Abstract: A device, such as a hearing aid, includes a microphone, an amplifier and a receiver (e.g., a speaker). A charge pump and voltage regulator circuit couples to a power source for the listening device. The charge pump and voltage regulator circuit generates a larger, smaller or same voltage output as compared to a nominal voltage of the power source for providing a proper operating voltage to the listening device.

Abstract: A raised microstructure for use in a silicon based device, such as a microphone, is disclosed. The raised microstructure comprises a generally planar film having a ribbed sidewall supporting the film.

Abstract: A microphone assembly comprises a housing that includes a conductive material. A preamplifier circuit is disposed within the housing, the preamplifier circuit having a signal input and a ground terminal. A microphone portion is disposed within the housing, the microphone portion having an output coupled to the signal input of the preamplifier circuit. A ribbon wire is attached to the ground terminal of the preamplifier circuit and is attached to the housing.

Abstract: A digital pulse generator including a circular housing having a cover and a base. The base including at least one contact terminal secured therein. The digital pulse generator further including an encoder disc secured within the cover and rotatable relative to the base. The encoder including a plurality of projections formed on a first side of the encoder disc such that each of the plurality of projections defining a ridge and a valley. A ball positioned adjacent to the first side of the encoder and adapted to roll between the ridge and the valley. The ball coupled to a flexible contact and adapted to alternately engage the at least one terminal contact when the ball is adjacent to the ridge.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes a transistor device having a base region, an emitter region, and a collector region. A barrier region disposed between the emitter region and the collector region to hamper charge carriers injected into the base region from the emitter region from reaching at least a portion of the collector region. The magnetic field sensor further includes a first voltage source to bias the collector region with respect to the base region to form a space-charge layer associated with the collector region.

Abstract: A microphone assembly include a microphone housing unit having a cover and a base. The microphone assembly further includes a preamplifier circuit assembly attached to the base and protected by the cover. The protected preamplifier circuit assembly has at least one terminal unprotected by the cover. A radio frequency interference suppression device can be electrically coupled to the preamplifier circuit and includes at least one internal ground electrically coupled to the at least one terminal. The at least one internal ground provides a ground path between the cover and the base.

Abstract: A silicon condenser microphone package includes a transducer unit, a substrate, and a cover. The substrate includes an upper surface transducer unit is attached to the upper surface of the substrate and overlaps at least a portion of the recess wherein a back volume of the transducer unit is formed between the transducer unit and the substrate. The cover is placed over the transducer unit and either the cover or the substrate includes an aperture.

Abstract: A push button switch is provided having a switch housing having at least two contacts wherein at least one of the contacts has an engagement surface. The switch includes a switch actuator having an actuation surface. The actuator is in communication with the housing and is adapted to be movable with respect to the housing when depressed. The actuation surface is adapted to engage the engagement surface of the at least one contact when the switch actuator is depressed. The two contacts are adapted to contact each other at an actuation point defined by the actuation surface of the switch actuator.

Abstract: A silicon condenser microphone package is disclosed. The silicon condenser microphone package comprises a transducer unit, substrate, and a cover. The substrate includes an upper surface having a recess formed therein. The transducer unit is attached to the upper surface of the substrate and overlaps at least a portion of the recess wherein a back volume of the transducer unit is formed between the transducer unit and the substrate. The cover is placed over the transducer unit and includes an aperture.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the manufacture of a plurality of integrated capacitive transducers.

Abstract: A silicon condenser microphone is described. The silicon condenser microphone of the present invention comprises a perforated backplate comprising a portion of a single crystal silicon substrate, a support structure formed on the single crystal silicon substrate, and a floating silicon diaphragm supported at its edge by the support structure and lying parallel to the perforated backplate and separated from the perforated backplate by an air gap.

Abstract: A microphone assembly for installation on a surface in a cabin of a vehicle to electrically couple the microphone with a vehicular communication system is disclosed. The assembly comprises a microphone having an outer surface and a plurality of microphone contacts fixedly secured to the outer surface and means for securing the microphone to the surface in an orientation to electrically couple the plurality of microphone contacts to a respective plurality of fixedly secured system contacts to couple the microphone with the vehicular communication system.

