Abstract: A microphone apparatus including a MEMS transducer, an acoustic activity detector, a local oscillator, and an external-device interface standardized for compatibility with devices from different manufacturers is disclosed. The microphone apparatus has a first mode of operation during which the apparatus is clocked by the internal clock signal when the acoustic activity detector processes digital data for acoustic activity, and a second mode of operation during which the microphone apparatus is clocked by an external clock signal received at the external-device interface after voice activity is detected by the acoustic activity detector.

Abstract: A microphone apparatus including a MEMS transducer, an acoustic activity detector, a local oscillator, and an external-device interface standardized for compatibility with devices from different manufacturers is disclosed. The microphone apparatus has a first mode of operation during which the apparatus is clocked by the internal clock signal when the acoustic activity detector processes digital data for acoustic activity, and a second mode of operation during which the microphone apparatus is clocked by an external clock signal received at the external-device interface after voice activity is detected by the acoustic activity detector.

Abstract: Analog signals are received from a sound transducer. The analog signals are converted into digitized data. A determination is made as to whether voice activity exists within the digitized signal. Upon the detection of voice activity, an indication of voice activity is sent to a processing device. The indication is sent across a standard interface, and the standard interface is configured to be compatible to be coupled with a plurality of devices from potentially different manufacturers.

Abstract: A microphone system includes a first transducer deployed at a first microphone; a second transducer deployed at a second microphone, the first microphone being physically distinct from the second microphone; a decimator deployed at the second microphone that receives first pulse density modulation (PDM) data from the first transducer and second PDM data from the second transducer and decimates and combines the first PDM data and the second PDM data into combined pulse code modulation (PCM) data; and an interpolator deployed at the second microphone for converting the combined PCM data to combined PDM data, and transmits the combined PDM data to an external processing device.

Abstract: An analog signal is received from an acoustic transducer. The analog signal is converted into digital data. A determination is made as to whether acoustic activity exists within the digital data. The digital data is stored in a temporary memory storage device and a count is maintained of an amount of digital data in the temporary memory storage device. When the count exceeds a predetermined threshold, at least some of the digital data is transmitted from the temporary memory storage device to a processor.

Abstract: A method of operating an acoustic system includes detecting an ultrasonic sound signal and pattern matching the received ultrasonic sound signal to determine when the received ultrasonic sound signal is a desired ultrasonic sound signal. The method includes sending a signal to at least one electronic component when the received ultrasonic sound signal is the desired ultrasonic sound signal. The method includes operating the microphone in a lower power state when the received ultrasonic sound signal is not the desired ultrasonic sound signal.

Abstract: At a microphone, voice activity is detected in a data stream while simultaneously buffering audio data from the data stream to create buffered data. A signal is sent to a host indicating the positive detection of voice activity in the data stream. When an external clock signal is received from the host, the internal operation of the microphone is synchronized with the external clock signal. Buffered data stream is selectively sent through a first path, the first path including a buffer having a buffer delay time representing the time the first data stream takes to move through the buffer. The data stream is continuously sent through a second path as a real-time data stream, the second path not including the buffer, the real-time data stream beginning with the extended buffer data at a given instant in time. The buffered data stream and the real-time data stream are multiplexed onto a single data line and transmitting the multiplexed data stream to the host.

Abstract: An external clock signal having a first frequency is received. A division ratio is automatically determined based at least in part upon a second frequency of an internal clock. The second frequency is greater than the first frequency. A decimation factor is automatically determined based at least in part upon the first frequency of the external clock signal, the second frequency of the internal clock signal, and a predetermined desired sampling frequency. The division ratio is applied to the internal clock signal to reduce the first frequency to a reduced third frequency. The decimation factor is applied to the reduced third frequency to provide the predetermined desired sampling frequency. Data is clocked to a buffer using the predetermined desired sampling frequency.

Abstract: At a microphone, voice activity is detected in a data stream while simultaneously buffering audio data from the data stream to create buffered data. A signal is sent to a host indicating the positive detection of voice activity in the data stream. When an external clock signal is received from the host, the internal operation of the microphone is synchronized with the external clock signal. Buffered data stream is selectively sent through a first path, the first path including a buffer having a buffer delay time representing the time the first data stream takes to move through the buffer. The data stream is continuously sent through a second path as a real-time data stream, the second path not including the buffer, the real-time data stream beginning with the extended buffer data at a given instant in time. The buffered data stream and the real-time data stream are multiplexed onto a single data line and transmitting the multiplexed data stream to the host.

Abstract: An acoustic apparatus includes a first digital microphone having a first clock pin, a second digital microphone having a second clock pin, an application processor having a third clock pin, a first interface that couples the first digital microphone and the application processor, and a second interface that couples the first digital microphone, the second digital microphone, and the application processor. The acoustic apparatus further includes a clock that connects to the first clock pin, the second clock pin, and the third clock pin, wherein first data is transmitted on a first clock edge, and wherein second, different data is transmitted on a second other clock edge.

