Abstract: Example levitating meter apparatus are disclosed. An example metering system includes a meter having a display to present indicia associated with a panelist, the meter having a microphone to receive audio output from the media device and circuitry to perform media monitoring. The example metering system includes a base having a cavity to receive at least a portion of the meter, the meter to magnetically levitate relative to the base to decouple the meter from the base.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus, a method, and a program for allowing cells to be quantitatively observed. A computer obtains a cell membrane image obtained by performing fluorescent observation on a cell membrane of a cell serving as a sample and a tricellular tight junction (tTJ) image obtained by performing fluorescent observation on a protein localized in a tTJ of the cell. The computer derives the size of area of a region of the cell by identifying the region of each cell from the cell membrane image, derives the size of area of the region of the protein localized in the cell from the tTJ image, and dividing the obtained size of area of the region of the protein by the size of area of the region of the cell, thus calculating an index of adhesion strength of the cells. The invention can be applied to an observation system.

Abstract: Embodiments of a directional acoustic sensor or acoustic velocity microphone are disclosed that include a sensor frame structure, a support means, and a buoyant object. The buoyant object is suspended in the sensor frame structure using the support means. The buoyant object has a feature size smaller than a wavelength of the highest frequency of an acoustic wave in air. The buoyant object receives three-dimensional movement of the air excited by the acoustic wave. The three-dimensional movement that the buoyant object receives is detected using a detection means. A particle velocity of the acoustic wave is derived from the three-dimensional movement of the buoyant object using the detection means. The detection means can be an optical detection means, an electromagnetic detection means, or an electrostatic detection means. An acoustic image of the acoustic wave can be determined by distributing two or more directional acoustic sensors a multi-dimensional array.

Abstract: A dual backplate MEMS microphone system including a flexible diaphragm sandwiched between two single-crystal silicon backplates may be formed by fabricating each backplate in a separate wafer, and then transferring one backplate from its wafer to the other wafer, to form two separate capacitors with the diaphragm.

Abstract: A device for supplementing a voice includes: a sensing unit sensing a bio-signal corresponding to a first vibration of vocalization and generating a first signal corresponding to the bio-signal; a vibration unit generating a second vibration using the first signal; and a power unit supplying a power to the sensing unit and the vibration unit.

Abstract: Methods are provided for production of pre-collapsed capacitive micro-machined ultrasonic transducers (cMUTs). Methods disclosed generally include the steps of obtaining a nearly completed traditional cMUT structure prior to etching and sealing the membrane, defining holes through the membrane of the cMUT structure for each electrode ring fixed relative to the top face of the membrane, applying a bias voltage across the membrane and substrate of the cMUT structure so as to collapse the areas of the membrane proximate to the holes to or toward the substrate, fixing and sealing the collapsed areas of the membrane to the substrate by applying an encasing layer, and discontinuing or reducing the bias voltage. CMUT assemblies are provided, including packaged assemblies, integrated assemblies with an integrated circuit/chip (e.g., a beam-steering chip) and a cMUT/lens assembly. Advantageous cMUT-based applications utilizing the disclosed pre-collapsed cMUTs are also provided, e.g.

Abstract: A device includes a first wafer, a second wafer, a gasket bonding the first wafer to the second wafer to define a cavity between the first wafer and the second wafer, and an acoustic transducer disposed on the first wafer and disposed within the cavity between the first wafer and the second wafer. One or more apertures are provided for communicating an acoustic signal between the acoustic transducer and an exterior of the device. An aperture may be formed in the cavity itself, or the cavity may be hermetically sealed. An aperture may be formed completely through the first wafer and located directly beneath at least a portion of the acoustic transducer.

Abstract: A condenser microphone is disclosed. The condenser microphone includes a substrate having a cavity, a supporting member connected to the substrate, and a diaphragm isolated to the supporting member. The supporting member has a periphery portion and a plurality of stationary electrodes extending from the periphery portion to a center of the supporting member. The diaphragm has a vibrating member and a sustaining member connected to the vibrating member and the vibrating member defines a plurality of movable electrodes protruding from a periphery of the vibrating member. Each of the movable electrodes is located between two adjacent stationary electrodes and each of the stationary electrodes is located between two adjacent two movable electrodes.