Abstract: An armature for a receiver comprising a first and a second leg portion each having a thickness and a width and connected to each other, and a connection portion in communication with the first and second leg portions. The connection portion has a width greater than the width of the first and second leg portions individually. The connection portion reduces the stiffness of the armature and minimizes magnetic reluctance of the connection between the first and second leg portions. According to one aspect of the invention, the first and second leg portions are integrally formed with the connection portion and the connection portion includes at least a portion having a thickness less than the thickness of the first and second leg portions individually to reduce the stiffness of the armature. According to another aspect of the invention, the first and second leg portions are separately formed and attached to the connection portion in a way that reduces the stiffness of the armature.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical system package has a microelectromechanical system microphone, a substrate, and a cover. The substrate has a surface for supporting the microelectromechanical microphone. The cover includes a conductive layer having a center portion bounded by a peripheral edge portion. A housing is formed by connecting the peripheral edge portion of the cover to the substrate. The center portion of the cover is spaced from the surface of the substrate to accommodate the microelectromechanical system microphone. The housing includes an acoustic port for allowing an acoustic signal to reach the microelectromechanical system microphone.

Abstract: An armature for a receiver includes a first leg portion, a second leg portion, and a connection portion in communication with the first and second leg portions. The connection portion reduces the stiffness of the armature and minimizes magnetic reluctance of the connection between the first and second leg portions.

Abstract: A receiver assembly for a hearing aid device, the assembly comprising a case having an inner cavity, one or more mounts disposed within the inner cavity of the case, and a receiver disposed within the inner cavity of the case and connected to the mounts such that the receiver is suspended within the inner cavity of the case. The mounts dampen any vibration transmission from the receiver to the case and from the case to the receiver. Most significantly, acoustical noise from the receiver and any resulting distortion, feedback, and/or interference within the other components of the hearing aid device are substantially eliminated.

Abstract: An acoustic damper for covering a housing inlet of a transducer is disclosed. The damper includes a mesh panel and a non-mesh periphery. The non-mesh periphery of the damper is adhesively attached to the housing of the transducer wherein the mesh panel covers the inlet. The non-mesh periphery of the damper inhibits the adhesive from wicking into the mesh panel. The damper is adaptable for attachment of a film. The film is capable of cooperating with a backplate to form a motor assembly of the transducer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a motor assembly for an acoustic transducer is provided. The motor assembly includes a base member, a support member, a diaphragm and a backplate. The base member has a surface and a protrusion extending a distance from the surface. The support member has an opening therethrough, and the diaphragm is connected to the support member such that the diaphragm covers a portion of the opening of the support member. The support member is placed on the base member such that the support member contacts the surface of the base member, and the protrusion of the base member contacts the diaphragm. The backplate is placed on the diaphragm such that the backplate is supported by the protrusion. As part of the assembly, the backplate is secured to the support member. By having an assembly wherein the backplate does not contact the diaphragm, the capacitance of the assembly is reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for matching the response of a pair of microphones. The two microphones provide a first and second output, respectively, in response to an audible input. The microphone outputs are subtract from each other to produce a gain control output for operably controlling the gain of the first microphone output, resulting in a gain compensated microphone output. A phase adjustment circuit also is provided responsive to the gain compensated microphone output and a rolloff control output for producing a matching output. The rolloff control output is generated by a phase difference subtractor circuit responsive to both the matching output and the second microphone output. Moreover, the output of at least one of the microphones has a resonance frequency that is shifted to a desired preselected frequency.

Abstract: A condenser microphone, and method of construction, is disclosed. The microphone comprises a cup-shaped housing having a base surface and an upstanding peripheral wall. The wall terminates at a distal edge defining an opening. The microphone further comprises a diaphragm and ring assembly disposed on the base surface and having a peripheral edge, a backplate having a peripheral edge, and a spacing washer disposed between the diaphragm and ring assembly and the backplate for separating the diaphragm and ring assembly from the backplate. The microphone also comprises a substrate closing the housing opening. The spacer is disposed between the peripheral housing wall and the peripheral edges of the diaphragm and ring assembly and the backplate. The spacer includes a radially inwardly directed flange which engages an upper peripheral surface of the backplate.