching between two channels with an infrared channel controller, and by the mode of arrangement of a plurality of infrared emitting diodes and two Darlington amplifying circuits on the parts in a photodiode emitting-medium, crosstalk disturbance during transmitting carrier waves to a wireless earphone is inhibited. The emitter is applied to industries of audio/video playing, car audio/video equipment and hi-fi equipment.

Abstract: An audio processing apparatus has a converter 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 filters to which a pair of two-channel signals converted by converter are supplied and which correct 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 filters to right and left speaker units of a headphone.

Abstract: A deep bass sound booster device comprises a high-pass filter to which an input sound signal is fed and which permits only a frequency component higher than a predetermined frequency to pass through so as to output a resulting signal, a bass booster to which the input sound signal is fed and which amplifies only a frequency component lower than the predetermined frequency and attenuates another frequency component so as to output a resulting signal, a switch to which the signal output from the bass booster is fed at one end and which, when turned on, outputs that signal at another end, and an adder to which the signal output from the high-pass filter is fed and to which the signal output from the switch is fed, the adder adding together those two signals and outputting a resulting signal.

Abstract: In a surround headphone output signal generator for generating multichannel sound signals from digital audio data, and combining the sound signals for the respective channels to generate two-channel surround headphone output signals for outputting to headphones, a DIR 10 detects from the digital audio data a sampling frequency (FS) included in the digital audio data concerned. A microcomputer 13 selects an attenuation coefficient ?1 or ?2 in accordance with the sampling frequency (FS) detected by the DIR 10, and attenuates the levels of surround headphone output signals Lo and Ro on the basis of the selected attenuation coefficient ?1 or ?2.

Abstract: The present invention disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof, comprises a method for enhancing the front sound image during reproduction in a listening space of a stereo sound program, comprising the steps of receiving left and right channels of the stereo sound program; generating a virtual center channel signal from the left and right channels of the stereo sound program; and driving a center channel speaker with the virtual center channel signal, the center channel speaker disposed at a central location in a front portion of the listening space.

Abstract: An acoustic signal processing unit is provided which enables high-speed processing with reducing the amount of calculations. It includes a bandwidth division section for dividing a bandwidth of an acoustic transfer function including information about shapes of external ears and head of a listener; a high frequency component processing section for simplifying characteristics of the high frequency components obtained by the division through the bandwidth division section; and a signal synthesizing section for synthesizing components excluding the high frequency components obtained by the division through the bandwidth division section with the high frequency components passing through processing by the high frequency component processing section.

Abstract: This invention has been made to provide a speaker system capable of miniaturization and presenting a good sound quality. A speaker 15 is mounted on a printed circuit board 21 arranged inside a telephone body enclosure 12. Acoustic waves of positive phase produced by vibration of a diaphragm 23 of the speaker 15 are output through front acoustic apertures 28 and a front air chamber 37 to the exterior from an enclosure acoustic aperture 13. On the other hand, the acoustic waves of opposite phase enter a rear air chamber 35 through rear acoustic apertures 29, reach an enclosure internal space 36 through an opposite-phase opening 34 provided by cutting away a part of a rear sealing member 32, and transmit to a card slot 14, then being output to the exterior.

Abstract: A sound reproduction system includes headphones (11). The headphones include structures for generating sound (4, 5) and microphones (6, 7). Further, the system includes filters (8,9) for filtering a signal such that the sound produced simulates external sound sources. The system includes a feed-back and control system (10) in which signals (rl(k), rr(k)) from the microphones (6, 7) are used to set the settings WXL(k), WXR(k) of the filters (8,9).

Abstract: A portable computer system in accordance with one embodiment of a present invention includes a portable computer and a recorded media storage and playback device adapted to be electrically and mechanically connected to one another.