Patents by Inventor Claus Furst

Claus Furst 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).

  • Patent number: 11825266
    Abstract: Microphones including a housing defining a cavity, a plurality of conductors positioned within the cavity, at least one dielectric bar positioned within the cavity, and a transducer diaphragm. The conductors are structured to move in response to pressure changes while the housing remains fixed. A first conductor generates first electrical signals responsive to the pressure changes resulting from changes in an atmospheric pressure. A second conductor generates second electrical signals responsive to the pressure changes resulting from acoustic activity. The dielectric bar is fixed with respect to the cavity and remains fixed under the pressure changes. The dielectric bar is adjacent to at least one of the conductors. In response to an applied pressure that is an atmospheric pressure and/or an acoustic pressure, the transducer diaphragm exerts a force on the housing and displaces at least a portion of conductors with respect to the dielectric bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Mohsin Nawaz, Shubham Shubham, David Schafer, Michael Pedersen, Claus Furst, Mohammad Shajaan, Jay Cech
  • Patent number: 11743647
    Abstract: An integrated circuit connectable to a sensor includes a transconductance element and a current-input analog-to-digital converter (I-ADC). The transconductance element is connectable to the sensor and is configured to generate a current signal representative of an output of the sensor. The I-ADC is configured to sample and quantize the current signal to generate a corresponding digital sensor signal. The I-ADC includes a continuous-time (CT) integrator stage, a discrete-time (DT) integrator stage, and a feedback digital-to-analog converter (FB-DAC). The CT integrator stage is configured to receive the current output and the I-ADC is configured to generate the digital sensor signal based on an output of the CT integrator stage and an output of the DT integrator stage. The FB-DAC is configured to provide a feedback signal based on the digital sensor signal for adding to the current signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: KNOWLES ELECTRONICS, LLC.
    Inventors: Mohammad Shajaan, Kristian Hansen, Jens Tingleff, Henrik Thomsen, Claus Fürst
  • Publication number: 20220141586
    Abstract: An integrated circuit connectable to a sensor includes a transconductance element and a current-input analog-to-digital converter (I-ADC). The transconductance element is connectable to the sensor and is configured to generate a current signal representative of an output of the sensor. The I-ADC is configured to sample and quantize the current signal to generate a corresponding digital sensor signal. The I-ADC includes a continuous-time (CT) integrator stage, a discrete-time (DT) integrator stage, and a feedback digital-to-analog converter (FB-DAC). The CT integrator stage is configured to receive the current output and the I-ADC is configured to generate the digital sensor signal based on an output of the CT integrator stage and an output of the DT integrator stage. The FB-DAC is configured to provide a feedback signal based on the digital sensor signal for adding to the current signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Mohammad Shajaan, Kristian Hansen, Jens Tingleff, Henrik Thomsen, Claus Fürst
  • Patent number: 11218804
    Abstract: A system and method in an audio signal electrical circuit including a feedback loop with a digital filter coupled to a current digital to analog converter (IDAC) includes providing an output signal from the IDAC to analog elements of the audio signal electrical circuit, the output signal from the IDAC based upon a reference signal input to the IDAC when an output of the digital filter is not input to the IDAC. The system and method also include comparing an output signal of the audio signal electrical circuit to a reference, and calibrating the audio signal electrical circuit to correspond the output signal of the audio signal electrical circuit to the reference. Calibration of the audio signal electrical circuit enables more precise control of a cut-off frequency of a microphone signal when the output of the digital filter is input to the IDAC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Kim Spetzler Berthelsen, Mohammad Shajaan, Claus Fürst
  • Patent number: 11142451
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device includes at least one substrate, a lid, a MEMS component, a sensor, and a power supply. The lid is coupled to the substrate so that the substrate and the lid cooperatively define an interior cavity. The MEMS component is disposed within the interior cavity. The sensor is disposed within the interior cavity and is arranged to detect a parameter of the interior cavity. The power supply provides current to the sensor. The power supply is configured to control current during a ramp-up transition of the current and a ramp-down transition of the current such that the ramp-up transition and the ramp-down transition have attenuated high-frequency components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: KNOWLES ELECTRONICS, LLC
    Inventors: Claus Fürst, Venkataraman Chandrasekaran
  • Patent number: 11104571
    Abstract: Systems and apparatuses for a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device. The MEMS device includes a housing, a transducer, and a sensor. The housing includes a substrate defining a port and a cover. The substrate and the cover cooperatively form an internal cavity. The port fluidly couples the internal cavity to an external environment. The transducer is disposed within the internal cavity and positioned to receive acoustic energy through the port. The transducer is configured to convert the acoustic energy into an electrical signal. The sensor is disposed within the internal cavity and positioned to receive a gas through the port. The sensor is configured to facilitate detecting at least one of an offensive odor, smoke, a volatile organic compound, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, a nitrogen oxide, methane, and ozone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Venkataraman Chandrasekaran, John Szczech, Joshua Watson, Claus Furst
  • Publication number: 20210136493
