Abstract: A headset to provide noise reduction may include a first microphone that is disposed outside the headset and detects external noise, a first blocking unit configured to block the external noise entering an inside of the headset, a second blocking unit configured to block external noise which is not blocked by the first blocking unit, a second microphone configured to detect internal noise of the headset including noise which is not blocked by the first blocking unit and the second blocking unit, and a speaker configured to output canceling noise to cancel the internal noise detected by the second microphone, wherein the second blocking unit surrounds the second microphone and comprises a one-way sound transmitting passage.

Abstract: A processing circuit may comprise an adaptive filter having a response generating an anti-noise signal from a reference microphone signal, a secondary path estimate filter modeling an electro-acoustic path of a source audio signal, a biasing portion that generates a scaled anti-noise signal by applying a scaling factor and the response of the secondary path estimate filter to the anti-noise signal, and a coefficient control block that shapes the response of the adaptive filter in conformity with the reference microphone signal and a modified playback corrected error signal by adapting the response of the adaptive filter to minimize ambient audio sounds in the error microphone signal, wherein the playback corrected error is based on a difference between the error microphone signal and the source audio signal and the modified playback corrected error signal is based on a difference between the playback corrected error signal and the scaled anti-noise signal.

Abstract: A system includes an active noise-reducing headset and an alert processor. The active noise reducing headset includes a communication module that establishes a wireless communication link, a microphone that generates a microphone signal in response to ambient noise, a speaker, a noise reduction circuit that generates a noise reduction signal in response to the microphone signal, and a control circuit that receives an incoming alert signal from the communication module and plays the alert signal over the speaker. The alert processor includes a second communication module that establishes the wireless link with the active noise-reducing headset, and a controller that receive an incoming alert signal, generates an alert notification in response to the alert signal, and transmits the alert notification to the active noise-reducing headset.

Abstract: The present technique relates to an earhole-wearable sound collection device, a signal processing device, and a sound collection method for realizing sound collection at a high S/N ratio with reduced noise influence, regardless of noise reduction methods such as the SS method. In the earhole-wearable sound collection device, a microphone that collects emitted speech voice is provided in a space that is substantially sealed off from outside and connects to an ear canal of the wearer, so that emitted speech voice propagating through the ear canal of the wearer is collected. A noise cancelling unit that reduces noise propagating in the internal space having the microphone located therein is further provided to improve the S/N ratio of emitted speech voice collection signals. Further, an equalizing process for reducing the muffled sound generated when the emitted speech voice propagating through the ear canal is collected is performed on the sound collection signal from the microphone.

Abstract: When the signal level of a signal AOD, to which a cancellation signal CND of ACD is added, is larger than the signal level of ACD, a rate of change calculation part 173 calculates the maximum value (=1) as a rate of change parameter for showing that the degree of noise cancellation should be made highest. When the signal level of AOD, to which CND of ACD is added, is smaller than the signal level of ACD, the rate of change calculation part 173 calculates a change parameter rate to show that the larger the difference between both the signal levels are, the lower the degree of the noise cancellation becomes. A cancellation signal generation part 175 then generates CND and transmits it to an addition part 171 while taking the values of the change parameter rate into consideration. As a result, proper noise control can be easily performed.

Abstract: An earpiece for providing an audio signal to two ears of a user, includes an audio interface for providing the audio signal, a bone conduction speaker coupled to the audio interface for outputting an output signal, an adaptive filter with an adjustable impulse response to provide a filtered signal that once played to the second ear of a user, by an in-ear speaker, reduces an audio effect of the leakage signal on the second ear of the user, an in-ear speaker coupled to the audio interface for providing an in-ear audio signal to the second ear of the user, in response to the filtered signal and the second input signal, an in-ear microphone for sensing a sensed audio signal, and a processor for updating an impulse response of the adaptive filter in order to reduce a contribution of the leakage signal to the sensed audio signal.

