Patents by Inventor John Szczech
John Szczech 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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Patent number: 11787690Abstract: A method of forming a micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) assembly comprises providing a substrate having an electrically conductive layer disposed thereon. The method also comprises depositing, on the substrate over the electrically conductive layer, a bonding material having an elastic modulus of less than 500 MPa so as to form a bond layer. The bond layer is completely cured, and a MEMS die is attached to the completely cured bond layer.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2021Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: KNOWLES ELECTRONICS, LLC.Inventors: Sung Bok Lee, John Szczech, Josh Watson
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Patent number: 11368794Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) transducer for integration in a microphone assembly is designed to produce heat-generated acoustic signals. The MEMS transducer generally comprises a substrate having an aperture, a transduction element located at least partially over the aperture and coupled to the substrate, electrical contacts coupled to the transduction element, and a resistor integrated with the substrate or the transduction element. The resistor is coupled to electrical contacts that are electrically isolated from the contacts of the MEMS transducer or transduction element. The transduction element includes an insulating material coupled to the substrate. The transduction element comprises a fixed electrode and a movable electrode located at least partially over the aperture of the substrate. The fixed electrode or the moving electrode is formed on the insulating material. The resistor can be formed on the insulating material or suspended from the insulating material.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2020Date of Patent: June 21, 2022Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLCInventors: Michael Pedersen, Joshua Watson, John Szczech
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Patent number: 11104571Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 9, 2017Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLCInventors: Venkataraman Chandrasekaran, John Szczech, Joshua Watson, Claus Furst
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Publication number: 20210204071Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) transducer for integration in a microphone assembly is designed to produce heat-generated acoustic signals. The MEMS transducer generally comprises a substrate having an aperture, a transduction element located at least partially over the aperture and coupled to the substrate, electrical contacts coupled to the transduction element, and a resistor integrated with the substrate or the transduction element. The resistor is coupled to electrical contacts that are electrically isolated from the contacts of the MEMS transducer or transduction element. The transduction element includes an insulating material coupled to the substrate. The transduction element comprises a fixed electrode and a movable electrode located at least partially over the aperture of the substrate. The fixed electrode or the moving electrode is formed on the insulating material. The resistor can be formed on the insulating material or suspended from the insulating material.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2020Publication date: July 1, 2021Inventors: Michael Pedersen, Joshua Watson, John Szczech
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Patent number: 10924867Abstract: A microphone includes a housing including a substrate and a cover disposed over the substrate, the housing including a sound port between the interior of the housing and the exterior of the housing. The microphone also includes a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) transducer and an integrated circuit (IC) positioned within the housing and mounted on a common surface of the housing, where the MEMS transducer is electrically connected to the IC, and the IC is electrically connected to a conductor on the substrate. The microphone further includes an encapsulating material covering the IC, and an encapsulating material confinement structure disposed between the MEMS transducer and the IC, where the encapsulating material confinement structure at least partially confines the encapsulating material around the IC.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2020Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: Knowles Electroics, LLCInventors: Tony K. Lim, John Szczech, Joshua Watson
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Patent number: 10820083Abstract: An acoustic device including a motor disposed in a housing having a non-porous elastomeric membrane disposed across an acoustic path defined by a sound port of the housing is disclosed. The motor may be embodied as MEMS transducer configured to generate an electrical signal responsive to an acoustic signal, or as some other electromechanical device. The membrane has a compliance that is 1 to 100 times a compliance of the acoustic device without the membrane, wherein the membrane prevents ingress of contaminants (e.g., solids, liquids or light) via the sound port while permitting propagation of the acoustic signal along the acoustic path without significant loss.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2019Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLCInventors: John Szczech, Sandra Vos, William Ryan, Yu Du, Jose Salazar, Charles King
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Publication number: 20200245078Abstract: A microphone includes a housing including a substrate and a cover disposed over the substrate, the housing including a sound port between the interior of the housing and the exterior of the housing. The microphone also includes a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) transducer and an integrated circuit (IC) positioned within the housing and mounted on a common surface of the housing, where the MEMS transducer is electrically connected to the IC, and the IC is electrically connected to a conductor on the substrate. The microphone further includes an encapsulating material covering the IC, and an encapsulating material confinement structure disposed between the MEMS transducer and the IC, where the encapsulating material confinement structure at least partially confines the encapsulating material around the IC.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Applicant: Knowles Electronics, LLCInventors: Tony K. Lim, John Szczech, Joshua Watson
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Patent number: 10631099Abstract: A microphone includes a substrate defining an embedded cavity between a first surface of the substrate and an opposing second surface of the substrate, the first surface defining a first opening into the embedded cavity, a distance between the first surface and the second surface defining a substrate thickness. A cover is disposed over the first surface of the substrate and forms a housing, the cover including a port, the substrate thickness being greater than a height of the cover from the first surface of the substrate. A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) transducer is disposed in the housing and mounted on the first surface of the substrate over the first opening, and an integrated circuit (IC) is disposed in the housing and electrically coupled to the MEMS transducer. The MEMS transducer and the IC are disposed in a front volume of the housing defined by the cover and the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2018Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLCInventors: Tony K. Lim, John Szczech, Joshua Watson
