Detail Of Mechanical Vibration Coupling To Transducer (e.g., Tuned Vibrating Element) Patents (Class 381/162)
  • Patent number: 11943599
    Abstract: An actuator for exciting a component of a motor vehicle with vibrations. The actuator has a housing, an electrical coil and a magnet that is movable to a limited extent in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Continental Engineering Services GmbH
    Inventors: Dimitrios Patsouras, Robert Joest, Jens Friedrich, Johannes Kerkmann, Pascal Köhler, Karsten Moritz, Robert Wick, Stephen Eisele, Charalampos Ferekidis, Philipp Neubauer
  • Patent number: 11770655
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a sounding device including a frame, a vibration system, and a magnetic circuit system. The vibration system includes a diaphragm, and a voice coil. The magnetic circuit system includes a yoke, a magnet assembly, and a magnetic gap. The yoke includes a bottom wall, a side wall in an annular shape extending from an edge of the bottom wall toward the diaphragm, and a flange extending from an end of the side wall close to the diaphragm toward the frame. An end of the flange away from the side wall is fixed to the frame. Compared with the related art, the sounding device disclosed by the present disclosure has a better reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: AAC Microtech (Changzhou) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei Song, Xin Jin, Zhiwei Zhong
  • Patent number: 11765979
    Abstract: A piezoelectric element includes a piezoelectric element body, a first external electrode disposed on a first main surface of the piezoelectric element body, and a second external electrode disposed on a second main surface of the piezoelectric element body. A vibration member includes an electrically conductive third main surface and a fourth main surface opposing the third main surface. The vibration member is disposed such that the third main surface opposes the first external electrode. A protective layer covers the piezoelectric element. The protective layer includes a first resin layer and a second resin layer. The first resin layer covers the piezoelectric element body and the second external electrode. The second resin layer is disposed between the first external electrode and the third main surface and joins the first external electrode and the third main surface. The first resin layer is smaller in hardness than the second resin layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuki Saito, Kaoru Kijima
  • Patent number: 11671762
    Abstract: Provided is a speaker, including a frame; a vibration unit fixed to the frame; and a magnetic circuit unit driving the vibration unit to vibrate and produce sound and provided with a magnetic gap. The vibration unit includes a diaphragm, a voice coil, and an elastic support assembly; the diaphragm includes a diaphragm body, a diaphragm fixing portion, a diaphragm supporting portion, and a reinforcing portion; the diaphragm fixing portion has a rectangular structure with round corners, and the diaphragm supporting portion is located at the round corners; the frame is provided with an assembly hole; the vibration unit further includes a fixing ring; and the elastic support assembly includes an elastic member and an auxiliary diaphragm. With this structure, the overall strength and reliability of the speaker are improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: AAC Microtech (Changzhou) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhang Ren, Zhiwei Zhong, Zhichen Chen
  • Patent number: 11540065
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hearing aid which includes a lateral ear canal assembly and a medial ear canal assembly. In embodiments of the invention the medial ear canal assembly may include smart circuitry adapted to control parameters and outputs of the medial ear canal assembly. In embodiments of the invention various methods and circuitry are described, wherein the methods and circuitry are adapted to improve the performance and efficiency of the hearing aid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Earlens Corporation
    Inventors: Cem Shaquer, Louis Wong, Kulbir Sandhu, Mudhafar Hassan Ali, Thanh Tran
  • Patent number: 11477562
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are battery-free charging systems for wireless headphones that have at least one proprietary electrical contact provided to charge an on-board power source of the wireless headphone. The battery-free charging system comprises a cable having a first end and a second end, a headphone socket coupled to the first end of the cable, a connector coupled to the second end of the cable, the connector for connecting the battery-free charging system to an external power source, and circuitry coupled to the headphone socket and to the connector. The headphone socket is configured to receive the wireless headphone, to couple the at least one proprietary electrical contact to the external power source, and to allow continued use of the wireless headphone while charging. The circuitry is configured to detect an orientation of the wireless headphone within the headphone socket and provide a charging signal appropriate for the detected orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Ballast Technology LLC
