Active noise-cancelling audio device and system

Abstract

A system for controlling active noise reduction (ANR) audio devices is provided. The system generates one or more control signals to set one or more ANR parameters of a first wearable audio device and a second wearable audio device to a first ANR state; detects at least one of whether the first wearable audio device is engaged with or removed from a first ear of a user, or whether the second wearable audio device is engaged with or removed from a second ear of the user; and automatically adjusts the one or more ANR parameters of the first wearable audio device and / or the second wearable audio device to a second ANR state when the first wearable audio device or the second wearable audio device, or both, are removed from the ears of the user. The second ANR state includes a reduction in ANR level at least at some frequencies compared to the first ANR state.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to methods and systems for controlling audio devices, such as headphones, with active noise reduction. SUMMARY

[0002] All examples and features mentioned below can be combined in any technically possible manner.

[0003] Generally, in one aspect, a method of controlling an active noise reduction (ANR) audio system is provided. The method includes generating, using a controller, one or more control signals to set one or more ANR parameters of a first wearable audio device and a second wearable audio device to a first ANR state; detecting at least one of: using a first sensor of the first wearable audio device, whether the first wearable audio device is engaged with or removed from a first ear of a user, or using a second sensor of the second wearable audio device, whether the second wearable audio device is engaged with or removed from a second ear of the user; and automatically adjusting the one or more ANR parameters of the first wearable audio device and / or the second wearable audio device to a second ANR state when the first wearable audio device or the second wearable audio device, or both, are removed from the ears of the user, wherein the second ANR state includes a reduction in ANR level at least at some frequencies compared to the first ANR state.

[0004] In one aspect, the method further includes detecting, using the first sensor of the first wearable audio device, whether the first wearable audio device is engaged with or removed from a first ear of a user, and detecting, using the second sensor of the second wearable audio device, whether the second wearable audio device is engaged with or removed from a second ear of the user; and automatically adjusting the one or more ANR parameters of the first wearable audio device and the second wearable audio device to the first ANR state when both the first wearable audio device and the second wearable audio device are detected to be engaged with the ears of the user.

[0005] In one aspect, the one or more ANR parameters relate to at least one of a feedback filter, a feedforward filter, and an audio equalization.

[0006] In one aspect, the one or more ANR parameters of the second ANR state include at least one of: a default setting or a user-set ANR setting input by a user.

[0007] In one aspect, the one or more ANR parameters of the first ANR state include at least one of: a default setting, a user-set ANR setting input by a user, or a last used ANR setting.

[0008] In one aspect, in the second ANR state, at least one of the following operations can be performed with the first and second wearable audio devices: initiating an audio signal to be reproduced by the audio system; preventing the audio system from reproducing an audio signal; pausing an audio signal being reproduced by the audio system; answering a phone call; rejecting a phone call; accepting a notification; ignoring a notification; and accessing a voice assistant.

[0009] In one aspect, the first and second wearable audio devices are arranged to operate in a plurality of ANR states during which one or more ANR parameters are adjusted using a user interface to increase or decrease noise reduction.

[0010] In one aspect, the first sensor of the first wearable audio device and the second sensor of the second wearable audio device comprise at least one of the following: a gyroscope, an accelerometer, an infrared sensor, a magnetometer, an acoustic sensor, a motion sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, a piezoresistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, and a magnetic field sensor.

[0011] In general, in one aspect, a computer program product is provided that includes a set of non-transitory computer-readable instructions stored on a memory and executable by a processor to perform a method for controlling an active noise reduction (ANR) audio system. The set of non-transitory computer-readable instructions are arranged to: generate, using a controller, one or more control signals to set one or more ANR parameters of a first wearable audio device and a second wearable audio device to a first ANR state; detect at least one of: using a first sensor of the first wearable audio device, whether the first wearable audio device is engaged with or removed from a first ear of a user; or using a second sensor of the second wearable audio device, whether the second wearable audio device is engaged with or removed from a second ear of the user; and automatically adjust the one or more ANR parameters of the first wearable audio device and / or the second wearable audio device to a second ANR state when the first wearable audio device or the second wearable audio device, or both, are removed from the ears of the user, wherein the second ANR state comprises a reduction in ANR level at least at some frequencies compared to the first ANR state.

[0012] In one aspect, the set of non-transitory computer-readable instructions are further arranged to: detect, using a first sensor of the first wearable audio device, whether the first wearable audio device is engaged with or removed from the user’s first ear, and detect, using a second sensor of the second wearable audio device, whether the second wearable audio device is engaged with or removed from the user’s second ear; and automatically adjust one or more ANR parameters of the first wearable audio device and the second wearable audio device to a first ANR state when both the first wearable audio device and the second wearable audio device are detected to be engaged with the user’s ears.

[0013] In one aspect, the one or more ANR parameters relate to at least one of a feedback filter, a feedforward filter, and an audio equalization.

[0014] In one aspect, the one or more ANR parameters of the second ANR state comprise at least one of: a default setting or a user-set ANR setting input by the user.

