Having Bi-directional Transducer Patents (Class 381/163)
  • Patent number: 11902748
    Abstract: An ear-worn electronic hearing device comprises an enclosure configured to be supported by, at, in or on an ear of the wearer. Electronic circuitry is disposed in the enclosure and comprises a wireless transceiver. An antenna is disposed in or on the enclosure and operably coupled to the wireless transceiver. The antenna has a physical size and comprises a plurality of cutouts disposed along a periphery of the antenna. The cutouts are configured to increase an electrical length of the antenna without an increase in the physical size of the antenna. The antenna can comprise at least one interior window having a window periphery. A plurality of window cutouts are disposed along the window periphery. The window cutouts are configured to increase a path length of current distribution along the window periphery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Danita Prabhu, Ryan Owens, Aaron Anderson, Paul Anders Shriner
  • Patent number: 11863923
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a speaker and a method of forming such speaker are disclosed. The speaker includes a frame having a first major surface, a second major surface, and an opening disposed between the first and second major surfaces; a cone disposed adjacent the first major surface of the frame; and an adhesive layer disposed on at least a portion of the second major surface of the frame. The adhesive layer occludes the opening of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan L. Olson, Joseph Ippolito, Matthew Saterbak, Luke T. Babler, Thai Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11758332
    Abstract: A biodegradable microphone has a housing fabricated from a biodegradable ferromagnetic filament. The ferromagnetic filament is based on a biodegradable polymer having embedded magnetic materials. The housing has a body portion, an open first end and an opposite second end having a central opening. A permanent magnet is removably lodged within the central opening. The ferromagnetic filament and the magnet cooperate to produce a magnetic field within the housing interior. A biodegradable diaphragm is joined to the open first end of the housing. The diaphragm has an interior side facing the housing interior. A biodegradable coil is joined to the interior side and extends downward into the housing interior and is in proximity to the permanent magnet. Vibrations of the diaphragm cause a reciprocating motion of the coil within the magnetic field thereby inducing an electrical current in the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Joshua M Kogot, April M Hirsch
  • Patent number: 11563128
    Abstract: A shielding element comprises a rigid substrate and at least one electrically conductive two-dimensional structure which is placed on one of the faces of the substrate. The substrate and the electrically conductive two-dimensional structure are such that the shielding element has optical-transmission and shielding-efficiency values at least one of which varies between two zones of the shielding element. Such a shielding element enables easier assembly of a detection system comprising multiple optical sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignees: SAFRAN ELECTRONICS & DEFENSE Boulogne, CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE—CNRS, UNIVERSITE DE RENNES 1
    Inventors: Cyril Dupeyrat, Patrice Foutrel, Philippe Besnier, Xavier Castel, Yonathan Corredores
  • Patent number: 11528568
    Abstract: A device and method for improving hearing devices by using computer recognition of words and substituting either computer generated words or pre-recorded words in streaming conversation received from a distant speaker. The system may operate in multiple modes such as a first mode being amplification and conditioning of the voice sounds; a second mode having said microphone pickup up the voice sounds from a speaker, a processor configured to convert voice sounds to discrete words corresponding to words spoken by said speaker, generating a synthesized voice speaking said words and outputting said synthesized voice to said sound reproducing element, which is hearable by the user. Other modes include translation of foreign languages into a user's ear and using a heads up display to project the text version of words which the computer had deciphered or translated. The system may be triggered by eye moment, spoken command, hand movement or similar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: GN HEARING A/S
    Inventor: Michael B. Lasky
  • Patent number: 11516583
    Abstract: The invention relates to an amplifier unit for a MEMS sound transducer, which is operable as a microphone and as a loudspeaker, comprising at least one audio amplifier for sound reproduction and/or sound recording. According to the invention, the amplifier unit is designed in such a way that the MEMS sound transducer provided therefor is simultaneously operable as a loudspeaker and as a microphone. Moreover, the invention relates to sound-generating unit comprising a MEMS sound transducer, which is operable as a microphone and as a loudspeaker, and an amplifier unit coupled to the sound transducer for sound reproduction and/or sound recording.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: USound GmbH
    Inventors: Andrea Rusconi Clerici Beltrami, Ferruccio Bottoni, Markus Haensler
  • Patent number: 11493657
