Abstract: An improved electroacoustic transducer with an improved mode profile is provided. The transducer comprises a transversal velocity profile with a periodic structure and an edge structure flanking the periodic structure. The velocity profile also allows to suppress the SH wave mode. A dielectric material with a periodic structure contributes to the formation of the periodic structure of the velocity profile.

Abstract: There is provided a piezo-electric actuator comprising an assembly comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and at least one piezoelectric layer located between said first electrode and said second electrode, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is split into at least two different sub-electrodes, wherein at least part of the assembly is configured to move along an axis perpendicular to a surface of the assembly, in response to an electrical stimulus applied to at least one of said first and second electrodes.

Abstract: In a piezoelectric resonator manufacturing method, a sacrificial layer is formed on a back surface of a piezoelectric substrate. A support layer is formed on the back surface of the piezoelectric substrate so as to cover the sacrificial layer. A support layer as a piezoelectric resonator is formed by flattening the support layer. A recess in which the surface of the sacrificial layer is recessed with respect to the surface of the support layer is formed by abrading the surfaces of the support layer and the sacrificial layer. The recess extends to a vicinity of a boundary surface between the support layer and the sacrificial layer in the support layer. A support substrate is adhered to the surfaces of the support layer including the recess and the sacrificial layer via an adhesive material.

Abstract: A microphone assembly includes a base that includes a first surface, a second surface and a third surface. The first surface is configured to connect the base to a mounting location in an external environment. The second surface is positioned parallel to the first surface with the third surface positioned therebetween. The third surface defines a curved shape to direct air flow that contacts the third surface in a direction away from the first surface. The microphone assembly also includes a cap disposed over and separated from the base by a gap. The cap includes a domed portion that has a convex shape that curves away from the second surface of the base. The microphone assembly also includes a microphone array that includes a plurality of microphones. The microphone array is disposed within the cap and is configured to receive acoustic signals from the external environment through the gap.

Abstract: Presented herein are stand-alone hearing aid adapters configured to enable the use of the recipient's hearing aid to detect and process ambient sound signals and to convert output signals generated by the acoustic hearing aid into input signals useable by the implantable hearing prosthesis for generation and delivery of stimulation to a recipient.

Abstract: A support can be configured for placement in the middle ear to couple a transducer to the round window, such that the transducer can be removed from the round window without damaging the round window. The support can be configured to couple the transducer to the sound window such that the support can be removed from the round window. The support may be configured to decouple the transducer from the round window such that the transducer can be removed from the middle ear of the user, for example when the support is affixed to the middle ear. Removal of the transducer from the middle ear without damaging the round window can allow safe removal of the transducer, for example when the patient wishes to receive MRI imaging.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator includes a suspension plate, a piezoelectric ceramic plate, an outer frame and a bracket. The suspension plate is permitted to undergo a curvy vibration from a middle portion to a periphery portion. The piezoelectric ceramic plate is attached on the suspension plate. When a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric ceramic plate, the suspension plate is driven to undergo the curvy vibration. The outer frame is arranged around the suspension plate. The bracket is connected between the suspension plate and the outer frame for elastically supporting the suspension plate, and includes an intermediate part formed in a vacant space between the suspension plate and the outer frame and in parallel with the outer frame and the suspension plate, a first connecting part arranged between the intermediate part and the suspension plate, and a second connecting part arranged between the intermediate part and the outer frame.

Abstract: A piezoelectric microphone includes a plate, a support portion that is provided around the plate, connection portions that connect the plate and the support portion on two or more sides of the plate, and a detection portion including a lower electrode, a piezoelectric film, and an upper electrode which are stacked in this order. The detection portion is stacked on the connection portion . An inflection point of a cross-sectional deformation curve in a case in which the plate and the connection portion are deformed by sound pressure is present in a region in which the detection portion is not stacked.

Abstract: A non-surgical bone conductive hearing aid that provides an in-the-ear, vibration transducer that vibrates the Mastoid bone, in which the middle ear and cochlea are embedded. The bone vibration bypasses the outer and middle ear and stimulates the inner ear. The cochlear within the inner ear convert the sound to electrical impulses that travel to the brain allowing the recipient to hear naturally.

