With Piezoelectric Microphone Patents (Class 381/114)
  • Patent number: 11953533
    Abstract: A capacitive sensor includes a first conductive structure; a second conductive structure that is counter to the first conductive structure, wherein the second conductive structure is movable relative to the first conductive structure in response to an external force acting thereon, wherein the second conductive structure is capacitively coupled to the first conductive structure to form a first capacitor having a first capacitance that changes with a change in a distance between the first conductive structure and second conductive structure; a signal generator configured to apply a first electrical signal step at an input or at an output of the first capacitor to induce a first voltage transient response at the output of first capacitor; and a diagnostic circuit configured to detect a fault in the capacitive sensor by measuring a first time constant of the first voltage transient response and detecting the fault based on the first time constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Capital One Services, LLC
    Inventors: Dan-Ioan-Dumitru Stoica, Cesare Buffa, Constantin Crisu, Mihai-Liviu Tudose, Bernhard Winkler
  • Patent number: 11632639
    Abstract: A device includes a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) element configured to sense acoustic signals. The device also includes a circuitry configured to enable the microphone element to sense the acoustic signals. The circuitry is further configured to disable the microphone element to prevent the microphone element to sense the acoustic signals. It is appreciated that the circuitry is further configured to apply a test signal to the MEMS element when the microphone element is disabled. The microphone element outputs a signal in response to the test signal to the circuitry. The circuitry in response to the output signal with a first value determines that a diaphragm of the MEMS element is nonoperational and the circuitry in response to the output signal with a second value determines that the diaphragm of the MEMS element is operational.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: InvenSense, Inc.
    Inventors: Marek Matej, Stefano Riva
  • Patent number: 11507228
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present application provide acoustic wave signal reading apparatuses, acoustic wave signal reading circuits, and control methods thereof related to the field of acoustic wave signal reading technology. One embodiment of an acoustic wave signal reading circuit comprises: an acoustic wave receiver, a reset control circuit, a function circuit, and an output circuit; an acoustic wave receiver is configured to convert a received acoustic wave signal into an electrical signal and outputs the electrical signal to a first node; the reset control circuit outputs a voltage to the first node; the function circuit switches states based on the first node, a signal terminal, and a voltage terminal, and outputs a voltage to a second node to reset the second node or amplifies a potential of the first node and outputs to the amplified potential to the second node depending on a state of the function circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Beijing BOE Technology Development Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiaoliang Ding, Haisheng Wang, Yingming Liu, Bo Chen, Yanling Han
  • Patent number: 11490185
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a chassis, a microphone hole penetrating an outer wall of the chassis, and a microphone module that faces the microphone hole. The microphone module has a microphone that obtains sound information outside the chassis through the microphone hole, a flexible substrate laminated on a back surface of the microphone, a metallic plate laminated on a back surface of the flexible substrate, and a sound hole opened in the back surface of the microphone and penetrating the flexible substrate and the metallic plate. The electronic device further includes a double-sided tape fastened to a first region, surrounding the sound hole, of a back surface of the metallic plate, and to an inner surface of the chassis, and that fixes the microphone module to the chassis, and a conductive member that electrically connects the second region of the metallic plate and the inner surface of the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Wenjin Niu, Jun Iwasaki, Toshikazu Horino, Toshinari Sumikawa, Shigehiro Horiuchi, Takehito Yamauchi, Yalu Liu, Keita Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 11241193
    Abstract: Evaluating an implanted hearing prosthesis, including operating the implanted hearing prosthesis, capturing sound generated by a transducer of the prosthesis during said operation, and comparing the captured sound to a sound model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Kyun Thibaut, Jurgen Van Vlem, Christiane D'hondt, Florent Hubert-Brierre, Kristof Buytaert, Hans Bernhard, Grégoire Meylan, Martin Junghans, Susanne Gentner
  • Patent number: 10999684
    Abstract: A MEMS microphone includes a MEMS transducer, a sealing cover, and a package substrate. The MEMS transducer includes an element substrate, a plurality of cantilevered beams, and a weight. An airtight sealing structure is formed with the sealing cover and the package substrate, which is formed by mounting the MEMS transducer on the package substrate, and adhering the sealing cover to the package substrate so as to surround the MEMS transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.
