Patents by Inventor Timothy K. Wickstrom

Timothy K. Wickstrom 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).

  • Patent number: 9451349
    Abstract: An acoustic system includes a conduit, a microphone coupled to an end of the conduit, and a rigid moisture resistant barrier coupled to another end of the conduit to prevent moisture from traversing the length of the conduit towards the receiver. The moisture resistant barrier dampens an audio signal traversing the conduit. The moisture resistant barrier has a submersion rating at least equal to a 7 Ingress Protection rating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: KNOWLES ELECTRONICS, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy K. Wickstrom, William J. Ballad, Ying-Tzu Chan, Mei-Yu Lin, Jen Nan Feng
  • Publication number: 20150304755
    Abstract: An acoustic system includes a conduit, a microphone coupled to an end of the conduit, and a rigid moisture resistant barrier coupled to another end of the conduit to prevent moisture from traversing the length of the conduit towards the receiver. The moisture resistant barrier dampens an audio signal traversing the conduit. The moisture resistant barrier has a submersion rating at least equal to a 7 Ingress Protection rating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Timothy K. Wickstrom, William J. Ballard, Ying-Tzu Chan, Mei-Yu Lin, Jen Nan Feng
  • Patent number: 9078064
    Abstract: An acoustic system includes a receiver (or microphone), a tube, or a moisture resistant screen. The receiver is capable of outputting an audio signal, while the microphone receives an audio signal. The tube is in connection with the receiver (or microphone) and the audio signal travels along a length of the tube. The moisture resistant screen is fitted at an end of the tube. The moisture resistant screen prevents moisture from passing along the tube toward the receiver, and causes an amount of damping to the audio signal. The moisture resistant screen is configured to have a submersion rating greater than or equal to 7 IP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: KNOWLES ELECTRONICS, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy K. Wickstrom, William J. Ballad, Ying-Tzu Chan, Mei-Yu Lin, Jen Nan Feng
  • Patent number: 8879767
    Abstract: A microphone assembly comprising includes a base, at least one side wall, and a cover. The side wall is disposed on the base. The cover is coupled to the at least one side wall. The base, the side wall, and the cover form a cavity and the cavity has a MEMS device disposed therein. A top port extends through the cover and a first channel extends through the side wall. The first channel is arranged so as to communicate with the top port. A bottom port extends through the base. The MEMS device is disposed over the bottom port. A second channel is formed and extends along a bottom surface of the base. The second channel extends between and communicates with the first channel and the bottom port. Sound received by the top port is received at the MEMS device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventor: Timothy K. Wickstrom
  • Publication number: 20140010399
    Abstract: An acoustic system includes a receiver (or microphone), a tube, or a moisture resistant screen. The receiver is capable of outputting an audio signal, while the microphone receives an audio signal. The tube is in connection with the receiver (or microphone) and the audio signal travels along a length of the tube. The moisture resistant screen is fitted at an end of the tube. The moisture resistant screen prevents moisture from passing along the tube toward the receiver, and causes an amount of damping to the audio signal. The moisture resistant screen is configured to have a submersion rating greater than or equal to 7 IP.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy K. Wickstrom, William J. Ballad, Ying-Tzu Chan, Mei-Yu Lin, Jen Nan Feng
  • Patent number: 8532323
    Abstract: An acoustic system includes a receiver or microphone, a tube, a barrier, and an equalization device. The receiver is capable of outputting an audio signal. The tube is in connection with the receiver and the audio signal travels along a length of the tube. The barrier is fitted along the tube and the barrier prevents moisture from passing along the tube toward the receiver. The barrier causes an amount of damping to the audio signal. The equalization device is in connection with the receiver and the equalization device counteracts the damping by the barrier. The barrier is configured to have a submersion rating greater than or equal to 7 IP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy K. Wickstrom, William J. Ballad, Mei-Yu Lin, Ying-Tzu Chan, Jen Nan Feng
  • Publication number: 20130156235
    Abstract: A microphone assembly comprising includes a base, at least one side wall, and a cover. The side wall is disposed on the base. The cover is coupled to the at least one side wall. The base, the side wall, and the cover form a cavity and the cavity has a MEMS device disposed therein. A top port extends through the cover and a first channel extends through the side wall. The first channel is arranged so as to communicate with the top port. A bottom port extends through the base. The MEMS device is disposed over the bottom port. A second channel is formed and extends along a bottom surface of the base. The second channel extends between and communicates with the first channel and the bottom port. Sound received by the top port is received at the MEMS device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventor: Timothy K. Wickstrom
  • Publication number: 20110182455