    Abstract: Example ultrasonic transducers for measuring formation velocities are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a housing and an acoustic transducer having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The acoustic transducer is at least partially disposed in the housing. The example apparatus includes a window supported by the housing. At least a portion of the first surface of the acoustic transducer is in contact with the window. The housing and the window are to form a fluid seal for the acoustic transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nakajima, Tatsuaki Kamoi, Hiroshi Hori, Evgeniya Deger
  • Patent number: 11435787
    Abstract: A portable information device includes: a chassis having an upper cover defining a top face, a lower cover defining a bottom face, and a vertical wall standing between edges of the upper cover and the lower cover to define a side face; a microphone hole that penetrates the vertical wall and opens to the side face; a microphone module in the chassis, including a microphone facing the microphone hole, the microphone module being configured to acquire sound information outside the chassis with the microphone; and a microphone pressure component between the vertical wall and one of the upper cover and the lower cover to be compressed therebetween and press the microphone module against an inner face of the vertical wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Sano, Tatsuya Ushioda, Hiroaki Kinoshita, Kazuya Tatsuno
  • Patent number: 11289065
    Abstract: The invention provides assemblies for production of sound using a plurality of configurations, including in one embodiment, surfaces that may be fixed or moveable relative to each other. These surfaces may be electromagnetic, electrostatic, piezoelectric, transducer implemented, thermally activated, permanently magnetized, or activated by any other means, including but not limited to mechanical activation. The surfaces may in a variety of configurations be free floating, constrained, levitated or combinations thereof. The surfaces themselves may be foldable, rollable, expandable, specialized or any combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Inventors: Pradnesh Mohare, Rahul Khopkar
  • Patent number: 10863280
    Abstract: A sound producing device is provided. The sound producing device includes a membrane, disposed within a chamber, controlled by a membrane control signal to cause a membrane movement; and a first deflector, disposed within a first opening by the membrane, controlled by a first deflector control signal to cause a first deflector rotation; wherein the sound producing device produces a plurality of air pulses via the membrane movement and the first deflector rotation, the plurality of air pulses has an air pulse rate, the air pulse rate is higher than a maximum human audible frequency; wherein the plurality of air pulses produces a non-zero offset in terms of sound pressure level, and the non-zero offset is a deviation from a zero sound pressure level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: xMEMS Labs, Inc.
    Inventor: Jemm Yue Liang
  • Patent number: 10856084
    Abstract: Ultrasonic transducers that include backplates with a plurality of linear physical features formed on surfaces thereof and vibrator films tensioned in a specified manner for improved transducer performance. An ultrasonic transducer includes a backplate, a vibrator film, and a compliant member. The backplate includes the plurality of linear physical features formed parallel to one another on the backplate surface. The vibrator film has a metallized side and a non-metallized side, and is positioned proximate to the backplate such that its non-metallized side faces the linear physical features on the backplate surface. The compliant member applies a spring force to the vibrator film for urging the vibrator film against the backplate surface, while maintaining a constant, consistent, and uniform tension in the vibrator film in substantially one direction, preferably perpendicular to the linear physical features along the backplate surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Inventor: Frank Joseph Pompei
  • Patent number: 10805721
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for preventing an electronic device from recording. The apparatus includes a control unit for generating a first modulation signal and controlling the components of the apparatus; a first modulation unit for modulating the first modulation signal to an FM signal; an ultrasonic signal generation unit for generating an ultrasonic signal, the frequency of which is adjusted by changing the value of at least one of a variable resistor and a variable capacitor depending on the magnitude of the FM signal; an amplification unit for increasing or decreasing the magnitude of the ultrasonic signal; a resonance unit for increasing the voltage to be applied to a transducer by generating resonance; and an ultrasound output unit for converting electrical signals into ultrasonic signals using the transducer and radiating a recording prevention signal, converted into the ultrasonic signal, to the microphone of an electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Chi Hoon Choi, Ji Eun Choi, Young Jun Lee, Heesun Park, Young Hyoun Kwon, Sae-Hoon Ju, Kyung-Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 10792704
    Abstract: Provided is an electrostatic transducer (1) in which an electrostatic unit (10) is formed so as to be flat and wound into a roll, from a first laminate sheet (110) and a second laminate sheet (120). The first laminate sheet (110) is provided with a first electrode sheet (111) and two first dielectric sheets (112, 113) laminated onto both surfaces of the first electrode sheet (111). The second laminate sheet (120) is provided with a second electrode sheet (121) and two second dielectric sheets (122, 123) laminated onto both surfaces of the second electrode sheet (121).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Sumitomo Riko Company Limited
