Having Electrostatic Element (e.g., Electret, Vibrating Plate) Patents (Class 381/191)
  • Patent number: 8903116
    Abstract: An audio emitter comprises a support member operable to support a sound emittive material and a sound emittive material carried by the support member. A protective screen has a plurality of apertures formed therein, the protective screen being spaced a predetermined distance from the sound emittive material, said predetermined distance being a function of a resonant frequency of the audio emitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Turtle Beach Corporation
    Inventor: Elwood G. Norris
  • Patent number: 8897469
    Abstract: A slim speaker structure having a vibration effect includes a frame, ceramic elements configured on a surface of the frame, and a sound membrane disposed on the bottom of frame, where at least two first accepting portions are respectively configured on the frame adjacent to the sides thereof, allowing the corners of the first accepting portions to be respectively coupled to the main body of the frame with an overhanging section, and a second accepting portion is configured on the center of the frame, thereby allowing different response frequencies of vibration and sound ceramic elements to be mounted on the respective first and second accepting portions so as to constitute a slim speaker structure having a vibration effect, capable of being applied on cellular phones or tablets with a touch screen. Therefore, the vibration prompt and sound broadcasting can be constituted at the same plane through the different ceramic elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Abatech Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsiang-Chih Yu
  • Patent number: 8885853
    Abstract: An electrostatic loudspeaker includes: a vibrating member; an electrode disposed so as to be opposed to the vibrating member; a spacer member disposed on an opposite side of a face of the electrode, which is opposed to the vibrating member, and having acoustic transmission property; and a cover member disposed on an opposite side of a face of the spacer member, which is opposed to the electrode, and having waterproof property and insulation property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Masayoshi Yamashita, Yasuaki Takano
  • Patent number: 8879771
    Abstract: In an embodiment an apparatus includes a graphical display panel and a loudspeaker. The panel has a display layer for displaying images and defines a plurality of apertures penetrating through at least the display layer. The loudspeaker includes a diaphragm arranged substantially parallel to the display layer. Sound from the loudspeaker diaphragm is directed outside a host device through the apertures. The speaker may be an electret or a piezo-electric speaker for thinness. There may be apertures on an opposed side of the host device housing to achieve a dipole pattern which is directed and gives acoustic privacy to the user, or a rear acoustic cavity for a monopole pattern which more broadly disperses the sound. One illustrated embodiment is selectable between monopole and dipole. Size and total area of the holes determines acoustic resistance and so a method is described to determine those from physical parameters of the display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy J. Mellow, Leo Mikko Johannes Karkkainen, Zoran Radivojevic, Koray Ozcan
  • Publication number: 20140321676
    Abstract: An electrostatic speaker includes: a first electrode formed of a sheet-like member, having a first face including a protrusion and a second face opposite the first face, and having conductivity and flexibility; a second electrode formed of a sheet-like member, disposed so as to be opposed to the second face, and having conductivity and flexibility; and an oscillator formed of a flexible sheet-like member, and disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, at least one face of which has conductivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventor: Seiichiro Hosoe
  • Publication number: 20140321677
    Abstract: The vibration device includes a vibration body, an exciter, and a load member. The exciter causes the vibration body to vibrate. The load member is attached to a part of the vibration body. The load member is not contacted to the exciter. The load member is configured to reduce an amplitude of the part of the vibration body where the load member is attached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shuichi Fukuoka, Noriyuki Kushima, Hiroshi Ninomiya, Takeshi Hirayama
  • Patent number: 8867772
    Abstract: To stably obtain high acoustic resistance required for pressure equalization in a non-directional condenser microphone unit. A diaphragm 8 whose circumferential edge is attached to a diaphragm holder 4 and a fixed electrode 6 made of a metal material and arranged to face the diaphragm at a predetermined interval through an electrically insulating spacer 5 are provided, and the rear space of the above-mentioned diaphragm is closed to constitute the non-directional condenser microphone unit. A blind groove 16a is formed by an etching process at a portion which is in contact with the spacer 5 and in the fixed electrode 6 so that the rear space between the diaphragm and the fixed electrode may communicate with the outside, and a communication part formed between the groove 16a and the spacer 5 may be used as acoustic resistance for pressure equalization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-Technica
