The present invention includes a system for alerting a headphone user that another individual is attempting to gain the user's attention. The system includes an alert receiver designed to easily mate with the headphones and an audio source. The alert receiver wirelessly communicates with an alert transmitter that can be manually operated by the individual. This system enables an individual to easily alert the headphone user without requiring either party have or use a telephone.

A voice input/output device is connected to a smart device having a voice signal input/output function is provided. A digital voice signal output by the smart device is output to an output unit, (e.g., ear receiver or a speaker), in the form of a voice, and a voice signal transmitted by the smart device is extracted and input to the smart device as a digital voice signal to generate a sound by the smart device itself in addition to an externally generated sound that is input again with improved quality. Accordingly, a voice signal output by the smart device is extracted using a earphone type device having microphone mounted thereon and the voice signal is input to the smart device again.

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 media control device is provided. The media control device includes a first output port and a second output port. The media control device receives a user input indicative of disability information of a user. Further, the media control device controls the first output port to output a first audio portion of media content. The media control device further retrieves a second audio portion which describes a first image portion of the media content based on the received user input. The first image portion is associated with the first audio portion. The media control device further controls the second output port to output the first audio portion and the second audio portion based on the received user input.

In embodiments of an audio control module (318), audio data (310) is received from an audio data source (314) for output to an audio rendering device (316). An initialization input (326) can be received from a wireless audio headset (320) and, responsive to receiving the initialization input, the audio data (328) is communicated to the audio headset. The audio that would be generated from the audio data (322) at the audio rendering device (316) is also limited, such as by replacing the audio data (322) with null audio data, clearing audio data packets from the audio data (322), or by asserting a mute signal (336) to the audio rendering device.

Provided is a method of controlling an audio output according to an orientation of an audio output apparatus, performed by the audio output apparatus, the method including receiving a stereo signal; detecting the orientation of the audio output apparatus using a sensor; outputting the stereo signal to a left speaker unit and a right speaker unit from a viewpoint of a user who views a front surface portion of the audio output apparatus on which two speaker units are arranged; and down-mixing the stereo signal and outputting the down mixed signal to at least one among an upper speaker unit and a lower speaker unit from the user's viewpoint.

An acoustic feedback system includes a memory and processor to receive at least one of a plurality of output signals from a plurality of sensors. The system determines whether an output signal has reached a first threshold, and sends an audible sound signal to a speaker(s) based on the first threshold. Thus, the acoustic feedback system utilizes output signals of various vehicle sensors and generates audible signals based on the sensor output signals.

The present invention includes: a connecting plug configured to be connected to the quadripolar input/output interface of a portable terminal, and to transmit or receive output or input signals; and a function unit configured to be supplied with operating power from the portable terminal via the connecting plug, and to perform an intrinsic function; wherein the connecting plug includes a first pole configured to come into contact with the first output terminal of the portable terminal; a second pole configured to come into contact with the second output terminal of the portable terminal; a third pole configured to come into contact with the microphone terminal of the portable terminal; and a fourth pole configured to come into contact with the ground terminal of the portable terminal; and wherein the function unit is supplied with operating power via any one of the first pole, the second pole, and the third pole.

When an indication is received from a user input, a name of an audio source from an ordered list of audio sources to which a headset is currently connected is output. Whenever a successive indication is received within a predefined amount of time, the name of the next wireless audio source in the list is output. If the next wireless audio source in the list is the last wireless audio source in the list, and the successive indication from the user input is received before the elapsed time exceeds the predefined value, the name of the audio source to which the headset is currently connected is output as the next selected wireless audio source in the list. When an amount of time greater than the predefined value elapses without a successive indication from the user input, the last wireless audio source that had its name output is connected.

An instrument interconnect system that interfaces an instrument, such as a guitar or a bass, to an audio-receiving device, such as an amplifier, effect box, or a mixer. The instrument interconnect system provides enhanced clarity and sonic detail. The instrument interconnect system may allow a musician to select a voltage-buffered output signal, an unbuffered output signal, or may allow a musician to mix a voltage-buffered output signal and an unbuffered output signal. The instrument interconnect system may further allow the musician to selectively activate or deactivate gain-adjustment circuits and equalization circuits.