Abstract: An active noise control (ANC) system may be implemented to both sides of a fan, such that both directions of the noise emitting are treated to reduce the overall noise. The impact on airflow is minimal, and the technique is very effective in a broad range of low frequencies. Passive sound-absorbing materials may be included for attenuation of high frequencies. The resulting quiet fan produces a low level of noise compared to any other device based on fan, which produces the same capacity of airflow. The quiet fan may be incorporated in any mechanical system which requires airflow induction such as: computers, air conditioners, machines, and more.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein provide for low latency active noise cancellation which alleviate the problems associated with analog filter circuitry. The present technology utilizes low latency digital signal processing techniques which overcome the high latency conventionally associated with conversion between the analog and digital domains. As a result, low latency active noise cancellation is performed utilizing digital filter circuitry which is not subject to the inaccuracies and drift of analog filter components. In doing so, the present technology provides robust, high quality active noise cancellation.

Abstract: An audio system that may be used in multiple modes or use scenarios, while still providing a user with a desirable level of audio quality and comfort. The inventive system may include multiple components or elements, with the components or elements capable of being used in different configurations depending upon the mode of use. The different configurations provide an optimized user audio experience for multiple modes of use without requiring a user to carry multiple devices or sacrifice the audio quality or features desired for a particular situation. The inventive audio system includes a use mode detection element that enables the system to detect the mode of use, and in response, to be automatically configured for optimal performance for a specific use scenario. This may include, for example, the use of one or more audio processing elements that perform signal processing on the audio signals to implement a variety of desired functions (e.g., noise reduction, echo cancellation, etc.).

Abstract: Techniques for estimating adaptive noise canceling (ANC) performance in a personal audio device, such as a wireless telephone, provide robustness of operation by triggering corrective action when ANC performance is low, and/or by saving a state of the ANC system when ANC performance is high. An anti-noise signal is generated from a reference microphone signal and is provided to an output transducer along with program audio. A measure of ANC gain is determined by computing a ratio of a first indication of magnitude of an error microphone signal that provides a measure of the ambient sounds and program audio heard by the listener including the effects of the anti-noise, to a second indication of magnitude of the error microphone signal without the effects of the anti-noise. The ratio can be determined for different frequency bands in order to determine whether particular adaptive filters are trained properly.

Abstract: A personal audio device including multiple output transducers for reproducing different frequency bands of a source audio signal, includes an adaptive noise canceling (ANC) circuit that adaptively generates an anti-noise signal for each of the transducers from at least one microphone signal that measures the ambient audio to generate anti-noise signals. The anti-noise signals are generated by separate adaptive filters such that the anti-noise signals cause substantial cancellation of the ambient audio at their corresponding transducers. The use of separate adaptive filters provides low-latency operation, since a crossover is not needed to split the anti-noise into the appropriate frequency bands. The adaptive filters can be implemented or biased to generate anti-noise only in the frequency band corresponding to the particular adaptive filter. The anti-noise signals are combined with source audio of the appropriate frequency band to provide outputs for the corresponding transducers.

Abstract: An adaptive noise canceller adapts a secondary path modeling response using ambient noise, rather than using another noise source or source audio as a training source. Anti-noise generated from a reference microphone signal using a first adaptive filter is used as the training signal for training the secondary path response. Ambient noise at the error microphone is removed from an error microphone signal, so that only anti-noise remains. A primary path modeling adaptive filter is used to modify the reference microphone signal to generate a source of ambient noise that is correlated with the ambient noise present at the error microphone, which is then subtracted from the error microphone signal to generate the error signal. The primary path modeling adaptive filter is previously adapted by minimizing components of the error microphone signal appearing in an output of the primary path adaptive filter while the anti-noise signal is muted.

Abstract: A noise-cancellation system for a headphone (HP) that comprises a speaker (200, 210) for emitting a speaker signal, a microphone (300, 310, 320, 330) for receiving a microphone signal and a proximity sensor (400, 410) for a receiving a proximity signal comprising quantitative information on the distance of the an object (OBJ) from the proximity sensor (400, 410) has a signal processing device (100). The signal processing device (100) is designed to generate a compensation signal based on the microphone signal, wherein the generation of the compensation signal comprises filtering with an adjustable filter characteristic. The compensation signal is combined with an audio signal in order to generate the speaker signal. The filter characteristic is adapted based on the distance.