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Nakano, Masaki Nasu, Takanori Murase
  • Patent number: 10667047
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a headphone device, a terminal device, an information transmitting method, a program, and a headphone system capable of reducing a process burden of parameter control in a noise canceling process of the headphone device. In the terminal device capable of communicating with the headphone device, a parameter appropriate for the noise canceling process is determined based on analysis of noise from outside and position information and indication information to indicate a processing parameter related to the noise canceling process in the headphone device is generated. This is transmitted to the headphone device side. In the headphone device, a processing parameter of the noise canceling process is set according to the indication information. According to this, a process to determine an optimal parameter of the noise canceling process on the headphone device side is not required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kohei Asada, Shinpei Tsuchiya, Yuji Kitazawa
  • Patent number: 10623848
    Abstract: Provided is a tweeter unit having an improved sound diaphragm and an integral support frame incorporating a sound diaphragm and a magnet as well as integrating an upper washer and a ring packing. The tweeter unit includes: a base frame; an improved integral support frame, including an upper clamp groove and a lower clamp groove, assembled at the base frame; at least one magnet, assembled in the lower clamp groove; an improved sound diaphragm, assembled in the upper clamp groove; and a sleeve frame, including a plurality of openings and a sleeve portion, and sleeved outside the base frame, the support frame, the at least one magnet and the improved sound diaphragm. The improved sound diaphragm includes a thin film layer and a circuit thin film layer, and the circuit thin film layer is fixed on one side of the thin film layer through an electrolytic bonding layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Inventor: Ko-Chung Teng
  • Patent number: 10611323
    Abstract: An audio system of a vehicle includes a selection module configured to, based on whether a gear shift of a transmission of the vehicle is occurring, set a selected torque to one of: a torque output of an engine of the vehicle; and a predicted torque output of the engine. A sound control module is configured to: determine frequencies for outputting a predetermined engine sound; and based on the selected torque, determine magnitudes for outputting the predetermined engine sound at the frequencies, respectively. An audio driver module is configured to apply power to speakers to output sound within a passenger cabin of the vehicle at the magnitudes and frequencies, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Frank C. Valeri, Glenn Pietila, Richard I. Chang
  • Patent number: 10595108
    Abstract: A speaker apparatus includes a speaker unit including a magnet configured to provide a magnetic field; and a membrane disposed in the magnet field, configured to be vibratable in a first direction, and configured to emit a sound in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and a blocking unit disposed at the membrane, configured to block a first region of the membrane having a first height along the first direction from being exposed and configured to expose a second region of the membrane having a second height, a sum of the first and the second heights corresponds to a total height of the membrane, wherein the first height of the membrane blocked by the blocking unit is less than a half of a wavelength corresponding to a maximum frequency in a frequency dory range of the sound emitted from the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung-joo Kim, Jong-bae Kim, Sung-ha Son
  • Patent number: 10567866
    Abstract: A sound producing device includes an air pulse generating element and a control unit. The air pulse generating element includes an air chamber, a membrane, a first air entrance and a first valve. The membrane is disposed in the air chamber. The first air entrance is disposed at a side of the membrane in a first direction. The first valve is disposed between the first air entrance and the membrane. The control unit generates a driving signal to control a movement of the membrane, such that the air pulse generating element generates an air pulse in response to the driving signal. During an operation, an first airflow corresponding to the air pulse flows into or flows out of the air chamber through the first air entrance, and passes through the first air entrance substantially along a direction parallel to the first direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: xMEMS Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Jemm Yue Liang, David Hong
  • Patent number: 10492006