[0015] In one aspect, the first wearable audio device and the second wearable audio device are arranged to operate in a plurality of ANR states during which the one or more ANR parameters are adjusted using a user interface to increase or decrease noise reduction.

[0016] In general, in one aspect, an active noise reduction (ANR) audio system including a first wearable audio device and a second wearable audio device is provided. The first wearable audio device includes a first sensor arranged to determine whether the first wearable audio device is engaged with or removed from the user’s first ear. The second wearable audio device includes a second sensor arranged to determine whether the second wearable audio device is engaged with or removed from the user’s second ear. The audio system includes a controller arranged to: generate one or more control signals to set one or more ANR parameters of the first wearable audio device and the second wearable audio device to a first ANR state; detect at least one of: whether the first wearable audio device is engaged with or removed from the user’s first ear using the first sensor of the first wearable audio device; or whether the second wearable audio device is engaged with or removed from the user’s second ear using the second sensor of the second wearable audio device; and automatically adjust the one or more ANR parameters of the first wearable audio device and / or the second wearable audio device to a second ANR state when the first wearable audio device or the second wearable audio device or both are removed from the user’s ears, wherein the second ANR state comprises a reduction in ANR level at least at some frequencies compared to the first ANR state.

[0017] In one aspect, the controller is further arranged to: detect, using a first sensor of the first wearable audio device, whether the first wearable audio device is engaged with or removed from the user's first ear, and detect, using a second sensor of the second wearable audio device, whether the second wearable audio device is engaged with or removed from the user's second ear; and automatically adjust one or more ANR parameters of the first wearable audio device and the second wearable audio device to the first ANR state when both the first wearable audio device and the second wearable audio device are detected to be engaged with the user's ears.

[0018] In one aspect, the first wearable audio device and the second wearable audio device are arranged to operate in a plurality of ANR states during which the one or more ANR parameters are adjusted using the user interface to increase or decrease noise reduction.

[0019] In one aspect, the first wearable audio device further comprises a first user interface adapted to receive user input to increase or decrease noise reduction.

[0020] In one aspect, the first wearable audio device further comprises a first outer surface comprising a first touch capacitive sensor.

[0021] In one aspect, the controller is arranged within, around, or near the first wearable audio device or the second wearable audio device.

[0022] In one aspect, the first sensor of the first wearable audio device and the second sensor of the second wearable audio device comprise at least one of: a gyroscope, an accelerometer, an infrared sensor, a magnetometer, an acoustic sensor, a motion sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, a piezoresistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, and a magnetic field sensor.

[0023] These and other aspects of the various illustrated implementations will become apparent from and will be elucidated with reference to the following aspects described hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise indicated. Moreover, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the various aspects.

[0025] Figure 1 An example of an audio system of the present disclosure is shown.

[0026] Figure 2A A first earphone according to an example of the present disclosure is shown.

[0027] Figure 2BA second earphone according to an example of the present disclosure is shown.

[0028] Figure 3A One example configuration of components included in a first earphone according to the present disclosure is shown schematically.

[0029] Figure 3B One example configuration of components included in a second earphone according to the present disclosure is shown schematically.

[0030] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an example active noise reduction system incorporating both feedback and feedforward components.

[0031] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing steps of a method according to aspects of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] In earphones with active noise reduction ("ANR") functionality, such as wireless earphones, different ANR settings can provide different levels of noise reduction. The present disclosure provides methods and systems for automatically adjusting ANR parameters that change the level of noise reduction in an earphone based on whether the earphone is engaged with or removed from the user's ear. According to one example, a system detects whether one or both of a first earphone and a second earphone are engaged with the user's ears. If both earphones are engaged with the user's ears, the ANR subsystem automatically adjusts the ANR settings of both earphones to transition the earphones to a first ANR state with a default high level of noise reduction, a user-selected level of noise reduction, or a last-selected level of noise reduction. If one or both earphones are removed from the ear, both earphones are transitioned to a second ANR state with a lower level of noise reduction. This enables the user to have a lower noise reduction setting in the earphone engaged with the ear after the other earphone is removed from the ear to, for example, have a conversation with someone. When both earphones are returned to the ear, the system automatically raises the level of noise reduction to the level of noise reduction used in the first ANR state.

[0033] ANR subsystems are used to cancel or reduce unwanted or unpleasant noise. ANR subsystems can include an electro-acoustic system that can be configured to cancel at least some of the unwanted noise (often referred to as the primary noise) based on the principle of superposition. This can be accomplished by identifying the amplitude and phase of the primary noise and generating another signal of about the same amplitude and opposite phase (often referred to as an anti-noise signal). The appropriate anti-noise signal combines with the primary noise such that the two are substantially cancelled (e.g., cancelled within a specified level or acceptable tolerance) at the location of an error sensor. In this regard, in the example implementations described herein, "cancelling" noise can include reducing the "cancelling" noise to within a specified level or acceptable tolerance, and does not require complete cancellation of all noise. Noise cancelling systems can include a feed-forward signal path and / or a feedback signal path. The feed-forward component detects noise external to the headphone (e.g., via an external microphone) and is used to provide an anti-noise signal to cancel the external noise as it is expected to be transmitted to the user's ear. The feedback component detects acoustic signals reaching the user's ear (e.g., via an internal microphone) and processes the detected signals to cancel any signal components that are not intended to be part of the user's acoustic experience. Although described herein as being coupled to or placed in connection with other systems by a wired or wireless means, it should be understood that the noise cancelling system can be independent of any other system or equipment.

