TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to wearable audio devices. More particularly, the disclosure relates to wearable audio devices with a control platform for adjusting functionality based, for example, on a coupled accessory and/or a configuration command from a connected control device.

BACKGROUND

Wearable audio devices, for example, headsets, can include modular components for enabling and/or enhancing device functions. In particular form factors, wearable audio devices are configured to enable coupling with external devices (or, accessories) such as microphones (e.g., boom microphones). However, many conventional wearable audio devices are not configured to adapt to the distinct functionality enabled by these external devices.

SUMMARY

All examples and features mentioned below can be combined in any technically possible way.

Various implementations of the disclosure include wearable audio devices with a control platform for managing external device (e.g., accessory) interaction.

In some particular aspects, a wearable audio device includes: an accessory port; at least one processor; and memory including multiple sets of active noise reduction (ANR) configurations, the memory including instructions executable by the at least one processor, where the instructions are configured to: select a first ANR configuration upon powering on the wearable audio device, the selection of the first ANR configuration based on an accessory connected to the accessory port, and automatically switch to a second ANR configuration in response to a trigger, where the second ANR configuration is different from the first ANR configuration.

In other particular aspects, a wearable audio device includes: a driver for providing an audio output; an accessory port; at least one processor; and memory including multiple sets of active noise reduction (ANR) configurations, the memory including instructions executable by the at least one processor, where the instructions are configured to: select a first ANR configuration upon powering on the wearable audio device, the selection of the first ANR configuration based on an accessory connected to the accessory port, and automatically switch to a second ANR configuration in response to a trigger, where the second ANR configuration is different from the first ANR configuration, and where the trigger comprises detecting an overload event at the driver.

Implementations may include one of the following features, or any combination thereof.

In certain aspects, the trigger includes disconnecting the accessory from the accessory port.

In some implementations, the trigger includes connecting another accessory different from the accessory to the accessory port.

In particular cases, the trigger includes selection of the second ANR configuration by a user.

In certain implementations, selection of the second ANR configuration by the user is performed using a computing device application.

In particular aspects, selection of the second ANR configuration by the user is performed by manipulation of a mechanical switch.

In certain cases, the accessory includes a power source.

In some implementations, the wearable audio device further includes: another accessory port, where power from the accessory is passed through the wearable audio device to the other accessory port to provide power to another accessory.

In particular aspects, the accessory includes a cable configured to attach the wearable audio device to at least one other device.

In certain implementations, the accessory includes a microphone.

In some cases, the accessory includes a sensor module configured to sense at least one of user biometric data, user motion, or an environmental characteristic.

In particular aspects, the accessory connects to at least one sensor that is remote from the wearable audio device.

In certain implementations, the second ANR configuration is user-customizable.

In particular cases, the first ANR configuration is the same as an ANR configuration used prior to powering on the wearable audio device.

In some aspects, the first and second ANR configurations include different filter coefficients.

In certain cases, the accessory includes an identifier, and the instructions are further configured to: read the accessory identifier prior to selecting the first ANR configuration.

In particular implementations, the first ANR configuration is a component of a first profile and the second ANR configuration is a component of a second profile, such that selecting the first ANR configuration includes selecting the first profile and automatically switching to the second ANR configuration includes automatically switching to the second profile, where the first and second profiles differ in at least one other aspect.

In certain cases, the at least one other aspect includes at least one of: audio playback configuration, microphone pickup configuration, power management configuration, hear-through configuration, or sensor configuration.

In some aspects, the second ANR configuration includes relatively lower ANR performance than the first ANR configuration, and the wearable audio device automatically switches to the second ANR configuration in response to an ambient noise level exceeding a threshold.

In particular cases, the ambient noise level is measured using at least one of a feedforward microphone signal path, a voltage applied to a driver by a feedback ANR circuit, or power consumption of the feedback ANR circuit.

In certain implementations, the wearable audio device is an aviation wearable audio device, and the accessory is a down-cable configured to connect to an aircraft, such that the first ANR configuration is selected based on the down-cable that is connected to the accessory port.

In particular aspects, the wearable audio device is an aviation wearable audio device, and the memory comprises multiple memory chips for storing separate operating profiles for the aviation wearable audio device.

In some cases, the separate operating profiles include a primary operating profile that complies with an aviation operating standard and a secondary operating profile that does not comply with the aviation operating standard.

In particular implementations, at least one of the memory chips is dedicated to the primary operating profile and inhibits alteration of the primary operating profile (e.g., write-protection and/or tamper-proofing). In some of these aspects, an additional memory chip stores the secondary operating profile and enables alteration of the secondary operating profile (e.g., write-enabled).

In certain cases, the primary operating profile is loaded as a default operating profile upon powering on the aviation wearable audio device.

In particular aspects, a warning is provided in response to a user command to adjust the operating profile from a profile in compliance with an aviation operating standard to a profile not in compliance with the aviation operating standard.

In some implementations, the memory chip provides its content to a local software CODEC for loading the primary operating profile without requiring an external computing device.

In some aspects, the wearable audio device is an aviation wearable audio device having both primary communication functionality and secondary functionality, and wherein the second ANR configuration coincides with a fail-safe operating mode that disables the secondary functionality to prioritize the primary communication functionality.

In particular cases, the trigger for automatically switching to a fail-safe operating mode includes detecting an indicator of a power supply failure, a device failure and/or receiving a user command.

In certain implementations, the instructions, when executed by the processor, are configured to monitor both primary audio and secondary audio.

In some cases, the processor is configured to equalize the secondary audio separately from the primary audio.

In particular aspects, the primary audio includes intercommunication (intercom) audio and/or radio communication audio, and the secondary audio includes auxiliary (AUX) audio (e.g., AUX-input audio) and/or wireless protocol (e.g., Bluetooth, BLE, etc.) audio.

In certain implementations, the memory includes multiple sets of equalization (EQ) configurations.

In particular cases, the multiple sets of EQ configurations include at least one EQ configuration for the primary audio and at least one EQ configuration for the secondary audio.

Two or more features described in this disclosure, including those described in this summary section, may be combined to form implementations not specifically described herein.

The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

