Abstract: A headset equipped with one or more materials that can change in size to facilitate the wearing experience by the user. The change in size may provide for a more accurate fit for the user to prevent or reduce the likelihood of the headset inadvertently moving away from the user's ear (e.g., falling out from the ear canal). The changeable size may also be used to convey aspects of the received sound to provide a more powerful listening experience. The material may be constructed from an electroactive polymer that changes in size when stimulated by an electric field. The headset includes a controller with an input for a user to control the size of the material.

Abstract: An acoustic generator includes: a bimorph piezoelectric element including a stack of a plurality of internal electrodes and a plurality of piezoelectric layers, the bimorph piezoelectric element having a first main face and a second main face opposite the first main face; and a vibration plate joined to the second main face of the bimorph piezoelectric element. The bimorph piezoelectric element includes a region in a side of a first main face and a region in a side of a second main face, and, the plurality of piezoelectric layers constituting the region in the side of the first main face and the plurality of piezoelectric layers constituting the region in the side of the second main face are different from each other in at least one of relative permittivity and density.

Abstract: An electroacoustic transducer comprises a plurality of layered piezoelectric vibrator units that are arranged side by side in a direction intersecting a vibrating direction, wherein the plurality of layered piezoelectric vibrator units comprise respectively, a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators with different resonance frequencies, arranged in the vibrating direction in layers with a predetermined space therebetween; a plurality of vibrating members that hold the plurality of piezoelectric vibrators respectively; and a frame that supports edges of the plurality of vibrating members, and the plurality of vibrating members are arranged in the vibrating direction in layers with a predetermined space therebetween such that an area of the each of the plurality of vibrating members increases or decreases monotonically in the vibrating direction.

Abstract: An electroacoustic transducer has a piezoelectric layer, which is structured in such a way that, in the case of an alternating electric field applied in one spatial direction, an oscillation mode with oscillations in three spatial directions is excited.

Abstract: An earphone device having sound guiding structures includes a housing, a sound guiding cover, a first speaker unit, and a second speaker unit. The housing includes a shell and an acoustic opening. The sound guiding cover is in the shell and includes a front and a rear guide portions. The front guide portion is close to the acoustic opening. The front guide portion includes a first accommodating portion and a guide tube communicating with the first accommodating portion and extending toward the acoustic opening. A guide passage is defined between the front guide portion and the shell. The rear guide portion is away from the acoustic opening relative to the front guide portion. The rear guide portion includes a second accommodating portion communicating with the guide passage. The first speaker unit is in the first accommodating portion. The second speaker unit is in the second accommodating portion.

Abstract: A probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The probe includes a sound matching layer having a mounting groove, a piezoelectric member mounted on the mounting groove, a first connector interconnected to the sound matching layer, and a second connector interconnected to the piezoelectric member. The probe permits interconnection of the piezoelectric member to the first and second connectors to be performed rapidly and easily through a single bonding operation, thereby reducing manufacturing time while facilitating the manufacture of the probe.

Abstract: A purpose is to obtain a frequency characteristic of a good sound pressure. To achieve the purpose, an acoustic generator according to an embodiment includes a piezoelectric element (exciter), a flat vibrating body, and a resin layer. The piezoelectric element vibrates when an electric signal is input. To the vibrating body, the piezoelectric element is attached. The vibrating body vibrates with the piezoelectric element due to the vibration of the piezoelectric element. The resin layer is arranged to cover surfaces of the piezoelectric element and the vibrating body to which the piezoelectric element is attached. The resin layer is integrated with the vibrating body and the piezoelectric element. Also, to the resin layer, irregularity is provided.

Abstract: A piezoelectric sound generating element capable of providing flatter and less fluctuated sound pressure frequency characteristics includes a diaphragm that is formed in a circular plate shape with a circular profile. A piezoelectric element is affixed to the side of a bottom wall portion of the diaphragm. The piezoelectric element has an asymmetric octagonal profile including a pair of long side portions opposing each other, a pair of short side portions opposing each other, and four connecting side portions.

