Having Protective Or Sheilding Feature Patents (Class 381/189)
  • Patent number: 9510076
    Abstract: Disclosed is a waterproof earphone structure including a main body with a rear cavity and a front cavity for installing a waterproof module and a shielding module respectively, and a speaker body installed in the main body. The waterproof module includes first and second waterproof elements installed in the rear and front cavities of the main body respectively. This structure not just allows users to sense external sounds only, but also improves low-frequency noise interference and water-resistance. Since the first and second waterproof elements are formed with pores having a diameter smaller than 0.6 mm and arranged apart from one another, external low-frequency noises are suppressed. Further, the effect of surface tension prevents water from entering into waterproof devices or soaking the interior of the earphone. Users enjoy good sound quality since the sound is transmitted through the pores. In addition, the shielding module provides an anti-dust effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Kingstate Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Ting-Wei Lee, Chia-Yuan Tang, Cheng-Yang Lo
  • Patent number: 9451348
    Abstract: An electronic device housing includes an outer casing, a microphone, and a recess in the outer casing proximate to the microphone. A base of the recess has a first adhesive portion and an adjacent first non-adhesive portion, and a hole is defined in the first non-adhesive portion and the recess. The hole and the recess define an acoustic pathway for sound external to the outer casing to reach the microphone. The first adhesive portion and the first non-adhesive portion have different shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignees: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jian-Zhou Zhao, Yan Liang
  • Patent number: 9426560
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a waterproof case for protecting electronic devices. The waterproof case includes a flexible waterproof bag attached to a rigid lid that can be opened to allow electronic devices to pass into the bag. When closed, the lid forms a watertight seal that protects the inside of the bag from ingress of water. The lid can include a pass-through jack which allows a user to connect an electronic device, such as an audio device, to an output through the lid. The case may also be incorporated into a flexible attachment system, such as an armband or swimbelt. Methods of connecting an electronic device to an electronic output, such as an audio output, through a waterproof case are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: INCIPIO, LLC
    Inventors: Ron Wilson, II, Carl Pettersen, Kristian Rauhala, Peter Dirksing, Cory McCluskey, Jim Pena
  • Patent number: 9374635
    Abstract: This document describes methods and apparatus for reducing a magnetic field emitted by an earpiece assembly from extending substantially outside a device associated with the earpiece assembly. Where the earpiece assembly is susceptible to ingress of magnetically attractable particles into the earpiece assembly such a reduction can prolong an operational life of the earpiece assembly. By insert molding magnetically permeable materials throughout an enclosure that surrounds and supports a permanent magnet of the earpiece assembly, a portion of a magnetic field emanating from the permanent magnet that extends outside the device can be substantially reduced or redirected so that the magnetic field ceases to draw the magnetically attractable particles into the earpiece assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jared M. Kole, Martin J. Auclair, Ruchir M. Dave, Scott P. Porter, Benjamin M. Russo
  • Patent number: 9357299
    Abstract: A device comprises a housing, an acoustic component coupled to an exterior of the device through an acoustic passage in the housing, and an actuated mechanism operable to close the acoustic passage between the acoustic component and the housing. The actuated mechanism is operable to close the acoustic passage in response to a control signal, where the control signal is indicative of a pressure differential transmittable from the exterior of the device through the acoustic passage to the acoustic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Kelvin Kwong
  • Patent number: 9326080
    Abstract: Methods and systems are taught for testing microphone packages—including measuring non-acoustic noise for the package. A package positioner holds a microphone package such that an acoustic input port of the microphone package is aligned with a plug. An actuator moves the plug relative to the microphone package between a first position—where the plug does not obstruct the acoustic input port of the microphone package—and a second position—where the plug obstructs the acoustic input port and restricts acoustic pressures from entering the microphone package through the acoustic input port. A controller monitors an output of the microphone package and identifies the output as indicative of isolated non-acoustic noise when the plug is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andrew J. Doller, Dave Pravlik
