Patents by Inventor Christopher Zachara
Christopher Zachara has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20230420825Abstract: Embodiments include a wireless microphone comprising an elongated main body configured for handheld operation of the microphone; a display bezel area included in the main body; a first antenna positioned at a bottom end of the main body; and a second antenna integrated into the display bezel area. Embodiments also include a wireless handheld microphone comprising a main body having a conductive housing and a tubular shape configured for handheld operation of the microphone; an opening included on a side surface of the conductive housing; a non-conductive cover coupled to the conductive housing and configured to cover the opening; and an antenna positioned adjacent to the non-conductive cover.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2023Publication date: December 28, 2023Inventors: Christopher Zachara, Gregory W. Bachman
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Patent number: 11799191Abstract: Embodiments include a wireless microphone comprising an elongated main body configured for handheld operation of the microphone; a display bezel area included in the main body; a first antenna positioned at a bottom end of the main body; and a second antenna integrated into the display bezel area. Embodiments also include a wireless handheld microphone comprising a main body having a conductive housing and a tubular shape configured for handheld operation of the microphone; an opening included on a side surface of the conductive housing; a non-conductive cover coupled to the conductive housing and configured to cover the opening; and an antenna positioned adjacent to the non-conductive cover.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2023Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Shure Acquisition Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Zachara, Gregory W. Bachman
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Publication number: 20230262878Abstract: A wireless earphone incorporates a wire antenna having a form factor driven innovative antenna shape that minimizes antenna detuning caused by user interactions with the earphones. The wire shape, diameter, and distance of the wire antenna from the printed circuit board (PCB) are selected for an acceptable tradeoff between antenna bandwidth and radiated efficiency. By inserting an end through a through-hole of the PCB, the wire antenna is electrically connected to a multi-layer PCB without traditional approaches such as springs, pogo pins, and the like. An antenna holder further secures the antenna within a thin profile housing for precise placement and manufacturing consistency. A PCB-specific RF VIA geometry is also utilized for partial impedance matching of a transmission line to the wire antenna. In addition, a more constant impedance is maintained along the transmission line connecting a radio device with the wire antenna.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2023Publication date: August 17, 2023Applicant: Shure Acquisition Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Zachara, Truong Vu Luu, Christopher Richard Knipstein
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Patent number: 11672078Abstract: A wireless earphone incorporates a wire antenna having a form factor driven innovative antenna shape that minimizes antenna detuning caused by user interactions with the earphones. The wire shape, diameter, and distance of the wire antenna from the printed circuit board (PCB) are selected for an acceptable tradeoff between antenna bandwidth and radiated efficiency. By inserting an end through a through-hole of the PCB, the wire antenna is electrically connected to a multi-layer PCB without traditional approaches such as springs, pogo pins, and the like. An antenna holder further secures the antenna within a thin profile housing for precise placement and manufacturing consistency. A PCB-specific RF VIA geometry is also utilized for partial impedance matching of a transmission line to the wire antenna. In addition, a more constant impedance is maintained along the transmission line connecting a radio device with the wire antenna.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2021Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: Shure Acquisition Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Zachara, Truong Vu Luu, Christopher Richard Knipstein
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Publication number: 20230155274Abstract: Embodiments include a wireless microphone comprising an elongated main body configured for handheld operation of the microphone; a display bezel area included in the main body; a first antenna positioned at a bottom end of the main body; and a second antenna integrated into the display bezel area. Embodiments also include a wireless handheld microphone comprising a main body having a conductive housing and a tubular shape configured for handheld operation of the microphone; an opening included on a side surface of the conductive housing; a non-conductive cover coupled to the conductive housing and configured to cover the opening; and an antenna positioned adjacent to the non-conductive cover.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2023Publication date: May 18, 2023Inventors: Christopher Zachara, Gregory W. Bachman
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Patent number: 11581625Abstract: Embodiments include a wireless microphone comprising an elongated main body configured for handheld operation of the microphone; a display bezel area included in the main body; a first antenna positioned at a bottom end of the main body; and a second antenna integrated into the display bezel area. Embodiments also include a wireless handheld microphone comprising a main body having a conductive housing and a tubular shape configured for handheld operation of the microphone; an opening included on a side surface of the conductive housing; a non-conductive cover coupled to the conductive housing and configured to cover the opening; and an antenna positioned adjacent to the non-conductive cover.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2019Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Shure Acquisition Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Zachara, Gregory W. Bachman
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Publication number: 20220352621Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for increasing detune-resiliency of a user device during user-interactions. An antenna bandwidth may be increased, via modification of one or more antenna characteristics and/or the addition of one or more novel antenna components, in order to increase the detune-resiliency of the antenna. Moreover, user interface elements of the user device may be located outside of a protected region of the antenna. Thus, the user device may be more resilient to detuning during user interactions.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2022Publication date: November 3, 2022Inventor: Christopher Zachara