    Abstract: An electroacoustic transducer includes: a diaphragm; a frame that is disposed around the diaphragm so as to surround the diaphragm; an edge that closes a space between the diaphragm and the frame in a manner of forming a membrane so as to connect the diaphragm and the frame; a base body that supports the frame and has a through sound output hole in front of the diaphragm; a magnet that is attached to the frame; and a voice coil body that is attached to the diaphragm. The frame has an annular first fitting portion that is disposed around the diaphragm so as to surround the diaphragm. The base body has a second fitting portion that fits with the first fitting portion. The electroacoustic transducer further includes a sealing member that is made of a thermoplastic substance and seals a space between the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion fitted with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Senri Nakamoto, Yukiharu Wakiguchi, Katsuhiko Kotsugi, Kazutaka Goto
  • Patent number: 10384599
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an accelerator sensor that detects an amount of operation of an accelerator; a vehicle status sensor that detects a vehicle status; an engine controller that controls an internal combustion engine based on a signal from the accelerator sensor and a signal from the vehicle status sensor; a sound controller that generates an engine sound based on the amount of operation of the accelerator and the vehicle status; and a speaker that is communicably connected to the sound controller and outputs the engine sound. The sound controller includes an engine sound controller that sets a volume of the engine sound to a value that is greater than zero when the amount of operation of the accelerator is zero and the vehicle status is a predetermined status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Sumito Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10225661
    Abstract: A loudspeaker includes a cavity, a first coil, a first magnet and a linking-up unit. The cavity includes a vibration film. The vibration film is disposed on an opening of the cavity. The first coil is configured to adjust a first magnetic field in the first coil according to the driving of an electronic signal. At least part of the first magnet is in the first coil. The first magnet is movable along a first axis. The linking-up unit is between the vibration film and the first magnet. The linking-up unit is connected to the vibration film and the magnet respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: WISTRON CORP.
    Inventor: Li-Ping Pan
  • Patent number: 10149059
    Abstract: A speaker device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a magnetic circuit having a magnetic gap, a ribbon-like diaphragm disposed in a magnetic field in the magnetic gap, a plurality of parallel conductors provided on the diaphragm and extending in a direction orthogonal to a direction of the magnetic field, and a driving unit that supplies driving currents in the same direction to the plurality of parallel conductors. Both end portions of the diaphragm are continuous via a pivoting board disposed so as to bypass the magnetic gap, and connection conductors for spirally connecting the plurality of parallel conductors are provided on the pivoting board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshikazu Maeda
  • Patent number: 10068451
    Abstract: A first value is received and is associated with a noise level of an environment that a user is in. It is determined whether the first value exceeds a first threshold. A second computing device is notified when the first value exceeds the first threshold. The notifying indicates that the user must leave the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John S. Werner, Arkadiy O. Tsfasman, Byron S. Green, William L. Brodsky, Jeffrey A. Newcomer, Robert K. Mullady
  • Patent number: 9980051
    Abstract: The invention relates to a MEMS loudspeaker (1) for generating sound waves in the audible wavelength spectrum, with a carrier substrate (2) that features a substrate cavity (6) with two substrate openings (7, 8), which are formed on two opposite sides of the carrier substrate (2), an actuator structure (3), in particular a piezoelectric actuator structure, which is arranged in the area of one of the two substrate openings (7, 8) and is connected to the carrier substrate (2) in its edge area, and a membrane (4) anchored in its edge area, which, by means of the actuator structure (3), can be set into vibration for generating sound waves. In accordance with the invention, in a cross-sectional view of the MEMS loudspeaker (1), the membrane (4) is spaced at a distance from the actuator structure (3), such that an intermediate cavity (13) is formed between these two.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: USOUND GMBH
    Inventors: Andrea Rusconi Clerici, Ferruccio Bottoni
  • Patent number: 9936303
    Abstract: A multi-diaphragm speaker comprises at least four diaphragms, inner connecting rods, and outer connecting rods. The diaphragms located at odd-numbered positions are connected to the inner connecting rods via connecting points, and then the inner connecting rods are connected via the outer connecting rods, thus forming a first set of diaphragms. The diaphragms located at even-numbered positions are connected to the inner connecting rods via connecting points, and then the inner connecting points are connected via the outer connecting rods, thus forming a second set of diaphragms. The long rods and short rods of the inner connecting rods in the first set of diaphragms and in the second set of diaphragms are staggered. The present invention can implement connection of diaphragms without requiring penetration of the diaphragms, thus preventing occurrences of air leakage and poor sound quality, and enhancing sound effects of the speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: GOERTEK INC.