Abstract: An acoustic wave device includes a piezoelectric layer, an interdigital transducer, and a slow wave propagation overlay over a portion of the interdigital transducer. By providing electrode fingers of the interdigital transducer such that a portion of the width thereof is dependent on an electrode period, a desirable wave mode may be maintained in the acoustic wave device. Further, by varying a width of the slow wave propagation overlay based on the electrode period, the desirable wave mode may be further maintained.

Abstract: An electroacoustic transducer that can improve acoustic characteristics has a housing and a piezoelectric speaker. The piezoelectric speaker has a first vibration plate with a periphery part supported directly or indirectly on the housing, as well as a piezoelectric element placed at least on one side of the first vibration plate, and is constituted in such a way that its rigidity is asymmetric with respect to the center axis of the first vibration plate.

Abstract: A grill cover that fits over or is positioned over high frequency acoustical regions and low frequency acoustical regions of a playback device. A portion of the grill cover that fits over or is positioned over a high frequency acoustical region has small area openings and a portion of the grill over a low frequency acoustical region has large area openings. In portions of the grill cover between the portions over high and low frequency acoustical regions, the openings may have an intermediate area to visually blur the differences between the portions of the grill covers. To further blur the differences, the differently sized openings may be interleaved.

Abstract: Apparatus for assisting hearing, the apparatus comprising: an in-ear component for insertion into the ear canal and comprising an electromagnet; and a bone implant for mounting in the temporal bone bordering the ear canal, the bone implant comprising a housing and a magnetic mass suspended within the housing such that vibrations of the magnetic mass are mechanically coupled into the housing; wherein the in-ear component is configured to drive its electromagnet so as to, when the in-ear component is located in an ear canal with the electromagnet adjacent to the bone implant, cause the magnetic mass to vibrate within the housing.

Abstract: An earphone (1) is provided that includes a first vibration plate (31) for vibration by a first piezoelectric element (32) and a cylindrically-shaped casing (2) for transmission of the vibration of the first vibration plate (31) to ear canal cartilage. The first vibration plate (31) is disposed inside the casing (2). The earphone (1) has a structure whereby an amount of sound leakage, which is due to transmission of the vibration of the first vibration plate (31) to the air, is low. The ear canal cartilage transmits sound to the eardrum of only one ear, thereby enabling localization of sound. The woofer (3) maintains sound pressure at low frequencies.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator includes a suspension plate, an outer frame, at least one bracket and a piezoelectric ceramic plate. The suspension plate is a square structure. The length of the suspension plate is in a range between 4 mm and 8 mm, and the suspension plate is permitted to undergo a curvy vibration from a middle portion to a periphery portion. The outer frame is arranged around the suspension plate. The at least one bracket is connected between the suspension plate and the outer frame for elastically supporting the suspension plate. The piezoelectric ceramic plate is a square structure and has a length not larger than a length of the suspension plate. The piezoelectric ceramic plate is attached on a first surface of the suspension plate. When a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric ceramic plate, the suspension plate is driven to undergo the curvy vibration.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator includes a suspension plate, an outer frame, at least one bracket and a piezoelectric ceramic plate. The suspension plate is a square structure. The length of the suspension plate is in a range between 7.5 mm and 12 mm, and the suspension plate is permitted to undergo a curvy vibration from a middle portion to a periphery portion. The outer frame is arranged around the suspension plate. The at least one bracket is connected between the suspension plate and the outer frame for elastically supporting the suspension plate. The piezoelectric ceramic plate is a square structure and has a length not larger than a length of the suspension plate. The piezoelectric ceramic plate is attached on a first surface of the suspension plate. When a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric ceramic plate, the suspension plate is driven to undergo the curvy vibration.