    Inventor: Allan Evans
  • Patent number: 11437564
    Abstract: An ultrasonic device includes a base member including a first surface and a second surface different from the first surface, a vibration plate provided at the first surface of the base member, and a piezoelectric element provided at the vibration plate. The base member includes a hole formed from the first surface to the second surface, and a wall portion surrounding the hole. The vibration plate includes, when viewed in a direction from the first surface toward the second surface, a supporting portion overlapping the wall portion, and a blocking portion that overlaps the hole and blocks the hole. The piezoelectric element is laminated at the blocking portion. The supporting portion has a first Young's modulus. The blocking portion includes a first blocking portion having the first Young's modulus and a second blocking portion having a second Young's modulus smaller than the first Young's modulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Inventors: Chikara Kojima, Koji Ohashi, Hironori Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11375315
    Abstract: A sound generator includes a frame, a magnetic circuit system and a vibration system accommodated in the frame. The vibration system includes a suspension. The suspension includes a first part and a second part attached to the first part. The first part includes a first middle portion, a first edge portion, and a first positioning portion. The second part includes a second middle portion, a second edge portion, and a second positioning portion. The second positioning portion is stacked on the first positioning portion, and is assembled with the first positioning portion by adhesive. The first edge portion is convex toward the frame, and the second edge portion is convex away from the frame, by which a sealed cavity is formed between the first and second edge portions. By virtue of such a configuration, the strength of the vibration system is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: AAC Acoustic Technologies (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bo Xiao, Ronglin Linghu
  • Patent number: 11323821
    Abstract: A vibration speaker may include a vibration plate fixed to a housing, a vibrator mounted in the housing to vibrate in a vibration direction of the vibration plate and having a magnet forming a magnetic field, a voice coil member configured to vibrate the vibration plate through interaction of the magnet with the vibrator, and a vibration transmission member configured to support the voice coil member in a state of being fixed to an internal surface of the vibration plate and transmit vibration of the voice coil member to the vibration plate, wherein the vibration transmission member includes a spacing support portion fixed to the voice coil member to be spaced from the internal surface of the vibration plate, and a vibration transmission portion protruding from the spacing support portion to be fixed to the internal surface of the vibration plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Postech Academy-Industry Foundation
    Inventors: Youngbeom Kim, Minsik Yang, Yonghwan Hwang, Won Kyu Moon, Ingyu Lee
  • Patent number: 11203522
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a microphone. In some embodiments, the microphone may comprise a diaphragm, a backplate, and a sidewall stopper. The diaphragm has a venting hole disposed therethrough. The backplate is disposed over and spaced apart from the diaphragm. The sidewall stopper is disposed along a sidewall of the diaphragm exposing to the venting hole. Thus, the sidewall stopper is not limited by a distance between the movable part and the stable part of the microphone. Also, the sidewall stopper does not alternate the shape of movable part, and thus will less likely introduce crack to the movable part. In some embodiments, the sidewall stopper may be formed like a sidewall stopper by a self-alignment process, such that no extra mask is needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Wei Lin, Chang-Ming Wu, Ting-Jung Chen
  • Patent number: 11172288
    Abstract: An active acoustics management system for the loudspeaker back-enclosure, including a first loudspeaker having a front side and a back side connected by side walls, the front facing in a first direction, is presented. An enclosure surrounds a portion of the first loudspeaker, such that the enclosure is open about the front side of the first loudspeaker and is closed about the side walls and the back side of the loudspeaker. A second loudspeaker is disposed within the enclosure behind the first loudspeaker, the second loudspeaker being oriented to output waveforms in the first direction, wherein the second loudspeaker is adapted to output waveforms in the first direction thereby to cancel at least some waveforms emanating from the back side of the first loudspeaker, using active control strategies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Acoustic Metamaterials LLC