[0034] The term "wearable audio device" as used herein is intended to mean a device that fits around, on, in, or near the ear and radiates acoustic energy into or toward the ear canal. Wearable audio devices are sometimes referred to as earphones, earpieces, earphones, headphones, earbuds, or sports earphones, and can be wired or wireless. Wearable audio devices include an acoustic driver to convert audio signals into acoustic energy. The acoustic driver can be housed in an ear cup. While some of the figures and descriptions below can illustrate a single wearable audio device, the wearable audio device can be a single standalone unit or one of a pair of wearable audio devices (each wearable audio device including a respective acoustic driver and ear cup), each wearable audio device corresponding to an ear. The wearable audio devices can be mechanically connected to one another, such as by a headband and / or by leads that conduct audio signals to the acoustic drivers in the wearable audio devices. The wearable audio devices can include components for wirelessly receiving audio signals. The wearable audio devices can include components of an active noise reduction system. The wearable audio devices can also include other functionality, such as a microphone so that the wearable audio devices can act as a headset. While the following description can refer to a single wearable audio device, the description applies equally to each wearable audio device in a pair of wearable audio devices. Figure 1An example of a headphone that surrounds the ear is shown, but in other examples the headphone can be an in-ear headphone, an over-ear headphone, or a near-ear headphone. In some examples, the wearable audio device can be an open-ear device that includes an acoustic driver that radiates acoustic energy towards the ear canal while leaving the ear open to its environment and surroundings.

[0035] Reference is now made to the drawings, Figure 1 An audio system 100 is schematically illustrated. The audio system 100 generally comprises a first earphone 102, a second earphone 104, and a peripheral device 106. The first earphone 102 and the second earphone 104 are both arranged to communicate with the peripheral device 106 and / or with each other. The peripheral device 106 can be any device capable of establishing a connection with the first earphone 102 and / or the second earphone 104, either wirelessly via wireless protocols known in the art, or via a wired connection, i.e. any device capable of transmitting a data signal from the peripheral device 106 to the first earphone 102 or the second earphone 104 via a cable. In one example, the first earphone 102 and the second earphone 104 are located in or on the ear, and the earbuds are each arranged to communicate wirelessly with the peripheral device 106. In one example, the peripheral device 106 is a smartphone on which a computer executable application is installed, such that the connection between the peripheral device 106, the first earphone 102, and / or the second earphone 104 can be mutually established using a user interface on the peripheral device 106.

[0036] Figure 2A A first earphone 102 is shown. The first earphone 102 comprises a housing that further comprises a first driver 108 and (with reference to Fig. 2) a first microphone 110. The first earphone 102 further comprises a first wireless communication module 112, a first processor 114, and a first memory 116. The first wireless communication module 112 is configured to establish a wireless connection with the peripheral device 106. The first processor 114 is configured to execute instructions stored in the first memory 116. The first processor 114 is further configured to receive audio data from the peripheral device 106 via the first wireless communication module 112, and to output the audio data to the first driver 108 for reproduction. The first processor 114 is further configured to receive audio data from the peripheral device 106 via the first wireless communication module 112, and to output the audio data to the first microphone 110 for recording. Figure 3A) A first antenna 110 is provided, the first driver being an acoustic transducer for converting, for example, an electrical signal into an audio signal audible to a user. The first audio signal may correspond to data associated with at least one digital audio file, which may be streamed to a peripheral device 106 or the first earphone 102 via a wireless connection, stored in a first memory 112 (discussed below), or stored in a memory of the peripheral device 106. The first antenna 110 is configured to transmit and receive wireless communication information from, for example, the second earphone 104 or the peripheral device 106. As an example, the first earphone 102 and the second earphone 104 may each be capable of wirelessly communicating with the peripheral device 106. The first earphone 102 includes a controllable ANR subsystem. The first earphone 102 includes one or more microphones, such as a first feedforward microphone 114 and / or a first feedback microphone 116. The first feedforward microphone 114 may be configured to sense acoustic signals external to the first earphone 102 when the first earphone 102 is worn, for example, to detect acoustic signals in the surrounding environment before they reach the user's ear. The feedback microphone 116 can be configured to sense acoustic signals within the acoustic volume formed by the user's ear when the first earphone 102 is worn, for example, to detect acoustic signals reaching the user's ear. In various examples, the earphone may include one or more drivers, and the earphone may in some cases include only a feedforward microphone or only a feedback microphone, or multiple feedforward microphones and / or feedback microphones. Back Figure 2A The housing further includes a first outer surface 115 on which a sensor is arranged. In one example, the sensor on the first outer surface 115 of the first earphone 102 is a touch capacitance sensor, for example, a first touch capacitance sensor 117. The first touch capacitance sensor 117 is arranged to receive a signal corresponding to a reference signal. Figure 3A At least one user input for at least one first user control setting 119 in the first group of user control settings 128 discussed. The at least one user input may include a swipe gesture (e.g., movement across the first touch capacitive sensor 117), a single tap, a double tap (tapping at least twice within a predetermined time period), a triple tap (tapping at least three times within a predetermined time period), or any other rhythmic pattern / interaction with the first touch capacitive sensor 117. It should also be understood that the at least one user input may be an input from a sensor such as a gyroscope or accelerometer, for example, when the user U removes the first earphone 102 from the ear E, the gyroscope or accelerometer may measure a specified rotation, acceleration, or movement indicating that the user U removes the first earphone 102 from the ear E. Additionally, the first earphone 102 may also include a first sensor 118 to detect proximity to or engagement with the ear E of the user U. Although in Figure 2A102, the first earphone 102 may be positioned on the earbud of the first earphone 103, but the first sensor 118 may alternatively be positioned on or within the housing of the first earphone 102. The first sensor 118 may be any one of a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a magnetometer, an infrared (IR) sensor, an acoustic sensor (e.g., a microphone or an acoustic driver), a motion sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, a piezoresistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, a magnetic field sensor, or any other sensor known in the art that is capable of determining whether the first earphone 102 is proximate to, engaged with, within, or removed from the ear E of the user U.