Abstract: A device includes an electromagnetic radiation delivery system such as a laser of light emitting diode infrared emitter configured for delivery of electromagnetic radiation within a sealed canal such as an ear canal, a fiber optic cable configured for delivering or capturing the electromagnetic radiation within the sealed canal, and a photo detector coupled to the fiber optic cable forming a portion of a voice communication system. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for selecting distributed mode loudspeaker electrodes using an output frequency. One of the methods includes determining, for a piezoelectric transducer, a subset of frequencies, from a range of frequencies, at which to output a sound; selecting, based on the subset of frequencies, one or more electrode pairs from two or more electrode pairs included in the piezoelectric transducer to generate the sound; and providing, by a drive module connected to each of the two or more electrode pairs, current to each of the selected one or more electrode pairs to cause the piezoelectric transducer to generate a force that, when provided to a load, causes the load to generate the sound within the subset of frequencies.

Abstract: Provided is a sound output apparatus including: a housing having a housing space therein; a first sound output unit provided inside the housing; and a second sound output unit provided in the housing and spaced a predetermined distance from the first sound output unit.

Abstract: A piezoelectric device that includes: a diaphragm; a supporting part configured to support at least a portion of an end of the diaphragm; a piezoelectric film disposed along a portion supported by the supporting part on the diaphragm, a width of the film along the supported portion being narrower than a width of the portion; a lower electrode disposed at a face of the piezoelectric film on a diaphragm side; and an upper electrode disposed on a face of the piezoelectric film on an opposite side to the diaphragm.

Abstract: The present application discloses a method for reprocessing a vibrating diaphragm, a vibrating diaphragm and a telephone receiver. The method for reprocessing a vibrating diaphragm involves the use of a vibrating diaphragm that includes a plane portion located at a center, a corrugated rim portion disposed at an edge of the plane portion, and a fixing portion connected to a periphery of the corrugated rim portion to bond a housing. The method includes, but is not limited to performing surface sputtering on part of an area of the corrugated rim portion by using a magnetron sputtering technology.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a miniature speaker, including a frame, and a vibrating unit and a magnetic unit which are fixedly connected with the frame; the vibrating unit includes a voice diaphragm, a voice coil located below the voice diaphragm and configured to drive the voice diaphragm to vibrate, and an elastic supporting member located below the voice coil and configured to elastically support the voice coil; the elastic supporting member includes a diaphragm and a flexible circuit board fixedly connected below the diaphragm; the diaphragm includes a first connecting portion fixedly connected with the frame, a second connecting portion fixedly connected with the voice diaphragm and a suspension connecting the first connecting portion with the second connecting portion; the suspension is an upward protruded structure protruding toward the voice diaphragm, and the voice coil transmits an electric signal to an external circuit through the flexible circuit board.

Abstract: An alert system for providing the capability for a care giver or technologist in a medical procedure room such as the magnet room of an MRI installation to send an alert signal to personnel outside the magnet room. The system includes an alert device in the procedure room with an alert switch, and a wireless signal transmitter for generating encoded alert signals upon activation of the alert switch. An alert control system in the control room of the installation includes a signal receiver, an audio transducer and a controller, the controller responsive to alert signals received from the alert device to generate alert signals including generating audio signals from the audio transducer. In one embodiment, the alert device includes a microphone, with one-way or two-way communication between the alert device and the control system.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a speaker system includes a plurality of filters and a plurality of speakers. The filters filter a first signal to generate a plurality of second signals. The speakers convert the second signals into respective sound waves. Each speaker has a diaphragm and a vibration source installed in the diaphragm. Diaphragms of the speakers have at least two different shapes. Respective transfer characteristics of the diaphragms are different from each other. Each filter corresponding to the respective transfer characteristics is set such that a transfer characteristic of a synthetic sound wave of the respective sound waves approaches a target transfer characteristic.

Abstract: In a bulk acoustic resonator device, at least one additional metal feature is formed on a top surface of the bottom electrode at a location at which the bottom electrode electrical contact will subsequently be formed, thereby thickening the metal at the location below where the piezoelectric material layer will be etched to form the opening for the bottom electrode electrical contact. Consequently, even though some of the metal of the additional metal feature and/or of the bottom electrode will be removed during the process of etching the opening in the piezoelectric material layer, the bottom electrode will always retain sufficient thickness after the piezoelectric material layer is etched.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an electronic device 1 has a panel 20, a housing 10 that holds the panel 20, and a piezoelectric element 30 installed on the rear side of the panel 20, wherein the piezoelectric element 30 is installed at a position that allows for the vibration amplitude of the panel 20 to become the highest on the side closer to the center of the panel 20 in the longitudinal direction from the installed position of the piezoelectric element 30. The electronic device is capable of causing an entire panel to vibrate in a stable manner.

