Abstract: A method of forming a device having a compliant member includes creating a membrane having one or more elastomeric layers which are at least partially cured. Another elastomeric layer is provided on the membrane in an uncured state. At least one of a bobbin and a housing are positioned so that an end of the bobbin or housing, or the ends of both the bobbin and housing, extend at least partially into the uncured elastomeric layer. The uncured elastomeric layer is then cured to secure it to the membrane and to the housing or bobbin, or both the housing and bobbin. The method substantially reduces or eliminates the formation of holes that can form during fabrication or use of the device.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the disclosure, a user input device is provided comprising a substrate to couple to a user, a sensing unit coupled to the substrate and including a first sensor of a first type and being configured to generate a first signal indicative of a change in deformation of the user's skin, and a second sensor of a second type different from the first type and being configured to generate a second signal indicative of a deformation level of the user's skin, and a controller configured to receive the first signal and the second signal, determine, based on the first signal, a number of motions performed by a user, determine, based on the second signal, a type of the motions performed by the user, and determine a gesture performed by the user based on the determination of the number of motions and the type of motions.

Abstract: A method of forming a device having a compliant member includes providing an elastomeric layer in an uncured state. The elastomeric layer is pre-cured to increase its viscosity. Subsequently, a bobbin and housing, each having an end, can be positioned such that their ends extend at least partially into the elastomeric layer. The elastomeric layer is cured to secure it to the bobbin housing. Examples of pre-cure and cure operations include one or more of a thermal cure, evaporative cure and ultraviolet cure, and the application of moisture, microwave energy and chemical additive. Due to the increased viscosity after the pre-cure, the migration of elastomeric material is substantially reduced relative to an uncured elastomeric material. The reduction in elastomeric material migration results in smaller menisci formed along the walls of the housing and bobbin, and reduced thinning of the compliant member formed at their ends.

Abstract: A method of forming a device having a compliant member includes applying heat to a thermoplastic elastomer to maintain the thermoplastic elastomer in a softened state. The thermoplastic elastomer is extruded in the softened state as a film of thermoplastic elastomer. One or more of a bobbin and a housing, each having and end, is positioned such that the end extends at least partially into the film of thermoplastic elastomer. The positioning occurs when the thermoplastic elastomer is in the softened state and/or the bobbin and/or housing is at a temperature that is greater than a temperature of the film of thermoplastic elastomer. The film is cooled so that the bobbin and/or housing are secured to the film and so that the thermoplastic elastomer is in a state that exhibits rubber-like properties.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the disclosure, a user input device is provided comprising a substrate configured to couple to a user, at least one sensing unit, the at least one sensing unit being coupled to the substrate and being configured to provide an output signal indicative of an amount of deformation of the substrate, and a controller coupled to the at least one sensing unit, the controller being configured to receive, from the at least one sensing unit, the output signal, and determine, based on the output signal, at least one gesture performed by the user.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the disclosure, a user input device is provided comprising a substrate to couple to a user, a sensing unit coupled to the substrate and including a first sensor of a first type and being configured to generate a first signal indicative of a change in deformation of the user's skin, and a second sensor of a second type different from the first type and being configured to generate a second signal indicative of a deformation level of the user's skin, and a controller configured to receive the first signal and the second signal, determine, based on the first signal, a number of motions performed by a user, determine, based on the second signal, a type of the motions performed by the user, and determine a gesture performed by the user based on the determination of the number of motions and the type of motions.

Abstract: A system comprises a wearable item comprising a film of an electrically active material configured to exhibit one or more electrical properties that vary responsive to a movement or gesture performed by a user wearing the wearable item and a controller configured to read the one or more electrical properties of the electrically active material and to activate a control function of an electronic device responsive to detecting a predetermined pattern exhibited by the one or more electrical properties of the electrically active material.

Abstract: A system comprises a wearable item comprising a film of an electrically active material configured to exhibit one or more electrical properties that vary responsive to a movement or gesture performed by a user wearing the wearable item and a controller configured to read the one or more electrical properties of the electrically active material and to activate a control function of an electronic device responsive to detecting a predetermined pattern exhibited by the one or more electrical properties of the electrically active material.

Abstract: A wearable audio device includes a body configured to be worn on or abutting an outer ear of a user. The body is configured to contact at least one of the outer ear and the portion of the head that abuts the outer ear. The body comprises at least at a first portion proximate the upper region of the outer ear helix and a second portion proximate the otobasion inferius. At least one of the first and second portions of the body are configured to change shape upon application of a predetermined stimulus. An acoustic module is carried by the body and is configured to locate a sound-emitting opening proximate the user's ear when the body is worn on or abutting the ear of the user.

Abstract: An electro-acoustic driver includes a diaphragm formed of a compliant material, a bobbin configured to hold a winding of an electrical conductor and a housing having a housing axis that is substantially coaxial with the bobbin. The diaphragm is fixed to one end of the housing and a stiffening element is fixed to an inner region of a surface of the diaphragm. A motion of the bobbin along a bobbin axis generates a movement of the inner region of the diaphragm to thereby generate an acoustic signal that propagates from the diaphragm.

Abstract: An electro-acoustic driver includes a diaphragm formed of a compliant material, a bobbin configured to hold a winding of an electrical conductor and a housing having a housing axis that is substantially coaxial with the bobbin. The diaphragm is fixed to one end of the housing and has a substantially planar shape when the diaphragm is at rest. A stiffening element is fixed to an inner region of a surface of the diaphragm. A motion of the bobbin along a bobbin axis generates a movement of the inner region of the diaphragm to thereby generate an acoustic signal that propagates from the diaphragm.

