Patents Examined by Dionne N. Harvey
-
Patent number: 6876752Abstract: A loud speaker according to the invention is mountable within a receptacle. The loudspeaker includes a magnetic driver and a diagragm mounted to a frame. The froame includes a mounting member extending from a surface of the frame behind the flange plane. The mounting member is engagable in a notch formed in the receptacle for securing the speaker within the receptacle. The loudspeaker enclosure has perforated layer shaped to define its inner volume. A honeycomb layer surrounds that perforated layer; and semi-rigid layer surrounds the honeycomb layer and forms the exterior wall.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 1998Date of Patent: April 5, 2005Inventor: Godehard A. Guenther
-
Patent number: 6876751Abstract: An improved method for adaptively cancelling acoustic feedback in hearing aids and other audio amplification devices. Feedback cancellation is limited to a frequency band that encompasses all unstable frequencies. By limiting the bandwidth of the feedback cancellation signal, the distortion due to the adaptive filter is minimized and limited only to the unstable feedback regions. A relatively simple signal processing algorithm is used to produce highly effective results with minimal signal distortion.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1999Date of Patent: April 5, 2005Assignee: House Ear InstituteInventors: Shawn X. Gao, Sigfrid D. Soli, Hsiang-Feg Chi
-
Patent number: 6810126Abstract: A panel transducer includes a diaphragm with areas of multiple electrical conductors, two rows of magnetic bars, two metal plates and a clamping frame. The diaphragm is clamped in the clamping frame and is positioned between the two rows of magnetic bars. Each row of magnetic plates is in close proximity to the clamped diaphragm. Each metal plate has holes. The holes correspond to spacing areas between the magnetic bars and acoustically connect the diaphragm to outside media. The magnetic bars are sequentially located on the metal plates with spacing between the magnetic bars. The diaphragm is secured to the clamping frame and has an active surface area under tension spaced inwardly of the clamping frame. There are no side magnetic bars at the ends of each of the row. Absorbing strips are used in place of the absent magnetic bars filling the space between the side magnetic bars and the clamping frame.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2001Date of Patent: October 26, 2004Assignee: BG CorporationInventor: Igor Levitsky
-
Patent number: 6807284Abstract: A speaker has a very small size and is arranged to emit sound waves in a non-directional manner. The speaker includes a case and a speaker unit attached to a plate provided at an opening of the case. The speaker is arranged so that the speaker unit is mounted or attached to a floor or support surface such that a space formed by the case, the plate and the speaker unit is airtight and so that the back-and-forth motion of a vibrator of the speaker unit generates expansion and contraction of the case.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2002Date of Patent: October 19, 2004Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takeshi Nakamura
-
Patent number: 6766027Abstract: An elliptical speaker system is provided for in-wall/in-ceiling mounting. The speaker system comprises an elliptical speaker frame or bracket defining a speaker front plane having a generally arcuate inner surface. First and second speaker components are mounted within the speaker frame, on opposing sides of the speaker inner surface. At least one of the speaker components may be translatable within the speaker frame.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2002Date of Patent: July 20, 2004Assignee: Dana InnovationsInventors: Todd Ryan, Ray Call, Tommy Rucci
-
Patent number: 6754361Abstract: An ergonomic headset assembly having increased comfort and convenience of use is provided. In accordance with one embodiment a headset assembly is provided which includes a first headpiece pivotally coupled to a second flexible headpiece. The headset assembly further includes means for limiting the pivotal movement of the flexible headpiece with respect to the first headpiece. This allows the tension of the headset assembly to be suitable adjusted to the head size of the wearer. In accordance with another embodiment a headset assembly which includes a headband and an electronics housing pivotally coupled to the headpiece is provided. The pivotal coupling of the electronics housing with respect to the headband allows the electronics housing to be swung away from a user's ear and provides additional comfort to the user. In accordance with yet another embodiment a headset assembly having an electronics housing coupled to a clip member is provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 1997Date of Patent: June 22, 2004Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Ronald W. Hall, Harry B. Taylor
-
Patent number: 6751329Abstract: A drive module for attachment to a rigid panel and adapted to apply bending wave energy at audio frequencies to the panel whereby the panel can radiate an audio output. The drive module has a housing adapted to be secured to the panel, at least one foot on the housing and adapted to fix the housing securely to the panel, an electro-mechanical transducer in the housing, a support for the transducer in the housing, the transducer being adapted to contact the panel to apply bending wave energy thereto when energized with an electrical audio signal, and an audio signal amplifier in the housing.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2001Date of Patent: June 15, 2004Assignee: New Transducers LimitedInventors: Martin Colloms, Ian David MacFarlane