Abstract: A wall separates a first volume from a second volume and has a hole allowing passage between the first volume and the second volume. A wire passes through the hole, and a gasket surrounds the wire at the hole. The gasket includes a first section including a groove between a first flange and a second flange, the groove has an outer diameter matched to the diameter of the hole and the flanges have outer diameters greater than the diameter of the hole. A second section adjacent the first flange includes a tubular portion having a diameter less than the diameter of the hole and a tapered section smoothly transitioning from the diameter of the tubular portion to the diameter of the first flange. The gasket prevents flow of fluid through the hole between the first volume and the second volume.

Abstract: A method of controlling a noise cancellation system, for use in an audio device, comprises: generating an ambient noise signal representative of ambient noise; filtering and applying gain to the ambient noise signal to generate a noise cancellation signal; passing the noise cancellation signal to a speaker; and generating an error signal from an error microphone, wherein the gain applied to the ambient noise signal is controlled based on the error signal, and the method further comprises: determining from the error signal whether the audio device is in an off-ear position, and controlling the noise cancellation system based on said determination as to whether the audio device is in the off-ear position.

Abstract: An earphone microphone includes a single speaker, a microphone having first and second sound input holes, and a main body casing in which an acoustic space is formed. The acoustic space includes a sound output path in which output sound propagates, a first sound input path communicating with outside, in which sound to be input to the first sound input hole propagates, and a second sound input path in which sound to be input to the second sound input hole propagates. The sound output path branches into one path communicating with outside of the main body casing and the other path communicating with the second sound input path. Input sound from a sound source outside the main body casing is input while input of output sound is suppressed by acoustic resistance of the acoustic space.

Abstract: In an active noise reducing headphone, a signal processor applies filters and control gains of both the feed-forward and feedback active noise cancellation signal paths. The signal processor is configured to apply first feed-forward filters to the feed-forward signal path and apply first feedback filters to the feedback signal path during a first operating mode providing effective cancellation of ambient sound, and to apply second feed-forward filters to the feed-forward signal path during a second operating mode providing active hear-through of ambient sounds with ambient naturalness.

Abstract: The invention provides earphone arrangements for use with electronic host devices, such as cellular telephone handsets and music storage and reproduction devices, and it provides in particular earphone arrangements with ambient noise cancellation (“ANC”). Typically, in prior arrangements, the complex signal processing required for ANC is carried out in the earphones themselves and/or in a pod connected between the earphones and the host device. The invention configures the processing elements such that the ANC signal-processing function is transferred to an ANC processor incorporated into the host device.

Abstract: A microphone system has a package with a top, a bottom, and four sides that at least in part form an interior chamber. One of the sides forms an inlet aperture for communicating the inlet chamber with the exterior environment. The system also has first and second microphone dies, in a stacked relationship, respectively having a first and second diaphragms. A circuit die, positioned in electrical communication with the first and second microphone dies, is configured to mitigate vibrational noise from the first microphone die using a signal produced by the second microphone die or vice versa. The first and second microphone dies are positioned so that the first and second diaphragms are substantially the same distance from the inlet aperture in the side.

Abstract: An electroencephalogram measurement apparatus includes: an electroencephalogram measurement section for measuring an electroencephalogram of a user by using a plurality of electrodes; an electro-acoustic transducer for presenting an acoustic signal to the user, the electro-acoustic transducer being in a vicinity of at least one electrode among the plurality of electrodes while the electroencephalogram measurement section is worn by the user; an amplitude envelope extraction section for extracting an amplitude envelope of the acoustic signal presented by the electro-acoustic transducer; a frequency analysis section for applying a frequency analysis to the amplitude envelope extracted by the amplitude envelope extraction section; and a noise estimation section for estimating an electrical noise which is mixed at the at least one electrode by using a previously provided set of transform rules and the extracted amplitude envelope.