Abstract: A bone conduction speaker includes a housing, a vibration board and a transducer. The transducer is located in the housing, and the vibration board is configured to contact with skin and pass vibration. At least one sound guiding hole is set on at least one portion of the housing to guide sound wave inside the housing to the outside of the housing. The guided wave and the leaked sound wave form interference so that the amplitude of the leaked sound wave is reduced.

Abstract: Disclosed is a speaker device, comprising a vibration system, a magnetic circuit system, and an auxiliary system fixedly accommodating the magnetic circuit system and the vibration system. The vibration system comprises a center suspension comprising a first fixing portion, a second fixing portion within the first fixing portion, and a connecting arm connecting the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion. A central position of the second fixing portion is provided with a piezoelectric piece, the center suspension is provided with a first pad corresponding to the piezoelectric piece, and the piezoelectric piece is electrically connected to the first pad. The second fixing portion is provided with an antenna circuit. In the speaker device of the present invention, the signal emitted by the piezoelectric piece effectively increases the medium and high frequency effect and enhances the acoustic performance. The antenna circuit integrates the antenna device and the speaker device.

Abstract: An embodiment provides a free-form speaker. In an embodiment, an array type electrostatic speaker is provided. In anther embodiment, a passive element that is separate from an object including an electrode is provided. The free-form speakers are lightweight and flexible, making the speakers suitable for use in a variety of unconventional implementations. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: System and method for controlling incoming acoustic signals at a portable accessory communication system provides improved management of noise levels. A plurality of acoustic microphone arrays (120), formed of pairs of acoustic microphones, and a single vibration microphone (130) are enabled by pressing a push-to-talk (PTT) button (108). An audio signal is input to the acoustic microphone arrays and a vibration signal is input to the single vibration microphone. The audio signal is detected and compared to the vibration signal to determine a high noise environment. The single vibration microphone (130) controls beam formation of the acoustic microphone arrays in high noise environments based on predetermined noise thresholds being exceeded and selecting an optimum acoustic microphone pair from the arrays to direct a null targeted at the noise source.

Abstract: A method of thinning a multilayer laminate material used for a membrane stiffening plate is provided to obtain a membrane stiffening plate having a thickness less than currently known in the art. The method provides for a significant reduction in the thickness of a membrane stiffening plate and provides for a mechanism to tune the cut-off frequency of a loudspeaker on which the membrane stiffening plate is used.

Abstract: According to embodiment, a transducer includes a microfabricated element integrated on a single die and an interface IC coupled to the microfabricated element. The microfabricated element includes an acoustic transducer and a temperature sensor, and the interface IC is electrically coupled to the acoustic transducer and the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A method operates a system of a hearing aid device and a communication device. The hearing aid device has an acousto-electrical transducer, a signal processing device and an electro-acoustic transducer. The communication device has a controller and an electro-acoustic transducer. The method includes the steps of: receiving of an incoming call by the communication device, signaling of the incoming call by the communication device by a first acoustic signal via the electro-acoustic transducer, receiving of the first acoustic signal by the acousto-electrical transducer of the hearing aid device, identifying of the first acoustic signal and carrying out of a first change of adjustment on the hearing aid device when the first acoustic signal has been identified.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an electroacoustic converter has an enclosure, piezoelectric sounding body, electromagnetic sounding body, passage, and wiring members. The piezoelectric sounding body includes a first vibration plate supported directly or indirectly on the enclosure, and a piezoelectric element placed at least on one side of the first vibration plate. The piezoelectric sounding body divides the interior of the enclosure into a first space and a second space. The electromagnetic sounding body has a second vibration plate and is placed in the first space. The passage is provided at the piezoelectric sounding body or around the piezoelectric sounding body, to connect the first space and second space. The wiring members are electrically connected to the piezoelectric element and led out toward the electromagnetic sounding body, from the piezoelectric element, through the first space or second space.

