Patents by Inventor Kieran Harney
Kieran Harney 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: 9008323Abstract: A microphone system has an output and at least a first transducer with a first dynamic range, a second transducer with a second dynamic range different than the first dynamic range, and coupling system to selectively couple the output of one of the first transducer or the second transducer to the system output, depending on the magnitude of the input sound signal, to produce a system with a dynamic range greater than the dynamic range of either individual transducer. A method of operating a microphone system includes detecting whether a transducer output crosses a threshold, and if so then selectively coupling another transducer's output to the system output. Some embodiments combine the outputs of more than one transducer in a weighted sum during transition from one transducer output to another, as a function of time or as a function of the amplitude of the incident audio signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2012Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Invensense, Inc.Inventors: Olli Haila, Kieran Harney, Gary W. Elko, Robert Adams
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Publication number: 20120321100Abstract: A microphone system has an output and at least a first transducer with a first dynamic range, a second transducer with a second dynamic range different than the first dynamic range, and coupling system to selectively couple the output of one of the first transducer or the second transducer to the system output, depending on the magnitude of the input sound signal, to produce a system with a dynamic range greater than the dynamic range of either individual transducer. A method of operating a microphone system includes detecting whether a transducer output crosses a threshold, and if so then selectively coupling another transducer's output to the system output. Some embodiments combine the outputs of more than one transducer in a weighted sum during transition from one transducer output to another, as a function of time or as a function of the amplitude of the incident audio signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2012Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: ANALOG DEVICES, INC.Inventors: Olli Haila, Kieran Harney, Gary W. Elko, Robert Adams
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Patent number: 8223981Abstract: A microphone system has an output and at least a first transducer with a first dynamic range, a second transducer with a second dynamic range different than the first dynamic range, and coupling system to selectively couple the output of one of the first transducer or the second transducer to the system output, depending on the magnitude of the input sound signal, to produce a system with a dynamic range greater than the dynamic range of either individual transducer. A method of operating a microphone system includes detecting whether a transducer output crosses a threshold, and if so then selectively coupling another transducer's output to the system output. The threshold may change as a function of which transducer is coupled to the system output. The system and methods may also combine the outputs of more than one transducer in a weighted sum during transition from one transducer output to another, as a function of time or as a function of the amplitude of the incident audio signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2009Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.Inventors: Olli Haila, Kieran Harney, Gary W. Elko
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Publication number: 20090316916Abstract: A microphone system has an output and at least a first transducer with a first dynamic range, a second transducer with a second dynamic range different than the first dynamic range, and coupling system to selectively couple the output of one of the first transducer or the second transducer to the system output, depending on the magnitude of the input sound signal, to produce a system with a dynamic range greater than the dynamic range of either individual transducer. A method of operating a microphone system includes detecting whether a transducer output crosses a threshold, and if so then selectively coupling another transducer's output to the system output. The threshold may change as a function of which transducer is coupled to the system output. The system and methods may also combine the outputs of more than one transducer in a weighted sum during transition from one transducer output to another, as a function of time or as a function of the amplitude of the incident audio signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2009Publication date: December 24, 2009Applicant: ANALOG DEVICES, INC.Inventors: Olli Haila, Kieran Harney, Gary W. Elko, Robert Adams
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Publication number: 20080157339Abstract: A MEMS apparatus has a MEMS device sandwiched between a base and a circuit chip. The movable member of the MEMS device is attached at the side up against the circuit chip. The movable member may be mounted on a substrate of the MEMS device or formed directly on a passivation layer on the circuit chip. The circuit chip provides control signals to the MEMS device through wire bonds, vias through the MEMS device or a conductive path such as solder balls external to the MEMS device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2007Publication date: July 3, 2008Applicant: ANALOG DEVICES, INC.Inventors: Liam O Suilleabhain, Raymond Goggin, Eva Murphy, Kieran Harney
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Publication number: 20080049953Abstract: A microphone system has a primary microphone for producing a primary signal, a secondary microphone for producing a secondary signal, and a selector operatively coupled with both the primary microphone and the secondary microphone. The system also has an output for delivering an output audible signal principally produced by one of the to microphones. The selector selectively permits either 1) at least a portion of the primary signal and/or 2) at least a portion of the secondary signal to be forwarded to the output as a function of the noise in the primary signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2007Publication date: February 28, 2008Applicant: ANALOG DEVICES, INC.Inventors: Kieran Harney, Jason Weigold, Gary Elko