Abstract: An active-noise-reduction (ANR) headset includes at least one auxiliary connection to an output of at least one device, such as a personal communications, computing, and/or entertainment device. An exemplary headset also includes a primary connection to a two-way radio or public-address system and circuitry for automatically suppressing or muting the volume of an auxiliary input signal relative to that of a primary input signal. Other exemplary features include a headset power supply, a microphone, a microphone preamplifier, and a device-detection circuit. The device-detection circuit selectively couples the power supply to the microphone preamplifier, enabling it to provide audio signals to the microphone input of the auxiliary device.

Abstract: An active noise cancellation controller for performing noise attenuation in a system over a predetermined frequency rang. The controller comprises several components: a first input for a reference signal indicative of a noise level; a second input for receiving an error signal indicative of a remnant noise level; an output for providing a noise cancellation signal; a fixed feedback controller for processing the error signal; a fixed feed-forward controller for processing the reference signal; and an adaptive feed-forward controller having a digital adaptive finite impulse response filter arranged for operation on the reference signal the error signal.

Abstract: A noise cancelling headphone includes a headphone body, a audio player and a central processing unit. The headphone body includes a headband, a first speaker unit and a second speaker unit. The elongated headband is bent and shaped to fittedly and adjustably wear on a user's head, wherein the headband has a first and a second end portion. The first speaker unit and the second speaker unit are attached on the first and the second end portion of the headband respectively. The audio player is provided on the headphone body, and is arranged to read a predetermined kind of audio signals. The central processing unit is received in the headphone body, and is arranged to process the audio signals outputted from the audio player and drive the first speaker unit and the second speaker unit to generate corresponding audible sound.

Abstract: A noise canceling headphone includes a microphone provided in a headphone housing, collecting external sound, a canceling signal generating circuit generating a canceling signal in response to a signal output from the microphone which cancels external sound passing through the housing without being attenuated by a sound insulating characteristic of the headphone, a compensating signal generating circuit generating a compensating signal that compensates for the external sound attenuated by the sound insulating characteristic of the headphone, an adding circuit that adds a musical signal input from the exterior to the compensating signal, and a speaker unit that outputs an output signal from the adding circuit and the canceling signal.

Abstract: Thus there is provided an earphone or headset comprising a housing, an internal microphone, an external microphone and a signal processing unit. The signal processing unit is connected to the internal microphone and the external microphone. The signal processing unit serves for signal processing of an audio signal of the external microphone and for adding the signal-processed audio signal to an audio signal from the internal microphone. The signal processing unit is adapted to perform band pass limitation of the audio signal of the external microphone and to output the added signal as an output signal.

Abstract: An audio signal processing device includes: a microphone configured to collect noise; an analyzing unit configured to analyze an audio signal collected by the microphone to detect the level and frequency property of the collected audio signal; and a signal processing unit configured to subject an audio signal to be reproduced to signal processing based on the analysis results of the analyzing unit.

Abstract: An adaptive noise-cancelling headphone including an earcup housing having a driver for outputting sound to a user positioned therein. The headphone further including an active noise control assembly. The active noise control assembly may include an ambient microphone capable of detecting an ambient noise outside of the housing and an error microphone capable of detecting an earcup noise inside of the housing. Based on the detected noise, active noise cancellation within the headphone is either enabled or disabled. The headphone may further include a passive noise control assembly. The passive noise control assembly may include an acoustic valve associated with an acoustic vent formed within the earcup housing. The acoustic valve is capable of being modified between an open configuration to decrease sound attenuation and a closed configuration to increase sound attenuation in response to the detected ambient noise so as to improve an acoustic performance of the earcup.

Abstract: An active noise cancellation system is provided in a head support to cancel noise for a supine user, lying on a bed.