    Inventors: Lik Hang Ken Wan, Masashi Shiraishi, Akio Nakao
  • Patent number: 10877137
    Abstract: A method of making a sensing unit for a sensing system of a vehicle includes providing a first housing portion, a second housing portion, and a transducer having a piezo element. The transducer is placed in the first housing portion at the closed transducer end of the first housing portion. A dampening ring is disposed in the first housing portion between the closed transducer end and the first open receiving end of the first housing portion. A compression ring is provided and disposed at least partially into the first open receiving end of the first housing portion with wires electrically connecting the piezo element to the pins of the compression ring in the first housing portion. A PCB is disposed in the second housing portion and electrically connected to terminals of a connector portion of the second housing portion. The first housing portion is attached to the second housing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Werner Schmitt, Henry Kung, Tzu-Nan Chen, Helmut A. Wodrich
  • Patent number: 10631093
    Abstract: A loudspeaker system is provided including an enclosure and a transducer mounted within the enclosure. A port is provided in the enclosure, the port having an inlet located at an external surface of the enclosure and an outlet located in an interior of the enclosure which allow bi-directional air flow in and out of the enclosure. At least one duct is provided in the port to extract air flow from the port and redirect the air flow within the enclosure. In one embodiment, the at least one duct may comprise a NACA duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Jerry Moro
  • Patent number: 10356543
    Abstract: A MEMS may include a backplate comprising first and second electrodes electrically isolated from one another and mechanically coupled to the backplate in a fixed relationship relative to the backplate, and a diaphragm configured to mechanically displace relative to the backplate as a function of sound pressure incident upon the diaphragm. The diaphragm may comprise third and fourth electrodes electrically isolated from one another and mechanically coupled to the diaphragm in a fixed relationship relative to the diaphragm such that the third and fourth electrodes mechanically displace relative to the backplate as the function of the sound pressure. The first and third electrodes may form a first capacitor, the second and fourth electrodes may form a second capacitor, and the first capacitor may be configured to sense a displacement of the diaphragm responsive to which the second capacitor may be configured to apply an electrostatic force to the diaphragm to return the diaphragm to an original position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventor: Axel Thomsen
  • Patent number: 9826622
    Abstract: A device is disclosed to reduce noise and temperature during measurements in cryostats comprising, the device comprising any of, or a combination of, the following PC boards, each conditioning a different frequency range: a RC-PC board having a two-stage RC filter in series with a surface-mounted pi-filter; a RF-PC board having a plurality of surface-mounted pi-filters in series, each configured with different low-frequency cutoff frequencies; and a Sapphire-PC board having a sapphire substrate having high heat conductivity at low temperature with thin metal films routed in a meandering fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE
    Inventors: Ferdinand Kuemmeth, Charles M. Marcus
  • Patent number: 9674616
    Abstract: A dynamic acoustic impedance matching device for an acoustic signal transmitted or received in a medium by a transducer includes a particle flow in an acoustic signal path of the transducer. The particle flow has an acoustic impedance between an acoustic impedance of the transducer and an acoustic impedance of the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Anthony A. Ruffa
  • Patent number: 9635460
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical (MEMS) microphone includes a MEMS motor and a gain adjustment apparatus. The MEMS motor includes at least a diaphragm and a charge plate and is configured to receive sound energy and transform the sound energy into an electrical signal. The gain adjustment apparatus has an input and an output and is coupled to the MEMS motor. The gain adjustment apparatus is configured to receive the electrical signal from the MEMS motor at the input and adjust the gain of the electrical signal as measured from the output of the gain adjustment apparatus. The amount of gain is selected so as to obtain a favorable sensitivity for the microphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Jordan T. Schultz, Weiwen Dai, Peter V. Loeppert
  • Patent number: 9077342
    Abstract: A circuit assembly for processing an electrical signal of a microphone is provided. The microphone has an inherent impedance. The circuit assembly comprises an impedance circuit, a signal processing unit, a first electrical signal path, and a second electrical signal path. The first electrical signal path is coupleable to a first electrical output of the microphone and is furthermore coupled to a first input of the signal processing unit. The second electrical signal path is coupleable to a second electrical output of the microphone and is furthermore coupled to a second input of the signal processing unit via the impedance circuit. An impedance value of the impedance circuit is selected based on an impedance value of the inherent impedance of the microphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Mobile Communications AB
    Inventors: Magnus Birch, Kaj Ullen
