Patents Examined by Phan Le
  • Patent number: 8983111
    Abstract: A speaker of the present invention is used for converting audio electrical signals to audible sounds. The multi-magnetic circuit speaker includes a box with a sound hole, at least one magnetic circuit having at least two magnetic gaps, at least two vibrating units corresponding to the magnetic gaps, respectively, at least two pair of pads embedded in the box to electrically connecting with the two vibrating units, a terminal board engaged with the box and pressing on the two pads for conducting electrical signals to the two vibrating units. The terminal board includes a first portion, a second portion extending from the second portion and a third portion extending from the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignees: AAC Acoustic Technologies (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., American Audio Components Inc.
    Inventors: Li-Shu Xi, Wei Zhu
  • Patent number: 8971564
    Abstract: The invention relates to a voice coil support (21) for a coil transducer motor structure (10) having a first surface (26) towards one end and a second surface (22) towards the other end along an axis of displacement Z, the voice coil support being adapted to receive at least one coil (22H, 22L) wound therearound an outer surface (27) arranged in use for displacing the voice coil support (21) along its axis of displacement Z, as a current is driven through the coils (22H, 22L) when the voice coil support (21) is placed in a magnetic field, characterized in that the voice coil support (21) comprises a material adapted to prevent airflow communication between at least the first surface (26) and the second surface (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignees: Renault S.A.S., Universite du Maine
    Inventors: Guy Lemarquand, Mathias Remy, Gaƫl Guyader
  • Patent number: 8958595
    Abstract: Provided are a piezoelectric micro speaker having a piston diaphragm and a method of manufacturing the piezoelectric micro speaker. The piezoelectric micro speaker includes: a substrate having a cavity formed therein; a vibrating membrane that is disposed on the substrate and covers at least a center part of the cavity; a piezoelectric actuator disposed on the vibrating membrane so as to vibrate the vibrating membrane; and a piston diaphragm that is disposed in the cavity and performs piston motion by vibration of the vibrating membrane. When the vibrating membrane vibrates by the piezoelectric actuator, the piston diaphragm, which is connected to the vibrating membrane through a piston bar, performs a piston motion in the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun-sik Hwang, Dong-kyun Kim, Seok-whan Chung, Byung-gil Jeong
  • Patent number: 8948441
    Abstract: A planar speaker system may include a bottom frame having a cavity. Within this cavity a plurality of magnets may be arranged to form a substantially circular pattern. A diaphragm that includes a plurality of electrically conductive traces may be connected to the bottom frame and extend across the cavity of the bottom frame. When alternating current flows through the electrically conductive traces, the diaphragm may vibrate in response to the interaction between the current flowing in the electrically conductive traces and the magnetic field, thereby producing sound. The planar speaker system may include a top frame having a cavity, and a second set of magnets may be disposed in the cavity of the top frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Zhijun Zhao
  • Patent number: 8934659
    Abstract: The invention relates to a moving part for an electro-dynamic transducer, including at least one mandrel supporting a winding of at least one coiled wire. The mandrel includes at least one first element rigidly connected inside at least one second element for guiding the moving part inside the transducer. The first element has a winding support for the coiled wire so that the coil is located inside the mandrel, as well as vibration transmitter, such as a diaphragm, the vibration being generated by the movement of the coil induced by the flow of current in the coil wire. The invention also relates to an electro-dynamic transducer including such a moving part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Orkidia Audio
    Inventors: Guy Lemarquand, Benoit Merit, Bernard Nemoff
  • Patent number: 8913762
    Abstract: A capacitive transducer circuit comprises a capacitive transducer having first and second electrodes. The first and second electrodes are biased by respective first and second bias voltages. An amplifier is connected to receive a first analog signal on an input terminal, the first analog signal being generated by the capacitive transducer, and to generate a second analog signal on an output terminal. A digital feedback circuit is connected between the output terminal of the amplifier and the input terminal of the amplifier. The digital feedback circuit is configured to provide one of said first or second bias voltages. The output of a voltage source which provides the other bias voltage for the capacitive transducer may be filtered by a low pass filter. The low pass filter may comprise a switched capacitor filter circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Wolfson Microelectronics Ltd.