Abstract: An earphone has a housing, with a speaker mounted within the housing. A cable inlet contains a cable that includes a wire connected to the speaker. The cable and the cable inlet have different cross-sectional shapes, such that the cable is in contact with the inner surface of the cable inlet over a substantial portion of their length, while a rear volume of the speaker is vented through the cable inlet. This ensures that the cross-sectional area through which the rear volume is vented through the cable inlet remains relatively constant. The earphone may further comprise a microphone, positioned to detect ambient noise approaching the ear of a wearer of the earphone, and the cable may then further include a wire connected to the microphone.

Abstract: An electronic device may be coupled to an accessory such as a pair of earphones. The earphones may have noise cancellation features that may be implemented using noise cancellation circuitry in the earphones or in the electronic device. The earphones may have ear presence sensor structures that determine whether speakers in the earphones are present at the ears of a user. In one suitable embodiment, control circuitry in the earphones may be used to adjust noise cancellation circuitry in the earphones based on information from the ear presence sensor structures. For example, the control circuitry may deactivate noise cancellation circuitry in response to receiving information from the ear presence sensor structures indicating that the earphones have been removed from a user's ears. In another suitable embodiment, control circuitry in the electronic device may adjust noise cancellation circuitry in the electronic device based on information from the ear presence sensor structures.

Abstract: The disclosed methods and devices incorporate a novel expandable bubble portion which provides superior fidelity to a listener while minimizing listener fatigue. The expandable bubble portion may be expanded through the transmission of low frequency audio signals or the pumping of a gas to the expandable bubble portion. In addition, embodiments of the acoustic device may be adapted to consistently and comfortably fit to any ear, providing for a variable, impedance matching acoustic seal to both the tympanic membrane and the audio transducer, respectively, while isolating the sound-vibration chamber within the driven bubble. This reduces the effect of gross audio transducer vibration excursions on the tympanic membrane and transmits the audio content in a manner which allows the ear to utilize its full inherent capabilities.

Abstract: A noise cancellation system is provided, for generating a noise cancellation signal to be added to a wanted signal to mitigate the effects of ambient noise. The system comprises: an input, for receiving an input signal representing ambient noise; a detector, for detecting a magnitude of said input signal; and a voice activity detector, for determining voiceless periods when said input signal does not contain a signal representing a voice. The detector is adapted to detect the magnitude of said input signal during said voiceless periods, and the system is adapted to operate in a first mode when said input signal is above a threshold value, and a second mode when said input signal is below the threshold value. The first mode comprises generating a noise cancellation signal with a first magnitude for at least partially cancelling the ambient noise. The second mode comprises generating a noise cancellation signal with a second magnitude that is less than the first magnitude.

Abstract: An adaptive active noise cancellation apparatus performs a filtering operation in a first digital domain and performs adaptation of the filtering operation in a second digital domain.

Abstract: A system for providing binaural telepresence includes two communication devices, and two sets of active noise reducing headphones having an active noise-cancelling mode and an active hear-through mode, coupled to the respective communication devices and configured to provide left and right feed-forward microphone signals to the communication devices. The first communication device is configured to transmit the first left and right feed-forward microphone signals to the second communication device. The second communication device is configured to provide the first left and right feed-forward microphone signals to the second set of headphones.

Abstract: In an active noise reducing headphone, a signal processor applies filters and control gains of feed-forward and feedback active noise cancellation signal paths. The signal processor is configured to apply first feed-forward filters to the feed-forward signal path and apply first feedback filters to the feedback signal path during a first operating mode providing effective cancellation of ambient sound, apply second feed-forward filters to the feed-forward signal path during a second operating mode providing active hear-through of ambient sounds with ambient naturalness, and provide an input electronic audio signal to an output transducer via an audio playback signal path during both the first and second operating modes.