  • Patent number: 9070862
    Abstract: An ultrasonic piezoelectric transducer device includes a transducer array consisting of an array of vibrating elements, and a base to which the array of vibrating elements in the transducer array are attached. The base include integrated electrical interconnects for carrying driving signals and sensed signals between the vibrating elements and an external control circuit. The base can be an ASIC wafer that includes integrated circuitry for controlling the driving and processing the sensed signals. The interconnects and control circuits in the base fit substantially within an area below the array of multiple vibrating elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Dimatix, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Bibl, Hung-Fai Stephen Law, Kevin Von Essen, Mats G. Ottosson
  • Patent number: 9070861
    Abstract: An ultrasonic piezoelectric transducer device includes a transducer array consisting of an array of vibrating elements, and a base to which the array of vibrating elements in the transducer array are attached. The base include integrated electrical interconnects for carrying driving signals and sensed signals between the vibrating elements and an external control circuit. The base can be an ASIC wafer that includes integrated circuitry for controlling the driving and processing the sensed signals. The interconnects and control circuits in the base fit substantially within an area below the array of multiple vibrating elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Dimatix, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Bibl, Hung-Fai Stephen Law, Kevin Von Essen, Mats G. Ottosson
  • Publication number: 20150146887
    Abstract: A MEMS device includes a MEM-CMOS module having a CMOS chip and a MEMS chip. The MEMS chip includes a port exposed to the environment. The MEMS device further includes a printed circuit board (PCB) with an aperture, wherein the MEMS-CMOS module is directly mounted on the PCB.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Invensense, Inc.
    Inventors: Aleksey S. Khenkin, Anthony D. Minervini
  • Publication number: 20150146888
    Abstract: There is provided a micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) microphone package including: an MEMS microphone chip having an internal space formed therein; a substrate having the MEMS microphone chip mounted thereon; an ASIC chip disposed in the internal space formed within the MEMS microphone chip; and a case bonded to the substrate and having an internal space formed therein in order to accommodate the MEMS microphone chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sun Ho KIM
  • Patent number: 9036827
    Abstract: Ultrasonic signals are used to transmit sounds from a modulated ultrasonic generator to other locations from which the sounds appear to emanate. In particular, an ultrasonic carrier is modulated with an audio signal and demodulated on passage through the atmosphere. The carrier frequencies are substantially higher than those of prior systems, e.g., at least 60 kHz, and the modulation products thus have frequencies which are well above the audible range of humans; as a result, these signals are likely harmless to individuals who are within the ultrasonic fields of the system. The signals may be steered to moving locations, and various measures are taken to minimize distortion and maximize efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventor: F. Joseph Pompei
  • Publication number: 20150131812
    Abstract: A MEMS microphone assembly includes a MEMS transducer element having a back plate and a diaphragm displaceable relative to the back plate. A bias voltage generator is adapted to provide a DC bias voltage applicable between the diaphragm and the back plate. An amplifier receives an electrical signal from the MEMS transducer element and provides an output signal. The amplifier is adapted to amplify the electrical signal from the MEMS transducer element according to an amplifier gain setting. A processor is adapted to carry out a calibration routine at power-on of the microphone assembly determining information regarding the DC bias voltage and/or the amplifier gain setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Armin Schober, Gino Rocca, Troels Andersen
  • Patent number: 9031265
    Abstract: A piezoelectric speaker includes: a piezoelectric vibrator including a piezoelectric body formed of a piezoelectric element and a plate-shaped body which has a larger diameter than the piezoelectric body and which is attached to a surface of the piezoelectric body in a concentric form; and a film-shaped body that is provided around the piezoelectric vibrator so as to elastically hold the piezoelectric vibrator. The film-shaped body includes a coarse and dense portion in a circumferential direction thereof, which has a physically coarse portion which can become a mountain portion or a valley portion or both, and which is disposed so as to correspond to a natural frequency of an in-phase mode in which antinodes and nodes are formed in a concentric form. The piezoelectric vibrator and the film-shaped body form a sound producing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Fukushima, Kosaku Kitada, Osamu Akasaka, Akihiro Nishikawa
  • Publication number: 20150110295
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, an interface circuit includes a variable voltage bias generator coupled to a transducer, and a measurement circuit coupled to an output of the transducer. The measurement circuit is configured to measure an output amplitude of the transducer. The interface circuit further includes a calibration controller coupled to the bias generator and the measurement circuit, and is configured to set a sensitivity of the transducer and interface circuit during an auto-calibration sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Christian Jenkner, Richard Gaggl
