In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a contact hearing system including: an ear tip including a transmit circuit having a first Q value, wherein the ear tip includes a transmit coil wound on a ferrite core; a contact hearing device including a receive circuit having a second Q value, wherein the first Q value is greater than the second Q value; a receive coil positioned on the contact hearing device, wherein the receive coil includes a core of a non-ferromagnetic material.

A personal audio device (e.g., headphones, earphones) can have an earpiece (e.g., an ear cup or earbud) with a removable cushioning member (e.g., headphone cushions or ear tips for earbuds). The cushioning member can include an identification tag that encodes identification data for the cushioning member. When the cushioning member is attached to the earpiece, the identification tag is brought into proximity with a tag sensor in the earpiece and the earpiece can read the identification tag to determine identification data for the cushioning member. The identification data can be used to modify a behavior of the earpiece and/or of a host device communicably coupled to the earpiece.

Methods and apparatus for gathering research data indicating exposure to media are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first wireless receiver to receive a first modulated audio signal via a wireless data connection from a media device using a wireless communication protocol, the first modulated audio signal associated with the media, the first wireless receiver to output a baseband audio signal corresponding to the first modulated audio signal. The example apparatus includes a first wireless transmitter to modulate the baseband audio signal to form a second modulated audio signal, the first wireless transmitter to transmit the second modulated audio signal to wireless headphones using the wireless communication protocol. The example apparatus includes a monitoring device to receive the baseband audio signal, and to generate research data identifying the media, the media device including a second wireless transmitter to transmit the first modulated audio signal to the first wireless receiver, and the wireless headphones including a second wireless receiver to receive the second modulated audio signal from the first wireless transmitter.

A first device having a transceiver and an antenna operatively connected to the transceiver and a second device having a transceiver and an antenna operatively connected to the transceiver, the first device in operative communication with the first device through a communications linkage separate from the transceiver of the first device and the transceiver of the second device. The first device is adapted to wirelessly communicate with a remote device through the transceiver of the first device. The second device is adapted to wirelessly communicate with the remote device through the transceiver of the second device. The system is configured to evaluate the wireless connection between the first device and the remote device and to evaluate the wireless communication between the second device and the remote device and determine whether the first device or the second device has a better connection.

A first device having a transceiver and an antenna operatively connected to the transceiver and a second device having a transceiver and an antenna operatively connected to the transceiver, the first device in operative communication with the first device through a communications linkage separate from the transceiver of the first device and the transceiver of the second device. The first device is adapted to wirelessly communicate with a remote device through the transceiver of the first device. The second device is adapted to wirelessly communicate with the remote device through the transceiver of the second device. The system is configured to evaluate the wireless connection between the first device and the remote device and to evaluate the wireless communication between the second device and the remote device and determine whether the first device or the second device has a better connection.

The method includes a step of generating a magnetic signal with an electromagnetic functional unit, wherein the electromagnetic functional unit is an actuator of a loudspeaker of the device or wherein the electromagnetic functional unit is an electromagnetic resonant circuit connected to the device, wherein the magnetic signal carries the data to be transferred from the device to the other device: Furthermore, the method includes a step of detecting the magnetic signal with an electromagnetic resonant circuit of the other device in order to obtain the data to be transferred from the device to the other device, wherein the magnetic signal is FSK-modulated, wherein a resonance frequency of the electromagnetic resonant circuit of the other device and a carrier frequency of the FSK-modulated magnetic signal are tuned with respect to each other.

A headset, which may be configured to process audio for a player participating in an online multiplayer game, may support auto-pairing with audio basestations. In this regard, an audio basestation may be utilized in communicating game and chat audio content from an associated game console to a paired headset and in communicating microphone audio from the paired headset to the console. The auto-pairing may comprise automatically exchanging signals with an audio basestation, in response to the headset coming within a determined distance of the audio basestation; and pairing with the audio basestation based on processing of the exchanged signals. The pairing may result in establishing one or more wireless links for game and chat audio to be communicated to the headset and microphone audio to be communicated from the headset. The determined distance may correspond to physical contact (e.g., tapping) between the headset and the basestation.

A Near Field Communication (NFC) device includes an NFC processing chip, a voltage conversion chip, a first transformer, and a connector. The NFC processing chip receives and transmits NFC signals. The first transformer is coupled to the NFC processing chip. The connector is coupled to the NFC processing chip and the first transformer, the connector transmits the NFC signals and transmits voltage signals to the first transformer. The first transformer transmits the voltage signal to the voltage conversion chip to supply an operating voltage to the NFC processing chip and the first transformer further transmits alternating current signals to the connector. An NFC system is also provided.

The present invention provides wireless charging techniques and devices for charging electronic device(s) within a closed space defined by a substantially hollow housing containing an antenna arrangement and configured to define an inner cavity for propagation of electromagnetic radiation from the antenna arrangement. The housing has an inner surface, encompassing the inner cavity, which geometry and material composition selected to define a general propagation path for the predetermined electromagnetic radiation from the antenna arrangement towards a charging zone. The inner cavity of the housing operates as a waveguide for directionally guiding the electromagnetic radiation to the charging zone and providing substantially maximal intensity of the electromagnetic radiation within the charging zone.

An aquatic environment audio system for communication of wireless audio signals between a smartwatch and headphones worn by a user includes one or more wireless repeaters. Each of the one or more wireless repeaters includes a waterproof housing, an attachment mechanism for attaching the waterproof housing to the user between the smartwatch and the headphones. Each of the one or more wireless repeaters further includes a first antenna for receiving wireless signals from the smartwatch, repeater circuitry coupled with the first antenna for processing the wireless signals received from the smartwatch, and a second antenna coupled with the wireless repeater circuitry for transmitting the processed wireless signals to the headphones. One or more of the first antenna, repeater circuitry, and second antenna are contained in the waterproof housing.