    Inventor: Gopal Prasad Mathur
  • Patent number: 11120673
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a haptic output from an audio signal having a continuous stream of sampled digital audio data are provided. A haptic processing system receives the digital audio data, analyses the digital audio data for processing and extracts haptic signals for generating a haptic effect through an actuator. The method includes passing the digital audio signal on through dynamic processor(s), adjusting the dynamic range of the digital audio signal, extracting the signal envelope of the audio data, synthesising low-frequency signals from the extracted signal envelope, and enhancing the low-frequency content using a resonator. The haptic output is generated by mixing the digital audio signal with outputs from the different modules of the haptic processing system. An analytics module monitors, controls and adjusts the processing of the digital audio signal at the noise gate module, the compressor module and the envelope module to enhance the haptic output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Lofelt GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel Büttner, Sebastian Roos
  • Patent number: 11100914
    Abstract: A phononic coupler. In some embodiments, the phononic coupler includes a sheet, including a plurality of standard reflectors, and a plurality of divergent reflectors. The divergent reflectors define, among the standard reflectors, a first waveguide, and a second waveguide. The coupler has a first port, at a first end of the coupler, a second port, at the first end of the coupler, and a third port, at a second end of the coupler. The first waveguide has a first end at the first port. The second waveguide has a first end at the second port, and a second end at the third port. The coupler is configured to couple longitudinal sound waves to both the first port and the second port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Raviv Perahia, Jeremy Bregman, Amit M. Patel, Sean M. Meenehan, Logan D. Sorenson, Lian X. Huang
  • Patent number: 10869136
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a speaker, which includes a frame having receiving space, a magnetic circuit system and a vibration system received in the receiving space. The vibration system includes a diaphragm and a voice coil, the magnetic circuit system includes a lower plate fixed to the frame, a primary magnet fixed on the lower plate, two secondary magnets disposed on both sides of the primary magnet, and an upper plate disposed on the secondary magnet, the upper plate includes a first surface facing towards the diaphragm, a second surface distal from the diaphragm, a fixing groove recessed from the second surface towards the first surface and a fixing hole. The fixing groove includes a bottom surface distal from the second surface. The fixing hole extends from the bottom surface to the first surface. The frame being injection-molded is filled in the fixing groove and the fixing hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: AAC Technologies Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Guqing Zhang
  • Patent number: 10848874
    Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator includes an inner magnet arranged relative to an axis, an outer magnet arranged a radial distance from the axis, an inner radial wall of the outer magnet facing an outer radial wall of the inner magnet, the inner and outer radial walls being separated by an air gap, a voice coil arranged in the air gap separating the inner and outer magnets, and an actuator coupling plate attached to the voice coil. During operation of the device electrical activation of the voice coil causes axial motion of the actuator coupling plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventor: Graham Robert Landick
  • Patent number: 10835924
    Abstract: Embodiments include a haptic transducer device comprising a magnetic assembly including a yoke and a magnet disposed within an inner cavity formed by the yoke. The device further includes a diaphragm having a top surface, a ledge projecting below and outwards relative to the top surface, and a sidewall extending downwards from the ledge towards the inner cavity. The device also includes a suspension extending concentrically around the diaphragm and including arms extending between inner and outer edges of the suspension, the inner edge being attached to the ledge of the diaphragm and the outer edge being attached to the outer ledge of the yoke. The device further includes a coil attached to the sidewall of the diaphragm and suspended within the inner cavity. One embodiment further includes an attachment groove integrated into the top surface of the diaphragm and configured for receiving attachment structures included on a footwear insole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: SonicSensory, Inc.