Abstract: An acoustic generator according to an aspect of an embodiment includes a piezoelectric element (exciter), a vibrating body. The piezoelectric element receives an input of an electrical signal and is caused to vibrate. The piezoelectric element is mounted on the vibrating body, and the vibrating body is caused to vibrate by the vibration of the piezoelectric element. The acoustic generator includes at least one pair of two adjacent portions with different stiffnesses in a plan view, and has at least one damper provided contacting with both of the two adjacent portions.

Abstract: An acoustic generator according to an aspect of an embodiment includes a frame, a vibration body, and a piezoelectric vibration element. The vibration body is provided at an inner side of the frame. The piezoelectric vibration element is provided on the vibration body. The vibration body has a configuration in which a thin plate-like first portion and a thin plate-like second portion having different elastic moduli are laminated.

Abstract: An acoustic generator according to one embodiment includes a piezoelectric element (exciter), a vibrating portion, and a plurality of dampers. The piezoelectric element receives an input of an electrical signal and is caused to vibrate. The piezoelectric element is mounted on the vibrating portion, and the vibrating portion is caused to vibrate by the vibration of the piezoelectric element. The dampers are integrated with the vibrating portion. The dampers are asymmetrically provided with respect to an axis of symmetry of a shape delineated by the outline of the vibrating portion, in a plan view of the vibrating portion from a side on which the piezoelectric element is mounted.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided with a housing, a piezoelectric element, and a panel, which is attached to the housing and has a contact area contacting a part of human body, configured to vibrate by the piezoelectric element to generate a vibration sound to be transmitted by vibrating the part of human body, such that pressure from inside of the housing at the contact area of the panel is smaller than pressure from inside of the housing at different area from the contact area. Thereby the sound pressure property is improved, and thus the electronic device preferably transmits air conduction sound and vibration sound.

Abstract: An apparatus including an electronic display and a stationary part, the stationary part configured to overlie the display face of the electronic display such that the display face of the electronic display is positioned behind the stationary part, the electronic display/display face configured to vibrate with respect to the stationary part, vibration of the electronic display/display face configured to displace air adjacent to the plane of the electronic display to generate sound waves in the direction of the stationary part, wherein the stationary part is substantially acoustically transparent and configured such that the sound waves generated by the vibrations are able to radiate through the stationary part.

Abstract: A transparent ultrasonic emitter includes a first transparent conductive layer; a second transparent conductive layer; and a plurality of transparent spacers disposed between the first and second transparent layers conductive of the ultrasonic audio speaker, the transparent spacers having a thickness and being arranged to define an open area between the first and second transparent layers.

Abstract: A microphone module for an electronic device is provided. The microphone module includes a window having at least one microphone hole in a part of an edge of the window, a microphone installed in a position corresponding to the microphone hole of the window, and a case frame coupled with the window and forming an appearance of the electronic device. The microphone module receives an external voice through the microphone hole of the window.

Abstract: A piezoelectric vibration element capable of reducing occurrence of unnecessary vibration, and a piezoelectric vibration device and a portable terminal using the same are disclosed. The piezoelectric vibration element includes a plurality of electrode layers and a plurality of piezoelectric layers being stacked along a first direction, the piezoelectric vibration element having two surfaces that face each other to be at intervals in the first direction, and vibrating in bending mode in the first direction with an amplitude varying along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction according to input of an electric signal, one of the two surfaces having such a shape that a central portion thereof in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction protrudes as compared with opposite end portions thereof in the third direction.

Abstract: A handheld condenser microphone is provided with a condenser microphone unit having two unidirectional condenser elements. A conductive fabric 221 is put between a lock ring 213 and the second condenser element 10b, when an acoustic-electric transducer 220 is fixed inside a unit case 210 by fastening force of the lock ring 213.

Abstract: An improved electrically conductive membrane pump/transducer. The electrically conductive pump/transducer includes an array of electrically conductive membrane pumps that combine to move a larger membrane (such as a membrane of PDMS). The electrically conductive membranes in the array can be, for example, graphene-polymer membranes.

