Patents by Inventor Mekell Jiles
Mekell Jiles 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: 20240031741Abstract: A loudspeaker for hearing devices including a diaphragm arranged in a housing to form a back volume and a front volume acoustically coupled to a sound port is disclosed. A surface of a first magnet in the front volume faces an opposing surface of a second magnet in the back volume, and the opposing surfaces of the magnets are separated by a gap and have the same magnetic polarity. An electrical coil assembly coupled to the diaphragm has a radial difference dimension to thickness dimension ratio greater than 1, wherein the diaphragm and the electrical coil assembly are movable in the gap between the magnets in response to an electrical audio signal applied to the electrical coil assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2022Publication date: January 25, 2024Inventors: Charles Bender King, Mekell Jiles, Christopher A. Jones, Evan Llamas-Young
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Publication number: 20230239626Abstract: A coil assembly for integration into a transducer is presented. The coil assembly may include a metal bobbin assembly, a wire coil, and one or more nonconductive printed circuit board (PCB) stiffeners. A speaker that renders micro noise in an artificial reality environment for improving simulated presence is further presented. The speaker may generate a plurality of micro noises based in part on the determined state of the virtual object. The speaker may spatialize the plurality of micro noises, such that the plurality of micro noises appears to originate from the virtual object. A speaker for speaker diaphragm motion detection using optical MEMS sensors is further presented. Optical MEMS sensors are used to optically monitor displacement of one or more portions of a speaker diaphragm. The speaker may be configured to determine that a speaker diaphragm is in rocking mode and move the speaker diaphragm out of rocking mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2023Publication date: July 27, 2023Inventors: Limin Zhou, Chuming Zhao, Rex Pinegar Price, Mekell Jiles, Kevin Connor
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Publication number: 20160198267Abstract: A hearing device receiver includes a coil having a passage and an armature having a deflecting portion, a support portion, and a base portion interconnecting the deflecting portion and the support portion. The deflecting portion of the armature is disposed through the passage of the coil and between magnets of the receiver. A housing is disposed about the coil, the magnets and at least a portion of the armature. The support portion of the armature is fastened to the housing, and the base portion of the armature is unfastened to the housing. The deflecting portion of the armature is flexible relative to the base and the support portions thereof and free to move between the magnets in response to an excitation signal applied to the coil.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2016Publication date: July 7, 2016Inventor: Mekell Jiles
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Publication number: 20160183004Abstract: An apparatus includes a first armature and a second armature, wherein the first armature and the second armature are coupled together in a common connection region; a coil, wherein at least a portion of the common connection region extends through the coil, the coil extending around a horizontal axis; one or more magnets; a drive rod coupled to the common connection region; and a diaphragm coupled to the drive rod; wherein electrical excitation of the coil causes the common connection region to move in a vertical direction orthogonal to the horizontal axis and not along the horizontal axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2015Publication date: June 23, 2016Inventors: Mekell Jiles, Steve Anderson, Thomas Miller
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Patent number: 9326074Abstract: A receiver, the receiver includes a coil, a top assembly, a bottom assembly, and a flat planar armature. The flat planar armature includes an outer ring-like portion that forms a first opening. The flat planar armature further includes a central portion that extends from the outer ring-like portion into the opening. An end of the central portion is free to move in the presence of magnetic flux. The flat planar armature has a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion couples to the top assembly and the bottom assembly. The top assembly and the bottom assembly form a second opening that exposes the second end portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2014Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: KNOWLES ELECTRONICS, LLCInventor: Mekell Jiles
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Patent number: 9137610Abstract: An acoustic apparatus includes a first acoustic element, a second acoustic element, and a registration portion. The first acoustic element and the second acoustic element are elements such as a coil, a reed, or a yoke. The registration portion is configured to register the first acoustic element with respect to the second acoustic element such that an exact and relative alignment and positioning between the first acoustic element and second acoustic element is provided and ensured.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2014Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: KNOWLES ELECTRONICS, LLCInventors: Mekell Jiles, Matthew Mason, Phillip M McCratic
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Publication number: 20150086049Abstract: A receiver, the receiver includes a coil, a top assembly, a bottom assembly, and a flat planar armature. The flat planar armature includes an outer ring-like portion that forms a first opening. The flat planar armature further includes a central portion that extends from the outer ring-like portion into the opening. An end of the central portion is free to move in the presence of magnetic flux. The flat planar armature has a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion couples to the top assembly and the bottom assembly. The top assembly and the bottom assembly form a second opening that exposes the second end portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2014Publication date: March 26, 2015Inventor: Mekell Jiles
