Patents Assigned to Knowles Electronics, LLC
  • Patent number: 10477301
    Abstract: A surface mount package for a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) microphone die is disclosed. The surface mount package features a substrate with metal pads for surface mounting the package to a device's printed circuit board and for making electrical connections between the microphone package and the device's circuit board. The surface mount microphone package has a cover, and the MEMS microphone die is substrate-mounted and acoustically coupled to an acoustic port provided in the surface mount package. The substrate and the cover are joined together to form the MEMS microphone, and the substrate and cover cooperate to form an acoustic chamber for the substrate-mounted MEMS microphone die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventor: Anthony D. Minervini
  • Publication number: 20190335262
    Abstract: An acoustic device including a motor disposed in a housing having a non-porous elastomeric membrane disposed across an acoustic path defined by a sound port of the housing is disclosed. The motor may be embodied as MEMS transducer configured to generate an electrical signal responsive to an acoustic signal, or as some other electromechanical device. The membrane has a compliance that is 1 to 100 times a compliance of the acoustic device without the membrane, wherein the membrane prevents ingress of contaminants (e.g., solids, liquids or light) via the sound port while permitting propagation of the acoustic signal along the acoustic path without significant loss.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Applicant: KNOWLES ELECTRONICS, LLC
    Inventors: John Szczech, Sandra Vos, William Ryan, Yu Du, Jose Salazar, Charles King, Daniel Giesecke
  • Patent number: 10455325
    Abstract: A method for estimating directions of arrival of audio signals based on categories is disclosed herein. The method includes receiving an audio signal; generating a plurality of filters based on the audio signal, each of the filters corresponding to one of a plurality of sound content categories; separating the audio signal into a plurality of content-based audio signals by applying the filters to the audio signal, each of the content-based audio signals contains a content of a corresponding sound content category among the plurality of sound content categories; for each of the content-based audio signals, generating a direction of arrival (DOA) for a sound source of the content-based audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: John Woodruff, Pratik Shah, Sai Ravi Teja Pulugurtha, Harsha Rao
  • Patent number: 10433071
    Abstract: A microphone includes a base with a port extending therethrough, and a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device coupled to the base. The MEMS device includes a diaphragm, a back plate, and a substrate. The substrate forms a back-hole. A capillary structure is disposed in the back-hole of the substrate, the cover, adjacent to the MEMS, or combinations thereof. The capillary structure includes a plurality of capillaries extending through the capillary structure. The capillary structure may have at least one hydrophobic surface and is configured to inhibit contaminants from outside the microphone from reaching the diaphragm via the port. In some embodiments, the capillary structure may protect against EMI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Sagnik Pal, Sung Bok Lee
  • Patent number: 10405078
    Abstract: A microphone device comprises a microphone die including a microphone motor, an acoustic integrated circuit structured to process signals produced by the microphone motor, and a sensor die stacked on top of the acoustic integrated circuit, wherein the sensor die comprises a pressure sensor. Another microphone comprises a microphone die including a microphone motor and an integrated circuit die. The integrated circuit die comprises an acoustic integrated circuit structured to process signals produced by the microphone motor, a pressure sensor, and a pressure integrated circuit structured to press signals produced by the pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Venkataraman Chandrasekaran, Claus Furst, Joshua Watson, John Szczech
  • Patent number: 10405106
    Abstract: A microphone includes a base; a first micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) device and a second MEMS device disposed on the base. The first MEMS device has a first diaphragm and a first back plate, and the second MEMS device has a second diaphragm and a second back plate. The first MEMS device and the second MEMS device are arranged such that positive pressure moves the first diaphragm towards the first back plate, and the positive pressure simultaneously moves the second diaphragm of the from second back plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventor: Sung Lee
  • Patent number: 10403259
    Abstract: Systems and methods for active noise cancellation are provided. An example method includes receiving at least two reference signals associated with at least two reference positions. Each of the at least two reference signals includes at least one captured acoustic sound representing an unwanted noise. The reference signals are filtered by individual filters to obtain filtered signals. The filtered signals are combined to obtain a feedforward signal. The feedforward signal is played back to reduce the unwanted noise at a pre-determined space location. The individual filters are determined based on linear combinations of at least two transfer functions. Each of the at least two transfer functions is associated with one of the reference positions. In certain embodiments, the at least two reference signals are captured by at least two feedforward microphones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew David Unruh