    Inventor: Hiroshi Akino
  • Patent number: 8861752
    Abstract: Techniques described herein generally relate to generating an audio signal with a speaker. In some examples, a speaker device is described that includes a membrane and a shutter. The membrane can be configured to oscillate along a first directional path and at a first frequency effective to generate an ultrasonic acoustic signal. The shutter can be positioned about the membrane and configured to modulate the ultrasonic acoustic signal such that an audio signal can be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventor: Mordehai Margalit
  • Patent number: 8861755
    Abstract: A piezoelectric speaker that includes a configuration in which a first piezoelectric speaker and a second piezoelectric speaker are respectively arranged adjacent primary surfaces of a plate-shaped base member. The first piezoelectric speaker and the second piezoelectric speaker have the same arrangement, and respective individual piezoelectric elements thereof are arranged so as to correspond to each other when viewed from the direction orthogonal to the primary surfaces of the base member. The first and second piezoelectric speakers include a piezoelectric polymer sheet and electrode patterns of substantially the same shape on both surfaces of the polymer sheet. According to this arrangement, plural individual piezoelectric elements are aligned with each other. A single type of acoustic driving signal is supplied to these plural individual piezoelectric elements in a synchronized manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masamichi Ando, Hideki Kawamura
  • Publication number: 20140301581
    Abstract: A laser welded speaker, including a lower cover, an upper cover fitting with the lower cover, a frame arranged on the lower cover, a lower piece arranged at a bottom of the frame, a magnet arranged in the middle of the lower piece, a pole piece arranged on the magnet, a vibration plate arranged on the frame, and a voice coil fixedly arranged on the vibration plate, the frame is located over the pole piece, the vibration plate is formed of a vibration plate top arc located in the middle and a vibration plate edge located at a periphery, and the vibration plate top arc and the vibration plate edge are fixedly connected together through laser welding. The vibration plate top arc and the vibration plate edge are welded through laser, thereby improving heat-resistant performance of the vibration plate and reducing harm to a human body and environmental pollution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: MERRY ELECTRONICS (SUZHOU) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jui Cheng CHANG, Li-Hsin WU
  • Patent number: 8855339
    Abstract: An electret loudspeaker device including a diaphragm, a first perforated electrode and a first spacer is provided. The diaphragm includes a first electret, a second electret, a polymer layer and an electrode layer. At least one layer of the first electret or the second electret is formed by expanded polytetrafluoroethylene. The second electret is stacked on one side of the first electret, while the electrode layer is stacked on the opposite side of the first electret. The polymer layer is made of a hydrophobic material and is disposed on the second electret. The first perforated electrode is stacked on a first spacer and close to the polymer layer. The first spacer disposed between the diaphragm and the first perforated electrode supports the first perforated electrode over the diaphragm and defines a first chamber. A fabrication method of the electret loudspeaker device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Chih-Kung Lee, Yu-Chi Chen, Han-Lung Chen, Hsu-Ching Liao, Wen-Hsin Hsiao
  • Patent number: 8848949
    Abstract: A condenser microphone unit includes a diaphragm; a fixed electrode defining a capacitor together with the diagram; a cylindrical electrode having a first end and a second end, the first end being fitted to the periphery of the fixed electrode; a circuit board in contact with a second end of the cylindrical electrode, the circuit board being electrically connected to the cylindrical electrode; a unit casing accommodating the diaphragm, the fixed electrode, the cylindrical electrode, and the circuit board; and a hollow insulating air chamber provided between the internal peripheral surface of the unit casing and the external peripheral surface of the cylindrical electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-Technica
    Inventor: Hiroshi Akino
  • Patent number: 8842858
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electret condenser microphone which comprises an exterior sidewall structure attached to a carrier. The exterior sidewall structure comprises a non-conductive base material carrying first and second electrical wiring patterns electrically connected to first and second electrical traces, respectively, of the carrier. A diaphragm holder, carrying a conductive microphone diaphragm is attached to the sidewall structure to establish electrical connection between a conductive microphone diaphragm and one of the first and second electrical wiring patterns of the sidewall structure. A conductive perforated backplate is arranged in spaced relationship to the conductive microphone diaphragm. The conductive perforated backplate is electrically connected to another one of the first and second wiring patterns of the sidewall structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Invensense, Inc.