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Publication number: 20150036844Abstract: An acoustic apparatus includes a first acoustic element, a second acoustic element, and a registration portion. The first acoustic element and the second acoustic element are elements such as a coil, a reed, or a yoke. The registration portion is configured to register the first acoustic element with respect to the second acoustic element such that an exact and relative alignment and positioning between the first acoustic element and second acoustic element is provided and ensured.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2014Publication date: February 5, 2015Inventors: Mekell Jiles, Matthew Mason, Phillip M. McCratic
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Publication number: 20140355787Abstract: An acoustic apparatus includes a high frequency driver that has a first front volume and a low frequency driver that has a second front volume. The first front volume and the second front volume communicate with each other to form a common front volume. At least one acoustic resistance is placed between the first front volume and the second front volume. The acoustic resistance acts as a low pass filter.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2014Publication date: December 4, 2014Applicant: Knowles Electronics, LLCInventors: Mekell Jiles, Erik Wiederholtz, Evan Llamas-Young, Thomas E. Miller
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Patent number: 8837755Abstract: An acoustic apparatus includes a first acoustic element, a second acoustic element, and a registration portion. The first acoustic element and the second acoustic element are elements such as a coil, a reed, or a yoke. The registration portion is configured to register the first acoustic element with respect to the second acoustic element such that an exact and relative alignment and positioning between the first acoustic element and second acoustic element is provided and ensured.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2012Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLCInventors: Mekell Jiles, Matthew Mason, Phillip M McCratic
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Publication number: 20140112516Abstract: An acoustic assembly includes an upper housing and a lower housing. The lower housing is coupled to the upper housing forming an interior cavity there between. At least one acoustic component is disposed within the cavity. At least one metalized area is formed in the upper housing or the lower housing. The at least one metalized area is in contact with the at least one acoustic component and is configured and arranged to provide an electrical connection between the acoustic component in the cavity and a customer that is exterior to the assembly. The at least one metalized area directly adheres to the upper housing or lower housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2013Publication date: April 24, 2014Applicant: Knowles Electronics, LLCInventor: Mekell Jiles
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Patent number: 7921540Abstract: A linkage assembly (140) is used for mechanically coupling an armature (124) and a diaphragm (118) of a balanced receiver (100), the linkage assembly (140) formed from a first linkage member (822) displaced from a strip of stock material (800) relative to the plane of the stock material (800) and a second linkage member (826) displaced from the strip (800) relative to the plane. The first and second linkage members (822, 826) are then joined while secured to the strip (800). At least one severable connecting member (870a-c) securing the linkage member to the strip (800) is severed to release the linkage member from the strip for assembly of the linkage member into the receiver. A method of forming a three-dimensional structure from flat stock is used to form the linkage assembly (140).Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2006Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLCInventors: Mekell Jiles, David Earl Schafer
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Patent number: 7925041Abstract: A linkage assembly is used for mechanically coupling an armature and a diaphragm of a balanced receiver, the linkage assembly formed from a first linkage member displaced from a strip of stock material relative to the plane of the stock material and a second linkage member displaced from the strip relative to the plane. The first and second linkage members are then joined while secured to the strip. At least one severable connecting member securing the linkage member to the strip is severed to release the linkage member from the strip for assembly of the linkage member into the receiver. A method of forming a three-dimensional structure from flat stock is used to form the linkage assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2007Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLCInventors: Mekell Jiles, David Earl Schafer
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Patent number: 7860264Abstract: An acoustic assembly for use in a transducer includes a multi-layer structure. A first layer member includes a first center portion, a first edge portion and a first aperture separating the first center portion and the first edge portion. A second layer member includes a second center portion, a second edge portion and a second aperture separating the second center portion and the second edge portion such that the second center portion is free to move relative to the second edge portion. The first and second layers are formed into an assembly wherein the first center portion and the second center portion are coupled, the first edge portion and the second edge portion are coupled, and the first aperture and the second aperture are substantially aligned to define a passageway. The assembly has an assembly stiffness that is greater than the stiffness of either the first or second layer members.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2006Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLCInventors: Mekell Jiles, David Earl Schafer, Anthony D. Minervini, Hanny Sunarto, Thomas Edward Miller, Daniel Max Warren
