Patents Examined by Sunita Joshi
  • Hearing device
    Patent number: 11627423
    Abstract: A hearing device has a housing in which a receiver is arranged as an electrical component. An antenna arrangement is formed, which has a winding in the form of a coil, which is arranged around the receiver with the interposition of a shielding foil. The shielding foil has a section extending around the receiver and several lugs adjoining it, which project beyond the receiver, the lugs enclosing between them an interspace adjoining the receiver. The shielding foil has in particular two layers, namely a magnetic layer and an electrical shielding layer. By this arrangement an antenna arrangement with high sensitivity is formed and at the same time a shielded partial area is created in the inter-space in which further components can be arranged. Due to the design of the lugs, which are particularly flexible, they can be attached to an inner wall of a housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Sivantos Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Peter Nikles
  • Systems methods and devices relating to audio transducers
    Patent number: 11627415
    Abstract: The invention relates to various rotational action audio transducer embodiments having a diaphragm structure including a single or multiple diaphragms. A diaphragm suspension rotatably mounts the diaphragm structure to a base structure. In some embodiments, the diaphragm suspension may be made from soft and/or damped materials. In some embodiments, the location of an axis of rotation of the diaphragm is determined based on a node axis of the diaphragm. A transducing mechanism of the audio transducer cooperates with the moving diaphragm to transduce sound. The mechanism may comprise a moving magnet design in some embodiments, or a moving coil design in others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: WING ACOUSTICS LIMITED
    Inventors: David Palmer, Michael Palmer
  • Eyewear having selectively exposable feature
    Patent number: 11600945
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods for wearable devices such as eyewear are described. According to one embodiment, the wearable device includes a body, electronics, and a connector. The body is configured to hold one or more optical elements, the body being disposable between a collapsed condition and a wearable condition in which the device is wearable by a user to hold the one or more optical elements within user view. The electronics are carried by the body. The connector is configured to enable establishment of an electrical and/or electronic connection with the electronics via the connector, the connector being housed by the body such that the connector is substantially obscured from view when the body is in the wearable condition, and such that the connector is exposed for connective access when the body is in the collapsed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Snap Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Hanover, Qiaokun Huang, David Meisenholder, Lauryn Morris
  • Hearing enhancement device
    Patent number: 11595765
    Abstract: A system and method for improving hearing enhancement solutions across a wide range of hearing devices, particularly for a wide-range of disparate user-provided hearing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Inventor: Richard S. Slevin
  • Acoustic transducer including a modified membrane
    Patent number: 11589164
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to acoustic transducers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Alexander K. Zettl, Stephen M. Gilbert, Donez J. Horton-Bailey, Hu Long
  • Earbud stability anchor feature
    Patent number: 11589152
    Abstract: An earbud design is disclosed that is configured to sit securely within an ear of a user. The earbud can be secured within the ear by an anchoring feature formed from an elastomeric material. The anchoring feature has a size and shape in accordance with an interior geometry of an ear of a user. Because the anchoring feature positions the earbud with respect to the ear, geometries of the earbud can be focused upon audio performance and/or device aesthetics. In some embodiments, the earbud housing can have a linear design which allows an audio driver within the earbud housing to be positioned close to an opening defined by the earbud housing. In this way, acoustic degradation associated with a long audio path from the audio driver to the opening can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Glenn K. Trainer, Scott C. Grinker, Craig M. Stanley
  • Segmented stator plates for electrostatic transducers
    Patent number: 11582559
    Abstract: A segmented stator plate for an electrostatic transducer is provided. The segmented stator plate may have multiple electrically separate sections that can be independently operated and are usable to generate sound and/or detect sound waves in the electrostatic transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Shure Acquisition Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger Stephen Grinnip, III
  • Acoustic receivers with multiple diaphragms