    Inventor: Christian Lillelund
  • Patent number: 8831253
    Abstract: An electroacoustic apparatus with an optical energy conversion function is provided. The electroacoustic apparatus includes an optical energy converter for converting optical energy into electrical power. The electroacoustic apparatus further includes a signal generator and a flat speaker. The signal generator receives a signal from a sound source and generates a sound signal according to the received signal. The signal generator sends the sound signal to the flat speaker, and the flat speaker makes a sound according to the sound signal. Aforementioned operations are all performed by using the electrical power generated by the optical energy converter or a power stored therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chang-Ho Liou, Ming-Daw Chen, Yi-Jen Chan, Kun-Chia Wu, Winny Wang
  • Patent number: 8831248
    Abstract: A loudspeaker is described. The loudspeaker includes two or more segmentations of a planar radiator. Each of the segmentations has an associated frequency dependent velocity magnitude and phase with substantially uniform surface pressure. The two or more segmentations provide a substantially uniform radiation pattern across a wide range of acoustic frequencies. Apparatus, computer readable media and methods are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy J. Mellow, Leo M. J. Karkkainen
  • Patent number: 8824706
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for glass-encapsulated microphones. In one aspect, a glass-encapsulated microphone may include a glass substrate, an electromechanical microphone device, an integrated circuit device, and a cover glass. The cover glass may be bonded to the glass substrate with an adhesive, such as epoxy, or a metal bond ring. The cover glass may have any of a number of configurations. In some configurations, the cover glass may define an aperture for the electromechanical microphone device at an edge of the glass-encapsulated microphone. In some configurations, the cover glass may define a cavity to accommodate the integrated circuit device that is separate from a cavity that accommodates the electromechanical microphone device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Jason Stephanou, David William Burns
  • Patent number: 8798293
    Abstract: A piezoelectric speaker includes a cover with a receiving space and a vibrating speaker unit accommodated in the receiving space. The vibrating speaker unit includes a piezoelectric oscillator including an upper surface and an lower surface, a diaphragm disposed on the upper surface of the piezoelectric oscillator, and a vibrating member kept a distance from the lower surface of the piezoelectric oscillator. The piezoelectric oscillator defines a first amplitude capable of driving the diaphragm only and a second amplitude driving both the vibrating member to vibrating with a largest amplitude and the diaphragm to generate sound. The distance is larger than the first amplitude and smaller than the second amplitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignees: AAC Acoustic Technologies (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., American Audio Components Inc.