  • Patent number: 9294842
    Abstract: A heat dissipation device for a moving-coil loudspeaker, including a thermally conductive pad, a thermally conductive bar, and a heat sink that are integrally mounted at an axially central portion of the loudspeaker. The thermally conductive bar is axially connected to the thermally conductive pad and the heat sink at top and bottom thereof respectively, the thermally conductive bar is axially provided with a through hole or a groove at a circle center thereof, the heat sink is axially provided with a through hole in which a screw is tapped, a central groove at a top end of the thermally conductive bar is aligned with a groove on the thermally conductive pad to form a straight line groove such that a communication passage leading to an exterior of the loudspeaker is for the electronic components on a circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: Xiangkang Qiu
  • Patent number: 9249010
    Abstract: A lead frame packaged electronic chip. The packaged electronic chip includes a MEMS device, an integrated circuit and a wire bond electrically coupling the MEMS device and the integrated circuit. The packaged electronic chip is encased in a molding material. The packaged electronic chip further includes a mechanism that shields the wire bond and the input/output pads that couple the MEMS device and the integrated circuit from electromagnetic and radio frequency interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl James Raleigh, Brian William Cousins
  • Patent number: 9179205
    Abstract: A waterproof gate having a speaker mesh film is provided and applied to a case, and the case is formed with a slot. The waterproof gate includes that a waterproof unit is plugged in the slot and has a partition plate having two opposite surfaces being respectively extended with a first annular piece and a second annular piece, and the partition plate is formed with an opening; a speaker mesh film unit covers the opening; a first fasten member is disposed and fastened in a first recess defined by the first annular piece and the partition plate; and a second fasten member is disposed and fastened in a second recess defined by the second annular piece and the partition plate. The speaker mesh film unit and the partition plate are clamped between the first fasten member and the second fasten member. Accordingly, an excellent waterproof effect is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Getac Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Po-Tsun Chao
  • Patent number: 9137593
    Abstract: A loudspeaker in which a magnetic particle filter is provided in the vicinity of a sound outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Knowles IPC (M) Sdn. Bhd.
    Inventors: Erich Klein, Ernst Tomas
  • Patent number: 9031264
    Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation-resistant earphone wire, particularly to signal lines having at least a radiation-resistant device on a predetermined position thereof and the radiation-resistant device including: a radiation absorber being a cylindrical body, made of a magnetic material with high permeability and having a first through hole in a middle thereof and a radiation blocker made of a metal sleeve body and coating on an outer periphery of the radiation absorber and a top of the radiation blocker corresponding to the first through hole has a second through hole for the signal lines passing through. Based on the features disclosed, the radiation absorber at an inner layer absorbs EMI radiation and the radiation blocker at an outer layer has a shielding effect and both the radiation absorber and the radiation blocker together form an anti-EMI structure, avoiding human brain damage caused by the electromagnetic waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Samya Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fu-I Yang
  • Patent number: 9020182
    Abstract: The present invention provides a removable speaker structure for electronic device, which uses the space for the optical disk drives in electronic devices such as notebook computers or in docking stations. After removing the optical disk drive, the removable speaker can be placed. The removable speaker comprises a main module and a speaker module. The speaker module can be removed form the main module for playing multimedia data and enhancing its sound effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Cheng-Hung Lin, Kuo-Wei So
  • Patent number: 9002041
    Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a speaker cover comprises loading the speaker cover into a plasma chamber, introducing a fluoro monomer into the plasma chamber, pulsing plasma for processing, removing any excess monomer gas from the plasma chamber, and removing the speaker cover from the plasma chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.