Abstract: An improved electrically conductive membrane pump/transducer. The electrically conductive pump/transducer includes an array of electrically conductive membrane pumps that combine to move a larger membrane (such as a membrane of PDMS). The electrically conductive membranes in the array can be, for example, graphene-polymer membranes.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electro-switchable polymer film assembly having a first and a second surface side, comprising at least one pair of electrodes (3, 4) and a polymer matrix (2), wherein structuring particles (5) can be embedded in the polymer matrix and the polymer matrix or the structuring particles consist of an electro-active polymer, wherein furthermore, the first and/or the second surface sides can be transferred from a plane condition into a structured condition by electric switching of the electro-active polymer.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuating device includes a carrier, at least a piezoelectric unit, at least a linked component and a moving component. The piezoelectric unit is disposed on the carrier and includes at least a piezoelectric buzzer. The linked component is disposed corresponding to the piezoelectric unit. One end of the linked component is attached to the piezoelectric buzzer. The moving component is connected with the linked component. When the piezoelectric buzzer is actuated, it can carry the linked component to move correspondingly so as to move the moving component. The piezoelectric actuating device has the advantage of low cost and can achieve the sub-nanometer scale actuating resolution.

Abstract: Provided is an electronic device that is capable of reducing sound leakage from a vibration plate vibrated by a piezoelectric element. An electronic device 1 of the present invention includes: a piezoelectric element 30; and a vibration plate 10 configured to be vibrated by the piezoelectric element 30. Vibration sound is transmitted by the vibration plate vibrating a part of a human body. The piezoelectric element 30 is vibrated using a processed sound signal in which at least a part of frequency components of a sound reproduction signal that are higher than a predetermined threshold value is cut or attenuated.

Abstract: An acoustic generator according to an aspect of an embodiment includes an exciter, a vibrating body, and a damping member. The exciter receives input of an electric signal and vibrates. The exciter is attached to the vibrating body, and the vibrating body vibrates together with the exciter with vibration of the exciter. The damping member is attached so as to vibrate together with the vibrating body and the exciter and has a non-uniform thickness in a direction orthogonal to a vibration surface of the vibrating body.

Abstract: A sound generator, particularly a loudspeaker, configured to emit sound, comprising a rigid element (2) enclosing a plurality of air compartments (3), wherein the rigid element (2) has a back side (B) comprising apertures (4), and a front side (F) that is closed, wherein the generator is provided with at least one actuator (6), for instance one or more electromagnetic actuators and/or piezoelectric elements, configured to actuate the rigid element (2) for the generation of the sound.

Abstract: When a diaphragm formed in the shape of an oval is held by a holding member, an electrostatic electroacoustic transducer which allows stable tension without a diaphragm flexing is provided. In the electrostatic electroacoustic transducer, a diaphragm 11 and a diaphragm holding member 12 are formed in the shape of an oval, and is provided with a corrector member 21 which presses inwardly from outside both side ends on a major axis of the oval diaphragm holding member, and opens and deforms outwardly a pair of opposed long sides 12a and 12b on a minor axis side of the diaphragm holding member.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a piezoelectric vibration module including: a piezoelectric element repeatedly extended and compressed according to application of external power to generate vibration force; a vibration plate having the piezoelectric element coupled to one surface thereof and repeatedly extended and compressed integrally with the piezoelectric element to transfer the vibration force of the piezoelectric element to an external component; a weight body having a central portion coupled to the other side of the vibration plate in order to increase the vibration force of the piezoelectric element; and a coupling member fixedly coupling the central portion of the weight body and the vibration plate to each other.

Abstract: Some examples include an energy harvester for use in an electronic device to convert mechanical energy associated with vibrations of the electronic device into electrical energy. For instance, an energy harvester including rows of piezoelectric cantilevers may be arranged around a proof mass and may be utilized to convert the vibrations into electrical energy. In some examples, the energy harvester may include an electromagnetic energy harvester in addition to, or in place of the piezoelectric energy harvester.