    Inventors: Lin Liu, Jie He, Sheng-Ping Yu
  • Patent number: 8792657
    Abstract: A speaker device includes: an acoustic diaphragm; a vibration transfer member provided in a state of touching the acoustic diaphragm over a given length, which is configured to transfer vibration to the acoustic diaphragm; and an actuator configured to add vibration corresponding to an audio signal to be reproduced to the vibration transfer member to thereby transfer vibration to the acoustic diaphragm through the vibration transfer member and to generate sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Nobukazu Suzuki, Yoshio Ohashi
  • Patent number: 8787601
    Abstract: A condenser microphone includes a substrate having a cavity, first and second spacers defining an opening, a diaphragm having a rectangular shape positioned inside of the opening, and a plate having a rectangular shape positioned just above the diaphragm. Plate joint portions integrally interconnected with two sides of the plate are directly attached onto the second spacer. Supports, which are attached onto the second spacer across the opening and project inwardly of the opening, are connected to the prescribed portions of the diaphragm via third spacers relatively to the other two sides of the plate. The center portion of the diaphragm can be designed in a multilayered structure, and the peripheral portion can be bent outwardly. In addition, both ends of the diaphragm are fixed in position, while free ends of the diaphragm vibrate due to sound waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihisa Suzuki, Yukitoshi Suzuki, Nariyasu Yaguchi, Kazushi Sakurauchi
  • Patent number: 8769803
    Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a loudspeaker including assembling a magnetic circuit and a frame. In the step of assembling the magnetic circuit and the frame, parallelism between a plate and a damper attachment portion of the frame is ensured by bringing an upper portion of the plate and the damper attachment portion of the frame into contact with a jig. In addition, perpendicularity between a magnetic gap and the damper attachment portion of the frame is ensured by bringing an outer circumferential side portion of the plate of the magnetic gap and an inner circumferential side portion of the yoke into contact with the jig. The magnetic circuit and the frame are assembled in such a state. With such a manufacturing method, it is possible to achieve a superior loudspeaker capable of reducing a gap defect while being downsized and having increased maximum input power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Koike, Shinsaku Sawa, Tadashi Akiyama
  • Publication number: 20140169594
    Abstract: A MEMS component for generating pressure pulses is provided, its micromechanical structure including at least three function levels: a first function level in which at least one stationary trench structure is implemented, a second function level, which is implemented above the first function level and includes at least one triggerable displacement element as well as through-openings as pressure outlet openings, the displacement element protruding into the trench structure and being movable in parallel with the function levels, whereby positive and negative pressure pulses are generated, and a third function level, which is implemented above the second function level and includes at least one triggerable cover element for at least one part of the pressure outlet openings in the second function level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventors: Jochen ZOELLIN, Ricardo EHRENPFORDT, Rolf SCHEBEN
  • Publication number: 20140161291
    Abstract: A push-pull-type electrostatic-type ultrasonic transducer includes a first electrode having through holes, a second electrode having through holes each of which is paired with the corresponding through hole of the first electrode, and an oscillation film sandwiched between a pair of the first and second electrodes and having a conductive layer to which direct current bias voltage is applied. When a wavelength obtained from a resonance frequency at a mechanical oscillation resonance point of the oscillation film is ?, a thickness t of the respective fixed electrodes is (?/4)·n or substantially (?/4)·n (where ?: wavelength of ultrasonic wave, n: positive odd number). AC signals as modulation waves produced by modulating carrier waves in an ultrasonic frequency band by signal waves in an audio frequency band are applied between a pair of the electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kinya MATSUZAWA
  • Patent number: 8737663
    Abstract: Illustrative acoustic transducers are provided. A monolithic semiconductor layer defines a plate, two or more flexible extensions and at least a portion of a support structure. Acoustic pressure transferred to the plate results in tensile strain of the flexible extensions. The flexible extensions exhibit varying electrical characteristics responsive to the tensile strain. An electric signal corresponding to the acoustic pressure can be derived from the varying electrical characteristics and processed for further use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Adel Jilani, James McKinnell, Jennifer Wu, Melinda Valencia
  • Publication number: 20140133680