    Inventors: Steve McGarry, Joy E. Lyons, Jeff Anderson, Timothy Valentine
  • Patent number: 9002047
    Abstract: The present subject matter of the invention relates generally to the management of electromagnetic fields in hearing assistance devices, such as hearing aids, and in particular to an insulated electromagnetic shield design for hearing assistance devices. The present disclosure includes various embodiments for electromagnetic shielding of a receiver using a magnetic shield that is electrically insulated from the receiver casing and electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Li Lin, James R. Newton, Sidney A. Higgins
  • Patent number: 8989420
    Abstract: A wireless microphone system within an enclosure for use in lecture hall sound systems that enables facilitated passing of the system from one user to another and provides a less intimidating microphone configuration to grip and use than standard wireless microphones. The system can also include an integrated push-to-talk feature requiring activation before a user's comments will be picked up and amplified over the sound system. The system can also include a laser pointer allowing the user to reference objects while they speak into the device. A wireless mute button can also be provided so that the lecturer or discussion leader can control when the system will be operative. The audio transmitter can be substituted with a audio recorder to be used independently of an audio receiving system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Engagement Innovations LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Andrew Hamer, Jacob Robert Ragins, Alan Richard Mellovitz
  • Patent number: 8958580
    Abstract: An ultrasonic emitter comprises a support member operable to support an ultrasonic emittive material. The support member includes a plurality of support ribs. The ultrasonic emittive material is coupled to upper portions of the support ribs so as to be carried by the support member. A protective screen has a plurality of apertures formed therein, the protective screen being in contact with the ultrasonic emittive material atop the support ribs such that the spacing between the ultrasonic emittive material and the protective screen is substantially zero atop the support ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Turtle Beach Corporation
    Inventor: Elwood G. Norris
  • Publication number: 20150036845
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a speaker, and a cover covering the speaker. The cover includes a transparent main portion, and a non-transparent border portion. The non-transparent border portion includes a substrate integrated with the transparent main portion. The substrate of the border portion defines a plurality of through holes corresponding to the speaker to transmit sound output from the speaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: CHIEN-CHIH LU, JUIN-MING WU, WEI-CHENG LOU
  • Patent number: 8929570
    Abstract: A speaker includes a holder having a receiving cavity and an acoustic hole communicating with the receiving cavity, a magnetic circuit system received in the receiving cavity of the holder, and a guiding portion attached on the holder. Wherein at least a part of the guiding portion is exposed from an outer surface of the holder and disposed near the acoustic hole for guiding magnetic leakage leaked from the magnetic circuit system to attract the ferromagnetic material dust near the acoustic hole. The performance of the speaker is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignees: AAC Acoustic Technologies (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., AAC Acoustic Technologies (Changzhou) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shen Tao
  • Patent number: 8903116
    Abstract: An audio emitter comprises a support member operable to support a sound emittive material and a sound emittive material carried by the support member. A protective screen has a plurality of apertures formed therein, the protective screen being spaced a predetermined distance from the sound emittive material, said predetermined distance being a function of a resonant frequency of the audio emitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Turtle Beach Corporation
    Inventor: Elwood G. Norris
  • Patent number: 8897481
    Abstract: A grille attachment for a loudspeaker is disclosed. A grille retainer is defined by a retention lip portion, a radial rim interface portion, and a hinge portion. The radial rim interface portion is in an abutting relationship with a flange radial mounting surface of the loudspeaker basket. The hinge portion connects the retention lip portion and the radial rim interface portion. The retention lip portion extends toward a flanged rim of the speaker basket, and defines an inner retention surface that is opposed to a flange circumferential surface. A grille extends across the griller retainer and is defined by a grille body and a grille rim that is circumferentially disposed and extending from the grille body. The grille rim is interposed between the flange circumferential surface and the inner retention surface, with the retention lip portion exerting a radial compressive force against the grille rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Sound Sources Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoichiro Sumitani, Chun-Yi Lin, Yu-Ling Cheng
  • Publication number: 20140334649
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising at least one sound aperture configured to be acoustically coupled to an air displacement component, wherein the at least one sound aperture configured to produce a magnetically shielded region to form a trap for particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Andreas Fromel, Jani Kuivalainen
  • Patent number: 8873783