-
Patent number: 6748095Abstract: A headset and a method for using a headset, to communicate with two separate devices. The headset comprises a mounting member for mounting and holding the headset on the head of a wearer, at least a first speaker, and means for connecting the speaker to the mounting member for holding the speaker adjacent an ear of the wearer. The headset further comprises first and second microphones, and a boom member connecting the microphones to the mounting member for holding the microphones adjacent the mouth of the wearer. A signal conducting circuit is provided for transmitting input communication signals from at least the first device to the first speaker, and for transmitting output communications from the first and second microphones to the first and second devices respectively.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 1999Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: WorldCom, Inc.Inventor: Raymond G. Goss
-
Patent number: 6748092Abstract: The invention relates to a hearing aid, preferably a programmable hearing aid, having at least one microphone (1), at least one signal processor with at least one channel, an output amplifier (9) and an output transducer (10), at least one of the channels containing a signal processing circuit (4) with at least one percentile estimator (6) for the continuous determination or calculation of at least one percentile value of the input signal from a continuous analysis and evaluation of the frequency and/or amplitude distribution of the input signal, whereby the percentile value(s) serve either directly or indirectly as control signals for controlling the gain and/or the frequency response of the electronic processing circuit, the percentile estimator (6) consisting essentially of a comparator stage (12) with two inputs and two outputs, the first input being directly or indirectly connected to the input of the hearing aid, its two outputs controlling a first control stage (13) the output signals of which controlType: GrantFiled: December 1, 1998Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: Widex A/SInventor: Lars Baekgaard
-
Patent number: 6744903Abstract: Disclosed is a multiple damping device of a speaker system for a video display equipment which is capable of having an improved multiple damping structure in the speaker system to thereby achieve a low howling and a high quality of sound. The multiple damping device of the speaker system includes: a cover frame united-type speaker, a back cover assembled at the back portion of the cover frame united-type speaker and installing a damping member fitting portion, at the top and bottom portions thereof, respectively, and a multiple damping part adapted to be installed between the cover frame united-type speaker and a cabinet to thereby cut the transmission of the vibration generated upon the operation of the speaker system to the cabinet.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1999Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Chang Wook Jeon
-
Patent number: 6690809Abstract: A case comprises an upper case and a lower case. A vibrating plate is secured to the upper case, a voice coil is secured to an underside of the vibrating plate. Each end portion of the voice coil is engaged in a groove formed in the upper case.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2001Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: Citizen Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazumi Miyamoto, Yoshizumi Ohta, Takashi Kobayashi
-
Patent number: 6681022Abstract: The two-way communication earpiece is a small, inconspicious, and comfortable earpiece which fits behind the ear for sound delivery and pickup. The earpiece may be used with a variety of communication devices, such as telephones, cellular telephones, two-way radios, radios, tape players, CD players, and televisions. The earpiece is configured to be received behind the ear of a user with a sound delivery tube extending from behind the ear into the ear canal of the user. An eartip positioned on the sound delivery tube is preferably a non-occluding type eartip which allows ambient sound to enter the ear canal around the eartip. A microphone is positioned on the earpiece above the ear for voice pickup.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 1998Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: GN ReSound North Amerca CorporationInventors: Steven H. Puthuff, Patrick A. Mavrakis, Jon C. Taenzer, David L. Luger, William N. Buchele
-
Patent number: 6678383Abstract: A capacitor microphone includes a case having an end wall defining an opening for a sound hole, a capacitor portion comprising a diaphragm, a back plate and a spacer, the diaphragm opposing to the back plate via the spacer, the capacitor portion being accommodated in the case in such an manner as the diaphragm is placed on the side of the end wall, and a substrate accommodated in the case farther from the end wall than the capacitor portion, the substrate having an impedance conversion element mounted on a surface thereof facing the capacitor portion. A communicating opening is provided around the back plate in a position opposing to the impedance conversion element for communicating spaces on the front and back sides of the back plate. The communicating opening has a larger area than that of the top of the impedance conversion element to allow the spaces on both sides of the back plate to communicate with each other.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2001Date of Patent: January 13, 2004Assignee: Star Micronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Motoaki Ito, Yoshio Imahori
-