    Abstract: An electrostatic loudspeaker with multichannel output includes an electrostatic diaphragm, spacers, a first electrode plate and a second electrode plate. The electrostatic diaphragm has two outer surfaces, and a spacer is disposed on each outer surface. The spacers and the electrostatic diaphragm are sandwiched between the first and second electrode plates. At least two metal layers that do not overlap each other are respectively disposed on each of the first and the second electrode plates, and are electrically connected to at least two different electric contacts respectively, so as to obtain at least two corresponding sound source signals. In this manner, at least two metal layers attract or repel the electrostatic diaphragm, causing the electrostatic diaphragm to vibrate and generate sound respectively. In this presentation, at least two sound source signals may be applied to the same electrostatic loudspeaker, thereby achieving the objective of multichannel output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: RAYTREND TECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventors: Meng-Yu Lee, Chung-Yang Lin
  • Patent number: 8724839
    Abstract: A unidirectional microphone includes a cylindrical capsule, a front plate blocking one end of the cylindrical capsule, a front plate sound hole formed in the front plate, a vibrating membrane and a first rear pole plate that are housed in the cylindrical capsule and form capacitance, a substrate blocking another open end of the capsule, and a rear plate sound hole formed in the substrate. The front plate sound hole and the rear plate sound hole are placed on mutually opposite sides of a central axis of the capsule so as to be offset relative to the central axis. The directional axis can be significantly offset relative to the central axis of the microphone using the microphone alone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Hosiden Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Harano, Hiroshi Yamagata, Kazuo Ono, Kensuke Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 8705777
    Abstract: Disclosed are a MEMS microphone and a method of manufacturing the same. The MEMS microphone includes: a substrate; a rear acoustic chamber formed inside a front surface of the substrate; a vibrating plate formed on the substrate and having an exhaust hole; a fixed electrode formed on the vibrating plate; and a fixed electrode support supported by a bottom of the rear acoustic chamber and connected to the fixed electrode through the exhaust hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Chang Han Je, Jae Woo Lee, Woo Seok Yang, Jong Dae Kim
  • Patent number: 8699730
    Abstract: An electret loudspeaker device including a diaphragm, a first perforated electrode and a first spacer is provided. The diaphragm has an electret layer and an electrode layer. The first perforated electrode is stacked on a side of the diaphragm near the electret layer, and has multiple holes. The first spacer is stacked between the diaphragm and the first perforated electrode, and includes a first distribution area and plural second distribution areas. The first distribution area has first openings penetrating through the first spacer, and each first opening has a first opening space volume between the diaphragm and the first perforated electrode. Each second distribution area has second openings penetrating through the first spacer, and each second opening has a second opening space volume between the diaphragm and the first perforated electrode. A difference between the first and the second opening space volumes is greater than 10%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Chih-Kung Lee, Yu-Chi Chen, Han-Lung Chen, Hsu-Ching Liao, Wen-Hsin Hsiao
  • Patent number: 8682009
    Abstract: An acoustic actuator includes a support layer, in which a self-supporting structure is defined and connected to the support layer by at least two suspensions, at least one magnetostrictive layer which has been disposed on the support layer and is provided at least in part on the self-supporting structure, and a device for generating a magnetic field in the magnetostrictive layer. The way in which the loudspeaker works is based on the magnetostrictive effect, which results in a change in the dimensions of the self-supporting structure in an alternating magnetic field. This causes the self-supporting structure to oscillate. A method for producing an acoustic actuator is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH
    Inventors: Bassem Baffoun, Reinhard Lerch, Alexander Sutor, Christian Weistenhöfer
  • 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: 8670581
    Abstract: An electrostatic loudspeaker (ESL) assembly providing curvature in two directions for improved dispersion of sound waves. The ESL comprises at least one stator panel, a flexible diaphragm and a spacer that impedes contact between the stator panel and the diaphragm. The stator is formed from a material that comprises an array of apertures. Furthermore, the material can be annealed. The material temper, along with the aperture geometry and patter, affect the stretchability of the material. The two-axis curved structure enables a compact form of ESL to be realized, including bookshelf type loudspeakers whereas all known commercial units are comparable in height to that of a human listener. The individual curved ESL panels can also be readily combined to create larger transducer assemblies including omni-directional units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventor: Murray R. Harman
  • Publication number: 20140064525