  • Publication number: 20150110296
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, an interface circuit includes an amplifier configured to be coupled to a transducer, a first bypass circuit coupled to a first voltage reference and the amplifier, a second bypass circuit coupled to the first voltage reference and the amplifier, and a control circuit coupled to the second bypass circuit. The first bypass circuit conducts a current when an input signal amplitude greater than a first threshold is applied to the transducer and the control circuit causes the second bypass circuit to conduct a current for a first time period after the first bypass circuit conducts a current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Christian Jenkner, Richard Gaggl, Benno Muehlbacher
  • Patent number: 9014400
    Abstract: An alarm sounder, which incorporates a piezo-electric output transducer, can be silently monitored using a variable frequency square wave. An initial frequency, close to the upper limit of human hearing, is coupled to the sounder. The transducer draws very little current at this initial frequency. The frequency of the square wave is systematically reduced, and the current draw is continually monitored. A high current indicates a low impedance type of fault. A low current throughout the frequency range indicates a potential high frequency type of fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Barson
  • Patent number: 9008332
    Abstract: A processing chip for a digital microphone and related input circuit and a digital microphone are described herein. In one aspect, the input circuit for a processing chip of a digital microphone includes: a PMOS transistor, a resistor, a current source, and a low-pass filter. The described processing chip possesses high anti high-frequency interference capabilities and the described input circuit possesses high high-frequency power supply rejection ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Beijing KT Micro, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wenjing Wang, Jianting Wang, Rongrong Bai, Jing Cao
  • Publication number: 20150078587
    Abstract: A MEMS structure and a method for operation a MEMS structure are disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a MEMS structure comprises a substrate, a backplate, and a membrane comprising a first region and a second region, wherein the first region is configured to sense a signal and the second region is configured to adjust a threshold frequency from a first value to a second value, and wherein the backplate and the membrane are mechanically connected to the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Alfons Dehe, Martin Wurzer
  • Patent number: 8965008
    Abstract: A method for driving a condenser microphone is provided. The condenser microphone comprises a membrane and an electrode constituting a capacity. A polarization voltage is applied between the membrane and the electrode. According to the method, an electrical signal generated by the condenser microphone based on a received acoustic signal causing a deflection of the membrane) is detected, and the polarization voltage is varied in response to the detected electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Mobile Communications AB
    Inventor: Martin Nyström
  • Publication number: 20150043755
    Abstract: A microphone includes a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) circuit and an integrated circuit. The MEMS circuit is configured to convert a voice signal into an electrical signal, and the integrated circuit is coupled to the MEMS circuit and is configured to receive the electrical signal. The integrated circuit and the MEMS circuit receive a clock signal from an external host. The clock signal is effective to cause the MEMS circuit and integrated circuit to operate in full system operation mode during a first time period and in a voice activity mode of operation during a second time period. The voice activity mode has a first power consumption and the full system operation mode has a second power consumption. The first power consumption is less than the second power consumption. The integrated circuit is configured to generate an interrupt upon the detection of voice activity, and send the interrupt to the host.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Claus Erdmann FĂ¼rst, Henrik Thomsen, Michael Deruginsky, Dibyendu Nandy, Oddy Nopporn Khamharn
  • Patent number: 8941603
    Abstract: The present solution relates to a device (800) comprising a touch sensitive display (111). The device (800) further comprises a receiving unit (701) configured to receive image data. The device (800) further comprises a processing unit (703) configured to display the image data as a haptic image on the touch sensitive display (111), whereby objects comprised in the haptic image are discernable to a user by sense of touch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Mobile Communications AB
    Inventor: David Karlsson
  • Patent number: 8942389
    Abstract: Systems and methods for adjusting a bias voltage and gain of the microphone to account for variations in a thickness of a gap between a movable membrane and a stationary backplate in a MEMS microphone due to the manufacturing process. The microphone is exposed to acoustic pressures of a first magnitude and a sensitivity of the microphone is evaluated according to a predetermined sensitivity protocol. The bias voltage of the microphone is adjusted when the microphone does not meet the sensitivity protocol. The microphone is then exposed to acoustic waves of a second magnitude that is greater than the first magnitude and a stability of the microphone is evaluated according to a predetermined stability protocol. The bias voltage and the gain of the microphone are adjusted when the microphone does not meet the stability protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Sucheendran Sridharan, John Matthew Muza, Philip Sean Stetson
