Abstract: Headphone eartips with internal support components and methods for making the same are provided. Different support components may provide specific amounts and types of additional rigidity at specific portions of an exterior surface of an outer eartip body that may be expected to interface with specific portions of an ear canal geometry when an eartip subassembly is positioned within the ear canal, such that the eartip subassembly may conform to the various shapes of the ear canal while maintaining an acoustic seal.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 1, 2018
Date of Patent:
March 17, 2020
Assignee:
Apple Inc.
Inventors:
Ethan L. Huwe, Brad G. Boozer, Erik L. Wang, Phillip Qian
Abstract: Sound captured by a first microphone proximate to a severely-impaired first ear is processed to compensate for the hearing loss of the other, less-impaired second ear and then provided to the second ear through a sound transducer or speaker located inside or adjacent the second ear. The same sounds picked up by the first microphone are processed differently for the first and more severely impaired first ear and then provided to the first, severely-impaired ear through its own transducer. Sounds captured by a second microphone proximate to a less-impaired second ear are processed according to the second ear impairment and provided into the second ear by the second and different transducer for the second ear.
Abstract: The present application relates to a transducer element (1) which comprises: a movable diaphragm (2, 2a, 2b) which has a border (4), a frame (5) to which the border (4) of the diaphragm (2, 2a, 2b) is attached, and a reinforcement element (10) which connects to one another a first sub-section of the frame (5) and a second sub-section of the frame (5) which lies opposite the first sub-section.
Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing a semiconductor structure including a first electrode layer, forming a sacrificial layer on the first electrode layer, the sacrificial layer including a recess having a pointed bottom defining a depth, forming a second electrode layer on the sacrificial layer, the second electrode layer including a first opening exposing the recess, and forming a support layer filling the recess, the first opening, and on the second electrode layer. A portion of the support layer filling the recess forms a stopper having a height equal to the depth of the recess. The method also includes forming a second opening extending through the support layer and the second electrode layer and exposing a surface of the sacrificial layer, and removing a portion of the sacrificial layer to form a cavity.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 7, 2017
Date of Patent:
March 10, 2020
Assignees:
SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (SHANGHAI) CORPORATION, SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (BEIJING) CORPORATION
Abstract: A low-profile earbud is disclosed that sits securely within an ear of a user. The earbud includes a protruding portion that passes through a channel defined by the tragus and anti-tragus of the ear. In some embodiments, the protruding portion can take the form of a cable configured to supply power and transfer data to the earbud. In some embodiments, the protruding portion can provide additional space for electrical components and sensors supporting the earbud.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 31, 2016
Date of Patent:
March 3, 2020
Assignee:
Apple Inc.
Inventors:
Glenn K. Trainer, Scott C. Grinker, Ethan L. Huwe, Craig M. Stanley
Abstract: A MEMS assembly includes a package, wherein the package includes a substrate and a cover element, wherein a through opening is provided in the cover element, a MEMS component within the package on the cover element, an integrated circuit arrangement within the package on the substrate, and a support component within the package on the substrate, wherein the support component on the substrate is electrically coupled, by first electrical connection lines, to the MEMS component on the cover element and is electrically coupled, by second electrical connection lines, to the circuit arrangement on the substrate in order to produce an electrical connection between the MEMS component and the integrated circuit arrangement.
Abstract: A speaker device includes a voice coil; a pair of lead wires configured to be pulled out of the voice coil; a vibrating body connecting to the voice coil; and a magnetic circuit including a yoke. The yoke includes a frame that supports the vibrating body, the pair of lead wires is configured to pass through a space that is located between the frame and the vibrating body, the pair of lead wires is configured to pass above a cutout of the yoke and bend towards and through the space, and the pair of lead wires is configured to be substantially symmetrical with respect to the center of the voice coil.
Abstract: Magnetic field cancelling audio speakers and associated devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a utility locator includes an audio speaker device with two loudspeaker drivers positioned and electrically connected to reduce emitted magnetic fields over a range of frequencies corresponding with locator sensing frequencies.
Abstract: A loudspeaker diaphragm (12) comprising a woven fibre body supports damping material (25), for example PVA polymer, on a rearward-facing surface (24). The woven fibre body may be formed of lengths (14) non-metallic fibre material (for example glass fibre) coating with a thin metal coating (32). The mass of the layer of damping material (25) may be less than the mass of the woven fibre body. An attractive sparkly looking loudspeaker diaphragm (12) may thus be provided which damps undesirable vibration whilst providing a flatter frequency-response curve (50).
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 30, 2019
Date of Patent:
January 28, 2020
Assignee:
EVA Automation, Inc.
Inventors:
Thomas O'Brien, Martial André Robert Rousseau
Abstract: A mouth cover radio headset for shielding a user's mouth from lip reading includes a headset comprising an ear cover and a flexible band coupled to the ear cover. The flexible band has a top pad and a side pad coupled to a distal end. A radio unit is coupled within the ear cover and comprises a transceiver and a battery. A speaker is coupled within the ear cover and is in operational communication with the radio unit. A boom is coupled to the headset and pivotably extends from the ear cover. An expandable mouth shield is coupled to the boom. The expandable mouth shield has a closed position and an alternate expanded position. The expandable mouth shield is configured to cover a wearer's mouth when in the expanded position. A microphone is coupled to the expandable mouth shield and is in operational communication with the radio unit.
Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a loudspeaker module and a manufacturing method thereof. The loudspeaker module comprises an outer casing; the outer casing accommodates a speaker unit; the speaker unit partitions an inner cavity of the whole module into two cavities: a front acoustic cavity and a rear acoustic cavity; the rear acoustic cavity is internally provided with a sound-absorbing material; the rear acoustic cavity is further provided with an isolating structure used for isolating the sound-absorbing material from the speaker unit; the isolating structure partitions the entire rear acoustic cavity into a filling area and a non-filling area; the sound-absorbing material is located in the filling area; the sound-absorbing material is a foaming material; the sound-absorbing material is formed by the foaming of the foaming material and then fills the filling area.
