Abstract: A method and corresponding system for increasing the likelihood of inducing behavior change in a lifestyle management program for a user includes sensing at least one behavior parameter of a user; identifying at least one intention-behavior gap based on the sensing of the behavior parameter; via application of a genetic algorithm generating a quantified profile of the intention-behavior gap; via a user interface, suggesting at least one action to accept or reject; and varying the quantified profile based on the action accepted or rejected by the user. The user interface may include a smart phone that includes at least one sensor for sensing location and activity of a user of the user interface, or a dedicated device that communicates with a sensor for sensing a behavior parameter, or the sensor is disposed on the body of the user or on a garment worn by the user.

Abstract: A method and corresponding system for increasing the likelihood of inducing behavior change in a lifestyle management program for a user includes sensing at least one behavior parameter of a user; identifying at least one intention-behavior gap based on the sensing of the behavior parameter; via application of a genetic algorithm generating a quantified profile of the intention-behavior gap; via a user interface, suggesting at least one action to accept or reject; and varying the quantified profile based on the action accepted or rejected by the user. The user interface may include a smart phone that includes at least one sensor for sensing location and activity of a user of the user interface, or a dedicated device that communicates with a sensor for sensing a behavior parameter, or the sensor is disposed on the body of the user or on a garment worn by the user.

Abstract: A method and corresponding system for increasing the likelihood of inducing behavior change in a lifestyle management program for a user includes sensing at least one behavior parameter of a user; identifying at least one intention-behavior gap based on the sensing of the behavior parameter; via application of a genetic algorithm generating a quantified profile of the intention-behavior gap; via a user interface, suggesting at least one action to accept or reject; and varying the quantified profile based on the action accepted or rejected by the user. The user interface may include a smart phone that includes at least one sensor for sensing location and activity of a user of the user interface, or a dedicated device that communicates with a sensor for sensing a behavior parameter, or the sensor is disposed on the body of the user or on a garment worn by the user.

Abstract: A speaker module for a personal communication device includes two transducers for generating sound on the basis of an electrical signal. One transducer outputs sound to the surroundings from a sound output thereof and the other transducer outputs sound to the surroundings via the first transducer. In this manner, two transducers require only one sound output. The sound from the second transducer may be transmitted through and filtered by an opening in a diaphragm of the first transducer. Filtering elements may be provided between the two transducers.

Abstract: A microphone assembly having a housing, a transducer, and an electronic circuit. The housing has an opening, and the transducer is disposed within that opening. The electronic circuit covers the opening such that the transducer is surrounded by at least the electronic circuit and the housing. The electronic circuit includes a substrate and an amplifier for amplifying the electrical signal into an amplified electrical signal which is coupled to a connection means. The connection means provides a direct electrical connection between the electronic circuit and a receiver. The amplifier is mounted on the substrate and disposed on a side of the substrate of the electronic circuit facing the transducer. The receiver is disposed on a side opposite the side and outside the housing.

Abstract: A directional microphone includes a housing, a diaphragm dividing the housing into a front volume and a back volume, electronics for detecting signals corresponding to movements of the diaphragm, and front and back inlets for the front and back volumes, respectively. To obtain additional low frequency roll-off in the directional microphone, the directional microphone includes an elongated acoustical conduit connecting the front volume and the back volume. The acoustical conduit may be external or internal to the housing.

Abstract: A transducer for a hearing aid includes a housing, a relatively thin membrane having a free end suspended in the housing for vibration in response to a motor. The motor has a coil and a magnet assembly, the coil being mounted in the housing beneath the membrane; the magnet assembly being mounted in the housing coaxially with the coil and to one edge of the membrane.

Abstract: An acoustic receiver comprises means for converting an input audio signal into an acoustic signal. The receiver has a housing having a plurality of sides that surround the converting means. One of the sides include an output port for broadcasting the acoustic signal. A jacket fits around the housing and has sections for engaging the sides. The sections are generally flat. The jacket may also form a gap with a corresponding side surface of the housing. A printed circuit board can be located within the gap. The printed circuit board including electronics for processing said input audio signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microphone that includes a housing and a diaphragm and backplate located with the housing. The housing has a sound port for receiving the sound. The diaphragm undergoes movement relative to the backplate, which it opposes, in response to the incoming sound. The backplate has a charged layer with a first surface that is exposed to the diaphragm and a second surface opposite the first surface. The backplate further includes a conductor for transmitting a signal from the backplate to electronics in the housing. The conductor faces the second surface of the charged layer. To minimize the charge degradation created by contact with or infiltration of foreign materials, the first surface, the second surface, or both surfaces of the charged layer includes a protective layer thereon.

