Abstract: Streaming audio is received. The streaming audio includes a frame having plurality of samples. An energy estimate is obtained for the plurality of samples. The energy estimate is compared to at least one threshold. In addition, a band pass estimate of the signal is determined. An energy estimate is obtained for the band-passed plurality of samples. The two energy estimates are compared to at least one threshold each. Based upon the comparison operation, a determination is made as to whether speech is detected.

Abstract: The present technology provides adaptive noise reduction of an acoustic signal using a sophisticated level of control to balance the tradeoff between speech loss distortion and noise reduction. The energy level of a noise component in a sub-band signal of the acoustic signal is reduced based on an estimated signal-to-noise ratio of the sub-band signal, and further on an estimated threshold level of speech distortion in the sub-band signal. In various embodiments, the energy level of the noise component in the sub-band signal may be reduced to no less than a residual noise target level. Such a target level may be defined as a level at which the noise component ceases to be perceptible.

Abstract: An the acoustic apparatus comprising a first MEMS motor that includes a first diaphragm and a first back plate, and a second MEMS motor that includes a second diaphragm and a second back plate. The first motor is biased with a first electrical polarity and a second motor is biased with a second electrical polarity such that the first electrical polarity and the second electrical polarity are opposite. At the first motor, a first signal is created that is representative of received sound energy. At the second motor, a second signal is created that is representative of the received sound energy. A differential output signal that is the representative of the difference between the first signal and the second signal is obtained. In obtaining the differential output signal, common mode noise between the first motor and the second motor is rejected.

Abstract: A microphone includes a base and a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) die mounted to the base. The microphone also includes an integrated circuit fixed to the base. The microphone further includes a lid mounted to the base that encloses the MEMS die and the integrated circuit within a cavity formed by the base and the lid. The lid has an indented portion extending into but not fully through the lid.

Abstract: A Microelectromechanical system (MEMS) assembly includes a substrate, lid, MEMS device, and at least one wall. The substrate has electrical connection pads and the electrical connection pads are coupled to electrical conductors extending through the substrate. The MEMS device is attached to the lid. The at least one wall is coupled to the lid and the substrate and is formed separately from the lid and has an electrical conduit disposed therein. The electrical conduit is electrically coupled to the electrical conductors on the substrate. The electrical conduit and electrical conductors form an electrical path between the MEMS device and the electrical connection pads.

Abstract: A motor includes an armature, a coil, and a magnetic support structure. The motor also includes at least one magnet that defines a space. The coil forms a tunnel. The space is defined by the at least one magnet being aligned with the tunnel formed by the coil. Portions of the armature extend through the space and the tunnel. An opening at an end of the coil is shaped so as to restrict movement of the armature.

Abstract: A Microelectromechanical System (MEMS) microphone includes a base printed circuit board (PCB), the base PCB having customer pads; at least one wall coupled to the base; a lid PCB coupled to the at least wall, the lid having a port extending there through; an electrically conductive through-hole via extending through the wall electrically connecting the lid PCB to the base PCB; an integrated circuit embedded in the lid and coupled to the electrically conductive through-hole via; and a micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) device coupled to the integrated circuit in the lid and disposed over the port. Sound energy is converted to an electrical signal by the MEMS device and transmitted to the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit processes the signals and sends the processed signals to the customer pads via the electrically conductive through-hole via.

Abstract: An acoustic apparatus includes a mechanical shell, a first electronic component, a first connector, and a receiver. The mechanical shell is generally cylindrical in shape and forms a cavity, the shell having an inner surface, the inter surface in communication with the cavity. The first electronic component is disposed in the cavity. The first connector includes electrical contacts and is disposed on the inner surface of the shell. A first electrical connection electrically couples the microphone to the first connector. The receiver is disposed in the cavity, and the receiver has a second connector. An electrical connection is formed between the first electronic component and the receiver via the first connector and the second connector. A rotation of the shell causes the electrical contacts to rotate within or with respect to the second connector such that the rotation does not cause the electrical connection between the first connector and the second connector to be broken.

Abstract: At a microphone, voice activity is detected in a data stream while simultaneously buffering audio data from the data stream to create buffered data. A signal is sent to a host indicating the positive detection of voice activity in the data stream. When an external clock signal is received from the host, the internal operation of the microphone is synchronized with the external clock signal. Buffered data stream is selectively sent through a first path, the first path including a buffer having a buffer delay time representing the time the first data stream takes to move through the buffer. The data stream is continuously sent through a second path as a real-time data stream, the second path not including the buffer, the real-time data stream beginning with the extended buffer data at a given instant in time. The buffered data stream and the real-time data stream are multiplexed onto a single data line and transmitting the multiplexed data stream to the host.

Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) microphone includes a rectangular substrate with a rigid base layer, a first metal layer, a second metal layer, one or more electrical pathways, an acoustic port, and a patterned flexible printed circuit board material. The MEMS microphone also includes a MEMS microphone die and a solid single-piece rectangular cover.

Abstract: A driver, includes a driver block, a controller block, and a comparison block. The driver block includes an adjustable current source configured to produce a digital output stream. The controller block is coupled to the driver block. The comparison block is coupled to the driver block and the controller block. The comparison block is configured to compare the digital output stream to a reference value at a time delayed with respect to a master clock and based upon the comparison cause the controller block to adjust a strength of the driver block.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) microphone assembly includes a base and a cover. The cover is coupled to the base and together with the base defines a cavity. The base forms a recess and the recess has dimensions and a shape so as to hold a MEMS die. The MEMS die includes a diaphragm and back plate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for adaptive power control are provided. A minimum power level of a primary acoustic signal is estimated. The minimum power level may then be compared to at least one power threshold. Subsequently, a large power consuming system is controlled based on the comparison of the minimum power level to the power threshold.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods directed to adjusting a visual characteristic of a user interface. Ultrasonic detection times are received from a first ultrasonic transceiver, a second ultrasonic transceiver, and a fourth ultrasonic transceiver. A height of a feature above the user interface is determined from the first ultrasonic detection time, the second ultrasonic detection time, and the third ultrasonic detection time. If the height of the feature is less than a predetermined threshold a visual characteristic of the user interface is adjusted.

Abstract: An acoustic device includes a substrate that has a port. The acoustic device further includes a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) that converts sound energy into electrical energy. The MEMS is attached to the substrate over the port. An application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) is connected to the MEMS via a first electrical path. A first capacitor is connected to the first electrical path decreasing the sensitivity of the MEMS.

Abstract: An acoustic system includes a conduit, a microphone coupled to an end of the conduit, and a rigid moisture resistant barrier coupled to another end of the conduit to prevent moisture from traversing the length of the conduit towards the receiver. The moisture resistant barrier dampens an audio signal traversing the conduit. The moisture resistant barrier has a submersion rating at least equal to a 7 Ingress Protection rating.

Abstract: A system utilizing two pairs of microphones for noise suppression. Primary and secondary microphones may be positioned closely spaced to each other to provide acoustic signals used to achieve noise cancellation/suppression. An additional, tertiary microphone may be spaced with respect to either the primary microphone or the secondary microphone in a spread-microphone configuration for deriving level cues from audio signals provided by the tertiary and the primary or secondary microphone. The level cues are expressed via a level difference used to determine one or more cluster tracking control signal(s). The level difference-based cluster tracking signals are used to control adaptation of noise suppression. A noise cancelled primary acoustic signal and level difference-based cluster tracking control signals are used during post filtering to adaptively generate a mask to be applied to a speech estimate signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assisting automatic speech recognition (ASR) are provided. An example system includes a buffer operable to store sensor data. The sensor data includes an acoustic signal, the acoustic signal representing at least one captured sound. The system includes a processor communicatively coupled to the buffer and being operable to store received sensor data in the buffer. The received sensor data is analyzed to produce new parameters associated with the sensor data. The buffered sensor data is processed based at least on the new parameters. The processing may include separating clean voice from noise in the acoustic signal. The processor is further operable to provide at least the processed sensor data (for example, the clean voice) to an ASR system operable to receive and process the processed sensor data at a speed faster than real time. The new parameters may also be provided to the ASR system.

Abstract: A robust noise reduction system may concurrently reduce noise and echo components in an acoustic signal while limiting the level of speech distortion. The system may receive acoustic signals from two or more microphones in a close-talk, hand-held or other configuration. The received acoustic signals are transformed to frequency domain sub-band signals and echo and noise components may be subtracted from the sub-band signals. Features in the acoustic sub-band signals are identified and used to generate a multiplicative mask. The multiplicative mask is applied to the noise subtracted sub-band signals and the sub-band signals are reconstructed in the time domain.

Abstract: The present technology provides a robust noise suppression system that may concurrently reduce noise and echo components in an acoustic signal while limiting the level of speech distortion. A time-domain acoustic signal may be received and be transformed to frequency-domain sub-band signals. Features, such as pitch, may be identified and tracked within the sub-band signals. Initial speech and noise models may be then be estimated at least in part from a probability analysis based on the tracked pitch sources. Speech and noise models may be resolved from the initial speech and noise models and noise reduction may be performed on the sub-band signals. An acoustic signal may be reconstructed from the noise-reduced sub-band signals.