Abstract: An input transducer (11, 12) of a hearing aid (10) converts audio from the environment into an electric input signal. A signal processor (13) amplifies and conditions the electric input signal according to a preset set of audio processing parameters, and an output transducer (14) reproduces output audio. The hearing aid (10) is connected with a personal communication device (20) via a short range radio communication link (15, 29). The personal communication device (20) identifies music included in the background noise. The personal communication device (20) retrieves a music stream based on the identified music, and streams the music stream to the hearing aid (10). The signal processor (13) of the hearing aid (10) combines the input signal from the input transducer (11, 12) and music signal in order to reduce the presence of the music included in the background noise from the audio signal delivered by the output transducer (14).
Abstract: An apparatus comprising a piezoelectric diaphragm positioned between opposing first and second electrodes, the piezoelectric diaphragm comprising a stack of graphene oxide layers between respective electrode-engaging layers of reduced graphene oxide, wherein the apparatus is configured to have one or more of a sound output mode and a sound input mode such that: in the sound output mode, the first and second electrodes are configured to apply a voltage to the reduced graphene oxide layers to generate an electric field across the graphene oxide stack, the generated electric field causing vibration of the piezoelectric diaphragm to produce a sound output wave corresponding to the applied voltage, and in the sound input mode, the reduced graphene oxide layers are configured to collect electrical charge which is induced in the graphene oxide layers by vibration of the piezoelectric diaphragm in response to a sound input wave, the collected electrical charge creating a voltage between the first and second electrode
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 7, 2016
Date of Patent:
January 7, 2020
Assignee:
Nokia Technologies Oy
Inventors:
Martti Voutilainen, Oleksandr Kononenko
Abstract: A compression driver includes a phasing plug including a base portion having a first side and an opposed second side, the first side including a central hub portion extending outwardly from the first side, the base portion including one or more apertures that extend therethrough from the first side to the second side. A diaphragm is disposed adjacent the phasing plug second side, and a compression chamber defined between the diaphragm and the phasing plug. In one embodiment, a front plate is attached to the phasing plug first side, the front plate having a central aperture generally aligned with the hub portion and base portion apertures. A horn may be attached to the front plate or directly to the phasing plug first side.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 11, 2019
Date of Patent:
January 7, 2020
Assignee:
Harman International Industries, Incorporated
Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a head-wearable hearing device comprising a multiple-output switched capacitor DC-DC converter. Said multiple-output switched capacitor DC-DC converter comprises a switch matrix comprising a plurality of individually controllable semiconductor switches and a plurality of flying capacitors connected between respective sets of circuit nodes of the switch matrix. A controller is connected to respective control terminals of the plurality of individually controllable semiconductor switches of the switch matrix to configure first and second converter sections to form first and second converter topologies, respectively.
Abstract: Aspects of a microelectromechanical device, an array of microelectromechanical devices, a method of manufacturing a microelectromechanical device, and a method of operating a microelectromechanical device, are discussed herein. The microelectromechanical device may include: a substrate; a diaphragm mechanically coupled to the substrate, the diaphragm comprising a stressed region to buckle the diaphragm into one of two geometrically stable positions; an actuator mechanically coupled to the diaphragm, the actuator comprising a piezoelectric layer over the diaphragm; a controller configured to provide an electrical control signal in response to a digital sound input; wherein the actuator is configured to receive the electrical control signal to exert a mechanical piezoelectric force on the diaphragm via the piezoelectric layer to move the diaphragm to create a sound wave.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 4, 2016
Date of Patent:
December 24, 2019
Assignee:
INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
Inventors:
Manuel Dorfmeister, Michael Schneider, Manfred Kaltenbacher, Alfons Dehe, Ursula Hedenig, Thomas Grille, Ulrich Schmid
Abstract: A mobile communication device configured to be worn on an index finger of a user's hand. The device includes a case, a microphone, a switch, and a power source. The microphone and the switch are strategically located along a shape of the case so that as worn on the user's index finger and when the switch is activated by the thumb of the user's hand, the hand naturally cups about the microphone to form a barrier to ambient noise. Further, the microphone can readily be located near a corner of the user's mouth for optimal speech-receiving conditions and to provide more private audio input.
Abstract: An electro-acoustic transducer includes an accordion-type structure that functions as both an acoustic radiation element and an acoustic seal. In one example, the transducer includes parallel, accordion-type structures that attach to a flat, rectangular diaphragm. The diaphragm is connected to a voice coil. The voice coil and an associated frame are positioned between a magnet arrangement. The magnet arrangement includes stacked magnet pairs positioned between pole pieces to focus magnetic flux.
Abstract: A playback device comprises an acoustic waveguide having a bounding surface, the bounding surface delimiting an opening. A drainage channel extends from the opening and is arranged to direct liquid from inside the waveguide toward a drainage outlet.
Abstract: An organizer for wearable electronic pieces or wireless communication jewelry. The pieces may be of an enhanced ergonomic form, particularly suitable for long-term wear and the organizer manages unique protocols of recharge for a potential plurality of such pieces. Additionally, charging takes place through a support mechanism which accommodates a discrete securing extension portion of a piece in a substantially matching fashion. Further, a casing of the piece is substantially displaced from the accommodating location. A charging device of the organizer is coupled to the support mechanism such that recharge of the piece may take place through a charge region of the discrete portion of the piece. Notably, the organizer is configured in such a manner that a plurality of pieces may be secured and recharged without the need for an individually dedicated and/or wire-based recharger for each and every piece in a collection of pieces.