Patents Examined by Jasmine Pritchard
  • Patent number: 8787601
    Abstract: A condenser microphone includes a substrate having a cavity, first and second spacers defining an opening, a diaphragm having a rectangular shape positioned inside of the opening, and a plate having a rectangular shape positioned just above the diaphragm. Plate joint portions integrally interconnected with two sides of the plate are directly attached onto the second spacer. Supports, which are attached onto the second spacer across the opening and project inwardly of the opening, are connected to the prescribed portions of the diaphragm via third spacers relatively to the other two sides of the plate. The center portion of the diaphragm can be designed in a multilayered structure, and the peripheral portion can be bent outwardly. In addition, both ends of the diaphragm are fixed in position, while free ends of the diaphragm vibrate due to sound waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihisa Suzuki, Yukitoshi Suzuki, Nariyasu Yaguchi, Kazushi Sakurauchi
  • Patent number: 8767990
    Abstract: A hearing aid with a child-proof battery compartment includes a shell and a battery door mounted in the shell for rotational movement between an open position and a closed position. A latch mechanism between a pivotal latch of the battery door and a corresponding arrest part is at an internal side of an arrest wall. The battery door in the closed position includes external wall parts facing away from the hearing aid and all of the external wall parts are flush with or recessed with respect to adjacent wall parts of the hearing aid shell, such that an opening force cannot be applied to the external wall parts. The arrest wall includes a narrow gap opening which grants access to the pivotal latch and allows an opening force to be applied to the pivotal latch through the opening to release the battery door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Oticon A/S
    Inventors: Peter Spragge, Michael F. Jørgensen, Rune Værndal
  • Patent number: 8755547
    Abstract: A method of enhancing the intelligibility of sounds including the steps of: detecting primary sounds emanating from a first direction and producing a primary signal; detecting secondary sounds emanating from the left and right of the first direction and producing secondary signals; delaying the primary signal with respect to the secondary signals; and presenting combinations of the signals to the left and right sides of the auditory system of a listener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Hear IP Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Jorge Patricio Mejia, Simon Carlille, Harvey Albert Dillon
  • Patent number: 8730296
    Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, device, and system for video communication, and relate to the field of video conference technologies, so as to implement automatic switching of video images during a video conference. The method includes: obtaining video image signals and voice information of a first site; determining video image signals including a video object according to the video image signals and voice information of the first site; and sending the video image signals including the video object to a second site. The method, device, and system provided in the embodiments of the present invention implement automatic switching of video image signals during the video conference, thus avoiding switching errors caused by human factors and improving the efficiency of the conference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Huawei Device Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wuzhou Zhan, Dongqi Wang
  • Patent number: 8649545
    Abstract: To provide a downsized microphone unit in which a differential microphone is densely mounted thereon. The microphone unit has a cover portion 30 and a microphone substrate 10, in which a first substrate internal space 15 is communicated with a cover portion internal space 32 via a first substrate opening 11 and a cover portion opening 31, and is communicated with the outside via a second substrate opening 12, a second substrate internal space 16 is communicated with the cover portion internal space 32 via a third substrate opening 13 and a cover portion opening 31, and is communicated with the outside via a fourth substrate opening 14, a partition portion 20 covers a communication aperture between the first substrate opening 11 and the cover portion opening 31, and a diaphragm 22 covers at least a part of the communication aperture between the first substrate opening 11 and the cover portion opening 31.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignees: Funai Electric Co. Ltd., Funai Electric Advanced Applied Technology Research Institute Inc.
    Inventors: Fuminori Tanaka, Ryusuke Horibe, Takeshi Inoda, Rikuo Takano, Kiyoshi Sugiyama, Toshimi Fukuoka, Masatoshi Ono
  • Patent number: 8649550
    Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-magnet system for speaker. The multi-magnet system includes a yoke having a bottom, a pair of main magnets separated from each other and mounted on the bottom of the yoke, respectively, a mid-magnet mounted on the bottom of the yoke and located between the pair of main magnets, and a pair of auxiliary magnets attached to two ends of the yoke. Wherein, the first main magnet together with the first auxiliary magnet and the mid-magnet defines a first magnetic gap and the second main magnet together with the second auxiliary magnet and the mid-magnet defines a second magnetic gap. By virtue of place the magnets at appropriate locations, the sensitivity of the speaker is effectively enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignees: AAC Acoustic Technologies (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., American Audio Components Inc.