Abstract: A method of forming a device having a compliant member includes providing an elastomeric layer in an uncured state. The elastomeric layer is pre-cured to increase its viscosity. Subsequently, a bobbin and housing, each having an end, can be positioned such that their ends extend at least partially into the elastomeric layer. The elastomeric layer is cured to secure it to the bobbin housing. Examples of pre-cure and cure operations include one or more of a thermal cure, evaporative cure and ultraviolet cure, and the application of moisture, microwave energy and chemical additive. Due to the increased viscosity after the pre-cure, the migration of elastomeric material is substantially reduced relative to an uncured elastomeric material. The reduction in elastomeric material migration results in smaller menisci formed along the walls of the housing and bobbin, and reduced thinning of the compliant member formed at their ends.

Abstract: A method of forming a device having a compliant member includes applying heat to a thermoplastic elastomer to maintain the thermoplastic elastomer in a softened state. The thermoplastic elastomer is extruded in the softened state as a film of thermoplastic elastomer. One or more of a bobbin and a housing, each having and end, is positioned such that the end extends at least partially into the film of thermoplastic elastomer. The positioning occurs when the thermoplastic elastomer is in the softened state and/or the bobbin and/or housing is at a temperature that is greater than a temperature of the film of thermoplastic elastomer. The film is cooled so that the bobbin and/or housing are secured to the film and so that the thermoplastic elastomer is in a state that exhibits rubber-like properties.

Abstract: A method of forming a device having a compliant member includes providing an elastomeric layer in an uncured state. The elastomeric layer is pre-cured to increase its viscosity. Subsequently, a bobbin and housing, each having an end, can be positioned such that their ends extend at least partially into the elastomeric layer. The elastomeric layer is cured to secure it to the bobbin housing. Examples of pre-cure and cure operations include one or more of a thermal cure, evaporative cure and ultraviolet cure, and the application of moisture, microwave energy and chemical additive. Due to the increased viscosity after the pre-cure, the migration of elastomeric material is substantially reduced relative to an uncured elastomeric material. The reduction in elastomeric material migration results in smaller menisci formed along the walls of the housing and bobbin, and reduced thinning of the compliant member formed at their ends.

Abstract: A method of forming a device having a compliant member includes applying heat to a thermoplastic elastomer to maintain the thermoplastic elastomer in a softened state. The thermoplastic elastomer is extruded in the softened state as a film of thermoplastic elastomer. One or more of a bobbin and a housing, each having and end, is positioned such that the end extends at least partially into the film of thermoplastic elastomer. The positioning occurs when the thermoplastic elastomer is in the softened state and/or the bobbin and/or housing is at a temperature that is greater than a temperature of the film of thermoplastic elastomer. The film is cooled so that the bobbin and/or housing are secured to the film and so that the thermoplastic elastomer is in a state that exhibits rubber-like properties.

Abstract: A method of forming a device having a compliant member includes creating a membrane having one or more elastomeric layers which are at least partially cured. Another elastomeric layer is provided on the membrane in an uncured state. At least one of a bobbin and a housing are positioned so that an end of the bobbin or housing, or the ends of both the bobbin and housing, extend at least partially into the uncured elastomeric layer. The uncured elastomeric layer is then cured to secure it to the membrane and to the housing or bobbin, or both the housing and bobbin. The method substantially reduces or eliminates the formation of holes that can form during fabrication or use of the device.

Abstract: A method of forming a device having a compliant member includes creating a membrane having one or more elastomeric layers which are at least partially cured. Another elastomeric layer is provided on the membrane in an uncured state. At least one of a bobbin and a housing are positioned so that an end of the bobbin or housing, or the ends of both the bobbin and housing, extend at least partially into the uncured elastomeric layer. The uncured elastomeric layer is then cured to secure it to the membrane and to the housing or bobbin, or both the housing and bobbin. The method substantially reduces or eliminates the formation of holes that can form during fabrication or use of the device.

Abstract: A method of forming a device having a compliant member includes applying heat to a thermoplastic elastomer to maintain the thermoplastic elastomer in a softened state. The thermoplastic elastomer is extruded in the softened state as a film of thermoplastic elastomer. One or more of a bobbin and a housing, each having and end, is positioned such that the end extends at least partially into the film of thermoplastic elastomer. The positioning occurs when the thermoplastic elastomer is in the softened state and/or the bobbin and/or housing is at a temperature that is greater than a temperature of the film of thermoplastic elastomer. The film is cooled so that the bobbin and/or housing are secured to the film and so that the thermoplastic elastomer is in a state that exhibits rubber-like properties.

Abstract: A method of forming a device having a compliant member includes providing an elastomeric layer in an uncured state. The elastomeric layer is pre-cured to increase its viscosity. Subsequently, a bobbin and housing, each having an end, can be positioned such that their ends extend at least partially into the elastomeric layer. The elastomeric layer is cured to secure it to the bobbin housing. Examples of pre-cure and cure operations include one or more of a thermal cure, evaporative cure and ultraviolet cure, and the application of moisture, microwave energy and chemical additive. Due to the increased viscosity after the pre-cure, the migration of elastomeric material is substantially reduced relative to an uncured elastomeric material. The reduction in elastomeric material migration results in smaller menisci formed along the walls of the housing and bobbin, and reduced thinning of the compliant member formed at their ends.

Abstract: An electro-acoustic driver includes a diaphragm formed of a compliant material, a bobbin configured to hold a winding of an electrical conductor and a housing having a housing axis that is substantially coaxial with the bobbin. The diaphragm is fixed to one end of the housing and has a substantially planar shape when the diaphragm is at rest. A stiffening element is fixed to an inner region of a surface of the diaphragm. A motion of the bobbin along a bobbin axis generates a movement of the inner region of the diaphragm to thereby generate an acoustic signal that propagates from the diaphragm.