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Publication number: 20090147983Abstract: A three-dimensional linkage assembly for an electroacoustic transducer comprises a first panel having a first structure and a first opening and a second panel having a second structure and a second opening. The first structure may be disposed within the second opening and the second structure may be disposed within the first opening. The first panel and the second panel may be joined together by welding, mechanical coupling, or bonding. Each of the first and second panels comprises a frame and a retaining portion attached the first structure and the second structure to the frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2007Publication date: June 11, 2009Inventor: Mekell Jiles
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Patent number: 7412763Abstract: A method of making an acoustic assembly for use in a transducer includes forming a multi-layer assembly. The multi-layer assembly includes a first layer member and a second layer member. Each member includes a center portion, an edge portion and an aperture separating the center portion and the edge portion. The assembly has an assembly stiffness that is greater than the stiffness of either the first or second layer members. A hinge joins the assembled first and second center portions and the first and second edge portions such that the assembled first and second center portions is free to at least partially rotate relative to the assembled first and second edge portions about an axis. A flexible layer member is coupled to the assembly and provides airtight sealing of the passageway.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2006Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC.Inventors: Mekell Jiles, David Earl Schafer, Anthony D. Minervini, Hanny Sunarto, Thomas Edward Miller, Daniel Max Warren
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Publication number: 20080130939Abstract: A linkage assembly is used for mechanically coupling an armature and a diaphragm of a balanced receiver, the linkage assembly formed from a first linkage member displaced from a strip of stock material relative to the plane of the stock material and a second linkage member displaced from the strip relative to the plane. The first and second linkage members are then joined while secured to the strip. At least one severable connecting member securing the linkage member to the strip is severed to release the linkage member from the strip for assembly of the linkage member into the receiver. A method of forming a three-dimensional structure from flat stock is used to form the linkage assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2007Publication date: June 5, 2008Applicant: KNOWLES ELECTRONICS, LLCInventors: Mekell Jiles, David Earl Schafer
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Patent number: 7302748Abstract: A linkage assembly (140) is used for mechanically coupling an armature (124) and a diaphragm (118) of a balanced receiver (100), the linkage assembly (140) formed from a first linkage member (822) displaced from a strip of stock material (800) relative to the plane of the stock material (800) and a second linkage member (826) displaced from the strip (800) relative to the plane. The first and second linkage members (822, 826) are then joined while secured to the strip (800). At least one severable connecting member (870a-c) securing the linkage member to the strip (800) is severed to release the linkage member from the strip for assembly of the linkage member into the receiver. A method of forming a three-dimensional structure from flat stock is used to form the linkage assembly (140).Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2003Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLCInventors: Mekell Jiles, David Earl Schafer
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Publication number: 20070104340Abstract: A receiver includes a housing having an interior, a diaphragm assembly disposed within the housing, a motor assembly disposed within the housing and a linkage assembly coupling the diaphragm assembly and the motor assembly. A support structure joined to the diaphragm or the motor assembly or to both the diaphragm and the motor assembly. The support structure includes a cooperative surface portion engaging the housing to position and retain the joined diaphragm assembly or motor assembly within the interior. A corresponding method of manufacture employs a support structure for positioning components of the receiver in the housing. A receiver may also incorporate a microphone to through pass acoustic signals external to the receiver housing through the receiver. An earphone assembly may incorporate a receiver as described.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2006Publication date: May 10, 2007Applicant: KNOWLES ELECTRONICS, LLCInventors: Thomas Miller, Mekell Jiles, Daniel Warren, Dennis Kirchhoefer, Angelo Assimakopoulos, Vignesh Jayanth
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Patent number: 7203334Abstract: A paddle (142) of a diaphragm (118) of a receiver (100) is manufactured using one or more layers of a material selected for their inertial mass and rigidity. The paddle may have a layered structure with stiff outer layers such as aluminum and a less dense inner layer, such as thermoplastic adhesive. The inner and outer layers are selected to give an inertial mass matching that of an armature (124) of the receiver (100) and to give a lowest frequency bending resonance above a desired range, for example, 14 KHz.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2003Date of Patent: April 10, 2007Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC.Inventors: David Earl Schafer, Mekell Jiles