    Abstract: The present invention includes a vibrating panel device for an electromagnetic vibrator, which includes at least one vibrating panel device. The vibrating panel module includes a base, a vibrating panel and an upper suspension, wherein an inner edge and an outer edge of the upper suspension are respectively connected with the base and the vibrating panel, and form an integrated whole body. Further, two vibrating panel modules are fixedly connected in opposite directions to form the vibrating panel device. By unique structures of the vibrating panel device, when the voice coil drives the vibrating panel to actuate, shaking of the vibrating panels is offset due to interactions between a pair of the suspensions and a pair of the vibrating panels, in such a manner that the voice coil drives the vibrating panel to process vertical up-and-down stroke, so as to replace a conventional damper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventor: Xinmin Huang
  • Patent number: 8666094
    Abstract: A push-pull-type electrostatic-type ultrasonic transducer includes a first electrode having through holes, a second electrode having through holes each of which is paired with the corresponding through hole of the first electrode, and an oscillation film sandwiched between a pair of the first and second electrodes and having a conductive layer to which direct current bias voltage is applied. When a wavelength obtained from a resonance frequency at a mechanical oscillation resonance point of the oscillation film is ?, a thickness t of the respective fixed electrodes is (?/4)·n or substantially (?/4)·n (where ?: wavelength of ultrasonic wave, n: positive odd number). AC signals as modulation waves produced by modulating carrier waves in an ultrasonic frequency band by signal waves in an audio frequency band are applied between a pair of the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kinya Matsuzawa
  • Patent number: 8666097
    Abstract: An electrostatic speaker is constituted of upper/lower electrodes, upper/lower cushion materials, and a diaphragm. Cutouts are formed in the upper/lower electrodes, upper/lower cushion materials, and diaphragm, wherein they are shifted in position such that a part of the diaphragm and a part of the lower electrode are exposed and seen through those cutouts to horizontally adjoin in the cutout of the upper electrode. The electrostatic speaker is driven via a clip having electrodes in response to audio signals, wherein drive voltages are applied to each of the upper/lower electrodes and the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromi Ichikawa, Yoshikatsu Matsubara
  • Publication number: 20140044287
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a flat type speaker, and more particularly, to a flat type speaker having a damper-lead plate of a PCB voice coil plate, which improves the quality deterioration due to the reduction of production process and the disconnection of a lead wire, by being attached to the top of a voice coil plate, increases vibration efficiency, and eliminates the lead wire connection of the voice coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: EXELWAY INC.
    Inventors: Dong-Man Kim, Yong-Ji Kwon
  • Patent number: 8644528
    Abstract: The present invention provides a microfabricated microphone that can mitigate negative effects caused by residual stress in its sensing diaphragm. In particular, a center-supported diaphragm is provided to allow residual stress to relax through the radial expansion or contraction of the diaphragm. The diaphragm is suspended by an anchor that is attached to a supporting beam. The supporting beam is situated in between one or more sections of a back-plate electrode. The supporting beam is mechanically and electrically separated from the back-plate electrode. Various mechanical dimensions of the aforementioned components are also disclosed to optimize performance of a microfabricated microphone in different operational conditions. Further, a method and system for fabricating a microfabricated microphone with a center-supported diaphragm is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Case Western Reserve University
    Inventor: Mehran Mehregany
  • Patent number: 8630430
    Abstract: A condenser microphone has an output circuit comprising an emitter-follower circuit; an impedance converter comprising an FET and at least one transistor of the emitter-follower circuit provided next to the FET; and the transistor having an emitter terminal provided with a constant-voltage circuit. The FET included in the impedance converter is operated by a voltage supplied from the constant-voltage circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-Technica
    Inventor: Hiroshi Akino
  • Publication number: 20140010388
    Abstract: Provided is a capacitive transducer having broadband frequency characteristics. The capacitive transducer includes an element which has multiple kinds of cells, each cell including: a first electrode; a vibrating film including a second electrode, the second electrode being opposed to the first electrode with a gap; and a support portion that supports the vibrating film so as to form the gap. The multiple kinds of cells have different ratios of an area of one of the first electrode and the second electrode to an area of the gap when viewed from a normal direction of the vibrating film. The first electrodes or the second electrodes in the multiple kinds of cells are electrically connected together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Takahiro Akiyama, Kazutoshi Torashima
  • Patent number: 8625824