Abstract: An MEM microphone carrier module is composed of a substrate and a cover plate. The substrate includes a space layer, a bottom layer, a recession recessed from a top side of the space layer, and a groove formed in the recession. The bottom layer has a metallic plate defining a predetermined pattern and exposed outside a surface thereof. The bottom layer is a single-layer structure formed by the molding of the metallic plate and the insulating glue, such that the substrate is thinner to need lower production cost and take less assembly time than the prior art.

Abstract: A differential microphone having a perimeter slit formed around the microphone diaphragm that replaces the backside hole previously required in conventional silicon, micromachined microphones. The differential microphone is formed using silicon fabrication techniques applied only to a single, front face of a silicon wafer. The backside holes of prior art microphones typically require that a secondary machining operation be performed on the rear surface of the silicon wafer during fabrication. This secondary operation adds complexity and cost to the micromachined microphones so fabricated. Comb fingers forming a portion of a capacitive arrangement may be fabricated as part of the differential microphone diaphragm.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer includes: a fixed electrode having corrugations on the surface; a vibrating film having an electrode layer and disposed on the surface of the fixed electrode; and a holding member which holds the fixed electrode and the vibrating film. The ultrasonic transducer is driven by applying an AC signal between the electrode layer of the vibrating film and the fixed electrode, and generates a sound pressure of at least 120 dB within a frequency range from 20 kHz to 120 kHz.

Abstract: In a condenser microphone in which a microphone capsule and an audio output section are connected to each other via a microphone cord, strong electromagnetic waves generated by a cellular phone etc. are prevented from being transmitted by the microphone cord and intruding into the audio output section. In a condenser microphone in which a microphone capsule 10 and an audio output section 20, in which a circuit board 23 including an audio output circuit is housed in a shield case 210, are connected to each other via a microphone cord 30, of the circuit board 23, a terminal 231 connected to the microphone cord 30 is arranged on the outside of the shield case 210.

Abstract: A method for the automated analysis of digital images, particularly for the purpose of assessing the presence and severity of cancer in breast tissue based on the relative proportions of tubule formations and epithelial cells identified in digital images of histological slides. The method includes the step of generating a property co-occurrence matrix (PCM) from some or all of the pixels in the image, using the properties of local mean and local standard deviation of intensity in neighbourhoods of the selected pixels, and segmenting the image by labelling the selected pixels as belonging to specified classes based upon analysis of the PCM.

Abstract: A sound recording and/or sound reproducing part loosely anchored/connected to a second part wherein the sound recording and/or sound reproducing part is levitated on a magnetic field. The sound recording and/or sound reproducing part and the second part in combination forms a first sound recording and/or sound reproducing device. The sound recording and/or sound reproducing part can be used within on or more of the following devices; a loud speaking telephone, a telephone, wireless communication equipment, a mobile phone, a Bluetooth device, a videoconference terminal, a hearing aid or active ear protection equipment.

Abstract: An electroacoustic transducer of small dimensions has a cup-shaped component made of a metallizable plastic material embedded in a housing component having a housing shape and being of a non-metallizable plastic material. The cup-shaped component has an inner surface provided with a metal coating. A magnet is arranged in the cup-shaped component. A diaphragm is connected to the housing component and has an oscillation coil configured to interact with the magnet.

Abstract: A hybrid circuit (300) for use in a miniature microphone assembly (100) reduces power supply noise on the audio signal input (214) of an impedance buffer amplifier (200) using one or both of shielding conductors 422, 424 to reduce parasitic capacitance between signal (418) and power supply (420) conductors. A ground plane (424), an interposing conductor (422) and combinations thereof are selectively placed and coupled to either ground (232) or a low impedance signal node (216) to reduce or eliminate the undesirable parasitic capacitance.