    Inventors: Colin Findlay Steele, Goran Stojanovic, John Paul Lesso
  • Patent number: 8913776
    Abstract: A cradle apparatus includes a casing, a mounting unit provided to the casing so that an electronic device is mounted thereto, and a speaker provided only to a bottom portion of the casing and having a downward vibration plate which emits a sound supplied from the electronic device mounted to the mounting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Maezawa, Ryota Matsumoto, Kazuya Ishii
  • Patent number: 8908900
    Abstract: A suspended audio performance system including a first electroacoustic device and a first base structure secured to the first electroacoustic device. The first base structure is configured to be suspended between a first suspended position and a second suspended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Tait Towers Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Brock Mearig, Adam Davis, Tyler Kicera
  • Patent number: 8908897
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for acoustic waveguides are disclosed. In one example, a method for constructing an acoustic waveguide includes forming a first acoustic waveguide component having a first outer surface and a first inner surface, where the first inner surface includes a first groove and a second groove. The method includes forming a second acoustic waveguide component having a second outer surface and a second inner surface, where the second inner surface includes a third groove and a fourth groove. The first acoustic waveguide component and the second acoustic waveguide component are bonded together so that the first groove and the third groove are arranged to form a first acoustic channel and the second groove and the fourth groove are arranged to form a second acoustic channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry J Lee, James F Bobisuthi, Bradley Yearous
  • Patent number: 8903118
    Abstract: The present invention provides a dome diaphragm having high strength wholly and uniformly while maintaining a small thickness of a dome portion. A diaphragm 1 according to the present invention is a dome diaphragm including a dome portion 2. The dome portion 2 is divided into a plurality of small portions 4, and a ridge portion 7 is formed at a boundary of the small portions 4. In accordance with this configuration, the ridge portions 7 exist over the entire dome portion 2, and the ridge portions 7 can serve as frames for reinforcing the dome portion 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: TOA Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Fujita, Hiroshi Kubota
  • Patent number: 8903117
    Abstract: A speaker assembly includes a frame and a surround that suspends a diaphragm from the frame. An outer portion of the surround is disposed, dimensioned, and configured to permit the mounting of the surround to the frame such that the surround, itself, does not need to include an outwardly extending flange and/or clamp. Rather, the outer portion of the surround is generally disposed on the frame, with the mounting surface of the outer portion of the surround extending inward relative to the outer periphery of the surround.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Inventors: XinWei Dai, Gonzalo Palenzuela
  • Patent number: 8891809
    Abstract: A loudspeaker can provide magnetic flux from polarity-aligned split magnets to drive voice coils and generate sound. The loudspeaker may have reduced stray magnetic fields and a BL curve with symmetric and linear characteristics. The loudspeaker can include a core, split magnets, a magnet housing, a core cap, and a voice coil gap formed between the magnet housing and the core cap. Magnetic flux produced by the split magnets may be combined, directed, and/or concentrated by the core cap and magnet housing within the voice coil gap. At least portions of a voice coil may be positioned within the voice coil gap and a diaphragm may be coupled to the voice coil. A bucking magnet assembly may contain a magnetic flux of the magnet structure to further improve performance. The bucking magnet assembly may include split magnets with an aligned polarity that is opposite the polarity of the magnet structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Benny Danovi
  • Patent number: 8891804
    Abstract: An electroacoustic transducer is disclosed. The electroacoustic transducer includes a frame forming a hollow space, an elastic plate mounted on the frame, a vibrating member suspended in the hollow space by the elastic plate, a diaphragm arranged facing the vibrating member, a voice coil positioned on the diaphragm. The vibrating member includes a yoke defining a bottom wall, a side wall extending upwardly and perpendicularly from an outer periphery of the bottom wall, a lapel extending vertically from the side wall. A width of the lapel is greater than that of the side wall or the bottom wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignees: AAC Acoustic Technologies (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., American Audio Components Inc.