Abstract: A portable terminal and a portable terminal system that allows a user to hear an ambient sound highly necessary for the user while wearing an earphone on his/her ear are provided. An ambient sound output determination module is configured to determine whether or not an ambient sound should be output to the earphone based on a sound signal received from at least one microphone of a first microphone and a second microphone. A sound output control module is configured to output the sound signal received from the at least one microphone to the earphone if it is determined that the ambient sound should be output to the earphone.

Abstract: A vibration speaker includes a screen; a frame for supporting the screen; a support attached to the frame, including a first supporting part and a second supporting part; and a piezoelectric vibrator fixed on the support for actuating the screen to vibrate. The piezoelectric vibrator is respectively connected to the first supporting part and the second supporting part.

Abstract: An acoustic apparatus includes an anchored diaphragm that is actuated by mechanical energy and a transduction material that is disposed in the anchored diaphragm that generates the mechanical energy that actuates the anchored diaphragm. The acoustic apparatus further includes an extendable diaphragm that is actuated when the anchored diaphragm is actuated and a plurality of damping holes that are disposed about the extendable diaphragm and that allow the extendable diaphragm to actuate in a vertical direction.

Abstract: Noises that are to be emitted by an aerial vehicle during operations may be predicted using one or more machine learning systems, algorithms or techniques. Anti-noises having equal or similar intensities and equal but out-of-phase frequencies may be identified and generated based on the predicted noises, thereby reducing or eliminating the net effect of the noises. The machine learning systems, algorithms or techniques used to predict such noises may be trained using emitted sound pressure levels observed during prior operations of aerial vehicles, as well as environmental conditions, operational characteristics of the aerial vehicles or locations of the aerial vehicles during such prior operations. Anti-noises may be identified and generated based on an overall sound profile of the aerial vehicle, or on individual sounds emitted by the aerial vehicle by discrete sources.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an electroacoustic converter (earphone 100) has an enclosure 41, piezoelectric sounding body 32, electromagnetic sounding body 31, and passage 35. The piezoelectric sounding body 32 includes a vibration plate 321 having a periphery supported directly or indirectly on the enclosure 41, and a piezoelectric element 322 placed at least on one side of the vibration plate 321. The piezoelectric sounding body 32 divides the interior of the enclosure 41 into a first space S1 and a second space S2. The electromagnetic sounding body 31 is placed in the first space S1. A passage 35 is provided in or around the piezoelectric sounding body 32, to connect the first space S1 and second space S2. The electroacoustic converter is capable of obtaining desired frequency characteristics easily.

Abstract: An electronic device with sound generator is disclosed. The electronic device includes: a display screen; a middle frame assembled with the display screen; a supporting arm opposed to the middle frame; a piezoelectric actuator fixed on the supporting arm; and a bulge disposed between the middle frame and the supporting arm. The bulge is fixed to the middle frame, and connected to one end of the supporting arm.