    Inventors: Lei Shi, Wen-tao Jiang, Xiong Zhang, San-you Wu, Lin-zhen Li
  • Patent number: 8630440
    Abstract: A loudspeaker 2 comprises a dome 16 whose edge is stiffened by a carbon fiber ring 20. The dome 16 is shaped as a catenary or parabola.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Blast Loudspeakers Ltd.
    Inventor: Laurence Dickie
  • Patent number: 8594352
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for active cancellation of interference at a hearing assistive devices are presented. The apparatus includes an interference cancellation circuit for cancelling an interference component of a composite signal, and an activator circuit for enabling interference cancellation circuit. The interference cancellation circuit generates an estimated replica of the interference from an interference profile, inverts the replica to form a cancellation waveform, then adds the cancellation waveform to the composite signal to cancel the interference component. An interference profile can be provided by performing a training sequence on a composite signal to detect a repetitive signal and building a profile using its parameters, retrieving a profile stored in memory, or using an antenna to capture an RF signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: Melvin Duane Frerking, George O'Quinn Hirvela, Philip R. Specht
  • Patent number: 8558870
    Abstract: A mobile communication terminal displays images of a video conference to enable a feeling of natural conversation ambience to the participants. The terminal captures an image of the terminal user and receives images of other video conference participants. The terminal displays one of the received images closest to the camera, and the captured image farthest from the camera to encourage the user to focus his line of sight to the camera. Also, a sight location indicator is displayed as a further aid to directing the line of sight. Looking at the camera provides a natural conversation ambience to the participants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Eun Young Lee
  • Patent number: 8532320
    Abstract: In a method and system for fitting the gain of a hearing aid (300) for a hearing impaired person, a loop gain of the hearing aid in the ear canal (350) of the hearing impaired person is measured for at least one frequency band. An effective vent parameter such as a corresponding vent diameter for the hearing aid by determining a vent parameter that generates the best fit between a modelled and the measured loop gain is estimated, a vent effect value based on the estimated effective vent parameter is determined, and a corrected hearing aid gain is provided by means of the determined vent effect value. The invention provides a method, a computer program, a system for fitting a hearing aid, a hearing aid and a computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Widex A/S
    Inventors: Morten Agerbaek Nordahn, Anders Holm Jessen, Jan Topholm
  • Patent number: 8520866
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods and computer program products are provided to produce tactile feedback from sound. The apparatus is a sound cavity apparatus for a portable communication device and includes: at least one loudspeaker; and at least one cavity. At least one surface of the at least one cavity is configured to vibrate. The sound cavity apparatus is attached to the portable communication device and the sound cavity apparatus is configured to transmit vibration to the portable communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Jukka Linjama
  • Patent number: 8509468
    Abstract: A receiver or loudspeaker having a plurality of sound generators each having a housing and a sound output. An oblong channel is formed by a channel-forming element and parts of the housings. The sound outputs are positioned on one side of a middle of the channel and a outlet of the channel is positioned on the other side of the middle of the channel so that the channel has a length adapted to acoustically alter the sound. The use of the housings for forming the channels provides a more compact structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Sonion Nederland BV
    Inventors: Aart Zeger van Halteren, Sietse Jacob van Reeuwijk
  • Patent number: 8498409
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing access to wireline communication equipment are disclosed. Exemplary methods include positioning the wireline communication equipment at least partly below ground level, positioning an electric-powered lifting device near the wireline communication equipment and at least partly below the ground level, connecting the electric-powered lifting device to the wireline communication equipment, and configuring the lifting device to lift the wireline communication equipment above the ground level when access to the wireline communication equipment is desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Rajesh Narayan
  • Patent number: 8488816
