Patent classifications
H04R2201/023
Voice signal enhancement for head-worn audio devices
A head-worn audio device is provided with a circuit for voice signal enhancement. The circuit comprises at least a plurality of microphones, arranged at predefined positions, where each microphone provides a microphone signal. The circuit further comprises a directivity pre-processor and a blind source separation processor. The directivity pre-processor is connected with the plurality of microphones to receive the microphone signals and being configured to provide at least a voice signal and a noise signal. Directivity pre-processing increases the mutual independence of the signals provided to the blind source separation processor and thus improves processing by blind source separation. The blind source separation processor receives at least the voice signal and the noise signal, and is configured to conduct blind source separation on at least the voice signal and the noise signal to provide at least an enhanced voice signal with reduced noise components.
Face mask with audio device holder
Face masks and attachments to accommodate hearing aids are provided herein. The face masks include a mask body, ear loops and a hearing aid holder to removably hold a hearing aid. In some configurations, a hearing aid holder which can be detachably attached to a mask is provided.
Hearing enhancement methods and systems
Different embodiments on hearing enhancement enhancing a user's hearing. For example, a system can include an interface unit with a directional speaker and a microphone. The microphone captures input audio signals that are transformed into ultrasonic signals. The speaker transmits the ultrasonic signals, which are transformed into output audio signals by interaction with air. At least part of the output audio signals is modified to enhance the hearing of the user. Based on the system, the user's ear remains free from any inserted objects and thus is free from annoying occlusion effects. Compared to existing hearing aids, the system is relatively inexpensive. In another embodiment, the system can also be used as a phone. In another embodiment, the system can also access audio signals from other portable or non-portable instruments, wired or wirelessly, such as from home entertainment units, phones, microphones at a conference or speakers at a movie theater.
Vibrotactile control systems and methods
Methods and systems are disclosed to facilitate creating the sensation of vibrotactile movement on the body of a user. Vibratory motors are used to generate a haptic language for music or other stimuli that is integrated into wearable technology. The disclosed system in certain embodiments enables the creation of a family of devices that allow people such as those with hearing impairments to experience sounds such as music or other input to the system. For example, a “sound vest” or other wearable array transforms musical input to haptic signals so that users can experience their favorite music in a unique way, and can also recognize auditory or other cues in the user's real or virtual reality environment and convey this information to the user using haptic signals.
Systems and methods for communicating through a hard plastic mask
The present disclosure relates generally to providing a flexible patch and system for communicating through hard plastic masks such as CPAP/BiPAP® masks. Using electronic circuitry and novel designs, the present systems and methods can detect speech vibrations and output audible speech from hard plastic mask wearers. For example, in certain embodiments, the present systems and methods can recognize speech through a CPAP/BiPAP® mask, filter out non-human voice related noise, and output the resulting speech of the mask wearer.
EMBODIED SOUND DEVICE AND METHOD
A tactile audio system and associated methods are disclosed. In one example, the tactile audio system includes a signal processor configured to separate an input signal into a transient group and a sustained group. In one example, the tactile audio system includes a signal processor configured to separate an input signal into a plurality of frequency bands for each of the transient group and the sustained group. A number of transducers are provided to generate a tactile response corresponding to portions of the separated audio signal.
Sleep headset
Embodiments of the present invention provide a sleep headset, which includes: a face slimming strap made of a flexible and elastic breathable material and including a main functioning part that fits a face and a lower mandible on two sides, and first connecting parts extending from two ends of the main functioning part, wherein each of the first connecting parts is provided with a detachable connection structure to enable the face slimming strap to be detachably connected and adjust tightness of the main functioning part against the face and the lower mandible; at least one speaker built in the face slimming strap and disposed at positions corresponding to human ears of a head; and a control box disposed on the face slimming strap or on an eye mask and electrically connected to the speaker. The sleep headset of the present invention can relieve discomfort brought about by the headset during sleep; and moreover, the face slimming strap can realize a face slimming function during sleep.
VIBRATION-GENERATING DEVICE
A piezoelectric band (10) includes: a base sheet (11) that has flexibility and is formed into a sheet shape; a piezoelectric sheet (20) that has flexibility and is formed into a sheet shape and placed over one side of the base sheet (11); and a cover sheet (12) that has flexibility and is formed into a sheet shape and placed over and in contact with one side of the piezoelectric sheet (20) that faces away from the base sheet (11). Upon reception of a drive signal, the piezoelectric sheet (20) vibrates at or above a frequency of 15 kHz. The cover sheet (12) has a plurality of holes (12a) passing therethrough from one side facing the piezoelectric sheet (20) to the other side, and the plurality of holes (12a) forms respectively air layers through which vibration of the piezoelectric sheet (20) propagates toward the other side.
In-ear speaker
In one embodiment, a method for emitting a sound from an in-ear speaker worn by a subject includes generating, by an audio source of the in-ear speaker, a source audio signal. One or more speakers of the in-ear speaker may emit a sound based on the audio signal and an audio-transport tube of the in-ear speaker may receive the sound. The one or more speakers may be comprised of a singular speaker or a speaker array coupled to a crossover network. The audio-transport tube has an input end coupled to the one or more speakers to receive the sound. An audio reflector of the in-ear speaker may reflect the sound. The audio reflector is coupled to an output end of the audio-transport tube.
Sound system
A sound system is shown in the form of a speaker with or without a speaker box. A front member may be used with an elongate open portion with a top end and a bottom end and a speaker support with the speaker mounted to the speaker support. The speaker support may be coupled to the front member with a front of the speaker facing the front member and the front of the speaker substantially aligned with the bottom end of the elongate open portion. The bottom end of the elongate open portion may be positioned adjacent to a lower portion of the back of the torso of a user and the top end of the open portion is positioned higher near the back of the torso of the user. This combination may be used in a backpack, a chair or any other similar device.