  • Patent number: 8896184
    Abstract: A piezoelectric MEMS microphone comprising a multi-layer sensor that includes at least one piezoelectric layer between two electrode layers, with the sensor being dimensioned such that it provides a near maximized ratio of output energy to sensor area, as determined by an optimization parameter that accounts for input pressure, bandwidth, and characteristics of the piezoelectric and electrode materials. The sensor can be formed from single or stacked cantilevered beams separated from each other by a small gap, or can be a stress-relieved diaphragm that is formed by deposition onto a silicon substrate, with the diaphragm then being stress relieved by substantial detachment of the diaphragm from the substrate, and then followed by reattachment of the now stress relieved diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: The Regents of The University of Michigan
    Inventors: Karl Grosh, Robert J. Littrell
  • Patent number: 8897464
    Abstract: A condenser microphone includes a condenser microphone unit and a piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element is disposed so as to generate piezoelectric signals in response to vibration causing the unit to generate vibratory noise signals. The piezoelectric signals are inputted through a low-pass filter and a level adjuster circuit to the unit to drive a diaphragm of the unit. The vibratory noise signals generated by the vibration in the unit are canceled with the piezoelectric signals generated by the piezoelectric element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-Technica
    Inventor: Hiroshi Akino
  • Patent number: 8848947
    Abstract: A low-noise pre-amplifier with an active load element is integrated into a microphone. The microphone has an acoustic sensor coupled to the intrinsic pre-amplifier. A controllable current source is coupled to the intrinsic pre-amplifier and supplies a pre-amplifier bias current. A current source controller is coupled to the current source and controls the amplitude of the pre-amplifier bias current to maintain the intrinsic pre-amplifier at a bias point at which the intrinsic pre-amplifier amplifies microphone signals produced by the acoustic sensor. The intrinsic pre-amplifier may be actively regulated at the pre-determined bias point using negative feedback. Alternatively, the intrinsic pre-amplifier may be set to the pre-determined bias point by sweeping the pre-amplifier bias current for the intrinsic pre-amplifier over a range of currents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: Jens Kristian Poulsen
  • Publication number: 20140270262
    Abstract: An adjustable charge pump system. The system includes a voltage regulator, a clock circuit, a voltage adjustment circuit, and a charge pump. The voltage regulator is configured to receive an input voltage and output a regulated voltage. The clock circuit is coupled to the voltage regulator and receives the regulated voltage. The voltage adjustment circuit is coupled to the voltage regulator and is configured to receive the regulated voltage and to output a driver voltage. The charge pump includes a plurality of stages. The output of the adjustable charge pump system is adjusted by disabling one or more stages of the first stage and the plurality of subsequent stages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Matthew A. Zeleznik, John M. Muza
  • Patent number: 8824702
    Abstract: The present invention provides a reverse-phase modulating structure of a piezoelectric ceramic speaker, comprising a positioning frame, an acoustic generator and two or more than two flexible units; wherein the acoustic generator comprises a plurality of ceramic layers stacked onto one another to form a ceramic slat, and said flexible units are clamped between an inner edge of the positioning frame and the acoustic generator. Via the pressure exerted onto the acoustic member by the flexible units, the in-phase movement of the acoustic generator can be modulated and the phase conflict of the acoustic generator can be reduced as well as the prevision of the sound quality distortions such that high quality of the ceramic speaker can be enhanced and realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Abatech Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsiang-Chih Yu
  • Patent number: 8798293
    Abstract: A piezoelectric speaker includes a cover with a receiving space and a vibrating speaker unit accommodated in the receiving space. The vibrating speaker unit includes a piezoelectric oscillator including an upper surface and an lower surface, a diaphragm disposed on the upper surface of the piezoelectric oscillator, and a vibrating member kept a distance from the lower surface of the piezoelectric oscillator. The piezoelectric oscillator defines a first amplitude capable of driving the diaphragm only and a second amplitude driving both the vibrating member to vibrating with a largest amplitude and the diaphragm to generate sound. The distance is larger than the first amplitude and smaller than the second amplitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignees: AAC Acoustic Technologies (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., American Audio Components Inc.