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Patent number: 11469740Abstract: Adaptive self-tunable antenna systems and methods are provided including a closed-loop system for sensing near-field RF signals of transmitted RF signals and tuning an antenna or switching between multiple antennas, so that the strength of the transmitted RF signals is maximized. A sensing antenna detects the near-field RF signal, which is filtered and converted to an RF strength control signal that can be used to generate an antenna tuning control signal. An antenna tuner uses the antenna tuning control signal to keep the antenna in resonance by dynamically changing the electrical length of the antenna or switching between multiple antennas to maximize the strength of the radiated RF signal. Such antennas may be less prone to detuning due to interaction with human bodies or other objects. Dynamically matching the antennas to an RF power amplifier and low noise amplifier can improve stability, power efficiency, gain, noise figure, and receiver sensitivity.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2019Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: Shure Acquisition Holdings, Inc.Inventor: Christopher Zachara
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Patent number: 11336975Abstract: A wearable device, such as an earphone, may include a conformal antenna that is resilient to performance degradation due to user-interactions and manufacturing process variances. The antenna may comprise one or more surfaces suitable for receiving and transmitting electromagnetic signals, wherein the one or more surfaces of the antenna may be non-parallel with a ground plane and a user-interactable surface, thereby minimizing image current cancellation and coupling between the antenna and a user finger during user interactions with the user-interactable surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2021Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: Shure Acquisition Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Zachara, Mark Coster
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Patent number: 11251519Abstract: Embodiments include an antenna assembly for a wireless microphone, comprising a helical antenna including a feed point and at least one contact pin coupling the feed point to the wireless microphone. The helical antenna is configured for operation in first and second frequency bands. Embodiments also include a wireless microphone comprising a main body having top and bottom ends and an antenna assembly coupled to the bottom end. The antenna assembly comprises a helical antenna configured to transmit and receive wireless signals, an inner core configured to support the helical antenna on an outer surface of the inner core, and an outer shell formed over the inner core and the helical antenna. Embodiments further include a method of manufacturing an antenna assembly for a wireless microphone using a first manufacturing process to form a core unit of the antenna assembly and a second manufacturing process to form an overmold.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2019Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: SHURE ACQUISITION HOLDINGS, INC.Inventors: Christopher Zachara, Adem Celebi, Gregory W. Bachman
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Publication number: 20210392741Abstract: A wireless earphone incorporates a wire antenna having a form factor driven innovative antenna shape that minimizes antenna detuning caused by user interactions with the earphones. The wire shape, diameter, and distance of the wire antenna from the printed circuit board (PCB) are selected for an acceptable tradeoff between antenna bandwidth and radiated efficiency. By inserting an end through a through-hole of the PCB, the wire antenna is electrically connected to a multi-layer PCB without traditional approaches such as springs, pogo pins, and the like. An antenna holder further secures the antenna within a thin profile housing for precise placement and manufacturing consistency. A PCB-specific RF VIA geometry is also utilized for partial impedance matching of a transmission line to the wire antenna. In addition, a more constant impedance is maintained along the transmission line connecting a radio device with the wire antenna.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2021Publication date: December 16, 2021Applicant: Shure Acquisition Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Zachara, Truong Vu Luu, Christopher Richard Knipstein
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Patent number: 11196145Abstract: Embodiments include an antenna assembly comprising a non-conductive housing having an open end; an antenna element positioned inside the non-conductive housing; an electrical cable having a first end electrically coupled to the antenna element and a second end extending out from the open end; one or more dielectric materials positioned inside the non-conductive housing; and a conductive gasket coupled to a portion of the electrical cable positioned adjacent to the open end and outside the non-conductive housing. One embodiment includes a portable wireless bodypack device comprising a frame having a first external sidewall opposite a second external sidewall; a first antenna housing forming a portion of the first sidewall and including a first diversity antenna; and a second antenna housing forming a portion of the second sidewall and including a second diversity antenna.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2019Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: Shure Acquisition Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Zachara, Christopher Richard Knipstein, Thomas John Downs
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Publication number: 20210376881Abstract: A wearable device, such as an earphone, may include a conductive coil which may be used in several modes, including a first mode for harvesting power for charging an internal battery, a second mode for communicating via near field communications (NFC), and a third mode for communicating via near field magnetic induction (NFMI). Additionally, the wearable device may include a controller, configured to adapt or configure the conductive coil for each of the operational modes.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2021Publication date: December 2, 2021Applicant: Shure Acquisition Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Arjun Krishnakumar, Christopher Zachara
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Publication number: 20200195233Abstract: Adaptive self-tunable antenna systems and methods are provided including a closed-loop system for sensing near-field RF signals of transmitted RF signals and tuning an antenna or switching between multiple antennas, so that the strength of the transmitted RF signals is maximized. A sensing antenna detects the near-field RF signal, which is filtered and converted to an RF strength control signal that can be used to generate an antenna tuning control signal. An antenna tuner uses the antenna tuning control signal to keep the antenna in resonance by dynamically changing the electrical length of the antenna or switching between multiple antennas to maximize the strength of the radiated RF signal. Such antennas may be less prone to detuning due to interaction with human bodies or other objects. Dynamically matching the antennas to an RF power amplifier and low noise amplifier can improve stability, power efficiency, gain, noise figure, and receiver sensitivity.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2019Publication date: June 18, 2020Inventor: Christopher Zachara
