Patents Examined by Dionne Harvey
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Patent number: 7263199Abstract: An electromagnetic transducer is described including a magnet assembly (50) and a conductive drive coil (52). The magnet assembly provides an emanating magnetic field within which the drive coil is located. The drive coil is a flat ring coil having a width that is equal to or greater than its height. As assembled, the drive coil is mounted in close proximity to the magnet assembly such that relative axial motion may occur between them during use. In one embodiment, the magnet assembly includes two permanent disc magnets (64), (66) having axial magnetizations and being oriented with like poles facing one another to produce a radially emanating magnetic field. In another embodiment, the magnet assembly includes a pair of axially magnetized permanent ring magnets (64), (66) also oriented with like poles facing one another.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2006Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Inventor: Roland Pierre Trandafir
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Patent number: 7215789Abstract: A disposable hearing device is adapted to be positioned entirely within an ear canal for extended wear therein. The device includes a core assembly and a sealing retainer. The core assembly includes a lateral section of generally oval cross-section and generally elongated cylindrical shape for alignment substantially along the ear canal's longitudinal axis, and a receiver section having a receiver coupled to the lateral section for medial positioning in the ear canal's bony region. The lateral section includes a microphone and a battery assembly, and is dimensioned to avoid occluding the ear canal while it is at least partially laterally suspended therein. The sealing retainer is concentrically positioned over the receiver section, and has a composition to conform to the ear canal's bony region wall to seat the hearing device and acoustically seal it in the ear canal to inhibit feedback therein.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2002Date of Patent: May 8, 2007Assignee: InSound Medical, Inc.Inventors: Adnan Shennib, Richard C. Urso
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Patent number: 7099484Abstract: A behind-the-ear hearing aid is provided with an electric/acoustic transducer unit with a loud-speaker housing (53), in which there is a loud-speaker membrane 54. The housing (53) is spring-mounted in a capsule (59) in such a way that the capsule (59) and the loud-speaker housing (53) define an intermediate space (U53). The front (R1) of the membrane (54) is connected to the acoustic output (S) of the hearing aid, while the back (R2) is coupled to the intermediate space (U53) via coupling holes (55).Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2002Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignee: Phonak AGInventor: Andi Vonlanthen
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Patent number: 7095868Abstract: A phase plug for optimally matching a drive-unit's diaphragm to the throat of a waveguide is disclosed. Specific embodiments of a circular diaphragm matched to an elliptical waveguide and a circular diaphragm to a rectangular waveguide are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2003Date of Patent: August 22, 2006Inventor: Earl Geddes
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Patent number: 7079663Abstract: A microphone comprising a diaphragm which has a front diaphragm surface on which sound waves impinge and a rear diaphragm surface which is at least partially acoustically separated from the front diaphragm surface, and a sound inlet, through which sound waves can go to the rear diaphragm surface. In order to improve a strongly frequency-dependent frequency response characteristic in respect of the directional effect of the microphone, the microphone includes at least one damping element and the slot-shaped sound inlet forms substantially an acoustic inductance so that at least a part of the sound waves to be picked up is passed with a delay to the rear diaphragm surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 1999Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignee: Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Heinz Epping, Manfred Bleichwehl, Artur Seehafer
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Patent number: 7058195Abstract: An electromagnetic transducer is described including a magnet assembly (50) and a conductive drive coil (52). The magnet assembly provides an emanating magnetic field within which the drive coil is located. The drive coil is a flat ring coil having a width that is equal to or greater than its height. As assembled, the drive coil is mounted in close proximity to the magnet assembly such that relative axial motion may occur between them during use. In one embodiment, the magnet assembly includes two permanent disc magnets (64), (66) having axial magnetizations and being oriented with like poles facing one another to produce a radially emanating magnetic field. In another embodiment, the magnet assembly includes a pair of axially magnetized permanent ring magnets (64), (66) also oriented with like poles facing one another.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2003Date of Patent: June 6, 2006Inventor: Roland Pierre Trandafir
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Patent number: 7039212Abstract: A port for a loudspeaker is disclosed which is sufficiently weather resistant for long term outdoor use and which prevents debris, insects and other vermin from entering the loudspeaker and which is compact and efficient.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2003Date of Patent: May 2, 2006Assignee: Britannia Investment CorporationInventors: John B. Poling, Bradley M. Starobin, Allen S. Baran, Matthew S. Polk, Jr.
