Abstract: System and methods are provided for empirical analysis of remaining life in electromechanical devices. Sensors are positioned to generate signals representing sound energy emitted by devices, and digital sound data are stored corresponding thereto. The system classifies sound characteristics and their corresponding impact on wear rate over time via recurring analysis of the stored sound data. For a selected device, a wear state is estimated based on a comparison of current sound energy emitted therefrom with respect to sound data for a comparable group of electromechanical devices, and it may be ascertained whether certain classified sound characteristics are present in digital sound data corresponding to the selected electromechanical device. Output signals are selectively generated based on the estimated wear state and/or classified sound characteristics ascertained to be present, e.g.

Abstract: A product offered by the advertisement is displayed to the consumer in a multi-retailer cart which allows the consumer to select the product from among a plurality of retailers identified in the multi-retailer cart that offer the same or similar products and the mobile. The plurality of retailers to be displayed in the multi-retailer cart is determined by application of any of several factors that include the current location of the consumer, where those retailers that are most proximate to the consumer are displayed; incentives that are uniquely available based on consumer location; profile information associated with the consumer, such as retail preferences, affinity memberships; retailer factors, such as the availability of discounts, coupons, availability of the product in inventory, etc. The retailers may be ranked in the cart based on any one or more of these factors, and/or based upon payment of a promotion fee.

Abstract: A hearing aid device is disclosed. The hearing aid device comprises means to improve, augment and/or protect the hearing capability of a user by receiving acoustic signals from the surroundings of the user, generating corresponding audio signals, possibly modifying the audio signals and providing the possibly modified audio signals as audible signals to at least one of the user's ears. The hearing aid device comprises a sensor member for detecting the movement and/or acceleration and/or orientation (or spatial position) of the hearing aid device. The hearing aid device comprises at least two hearing aid microphones and a control unit for determining the position or a deviation from an intended position of the hearing aid device or hearing aid microphones. The hearing aid device is configured to compensate for a possible dislocation of the hearing aid microphones.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a die for a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) microphone includes the steps of forming a diaphragm, etching a plurality of slots through the diaphragm to define a plurality of springs, releasing the diaphragm and the plurality of springs, wherein the plurality of springs relieves intrinsic stress of the diaphragm, and sealing the plurality of slots with sealing material, thereby disabling the springs.

Abstract: A filter device and methods of use thereof are provided. The filter device may include a pitcher for removably engaging with a base in fluid communication with a fluid source. The pitcher may include a magnetic float assembly, and the base may include a sensor, e.g., a Reed switch, for detecting when a magnetic float of the magnetic float assembly is within a detectable range of the sensor. Upon detection of the magnetic float within the detectable range by the sensor, a controller of the filter device may instruct a pump to pump fluid from the fluid source, through a filtration system of the filter device, and into the pitcher. When the pitcher is full of fluid, the magnetic float will be out of the detectable range of the sensor, such that fluid will stop being transferred from the fluid source to the pitcher.

Abstract: A filter device and methods of use thereof are provided. The filter device may include a pitcher for removably engaging with a base in fluid communication with a fluid source. The pitcher may include a magnetic float assembly, and the base may include a sensor, e.g., a Reed switch, for detecting when a magnetic float of the magnetic float assembly is within a detectable range of the sensor. Upon detection of the magnetic float within the detectable range by the sensor, a controller of the filter device may instruct a pump to pump fluid from the fluid source, through a filtration system of the filter device, and into the pitcher. When the pitcher is full of fluid, the magnetic float will be out of the detectable range of the sensor, such that fluid will stop being transferred from the fluid source to the pitcher.

Abstract: A microphone assembly can include a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) transducer comprising a transducer substrate, a diaphragm oriented substantially parallel to the transducer substrate and spaced apart from the transducer substrate to form a gap, and a counter electrode coupled to the transducer substrate, the counter electrode positioned between the diaphragm and the transducer substrate. The MEMS transducer can generate a signal representative of a change in capacitance between the counter electrode and the diaphragm. A back volume of the MEMS transducer can be an enclosed volume positioned between the transducer substrate and the diaphragm. The microphone assembly can include an integrated circuit that receives the signal, wherein every point within the back volume is less than a thermal boundary layer thickness from a nearest solid surface at an upper limit of an audio frequency band that the integrated circuit is monitoring.

Abstract: A MEMS transducer for a microphone includes a closed chamber, an array of conductive pins, a dielectric grid, and a diaphragm. The closed chamber is at a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure. The array of conductive pins is in a fixed position in the closed chamber, distributed in two dimensions, and have gaps formed therebetween. The dielectric grid is positioned within the closed chamber, includes a grid of dielectric material positioned between the gaps of the array of conductive pins, and is configured to move parallel to the conductive pins. The diaphragm is configured to form a portion of the closed chamber and deflect in response to changes in a differential pressure between the pressure within the closed chamber and a pressure outside the transducer. The diaphragm is configured to move the dielectric grid relative to the array of conductive pins in response to a change in the differential pressure.

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.

