Abstract: A transducer assembly comprises an acoustic transducer comprising a transducer substrate having a first aperture defined at a first location of the transducer substrate, an acoustic transducer diaphragm disposed on the transducer substrate over the first aperture, and an acoustic transducer back plate disposed on the transducer substrate axially spaced apart from the acoustic transducer diaphragm over the first aperture. The transducer assembly also includes a vibration transducer comprising the transducer substrate having a second aperture defined at a second location thereof, a vibration transducer diaphragm disposed on the transducer substrate over the second aperture, a vibration transducer back plate disposed on the transducer substrate axially spaced apart from the vibration transducer back plate over the second aperture, and an anchor coupled to one of the vibration transducer diaphragm or the vibration transducer back plate, the anchor disposed in the second aperture and suspended freely therewithin.

Abstract: A microphone that includes a calibration signal generator that generates a calibration signal based upon a received invocation input. The calibration signal has known audio properties. The microphone also includes a transducer that converts sound energy into an electrical signal. An integrated circuit receives the electrical signal from the transducer. An external microphone interface provides the calibration signal to a device external to the microphone.

Abstract: At least one electrical value for a plurality of frequencies is measured over a range of frequencies. An impedance is calculated based upon the at least one electrical value for each of the plurality of frequencies in the frequency range, the calculating producing a plurality of impedances. A maximum impedance from the plurality of impedances and a frequency associated with the maximum impedance are determined. The frequency is compared to a predetermined threshold, and based upon the comparing it is determined whether an earphone has been removed from the ear of a wearer.

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: A touch sensitive device including a front panel having a touch surface and a back surface opposite the touch surface. The touch sensitive device further includes one or more vibration transducers mounted to the back surface, and a controller electronically connected to the vibration transducer. The controller receives, from the vibration transducer, a vibration signal, extracts feature information corresponding to predetermined features from the vibration signal, determines, based on the feature information, that a touch occurred within a predefined area of the touch surface, and outputs a signal indicating that the touch occurred within the predefined area of the touch surface.

Abstract: A vibrational sensor comprises a microelectromechanical (MEMS) microphone having a base and a lid defining an enclosure, a MEMS acoustic pressure sensor within the enclosure, and a port defining an opening through the enclosure and material that is arranged to plug the port of the MEMS microphone. In embodiments, the MEMS microphone further includes an integrated circuit within the enclosure that is electrically connected to the MEMS acoustic pressure sensor. In some embodiments, the integrated circuit is configured to bias and buffer the MEMS acoustic pressure sensor. In these and other embodiments, the integrated circuit includes circuitry for conditioning and processing electrical signals generated by the MEMS acoustic pressure sensor. In embodiments, the material is arranged with respect to the port so as to cause the MEMS acoustical pressure sensor to sense vibrational energy rather than acoustic energy as in a conventional MEMS microphone.

Abstract: An ultrasonic actuation apparatus includes a piezoelectric transducer producing a first ultrasonic signal; a second transducer; and a platen, the platen being directly and/or acoustically coupled to the piezoelectric transducer and the second transducer. The second transducer may be a MEMS microphone. The second transducer is configured to receive the first ultrasonic signal at a first time, and a second ultrasonic signal at second time. The second ultrasonic signal has been modified from the first ultrasonic signal in correspondence with an object being in contact with the platen.

Abstract: Systems and methods for earbud control based on proximity detection are provided. An example method includes transmitting ultrasonic signals and receiving reflected ultrasonic signals. Based at least partially on the reflected ultrasonic signals, a distance of an earbud to an ear canal may be determined. If the distance is above a first predetermined threshold value, a low-power mode is activated. If the distance is below the first predetermined threshold value, a functionality of the earbud is modified. Modifying the functionality of the earbud may include activating a full power mode and may further include determining a quality of a seal, provided by the earbud, in the ear canal. If the quality of the seal is above a second predetermined threshold value, a positive feedback is provided to a user. If the quality of the seal is below the second predetermined threshold value, a negative feedback is provided to the user.

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: A microphone that includes a calibration signal generator that generates a calibration signal based upon a received invocation input. The calibration signal has known audio properties. The microphone also includes a transducer that converts sound energy into an electrical signal. An integrated circuit receives the electrical signal from the transducer. An external microphone interface provides the calibration signal to a device external to the microphone.

Abstract: A device includes a first microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) transducer, a second MEMS transducer and a summing device. A first dimension of the first MEMS transducer is predefined to configure the first MEMS transducer to have a first resonance frequency. A second dimension of the second MEMS transducer is predefined to configure the second MEMS transducer to have a second resonance frequency different than the first resonance frequency. The summing device is coupled to the first MEMS transducer and the second MEMS transducer and provides an output representing a combination of information from the first MEMS transducer and the second MEMS transducer.

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: A speaker apparatus includes a speaker assembly and a piezoelectric driver. The speaker assembly including a diaphragm and a motor. Application of a first electric current to the motor causes a first movement of a portion of the motor. The first movement causes the diaphragm to move and responsively creates sound energy in a first and non-ultrasonic frequency range. The piezoelectric driver is disposed in proximal relation to the speaker assembly. Application of a second electric current to the piezoelectric driver causes actuation of the piezoelectric driver. The actuation is effective to produce an impact of a portion of the piezoelectric driver with the speaker assembly and causes a second movement of the diaphragm within the speaker assembly. The second movement responsively creates sound energy in a second and ultrasonic frequency range.

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: At least one electrical value for a plurality of frequencies is measured over a range of frequencies. An impedance is calculated based upon the at least one electrical value for each of the plurality of frequencies in the frequency range, the calculating producing a plurality of impedances. A maximum impedance from the plurality of impedances and a frequency associated with the maximum impedance are determined. The frequency is compared to a predetermined threshold, and based upon the comparing it is determined whether an earphone has been removed from the ear of a wearer.

Abstract: A microphone includes a base; a micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) device disposed on the base, the MEMS device configured to convert sound into a first electrical signal; an integrated circuit disposed on the base and coupled to the MEMS device; a photo diode disposed on the base, the photo diode configured to convert light into a second electrical signal. At least one of the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal is processed by the integrated circuit.

Abstract: In one aspect, a speaker is provided having a coil and a diaphragm assembly coupled to the coil. The diaphragm assembly includes a piezo stiffener plate and a flexible membrane, the piezo stiffener plate including at least one piezo layer and at least one metal layer. The speaker is operable in a human audible frequency operating range and in an ultrasonic frequency operating range. In the ultrasonic frequency operating range, the piezo stiffener plate bends to extend the ultrasonic output beyond the ultrasonic range produced without the use of the piezo stiffener plate. In another aspect, a speaker is provided having a flexible membrane constructed at least partially of a piezo material. The speaker is operable in an ultrasonic frequency operating range wherein the piezo material bends to extend the ultrasonic output beyond the ultrasonic range produced without the use of the piezo material in the membrane.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, an acoustic apparatus is provided included a transducer, a signal generator, a buffering module, and a proximity detection module. A switching module is coupled to the transducer, signal generator, the buffering module, and the proximity detection module.