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Patent number: 10547955Abstract: A microphone device includes a housing including a substrate having a first surface and a cover disposed over the substrate, the housing including a sound port between the interior of the housing and the exterior of the housing. The device also includes a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) transducer mounted on the substrate and an integrated circuit (IC) mounted on the substrate. The MEMS transducer of the device is electrically connected to the IC, and the IC of the device is electrically connected to a conductor on the substrate. An encapsulating material covers the IC. And an encapsulating material confinement structure is disposed between the MEMS transducer and the IC, wherein the encapsulating material confinement structure at least partially confines the encapsulating material around the IC.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2018Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLCInventors: Tony K. Lim, John Szczech, Joshua Watson
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Publication number: 20190335262Abstract: An acoustic device including a motor disposed in a housing having a non-porous elastomeric membrane disposed across an acoustic path defined by a sound port of the housing is disclosed. The motor may be embodied as MEMS transducer configured to generate an electrical signal responsive to an acoustic signal, or as some other electromechanical device. The membrane has a compliance that is 1 to 100 times a compliance of the acoustic device without the membrane, wherein the membrane prevents ingress of contaminants (e.g., solids, liquids or light) via the sound port while permitting propagation of the acoustic signal along the acoustic path without significant loss.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2019Publication date: October 31, 2019Applicant: KNOWLES ELECTRONICS, LLCInventors: John Szczech, Sandra Vos, William Ryan, Yu Du, Jose Salazar, Charles King, Daniel Giesecke
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Patent number: 10405078Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 30, 2018Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLCInventors: Venkataraman Chandrasekaran, Claus Furst, Joshua Watson, John Szczech
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Publication number: 20190194013Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2017Publication date: June 27, 2019Applicant: Knowles Electronics, LLCInventors: Venkataraman Chandrasekaran, John Szczech, Josh Watson, Claus Furst
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Publication number: 20190104351Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2018Publication date: April 4, 2019Applicant: Knowles Electronics, LLCInventors: Venkataraman Chandrasekaran, Claus Furst, Joshua Watson, John Szczech
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Publication number: 20190014421Abstract: A microphone includes a substrate defining an embedded cavity between a first surface of the substrate and an opposing second surface of the substrate, the first surface defining a first opening into the embedded cavity, a distance between the first surface and the second surface defining a substrate thickness. A cover is disposed over the first surface of the substrate and forms a housing, the cover including a port, the substrate thickness being greater than a height of the cover from the first surface of the substrate. A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) transducer is disposed in the housing and mounted on the first surface of the substrate over the first opening, and an integrated circuit (IC) is disposed in the housing and electrically coupled to the MEMS transducer. The MEMS transducer and the IC are disposed in a front volume of the housing defined by the cover and the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2018Publication date: January 10, 2019Applicant: Knowles Electronics, LLCInventors: Tony K. Lim, John Szczech, Joshua Watson
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Patent number: 10149031Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 24, 2017Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLCInventors: Venkataraman Chandrasekaran, Claus Furst, Joshua Watson, John Szczech
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Publication number: 20180343524Abstract: A microphone device includes a substrate having a cavity. The device also includes a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) transducer mounted on the substrate outside of the cavity and an application specific integrated circuit mounted in the cavity. A first set of bonding wires connect the MEMS transducer to the ASIC and a second set of bonding wires connect the ASIC to a conductor within the cavity. An encapsulating material completely covers the ASIC and at least a portion of the second set of wires and is substantially confined within the cavity. A cover is installed over the substrate to cover the MEMS transducer, the encapsulating material, the ASIC, the first set of bonding wires, and the second set of bonding wires.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2018Publication date: November 29, 2018Applicant: Knowles Electronics, LLCInventors: Tony K. Lim, John Szczech, Joshua Watson
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Publication number: 20170347174Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2017Publication date: November 30, 2017Applicant: Knowles Electronics, LLCInventors: Venkataraman Chandrasekaran, Claus Furst, Joshua Watson, John Szczech
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Patent number: 9781505Abstract: A microphone includes a microphone base that has a first surface and a second surface. The microphone also includes a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device coupled to the first surface of the microphone base. The microphone also includes a cover coupled to the first surface of the microphone base, such that the cover divides the first surface into a covered portion where the cover encloses the MEMS device, and a non-covered portion extending away from the cover. The microphone also includes one or more pads on the uncovered portion of the first surface of the base. The microphone also includes a port extending through the base from the first surface to the second surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2015Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLCInventors: John Szczech, Ryan McCall, Greg Servis
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Publication number: 20160205463Abstract: A microphone includes a microphone base that has a first surface and a second surface. The microphone also includes a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device coupled to the first surface of the microphone base. The microphone also includes a cover coupled to the first surface of the microphone base, such that the cover divides the first surface into a covered portion where the cover encloses the MEMS device, and a non-covered portion extending away from the cover. The microphone also includes one or more pads on the uncovered portion of the first surface of the base. The microphone also includes a port extending through the base from the first surface to the second surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2015Publication date: July 14, 2016Inventors: John Szczech, Ryan McCall, Greg Servis
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Patent number: 9307328Abstract: A microphone includes an interposer, a lid, and a base. The interposer includes at least one wall portion that forms a cavity. The wall portion includes a first side and a second side that are opposite from each other. The lid is coupled to the first side of the interposer and the base is coupled to the second side of the interposer such that the lid and the base enclose the cavity. A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device is disposed in the cavity. The interposer structurally supports one or both of the lid and the base. The interposer includes a plurality of plated regions that are configured to electrically connect the lid and the base. The plated regions are configured to at least partially be exposed and open to the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2015Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLCInventors: John Szczech, Joshua Watson, Gregory B. Servis