    Abstract: A waterproof enclosure for a cochlear implant system or other hearing assistance device includes an outer housing, an inner support in the interior of the outer housing, an acoustic element supported by the inner support, and water-impermeable polymeric protective membrane sealing the interior of the outer housing against water ingress. A hearing device such as a cochlear implant sound processor, a headpiece, an earhook, or a hearing aid comprises an outer housing, an inner support in the interior of the outer housing, a microphone supported by the inner support, and a water-impermeable polymeric protective membrane sealing the interior of the outer housing against water ingress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics AG
    Inventors: Kurt J. Koester, Scott A. Crawford, George Tziviskos
  • Patent number: 8873788
    Abstract: A sub woofer for in-ground installation and a method of installation. The sub woofer has a cylindrical enclosure or housing having a driver, electronics and a band pass filter. The driver cone is coaxial with the axis of the cylindrical housing. A port tube assembly having a tuned port tube and a resilient elbow interface is attached to an end wall of the housing in an eccentric position with the port tube projecting vertically and terminating at a canopy. The installation requires placing the enclosure in an excavation and positioning the housing and port assembly so a predetermined above ground spacing exists between the upper end of the above ground port tube and grade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Inventor: Jeffery James Coombs
  • Patent number: 8861312
    Abstract: A MEMS microphone comprising: a) a case with an open front side; b) a MEMS membrane mounted on one face of a base, the base being mounted inside the case on a substantially closed side; and c) a mesh covering the front side, substantially transparent acoustically to at least some of a range of operating frequencies at which the microphone is sensitive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Nathan Altman, Ran Raif, Noam Kedem
  • Patent number: 8861753
    Abstract: An acoustic sensor includes: a semiconductor substrate; a vibrating membrane, formed above the semiconductor substrate, which includes a vibrating electrode; and a fixed membrane, formed on an upper surface of the semiconductor substrate, which includes a fixed electrode, the acoustic sensor detecting an acoustic wave according to a change in capacitance between the vibrating electrode and the fixed electrode. The fixed membrane has a plurality of sound hole portions formed therein in order to allow the acoustic wave to reach the vibrating membrane from outside, and the fixed electrode is formed so that a boundary of an edge portion of the fixed electrode does not intersect the sound hole portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignees: OMRON Corporation, STMicroelectronics Srl
    Inventors: Takashi Kasai, Yuki Uchida, Yasuhiro Horimoto, Sebastiano Conti
  • Patent number: 8855339
    Abstract: An electret loudspeaker device including a diaphragm, a first perforated electrode and a first spacer is provided. The diaphragm includes a first electret, a second electret, a polymer layer and an electrode layer. At least one layer of the first electret or the second electret is formed by expanded polytetrafluoroethylene. The second electret is stacked on one side of the first electret, while the electrode layer is stacked on the opposite side of the first electret. The polymer layer is made of a hydrophobic material and is disposed on the second electret. The first perforated electrode is stacked on a first spacer and close to the polymer layer. The first spacer disposed between the diaphragm and the first perforated electrode supports the first perforated electrode over the diaphragm and defines a first chamber. A fabrication method of the electret loudspeaker device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Chih-Kung Lee, Yu-Chi Chen, Han-Lung Chen, Hsu-Ching Liao, Wen-Hsin Hsiao
  • Patent number: 8831539
    Abstract: A mobile wireless communications device includes a housing and circuit board in the housing and having radio frequency (RF) circuitry and a power amplifier and microphone mounted thereon. An antenna is carried within the housing and operative with the RF circuitry. An RF shield surrounds and isolates the microphone from the RF circuitry, power amplifier and antenna and shields the microphone from radiated energy generated from the RF circuitry, antenna or power amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Michael Stephen Corrigan, George Soliman Mankaruse, Lizhong Zhu
  • Patent number: 8818010
    Abstract: Disclosed is a microphone unit comprising a film substrate (1), electrically conductive layers (15, 16) which are formed on both substrate surfaces of the film substrate (11), and an electrical acoustic transducer unit (12) which is provided on the film substrate (11) and comprises a diaphragm capable of converting a sound pressure to an electrical signal. In the microphone unit, the linear expansion coefficient of the film substrate (11), including the electrically conductive layers (15, 16), falls within the range of 0.8 to 2.5 times, inclusive, the linear expansion coefficient of the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Inoda, Ryusuke Horibe, Fuminori Tanaka, Tomio Ishida
  • Patent number: 8811634
    Abstract: A method for fabricating flat loudspeakers comprising manufacturing a flat loudspeaker including at least one microspeaker array, having first and second main surfaces; and covering at least one of the main surfaces of the loudspeaker with a cover member including an airtight sound-pressure wave transparent thin polymer film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Audio Pixels Ltd.
