Abstract: A light weight and comfortable ear mount for a personal audio-set is disclosed. The ear mount conforms with the anti-helix of a wearer's ear thereby operating substantially as a compression spring between the wearer's anti-helix and tragus to operably secure the personal audio-set in place. In a preferred embodiment, the ear mount is substantially kidney-shaped and includes an opening to prevent the total occlusion of the ear canal by the personal audio-set. Alternatively, the ear mount includes a loop of material sized to operably engage the anti-helix of the wearer's ear. The ear mount is preferably reversible to allow it to be placed in either the wearer's left or right ear.

Abstract: A multi-position connector is disclosed that allows a personal audio device to be operably secured to a variety of different personal audio sets. In a disclosed embodiment, the connector is slidably secured to a frame, thereby allowing the connector's position relative to the frame to be adjusted as needed so as to properly engage mating connectors on a particular personal audio set. A resistive detent is preferably provided at key locations along the frame so as to hold the connector at a predetermined position relative to the frame.

Abstract: A module for a surface acoustic wave oscillator includes a substrate having a top surface, a bottom surface and peripheral side faces. Several castellations are located about the outer peripheral side faces thereof. The castellations form an electrical connection between the top and bottom surfaces of the substrate. Connection pads are mounted on the top surface and are adapted for connection to the castellations. An oscillator circuit and a surface acoustic wave device are mounted on the top surface and connected to the connection pads. A cover is mounted over the substrate and has at least one tab adapted to be fitted within a respective one of the castellations. The overall module with the cover has a dimension of approximately 5 mm in width, 7 mm in length, and 2.7 mm in height.

Abstract: A behind-the-head personal audio set for a personal audio device is disclosed. The personal audio set has a headband portion sized to grasp the crown area of the wearer's head while aligning at least one ear cup adjacent to the wearer's ear. The headband portion defines a longitudinal, substantially horizontal, axis that substantially intersects the center of the ear cup. In disclosed preferred embodiments, the ear cup defines an ear engaging plane and the preferred geometry of this ear engaging plane with respect the headband portion's longitudinal axis and an axis of symmetry are also disclosed. Preferably, the headband portion and ear cup portion are integrally molded and ear loops are over-molded, or dual molded, thereto.

Abstract: A voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) assembly and module incorporating a ball grid array resonator as part of the tank circuit of the voltage controlled oscillator. The VCO module preferably incorporates at least an oscillator circuit, the tank circuit, and an output buffer stage circuit all defined by a plurality of interconnected electrical/electronic components including the ball grid array resonator which are mounted to a printed circuit board. In another embodiment, the oscillator assembly also includes a phase-locked loop circuit defined at least in part by an integrated circuit mounted to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: Multi-position Connector For Personal Audio Set A multi-position connector is disclosed that allows a personal audio device to be operably secured to a variety of different personal audio sets. In a disclosed embodiment, the connector is slidably secured to a frame, thereby allowing the connector's position relative to the frame to be adjusted as needed so as to properly engage mating connectors on a particular personal audio set. A resistive detent is preferably provided at key locations along the frame so as to hold the connector at a predetermined position relative to the frame.

Abstract: A synthesizer module/oscillator assembly includes a voltage controlled oscillator with a coaxial resonator. In one embodiment, the module measures 20.3 mm×14.8 mm×3.9 mm and the coaxial resonator is positioned on the circuit board of the module between a phase locked loop integrated circuit and a main section of the voltage controlled oscillator. The phase locked loop circuit includes a loop filter and is adapted to receive the frequency signal generated by the voltage controlled oscillator and generate an adjusted frequency signal.

Abstract: A module for a surface acoustic wave oscillator includes a substrate having a top surface, a bottom surface and peripheral side faces. Several castellations are located about the outer peripheral side faces thereof. The castellations form an electrical connection between the top and bottom surfaces of the substrate. Connection pads are mounted on the top surface and are adapted for connection to the castellations. An oscillator circuit and a surface acoustic wave device are mounted on the top surface and connected to the connection pads. A cover is mounted over the substrate and has at least one tab adapted to be fitted within a respective one of the castellations. The overall module with the cover has a dimension of approximately 5 mm in width, 7 mm in length, and 2.7 mm in height.

Abstract: A behind-the-head personal audio set for a personal audio device is disclosed. The personal audio set has a headband portion sized to grasp the crown area of the wearer's head while aligning at least one ear cup adjacent to the wearer's ear. The headband portion defines a longitudinal, substantially horizontal, axis that substantially intersects the center of the ear cup. In disclosed preferred embodiments, the ear cup defines an ear engaging plane and the preferred geometry of this ear engaging plane with respect the headband portion's longitudinal axis and an axis of symmetry are also disclosed. Preferably, the headband portion and ear cup portion are integrally molded and ear loops are over-molded, or dual molded, thereto.

Abstract: A relief valve assembly (27) for use with first (15) and second (21) conduits, one communicating high pressure. The assembly comprises a housing (29,33) defining first (45) and second (47) ports, and a poppet seat (49). A poppet member (43) and the housing define a spring chamber (55), and a spring (39) is disposed to bias the poppet member toward the seat. The poppet member defines a shuttle cavity (51), a shuttle passage (53) communicating from the cavity to the spring chamber, and the poppet defining a seat (57), and a fluid passage (61P) communicating with the first port, and a seat (59), and a second fluid passage (63) communicating with the second port. A shuttle valve assembly (71,73,75) is provided, whereby the fluid pressure in whichever of the ports is at lower pressure is communicated to the spring chamber and adds to the force of the biasing spring.

Abstract: A light weight and comfortable ear mount for a personal audio-set is disclosed. The ear mount conforms with the anti-helix of a wearer's ear thereby operating substantially as a compression spring between the wearer's anti-helix and tragus to operably secure the personal audio-set in place. In a preferred embodiment, the ear mount is substantially kidney-shaped and includes an opening to prevent the total occlusion of the ear canal by the personal audio-set. Alternatively, the ear mount includes a loop of material sized to operably engage the anti-helix of the wearer's ear. The ear mount is preferably reversible to allow it to be placed in either the wearer's left or right ear.

Abstract: An audio/video distribution system that is cost-effective, highly flexible, and capable of being used over an extended area and without the need for a centralized switching and distribution mechanism. The audio/video distribution system includes a distribution bus, at least one audio/video transmitter, at least one receiver, and a digital director. The transmitter is configured to receive signals from at least one audio/video source while the receiver is connected to the distribution bus and configured to receive signals from the distribution bus. The digital director is connected to the distribution bus and configured to control the transmitter and receiver.