Patent number: 6665415Abstract: A transducer includes a motor assembly for providing a magnetic field across an air gap, a voice coil supported in the air gap, a diaphragm coupled to the voice coil for reciprocation with the voice coil, and conductors for coupling opposite ends of the voice coil to a source of alternating current to cause the voice coil to reciprocate in the air gap. At least some portion of the length of at least one of the conductors is fusible when exposed to a direct current having a magnitude greater than the maximum desired magnitude of direct current to which it is desired to expose the voice coil.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 1999Date of Patent: December 16, 2003Assignee: Harman International Industries, IncorporatedInventor: Thomas P. Heed
-
Patent number: 6654477Abstract: A receiver for converting electrical energy to acoustical energy, and a method of manufacturing the receiver, are disclosed. The receiver comprises an armature having a peripheral edge, a magnet stack and a weld joint for attaching the armature to the magnet stack at the peripheral edge of said armature. The method comprises providing an armature having a peripheral edge, providing a magnet stack adjacent said armature, and welding said armature to the magnet stack at the peripheral edge of said armature.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1997Date of Patent: November 25, 2003Assignee: Knowles Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Thomas E. Miller, Elmer V. Carlson
-
Patent number: 6647123Abstract: A signal processing circuit and method for increasing speech intelligibility. The invention comprises a receiving circuit for receiving an audio signal detectable by a human. A gain amplifying circuit provides gain amplification of the audio signal. A shaping filter modifies the audio signal to be in phase with a second audio signal present at the receiving circuit and which is detected by the human unprocessed by the signal processing circuit. The shaping filter further differentially amplifies first and second speech formant frequencies to restore a normal loudness relationship between them. A feedback circuit controls the gain amplification in the gain amplifying circuit for enabling the signal processing circuit to substantially prevent regenerative oscillation of the amplified audio signal. Additionally, a signal tone may be injected into the signal processing circuit for automatically controlling the gain amplifying circuit.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2002Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: Bioinstco CorpInventors: Gillray L. Kandel, Lee E. Ostrander
-
Patent number: 6590993Abstract: A panel-shaped loudspeaker includes a panel (1) and an exciter coupled to the panel. The panel is provided with two parallel extending thin walls (1a, 1b) which are interconnected by a structure of thin strip-shaped partitions (1c) situated between the walls. The longitudinal axes of all partitions extend parallel to each other and give the panel an anisotropic bending stiffness. The material of the walls and the partitions of the panel has an internal damping which is at least 2.5% of the critical damping of the relevant material, used in the panel.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 1999Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Guido O. M. D'Hoogh, David M. E. Corynen
-
Patent number: 6574343Abstract: The invention relates to a hearing aid comprising an acoustic input aperture (SE) and an acoustic output aperture (SA), and a cover element (DE) covering the acoustic input aperture (SE). In the invention, the cover element (DE) is received in the hearing-aid housing and its surface is flush with that of said housing and said cover element is made of an open-pore material. The invention offers the advantage that on account of integrating the cover element (DE) into the hearing aid, spurious acoustic signals caused by air motion cannot arise at the hearing aid.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2000Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: Phonak AGInventor: Hilmar Meier
-
Patent number: 6529609Abstract: A hearing aid puller comprises a first member, and a first end piece coupled to the first member. An intermediate piece is coupled to the first member. A second member is coupled to the intermediate piece. A second end piece is coupled to the second member. The cross-sectional width of the intermediate piece and the maximum width of the second end piece are larger than the cross-sectional width of the second member. The hearing aid puller may be formed by injecting liquefied, elastically deformable material into a mold. The liquefied, elastically deformable material is cooled to form a hearing aid puller that is a single part that can be stretched to more than about twice the puller's original molded length.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 1998Date of Patent: March 4, 2003Assignee: In'Tech Industries, Inc.Inventors: Mark A. Neilson, Roger Neilson, Jr.
-
Patent number: 6526150Abstract: An apparatus for a microphone and speaker is provided which provides a sealed chamber behind the speaker to prevent sound waves behind the speaker from cancelling sound waves in front of the speaker. In addition, the apparatus is configured to mechanically isolate the speaker from the apparatus housing in order to improve performance of the system. A pliant material such as a damping material with a relatively linear compression characteristic, such as a thermal plastic elastomer, may be used to isolate the speaker from the apparatus housing as well as providing a relatively air tight chamber behind the speaker.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 1998Date of Patent: February 25, 2003Assignee: Siemens Information & Communication Mobile, LLCInventors: Daniel B. Kelly, Jason B. Kihneman, Wayne E. McKinnon