    Abstract: A flat speaker unit is provided herein. The flat speaker unit includes a first porous electrode, a second porous electrode, and a vibrating membrane with an electret layer disposed there between. In one embodiment, a plurality of supporting members may be configured between the vibrating membrane and the first porous electrode, or between the vibrating membrane and the second porous electrode. In one embodiment, a flat speaker device is provided with at least two flat speaker unit stacked together. By electrically connecting two ends of a signal source respectively to the first and second porous electrodes, or, in another embodiment, electrically connecting one end of the signal source to both of the first and second porous electrodes and connecting another end of the signal source to the vibrating membrane, a sound with low THD is generated accordingly from the flat speaker unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Kuan-Wei Chen, Ming-Daw Chen, Chang-Ho Liou, Kuo-Hua Tseng
  • Patent number: 8625825
    Abstract: An electrostatic speaker including a frame; a first electrode installed at a first end of the frame; a second electrode installed at a second end of the frame to be at a predetermined distance apart from the first electrode; a suspension which is arranged between the second electrode and the first electrode and is elastically installed inside the frame; and a diaphragm assembly which is supported by the suspension and has a multilayer structure. The electrostatic speaker adopts a dual electrode structure, has the multilayer structure formed inside the diaphragm assembly, and is provided with a driving chip that applies a bias voltage to the diaphragm assembly by rectifying an audio signal after applying a driving signal that has amplified the audio signal to the dual electrodes. Thus, the invention does not require any external power, and is also capable of maintaining relatively high sensitivity by enhancing the charge density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: BSE Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Han-Ryang Lee
  • Patent number: 8611945
    Abstract: An electronic device includes: a case member, at least a part of which is made of resin; and a speaker unit that is formed integrally with the case member, in which the speaker unit includes: a vibration generating unit; a vibrating plate that vibrates by vibration transmitted from the vibration generating unit; and a holding portion that holds an outer edge of the vibrating plate, a part or all of the holding portion being insert-molded into the case member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventor: Kouji Hiwatashi
  • Patent number: 8605920
    Abstract: A condenser microphone having a flexure hinge diaphragm and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The method includes the steps of: forming a lower silicon layer and a first insulating layer; forming an upper silicon layer on the first insulating layer; forming sound holes by patterning the upper silicon layer; forming a second insulating layer and a conductive layer on the upper silicon layer; forming a passivation layer on the conductive layer; forming a sacrificial layer on the passivation layer; depositing a diaphragm on the sacrificial layer, and forming air holes passing through the diaphragm; forming electrode pads on the passivation layer and a region of the diaphragm; and etching the layers to form an air gap between the diaphragm and the upper silicon layer. Consequently, a manufacturing process may improve the sensitivity and reduce the size of the condenser microphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Hye Jin Kim, Sung Q Lee, Kang Ho Park, Jong Dae Kim
  • Patent number: 8600083
    Abstract: An electrostatic speaker and a method for manufacturing the speaker are disclosed. Said speaker comprises a vibrating film; an electrode portion disposed on a surface of the vibrating film and joined with the vibrating film; and a conductive backplate spaced from the electrode portion by a distance, the conductive backplate forming a plurality of holes, the vibrating film being deformed and vibrated to generate and release a sound through the holes due to a variation of an electric field generated between the conductive backplate and the electrode portion, wherein the conductive backplate is covered by a polymer layer serving as a protective film. The covering polymer layer on the conductive backplate is capable of improving the stability of the electrostatic speaker and increasing its lifespan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Electrets Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dar-ming Chiang, Jen-luan Chen, I-hui Lin
  • Patent number: 8600082
    Abstract: A sound-generating device comprises at least two first enclosures and a thin film. The at least two first enclosures with at least one first bendable element coupled between two neighboring first enclosures. The thin film comprising at least one electrode and at least one piezoelectric layer, the at least one electrode being coupled with a terminal of an audio signal output, wherein the at least one piezoelectric layer is configured to respond to a signal supplied by the audio signal output and to generate sound waves. The thin film and the at least two first enclosures are coupled together forming at least two first cavities between the thin film and the first enclosure, and the first bendable element is attached to the thin film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Chih-Kung Lee, Wen-Ching Ko, Jia-Lun Chen, Wen-Hsin Hsiao, Wen-Jong Wu
  • Patent number: 8594349