Abstract: The micro-speaker includes a driver unit having a housing, a magnet disposed within the housing forming a radial gap between the magnet and the circumferential walls of the housing, and a magnetic plate disposed on the magnet, a vibration system having a diaphragm and a voice coil where the vibration system is fixed to the drive unit and the voice coil protrudes into the radial gap, and a volatile magnetic fluid in the radial gap about the voice coil.

Abstract: The present invention provides a miniature MEMS microphone comprising a single-ended transducer element connected to an amplifier providing a differential electrical output at terminals arranged at a substantially plane exterior surface. The differential or balanced output signal provides a miniature microphone exhibiting a high dynamic range and a reduced susceptibility to EMI. The microphone is adapted for surface mounting thus the extra output terminal required is still suitable for low cost mass production. In preferred embodiments the transducer element and amplifier are silicon-based. The microphone may have a plurality of separate single-ended transducer elements connected to separate amplifiers providing separate differential outputs. The microphones according to the invention are advantageous for applications within for example hearing aids and mobile equipment.

Abstract: A condenser microphone has a conductive diaphragm 3 having an earth electrode layer 31 formed of a conductive light metal; a conductor fixed electrode 5 arranged opposite to the conductive diaphragm 3 through an air layer; an organic dielectric layer 32 formed of the organic compound provided on the boundary surface 32C side between the air layer and the conductive diaphragm 3; and a permanent electric charge layer 32A composed of ions or electrons formed in the inner portion side receding from the air layer 8 side, from a middle position in the thickness direction of the organic dielectric layer 32 in the inside of the organic dielectric layer 32.

Abstract: A direct digital microphone is constructed of a plurality of first membranes each formed by a micro-machined mesh supported by a substrate. Each of the membranes has a first and a second position. A second membrane is supported by the substrate and positioned above the plurality of first membranes to form a chamber between the plurality of first membranes and the second membrane. A pressure sensor is responsive to pressure in the chamber. Drive electronics are responsive to the pressure sensor for controlling the positions of each of the plurality of first membranes. Output electronics are responsive to the positions of the plurality of first membranes to produce a digital output signal. A stacked membrane structure and methods of fabrication and operation are also disclosed.

Abstract: A suspension molded from a rubber compound in a molding through a foaming process, having solid top and bottom covering layers that do not admit light, and a foamed intermediate layer integrated in between the solid covering layers.

Abstract: A condenser microphone has a conductive diaphragm 3 having an earth electrode layer 31 formed of a conductive light metal; a conductor fixed electrode 5 arranged opposite to the conductive diaphragm 3 through an air layer; an organic dielectric layer 32 formed of the organic compound provided on the boundary surface 32C side between the air layer and the conductive diaphragm 3; and a permanent electric charge layer 32A composed of ions or electrons formed in the inner portion side receding from the air layer 8side, from a middle position in the thickness direction of the organic dielectric layer 32 in the inside of the organic dielectric layer 32.

Abstract: A case comprises an upper case and a lower case. A vibrating plate is secured to the upper case, a voice coil is secured to an underside of the vibrating plate. Each end portion of the voice coil is engaged in a groove formed in the upper case.

Abstract: Provided is a microphone with a stable output employing an aluminum membrane and having an air escape provided to the vibration detector. Specifically, the material used as the membrane frame material has a larger Young's modulus and a smaller thermal expansion coefficient than those of aluminum. Thereby, even if stress distribution or heat distribution is inflicted on the membrane frame, the slack or tension in the membrane will be reduced and the microphone output is stabilized.

Abstract: An active noise control subassembly for reducing noise caused by a source (such as an aircraft engine) independent of the subassembly. A noise radiating panel is bendably vibratable to generate a panel noise canceling at least a portion of the source noise. A piezoceramic actuator plate is connected to the panel. A back plate is spaced apart from the first plate and the panel with the panel positioned between the source noise and the back plate. A pair of spaced-apart side walls each generally abut the panel and the back plate so as to generally enclose a back cavity. A mechanism is provided for varying the panel resonating frequency by varying the state of the back cavity (such as by varying its fluid pressure and/or volume) while the panel is undergoing bending vibrations.