Skullcandy, Inc.

Harman International Industries, Inc.

Branden Sheffield

John Timothy

Randall J Hull

James M Kirsch

Ajay Sundaram Iyer

Sam Noertker

Andrew Pierce

Jason Walker

Gregory R Woolston

Noise-canceling audio devices may include a first vibration member, a second vibration member, and a microphone supported by a housing. A feedback, noise-cancelation circuit may be operatively connected to the microphone, the feedback, noise-cancelation circuit configured to generate a first portion of a modified audio signal by combining an audio signal with a noise-canceling signal generated in response to a signal from the microphone to at least partially cancel at least a portion of an audible response of the second vibration member. A feed-forward, noise-cancelation circuit may be operatively connected to the microphone, the feed-forward, noise-cancelation circuit configured to compare the signal from the microphone to a predetermined SPL profile and generate a second portion of the modified audio signal configured to at least partially cancel environmental noise, the feedback, noise cancelation circuit configured to output the modified audio signal only to the first vibration member.

Noise-canceling audio device including multiple vibration members

A first digital signal processor (DSP) associated with a first user outputs audio to the first user via first headphones, and captures speech from the first user via a first microphone. Similarly, a second DSP associated with a second user outputs audio to the second user via second headphones, and captures speech from the second user via a second microphone. The first DSP is coupled to the second DSP in order to allow the first and second users to share music and communicate with one another. The first user may speak into the first microphone, and the first and second DSPs may then interoperate to output that speech to the second user without substantially disrupting audio output to the second user. Each of the first and second users may also select between first and second audio sources that may be coupled to the first and second DSPs, respectively.

Techniques for sharing stereo sound between multiple users

Noise-canceling headphones may include a headband, an audio input, and earcups supported proximate ends of the headband. A first vibration member operatively connected to the audio input, a second vibration member operatively connected to the audio input, and a microphone may be supported by a housing of at least one of the earcups. A feedback, noise-cancelation circuit configured to reduce a user's perception of a portion of an audible response of the second vibration member may be operatively connected to the microphone. The feedback, noise-cancelation circuit may be configured to modify an audio signal from the audio input at least in part based on a signal from the microphone and send the modified audio signal to the first vibration member.

Noise-canceling headphones including multiple vibration members and related methods

Methods of operating headphones may involve filtering an input signal into a first filtered input signal and a second filtered input signal utilizing a filter. The second filtered input signal may be sent directly to a tactile vibration driver and tactile vibrations may be produced. A fixed, predetermined inverse transfer function may be applied to the first filtered input signal, generating an anti-wave signal. The anti-wave signal may be summed with the first filtered input signal, generating an output signal. Alternatively, a fixed, predetermined transfer function may be applied to the first filtered input signal, generating a modified input signal. The modified input signal may be subtracted from the first filtered input signal, generating an output signal. Audio sound waves may be produced with an acoustic driver responsive to the output signal, reducing effects of incidental acoustic noise generated by the tactile vibration driver.

Methods of using headphones with noise cancellation of acoustic noise from tactile vibration driver

Noise-canceling headphones may include a headband, an audio input, and earcups supported proximate ends of the headband. A first vibration member operatively connected to the audio input, a second vibration member operatively connected to the audio input, and a microphone may be supported by a housing of at least one of the earcups. A feedback, noise-cancelation circuit configured to reduce a user's perception of an undesirable audible response of the second vibration member may be operatively connected to the microphone. The feedback, noise-cancelation circuit may be configured to modify an audio signal from the audio input at least in part based on a signal from the microphone and send the modified audio signal to the first vibration member. The modified audio signal may be configured to at least partially cancel at least a portion of an audible response of the second vibration member.

A headphone that may be operated in either a wireless mode or a wired mode includes a housing and an acoustic driver within the housing. The headphone includes a jack for receiving a complementary jack at the end of an audio cable, and at least one control input. The at least one control input controls operation of the headphone when the headphone is operated in the wireless mode, and the at least one control input controls operation of an associated media device when the headphone is operated in the wired mode. A method of method of operating a headphone includes using at least one control input on a headphone to control operation of the headphone while using the headphone in a wireless mode, and using the at least one control input on the headphone to control operation of an associated media device while using the headphone in a wired mode.

Headphone with adaptive controls

A headphone that may reduce acoustic noise from a tactile vibration driver includes a housing, and an acoustic driver and tactile vibration driver within the housing. The tactile vibration driver is configured to generate tactile vibration sufficient to be felt by a user responsive to the input signal. The headphone also includes a noise cancellation unit coupled with the acoustic driver, the noise cancellation unit configured to: generate an adjustment signal based, at least in part, on a transfer function associated with the tactile vibration driver generating acoustic noise incidental to the tactile vibrations; and adjust the input signal responsive to the adjustment signal to transmit an output signal for reproduction by the acoustic driver. Related methods for operating and making such headphones are also disclosed.

Headphone with noise cancellation of acoustic noise from tactile vibration driver

A driver assembly comprises a housing structure, a magnet assembly within the housing structure, and opposing spring structures coupled to the housing structure at different vertical positions than one another. The magnet assembly comprises a permanent magnet, a plate structure underlying the permanent magnet, a voice coil circumscribing the permanent magnet and the plate structure, and a yoke structure at least partially surrounding the permanent magnet, the plate structure, and the voice coil. The opposing spring structures are configured to impede horizontal movement of the permanent magnet, the plate structure, and the yoke structure while permitting vertical movement thereof. A headphone and a method of forming a headphone are also described.

Driver assemblies, headphones including driver assemblies, and related methods

In one embodiment, a gain redistribution application restructures gains associated with multiple microphones included in a head-worn audio system to minimize near field noise. In response to a sound generated by a sound source, the microphones generate input signals. The gain redistribution application performs mixing operations on the input signals to generate an output signal that mitigates near field noise associated with the same side of the head as the sound source. Subsequently, the gain redistribution application transmits the output signal to a speaker that targets the same side of the head as the sound source. Advantageously, by reducing the gain associated with an input signal received via a microphone located on the same side of the head as the sound source, the gain redistribution application reduces near field noise transmitted to the user during operation in a more comprehensive fashion relative to conventional designs.

Redistributing gain to reduce near field noise in head-worn audio systems

One or more embodiments set forth include a personal aural device that includes an expandable eartip. The expandable eartip has a contracted state and an expanded state. The expandable eartip includes an insertion sensor configured to receive an indication that the eartip has been placed in an ear of a user. The expandable eartip further includes a controller configured to, in response, actuate a first device to inflate a first chamber to conform to a first portion of the ear. At least one advantage of the described techniques is that eartips in a set of earphones automatically inflate to provide an optimal fit for any listener's ears.

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Saratoga Springs, UT, United States of America

Branden Sheffield