[0037] refer to Figure 3A , the first headset 102 also includes a first controller 120. In one example, the first controller 120 includes at least a first processor 122 and a first memory 112. The first processor 122 and the first memory 112 of the first controller 120 are arranged to receive, send, store and execute any of a plurality of ANR parameters 125, a first set of ANR parameters 124 and / or a second set of ANR parameters 126 based on signals from the first feedforward microphone 114 and / or the first feedback microphone 116, which parameters may relate to feedback filters, feedforward filters or audio equalization. The first processor 122 and the first memory 112 of the first controller 120 are arranged to receive, send, store and execute at least one first user control setting 119 of the first set of user control settings 128. In one example, the first set of user control settings 128 may include settings such as, but not limited to, increasing or decreasing the volume of the audio signal reproduced by the audio system 100; increasing or decreasing noise reduction via a controller; starting / playing / stopping / pausing the audio signal reproduced by the audio system 100; answering or rejecting a phone call; accepting or ignoring a notification; and accessing a voice assistant such as Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri. The functions of the controller 120 may be performed by one or more separate controllers, which may be arranged to communicate with each other and operate in conjunction with each other. As an example, one controller may be arranged to receive, send, store, and execute any one of the plurality of ANR parameters 125, the first set of ANR parameters 124, and / or the second set of ANR parameters 126, and a separate controller may be arranged to receive, send, store, and execute at least one first user control setting 119 in the first set of user control settings 128.

[0038] Figure 2B The second earphone 104 is shown. The second earphone 104 further comprises a housing which further comprises a second driver 130 arranged to reproduce a second audio signal and (refer to Figure 3Bsecond antenna 132. The second audio signal can correspond to data related to at least one digital audio file that can be streamed to the first earphone 102 or the second earphone 104 over a wireless connection, stored in a second memory 134 (discussed below), or stored in a memory of the peripheral device 106. The second antenna 132 is arranged to transmit and receive wireless communication information from, for example, the first earphone 102 or the peripheral device 106. As an example, the first earphone 102 and the second earphone 104 are each capable of wireless communication with the peripheral device 106. The second earphone 104 also includes a controllable ANR subsystem. The second earphone 104 includes one or more microphones, such as a second feed-forward microphone 136 and / or a second feedback microphone 138. In various examples, one or more drivers can be included in the earphone, and the earphone can in some cases include only a feed-forward microphone or only a feedback microphone, or multiple feed-forward and / or feedback microphones. In one example, the sensor on the second outer surface 135 of the second earphone 104 is a touch capacitive sensor, e.g., a second touch capacitive sensor 137. The second touch capacitive sensor 137 is arranged to receive at least one user input corresponding to at least one second user control setting 139 of a second set of user control settings 146 discussed below. As discussed above with respect to the first earphone 102, the at least one user input can include a swipe gesture (e.g., a movement across the second touch capacitive sensor 137), a single tap, a double tap (tapping at least twice within a predetermined time period), a triple tap (tapping at least three times within a predetermined time period), or any other rhythmical / interaction with the second touch capacitive sensor 137. It should also be understood that the at least one user input can be an input from a sensor such as a gyroscope or an accelerometer, e.g., when the user U removes the second earphone 104 from the ear E, the gyroscope or accelerometer can measure a specified rotation, acceleration, or movement that indicates that the user U removed the second earphone 104 from the ear E. Additionally, the second earphone 104 can also include a second sensor 140 in order to detect proximity to or engagement with the ear E of the user U. Although shown in FIG. 1 as being arranged on the earbud of the second earphone 104, the second sensor 140 can alternatively be arranged on or within the housing of the second earphone 104. The second sensor 140 can be any one of a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a magnetometer, an infrared (IR) sensor, an acoustic sensor (e.g., a microphone or an acoustic driver), a motion sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, a piezoresistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, a magnetic field sensor, or any other sensor known in the art that is capable of determining whether the second earphone 104 is in proximity to, engaged with, within, or removed from the ear E of the user U. Figure 2B