    Inventors: Chao Jiang, Jianbin Yang, Zhi Li
  • Patent number: 9900697
    Abstract: A multi-diaphragm speaker system comprises a speaker apparatus and a front/rear cavity sealing apparatus. The speaker apparatus comprises at least four diaphragms. Cavities of the speaker apparatus are formed between every two adjacent diaphragms of the speaker apparatus. The cavities that are spaced apart from each other jointly form a first acoustic cavity of the speaker apparatus. The cavities adjacent to the first acoustic cavity form a second acoustic cavity of the speaker apparatus. The first acoustic cavity and the second acoustic cavity are separated via the front/rear cavity sealing apparatus. Utilization of the present utility model solves the problem of speaker front/rear cavity separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: GOERTEK INC.
    Inventors: Chao Jiang, Jianbin Yang, Zhi Li
  • Patent number: 9889472
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a device (1) comprising a plurality of micro-machined ultrasonic transducer cells (100) in a first region (10) on a substrate (30) and a plurality of interconnects (200) in a second region (20) on said substrate, each of said cells comprising a first electrode (110) separated by a cavity (130) from a second electrode (120) supported by a membrane (140), the method comprising forming a dielectric layer stack (11, 13, 15, 17) over the substrate, said dielectric layer stack defining the respective membranes of the micro-machined ultrasonic transducers in the first region; reducing the thickness of the dielectric layer stack in the second region by partially etching away the dielectric layer stack in the second region; etching a plurality of trenches (22) in the reduced thickness portion of the dielectric layer stack, each of said trenches exposing a conductive contact (210) in the second region; and filling said trenches with a conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Ruediger Mauczok, Bout Marcelis
  • Patent number: 9854350
    Abstract: For a microphone having an increased rear volume, a cavity housing is proposed, comprising at least a base plate and a covering, which define and enclose the cavity. On the base plate, a microphone transducer, usually an MEMS component, is mounted alongside a sound guiding element. The microphone transducer and the sound guiding element are sealed off with respect to the base plate by a partition and separate the front volume from a rear volume under the covering. The sound guiding element provides a sound channel, which connects an opening in the covering to the front volume. The sound guiding element finishes right up against the covering and thus seals off the sound channel with respect to the rear volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventor: Wolfgang Pahl
  • Patent number: 9641930
    Abstract: A waterproof piezoelectric ceramic speaker includes a ceramic composite and a vibration membrane. The ceramic composite includes a ceramic plate and a driving electrode assembly arranged on the ceramic plate and supplying a driving voltage to the ceramic plate to generate vibration for the ceramic plate. The vibration membrane includes a first vibration layer and a second vibration layer respectively adhered to two opposite surfaces of the ceramic composite. The first vibration layer and the second vibration layer respectively have a resonance member adhered to the ceramic plate and resonating with the ceramic plate synchronously, a waterproof member connecting with the resonance member to seal the driving electrode assembly, and a bonding member extending from a perimeter of the resonance member to seal the resonance member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: ZIPPY TECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventor: Chin-Wen Chou
  • Patent number: 9456283
    Abstract: An electrostatic electroacoustic transducer includes a first structure, a second structure and a third electrode. The third electrode is located between the first structure and the second structure. The first structure includes a first driving element, a first spacer and a first diaphragm, and the second structure includes a second driving element, a second spacer and a second diaphragm. By providing an alternating voltage source, a transformer and a bias voltage, the electrostatic electroacoustic transducer with a dual-diaphragm structure has a high efficiency and an enlarged range of audio frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: 3-O LAB CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Dar-Ming Chiang, Jen-Luan Chen, E-Hung Lu