Abstract: A method of forming an acoustic transducer comprises providing a substrate and depositing a first structural layer on the substrate. The first structural layer is selectively etched to form at least one of an enclosed trench or an enclosed pillar thereon. A second structural layer is deposited on the first structural layer and includes a depression or a bump corresponding to the enclosed trench or pillar, respectively. At least the second structural layer is heated to a temperature above a glass transition temperature of the second structural layer causing the second structural layer to reflow. A diaphragm layer is deposited on the second structural layer such that the diaphragm layer includes at least one of a downward facing corrugation corresponding to the depression or an upward facing corrugation corresponding to the bump. The diaphragm layer is released, thereby forming a diaphragm suspended over the substrate.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) die comprises a first diaphragm having a first side and a second side, and a second diaphragm having a first side facing the first side of the first diaphragm. A first plurality of interconnect strips is disposed along at least the first side of the first diaphragm, a second plurality of interconnect strips is disposed along the first side of the first diaphragm, and a third plurality of interconnect strips is disposed along the first side of the second diaphragm. First, second, and third runner strips are disposed along the second side of the first diaphragm transverse to the first, second, and third plurality of interconnect strips, respectively. Each of the first, second, and third runner strips is electrically connected to at least a subset of the first, second, and third plurality of interconnect strips, respectively, via electrical connections disposed through the first diaphragm.

Abstract: A MEMS diaphragm assembly comprises a first diaphragm, a second diaphragm, and a stationary electrode assembly spaced between the first and second diaphragms and including a plurality of apertures disposed therethrough. Each of a plurality of pillars is disposed through one of the plurality of apertures and connects the first and second diaphragms. At least one of the first and second diaphragms is connected to the stationary electrode assembly at a geometric center of the assembly.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device comprises a MEMS die that comprises first and second diaphragms, a first plurality of electrodes each disposed on the first diaphragm, and a second plurality of electrodes each disposed on the second diaphragm. A fixed dielectric element is disposed between the first and second diaphragms and includes a plurality of apertures. The MEMS die further comprises a third plurality of electrodes, wherein each of the third plurality comprises a first conductive layer disposed on the first diaphragm proximate to at least one of the first plurality and a second conductive layer disposed on the second diaphragm proximate to at least one of the second plurality, and a conductive pin that extends through an aperture of the plurality of apertures and electrically connects the first conductive layer to the second conductive layer.

Abstract: A support system for hanging of a cabinet door is provided having support arm and a main body with a top member and a front member. The upper end of the front member is operably connected to the forward end of the top member. The front member has lock features located at a plurality of positions between the upper end and the lower end on a front surface. The support arm has an elongated shape extending between a connection end and a support end. The support arm has lock features configured to engage and lock with lock features of the front member. The support end of the support arm having a platform configured to support the cabinet door during installation onto a cabinet. The support arm is movable between the plurality of positions to facilitate adjustment of a height at which the cabinet door is supported.

Abstract: A MEMS device can include a solid dielectric including a plurality of apertures, the solid dielectric having a first side and a second side. The MEMS device can include a first plurality of electrodes extending completely through a first subset of the plurality of apertures, a second plurality of electrodes extending partially through a second subset of the plurality of apertures, a third plurality of electrodes extending partially into a third subset of the plurality of apertures. The MEMS device can include a first diaphragm coupled to the first plurality and to the third plurality of electrodes, the first diaphragm facing the first side of the solid dielectric. The MEMS device can include a second diaphragm coupled to the first plurality and to the second plurality of electrodes the second diaphragm facing the second side of the solid dielectric.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor assembly includes a capacitive transduction element and an electrical circuit disposed in the housing and electrically coupled to contacts on an external-device interface of the housing. The electrical circuit includes a sampling circuit having an operational sampling phase during which a voltage produced by the capacitive sensor is sampled by a sampling capacitor coupled to a comparator and an operational charging phase during which a second capacitor is charged by a charge and discharge circuit until the output of the comparator changes state, wherein the output of the sampling circuit is a pulse width modulated signal representative of the voltage on the input of the sampling circuit during each sample period. The output of the sampling circuit can be coupled to a delta-sigma analog-to-digital (A/D) converter.

Abstract: A vibration sensor/accelerometer includes, in various implementations, a MEMS die that includes a plate having an aperture, an anchor disposed within the aperture, a plurality of arms (e.g., rigid arms) extending from the anchor, and a plurality of resilient members (e.g., looped or folded springs with a carefully designed spring stiffness), each resilient member connecting the plate to an arm of the plurality of arms. The plate may be made from a solid layer in which the resilient members are etched from the same layer. The MEMS die may also include top and bottom wafers, and travel stoppers extending from the top and bottom wafers as well as through the plate.

Abstract: A microphone assembly includes a substrate, an acoustic transducer, an integrated circuit, and a cover couples to the substrate to enclose a back volume of the microphone assembly in which the acoustic transducer and the integrated circuit are disposed. The acoustic transducer includes a back plate and a diaphragm oriented parallel to the back plate disposed over an aperture in the substrate to receive acoustic signals. The cover is a metallic material with a thickness and a corresponding thermal diffusivity to attenuate incoming radio-frequency signals. The attenuation of the radio-frequency signals prevents ambient noise detectable by the microphone assembly.

Abstract: A MEMS device can include a solid dielectric including a plurality of apertures, the solid dielectric having a first side and a second side. The MEMS device can include a first plurality of electrodes extending completely through a first subset of the plurality of apertures, a second plurality of electrodes extending partially through a second subset of the plurality of apertures, a third plurality of electrodes extending partially into a third subset of the plurality of apertures. The MEMS device can include a first diaphragm coupled to the first plurality and to the third plurality of electrodes, the first diaphragm facing the first side of the solid dielectric. The MEMS device can include a second diaphragm coupled to the first plurality and to the second plurality of electrodes the second diaphragm facing the second side of the solid dielectric.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating and/or modifying a shopping list from a mobile advertisement. The advertisement can be targeted from a predefined algorithm, from multiple algorithms, or generated in real time based on items presented to a user. The advertisement may be random. When the advertisement is selected for viewing, it provides the option for saving information about the advertised product to a shopping list. The list may be a remote list that may be accessed via a deep link URL, a cloud-based storage solution, and/or it may be local to the mobile device.