    Abstract: A speaker structure includes a membrane, an electrode which has a plurality of holes, a frame holding member and at least one set of supporting members. The frame holding member forms an exterior shape of the speaker structure and holds the membrane and the electrode at two opposite sides. Each of the set of the supporting members has a geometric structure and is placed in a space opposite to a soniferous hole region between the electrode and the membrane, so as to prevent the membrane and the electrode from contacting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Ming-Daw Chen, Chang-Ho Liou, Kuo-Hua Tseng, Kuan-Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 8588436
    Abstract: Various electromagnetically-countered systems are provided and include at least one wave source irradiating harmful electromagnetic waves and at least one counter unit emitting counter electromagnetic waves for countering the harmful waves. Various generic counter units of such systems and various mechanisms are provided to counter the harmful waves by the counter units by matching configurations of the counter units with those of the wave sources, matching shapes of such counter waves with shapes of the harmful waves, etc. Various methods are provided for countering the harmful waves with the counter waves by such source or wave matching. Various methods are also provided for the counter units as well as counter waves. Various processes are provided for providing such systems and counter units. Various electric and/or magnetic shields may be used alone or in conjunction with such counter units to minimize irradiation of the harmful waves from the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Inventor: Youngtack Shim
  • Patent number: 8588438
    Abstract: A driving interface device adaptive to a flat speaker is introduced herein. The driving interface device is coupled with an external sound source for receiving sound signals, and boosts voltage levels of the sound signals to drive the thin flat speaker without using an external power source. In one embodiment, an impedance component is provided in the driving interface device for coupling to the external sound source, so as to drive the flat speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Kuo-Hua Tseng, Chang-Ho Liou, Ming-Daw Chen, Kuan-Wei Chen, Che-Yuan Sun
  • Patent number: 8588437
    Abstract: Various electromagnetically-countered systems are provided and include at least one wave source irradiating harmful electromagnetic waves and at least one counter unit emitting counter electromagnetic waves for countering the harmful waves. Various generic counter units of such systems and various mechanisms are provided to counter the harmful waves by the counter units by matching configurations of the counter units with those of the wave sources, matching shapes of such counter waves with shapes of the harmful waves, etc. Various methods are provided for countering the harmful waves with the counter waves by such source or wave matching. Various methods are also provided for the counter units as well as counter waves. Various processes are provided for providing such systems and counter units. Various electric and/or magnetic shields may be used alone or in conjunction with such counter units to minimize irradiation of the harmful waves from the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Inventor: Youngtack Shim
  • Patent number: 8588439
    Abstract: A variable capacitance system including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a layer of elastically deformable dielectric material positioned between the first and the second electrode. An electret forms with the first electrode a first capacitor, and the electret forms with the second electrode a second capacitor. Capacitances of the first and second capacitors vary with deformation of the dielectric layer. The first electrode, the second electrode, and the first electret follow deformations of the dielectric layer and a deformation of the dielectric layer causes an inverse variation of capacitances of the first and of the second capacitor. The first electrode includes slots in which the electret is located, wherein the edge of the slots forms with the electret located inside the slots the first capacitor, wherein the electret is made on or in the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux alternatives
    Inventor: Ghislain Despesse
  • Patent number: 8565454
    Abstract: The invention relates to a plate-like electrostatic actuator which comprises at least one plate-like stator with an electrode formed on its surface and at least one moving diaphragm, and in which a signal is transmitted to the electrode along a signal line. In the solution of the invention, the delay directing the sound field of the actuator is formed at least partly of an RC circuit composed of components of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Panphonics Oy
    Inventors: Antti Kelloniemi, Erkki Honkakoski, Pasi Peltola
  • Patent number: 8565452
    Abstract: A MEMS acoustic transducer, for example, a microphone, includes a substrate provided with a cavity, a supporting structure, fixed to the substrate, a membrane having a perimetral edge and a centroid, suspended above the cavity and fixed to the substrate the membrane configured to oscillate via the supporting structure. The supporting structure includes a plurality of anchorage elements fixed to the membrane, and each anchorage element is coupled to a respective portion of the membrane between the centroid and the perimetral edge of the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Luca Coronato, Sarah Zerbini, Angelo Antonio Merassi