  • Patent number: 9398376
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Masao Noro, Akira Arai
  • Patent number: 9281763
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a device is provided that includes: a plurality of actuators arranged into a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns; a plurality of row conductors corresponding to the plurality of rows; a plurality of column conductors corresponding to the plurality of columns; and a controller configured to select at least one of the actuators in a row by raising a voltage on the corresponding row conductor to couple each selected actuator to its corresponding column conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation MEMS
    Inventor: Roman C. Gutierrez
  • Patent number: 9226077
    Abstract: An acoustic actuator according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: an actuator element generating a corresponding sound in response to an applied electrical signal; a supporting member supporting the actuator element so as to form a movement axis of the actuator element; and an edge member connected with the actuator element. The actuator element includes: a piezoelectric unit having at least one piezoelectric member of which a length is larger than a width by at least ?{square root over (2)} times; and a membrane unit including at least one membrane member generating the corresponding sound in response to the applied electrical signal, by being fixedly adhered to the piezoelectric unit so as to extend in a length direction of the at least one piezoelectric member and by forming wave movement in the extending direction in response to a current applied to the piezoelectric unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: AR Spacer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cha-Sik Kong, Yun-Jong Baik
  • Patent number: 9113248
    Abstract: A diaphragm arrangement is disclosed to be fitted to a structural component or fixing ring for the purpose of generating sound. The diaphragm arrangement includes two piezo crystals fitted opposite one another on either side of an electrically conductive diaphragm, which can oscillate, and the piezo crystals are each fastened to the diaphragm. The piezo crystals are each electrically conductively connected to a contact plate on their opposing sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Storm
  • Patent number: 9106988
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Masao Noro
  • Patent number: 8798291
    Abstract: A structure of a micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) electroacoustic transducer includes a substrate, a diaphragm, a silicon material layer, and a conductive pattern. The substrate includes an MEMS device region. The diaphragm has openings, and is disposed in the MEMS device region. A first cavity is formed between the diaphragm and the substrate. The silicon material layer is disposed on the diaphragm and seals the diaphragm. The conductive pattern is disposed beneath the diaphragm in the MEMS device region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Bang-Chiang Lan, Ming-I Wang, Li-Hsun Ho, Hui-Min Wu, Min Chen, Chien-Hsin Huang
  • Patent number: 8791819
    Abstract: An intercom exchange is connected to multiple terminals, and includes multiple communication paths, a digital switch circuit for switching connections between the terminals and the communication paths, and a CPU that controls the DSPs and the switch circuit. The CPU performs control for preferentially allocating a communication path to the first terminal, and the allocated DSP determines whether a sound from the first terminal that has been received as input via the switch circuit is an abnormal sound. Upon determining that the sound is an abnormal sound, the allocated DSP notifies the CPU, and upon receiving the notification, the CPU determines an alert destination based on the notification and performs alert processing for sending an alert to the alert destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Toa Corporation