    Abstract: One mode of the present invention provides an electroacoustic transducer composed of a multifaced diaphragm assembly and a multifaced speaker housing assembly that is housed inside the multifaced diaphragm assembly. The multifaced speaker housing is configured by combining the outer peripheral surface of a plurality of individual speaker drive units into a nearly spherical shell. The multifaced diaphragm assembly, which has thereinside the multifaced speaker housing assembly, is configured to have a plurality of regular pentagonal diaphragm segments that are combined together into a nearly spherical shape shell, and a plurality of speaker drive units opposing the diaphragm segments from inside in one-to-one relation. Each speaker drive unit has a bobbin, the one end portion of which is adhered to the center portion of the inner surface of each diaphragm segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: JVC Kenwood Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Inagaki, Manabu Omoda, Jiro Nakaso
  • Patent number: 8477983
    Abstract: A microphone system implements multiple microphones on a single base. To that end, the microphone system has a base, and a plurality of substantially independently movable diaphragms secured to the base. Each of the plurality of diaphragms forms a variable capacitance with the base and thus, each diaphragm effectively forms a generally independent, separate microphone with the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason W. Weigold, Kieran P. Harney
  • Patent number: 8467557
    Abstract: A coaxial speaker system that minimizes detrimental sound wave reflections from its high frequency speaker. The coaxial speaker system includes a high frequency speaker coaxially mounted within a low frequency speaker. The high frequency speaker includes a sound reproducing membrane, a voice coil assembly and magnet assembly for actuating the sound reproducing membrane in response to an electrical audio signal, and optionally a wave guide horn for directing sound waves produced by the sound reproducing membrane. The wave guide horn has a throat disposed adjacent the sound reproducing membrane and a mouth disposed opposite the throat. The low frequency speaker also includes a sound reproducing membrane assembly and a voice coil assembly and magnet assembly for actuating the sound reproducing membrane assembly in response to an electrical audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: MS Electronics LLC
    Inventors: Brian Howard Miller, Charles Emory Hughes, II, Jonathan Neil Hart
  • Patent number: 8411882
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a housing and an electro-acoustic transducer disposed on the inner surface of the housing. The electro-acoustic transducer includes an electret diaphragm, a conductive plate and at least one spacer. The electret diaphragm is positioned on the inner surface of the housing and has a film body and an electrode layer. The film body has static charges and the electrode layer is formed on the lower surface of the film body. The conductive plate has a plurality of openings and is stacked on the upper surface of the film body. The spacer is positioned between the electret diaphragm and the conductive plate to keep a predetermined distance therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: HTC Corporation
    Inventors: Fang Ching Lee, Yi Tsung Cheng, Chih Chao Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8379899
    Abstract: An electro-acoustical transducer comprising DC atmospheric pressure equalization vents for equalizing pressure in both chambers therein. The sound port of the transducer may be sealed by a sound conducting member preventing gas flow there through. The transducer may have a single vent extending in a plane of a side portion, which vent may have a meandering path or may comprise tapering portions or cavities defining acoustical properties thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Sonion Nederland B.V.
    Inventor: Aart Zeger Van Halteren
  • Patent number: 8331595
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in acoustical venting of hearing aid earmolds and to miniature loudspeakers with housing structures configured to support improved hearing aid venting. The miniature loudspeaker comprises a front chamber with first and second separate sound ports so as to allow the front chamber to form an integral part of the acoustical vent of the hearing aid earmold. Thus, while using the same opening in the hearing aid for both sound output and venting, sound from the outside of the hearing aid may be introduced into the users ear via the same opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Sonion Nederland BV
    Inventor: Aart Zeger van Halteren
  • Patent number: 8315420
    Abstract: A spider for high-power, compact electro-acoustic transducers comprises a non-woven fiber blend encased in a thermoplastic elastomer. The spider is capable of supporting the longer stroke distances of the high-power, compact electro-acoustic transducers and exhibits improved fatigue and ageing resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Norman Adams Schneider, Donald Baker