[0039] Reference is made to Figure 3B ​The second earpiece 104 also includes a second controller 142. In one example, the second controller 142 includes at least a second processor 144 and a second memory 134. The second processor 144 and the second memory 134 of the second controller 142 are arranged to receive, transmit, store, and execute any of the plurality of ANR parameters 125, the first set of ANR parameters 124, and / or the second set of ANR parameters 126 based on signals from the second feed-forward microphone 136 and / or the second feedback microphone 138, which can relate to feedback filters, feed-forward filters, and audio equalization. The second processor 144 and the second memory 134 of the second controller 142 are also arranged to receive, transmit, store, and execute at least one second user control setting 139 of the second set of user control settings 146. The functions of the controller 142 can be performed by one or more separate controllers, which can be arranged to communicate with and operate in conjunction with each other. As an example, one controller can be arranged to receive, transmit, store, and execute any of the plurality of ANR parameters 125, the first set of ANR parameters 124, and / or the second set of ANR parameters 126, and a separate controller can be arranged to receive, transmit, store, and execute at least one second user control setting 139 of the second set of user control settings 146. As another example, there can only be one of the first controller 124 or the second controller 142 in both the first earpiece 102 and the second earpiece 104. In this case, the controller present in the first earpiece or the second earpiece can detect whether one or both of the first earpiece and the second earpiece is engaged with or removed from the user's ear, and adjust the ANR parameters in one or both earpieces.

[0040] Figure 4 An exemplary system and method of processing microphone signals, for example, in the first earpiece 102, to reduce noise reaching the ear E of the user U is shown. Figure 4A simplified schematic highlighting features of a noise reduction system is shown. Various examples of a complete system can include amplifiers, analog-to-digital conversion (ADC), digital-to-analog conversion (DAC), equalization, sub-band separation and synthesis, and other signal processing, etc. In some examples, a playback signal 148, p(t) can be received to be presented as an acoustic signal by a first driver 108. A first feed-forward microphone 114 can provide a feed-forward signal 150 that is processed by a feed-forward processor 122A of a first processor 122 having a feed-forward transfer function 156, Kff, to produce a feed-forward anti-noise signal 152. A first feedback microphone 116 can provide a feedback signal 154 that is processed by a feedback processor 122B of the first processor 122 having a feedback transfer function 158, Kfb, to produce a feedback anti-noise signal 160. In various examples, any of the playback signal 148, the feed-forward anti-noise signal 152, and / or the feedback anti-noise signal 160 can be combined, e.g., by a combiner 162, to generate a driver signal 164, d(t) to be provided to the first driver 108. In various examples, any of the playback signal 148, the feed-forward anti-noise signal 152, and / or the feedback anti-noise signal 160 can be omitted, and / or components required to support any of these signals can not be included in a particular implementation of the system. Although the above examples are provided on an ANR subsystem of the first earphone 102, the second earphone 104 is capable of providing noise cancellation and includes a second controller 142, a second processor 144, a second feed-forward microphone 136 and feedback microphone 138, and a second driver 124 to perform noise reduction.

[0041] Based on user preferences, system settings, and modes of operation, different ANR settings providing different levels of noise reduction can be desired by users. For example, a user can desire more noise reduction based on environmental conditions and a more aggressive and cancel more noise and / or noise in a wider frequency range ANR setting. Another user can desire less noise reduction, e.g., to hear more noise from an external environment, and a less aggressive ANR setting that cancels less noise and / or noise in a narrower frequency range. To achieve different levels of noise reduction, different ANR parameters can be changed, e.g., feedback filter settings, e.g., gains and / or phases associated with filters applied to feedback microphones of controllable ANR subsystems (e.g., the first feedback microphone 116 or the second feedback microphone 138); feed-forward filter settings, e.g., gains and / or phases associated with filters applied to feed-forward microphones of ANR subsystems (e.g., the first feed-forward microphone 114 or the second feed-forward microphone 136); audio equalization settings, and various other parameters of the noise reduction system, such as driver signal amplitude (e.g., muting, reducing, or limiting the driver signal 164).