Abstract: In an active noise reducing headphone, a signal processor applies filters and control gains of both the feed-forward and feedback active noise cancellation signal paths. The signal processor is configured to apply first feed-forward filters to the feed-forward signal path and apply first feedback filters to the feedback signal path during a first operating mode providing effective cancellation of ambient sound, and to apply second feed-forward filters to the feed-forward signal path during a second operating mode providing active hear-through of ambient sounds with ambient naturalness.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is a sleep device. The sleep-aide device includes a soft housing adapted to be disposed over a user's head, a microphone positioned on the housing to receive an ambient sound signal, a suppression circuit that receives the ambient sound signal and produces a suppression sound signal, and a set of transducers, arranged in the soft housing, which receive the suppression sound signal. The suppression sound signal has a magnitude and phase to substantially cancel the ambient sound signal at the user's ear. In another aspect, the sleep-aide device includes a microphone to receive an ambient sound signal, a suppression circuitry, which receives the ambient sound signal and transmits a suppression sound signal based on the ambient sound signal, and a transducer which receives the suppression sound signal, which has a magnitude and phase to substantially cancel the ambient sound signal at the user's ear.

Abstract: An active noise reducing headphone has an active noise-cancelling mode and an active hear-through mode, and changes between the noise-cancelling mode and the hear-through mode based on detection of a user touching a housing of the headphone or based on a command signal received from an external device. In another aspect, a signal processor in the headphone is configured to change between the active noise-cancelling and active hear-through modes based on a comparison of signals from a feed-forward microphone and a feedback microphone. During the hear-through mode, the signal processor detects high-frequency signals in the feed-forward path exceeding a threshold level indicative of abnormally high acoustic coupling of the output transducer to the feed-forward microphone, and applies a compressing limiter to the feed-forward path until the high-frequency signals are no longer detected at levels above the threshold.

Abstract: In an active noise reducing headphone, a signal processor is configured to apply first feedback filters to the feedback signal path, causing the feedback signal path to operate at a first gain level, as a function of frequency, during a first operating mode, and apply second feedback filters to the feedback signal path, causing the feedback signal path to operate at a second gain level less than the first gain level at some frequencies during a second operating mode. The first gain level is a level of gain that results in effective cancellation of sounds transmitted through or around the ear cup and through the user's head, and the second level is a level of gain that is matched to the level of sound of a typical wearer's voice transmitted through the wearer's head when wearing the headphone.

Abstract: A new type of headset that employs adaptive noise suppression, multiple microphones, a voice activity detection (VAD) device, and unique mechanisms to position it correctly on either ear for use with phones, computers, and wired or wireless connections of any kind is described. In various embodiments, the headset employs combinations of new technologies and mechanisms to provide the user a unique communications experience.

Abstract: Disclosed is a portable audio device and a quick-disconnect passive acoustic cover. The portable audio device includes a housing and a speaker supported by the housing that have a first system frequency response. The speaker of the portable audio device has a first side and a second side associated with a first audio port and a second audio port, associated with a first acoustic load and a second acoustic load respectively. The housing is configured to removably receive the cover which is configured to redefine at least one of the first acoustic load and the second acoustic load to replace the first system frequency response with a second system frequency response. The cover provides one or more additional surrounding structures, which replace the inherent frequency response with an improved frequency response. Different embodiments of the disclosed cover provide a plurality of sound quality enhancement options to a user.

Abstract: A digital circuit arrangement for an ambient noise-reduction system affording a higher degree of noise reduction than has hitherto been possible. The arrangement converts the analog signals into N-bit digital signals at sample rate f0, and then subjects the converted signals to digital filtering. The value of N in some embodiments is 1 but, in any event, is no greater than 8, and f0 may be 64 times the Nyquist sampling rate but, in any event, is substantially greater than the Nyquist sampling rate. This permits digital processing to be used without incurring group delay problems that rule out the use of conventional digital processing in this context. Furthermore, adjustment of the group delay can readily be achieved, in units of a fraction of a micro-second, providing the ability to fine tune the group delay for feed forward applications.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for active noise canceling. The method includes retrieving an input sample from at least one of a feedback or feedforward microphone digitized through the sigma-delta converter, retrieving the input sample and a related filter, wherein the filter is customized to the particular headset, outputting a filtered signal through a speaker without any interpolation and reducing order of CIC filters, and outputting a response sharply tapered down.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards enabling headphones to perform active noise cancellation for a particular user. Each separate user may enable individualized noise canceling headphones for one or more noise environments. When the user is wearing the headphones in a quiet environment, a user may employ a computer to initiate determination of a plant model of each ear cup specific to the user. When the user is wearing the headphones in a target noise environment, the user may utilize the computer to initiate determination of operating parameters of a controller for each ear cup of the headphones. The computer may provide the operating parameters of each controller to the headphones. And the operation of each controller may be updated based on the determined operating parameters. The updated headphones may be utilized by the user to provide active noise cancellation.