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Patent number: 6993147Abstract: A loudspeaker has a diaphragm with a voice coil disposed about its perimeter and extending in a gap into which the flux of an annular rare earth magnet is focused. An opening behind the diaphragm communicates through the speaker frame. The voice coil may have two or more windings that are connected in parallel, and may, e.g., be layered on top of one another, so that the impedance of the coil, as well as its depth in the front/back direction of motion, are low. The voice coil is preferably implemented using a polyamide form or bobbin, which has patterned lead-in conductors embedded therein to bring power to wire windings on the perimeter of the coil. The lead-in conductors extend to, or through, the central opening of a ring magnet, providing a robust ribbon input connection.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2003Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Inventor: Godehard A. Guenther
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Patent number: 6993356Abstract: In a frequency generating system, a triple/single local-oscillator concept for receiving and transmitting in the lower frequency band, transmitting in the upper frequency band, and receiving in the upper frequency band is used for a dual-band transceiver so that a single band-switched VCO can be used as local oscillator for setting the frequency in all four possible operating cases. The system can be used, for example, in highly integrated dual-band mobile parts for GSM 900/1800 mobile radio.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2001Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventor: Stefan Herzinger
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Patent number: 6983126Abstract: An audio transmitter and remote control unit receiver and storage apparatus for transmitting audio signals from electronic equipment, such as a television set, to individuals remotely located therefrom includes an audio transmitter for disposition adjacent to the electronic equipment and an audio receiver and remote control unit storage case positioned remotely form the electronic equipment. The audio transmitter having electronic circuitry for receiving audio transmissions from the electronic equipment and an audio antenna or IR sender for transmitting audio signals to remote locations. The audio receiver and remote control unit storage case having a floor and a pair of opposed sidewalls forming a receptacle for holding therein a remote control unit, a receiver antenna or IR detector for detecting audio signals conveyed from the audio transmitter, and an audio output speaker for broadcasting audio conveyed from the electronic equipment to the adjacently positioned individual.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2001Date of Patent: January 3, 2006Inventor: Steve Saalman
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Patent number: 6956957Abstract: A loudspeaker drive unit comprising a resonant acoustic radiator, an exciter on the radiator to apply bending wave energy to the radiator to cause it to resonate, a support for the loudspeaker drive unit, and means resiliently coupling the exciter to the support.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 1998Date of Patent: October 18, 2005Assignee: New Transducers LimitedInventors: Henry Azima, Martin Colloms, Martin Roberts, Graham Bank, Neil Harris, Bijan Djahansouzi
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Patent number: 6950531Abstract: An industrial hearing protection and communication assembly including a frame having a front frame member that, includes a substantially transparent shatterproof eye panel disposed to shield a wearer's eyes, and at least one protective ear insert structured to be fitted into a wearer's ear in order to substantially muffle exterior noise. A speaker head audibly communicates an audio signal received by a receiver disposed on the frame and is structured to be inserted into a bore defined in the protective ear insert, and thereby, into one of the wearer's ears. The audio signal is audible to the wearer while the exterior noise is muffled by the protective ear insert and the speaker head is shielded from perspiration or other body contaminants of the wearer. Further, the protective insert can be variably positionable in accordance with the location of the wearer's ears.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2003Date of Patent: September 27, 2005Assignee: Energy Telecom, Inc.Inventor: Tom Rickards
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Patent number: 6944307Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) constructed as portable hook-on frame (2, 3, 4,) with folding work tops or panels (5, 6, 7) and is composed of a basic frame (2) with a telescopic suspension frame (3) with suspension hooks (4), in which out of the basic frame (2) nearly the bottom side a hinging foldable work top (5) and nearby the upper side a hinging expandable U-shaped document holder frame (6) with plate (7) is mounted, in which the whole is especially useable for technicians, whom execute work on measurement and control cabinets and such.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2001Date of Patent: September 13, 2005Assignee: Metafax ASInventor: Richard Steenfeldt Berg
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Patent number: 6940988Abstract: A semi-permanent hearing device is disclosed which is adapted to be completely positioned within the ear canal of an individual for long-term use. The device comprises a sealing retainer substantially positioned in the bony region of the ear canal and a core assembly including a receiver assembly coaxially positioned within the sealing retainer. When the device is inserted into its completely-in-the-canal position, the core assembly extends from the sealing retainer to the cartilaginous region of the ear canal in a non-occluding fashion, thereby minimizing interference with hair and earwax production present in the cartilaginous region. In a preferred embodiment of the device, the core assembly comprises a battery assembly conforming substantially to the shape and dimensions of the battery enclosed within the assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 1998Date of Patent: September 6, 2005Assignee: InSound Medical, Inc.Inventors: Adnan Shennib, Richard C. Urso, Diep H. Ngo