    Abstract: An acoustic system includes a receiver or microphone, a tube, a barrier, and an equalization device. The receiver is capable of outputting an audio signal. The tube is in connection with the receiver and the audio signal travels along a length of the tube. The barrier is fitted along the tube and the barrier prevents moisture from passing along the tube toward the receiver. The barrier causes an amount of damping to the audio signal. The equalization device is in connection with the receiver and the equalization device counteracts the damping by the barrier. The barrier is configured to have a submersion rating greater than or equal to 7 IP.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Timothy K. Wickstrom, William J. Ballad, Mei-Yu Lin, Ying-Tzu Chan, Jen Nan Feng
  • Publication number: 20090214068
    Abstract: A microphone includes a housing including a structure and a motor assembly. The housing includes an inner space and the motor assembly mounted in the housing divides the inner space into a front volume and a back volume. The structure formed as part of the housing includes a plurality of openings, e.g. notches in different dimensions. The openings may act as a time delay structure to modify the directivity characteristics of the microphone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: KNOWLES ELECTRONICS, LLC
    Inventor: Timothy K. Wickstrom
  • Patent number: 7477756
    Abstract: An insert earphone comprises a housing and at least one transducer that is located in the housing. The transducer is adapted to receive electrical energy and to responsively convert the electrical energy into acoustic energy for presentation to an eardrum of a user. The transducer is positioned within the housing so as to be in close proximity to the eardrum of the user when the housing is inserted into the ear canal. At least one sealing member is coupled to the housing. The at least one sealing member is adapted to provide an acoustic seal within the ear canal of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy K. Wickstrom, William J. Ballad, David M. Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20080101640
    Abstract: An electroacoustic system includes a transducer having a front volume and a back volume. The transducer has a sound inlet port that is in communication with the front volume. An acoustic coupling is joined to the transducer. The acoustic coupling has a passageway comprising a first end and a second end. The second end is acoustically coupled to the sound inlet port for altering the peak frequency response of the transducer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Applicant: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: William J. Ballad, Timothy K. Wickstrom, Gwendolyn P. Massingill
  • Publication number: 20030085070
    Abstract: A waterproof earphone is disclosed. The earphone comprises a housing having a first end, a second end, and a housing bore extending there between. The housing is dimensioned for insertion into a human ear canal. The earphone further includes a sleeve having a first end and a second end, and an axial bore extending there between. The sleeve is disposed within the housing. The earphone still further includes a receiver disposed within the sleeve's axial bore. The receiver has a cable extending outwardly past the first sleeve end. An end-cap has first and second ends, and the end-cap first end matingly engages the housing's second end. A waterproof membrane seals the end-cap's second end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventor: Timothy K. Wickstrom
  • Publication number: 20020123669
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing a pressure difference between a first and second region is disclosed. The apparatus includes a motor assembly having a backplate and a diaphragm, the motor assembly being operably attached between the first and second regions. The motor assembly also having a capacitance responsive to a difference in atmospheric pressure between the first and second regions. A measurement device utilizes the capacitance for detecting the pressure difference between the two regions. The apparatus is adaptable for cooperation with a chemical dispenser for dispensing a prescribed dosage to an individual.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventor: Timothy K. Wickstrom
  • Patent number: 5692060
    Abstract: A unidirectional microphone assembly for receiving sound within a range of sound frequencies is disclosed. The microphone assembly comprises a housing formed of a sound absorbing material. The housing has an outer surface, and a bore extending inwardly along a bore axis from the outer surface to form a chamber within the housing. The microphone assembly further comprises a directional microphone having an axis of maximum reception. The microphone is disposed within the chamber and positioned with its axis of maximum reception directed outwardly substantially along the bore axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy K. Wickstrom
  • Patent number: 5408534
    Abstract: An electret microphone assembly, such as for a hearing aid comprises an electret microphone having a diaphragm and a charged plate, a substrate spaced from the charged plate, and a wire loop having first and second ends and a mid-portion. The first and second ends are secured to the substrate and the mid-portion is pressed against the charged plate. An amplifier is disposed on the substrate and has an input terminal coupled to the wire loop. Alternatively, an impedance matching circuit can be disposed on the substrate and coupled to the wire loop. A conductive bond containing silver particles further secures the wire loop mid-portion and the charged plate. In an alternative configuration the loop is dimensioned such that its mid-portion passes close to the charged plate without touching it. The conductive bond serves not only to form a rigid structure, but also serves as an electrical bridge to complete the circuit between the two elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ernest L. Lenzini, Timothy K. Wickstrom