    Inventors: Lin Liu, Jie He, Sheng-Ping Yu
  • Patent number: 8682396
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vibration module for a portable terminal that includes a housing, a magnetic moving part movable in a first direction within the housing; an elastic member supported between the opposite ends of the magnetic moving part and inner walls of the housing, and a solenoid coil provided in the housing. The vibration module is positioned at one end of the moving section by the magnetic force of the magnetic moving part and an object around the magnetic moving part, allowing the vibration module to provide a user with a feeling similar to a click feeling via the acceleration produced at a stopping instant. In addition, when vibrating, the vibration module generates sufficient vibration power through acceleration at the instant of changing moving direction at the ends of the moving section, to provide an alarm function, such as an incoming call notification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Tae-Heon Yang, Yu-Dong Bae, Dong-Soo Kwon, Young-Min Lee, Eun-Hwa Lee, Jeong-Seok Lee, Dong-Bum Pyo, Young-Jun Cho
  • Patent number: 8670578
    Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator 60 includes a piezoelectric element 10 expanding and contracting according to a state of an electric field, a pedestal 20, a vibration film 30, and a support member. In the vibration mode of the divided vibration occurring in the piezoelectric actuator in a high frequency band, one or more reinforcement members 50 are selectively disposed on an upper surface or a lower surface of the piezoelectric element 10, in a region where a node of divided vibration occurs. With such configurations, the vibration mode can be changed in the piezoelectric element 10. Therefore, in the frequency sound pressure level characteristics, the divided vibration causing hills or valleys (peaks or dips) can be effectively suppressed, thus enabling the achievement of flatness of frequency sound pressure level characteristics and of reproduction of excellent sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuharu Onishi, Masatake Takahashi, Yasuhiro Sasaki, Shigeo Satou
  • Patent number: 8644527
    Abstract: A piezoelectric acoustic transducer achieves both space-saving and high sound quality without increasing the number of parts. In order to achieve this, the transducer includes a piezoelectric element constructed of a piezoelectric material interposed between two surface electrodes and a diaphragm of which at least one principal surface is provided with a print wiring and at least one principal surface is bonded to the piezoelectric element. The diaphragm includes a frame section, a vibrating section which is bonded with the piezoelectric element and which vibrates, and at least one supporting section which connects the frame section and the vibrating section and which supports the vibrating section. Either the frame section or the at least one supporting section includes at least one electrical resistance which is integrally formed to the print wiring and which constructs, in combination with the piezoelectric element, a series-RC circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Akiko Fujise, Toshiyuki Matsumura, Kazue Satoh
  • Publication number: 20140023210
    Abstract: Processing an audio signal is disclosed. The audio signal is received from a sensor coupled to a touch input medium. An indication of an event where the touch input medium has been contacted at a location on the touch input medium is received. The event has been captured as an audio signal component of the received audio signal. At least a portion of the audio signal component is reduced from the audio signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: SENTONS INC.
    Inventor: SENTONS INC.
  • Patent number: 8594346
    Abstract: A driver circuit for a piezoelectric speaker is described, wherein charge is transferred from a charge reservoir to the speaker. In a first embodiment a delta sigma circuit uses a pulse width modulated digital audio signal to control a push-pull circuit to drive the piezoelectric speaker. High frequency harmonics are introduced to the delta sigma drive signals to enhance the low frequency response of the speaker. A charge recovery mechanism recovers charge from the speaker to reduce the frequency of replenishing the charge reservoir and to provide additional drive current for the speaker. In a second embodiment the pulse width modulated signal is used to drive a voltage quadrupling circuit that drives the piezoelectric speaker, wherein the reservoir capacitor is integrated with the capacitors of quadrupling circuit, which provides charge recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: SilverPlus, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Kwan, Suresh Singamsetty, Jeffrey Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8588433
    Abstract: There is disclosed a microphone, a circuit, and a method. A microphone capsule may include an electret microphone and a field effect transistor (FET). A floating DC voltage source may have a first end connected to a drain terminal of the electret microphone capsule and a second end. A load resistor may be connected between the second end of the floating DC voltage source and a source terminal of the electret microphone capsule. A voltage follower may have an output connected to the source terminal of the electret microphone capsule and the first end of the floating DC voltage source. A coupling capacitor may couple an audio signal from the source terminal of the electret microphone capsule to an input of the voltage follower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Baltic Latvian Universal Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Martins Saulespurens, Felikss Stanevics
  • Patent number: 8581356
