A headset includes a wearable body, first and second earphones extending from the wearable body, controls for controlling an external communication/multimedia device wirelessly, a microphone for picking up vocal data from a user of the headset system and a signal processing unit. The signal processing unit includes circuitry for processing the vocal data into a distinctly audible vocal feedback signal, circuitry for enhancing the vocal feedback signal thereby producing an enhanced vocal feedback signal and circuitry for mixing the enhanced vocal feedback signal with audio signals originating from the external communication/multimedia device, thereby producing a mixed output signal and then sending the mixed output signal to the user via the earphones. The external communication/multimedia device comprises a vocal command application and the headset further comprises a vocal command control for sending vocal commands to the external communication/multimedia device and to the vocal command application.

A headset includes a wearable body, first and second earphones extending from the wearable body, controls for controlling an external communication/multimedia device wirelessly, a microphone for picking up vocal data from a user of the headset system and a signal processing unit. The signal processing unit includes circuitry for processing the vocal data into a distinctly audible vocal feedback signal, circuitry for enhancing the vocal feedback signal thereby producing an enhanced vocal feedback signal and circuitry for mixing the enhanced vocal feedback signal with audio signals originating from the external communication/multimedia device, thereby producing a mixed output signal and then sending the mixed output signal to the user via the earphones. The external communication/multimedia device comprises a vocal command application and the headset further comprises a vocal command control for sending vocal commands to the external communication/multimedia device and to the vocal command application.

A wireless earphone system (1) comprising a first earphone (2) and a second earphone (3). The first earphone (2) comprises a first earphone transceiver (6) of a first type and a second earphone transceiver (7) of a second type, and the second earphone (3) comprises a third earphone transceiver (7) of the first type. A first wireless link (5) can be established between the first earphone transceiver (6) and the third earphone transceiver (8), and a second wireless link (9) can be established between the second earphone transceiver (7) and an audio rendering transceiver (25) of the second type of an audio rendering device (4). The first earphone device (2) is adapted to send a link status signal (12) via the second wireless link (9) to the audio rendering device (4).

Methods and apparatus for spatial audio navigation that may, for example, be implemented by mobile multipurpose devices. A spatial audio navigation system provides navigational information in audio form to direct users to target locations. The system uses directionality of audio played through a binaural audio device to provide navigational cues to the user. A current location, target location, and map information may be input to pathfinding algorithms to determine a real world path between the user's current location and the target location. The system may then use directional audio played through a headset to guide the user on the path from the current location to the target location. The system may implement one or more of several different spatial audio navigation methods to direct a user when following a path using spatial audio-based cues.

Methods and apparatus for spatial audio navigation that may, for example, be implemented by mobile multipurpose devices. A spatial audio navigation system provides navigational information in audio form to direct users to target locations. The system uses directionality of audio played through a binaural audio device to provide navigational cues to the user. A current location, target location, and map information may be input to pathfinding algorithms to determine a real world path between the user's current location and the target location. The system may then use directional audio played through a headset to guide the user on the path from the current location to the target location. The system may implement one or more of several different spatial audio navigation methods to direct a user when following a path using spatial audio-based cues.

An audio assembly provides audio content to a user. The audio assembly comprises an elongated body, a diaphragm, a transducer, and a plurality of vent assemblies. The elongated body has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The diaphragm is within the elongated body and pivots about a pivot location that is proximate the second end. The transducer is within the elongated body and is positioned proximate to the first end. The transducer causes the diaphragm to pivot about the pivot location such that the diaphragm generates a positive acoustic pressure wave from a first surface of the diaphragm and a negative acoustic pressure wave from a second surface of the diaphragm. The plurality of vent assemblies are along one or more surfaces of the elongated body, and are configured to vent the positive acoustic pressure wave and the negative acoustic pressure wave.

A headphone in which both the left and right stereo channels are contained within a single earpiece (10) and separated by vertical positioning above (12) and below (14) the ear, rather than each ear receiving one stereo channel, as in traditional headphones. This allows the listener to hear the audio content of both stereo channels with a single ear, while still being able to distinguish between the two channels. The other earpiece of the headphone may be a “dummy” (20) which contains no speaker, and the headphone can be reversed depending on which ear the user wants to listen with. Optionally, the back of each earpiece can be opened, allowing the listener to experience stereo sound in one ear while listening to his/her surroundings with the other.

A headphone in which both the left and right stereo channels are contained within a single earpiece (10) and separated by vertical positioning above (12) and below (14) the ear, rather than each ear receiving one stereo channel, as in traditional headphones. This allows the listener to hear the audio content of both stereo channels with a single ear, while still being able to distinguish between the two channels. The other earpiece of the headphone may be a “dummy” (20) which contains no speaker, and the headphone can be reversed depending on which ear the user wants to listen with. Optionally, the back of each earpiece can be opened, allowing the listener to experience stereo sound in one ear while listening to his/her surroundings with the other.

A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, a gaming system that cooperates with a graphical user interface to enable user modification and enhancement of one or more audio streams associated with the gaming system. In embodiments, the audio streams may include a game audio stream, a chat audio stream of conversation among players of a video game, and a microphone audio stream of a player of the video game. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, a gaming system that cooperates with a graphical user interface to enable user modification and enhancement of one or more audio streams associated with the gaming system. In embodiments, the audio streams may include a game audio stream, a chat audio stream of conversation among players of a video game, and a microphone audio stream of a player of the video game. Additional embodiments are disclosed.