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Patent number: 6920230Abstract: An electromagnetic transducer includes: a first diaphragm; a second diaphragm provided in a central portion of the first diaphragm, the second diaphragm comprising a magnetic material having a first opening in a central portion thereof; a yoke disposed so as to oppose the first diaphragm; a center pole disposed between the yoke and the first diaphragm, wherein the center pole has a shape which allows insertion into the first opening; a coil disposed so as to surround the center pole; and a first magnet disposed so as to surround the coil.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2001Date of Patent: July 19, 2005Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Sawako Usuki, Shuji Saiki
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Patent number: 6914995Abstract: A portable multi-function device includes a housing and a cover. The housing includes an interior housing and an exterior housing connecting to each other. The interior housing has at least a hub having audio units. Recess parts are located on the upper side of the interior housing for placing the audio units. The exterior housing has a storage box. Terminal ends on side of the storage box connect correspondingly to each of the audio units for placing a data process device in the storage box. The cover is mounted on a side of the housing. A connector is installed at another side of the housing corresponding to the cover to lock and unlock the housing. The cover has holes corresponding to each of the recess parts on the upper side of the interior housing. Whereby, each of the audio units is portable and easy for storage.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2002Date of Patent: July 5, 2005Inventor: Chia-Hung Kao
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Patent number: 6912288Abstract: A piezoelectric electroacoustic transducer, including a plurality of piezoelectric layers deposited to define a deposited product, flexurally vibrates the deposited product by polarizing the entire piezoelectric ceramic layers in the same thickness direction and also by applying an alternating signal between external electrodes disposed on the front/rear major surfaces of the deposited product and an internal electrode disposed between the ceramic layers. A dummy electrode is provided between the ceramic layers outside the internal electrode via a gap, and a portion of the internal electrode is exposed at at least one side surface of the piezoelectric ceramic layers, while the dummy electrode is exposed at the other side surface of the piezoelectric ceramic layers. The external electrodes extend to the side surfaces other than the side surface at which the internal electrode is exposed.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2002Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Mikio Nakashima, Sachihito Nakafuku, Kiyoshi Iyama
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Patent number: 6912287Abstract: A wearable communication device includes a bone conduction actuator which is applicable for being in contact with a user's wrist, hand, back of the hand, finger or nail in order to transmit voice signals. The user inserts the user's finger into the user's ear canal, or touches the user's finger to a part near the user's ear, or puts the user's fingertip or nail on the user's ear canal so as to block the user's ear canal when the user uses the wearable communication device.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1999Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone CorporationInventors: Masaaki Fukumoto, Yoshinobu Tonomura
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Patent number: 6907130Abstract: A apparatus and method for inner ear implants is provided that generates signal processing stochastic independence activity across the excited neural population. A high rate pulse train can produce random spike patterns in auditory nerve fibers (hereafter “pseudospontaneous activity”) that are statistically similar to those produced by spontaneous activity in the normal auditory nerve. We call this activity “pseudospontaneous”. Varying rates of pseudospontaneous activity can be created by varying the intensity of a fixed amplitude, high rate pulse train stimulus, e.g., 5000 pps. The high rate pulse train can desynchronize the nerve fiber population and can be combined with a data signal in an inner ear implant. The pseudospontaneous activity can enhance neural representation of temporal detail and dynamic range with an inner ear implant such as a cochlear implant. The pseudospontaneous activity can further eliminate a major difference between acoustic-and electrical-derived hearing percepts.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 1998Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignees: University of Iowa Research Foundation, Research Triangle InstituteInventors: Jay Rubinstein, Blake Wilson
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Patent number: 6895099Abstract: A speaker for a portable phone capable of being assembled without bonding by adhesives is disclosed. The speaker has a protector having a plurality of sound holes, and having an annular tension extension formed at a periphery thereof and extended upwardly and outwardly; a frame having a stepped portion and a cylindrical wall extended upwardly from the periphery of the stepped portion and having locking means; a diaphragm seated on the stepped portion of the frame and intended to generate sound; a voice coil attached to a lower surface of the diaphragm and adapted to vibrate; a top plate disposed in the voice coil; and a magnet fixedly disposed between the top plate and the frame and adapted to generate a predetermined magnetic field.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2001Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chun-Hee Lee, Je-Hyuk Lee