    Abstract: Semiconductor structures with high impedances for use in biasing for applying voltage bias to part of a device. The semiconductor structure comprises a continuous structure having a plurality of regions of a first semiconductor type (n type or p type) material arranged alternately with at least one region of the opposite type. The structure may be formed from polysilicon and may also include a plurality of intrinsic regions arranged between the n and p type regions. The structure forms a composite diode and provides a high impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Wolfson Microelectronics plc
    Inventor: John Laurence Pennock
  • Patent number: 8531088
    Abstract: A piezoelectric MEMS microphone comprising a multi-layer sensor that includes at least one piezoelectric layer between two electrode layers, with the sensor being dimensioned such that it provides a near maximized ratio of output energy to sensor area, as determined by an optimization parameter that accounts for input pressure, bandwidth, and characteristics of the piezoelectric and electrode materials. The sensor can be formed from single or stacked cantilevered beams separated from each other by a small gap, or can be a stress-relieved diaphragm that is formed by deposition onto a silicon substrate, with the diaphragm then being stress relieved by substantial detachment of the diaphragm from the substrate, and then followed by reattachment of the now stress relieved diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: The Regents of The University of Michigan
    Inventors: Karl Grosh, Robert J. Littrell
  • Patent number: 8503693
    Abstract: A system and method for sensing acoustic sounds is provided having at least one directional sensor, each directional sensor including at least two compliant membranes for moving in reaction to an excitation acoustic signal and at least one compliant bridge. Each bridge is coupled to at least a respective first and second membrane of the at least two membranes for moving in response to movement of the membranes it is coupled to for causing movement of the first membrane to be related to movement of the second membrane when either of the first and second membranes moves in response to excitation by the excitation signal. The directional sensor is controllably rotated to locate a source of the excitation signal, including determining a turning angle based on a linear relationship between the directionality information and sound source position described in experimentally calibrated data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: University of Maryland
    Inventors: Miao Yu, Haijun Liu
  • Patent number: 8467548
    Abstract: A micro-electromechanical (MEMS) based directional sound sensor includes a two sensor wings attached to a surrounding support structure by two legs. The support structure is hollow beneath the sensor wings allowing the sensor wings to vibrate in response to sound excitation. In one embodiment, interdigitated comb finger capacitors attached on the sensor wing edges and the support structure enable an electrostatic (capacitive) readout related to the vibrations of the sensor which allows determination of the sound direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Gamani Karunasiri, Jose Sinibaldi
  • Patent number: 8311247
    Abstract: In order to miniaturize a piezoelectric body module, in which a rhombus-shaped electronic part 4 and a polygonal-shaped electronic part 5 are arranged on a rectangular substrate 2: the rhombus-shaped electronic part 4 is arranged on the substrate 2 such that a side 105 of the substrate 2 and a side 101 of the rhombus-shaped electronic part 4 are parallel to each other; and the polygonal-shaped electronic part 5 is arranged on the substrate 2 such that a side 104 of the rhombus-shaped electronic part 4 and a side 109 of the polygonal-shaped electronic part 5 are parallel to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Atsuhito Mizutani, Hideki Kojima, Katuhiro Makihata
  • Publication number: 20120224723
    Abstract: A condenser microphone includes a condenser microphone unit and a piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element is disposed so as to generate piezoelectric signals in response to vibration causing the unit to generate vibratory noise signals. The piezoelectric signals are inputted through a low-pass filter and a level adjuster circuit to the unit to drive a diaphragm of the unit. The vibratory noise signals generated by the vibration in the unit are canceled with the piezoelectric signals generated by the piezoelectric element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Inventor: Hiroshi Akino
  • Publication number: 20120213388
    Abstract: A unidirectional active microphone that includes a diaphragm, coil, and piezoelectric component. An electrical circuit provides amplification to the coil. The piezoelectric component produces unidirectional coupling between coil and diaphragm. The microphone is unidirectional in that the amplification is provided solely to the coil and is not transferred to the diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventors: Albert James Hudspeth, Tobias Reichenbach
  • Patent number: 8150094
    Abstract: An electroacoustic transducer comprises an electric sound conversion section that vibrates a mechanical device based on an electric signal so as to emit a sound wave; and an electromagnetic wave radiation section that generates and emits an electromagnetic wave from the electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventor: Yukihiro Ando
  • Patent number: 8150091
    Abstract: A flat-panel speaker is attached to an exterior surface of a printed circuit board (PCB) housed within a consumer electronic device. Rather than place the flat-panel speaker within a sealed speaker box and then attach the speaker box to the PCB, as is conventional, the present invention attaches the flat-panel speaker to the exterior surface of the PCB without the speaker box. Removing the speaker box allows designers to reduce the dimensions of the device, and to minimize the complexity of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventors: William Chris Eaton, Eric Douglas Romesburg