Audio apparatus and methods

Abstract

An apparatus for augmenting audio capabilities of a mobile computing device, including: a housing transiently encasing a portion of the mobile computing device; a communication module arranged within the housing, downloading a hearing profile of a user from the mobile computing device, and receiving an output audio signal from the mobile computing device; a processor arranged within the housing and processing the output audio signal according to the hearing profile; a secondary audio output module arranged within the housing adjacent an integrated loudspeaker within the mobile computing device and outputting a processed form of the output audio signal in place of output of the output audio signal by the integrated loudspeaker; a secondary microphone arranged within the housing adjacent an integrated microphone within the mobile computing device, the communication module transmitting an input audio signal from the secondary microphone to the mobile computing device.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for augmenting audio capabilities of a mobile computing device, the mobile computing device comprising an integrated loudspeaker proximal a first end of the mobile computing device, an integrated microphone proximal a second end of the mobile computing device opposite the first end, an integrated battery, and an integrated charging port electrically coupled to the battery, the apparatus comprising:
 a housing transiently encasing a portion of the mobile computing device;   a communication module arranged within the housing, downloading a hearing profile of a user from the mobile computing device, and receiving an output audio signal from the mobile computing device;   a processor arranged within the housing and processing the output audio signal according to the hearing profile;   a secondary audio output module arranged within the housing adjacent the integrated loudspeaker and outputting a processed form of the output audio signal in place of output of the output audio signal by the integrated loudspeaker;   a secondary microphone arranged within the housing adjacent the integrated microphone, the communication module transmitting an input audio signal from the secondary microphone to the mobile computing device; and   a secondary charging port arranged within the housing, electrically coupled to the integrated charging port, and receiving a charging connector to recharge the mobile computing device through the integrated charging port.