Patents by Inventor Hiroshi Akino

Hiroshi Akino 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: 9420376
    Abstract: A back air room of a microphone unit can be enlarged and a model with a sound signal output switch can easily be diverted to a switchless model. A reed switch 16 is used as the sound signal output switch which turns on or off the sound signal from a microphone unit 1. This reed switch is disposed at an output connector 11 portion at an rear end of a microphone case 6. It is arranged that a magnet 22 is disposed at a connector cover 21 which surrounds an output connector and relative movement of the connector cover with respect to the output connector allows on/off operation. Thus, by removing the connector cover 21, it is possible to provide the microphone as a switchless model which always outputs the sound signal from the microphone unit 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA AUDIO-TECHNICA
    Inventors: Hiroaki Furuya, Hiroshi Akino
  • Publication number: 20160234597
    Abstract: The present invention provides a microphone device capable of preventing a breakdown of a signal processor, which is provided in a circuit case, processing signals from a microphone unit accommodated in a unit case, and preventing production of noise in a state the unit case is detached from the circuit case. A microphone device 1 includes a unit case 3 accommodating a microphone unit 31, a circuit case 4 accommodating an input terminal receiving signals from the microphone unit, and a signal processor processing the signals input to the input terminal, the unit case 3 being detachably fixed to the circuit case 4, and a detector (38, 44) detecting the attachment or detachment between the unit case and the circuit case. The detector grounds the input terminal in response to the detection of the detachment of the unit case from the circuit case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA AUDIO-TECHNICA
    Inventor: Hiroshi AKINO
  • Patent number: 9414143
    Abstract: A microphone 1 includes a circuit board 22 equipped with electronic circuits, a microphone unit 26, and a case 21 accommodating the circuit board 22 and the microphone unit 26. The case 21 is a resilient hollow cylinder. The circuit board 22 has a substantially rectangular shape and has shorter sides having a length substantially equal to the inner diameter of the case 21. The circuit board 22 includes contact adapters 222 in contact with the inner wall of the case 21, along the longer sides of the circuit board 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-Technica
    Inventor: Hiroshi Akino
  • Publication number: 20160212550
    Abstract: Provided is a condenser microphone including an audio-signal outputting printed circuit board and a rear case that are in stable electrical connection with each other. The condenser microphone includes a microphone unit 10, an audio-signal outputting printed circuit board 20 connected with the microphone unit 10, a rear case 30 having deep groove 31a, the deep groove 31a receiving the audio-signal outputting printed circuit board 20, a mounting groove 31b being formed on the outer periphery of the rear case 30, the mounting groove 31b receiving a mounting member 50, a fitting groove 21 being formed on the audio-signal outputting printed circuit board 20, the fitting groove 21 receiving the mounting member 50.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA AUDIO-TECHNICA
    Inventor: Hiroshi Akino
  • Patent number: 9398375
    Abstract: In an electrodynamic electroacoustic transducer, a diaphragm assembly including a diaphragm and a voice coil is attached to a unit housing accurately and easily. A peripheral portion of the diaphragm curves upward while forming a downward convex portion toward an end portion side thereof. In an opening edge portion of the unit housing, a support base portion contacting the downward convex portion of the diaphragm is formed and a concave portion which a peripheral end portion of the diaphragm engages with is formed in an inside surface. In the diaphragm, the downward convex portion is supported by the support base portion of the unit housing in the peripheral portion thereof, so that the peripheral end portion engages with the concave portion of the unit housing in a state in which the peripheral end portion has upward elastic force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA AUDIO-TECHNICA
    Inventor: Hiroshi Akino
  • Publication number: 20160205470
    Abstract: A condenser microphone unit and a condenser microphone are provided that can prevent intrusion of RF current into the condenser microphone unit. The condenser microphone unit includes an electroacoustic transducer 30 including a diaphragm 32 and a fixed electrode 33 that constitute a capacitor; a printed circuit board 50 including an impedance converter 40 connected to the electroacoustic transducer 30; and a unit case 20 having bottomed tubular shape and an opening, the electroacoustic transducer 30 and the printed circuit board 50 being installed in the interior of the unit case 20, a hole being formed on the printed circuit board 50 across the thickness of the printed circuit board 50, a first filter element L being inserted into the hole 50h, the first filter element L being connected to the impedance converter 40.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA AUDIO-TECHNICA