    Inventors: Shay Kaplan, Yuval Cohen, Daniel Lewin, Meir Ben Simon
  • Patent number: 8804993
    Abstract: A portable electronic device that provides compact configurations for audio elements are disclosed. The audio elements can be drivers (e.g., speakers) or receivers (e.g., microphones). In one embodiment, a molded acoustic chamber can be formed to assist in directing audio sound between an opening an outer housing and an internal flexible electronic substrate. The audio element can be mounted on or coupled to the flexible electrical substrate over an opening therein that allows allow audio sound to pass there through. The molded acoustic chamber can also be formed such that it includes a barrier, such as a mesh barrier, so that undesired foreign substances can be blocked from entry or further entry into the audio chamber. The molded acoustic chamber can also be formed such that it includes one or more acoustic seals that can be used to provide an acoustic seal between the molded acoustic chamber and the opening in the outer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ashutosh Y. Shukla, Nicholas G. L. Merz, Tang Yew Tan, Pinida Jan Moolsintong, Erik Wang
  • Patent number: 8798299
    Abstract: A communication device comprising a coated surface having a fine grained coating, the coating including a high nickel content to provide magnetic shielding. The present coating process can be applied to a variety of components and surfaces to provide magnetic shielding in a communications device. Such devices, include, but are not limited to cell phones, hearing aids, and other hearing assistance devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Sidney A. Higgins, James R. Newton
  • Patent number: 8792658
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of an acoustic sensor system includes a housing structure, and a miniaturized acoustic transducer mounted in the housing structure. A flame arrestor structure is mounted on or within the housing structure between the acoustic transducer and the external environment, so that ambient acoustic energy passes through the flame arrestor structure before reaching the acoustic transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: General Monitors, Inc.
    Inventors: Shankar B. Baliga, Scott W. Reed, John G Romero
  • Publication number: 20140198932
    Abstract: A device for protecting a microphone sensing surface, such as a diaphragm, from the detrimental effects of the ambient environment. The device incorporates a perforated surface to protect the microphone and in conjunction with a chamber volume creates an acoustic resonance in the 1 kHz to 20 kHz spectrum, which improves the microphone signal-to-noise ratio performance. The microphone is acoustically coupled to the chamber volume for sensing pressure of the ambient environment. There is no line of sight to the microphone sensing surface from the ambient environment, so that rain, wind and sand have no direct path to the microphone sensing surface. The perforations of the outer surface are small to prevent objects from contacting the microphone sensing surface via a direct path. Water drains from the chamber volume and does not become trapped if an embodiment of the invention is temporarily submerged so that the microphone returns to normal operation quickly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: RED TAIL HAWK CORPORATION
    Inventor: John W. Parkins
  • Patent number: 8761426
    Abstract: A housing structure for a sound generator includes a base portion having a separation wall; a case portion that defines a first space with the base portion; a covering portion that defines a second space with the base portion; a frame portion that projects toward the second space from the separation wall; a screen wall disposed on an outer side of the frame portion to define a groove between the screen wall and the frame portion; and a screen board arranged on an inner side of the screen wall. The screen board is distanced from the frame portion and the screen wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Anden Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Miyata, Makoto Tsuruta
  • Patent number: 8724840
    Abstract: A microphone with an offset acoustic channel. The microphone includes an external case, an acoustic chamber enclosure within the external case, a microphone transducer positioned within the acoustic chamber enclosure, and a gasket positioned between the external case and the acoustic chamber enclosure. A first opening in the external case is positioned an offset lateral distance from a second opening in the acoustic chamber enclosure. An acoustic channel is formed in the gasket extending from the first opening to the second opening along the offset lateral distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andrew J. Doller, Michael J. Daley
  • Patent number: 8693722
    Abstract: A magnetic sound box device comprising a sound box and an antimagnetic plate is disclosed, wherein the sound box has at least one speaker and the sound box is for receiving sound source signals from an electronic device and transmitting the sound source signals to the speaker to play the sound source signals, and the lateral side of the sound box is disposed with a coupling portion; a plurality of magnets is disposed on the coupling portion so that the sound box can be magnetically attracted to any objects capable of being attracted by the magnets; the antimagnetic plate is disposed on the sound box for covering the coupling portion for blocking the magnetism of the magnets on the coupling portion, thereby preventing other storage devices with magnetic materials from being affected and damaged by the magnetism of the magnets when the magnetic sound box device is carried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Ozaki International Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Keng-Yuan Liu