Abstract: A silicon-based transducer assembly coupled to a movable structure in a hearing instrument. The transducer assembly includes at least one microphone chip and an ASIC having multiple integrated components such as any combination of a DSP, an A/D converter, an amplifier, a filter, or a wireless interface. The movable structure may be a battery access door, a volume dial, a switch, or a touch pad. A protection strip can be disposed across the battery access door to prevent debris from clogging the silicon-based transducer assembly. The transducer assembly may also include an array of microphone chips to achieve adaptive beam steering or directionality. When equipped with a wireless interface, the hearing instrument wirelessly communicates with another hearing instrument or with a network.

Abstract: A miniature receiver or transducer with improved viscous damping. The receiver may be a moving armature receiver using shearing forces for damping the deflection of the diaphragm. In this receiver, the damping element, which may be a liquid, extend in a direction of the deflection of the armature or diaphragm. Another embodiment relates to a transducer where the damping element engages the diaphragm.

Abstract: A directional microphone includes a housing, a diaphragm dividing the housing into a front volume and a back volume, electronics for detecting signals corresponding to movements of the diaphragm, and front and back inlets for the front and back volumes, respectively. To obtain additional low frequency roll-off in the directional microphone, the directional microphone includes an elongated acoustical conduit connecting the front volume and the back volume. The acoustical conduit may be external or internal to the housing.

Abstract: A hearing aid and a receiver for use therein, the receiver being tip-mountable in a chamber of a housing. The back chamber of the receiver is acoustically connected to the chamber of the housing. The receiver is a dual-diaphragm receiver providing no or very little vibrations, whereby the receiver is fixedly but removably mounted to the housing. Electrical connections are provided between the receiver and housing using solderless, biasing electrical contacts, whereby removal of the receiver is facilitated.

Abstract: An electro-acoustical transducer comprising DC atmospheric pressure equalization vents for equalizing pressure in both chambers therein. The sound port of the transducer may be sealed by a sound conducting member preventing gas flow there through. The transducer may have a single vent extending in a plane of a side portion, which vent may have a meandering path or may comprise tapering portions or cavities defining acoustical properties thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electro-acoustic transducer suitable for applications within mobile communication equipment and hearing aids. The transducer comprises two diaphragms positioned on opposite sides of a magnetic circuit having two magnetic gaps. When used as a microphone the transducer is substantially insensitive to vibrations, and when used as a speaker the transducer generates only very low vibration levels. The magnetic circuit has a number of advantages compared to conventional transducers with circular magnetic. The transducer can be made lightweight and with very compact dimensions compared to conventional designs. In a preferred embodiment the diaphragms are rectangular. The transducer may additionally be used as a vibration generator for silent alarm signals.

Abstract: A microphone assembly comprising a transducer for receiving sound and outputting a corresponding control signal. The assembly also comprises means for detecting a magnetic field and outputting a signal relating to the field. A hearing aid comprising the assembly has a processor receiving the control signal and selecting between the microphone signal and a signal relating to the magnetic field, such as a signal received from a telephone hand set or a telecoil.

Abstract: A condenser microphone is provided having a transducer element. A diaphragm has an electrically conductive portion. A back-plate has an electrically conductive portion. A DC bias voltage element is operatively coupled to the diaphragm and the back-plate. A collapse detection element is adapted to determine a physical parameter value related to a separation between the diaphragm and the back-plate. A collapse control element is adapted to control the DC bias voltage element based on the determined physical parameter value.

Abstract: The invention provides a moving armature receiver, such as for a hearing aid, with at least two drive coils adapted to be driven by separate drive signal across different frequency ranges. This is achieved by a frequency dividing network adapted to split an audio input signal into first and second audio signals of predetermined different frequency ranges. In preferred two drive coil versions the frequency ranges overlap below 2-3 kHz, whether only one of the drive coils is active above 2-3 kHz. The drive coil being active in the upper frequency range has a lower impedance than the other drive coil. Thus, a more suitable effective impedance characteristics can be obtained. This enables an increased maximum acoustic high frequency output and an enhanced high frequency response of the receiver when driven by a low impedance amplifier, such as a class D amplifier.

Abstract: A directional microphone includes a housing, a diaphragm dividing the housing into a front volume and a back volume, electronics for detecting signals corresponding to movements of the diaphragm, and front and back inlets for the front and back volumes, respectively. To obtain additional low frequency roll-off in the directional microphone, the directional microphone includes an elongated acoustical conduit connecting the front volume and the back volume. The acoustical conduit may be external or internal to the housing.

Abstract: A flexible substrate transducer assembly integrates a transducer or transducer system with built-in signal processing capability, and a flexible substrate. The flexible substrate provides connectivity between the transducer system and electronic equipment which house the transducer assembly. This assembly is adapted for use in compact equipment such as mobile phones and hearing instruments that benefit from the small outer dimensions achievable for the assembly.