Patent ID: 7903825

Claim:
A portable consumer audio playback device, comprising: a compact consumer audio device housing; an audio output adapted for connection to headphones for transforming one or more output electrical signals to sound; a microphone input for connection to a microphone element for sensing ambient sounds external to said housing and producing an ambient measuring audio signal; an audio program source for providing input of audio program information, wherein said audio program information is stored within said housing; an audio processor for detecting an event in said ambient sounds from said ambient measuring audio signal and adjusting a characteristic of said audio program information in response to detection of said event to produce said one or more output electrical audio signals; a control circuit coupled to an output of said processor for controlling playback position of said audio program information, and wherein said processor further determines when said audio program information is substantially interrupted by action of said processor in response to said detected event and automatically resumes playback of said audio program information after said action of said processor in response to said detected event has ceased at a playback position substantially corresponding to the beginning of said interrupting action; and a battery receptacle within said housing for accepting a battery for supplying power to said portable personal audio device.