Abstract: A microphone includes a base, a micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) device disposed on the base, and a front end processing apparatus disposed on the base and coupled to the MEMS device, the front end processing apparatus being configured to convert analog signals received from the MEMS device into digital signals. The microphone also includes a DSP apparatus, the DSP apparatus being a digital programmed device with a computer memory, the DSP apparatus configured to process the digital signals received from the front end processing apparatus. The MEMS device, the front end processing apparatus, and DSP apparatus are enclosed within a single microphone enclosure or assembly. During operation the DSP apparatus generates DSP noise. The DSP apparatus includes a noise reduction structure that substantially prevents the DSP noise from reaching or interfering with the operation of the MEMS device or the front end processing apparatus.

Abstract: At a microphone, voice activity is detected in a data stream while simultaneously buffering audio data from the data stream to create buffered data. A signal is sent to a host indicating the positive detection of voice activity in the data stream. When an external clock signal is received from the host, the internal operation of the microphone is synchronized with the external clock signal. Buffered data stream is selectively sent through a first path, the first path including a buffer having a buffer delay time representing the time the first data stream takes to move through the buffer. The data stream is continuously sent through a second path as a real-time data stream, the second path not including the buffer, the real-time data stream beginning with the extended buffer data at a given instant in time. The buffered data stream and the real-time data stream are multiplexed onto a single data line and transmitting the multiplexed data stream to the host.

Abstract: A microphone system includes a first transducer deployed at a first microphone; a second transducer deployed at a second microphone, the first microphone being physically distinct from the second microphone; a decimator deployed at the second microphone that receives first pulse density modulation (PDM) data from the first transducer and second PDM data from the second transducer and decimates and combines the first PDM data and the second PDM data into combined pulse code modulation (PCM) data; and an interpolator deployed at the second microphone for converting the combined PCM data to combined PDM data, and transmits the combined PDM data to an external processing device.

Abstract: An analog signal is received from an acoustic transducer. The analog signal is converted into digital data. A determination is made as to whether acoustic activity exists within the digital data. The digital data is stored in a temporary memory storage device and a count is maintained of an amount of digital data in the temporary memory storage device. When the count exceeds a predetermined threshold, at least some of the digital data is transmitted from the temporary memory storage device to a processor.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a method of operating an acoustic system including detecting an ultrasonic sound signal and pattern matching the received ultrasonic sound signal to determine when the received ultrasonic sound signal is a desired ultrasonic sound signal. The method includes sending a signal to at least one electronic component when the received ultrasonic sound signal is the desired ultrasonic sound signal. The method includes operating the microphone in a lower power state when the received ultrasonic sound signal is not the desired ultrasonic sound signal.

Abstract: A microphone includes a base, a micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) device disposed on the base, and a front end processing apparatus disposed on the base and coupled to the MEMS device, the front end processing apparatus being configured to convert analog signals received from the MEMS device into digital signals. The microphone also includes a DSP apparatus, the DSP apparatus being a digital programmed device with a computer memory, the DSP apparatus configured to process the digital signals received from the front end processing apparatus. The MEMS device, the front end processing apparatus, and DSP apparatus are enclosed within a single microphone enclosure or assembly. During operation the DSP apparatus generates DSP noise. The DSP apparatus includes a noise reduction structure that substantially prevents the DSP noise from reaching or interfering with the operation of the MEMS device or the front end processing apparatus.

Abstract: A plurality of sensors are coupled to a data transmission bus and a command line. A marker is transmitted across the command transmission line. The marker is sensed at each of the plurality of the sensors. At each of the plurality of sensors, data is transmitted over the data bus at a predetermined time from the marker. Each predetermined time for each of the plurality of sensors is different from the predetermined time at the other sensors. Data transmitted from each of the plurality of sensors does not interfere with data transmitted from others of the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: First analog signals are received from a first microphone and converted into first pulse code modulation (PCM) digital data and stored in a first buffer using a first microphone internal clock. Second analog signals are received from a second microphone according to a second microphone internal clock, converted into second PCM digital data and stored the second PCM digital data in a second buffer. The first PCM digital data in the first buffer is not synchronized in real time with the second PCM digital data in the second buffer due to the absence of a common clock or other synchronizing signal between the first microphone and the second microphone. A determination is made as to whether voice activity has occurred at a first acoustic activity detect (AAD) module based upon the first PCM digital data, and when voice activity is determined, a voice activity detect signal is transmitted to an external processor.

Abstract: First analog signals are received from a first microphone, converted into first digital data and stored in a first buffer. A determination is made as to whether voice activity has occurred when voice activity is determined, a voice activity detect signal is sent to an external processor. The external processor responsively provides an exterior clock signal upon receiving the voice activity detect signal. Second analog signals are received from a second microphone, converted into second digital data and stored in a second buffer. The first digital data in the first buffer is not necessarily synchronized in real time with the second digital data in the second buffer. The first digital data from the first buffer and the second digital data from the second buffer is decimated using the external clock to provide decimated output data, the decimated output data having the first digital data and the second digital data aligned in real time.

Abstract: An acoustic apparatus includes a first acoustic sensor that has a first sensitivity and a first output signal; a second acoustic sensor that has a sensitivity, the second sensitivity is less than the first sensitivity, and the second acoustic sensor has a second output signal; and a blending module that is coupled to the first acoustic sensor and the second acoustic sensor. The blending module is configured to selectively blend the first output signal and the second output signal to create a blended output signal.