    Inventors: Clayton Williamson, Brock Maxwell Seiler
  • Patent number: 10827279
    Abstract: A multi-function speaker includes a frame having a receiving space, a magnetic circuit system, a vibration system, and an elastic member configured to suspend the magnetic circuit system in the receiving space. The frame includes two first side portions oppositely arranged, and two oppositely disposed second side portions connecting the two first side portions. The magnetic circuit system includes a lower plate, and a magnet assembly disposed on the lower plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: AAC Technologies Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Jiasheng Zhou, Long Zhang
  • Patent number: 10765959
    Abstract: The present invention provides an active sensory floor that provides sensations to non-auditory senses of persons at an event via one or both of movement and vibrations of the sensory floor. Sensory output of the floor may be controlled via a mixer or other controller during a performance, pre-recorded or provided based upon an input, such as music playing. Additional sensory stimulation, such as, for example, visual stimulation may also be synchronized with non-auditory stimulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Inventors: Winship Dowell, Jesse Whitaker McRae
  • Patent number: 10764685
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an improved speaker including a suspension accommodated in a magnetic gap formed by a main magnet and an auxiliary magnet. The suspension is used for supporting a coil assembly of the speaker. The auxiliary magnet further includes a capacity-increased space for accommodating the suspension and providing the suspension with more space to vibrate and providing the suspension with better flexibility. In order to more firmly fix the suspension, the auxiliary magnet further includes a fastening slot for engaging with an edge of the suspension. Optionally, the auxiliary magnet is configured to be a two-piece structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: AAC Technologies Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Wei Song
  • Patent number: 10730747
    Abstract: The present application relates to MEMS transducer comprising a membrane electrode and a backplate electrode. The membrane electrode comprises primary and secondary openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventor: Colin Robert Jenkins
  • Patent number: 10716731
    Abstract: A sound treatment system includes an audio system for transmitting tones of predetermined frequencies through a plurality of outputs. A sound transmitting device is electrically connectable to one or more of the outputs, and includes a speaker for transmitting the tones received. The speaker is adjacent to crystal which is vibrationally responsive to the tones. A method of using the system includes generating tonal segments of predetermined duration, modulating the frequencies, and compiling these into an audio program. One or more sound transmitting devices are placed on desired locations of the body, and their inputs connected to corresponding outputs of the audio system. The generating step includes compiling selected predetermined frequencies into an audio program to generate the tonal segments, as well as modulating tones of one or more desired frequencies to generate the tonal segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: HUSO, INC.
    Inventors: Lawrence L. Doochin, Janice L. Doochin, Susan E. Whitehawk, Gregg Tauriello
  • Patent number: 10631111
    Abstract: Provided are a vibration transducer and an implantable hearing aid device. In one embodiment, the implantable hearing aid device includes a signal processing part implantable in a subject, the signal processing part processing a signal from a microphone to output a sound signal, a sound transmission tube configured for transmitting the sound signal to a round window of the subject, and a bellows member disposed at an end side of the sound transmission tube to transmit vibration due to the sound signal to the round window. In other embodiment, the implantable hearing aid device includes a signal processing part implantable in a subject, the signal processing part processing a signal from a microphone to output an electrical signal, a vibration generation part configured for receiving the electrical signal to generate vibration, and a bellows member disposed at an end side of the vibration generation part to transmit the vibration to a round window of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: KYUNGPOOK NATIONAL UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY-ACADEMIC CO
    Inventors: Jin-Ho Cho, Ki Woong Seong, Jyung Hyun Lee, Hyung Gyu Lim, Dong Ho Shin
  • Patent number: 10610795
    Abstract: The present invention provides an active sensory floor that provides sensations to non-auditory senses of persons at an event via one or both of movement and vibrations of the sensory floor. Sensory output of the floor may be controlled via a mixer or other controller during a performance, pre-recorded or provided based upon an input, such as music playing. Additional sensory stimulation, such as, for example, visual stimulation may also be synchronized with non-auditory stimulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Emotions Platform, LLC
    Inventors: Winship Dowell, Jesse Whitaker McRae
  • Patent number: 10595131
    Abstract: An audio speaker having a magnet assembly for directing a magnetic field through a magnetic circuit, and an electrical circuit for carrying an electrical audio signal current through at least part of the magnet assembly, are disclosed. More particularly, a voicecoil in the electrical circuit may be in electrical contact with a magnetic plate of the magnet assembly. The voicecoil may be electrically connected with a speaker driver circuit at least partly through the magnetic plate. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nikolas T. Vitt, Christopher Wilk, David M. Pelletier