  • Publication number: 20190253810
    Abstract: A method in a transducer assembly having an external-device interface coupled to a communication protocol interface of the transducer assembly. The transducer assembly is configured to convert an input signal having one physical form to an output signal having a different physical form. At least two electrical signals are received on corresponding contacts of the external-device interface of the transducer assembly. A characteristic of at least one of the electrical signals is determined by evaluating a logic transition of the signal. A unique identity assigned to the transducer assembly is determined based on the characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Applicant: KNOWLES ELECTRONICS, LLC
    Inventors: Andrzej PAWLOWSKI, Christopher Konrad WOLF, Niel D. WARREN
  • Publication number: 20190253791
    Abstract: A surface mount package for a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) microphone die is disclosed. The surface mount package features a substrate with metal pads for surface mounting the package to a device's printed circuit board and for making electrical connections between the microphone package and the device's circuit board. The surface mount microphone package has a cover, and the MEMS microphone die is substrate-mounted and acoustically coupled to an acoustic port provided in the surface mount package. The substrate and the cover are joined together to form the MEMS microphone, and the substrate and cover cooperate to form an acoustic chamber for the substrate-mounted MEMS microphone die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Applicant: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventor: Anthony D. MINERVINI
  • Publication number: 20190239001
    Abstract: A microphone assembly includes an acoustic filter with a first highpass cut-off frequency. The microphone assembly additionally includes a forward signal path and a feedback signal path. The forward signal path is configured to amplify or buffer an electrical signal generated by a transducer in response to sound and to convert the electrical signal to a digital signal. The feedback signal path is configured to generate a digital control signal based on the digital signal and to generate and output a sequence of variable current pulses based on the digital control signal. The variable current pulses suppress frequencies of the electrical signal below a second highpass cut-off frequency, higher than the first highpass cut-off frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Applicants: Knowles Electronics, LLC, Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Mohammad SHAJAAN, Claus Erdmann FÜRST, Per Flemming HØVESTEN, Kim Spetzler BERTHELSEN, Henrik THOMSEN
  • Patent number: 10362408
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to microphones and related components. One example micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) motor includes a first diaphragm; a second diaphragm that is disposed in generally parallel relation to the first diaphragm, the first diaphragm and second diaphragm forming an air gap there between; and a back plate disposed in the air gap between and disposed in generally parallel relation to the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Kuntzman, Wade Conklin, Sung Bok Lee
  • Publication number: 20190222691
    Abstract: The present embodiments are directed to removing echo from an audio signal using a two-stage process. The first stage aims at removing the linear portion of the echo signal that is representative of the acoustic propagation path between a loudspeaker and a microphone, for example. The second stage focuses on removing or suppressing any remaining or residual echo in the audio signal. The residual echo can include both residual linear echo and nonlinear contributions from the system, such as nonlinear echo produced by loudspeakers, amplifiers, microphones or even the body of the device itself. According to certain additional aspects, the echo cancellation and suppression techniques of the embodiments are built on a data-driven approach, where models are trained in both an offline and online process to assist in the detection and suppression of various forms of echo that can exist in a particular near-end environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Applicant: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Pratik Shah, Mathieu Parvaix, John Woodruff, Harsha Rao
  • Patent number: 10353495
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing personalized operations of a mobile device are provided. An example method includes determining a sensor signature has been received. The sensor signature may be a combination of acoustic and non-acoustic inputs. A classification or recognition or matching score for the received sensor signature may be calculated. A context associated with one or more of the operations of the mobile device may be determined. A confidence level or weight may be determined for the acoustic and non-acoustic inputs based on the context. Based on the confidence level or weight, a determination may be made whether to perform the one or more operations. The determination whether to perform the one or more operations may be further based on a combination of the confidence level or weight and the score. Determining the context can include identifying the type and level of noise associated with the mobile device's environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Sridhar Krishna Nemala, Deborah Kathleen Vitus, David Klein, Eitan Asher Medina