[0042] During operation of the audio system 100, the first earphone 102 and / or the second earphone 104 can be paired (e.g., paired using known Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, or other wireless protocols) or connected with a peripheral device 106 (e.g., a smartphone). An audio stream can be established between the peripheral device 106, the first earphone 102, and the second earphone 104. The audio stream can include data related to an audio file being streamed or a stored audio file over the wireless connection. The ANR subsystem can operate on the first earphone 102 and the second earphone 104 with an automatic ANR setting that is set based on whether the earphones are engaged with or removed from the user’s ears. The first sensor 118 and the second sensor 140 detect whether the first earphone 102 and the second earphone 104, respectively, are engaged with or removed from the user’s ears. When both the first earphone 102 and the second earphone 104 are engaged with the user’s ears, the ANR settings of both earphones 102 / 104 are automatically adjusted to a first ANR state with a first set of ANR parameters that can include one of: a default noise reduction level that can be a higher noise reduction setting to block unwanted noise from the environment; a user-selected noise reduction level; or a last-selected noise reduction level. If the user removes one earphone 102 / 104 from the ear, the ANR settings are automatically adjusted by the first controller 120 and / or the second controller 142 to cause both earphones 102 / 104 to transition to a second ANR state with a second set of ANR parameters that can allow more of the environment to pass through the earphones 102 / 104. In this second ANR state, the ANR can be lower than the ANR in the first ANR state at least at certain frequencies, such as frequencies that typically contain human voice sounds (e.g., 140 Hz to 5 kHz). Examples of techniques that can be used in the second ANR state to allow more of the environment to pass through the earphones 102 / 104 are described in U.S. Patents 8,798,283; 9,949,017; and 10,096,313, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. If the user removes only the first earphone 102 from the ear, e.g., to have a conversation with someone, the noise cancellation to the second earphone 104 is modified (as described above) to allow the conversation to be heard through the second earphone 104. In some examples, the noise cancellation of the first earphone 102 is also modified in the same manner. As another example, during the second ANR state, the earphones can take additional actions to make noise from the environment more easily heard. For example, the volume of the audio content can be reduced, the audio content can be paused, the audio content or phone call can be muted, or an additional microphone on the earphone that is still engaged with the user’s ear can be enabled that focuses on ambient noise.When both earpieces 102 / 104 are removed from the ears, the first controller 120 or the second controller 142 also automatically adjusts the ANR parameters of both earpieces 102 / 104 to cause both earpieces 102 / 104 to transition to the second ANR state. If the user then puts one or both of the earpieces 102 / 104 back in the ears, e.g., after ending a call, the controller (the first controller 120, the second controller 142, or both controllers) then automatically transitions the earpieces 102 / 104 to the first ANR state, which in some examples has greater noise reduction and can block more noise from the environment.

[0043] As an example, the ANR parameters of the first state and the second state can be default settings that are preprogrammed into the earpieces 102 / 104, e.g., during manufacturing and assembly of the earpieces. As another example, the ANR parameters can be adjustable such that a user can adjust the ANR parameters of the first ANR state and / or the second ANR state to adjust the level of noise reduction when the earpieces operate in these states, e.g., based on whether both earpieces 102 / 104 are inserted in both ears. For example, a user can want less noise reduction when the earpieces operate in the second state such that the user can hear certain environmental noises, like a car horn or an emergency vehicle siren, through the earpiece that is still in the user’s ear, or an expected amount of conversation, as examples. As another example, a user can desire less or more noise reduction in the first ANR state, e.g., to be able to cancel unwanted environmental noise, e.g., airplane noise. The user can be able to adjust the ANR parameters of the first ANR state and / or the second ANR state. As another example, the audio system 100 can be able to operate in multiple ANR states with multiple ANR parameters 125, where in addition to the first ANR state and the second ANR state, additional ANR states are available to the user. These states can be preprogrammed into the audio system or can be adjustable by the user. As an example, the user can be able to use the user interface (e.g., the first touch capacitive sensor 117 and / or the second touch capacitive sensor 137) to increase or decrease the noise reduction. Systems with multiple ANR states are described in the applications incorporated by reference herein.

[0044] Figure 5is a flowchart showing steps of a method of controlling an audio system 100 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The method 200 includes the following steps: generating, using an active noise reduction (ANR) controller 120 / 142, one or more control signals to set one or more ANR parameters of a first earphone 102 and a second earphone 104 to a first ANR state (step 210); detecting, at a first sensor 118 of the first earphone 102, whether the first earphone 102 is engaged with or removed from a first ear of a user (step 220); detecting, at a second sensor 140 of the second earphone 104, whether the second earphone 104 is engaged with or removed from a second ear of the user (step 230); automatically adjusting the one or more ANR parameters of the first earphone 102 and the second earphone 104 to a second ANR state when either the first earphone 102 or the second earphone 104 or both are removed from the ears of the user, wherein the second ANR state includes a reduction in ANR level at least at some frequencies compared to the first ANR state (step 240); automatically adjusting the one or more ANR parameters of the first earphone 102 and the second earphone 104 to the first ANR state when both the first earphone 102 and the second earphone 104 are detected to be engaged with the ears of the user (step 250).