  • Patent number: 10361145
    Abstract: Modules, devices and methods of manufacturing a dual-sided module are disclosed. A dual-sided module includes a packaging substrate having an upper side, a lower side, and a ground plane, a radio-frequency circuit assembly implemented on both of the upper and lower sides of the packaging substrate and an upper overmold implemented on the upper side of the packaging substrate defining one or more openings dimensioned to expose contact pads on the upper side. The module further includes a conductive layer configured to provide shielding for a region on the upper side of the packaging substrate, a lower overmold implemented on the lower side of the packaging substrate to cover a lower portion of the radio-frequency circuit assembly, the lower overmold defining a plurality of openings, and a contact feature implemented within each of the openings of the lower overmold to be in contact with the packaging substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard E. Chen, Robert Francis Darveaux, Hoang Mong Nguyen, Anthony James Lobianco
  • Patent number: 10206020
    Abstract: An amplifier device has a high output speaker, which is connected a printed circuit board (PCB) mounted within said amplifier housing. A digital signal processor circuit is contained within the PCB board to filter out the low frequency sounds. The amplifier device also has a rechargeable battery connected to the PCB board. The amplifier housing is wrapped in an outer rubber housing mounted on a suction cup for adhering to an electric guitar. The amplifier device has control panel buttons built into the device to customize the sound produced through the speaker such as distortion, chorus and reverb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Inventor: Kevin Zuccaro
  • Patent number: 10136226
    Abstract: A top-port MEMS-microphone has an upper side and a bottom side. The microphone includes a MEMS chip with a monolithically connected protection element at the upper side, a backplate, and a membrane. The microphone also includes a sound inlet at the upper side and a mechanical or electrical connection at the bottom side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jan Tue Ravnkilde, Marcel Giesen, Kurt Rasmussen, Morten Ginnerup, Pirmin Hermann Otto Rombach, Wolfgang Pahl, Anton Leidl, Armin Schober, Jürgen Portmann
  • Patent number: 10102617
    Abstract: A method and system for recycling utility meters that include a plurality of meter dials. At the end of life, utility meters are received at a processing facility and the meter cover is removed and recycled. The meter body is placed on a meter conveyor. While on the conveyor, a digital image is taken of the meter face which includes the plurality of meter dials. A control unit receives the digital image and automatically determines a final meter reading for the meter and determines the meter serial number. An operator is presented with the digital image and can modify either the serial number or the final meter reading. Once confirmed, the digital image, serial number and final meter reading are stored in a historical database and the meter body is recycled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Inventor: Gregory J. Gozdowiak
  • Patent number: 10065854
    Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for membrane bonding. A photoresist may be applied to an ultrasonic device. A portion of the photoresist may be removed. A bonding agent may be applied a portion of the photoresist that is not removed. A membrane may be placed on the ultrasonic device such that the membrane is in contact with the ultrasonic device through the bonding agent and the photoresist. The membrane and the ultrasonic device may be placed in between a first flat plate and a second flat plate, such that the second flat plate rests on top of the membrane. Light pressure may be applied to the membrane. The light pressure may be applied by one or more of the weight of the second flat plate and a pressure providing device applying pressure to either or both of the first flat plate and the second flat plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: uBeam Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Joyce, Sean Taffler, Paul Reynolds, Nicholas Lavada Nemeth, Adam Stephen Elhadad, Boozarjomehr Faraji
  • Patent number: 10058892
    Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for membrane bonding. A bonding agent may be applied to one or both of an ultrasonic device and membrane. The membrane may be placed on the ultrasonic device such that the membrane is in contact with the ultrasonic device through the bonding agent. The membrane and the ultrasonic device may be placed in between a first flat plate and a second flat plate, such that the second flat plate rests on top of the membrane. Light pressure may be applied to the membrane. The light pressure may be applied by one or more of the weight of the second flat plate and a pressure providing device applying pressure to either or both of the first flat plate and the second flat plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: uBeam Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Joyce, Sean Taffler, Paul Reynolds, Nicholas Lavada Nemeth, Adam Stephen Elhadad
  • Patent number: 10057691