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Publication number: 20080009091Abstract: A sensor has a die (with a working portion), a cap coupled with the die to at least partially cover the working portion, and a conductive pathway extending through the cap to the working portion. The pathway provides an electrical interface to the working portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2007Publication date: January 10, 2008Applicant: ANALOG DEVICES, INC.Inventors: Lawrence Felton, Kieran Harney, Carl Roberts
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Publication number: 20070071268Abstract: An apparatus has a leadframe based package base having a leadframe, and a lid coupled with the package base. The lid and package base form a chamber for at least partially containing a microphone. The lid is electrically coupled with a given portion of the leadframe in the package base.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2006Publication date: March 29, 2007Inventors: Kieran Harney, John Martin, Lawrence Felton
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Publication number: 20070047744Abstract: A microphone system has a base coupled with first and second microphone apparatuses. The first microphone apparatus is capable of producing a first output signal having a noise component, while the second microphone apparatus is capable of producing a second output signal. The system also has combining logic operatively coupled with the first microphone apparatus and the second microphone apparatus. The combining logic uses the second output signal to remove at least a portion of the noise component from the first output signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2006Publication date: March 1, 2007Inventors: Kieran Harney, Jason Weigold, Gary Elko
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Publication number: 20070047746Abstract: A microphone system implements multiple microphones on a single base. To that end, the microphone system has a base, and a plurality of substantially independently movable diaphragms secured to the base. Each of the plurality of diaphragms forms a variable capacitance with the base and thus, each diaphragm effectively forms a generally independent, separate microphone with the base.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2006Publication date: March 1, 2007Applicant: ANALOG DEVICES, INC.Inventors: Jason Weigold, Kieran Harney
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Publication number: 20070040231Abstract: A package for a micro-electromechanical (MEMS) device is described. A premolded leadframe base has opposing top and bottom surfaces. Each surface is defined by a topology having at least one electrically conductive portion and at least one electrically non-conductive portion, and the topology of the top surface differs from the topology of the bottom surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2006Publication date: February 22, 2007Inventors: Kieran Harney, John Martin, Lawrence Felton
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Publication number: 20050262929Abstract: A sensor has a die (with a working portion), a cap coupled with the die to at least partially cover the working portion, and a conductive pathway extending through the cap to the working portion. The pathway provides an electrical interface to the working portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2005Publication date: December 1, 2005Inventors: Lawrence Felton, Kieran Harney, Carl Roberts
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Publication number: 20050127499Abstract: A MEMS device has at least one conductive path extending from the top facing side of its substrate (having MEMS structure) to the bottom side of the noted substrate. The at least one conductive path extends through the substrate as noted to electrically connect the bottom facing side with the MEMS structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2004Publication date: June 16, 2005Inventors: Kieran Harney, Lawrence Felton, Thomas Kieran Nunan, Susan Alie, Bruce Wachtmann
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Publication number: 20050054133Abstract: A sensor has a die (with a working portion), a cap coupled with the die to at least partially cover the working portion, and a conductive pathway extending through the cap to the working portion. The pathway provides an electrical interface to the working portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2003Publication date: March 10, 2005Inventors: Lawrence Felton, Kieran Harney, Carl Roberts
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Patent number: 6768196Abstract: A packaged microchip has a stress sensitive microchip having a microchip coefficient of thermal expansion, a package having a package coefficient of thermal expansion, and an isolator having an isolator coefficient of thermal expansion. The isolator is connected between the stress sensitive microchip and the package. The microchip coefficient of thermal expansion illustratively is closer to the isolator coefficient of thermal expansion than it is to the package coefficient of thermal expansion.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2002Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.Inventors: Kieran Harney, Lewis Long
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Publication number: 20040041254Abstract: A packaged microchip has an isolator that minimizes stress transmission from its package to its microchip. To that end, the packaged microchip includes a stress sensitive microchip having a bottom surface with a bottom surface area, and a package having an integral isolator. The isolator has a top surface with a top surface area that is smaller than the bottom surface area of the microchip. The microchip bottom surface is coupled to the top surface of the isolator.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2003Publication date: March 4, 2004Inventors: Lewis Long, Kieran Harney
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Publication number: 20040041248Abstract: A packaged microchip has a stress sensitive microchip having a microchip coefficient of thermal expansion, a package having a package coefficient of thermal expansion, and an isolator having an isolator coefficient of thermal expansion. The isolator is connected between the stress sensitive microchip and the package. The microchip coefficient of thermal expansion illustratively is closer to the isolator coefficient of thermal expansion than it is to the package coefficient of thermal expansion.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2002Publication date: March 4, 2004Inventors: Kieran Harney, Lewis Long