    Abstract: A system and method in an audio signal electrical circuit including a feedback loop with a digital filter coupled to a current digital to analog converter (IDAC) includes providing an output signal from the IDAC to analog elements of the audio signal electrical circuit, the output signal from the IDAC based upon a reference signal input to the IDAC when an output of the digital filter is not input to the IDAC. The system and method also include comparing an output signal of the audio signal electrical circuit to a reference, and calibrating the audio signal electrical circuit to correspond the output signal of the audio signal electrical circuit to the reference. Calibration of the audio signal electrical circuit enables more precise control of a cut-off frequency of a microphone signal when the output of the digital filter is input to the IDAC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: KNOWLES ELECTRONICS, LLC
    Inventors: Kim Spetzler Berthelsen, Mohammad Shajaan, Claus Fürst
  • Publication number: 20210029470
    Abstract: Microphones including a housing defining a cavity, a plurality of conductors positioned within the cavity, at least one dielectric bar positioned within the cavity, and a transducer diaphragm. The conductors are structured to move in response to pressure changes while the housing remains fixed. A first conductor generates first electrical signals responsive to the pressure changes resulting from changes in an atmospheric pressure. A second conductor generates second electrical signals responsive to the pressure changes resulting from acoustic activity. The dielectric bar is fixed with respect to the cavity and remains fixed under the pressure changes. The dielectric bar is adjacent to at least one of the conductors. In response to an applied pressure that is an atmospheric pressure and/or an acoustic pressure, the transducer diaphragm exerts a force on the housing and displaces at least a portion of conductors with respect to the dielectric bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: Knowles Electronics LLC
    Inventors: Mohsin Nawaz, Shubham Shubham, David Schafer, Michael Pedersen, Claus Furst, Mohammad Shajaan, Jay Cech
  • Patent number: 10887712
    Abstract: A microphone assembly includes an acoustic transducer and an audio signal electrical circuit configured to receive an output signal from the acoustic transducer. The output signal includes an audio signal component and a tracking signal component. The audio signal component is representative of an acoustic signal detected by the acoustic transducer and the tracking signal component is based on an input tracking signal applied to the acoustic transducer. The audio signal electrical circuit includes an analog to digital converter configured to convert the output signal into a digital signal, an extraction circuit configured to separate the tracking signal component and the audio signal component from the digital signal, an envelope estimation circuit configured to estimate a tracking signal envelope from the tracking signal component, and a signal correction circuit configured to reduce distortion in the audio signal component using the tracking signal envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Kim Spetzler Berthelsen, Michael Kuntzman, Claus Furst, Sung Bok Lee, Mohammad Shajaan, Venkataraman Chandrasekaran
  • Publication number: 20200162830
    Abstract: A microphone assembly includes an acoustic transducer and an audio signal electrical circuit configured to receive an output signal from the acoustic transducer. The output signal includes an audio signal component and a tracking signal component. The audio signal component is representative of an acoustic signal detected by the acoustic transducer and the tracking signal component is based on an input tracking signal applied to the acoustic transducer. The audio signal electrical circuit includes an analog to digital converter configured to convert the output signal into a digital signal, an extraction circuit configured to separate the tracking signal component and the audio signal component from the digital signal, an envelope estimation circuit configured to estimate a tracking signal envelope from the tracking signal component, and a signal correction circuit configured to reduce distortion in the audio signal component using the tracking signal envelope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Applicant: KNOWLES ELECTRONICS, LLC
    Inventors: Kim Spetzler BERTHELSEN, Michael KUNTZMAN, Claus FURST, Sung Bok LEE, Mohammad SHAJAAN, Venkataraman CHANDRASEKARAN
  • Publication number: 20190345026
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device includes at least one substrate, a lid, a MEMS component, a sensor, and a power supply. The lid is coupled to the substrate so that the substrate and the lid cooperatively define an interior cavity. The MEMS component is disposed within the interior cavity. The sensor is disposed within the interior cavity and is arranged to detect a parameter of the interior cavity. The power supply provides current to the sensor. The power supply is configured to control current during a ramp-up transition of the current and a ramp-down transition of the current such that the ramp-up transition and the ramp-down transition have attenuated high-frequency components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Applicant: KNOWLES ELECTRONICS, LLC
    Inventors: Claus Fürst, II, Venkataraman Chandrasekaran
  • Patent number: 10405078
    Abstract: A microphone device comprises a microphone die including a microphone motor, an acoustic integrated circuit structured to process signals produced by the microphone motor, and a sensor die stacked on top of the acoustic integrated circuit, wherein the sensor die comprises a pressure sensor. Another microphone comprises a microphone die including a microphone motor and an integrated circuit die. The integrated circuit die comprises an acoustic integrated circuit structured to process signals produced by the microphone motor, a pressure sensor, and a pressure integrated circuit structured to press signals produced by the pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Venkataraman Chandrasekaran, Claus Furst, Joshua Watson, John Szczech
  • Publication number: 20190194013