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention disclose a miniature sounder. The miniature sounder includes a frame, and a vibration system and a magnetic system that are fixedly connected to the frame; the magnetic system includes a lower clamping board, a primary magnet that disposed on the lower clamping board, a cushion that disposed on the lower clamping board and surrounding the primary magnet and a secondary magnet that disposed on the cushion and surrounding the primary magnet, the cushion being disposed between the secondary magnet and the lower clamping board; and the vibration system includes a voice diaphragm, a voice coil that disposed below the voice diaphragm and causing the voice diaphragm to vibrate and generate a sound and a vibration diaphragm elastically supporting the voice coil, the vibration diaphragm comprising a corrugated rim portion, a fixing portion and a connecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: AAC TECHNOLOGIES PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Ronglin Linghu, Bo Xiao
  • Patent number: 9958968
    Abstract: An input and output operation device includes an actuator 165 including an operation unit 850; a movable unit having the operation unit and at least one attraction magnet mounted thereon and including a concaved portion in a part thereof; a secured unit including a convexed spherical surface loosely engageable with at least one magnetic member and the concaved portion of the movable unit, the convexed spherical surface being point-contactable or line-contactable with the concaved portion of the movable unit by a magnetic attraction force, the secured unit supporting the movable unit such that the movable unit is freely rotatable as centered around a spherical center of the convexed spherical surface; a first driving unit rotating the operation unit as centered around an X-axis passing the spherical center; a second driving unit rotating the operation unit as centered around a Y-axis perpendicular to the X-axis; a third driving unit rotating the movable unit as centered around a Z-axis that is perpendicular to
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Kumahara, Takuya Mori, Teruyuki Takizawa, Takeshi Nakazawa, Jiro Seki
  • Patent number: 9955246
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) microphone assembly is provided. The assembly comprises an enclosure, a single micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) transducer, a substrate layer, and an application housing. The single MEMS transducer is positioned within the enclosure. The substrate layer supports the single MEMS transducer. The application housing supports the substrate layer and defining at least a portion of a first transmission mechanism to enable a first side of the single MEMS transducer to receive an audio input signal and at least a portion of a second transmission mechanism to enable a second side of the single MEMS transducer to receive the audio input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Marc Reese, John Baumhauer, Fengyuan Li, Spiro Iraclianos
  • Patent number: 9942638
    Abstract: A composite electronic device includes an electronic device; and a speaker cartridge. The speaker cartridge includes a vibration body, an exciter, a first housing, and a first connector. The vibration body has a first main surface and a second main surface. A first space is defined by the first main surface and the first housing, and a second space is defined by the second main surface and the first housing. The electronic device includes an electronic circuit, a second housing, and a second connector. A third space surrounded by the second housing is provided. The exciter and the electronic circuit are electrically connected to each other. The first space is in communication with an outer space via a first opening of the first housing. The second space is in communication with the third space via a second opening of the first housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventors: Tooru Takahashi, Shuichi Fukuoka
  • Patent number: 9673376
    Abstract: Methods to utilize piezoelectric materials as a gate dielectric in RBTs in an IC device to generate and sense higher frequency signals with high Qs and resulting devices are disclosed. Embodiments include forming, on an upper surface of a semiconductor layer, RBTs comprising even multiples of sensing RBTs and driving RBTs, each RBT including a piezoelectric gate dielectric layer, a gate, and a dielectric spacer on opposite sides of the piezoelectric gate dielectric layer and gate, wherein at least one pair of sensing RBTs is directly between two groups of driving RBTs; forming metal layers, separated by interlayer dielectric layers, above the RBTs; and forming vias through a dielectric layer above the RBTs connecting the RBTs to a metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Zoran Krivokapic, Bichoy Bahr
  • Patent number: 9633648
    Abstract: The invention relates to a loudspeaker membrane having a sandwich structure, having a central web separating two layers of material based on high-rigidity threads impregnated with a polymer resin, characterized in that the central web is formed from a layer of material based on oriented natural fibers that are impregnated with a polymer resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: FOCAL JMLAB
    Inventors: Bruno De La Nouvelle, Shintaro Hosoi
  • Patent number: 9601969
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a load and a first armature. A first lever mechanically couples the first armature and the load. Motion of the first armature causes the first lever to pivot about a first pivot axis. The apparatus also includes a second armature and a second lever that mechanically couples the second armature and the load. Motion of the second armature causes the second lever to pivot about a second pivot axis. At least one stator is provided for creating magnetic flux for the first and second armatures to interact with, thereby to drive motion of the load. The apparatus also includes a coupling mechanism that couples the first lever and the second lever. The coupling mechanism is arranged to encourage common mode oscillation of the first and second levers and inhibit differential mode oscillation of the first and second levers, thereby to inhibit rocking of the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Brian M. Lucas, Johan H. Isaksson, Geoffrey C. Chick