    Inventor: Hiroshi AKINO
  • Patent number: 9392359
    Abstract: Provided is a variable directivity electret condenser microphone that can simplify a circuit configuration, and outputs an audio signal in a balanced manner, which includes electrically independent first and second electret condenser microphone units in which first and second fixed electrodes are arranged back to back and facing each other in a mutually non-conductive state, and first and second diaphragms are arranged facing the first and second fixed electrodes with fixed intervals therefrom respectively, a first impedance converter having an input terminal connected to the first fixed electrode, and a first buffer circuit connected to the first impedance converter, a second impedance converter having an input terminal connected to the second fixed electrode, and a second buffer circuit selectively connected to the second impedance converter, and a directivity variable switch that can alternatively select a mode from at least a first directivity mode to a third directivity mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA AUDIO-TECHNICA
    Inventor: Hiroshi Akino
  • Publication number: 20160192045
    Abstract: A microphone includes a microphone unit having a diaphragm vibrating in response to sound. The microphone unit converts the sound into an electrical signal. A cylindrical casing contains the microphone unit. A metal mesh strip rounded along the inner surface of the casing is attached to the inner surface of the main wall of the casing so as to cover openings. The rounded metal mesh strip has a spring portion generating spring force to expand the metal mesh strip against the inner surface of the casing to provide electrostatic shielding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA AUDIO-TECHNICA
    Inventor: Hiroshi AKINO
  • Publication number: 20160182984
    Abstract: The present invention provides a microphone including: a microphone unit including a vibration plate that vibrates in response to sound; a unit board disposed rearward of the vibration plate; a first ground pattern disposed on the rear surface of the unit board; a unit casing accommodating the microphone unit and the unit board; a contact region of the unit casing, the contact region being in contact with the first ground pattern; a main board having a side face having a second ground pattern, the second ground pattern being in contact with the contact region; and an adhesive joining the side face of the main board to the microphone unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA AUDIO-TECHNICA
    Inventor: Hiroshi AKINO
  • Patent number: 9369811
    Abstract: A microphone unit includes a first connection terminal abutting on a terminal on a microphone body side, a second connection terminal connected on a fixed electrode side, and a coil spring provided between the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal, compressed upon coupling of the microphone unit and the microphone body, and urging the first connection terminal toward the microphone body. When the microphone unit and the microphone body are coupled, the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal are connected, and the first connection terminal is connected to the terminal on the microphone body side. When the microphone unit and the microphone body are separated from each other, the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal are separated from each other by an urging force of the coil spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA AUDIO-TECHNICA
    Inventor: Hiroshi Akino
  • Patent number: 9369802
    Abstract: A stereo microphone includes two unidirective mid units and a bidirective side unit, the side unit is a ribbon microphone unit including a ribbon diaphragm, the two mid units are disposed at two respective surfaces of the ribbon diaphragm of the side unit, and the mid units each have a sound collecting axis along a longitudinal direction of the ribbon diaphragm in the side unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-Technica
    Inventor: Hiroshi Akino
  • Publication number: 20160165356
    Abstract: A condenser type electroacoustic transducer includes a diaphragm, a fixed electrode having a surface facing the diaphragm, and a dielectric disposed in a partial region on the surface of the fixed electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-Technica
    Inventors: Tatsuya IKEDA, Hiroshi AKINO
  • Publication number: 20160156321
    Abstract: To provide an impedance converter circuit for a condenser microphone which can secure a wide dynamic range using a voltage amplifier circuit. The impedance converter circuit is provided with: a first electron tube of a cathode grounded type in which an output signal of a condenser microphone unit is input into a grid and output from a plate; a second electron tube in which an output signal from the plate of the first electron tube is input into a grid and output from at least a cathode; and a feedback element configured to transmit a feedback signal from the cathode of the second electron tube to the grid of the first electron tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventor: Hiroshi AKINO