  • Patent number: 10349184
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to acoustic assemblies. One acoustic assembly includes a base and a first die disposed on the base. The first die comprises a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) microphone that includes a first diaphragm and a first back plate. The MEMS microphone has a barometric release. The acoustic assembly also includes a second die disposed on the base. The second die comprises a pressure sensor. The acoustic assembly further includes a cover coupled to the base and enclosing the first dies and the second die. A back volume is formed between the base, the first die, the second die, and the cover. The pressure sensor is configured to sense a pressure of the back volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Kuntzman, Wade Conklin, Sung Bok Lee
  • Publication number: 20190208317
    Abstract: A method for estimating directions of arrival of audio signals based on categories is disclosed herein. The method includes receiving an audio signal; generating a plurality of filters based on the audio signal, each of the filters corresponding to one of a plurality of sound content categories; separating the audio signal into a plurality of content-based audio signals by applying the filters to the audio signal, each of the content-based audio signals contains a content of a corresponding sound content category among the plurality of sound content categories; for each of the content-based audio signals, generating a direction of arrival (DOA) for a sound source of the content-based audio signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Applicant: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: John Woodruff, Pratik Shah, Sai Ravi Teja Pulugurtha, Harsha Rao
  • Publication number: 20190206417
    Abstract: A method for separating audio signals based on categories is disclosed herein. The method includes receiving an audio signal; generating a plurality of filters based on the audio signal, each of the filters corresponding to one of a plurality of sound content categories; and separating the audio signal into a plurality of content-based audio signals by applying the filters to the audio signal, each of the content-based audio signals contains a content of a corresponding sound content category among the plurality of sound content categories.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Applicant: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: John Woodruff, Mathieu Parvaix, Pratik Shah
  • Publication number: 20190194013
    Abstract: Systems and apparatuses for a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device. The MEMS device includes a housing, a transducer, and a sensor. The housing includes a substrate defining a port and a cover. The substrate and the cover cooperatively form an internal cavity. The port fluidly couples the internal cavity to an external environment. The transducer is disposed within the internal cavity and positioned to receive acoustic energy through the port. The transducer is configured to convert the acoustic energy into an electrical signal. The sensor is disposed within the internal cavity and positioned to receive a gas through the port. The sensor is configured to facilitate detecting at least one of an offensive odor, smoke, a volatile organic compound, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, a nitrogen oxide, methane, and ozone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Applicant: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Venkataraman Chandrasekaran, John Szczech, Josh Watson, Claus Furst
  • Patent number: 10332544
    Abstract: A microphone apparatus including a MEMS transducer, an acoustic activity detector, a local oscillator, and an external-device interface standardized for compatibility with devices from different manufacturers is disclosed. The microphone apparatus has a first mode of operation during which the apparatus is clocked by the internal clock signal when the acoustic activity detector processes digital data for acoustic activity, and a second mode of operation during which the microphone apparatus is clocked by an external clock signal received at the external-device interface after voice activity is detected by the acoustic activity detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Weiwen Dai, Robert A. Popper
  • Publication number: 20190191245
    Abstract: A microphone includes a micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) motor. The MEMS motor includes a diaphragm and at least one back plate. The diaphragm is formed with a tension caused by a film stress of the diaphragm. The diaphragm is electrically biased according to a voltage to adjust or compensate for the film stress.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Applicant: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Wade Conklin, Michael Kuntzman, Sung Bok Lee
  • Patent number: 10315912
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) includes a diaphragm with a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is exposed to an environmental pressure. The second surface comprises a plurality of fingers extending from the second surface. The MEMS also includes a backplate comprising a plurality of voids. Each of the plurality of fingers extends into a respective one of the plurality of voids. The MEMS further includes an insulator between a portion of the diaphragm and a portion of the backplate. The diaphragm is configured to move with respect to the backplate in response to changes in the environmental pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Mohsin Nawaz, Michael Kuntzman, Michael Pedersen