  • Patent number: 8687828
    Abstract: A cover unit that is provided to an electronic device as a waterproof cover, the cover unit covering one or more openings formed in a housing of the electronic device with respect to a plurality of speakers, and comprising a frame member having a plurality of windows disposed therein, the windows facing the speakers in one-to-one correspondence, and a waterproof film covering the windows. Having such a structure, the cover unit covers the one or more openings formed in the housing, and has an advantageous effect of suppressing at least one of (i) an increase in parts composing an electronic device and (ii) an increase in distortion of sound. Additionally, since a vibration unit faces a corresponding one of the speakers, the unnecessary vibration of the vibration unit is inhibited, which leads to a reduction in the distortion of sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Otani, Yoshiomi Kusunoki
  • Patent number: 8682015
    Abstract: A receiver includes a housing and a sleeve. The housing forms a chamber, and the coil is disposed in the chamber and radiates a flux. The sleeve at least partially surrounds the coil such that a majority of flux radiated from the coil is blocked by the sleeve. The sleeve is constructed of a highly conductive material and is insulated from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas E. Miller
  • Patent number: 8670588
    Abstract: This is directed to several handheld device components to be placed in a handheld device, as well as methods or systems for mounting or retaining components within the device. In particular, this is directed to a rigid shield used in an SMT process and securing connected flex connectors by adhering the flexes together. This is also directed to using foam in combination with a hard material to create an acoustic seal, or several layers of foam to create an acoustic and mechanical seal. This is also directed to selectively folding a sheet of material placed around a battery cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Fletcher Rothkopf, Brian Lynch, Wey-Jiun Lin, Kyle Yeates
  • Patent number: 8670586
    Abstract: A plate attached to the back shell of an earphone includes an exit cavity corresponding in dimension to and aligned with a first opening through the back shell. A channel in the bottom surface of the plate begins at a point aligned with a second opening through the back shell and ends at an aperture through a side wall of the exit cavity. The channel and the outer surface of the back shell together form a reactive acoustic port from a back cavity enclosed by the back shell to the exit cavity, the first opening through the shell forms a resistive acoustic port from the back cavity to the exit cavity, and the exit cavity couples the reactive acoustic port and the resistive acoustic port to free space without introducing additional acoustic impedance. In some examples, a water-resistant screen covers the upper aperture of the exit cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen D. Boyle, Kenneth D. Gagnon, Jonathan A. Knudsen, William Tice, Kevin J. Winter
  • Publication number: 20140056448
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising: at least one magnetic shielding plate located between a transducer and an exterior of the apparatus with at least one conduit configured to permit sound to pass through the cover, wherein the at least one magnetic shielding plate is configured to form a trap for particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: NOKIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jani Samuli Kuivalainen, Thomas Benedict Slotte
  • Patent number: 8644530
    Abstract: An apparatus including a housing having a sound hole; a sound transducer in the housing; and a dust barrier in the housing between the sound hole and the sound transducer. The dust barrier has a deck located in a path between the sound hole and the sound transducer. The deck comprises a dust collection pocket configured to accumulate dust therein and prevent dust from passing through the deck at the dust collection pocket. A sound aperture is provided between the sound hole and the sound transducer such that sound passes by the dust collection pocket between the sound hole and the sound transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Toni O. Soininen, Petri A. Soronen, Heikki J. Huttunen, Marko H. Kelloniemi
  • Patent number: 8638973
    Abstract: A speaker apparatus comprises a slit structure, wherein the slit structure including a plurality of plate-shaped parts each of which extends so that a plurality of slits are formed, a plurality of fold-back parts each of which is folded back from an end of the plate-shaped part on the side of the speaker toward a side of the front surface of the housing, so that the plurality of slits are formed, and a drain part that is arranged on a side of one of the two side surfaces of the housing, and wherein each of a plurality of grooves formed by the plurality of plate-shaped parts and the plurality of fold-back parts communicates with the drain part and is inclined so that, in a posture of the slit structure when the operation panel is operated, liquid led from the plate-shaped parts flows to the drain part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shoichiro Hayashi, Toshinori Hanji