    Patent number: 11570551
    Abstract: Sound-producing acoustic receivers are disclosed. The acoustic receiver includes a receiver housing with a first internal volume and a second internal volume, a first diaphragm separating the first internal volume into a first front volume and a first back volume such that the first front volume has a first sound outlet port, a second diaphragm separating the second internal volume into a second front volume and a second back volume such that the second front volume has a second sound outlet port, a motor disposed at least partially inside the housing such that the motor including an armature mechanically coupled to both the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm, an acoustic seal between the first front volume and the second back volume such that the acoustic seal accommodates the mechanical coupling of the armature to one of the first diaphragm or the second diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: KNOWLES ELECTRONICS, LLC
    Inventors: Shehab Albahri, Yahui Zhang, Kalyan Nadella, Thomas Miller, Christopher Monti, Charles King, Jose Salazar
  • Speaker device
    Patent number: 11570533
    Abstract: A speaker device includes: a frame, a vibration unit and a magnetic circuit unit. The vibration unit includes a diaphragm and a voice coil. The magnetic circuit unit includes a yoke and a magnet. The yoke includes a yoke body, a yoke side wall and yoke extension portions protruding from the yoke side wall toward the frame. The magnet is fixed to the yoke body and is spaced apart from the yoke side wall to form a magnetic gap. The voice coil is inserted into the magnetic gap. The yoke side wall is fixed to the frame. The frame body includes a frame body having a ring shape, and frame fixing portions extending from the frame body toward the yoke side wall. The speaker device of the present disclosure can achieve a simple structure, high strength, easy assembly and positioning, and high reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: AAC Microtech (Changzhou) Co, , Ltd.
    Inventors: Xin Jin, Zhiwei Zhong
  • Balanced armature receiver and diaphragms therefor
    Patent number: 11564039
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a balanced armature receiver diaphragm including a paddle (202) flexibly coupled to a frame (204) and spaced apart therefrom by a gap (206). The paddle comprises a material having a specific modulus kg/m3) in at least one direction and density selected to increase stiffness and reduce mass. In one implementation, at least the paddle includes a carbon fiber material. The resulting paddle has improved acoustic performance including improved frequency response and less resonance in the audio band, among other benefits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Miller, Christopher Monti
  • Signal processing in a hearing device
    Patent number: 11564048
    Abstract: A method of defining and setting a nonlinear signal processing of a hearing device, e.g. a hearing aid, by machine learning is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Oticon A/S
    Inventor: Lars Bramsløw
  • In-the-ear hearing device
    Patent number: 11553292
    Abstract: An in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid has a housing that is designed for insertion into an ear canal of a hearing aid wearer. The housing has a housing shell. The housing shell has an antenna, in particular a folded, capacitively charged dipole antenna. The antenna is mounted in particular on an outer surface of the housing shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Sivantos Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Hamed Hasani, Martin Schmidt
  • Hearing device with neural network-based microphone signal processing
    Patent number: 11553287
    Abstract: A hearing system performs nonlinear processing of signals received from a plurality of microphones using a neural network to enhance a target signal in a noisy environment. In various embodiments, the neural network can be trained to improve a signal-to-noise ratio without causing substantial distortion of the target signal. An example of the target sound includes speech, and the neural network is used to improve speech intelligibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Buye Xu, Ivo Merks, Frederic Philippe Denis Mustiere
  • Implantable sound sensors with non-uniform diaphragms
    Patent number: 11553290
    Abstract: Presented herein are implantable sound sensors that include a non-uniform diaphragm mechanically coupled to a vibrating structure of a recipient's middle or inner ear. The non-uniform diaphragm includes a central region and a peripheral region, where the thickness of the central region is greater than the thickness of the peripheral region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Koen Erik Van den Heuvel, Jan Vermeiren, Rishubh Verma, Antonin Rambault
  • Speaker
    Patent number: 11546695