  • Patent number: 9497549
    Abstract: A loudspeaker includes an acoustic diaphragm, a lever, and an oscillatory force source for driving the lever in oscillatory, rotary motion about a pivot axis. The loudspeaker also includes a connector that couples the lever to the acoustic diaphragm. The connector includes a first rotary joint that defines a first rotary axis that is fixedly attached to the acoustic diaphragm, a second rotary joint that defines a second rotary axis that is fixedly attached to the lever, and a linkage coupling the first and second rotary joints. The connector allows for rotational and translational movement of the lever and the diaphragm relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Brian M. Lucas, Johan H. Isaksson, Geoffrey C. Chick, Weidong Zhu, Benjamin G. K. Peterson
  • Patent number: 9466277
    Abstract: An acoustic pickup transducer device for converting sounds produced by a musical instrument into electrical signals proportional in amplitude and frequency to the instrument sounds includes a housing which has protruding therefrom a suction cup for removably attaching the device to an instrument, and a microphone interconnected through interface circuitry including a volume control potentiometer within the housing to an audio output signal jack. In a preferred embodiment, the microphone is fastened to the outer end of a flexible “gooseneck” stalk which extends from the housing at an angle adjustable by manually bending the stalk to a desired shape, which is retained by a bent wire within the stalk, thus enabling adjustment of the direction of peak sound responsivity or directivity over a wide range of angles. Preferably, the microphone is an electret type supplied with a D.C. bias voltage by a coin-cell battery within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Inventor: Gregg Allen Myers
  • Patent number: 9289349
    Abstract: A sound treatment system includes an audio system for transmitting tones of predetermined frequencies through a plurality of outputs. A sound transmitting device is electrically connectable to one or more of the outputs, and includes a speaker for transmitting the tones received. The speaker is adjacent to crystal which is vibrationally responsive to the tones. A method of using the system includes generating tonal segments of predetermined duration, modulating the frequencies, and compiling these into an audio program. One or more sound transmitting devices are placed on desired locations of the body, and their inputs connected to corresponding outputs of the audio system. The generating step includes compiling selected predetermined frequencies into an audio program to generate the tonal segments, as well as modulating tones of one or more desired frequencies to generate the tonal segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: URIEL PATENT, LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence L. Doochin, Janice L. Doochin, Susan E. Whitehawk, Gregg Tauriello
  • Patent number: 9258648
    Abstract: A loudspeaker includes an acoustic diaphragm, an oscillatory force source, a lever that couples the oscillatory force source to the acoustic diaphragm, and a pivot that is coupled to the lever such that the lever pivots about a pivot axis when the oscillatory force source applies a force to the lever. The pivot includes a pair of rotational joints which are spaced apart to allow the diaphragm to pass therebetween as the lever pivots about the pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Brian M. Lucas, Johan H. Isaksson, Geoffrey C. Chick, Benjamin G. K. Peterson
  • Patent number: 9042580
    Abstract: A diaphragm is disclosed in the invention, which comprises a one-piece diaphragm body and a plurality of mass blocks mounted on the diaphragm body. Each of the mass blocks substantially has the same radial distance from the center of the diaphragm. The mass blocks are divided into three or more arrays each of which includes one or more mass blocks. the arrays are distributed along the circumference direction of the diaphragm body, and the mass blocks in each array are distributed along the circumference direction of the diaphragm. The mass blocks are elastic and made of materials with internal damping, such as rubber, silicone or foam rubber. At least one of the mass blocks is connected to an annular roll fixed on the peripheral edge of the diaphragm body, and the mass blocks are bonded to the diaphragm body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Suzhou Sonavox Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Peng Gao, Guoqiang Chai, Jianming Zhou
  • Patent number: 9025796
    Abstract: A vibration generator includes a coil arranged to generate magnetic fields, a ring-shaped yoke arranged to amplify an electromagnetic force generated by the magnetic fields in cooperation with the coil, a vibrating body arranged radially inward of the coil to move in a thrust direction, a ring-shaped magnet arranged in an outer peripheral portion of the vibrating body and opposed to the coil, and a spring arranged to support the vibrating body on at least one side of the vibrating body in thrust-direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Nidec Seimitsu Corporation
    Inventors: Keisuke Furuichi, Tomohiro Akanuma
  • Publication number: 20150117679