Abstract: A curved high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) transducer comprising a curved piezoelectric array having opposite convex and concave back surfaces, the front surface comprising an acoustic transmitting surface, and a plurality of electrodes located on the convex back surface for applying electrical transmit signals to the array, and a printed circuit board spaced apart from and in opposition to the back surface of the curved piezoelectric array which couples electrical signals to the electrodes of the array, the space between the printed circuit board and the curved piezoelectric array comprising an acoustic air backing passageway of the piezoelectric array for air-cooling the curved piezoelectric array and the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A piezoelectric vibration device capable of being made thin and generating strong vibration, and a portable terminal using the same. Disclosed are a piezoelectric vibration device including at least: a support body; a vibration member that is mounted to the support body to be able to vibrate; a vibration element capable of being independently subjected to bending vibration by application of an electric signal; and a deformable first connecting member that is at least partly formed of a viscoelastic body, the deformable first connecting member being disposed between a first surface of the vibration element that is a bending surface and one main surface of the vibration member, and connecting the first surface of the vibration element and the one main surface of the vibration member, and a portable terminal using the piezoelectric vibration device.

Abstract: An electroactive sound transducer foil includes a composite foil made up of at least one carrier foil, at least one first and one second electrode, and at least one piezoelectric layer including an electroactive polymer, the surface of the sound transducer foil including a structuring having different slopes, and the slope of the sound transducer foil surface changing the sign at least twice.

Abstract: A purpose is to obtain a frequency characteristic of a good sound pressure. To achieve the purpose, an acoustic generator according to an embodiment includes a piezoelectric element (exciter), a flat vibrating body, and a resin layer. The piezoelectric element vibrates when an electric signal is input. To the vibrating body, the piezoelectric element is attached. The vibrating body vibrates with the piezoelectric element due to the vibration of the piezoelectric element. The resin layer is arranged to cover surfaces of the piezoelectric element and the vibrating body to which the piezoelectric element is attached. The resin layer is integrated with the vibrating body and the piezoelectric element. Also, to the resin layer, irregularity is provided.

Abstract: A speaker device (100) includes a circuit board (10), a piezoelectric element (20), a spacer (30) which is disposed between the piezoelectric element (20) and the circuit board (10), and an air chamber (40). The spacer (30) fixes the piezoelectric element (20) to the circuit board (10) so that an internal space (31) is formed between the piezoelectric element (20) and the circuit board (10). The internal space (31) and the air chamber (40) communicate with each other. For example, the internal space (31) and the air chamber (40) communicate with each other through only an air medium.

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.

Abstract: A piezoelectric vibration element which includes at least a plurality of electrodes and a plurality of piezoelectric layers alternately disposed in a first direction, and performs bending vibration in the first direction so as to change amplitude in a second direction vertical to the first direction by inputting an electric signal, and in which a center of a facing portion in the second direction is provided at a different position from a center of the piezoelectric vibration element in the second direction, the facing portion including a portion in which one of the piezoelectric layers interposed between the electrodes that are disposed so as to be adjacently opposed to each other, and a piezoelectric vibration device and a portable terminal using the piezoelectric vibration element are provided.

Abstract: A plane-type speaker where, on one of the main surfaces of an exciter film, there are placed piezoelectric films which are expanded and contracted by sound-releasing driving signals applied thereto. An oscillation plate is secured to the excited film through frame members. The oscillation plate has a flat-plate shape and is secured to the exciter film while having a warped shape such that it is gradually spaced further away from the exciter film, with decreasing distance from the secured ends to a center area, when viewed at a side surface. This realizes a state where the exciter film is pulled outwardly with respect to the secured ends due to bending stresses therein. If sound-releasing driving signals are applied to the piezoelectric films in this state, the exciter film contracts and expands along with the expansion and contraction of the piezoelectric films, thereby causing the oscillation plate to oscillate.

Abstract: A plane-type speaker where, on one of the main surfaces of an exciter film, there are placed piezoelectric films which are expanded and contracted by sound-releasing driving signals applied thereto. An oscillation plate is secured to the excited film through frame members. The oscillation plate has a flat-plate shape and is secured to the exciter film while having a warped shape such that it is gradually spaced further away from the exciter film, with decreasing distance from the secured ends to a center area, when viewed at a side surface. This realizes a state where the exciter film is pulled outwardly with respect to the secured ends due to bending stresses therein. If sound-releasing driving signals are applied to the piezoelectric films in this state, the exciter film contracts and expands along with the expansion and contraction of the piezoelectric films, thereby causing the oscillation plate to oscillate.

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.