    Inventor: Suo-He Wei
  • Patent number: 8885849
    Abstract: A concept is proposed for a MEMS microphone which may be operated at a relatively low voltage level and still have comparatively high sensitivity. The component according to the present invention includes a micromechanical microphone structure having an acoustically active diaphragm which functions as a deflectable electrode of a microphone capacitor (1), and a stationary acoustically permeable counterelement which functions as a counter electrode of the microphone capacitor (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Alberto Arias-Drake, Thomas Buck, Jochen Zoellin, Juan Ramos-Martos, Franz Laermer, Antonio Ragel-Morales, Joaquin Ceballos-Caceres, Jose M. Mora-Gutierrez
  • Patent number: 8861765
    Abstract: A system and method are described for reducing the current consumption of a microphone component without adversely affecting performance. The system includes a micromechanical microphone capacitor, an acoustically inactive compensation capacitor, an arrangement for applying a high-frequency sampling signal to the microphone capacitor and for applying the inverted sampling signal to the compensation capacitor, an integrating operational amplifier which integrates the sum of the current flow through the microphone capacitor and the current flow through the compensation capacitor as a charge amplifier, a demodulator, which is synchronized with the sampling signal, for the output signal of the integrating operational amplifier, and a low-pass filter which uses the output signal of the demodulator to obtain a microphone signal that corresponds to the changes in capacitance of the microphone capacitor. The sampling signal is composed of a periodic sequence of sampling pulses and pause times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Buck, Franz Laermer
  • Patent number: 8848954
    Abstract: The adjustment of the signal processing carried out by a hearing aid to the individual hearing loss of a user is intended to be simplified. For this purpose, a number of predefined adjustment programs, from which the user selects a suitable program by operating an operating element, are provided in the hearing aid. Neither a visit to a hearing aid acoustician nor special adjustment devices is/are required for adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark Balke, Ulrich Giese
  • Patent number: 8848968
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to inventive methods and apparatus for a variable flux speaker subassembly for a loudspeaker. The variable flux speaker subassembly may contain at least one repositionable structure that is repositionable from at least a first position to a second position. The magnetic flux through a voice coil structure of the speaker subassembly is altered when the repositionable structure is moved from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Eminence Speaker, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas A. James, Jr., Kevin E. Parrish, William L. Watts
  • Patent number: 8848962
    Abstract: A unidirective condenser microphone unit includes a diaphragm; a fixed electrode facing the diaphragm with a gap and defining a capacitor together with the diaphragm; an insulating spacer disposed adjacent to the rear surface of the fixed electrode and supporting the fixed electrode; an acoustic resistor disposed in an air chamber defined by the front surface of the insulating spacer and the fixed electrode; a unit case, a front acoustic terminal; and a rear acoustic terminal. The insulating spacer has a protrusion projecting toward the fixed electrode with a gap, and the protrusion is fixed to the surface of the fixed electrode with fixing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-Technica
    Inventor: Hiroshi Akino
  • Patent number: 8848942
    Abstract: A feedback-controlled microphone includes a microphone body and a membrane operatively connected to the body. The membrane is configured to be initially deflected by acoustic pressure such that the initial deflection is characterized by a frequency response. The microphone also includes a sensor configured to detect the frequency response of the initial deflection and generate an output voltage indicative thereof. The microphone additionally includes a compensator in electric communication with the sensor and configured to establish a regulated voltage in response to the output voltage. Furthermore, the microphone includes an actuator in electric communication with the compensator, wherein the actuator is configured to secondarily deflect the membrane in opposition to the initial deflection such that the frequency response is adjusted. An acoustic beam forming microphone array including a plurality of the above feedback-controlled microphones is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Eliott Radcliffe, Ahmed Naguib, William M. Humphreys, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8837761
    Abstract: A vibrator is provided with a spring having a first end and a second end and, a frame immovably attached to the second end where the frame is carrying a movable armature and at the second end of the spring a coupling with an armature plate is immovably attached. The armature plate and the movable armature are provided in close proximity with an air gap there between and a permanent magnet is associated with one or both of the armature plate and/or the movable armature and an electrical coil is associated with one or both of the armature plate and/or the movable armature. An adjustment screw is provided to displace the movable armature towards or away from the armature plate, wherein the screw is inserted in a bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Oticon Medical A/S
    Inventor: Lars Jinton