    Inventor: Akihiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8693710
    Abstract: An apparatus for preventing leakage of a weak signal from a speaker is provided. The apparatus passes a normal speaker drive signal coming through speaker signal lines and blocks a weak signal generated by the sounds around the speaker, thereby preventing wiretapping the speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Kwang Uk Chu, In Ho Hwang
  • Patent number: 8670580
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided, including a conductive substrate, an electret diaphragm, a plurality of spacers, a first electrode, and two second electrodes. The conductive substrate has a plurality of openings. The spacers are disposed between the conductive substrate and the electret diaphragm to define an acoustic projecting portion and two acoustic receiving portions on the electret diaphragm. The first electrode is disposed on the acoustic projecting portion and coupled with the conductive substrate for generating an acoustic signal. The second electrodes are disposed on the acoustic receiving portions and coupled with the conductive substrate, wherein the acoustic receiving portions receive the acoustic signal and vibrate to vary an electrical field between the second electrodes and the conductive substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: HTC Corporation
    Inventor: Fang-Ching Lee
  • Patent number: 8648431
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an acoustic semiconductor device includes an element unit, and a first terminal. The element unit includes an acoustic resonance unit. The acoustic resonance unit includes a semiconductor crystal. An acoustic standing wave is excitable in the acoustic resonance unit and is configured to be synchronously coupled with electric charge density within at least one portion of the semiconductor crystal via deformation-potential coupling effect. The first terminal is electrically connected to the element unit. At least one selected from outputting and inputting an electrical signal is implementable via the first terminal. The electrical signal is coupled with the electric charge density. The outputting the electrical signal is from the acoustic resonance unit, and the inputting the electrical signal is into the acoustic resonance unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kazuhide Abe, Tadahiro Sasaki, Atsuko Iida, Kazuhiko Itaya, Takashi Kawakubo
  • Patent number: 8526656
    Abstract: A microphone unit includes: a housing; a diaphragm which is disposed in the inside of the housing; and an electric circuit portion which processes an electric signal that is generated based on a vibration of the diaphragm. In the housing, a first sound guide space which guides a sound outside the housing to a first surface of the diaphragm via a first sound hole and a second sound guide space which guides a sound outside the housing to a second surface, that is, an opposite surface of the diaphragm via a second sound hole are formed. The electric circuit portion is disposed in either one of the first sound guide space and the second sound guide space; and an acoustic resistance portion which adjusts at least one of a frequency characteristic of the first sound guide space and a frequency characteristic of the second sound guide space is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignees: Funai Electric Co., Ltd., Funai Electric Advanced Applied Technology Research Institute Inc.
    Inventors: Fuminori Tanaka, Ryusuke Horibe, Takeshi Inoda, Masatoshi Ono, Rikuo Takano, Toshimi Fukuoka
  • Patent number: 8315379
    Abstract: A full duplex talking audio circuit uses a single transducer ZT which, even when various characteristics including the strength of a transmission signal change from moment to moment, enables the adequate operation of an echo canceling function and sufficiently compensates for the deterioration of the frequency characteristics of the transmission signal due to the acoustic transfer characteristics of the human body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Matech, Inc.