[0045] A computer program product for performing the method of controlling an audio system 100 can have a set of non-transitory computer readable instructions. The set of non-transitory computer readable instructions can be stored on and executed on the memories 112 / 134 and the processors 122 / 144 of the first earphone 102 and the second earphone 104 (as shown in Figure 2A and Figure 2B ). The set of non-transitory computer readable instructions can be arranged to: generate, using an active noise reduction (ANR) controller 120 / 142, one or more control signals to set one or more ANR parameters of a first earphone 102 and a second earphone 104 to a first ANR state; detect, at a first sensor 118 of the first earphone 102, whether the first earphone 102 is engaged with or removed from a first ear of a user; detect, at a second sensor 140 of the second earphone 104, whether the second earphone 104 is engaged with or removed from a second ear of the user; automatically adjust the one or more ANR parameters of the first earphone 102 and the second earphone 104 to a second ANR state when either the first earphone 102 or the second earphone 104 or both are removed from the ears of the user, wherein the second ANR state includes a reduction in ANR level at least at some frequencies compared to the first ANR state; automatically adjust the one or more ANR parameters of the first earphone 102 and the second earphone 104 to the first ANR state when both the first earphone 102 and the second earphone 104 are detected to be engaged with the ears of the user.

[0046] The above-described examples of the described subject matter can be implemented in any of various ways. For example, some aspects can be implemented using hardware, software, or a combination thereof. When any of the aspects is implemented at least in part in software, the software code can be executed on any suitable processor or collection of processors, whether provided in a single device or computer or distributed among multiple devices / computers.

[0047] The present disclosure can be implemented as a system, method, and / or computer program product at any possible technical detail level of integration. The computer program product can include a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present disclosure.

[0048] The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium can be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non- exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium include the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch cards or raised structures in

[0049] Computer readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded to respective computing / processing devices from a computer readable storage medium or to external computers or external storage devices from a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network and / or a wireless network. The network can comprise copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and / or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing / processing device receives computer readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium within the respective computing / processing device.

[0050] Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations of the present disclosure can be assembly instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, configuration data for an integrated circuit, or source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, and a procedural programming language such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages. The computer readable program instructions can execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer can be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection can be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). In some examples, electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) can execute the computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present disclosure.

[0051] Aspects of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to examples of the present disclosure. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions.

[0052] The computer readable program instructions can be provided to a processor of a special purpose computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions / acts specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructions can also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and / or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an article of manufacture including

[0053] The computer readable program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device implement the functions / acts specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks.

[0054] The computer program product of the first aspect can further include a computer-readable medium comprising: code for causing a computer to receive a request for a first data object from a client device; code for causing a computer to determine a first data object identifier for the first data object; code for causing a computer to determine a first data object location for the first data object; code for causing a computer to determine a first data object version for the first data object; code for causing a computer to determine a first data object size for the first data object; code for causing a computer to determine a first data object type for the first data object; code for causing a computer to determine a first data object access control for the first data object; and code for causing a computer to determine a first data object access control type for the first data object.

[0055] Other implementations are within the scope of the following claims and any other claims that may be granted.

[0056] While various examples have been described and illustrated, it will be clear to a person skilled in the art that many variations or modifications of the examples can be made and that many of the details described herein can be substituted other details without departing from the scope of the embodiments described herein. For example, it will be appreciated that one aspect disclosed herein can be implemented separately or in combination with one or more other aspects disclosed herein. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that the claims be interpreted as including equivalent structures and / or methods as well as those structures and / or methods which expressly recited in the claims. Furthermore, the examples described herein are to be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Therefore, the scope of the examples described herein is broader than is implied by, or is limited to, the specific examples disclosed herein. Moreover, the statements in this document that recite one or more specific details of the examples are intended to be illustrative, and the full scope of the examples is not limited to the specific details. The examples described herein are not meant to be limiting but rather are meant to be illustrative and / or descriptive of the broader examples. Therefore, the scope of the examples described herein is broader than is implied by, or is limited to, the specific examples disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A method of controlling an active noise reduction (ANR) audio system, comprising: generating, using a controller, one or more control signals to set one or more ANR parameters of a first wearable audio device and a second wearable audio device to a first ANR state; detecting that the first wearable audio device is removed from a first ear of a user; and automatically adjusting the one or more ANR parameters of the second wearable audio device to a second ANR state when the first wearable audio device is removed from the first ear of the user, wherein the second ANR state comprises a reduction in ANR level at least at some frequencies compared to the first ANR state.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: detecting, using a first sensor of the first wearable audio device, whether the first wearable audio device is engaged with or removed from the first ear of the user, and detecting, using a second sensor of the second wearable audio device, whether the second wearable audio device is engaged with or removed from a second ear of the user; and automatically adjusting the one or more ANR parameters of the first wearable audio device and the second wearable audio device to the first ANR state when it is detected that both the first wearable audio device and the second wearable audio device are engaged with the first ear or the second ear of the user.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more ANR parameters relate to at least one of a feedback filter, a feedforward filter, and an audio equalization.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more ANR parameters of the second ANR state comprise at least one of a default setting or a user-set ANR setting input by the user.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more ANR parameters of the first ANR state comprise at least one of a default setting, a user-set ANR setting input by the user, or a last used ANR setting.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein in the second ANR state, at least one of the following operations is capable of being performed with the first wearable audio device and the second wearable audio device: initiating an audio signal to be reproduced by the audio system; blocking the audio system from reproducing an audio signal; pausing the audio signal being reproduced by the audio system; answering a phone call; rejecting a phone call; accepting a notification; ignoring a notification; and accessing a voice assistant.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first wearable audio device and the second wearable audio device are arranged to operate in a plurality of ANR states during which the one or more ANR parameters are adjusted using a user interface to increase or decrease noise reduction. ​ 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first wearable audio device comprises a first sensor, the second wearable audio device comprises a second sensor, the first sensor of the first wearable audio device and the second sensor of the second wearable audio device comprise at least one of the following: a gyroscope, an accelerometer, an infrared sensor, a magnetometer, an acoustic sensor, a motion sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, a piezoresistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, and a magnetic field sensor.