    Abstract: Systems and apparatuses for a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device. The MEMS device includes a housing, a transducer, and a sensor. The housing includes a substrate defining a port and a cover. The substrate and the cover cooperatively form an internal cavity. The port fluidly couples the internal cavity to an external environment. The transducer is disposed within the internal cavity and positioned to receive acoustic energy through the port. The transducer is configured to convert the acoustic energy into an electrical signal. The sensor is disposed within the internal cavity and positioned to receive a gas through the port. The sensor is configured to facilitate detecting at least one of an offensive odor, smoke, a volatile organic compound, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, a nitrogen oxide, methane, and ozone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Applicant: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Venkataraman Chandrasekaran, John Szczech, Josh Watson, Claus Furst
  • Publication number: 20190104351
    Abstract: A microphone device comprises a microphone die including a microphone motor, an acoustic integrated circuit structured to process signals produced by the microphone motor, and a sensor die stacked on top of the acoustic integrated circuit, wherein the sensor die comprises a pressure sensor. Another microphone comprises a microphone die including a microphone motor and an integrated circuit die. The integrated circuit die comprises an acoustic integrated circuit structured to process signals produced by the microphone motor, a pressure sensor, and a pressure integrated circuit structured to press signals produced by the pressure sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Applicant: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Venkataraman Chandrasekaran, Claus Furst, Joshua Watson, John Szczech
  • Patent number: 10149031
    Abstract: A microphone device comprises a microphone die including a first microphone motor and a second microphone motor, an acoustic integrated circuit structured to process signals produced by the first microphone motor and the second microphone motor, and a sensor die stacked on top of the acoustic integrated circuit, wherein the sensor die comprises a pressure sensor. Another microphone comprises a microphone die including a first microphone motor and a second microphone motor and an integrated circuit die. The integrated circuit die comprises an acoustic integrated circuit structured to process signals produced by the first microphone motor and the second microphone motor, a pressure sensor, and a pressure integrated circuit structured to press signals produced by the pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Venkataraman Chandrasekaran, Claus Furst, Joshua Watson, John Szczech
  • Publication number: 20170347174
    Abstract: A microphone device comprises a microphone die including a first microphone motor and a second microphone motor, an acoustic integrated circuit structured to process signals produced by the first microphone motor and the second microphone motor, and a sensor die stacked on top of the acoustic integrated circuit, wherein the sensor die comprises a pressure sensor. Another microphone comprises a microphone die including a first microphone motor and a second microphone motor and an integrated circuit die. The integrated circuit die comprises an acoustic integrated circuit structured to process signals produced by the first microphone motor and the second microphone motor, a pressure sensor, and a pressure integrated circuit structured to press signals produced by the pressure sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Venkataraman Chandrasekaran, Claus Furst, Joshua Watson, John Szczech
  • Patent number: 9502028
    Abstract: Streaming audio is received. The streaming audio includes a frame having plurality of samples. An energy estimate is obtained for the plurality of samples. The energy estimate is compared to at least one threshold. In addition, a band pass estimate of the signal is determined. An energy estimate is obtained for the band-passed plurality of samples. The two energy estimates are compared to at least one threshold each. Based upon the comparison operation, a determination is made as to whether speech is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Dibyendu Nandy, Yang Li, Henrik Thomsen, Claus Furst
  • Publication number: 20160134975
    Abstract: A microphone includes a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device, an amplifier, and an attenuation apparatus. The MEMS device converts acoustic energy into electrical signals. The amplifier is coupled to the MEMS device and receives an input signal from the MEMS device and performs amplification on the input signal to produce an output signal. The attenuation apparatus is coupled to the amplifier. Activation of the attenuation apparatus is effective to attenuate the output signal of the amplifier. A self-noise of the amplifier is attenuated and a sensitivity of the microphone is reduced such that a first signal-to-noise ratio is substantially the same as a second signal-to-noise ratio. The first signal-to-noise ratio occurs when the attenuation apparatus is not activated, and the second signal-to-noise ratio occurs when the attenuation apparatus is activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Michael Kuntzman, John Albers, Claus Fürst
  • Patent number: 9083288
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an audio amplification circuit with first and second signal channels which generate first and second digital audio signals with different signal amplifications from a common audio input signal and a method of amplifying a common audio input signal with different signal amplifications to provide first and second digital audio signals with different amplification. The audio amplification circuit is particularly well-adapted for cooperating with an external or integral audio signal controller configured for receipt and processing of the first and second digital audio signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: INVENSENSE, INC.
    Inventors: Henrik Thomsen, Jens Jorgen Gaarde Henriksen, Claus Furst
  • Patent number: 9076447
    Abstract: Streaming audio is received. The streaming audio includes a frame having plurality of samples. An energy estimate is obtained for the plurality of samples. The energy estimate is compared to at least one threshold. In addition, a band pass estimate of the signal is determined. An energy estimate is obtained for the band-passed plurality of samples. The two energy estimates are compared to at least one threshold each. Based upon the comparison operation, a determination is made as to whether speech is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: KNOWLES ELECTRONICS, LLC
    Inventors: Dibyendu Nandy, Yang Li, Henrick Thomsen, Claus Furst