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Publication number: 20200076053Abstract: Embodiments include a wireless microphone comprising an elongated main body configured for handheld operation of the microphone; a display bezel area included in the main body; a first antenna positioned at a bottom end of the main body; and a second antenna integrated into the display bezel area. Embodiments also include a wireless handheld microphone comprising a main body having a conductive housing and a tubular shape configured for handheld operation of the microphone; an opening included on a side surface of the conductive housing; a non-conductive cover coupled to the conductive housing and configured to cover the opening; and an antenna positioned adjacent to the non-conductive cover.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2019Publication date: March 5, 2020Inventors: Christopher Zachara, Gregory W. Bachman
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Publication number: 20200021014Abstract: Embodiments include an antenna assembly comprising a non-conductive housing having an open end; an antenna element positioned inside the non-conductive housing; an electrical cable having a first end electrically coupled to the antenna element and a second end extending out from the open end; one or more dielectric materials positioned inside the non-conductive housing; and a conductive gasket coupled to a portion of the electrical cable positioned adjacent to the open end and outside the non-conductive housing. One embodiment includes a portable wireless bodypack device comprising a frame having a first external sidewall opposite a second external sidewall; a first antenna housing forming a portion of the first sidewall and including a first diversity antenna; and a second antenna housing forming a portion of the second sidewall and including a second diversity antenna.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2019Publication date: January 16, 2020Inventors: Christopher Zachara, Christopher Richard Knipstein, Thomas John Downs
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Patent number: 10431873Abstract: Embodiments include an antenna assembly comprising a non-conductive housing having an open end; an antenna element positioned inside the non-conductive housing; an electrical cable having a first end electrically coupled to the antenna element and a second end extending out from the open end; one or more dielectric materials positioned inside the non-conductive housing; and a conductive gasket coupled to a portion of the electrical cable positioned adjacent to the open end and outside the non-conductive housing. One embodiment includes a portable wireless bodypack device comprising a frame having a first external sidewall opposite a second external sidewall; a first antenna housing forming a portion of the first sidewall and including a first diversity antenna; and a second antenna housing forming a portion of the second sidewall and including a second diversity antenna. Embodiments also include a method of manufacturing an antenna assembly for a portable wireless bodypack device.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2016Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: Shure Acquisitions Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Zachara, Christopher Richard Knipstein, Thomas John Downs
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Patent number: 10348272Abstract: Adaptive self-tunable antenna systems and methods are provided including a closed-loop system for sensing near-field RF signals of transmitted RF signals and tuning an antenna or switching between multiple antennas, so that the strength of the transmitted RF signals is maximized. A sensing antenna detects the near-field RF signal, which is filtered and converted to an RF strength control signal that can be used to generate an antenna tuning control signal. An antenna tuner uses the antenna tuning control signal to keep the antenna in resonance by dynamically changing the electrical length of the antenna or switching between multiple antennas to maximize the strength of the radiated RF signal. Such antennas may be less prone to detuning due to interaction with human bodies or other objects. Dynamically matching the antennas to an RF power amplifier and low noise amplifier can improve stability, power efficiency, gain, noise figure, and receiver sensitivity.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2018Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: Shure Acquisition Holdings, Inc.Inventor: Christopher Zachara
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Publication number: 20190181541Abstract: Embodiments include an antenna assembly for a wireless microphone, comprising a helical antenna including a feed point and at least one contact pin coupling the feed point to the wireless microphone. The helical antenna is configured for operation in first and second frequency bands. Embodiments also include a wireless microphone comprising a main body having top and bottom ends and an antenna assembly coupled to the bottom end. The antenna assembly comprises a helical antenna configured to transmit and receive wireless signals, an inner core configured to support the helical antenna on an outer surface of the inner core, and an outer shell formed over the inner core and the helical antenna. Embodiments further include a method of manufacturing an antenna assembly for a wireless microphone using a first manufacturing process to form a core unit of the antenna assembly and a second manufacturing process to form an overmold.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2019Publication date: June 13, 2019Inventors: Christopher Zachara, Adem Celebi, Gregory W. Bachman
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Patent number: 10230159Abstract: Embodiments include an antenna assembly for a wireless microphone, comprising a helical antenna including a feed point and at least one contact pin coupling the feed point to the wireless microphone. The helical antenna is configured for operation in first and second frequency bands. Embodiments also include a wireless microphone comprising a main body having top and bottom ends and an antenna assembly coupled to the bottom end. The antenna assembly comprises a helical antenna configured to transmit and receive wireless signals, an inner core configured to support the helical antenna on an outer surface of the inner core, and an outer shell formed over the inner core and the helical antenna. Embodiments further include a method of manufacturing an antenna assembly for a wireless microphone using a first manufacturing process to form a core unit of the antenna assembly and a second manufacturing process to form an overmold.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2015Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: Shure Acquisition Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Zachara, Adem Celebi, Gregory W. Bachman