9. A computer program product comprising a set of non-transitory computer-readable instructions stored on a memory and executable by a processor to perform a method for controlling an active noise reduction (ANR) audio system, the set of non-transitory computer-readable instructions arranged to: generate, using a controller, one or more control signals to set one or more ANR parameters of a first wearable audio device and a second wearable audio device to a first ANR state; detect that the first wearable audio device is removed from a first ear of a user; and automatically adjust the one or more ANR parameters of the second wearable audio device to a second ANR state when the first wearable audio device is removed from the first ear of the user, wherein the second ANR state comprises a reduction in ANR level at least at some frequencies compared to the first ANR state.

10. The computer program product of claim 9, the set of non-transitory computer-readable instructions further arranged to: detect, using a first sensor of the first wearable audio device, whether the first wearable audio device is engaged with or removed from the first ear of the user, and using a second sensor of the second wearable audio device, whether the second wearable audio device is engaged with or removed from a second ear of the user; and automatically adjust the one or more ANR parameters of the first wearable audio device and the second wearable audio device to the first ANR state when it is detected that both the first wearable audio device and the second wearable audio device are engaged with the first ear and the second ear of the user.

11. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the one or more ANR parameters relate to at least one of a feedback filter, a feedforward filter, and an audio equalization.

12. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the one or more ANR parameters of the second ANR state comprise at least one of a default setting or a user-set ANR setting input by the user.

13. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the first wearable audio device and the second wearable audio device are arranged to operate in a plurality of ANR states during which the one or more ANR parameters are adjusted using a user interface to increase or decrease noise reduction.

14. An active noise reduction (ANR) audio system comprising: a first wearable audio device, the first wearable audio device comprising: a first sensor arranged to determine whether the first wearable audio device is engaged with or removed from a first ear of a user; a second wearable audio device, the second wearable audio device comprising: a second sensor arranged to determine whether the second wearable audio device is engaged with or removed from a second ear of the user; and a controller arranged to: generate one or more control signals to set one or more ANR parameters of the first wearable audio device and the second wearable audio device to a first ANR state; detect that the first wearable audio device is removed from the first ear of the user; and automatically adjust the one or more ANR parameters of the second wearable audio device to a second ANR state when the first wearable audio device is removed from the first ear of the user, wherein the second ANR state comprises a reduction in ANR level at least at some frequencies compared to the first ANR state.

15. The audio system of claim 14, wherein the controller is further arranged to: detect, using the first sensor of the first wearable audio device, whether the first wearable audio device is engaged with or removed from the first ear of the user, and using the second sensor of the second wearable audio device, whether the second wearable audio device is engaged with or removed from the second ear of the user; and automatically adjust the one or more ANR parameters of the first wearable audio device and the second wearable audio device to the first ANR state when it is detected that both the first wearable audio device and the second wearable audio device are engaged with the first ear and the second ear of the user.

16. The audio system of claim 14, wherein the first wearable audio device and the second wearable audio device are arranged to operate in a plurality of ANR states during which the one or more ANR parameters are adjusted using a user interface to increase or decrease noise reduction.

17. The audio system of claim 14, wherein the first wearable audio device further comprises a first user interface adapted to receive user input to increase or decrease noise reduction.

18. The audio system of claim 14, wherein the first wearable audio device further comprises a first outer surface, the first outer surface comprising a first touch capacitive sensor.

19. The audio system of claim 14, wherein the controller is arranged within, around, or near the first wearable audio device or the second wearable audio device.

20. The audio system of claim 14, wherein the first sensor of the first wearable audio device and the second sensor of the second wearable audio device comprise at least one of: a gyroscope, an accelerometer, an infrared sensor, a magnetometer, an acoustic sensor, a motion sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, a piezoresistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, and a magnetic field sensor.

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