    Abstract: Provided is a speaker, including a frame; a vibration unit; and a magnetic circuit unit. The magnetic circuit unit is provided with a magnetic gap; the vibration unit includes a diaphragm, and a voice coil; the magnetic circuit unit includes a yoke, a main magnet unit, and auxiliary magnet units, and the auxiliary magnet units and the main magnet unit define the magnetic gap; the vibration unit further includes two elastic support assemblies; each of which includes an elastic member and an auxiliary diaphragm; the elastic member includes a first fixing arm, a second fixing arm and an elastic arm; the auxiliary diaphragm includes an auxiliary suspension, and a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion; and the auxiliary suspension has a racetrack shape with notches. With this structure, the service life and reliability of the speaker are improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: AAC Microtech (Changzhou) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bo Xiao, Chenliang Kong, Tong Zhang, Ronglin Linghu
  • Miniature device having an acoustic diaphragm
    Patent number: 11546696
    Abstract: A method of forming a device having a compliant member includes creating a membrane having one or more elastomeric layers which are at least partially cured. Another elastomeric layer is provided on the membrane in an uncured state. At least one of a bobbin and a housing are positioned so that an end of the bobbin or housing, or the ends of both the bobbin and housing, extend at least partially into the uncured elastomeric layer. The uncured elastomeric layer is then cured to secure it to the membrane and to the housing or bobbin, or both the housing and bobbin. The method substantially reduces or eliminates the formation of holes that can form during fabrication or use of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Wit Bushko, Thomas Landemaine, Prateek Nath
  • Contact hearing systems, apparatus and methods
    Patent number: 11540065
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hearing aid which includes a lateral ear canal assembly and a medial ear canal assembly. In embodiments of the invention the medial ear canal assembly may include smart circuitry adapted to control parameters and outputs of the medial ear canal assembly. In embodiments of the invention various methods and circuitry are described, wherein the methods and circuitry are adapted to improve the performance and efficiency of the hearing aid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Earlens Corporation
    Inventors: Cem Shaquer, Louis Wong, Kulbir Sandhu, Mudhafar Hassan Ali, Thanh Tran
  • Dual back-plate and diaphragm microphone
    Patent number: 11533565
    Abstract: A MEMS microphone includes a substrate having an opening, a first diaphragm, a first backplate, a second diaphragm, and a backplate. The first diaphragm faces the opening in the substrate. The first backplate includes multiple accommodating-openings and it is spaced apart from the first diaphragm. The second diaphragm joints the first diaphragm together at multiple locations by pillars passing through the accommodating-openings in the first backplate. The first backplate is located between the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm. The second backplate includes at least one vent hole and it is spaced apart from the second diaphragm. The second diaphragm is located between the first backplate and the second backplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Wen Cheng, Chia-Hua Chu, Wen-Tuan Lo
  • Blocking plate structure for improved acoustic transmission efficiency
    Patent number: 11529650
    Abstract: An acoustic matching structure is used to increase the power radiated from a transducing element with a higher impedance into a surrounding acoustic medium with a lower acoustic impedance. The acoustic matching structure consists of a thin, substantially planar cavity bounded by a two end walls and a side wall. The end walls of the cavity are formed by a blocking plate wall and a transducing element wall separated by a short distance (less than one quarter of the wavelength of acoustic waves in the surrounding medium at the operating frequency). The end walls and side wall bound a cavity with diameter approximately equal to half of the wavelength of acoustic waves in the surrounding medium. In operation, a transducing element generates acoustic oscillations in the fluid in the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: ULTRAHAPTICS IP LTD
    Inventors: Justin Rorke Buckland, Adam John Robert Jackson, Amaru Daniel Araya-Williams, Benjamin John Oliver Long, Brian Kappus
  • Structure-borne sound and vibration sensor
    Patent number: 11533568
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a sound and vibration sensor is provided. The sound and vibration sensor includes a housing, a piezo-diaphragm, and a flexible support plate. The piezo-diaphragm is positioned in the housing to detect an input signal including audio or vibrations. The flexible support plate receives the piezo-diaphragm to enable the sensor to exhibit a frequency response with a plurality of resonant frequencies in response to detecting the audio or the vibrations on the input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Yu Du, Péter Atilla Kardos, Darin Krajewski, Flórián Czinege