  • Patent number: 8615100
    Abstract: Sound generated by a sound emitting unit passes through a first sound passage defined between a first shielding board and a shielding cylinder and a second sound passage defined between a second shielding board and the shielding cylinder, and is emitted outside from a sound emitting hole defined in at least one of a case and a cover. The second shielding board and the shielding cylinder shield a space between the sound emitting hole and the first sound passage when the first sound passage is seen from the sound emitting hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Anden Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Tsuruta, Susumu Miyata, Masaru Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 8588436
    Abstract: Various electromagnetically-countered systems are provided and include at least one wave source irradiating harmful electromagnetic waves and at least one counter unit emitting counter electromagnetic waves for countering the harmful waves. Various generic counter units of such systems and various mechanisms are provided to counter the harmful waves by the counter units by matching configurations of the counter units with those of the wave sources, matching shapes of such counter waves with shapes of the harmful waves, etc. Various methods are provided for countering the harmful waves with the counter waves by such source or wave matching. Various methods are also provided for the counter units as well as counter waves. Various processes are provided for providing such systems and counter units. Various electric and/or magnetic shields may be used alone or in conjunction with such counter units to minimize irradiation of the harmful waves from the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Inventor: Youngtack Shim
  • Patent number: 8588437
    Abstract: Various electromagnetically-countered systems are provided and include at least one wave source irradiating harmful electromagnetic waves and at least one counter unit emitting counter electromagnetic waves for countering the harmful waves. Various generic counter units of such systems and various mechanisms are provided to counter the harmful waves by the counter units by matching configurations of the counter units with those of the wave sources, matching shapes of such counter waves with shapes of the harmful waves, etc. Various methods are provided for countering the harmful waves with the counter waves by such source or wave matching. Various methods are also provided for the counter units as well as counter waves. Various processes are provided for providing such systems and counter units. Various electric and/or magnetic shields may be used alone or in conjunction with such counter units to minimize irradiation of the harmful waves from the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Inventor: Youngtack Shim
  • Patent number: 8553913
    Abstract: A head of a condenser microphone includes: a condenser microphone unit; a housing supporting the condenser microphone unit; a first circuit board arranged adjacent to the condenser microphone unit in the housing; a second circuit board arranged remote from the condenser microphone unit and separated from the first circuit board in the housing; and a magnetic sheet arranged between and separated from the first circuit board and the second circuit board in the housing, the first circuit board including a circuit for processing an audio signal from the condenser microphone unit; the second circuit board including a DC-DC converter circuit unit for generating a polarization voltage to be applied to the condenser microphone unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-Technica
    Inventor: Hiroshi Akino
  • Publication number: 20130259273
    Abstract: A method and apparatus providing for the protection of the sound emitted by an audio device from physical interference during use of the audio device. Such an audio device in which said audio device may further function as at least one of the following: mobile phone, telephone, smart phone, or multimedia player. Such a method and apparatus comprising a housing with an extended portion about the speakers of the audio device whereby said extended portion protects the speakers from being covered or obstructed by unwanted material or objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventor: David Hyung Chin
  • 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: 20130223655
    Abstract: A speaker module for a mobile device is provided. The speaker module changes a shape of an opening surface of a duct to which a protection member for preventing a foreign substance from entering is attached. The speaker module includes a speaker for outputting a sound signal, a body in which the speaker is mounted, a duct connected to the body for forming a radiation path of a sound signal output from the speaker, and a protection member attached to an opening surface of the duct for preventing a foreign substance from entering the speaker module, wherein the opening surface has an area larger than that of a cross-sectional opening surface formed vertically with respect to a length direction of the duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.