    Inventors: Masahisa Masuda, Gontaro Kitazumi
  • Patent number: 8170228
    Abstract: Methods of monitoring sound pressure level are provided. A method of monitoring sound pressure level includes: measuring a first sound pressure level in the ear canal; measuring a second sound pressure level out of the ear canal; calculating a first sound pressure level dose using the first sound pressure level, where if the first sound pressure level is below a permissible sound level a recovery function is used to calculate the first sound pressure level dose; and calculating a second sound pressure level dose using the second sound pressure level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Personics Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Steven W. Goldstein, John P. Keady
  • Patent number: 8135149
    Abstract: A wireless communication device includes a speaker grille, a built-in speaker provided behind the speaker grille, and an output amplifier connected to the built-in speaker. A voltage applied to the output amplifier is increased to a level higher than the level of voltage applied to the output amplifier while audio signals are being produced, and instead of the audio signals, low-frequency continuous signals are applied to the output amplifier. By increasing the voltage applied to the output amplifier to a level higher than the level of voltage applied to the output amplifier while audio signals are being produced, the amplitude of the voltage applied to the speaker is increased. Also, instead of the audio signals, low-frequency continuous signals are applied to the output amplifier so that the speaker produces a higher sound pressure than while audio signals are being produced to discharge water in the speaker grille under the sound pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Icom Incorporated
    Inventors: Akihide Yoshida, Yoshio Sekiyama
  • Patent number: 8135144
    Abstract: A microphone system, includes: a housing, adapted to be placed in a reference position relative to a sound source; a first microphone, configured to receive sound from the sound source at a first position within the housing; a second microphone, configured to receive sound from the sound source at a second position within the housing; and a differential signal generator, wherein: the first and second positions are arranged on a first line; and the first line perpendicularly intersects a second line that is extended from the sound source at a third position which is not between the first and second positions, and obliquely intersects a third line that is extended from the sound source at a fourth position which is between the first and second positions, when the housing is placed at the reference position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignees: Funai Electric Advanced Applied Technology Research Institute Inc., Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Inoda, Ryusuke Horibe, Shigeo Maeda, Fuminori Tanaka, Toshimi Fukuoka
  • Patent number: 8131003
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a spring reverberator and an assembling method thereof, in which the spring reverberator comprises: a casing, a driving transducer received in the casing, a pickup transducer received in the casing, and coil springs vibratingly coupled to the driving and pickup transducers. The driving and pickup transducers respectively include a vibration unit and a magnetic core. The vibration unit comprises a support plate including at least one cut-out groove, through which a wire is soldered directly to the support plate. The vibration unit and the magnetic core are prepared in a modular type to be inserted in a sliding manner and fixed in the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventors: Jong Hwan Park, Hyun Park
  • Publication number: 20120008805
    Abstract: An acoustic transducer unit that includes (a) an acoustic transducer having an acoustic transducer portion that converts sound into an electrical signal or converts an electrical signal into sound, and (b) packages that accommodate the acoustic transducer. The packages include a cylindrical conductive portion formed of a conductive material and having an inner space with both end apertures. At least the acoustic transducer portion of the acoustic transducer is located in the inner space of the conductive portion such as to be spaced from the apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: Satoru Hachinohe, Kazumasa Haruta, Takahiro Oguchi
  • Publication number: 20110268287
    Abstract: A loudspeaker system with a high degree of versatility, which, even when a microphone or a person speaking moves, can adequately response to the movement is provided. A plurality of linkage terminals 2 are connected to a central control device 1. A lecturer operates the central control device 1 to designate whether each of the linkage terminals 2 functions as a speaker or as a microphone. It is possible to, through the central control device 1, designate which linkage terminals 2 function as a microphone or as a speaker. Therefore, the lecturer can switch with one touch operation the locations and the number of microphones and speakers in accordance with the situation during a lecture, such as a situation where the lecturer makes a lecture, that where a questioner is asking a question, or that where the master of meeting gives an explanation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshiaki Ishibashi
  • Publication number: 20110228950
    Abstract: A headset system which may be utilized for various forms of communication and multimedia. The headset system may include a number of earpieces which may be configured to change its operation state based on a position of the earpiece relative to a user's ear and a desired use. The earpiece may be further configured to provide noise cancellation based on its position and operational state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventors: Magnus ABRAHAMSSON, Markus Palmgren
  • Patent number: 8009846
    Abstract: An ultrasonic speaker including: a vibration film having a conductive layer; a pair of fixed electrodes provided oppositely to respective surfaces of the vibration film; and an ultrasonic transducer that causes the vibration film to generate sound waves by applying a DC bias voltage to the conductive layer of the vibration film while applying an alternating signal between the pair of fixed electrodes, and outputs the sound waves generated by the vibration film from two sound wave output surfaces via through-holes provided in each of the pair of fixed electrodes. The two sound wave output surfaces of the ultrasonic transducer are disposed in a direction intersecting with a sound wave emitting direction at right angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hirokazu Sekino, Kinya Matsuzawa, Yoshiki Fukui, Shinichi Miyazaki