    Abstract: A panel-form loudspeaker is disclosed. The panel-form loudspeaker includes a cover having a bottom forming an opening in a middle portion thereof; a vibration plate at least partially accommodated in the opening; an actuator fixed with the cover and engaging with the vibration plate for driving the vibration plate to vibrate; a gap formed between the vibration plate and the bottom of the cover; and a suspension. The vibration plate includes an inner surface and an outer surface opposite to the inner surface. The suspension includes a first connecting portion connecting with the inner surface of the vibration plate, and a second connecting portion connecting with a top of the bottom for suspending the vibration plate in the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: AAC ACOUSTIC TECHNOLOGIES (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hongxing Wang, Rongguan Zhou, Lubin Mao
  • Publication number: 20150110304
    Abstract: An electroacoustic transducer includes a diaphragm including: a wing-pair portion; and a cone portion. The wing-pair portion includes a pair of convex surfaces having respectively convex surfaces of a pair of longitudinal split tubular members. A valley is formed between one side portions of the pair of convex surfaces. The cone portion surrounds an outer peripheral portion of the wing-pair portion and extends in a conical shape. The electroacoustic transducer further includes: a converter configured to convert between a vibration of the diaphragm in a depth direction of the valley and an electric signal corresponding to the vibration; and a supporter supporting an outer peripheral portion of the cone portion to allow the diaphragm to vibrate in a direction of the vibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: Masao NORO
  • Publication number: 20150110302
    Abstract: An acoustic transducer with high sensitivity includes a base plate, a back plate and a vibrating membrane. The vibrating membrane is peripherally fixed to the base plate and covers an opening of the base plate. The back plate has a positioning member connected between the back plate and the vibrating membrane, so as to define at least one vibratile portion that is arranged annularly by a plurality of elastic members. Thereby, the vibratile portion has a reduced deformable width and increased rigidity, so can effectively improve its acoustically receiving sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: MERRY ELECTRONICS (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jen-Yi CHEN, Chao-Sen CHANG, Chun-Chieh WANG, Yong-Shiang CHANG
  • Publication number: 20150110303
    Abstract: An acoustic unit, which is arranged for coupling with a vibration system to produce an audio sound, includes a frame, a vibration member for being reciprocatingly moved in response to the vibration system; and a resilient suspension which is provided around the vibration member and is located between the vibration member and the frame, wherein the suspension has a stretching section integrally extended from the vibration member and a cushioning section integrally extended from the stretching section to the frame. The cushioning section only allows the stretching section to displace along a direction the same as a vibration direction of the vibration member to restrict a vibrating movement of the vibration member. The acoustic unit is incorporated with an acoustic module, wherein when a loudspeaker of the acoustic module operates, the acoustic unit synchronously vibrates to provide an enhanced low frequency audio effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: Hsin Min Huang
  • Publication number: 20150110305
    Abstract: An electroacoustic transducer includes a diaphragm including a pair of convex surfaces respectively including convex surfaces of a pair of longitudinal split tubular members. A valley is formed between one side portions of the pair of longitudinal split tubular members. The electroacoustic transducer further includes: a converter configured to convert between a vibration of the diaphragm in a depth direction of the valley and an electric signal corresponding to the vibration; and a supporter supporting other side portions of the pair of longitudinal split tubular members of the diaphragm so as to allow the other side portions to vibrate in a vibration direction of the vibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Masao NORO, Akira ARAI
  • Publication number: 20150104047
    Abstract: When a driving module is performing processing of vibrating a piezoelectric vibration module based on a sound signal in an electronic apparatus, a determination module determines whether or not an ear putting position specified by an ear putting position specifying module is close to a reference position. When the processing is being performed, a notification module notifies the user at least one of that the ear putting position is appropriate and that the ear putting position is inappropriate, based on a determination result of the determination module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventor: Takashi IZUMI
  • Patent number: 8989410
    Abstract: A bone conduction transducer for a wearable computing system is provided. The bone conduction transducer includes a magnetic diaphragm configured to vibrate in response to a time-changing magnetic field generated by an electromagnetic coil operated according to electrical input signals. The magnetic diaphragm is elastically suspended over the electromagnetic coil to allow excursion toward and away from the coil by a pair of cantilevered leaf springs projected from opposing sides of the transducer to connect to opposing sides of the magnetic diaphragm. The bone conduction transducer is included in the wearable computing system to be worn against a bony structure of the wearer that allows acoustic signals to propagate to the wearer's inner ear and achieve sound perception in response to vibrations in the bone conduction transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph John Hebenstreit