Abstract: In the present invention, a device is provided with a main surface member, a piezoelectric body plate, a first support part, and a housing. The main surface member is used as a vibration plate. The piezoelectric body plate vibrates according to an electric signal. The first support part supports the piezoelectric body plate. The housing has a second support part that supports the main surface member and extends in a prescribed direction that intersects the main surface member. The first support part is secured to the second support so that the second support part vibrates in the prescribed direction according to the vibration of the piezoelectric body plate. The vibration of the piezoelectric body plate is transmitted to the main surface member via the first support part and the second support part, and due to this the main surface member vibrates to generate a sound.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of reducing sound leakage of a bone conduction speaker and a bone conduction speaker thereof. The bone conduction speaker comprises a housing, a vibration board and a transducer. The transducer is located in the housing, and the vibration board is configured to contact with skin and pass vibration. At least one sound guiding hole is set on at least one portion of the housing to guide sound wave inside the housing to the outside of the housing. The guided wave and the leaked sound wave form interference so that the amplitude of the leaked sound wave is reduced.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for detecting molecules of interest within a collected sample are described herein. In certain embodiments, self-contained sample analysis systems are disclosed, which include a reusable reader component, a disposable cartridge component, and a disposable sample collection component. The reader component may communicate with a remote computing device for the digital transmission of test protocols and test results. In various disclosed embodiments, the systems, components, and methods are configured to identify the presence, absence, and/or quantity of particular nucleic acids, proteins, or other analytes of interest, for example, in order to test for the presence of one or more pathogens or contaminants in a sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides a speaker system comprising: an electroacoustic converter film composed of a polymeric composite piezoelectric body in which piezoelectric body particles are dispersed in a viscoelastic matrix formed of a polymer material that exhibits viscoelasticity at normal temperature, and thin film electrodes formed on both surfaces of the polymeric composite piezoelectric body; and a driving circuit that attenuates signal intensity of an input signal from a signal source at a rate of 5 dB to 7 dB per octave and supplies the attenuated input signal to the electroacoustic converter film.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an electroacoustic converter (earphone 100) has an enclosure 41, piezoelectric sounding body 32, electromagnetic sounding body 31, and passage 35. The piezoelectric sounding body 32 includes a first vibration plate 321 having a periphery supported directly or indirectly on the enclosure 41, and a piezoelectric element 322 placed at least on one side of the vibration plate 321. The piezoelectric sounding body 32 has a second vibration plate and divides the interior of the enclosure 41 into a first space S1 and a second space S2. The electromagnetic sounding body 31 is placed in the first space S1. The passage 35 is provided in or around the piezoelectric sounding body 32 to connect the first space S1 and second space S2. The electroacoustic converter is capable of obtaining desired frequency characteristics easily.

Abstract: A system and method for a hybrid ring-radiator headphone driver, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

Abstract: A method includes initiating, by a processor of a device, a listening session including listening for a message from a mobile device and receiving the message from the mobile device via a microphone of the device, the message including configuration data for a network, and in response to receiving the message from the mobile device, initiating an access session with the network using the configuration data. In some implementations, the device is coupled to a media player. The media player may be a television. The configuration data may include at least one of an identifier for the network or a password for the network. In some implementations, the initiating occurs only after the device fails to connect to any network. In some implementations, the message is encoded in a sub-sonic signal.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic speaker includes a conductive plate and a round piezoelectric ceramic sheet. The conductive plate has notches and sound delivering holes. The round piezoelectric ceramic plate is stacked on a central region of the conductive plate. The notches are opened on a periphery region of the conductive plate and partly extended toward the central region. The notches are equiangularly arranged on the conductive plate with respect to the center of the conductive plate. Accordingly, auxiliary fixtures can pass through the notches to position the conductive plate. Hence, the conductive plate can be positioned by the fixtures during manufacturing processes. Consequently, the piezoelectric ceramic speaker can be mass produced with good yield rates. Additionally, since the round piezoelectric ceramic plate and the conductive plate are coaxially arranged, a dual-band earphone having the piezoelectric ceramic speaker can provide a better sound resolution performance.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electroacoustic transduction film suitable for a flexible speaker or the like, in which predetermined acoustic properties are able to be stably exhibited regardless of a bending state. The electroacoustic transduction film includes a polymer composite piezoelectric body in which piezoelectric body particles are dispersed in a viscoelastic matrix formed of a polymer material having viscoelasticity at a normal temperature, and electrode layers interposing the polymer composite piezoelectric body therebetween, and an area fraction of the piezoelectric body particles in a contact surface with respect to the electrode layer is less than or equal to 50%, and thus the object is attained.

Abstract: The disclosed acoustic device includes a holder 60 that has one end abutting the inside of an inferior antihelix crus and other end abutting a depression between a tragus and an antitragus of a user's ear and a vibrator 10 that is held by the holder 60 and, based on an audio signal, expands and contracts in a direction intersecting a direction of connecting the one end and the other end, and by the expansion and the contraction, causes the ear to vibrate.