Abstract: A sound signal processing apparatus includes a sliding operation detecting section to which a sound signal collected by a microphone is inputted, and which determines start and end of a sliding operation by a determination process using a sliding sound signal component in the inputted sound signal, the sliding sound signal component being produced by the sliding operation on the microphone itself or its vicinity, and a control section that performs a predetermined control process that is set with respect to the sliding operation, during a period from the start to the end of the sliding operation determined by the sliding operation detecting section.

Abstract: In an aspect, the invention features an active noise reduction device including an electronic signal processing circuit. The electronic signal processing circuit includes a first input for accepting a first signal, a second input for accepting a second signal, an output for providing a third signal, a feed-forward path from the first input to the output, and a feed-forward controller for determining the control parameter by calculating a control signal using the first signal and the second signal and then using the control signal to determine the control parameter. The feed-forward path includes a fixed compensation linear filter and a variable compensation filter having an input for receiving a control parameter that applies a selected linear filter from a family of linear filters that vary in both gain and spectral shape and are selectable by the control parameter.

Abstract: Existing ANC headsets have active noise reduction circuitry and a power supply in the headset. Alternate ANC headsets rely on ANC circuitry in the player and have non-standard connectors meaning that they cannot be used with any other players. An audio headset (90) having an encoder (54) and active noise cancellation audio processing device (80) having a decoder (32) are described. The encoder (54) enables the audio headset to be used in enhanced (ANC) mode when connected to a compatible audio processing device and in normal mode when connected to a non-compatible audio processing device since a standard audio jack plug can be used. Similarly the decoder (62) in the active noise cancellation audio processing device (80) enables the active noise cancellation audio processing device to be used in enhanced mode when connected to a compatible audio headset and in normal mode connected to a non-compatible audio headset since a standard audio socket can be used.

Abstract: An electroacoustic channel soundfield is altered. An audio signal is applied by an electromechanical transducer to an acoustic space, causing air pressure changes therein. Another audio signal is obtained by a second electromechanical transducer, responsive to air pressure changes in the acoustic space. A transfer function estimate of the electroacoustic channel is established, responsive to the second audio signal and part of the first audio signal. The transfer function estimate is derived to be adaptive to temporal variations in the electroacoustic channel transfer function. Filters are obtained with transfer functions based on the transfer function estimate. Part of the first audio signal is filtered therewith.

Abstract: Electronic devices are provided that communicate over cables and other communications paths that include optical and electrical paths. A cable may include wires for forming an electrical path and one or more optical fibers for forming an optical path. Connectors at one or both ends of the cable may include electrical contacts and an optical coupling structure associated with the optical path. Optical paths may be included in connectors such as tip-ring-sleeve connectors and connectors of other types. Interface circuitry may be included in a connector to convert between optical and electrical signaling schemes. Wavelength-division-multiplexing may be used to support bidirectional communications. Breakout boxes and other equipment may be connected using the cables. Digital signals such as digital noise cancellation signals may be conveyed over the optical paths. Power and other electrical signals may be conveyed over the electrical paths.

Abstract: A headset has an earcup with front opening adjacent to an annular cushion formed with a plurality of openings facing the inside of the earcup that acoustically couples the earcup volume to the cushion volume. A driver is seated inside the earcup with a microphone adjacent to the driver. Active noise reducing circuitry intercouples the driver and microphone. An acoustic load that may comprise a wire mesh resistive cover and/or air mass adjacent the microphone is constructed and arranged to reduce the effect of resonances in the earcup volume.