  • Patent number: 9332355
    Abstract: In an electro-acoustic transducer including a needle electrode and a counter electrode facing the needle electrode and inducing electric discharge between the needle electrode and the counter electrode for electro-acoustic conversion by an RF voltage applied across the needle electrode and the counter electrode, the counter electrode has a cylindrical surface surrounding plasma extending from the needle electrode and has a cutout in a part of the cylindrical surface. This configuration prevents a short circuit between the needle electrode and the counter electrode due to plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-Technica
    Inventor: Hiroshi Akino
  • Patent number: 9332333
    Abstract: A simple microphone which can vary the direction of the light beams emitted from a ring lamp is provided. A microphone includes a ring lamp; and a light guide that receives incident light beams emitted from the ring lamp. The light guide includes a plurality of light-guiding portions that receive the light beams. The light guide is movable relative to the ring lamp. The light guide moves for selection of the light-guiding portion to receive the light beams and vary the direction of the light beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-Technica
    Inventor: Hiroshi Akino
  • Publication number: 20160119702
    Abstract: The microphone device includes a tubular support of a conductive material. A microphone unit is provided at one end of the support and grounded to the support. A cable passes through the support and includes core wires connected to a signal output terminal of the microphone unit. A conductive covering material that covers the core wires and is electrically connected to the support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA AUDIO-TECHNICA
    Inventors: Noriko MATSUI, Hiroshi AKINO
  • Publication number: 20160112793
    Abstract: A dynamic microphone includes: a diaphragm; a voice coil fixed to the diaphragm; a magnetic circuit which includes a magnetic gap in which the voice coil is arranged and generates a magnetic field in the magnetic gap; a volume reducing member which is attached to the magnetic circuit, is arranged in aback surface space of the diaphragm, and reduces, and reduces a volume in an air chamber in the back surface space; a communication passage which is formed along between the volume reducing member and the magnetic circuit and communicates the back surface space with a back side air chamber; and an acoustic resistance which is attached to the magnetic circuit and intervenes between the communication passage and the back side air chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventor: Hiroshi AKINO
  • Publication number: 20160100246
    Abstract: A unidirectional condenser microphone includes a first and second condenser elements each having a diaphragm and a fixed electrode disposed opposite the diaphragm, an insulating base having an opening at the center thereof and supporting the respective fixed electrodes of the first and second condenser elements at opposite sides of the insulating base, acoustic resistance materials covering both ends of the opening, and air chambers formed respectively between each of the fixed electrodes and the insulating base, such that respective back sides of the diaphragms of the first and the second condenser elements are acoustically in communication with each other, wherein the diaphragm of the second condenser elements is formed to be an annular-shape having a central opening, and the second condenser element has a rear acoustic terminal hole communicating with the central opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventor: Hiroshi AKINO
  • Publication number: 20160094919
    Abstract: A condenser microphone unit includes a diaphragm vibrated by acoustic waves, a fixed electrode disposed to face the diaphragm, and an insulation base making contact with a rim portion of the fixed electrode to support the fixed electrode, wherein a ring-shaped protrusion is provided on a rim portion of the insulation base, the ring-shaped protrusion protruding toward the fixed electrode with a radially inward taper and having a ring-shaped distal face to oppose the rim portion of the fixed electrode, the distal face of the ring-shaped protrusion supports the rim portion of the fixed electrode, and an adhesive is provided on a tapered surface of the ring-shaped protrusion positioned between the insulation base and the fixed electrode, the adhesive having property to shrink by curing. When the adhesive is cured, contact portions of the insulation base and the fixed electrode are tightly bonded together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventor: Hiroshi AKINO
  • Patent number: 9301036
    Abstract: A microphone comprises a microphone unit; and a HOT terminal and a COLD terminal that produce a balanced output of output signals of the microphone unit, and no filter circuit is disposed between the microphone unit and the HOT terminal and a low-pass filter is disposed only between the microphone unit and the COLD terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-Technica
    Inventor: Hiroshi Akino