Abstract: A sound generator includes a housing (20), a piezoelectric vibrator (60) including a piezoelectric element (61), at least a portion of the piezoelectric vibrator (60) protruding from the housing (20), and an anchor (10) applying a load to the piezoelectric vibrator (60). A portion or all of the piezoelectric vibrator (60) withdraws into the housing (20) under a force of a predetermined load or greater. While the load from the anchor (10) is being applied to the piezoelectric vibrator (60), the piezoelectric vibrator (60) deforms in response to a sound signal, and deformation of the piezoelectric vibrator (60) vibrates a contact surface contacted by the piezoelectric vibrator (60), causing sound to be emitted from the contact surface.

Abstract: A sound generator includes a piezoelectric vibrator (60) including a piezoelectric element (61), an anchor applying a load to the piezoelectric vibrator (60), and a control unit (130) configured to control an input voltage based on a frequency characteristic, the input voltage being applied to the piezoelectric element (61) as a sound signal. While the load from the anchor is being applied to the piezoelectric vibrator (60), the piezoelectric vibrator (60) deforms in accordance with the input voltage applied to the piezoelectric element (61) from the control unit (130), and deformation of the piezoelectric vibrator (60) vibrates a contact surface (150) contacted by the sound generator, causing sound to be emitted from the contact surface (150).

Abstract: A sound generator includes a housing (20), a stand (90) supporting the housing (20), a piezoelectric vibrator (60) including a piezoelectric element (61), and an anchor applying a load to the piezoelectric vibrator (60). While the load from the anchor is being applied to the piezoelectric vibrator (60), the piezoelectric vibrator (60) deforms in response to a sound signal, and deformation of the piezoelectric vibrator (60) vibrates a mounting surface (150) on which the sound generator is mounted, causing sound to be emitted from the mounting surface (150).

Abstract: There is provided an acoustic transducer including an electrode substrate having a plurality of holes formed therein and having a first electrode thereon, a diaphragm disposed so as to face the electrode substrate and having a second electrode thereon to form an electric field in a space between the diaphragm and the electrode substrate, and a plurality of protrusions formed on the diaphragm and having the second electrode to form electric fields in the plurality of holes.

Abstract: An earphone comprises: a magnetostrictive element which is composed of a magnetostrictive material and has a column-like shape, the magnetostrictive element expanding and contracting due to magnetostrictive effect; a coil wound around the magnetostrictive element, the coil converting an electrical signal into a change in magnetic field; and an elastic portion which is composed of an elastic body having magnetism, the elastic portion including: a first elastic portion to which one of ends of the magnetostrictive element is joined; a second elastic portion to which the other end of the magnetostrictive element is joined; and a beam portion having a column-like shape and being provided in parallel to the magnetostrictive element between the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion and being integrally formed with the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion.

Abstract: A sound receiver includes a casing, a circuit portion, a conductive member, a first piezoelectric plate, a second piezoelectric plate, a first conductive transmission portion, and a second conductive transmission portion. The casing has an accommodating portion. The accommodating portion has an opening and a base. The circuit portion is disposed to close upon the opening. The conductive member having a first side and a second side is disposed in the accommodating portion. The first piezoelectric plate is disposed at the first side of the conductive member within the accommodating portion. The second piezoelectric plate is disposed at the second side of the conductive member within the accommodating portion. The first conductive transmission is configured to elastically and electrically connect the base and the first piezoelectric plate. The second conductive transmission is configured to elastically and electrically connect the circuit portion and the second piezoelectric plate.

Abstract: An audio apparatus is provided. The audio apparatus includes an input configured to receive an audio signal containing noise; a period estimation unit configured to estimate a period of a noise pattern in the audio signal; a noise reducer configured to subtract and remove the noise pattern from the audio signal in a frequency domain by using the estimated period of the noise pattern; a noise updater configured to update the noise pattern according to a change in amplitude of the noise; and an output configured to output the audio signal obtained by removing the noise pattern.

Abstract: A plurality of magnetostrictive elements made of ferrite or the like are arranged in a matrix on an upper surface of a circuit board. On the periphery of each of the magnetostrictive elements, a voice coil is arranged. When current flows to the voice coils, the magnetostrictive elements themselves expand and contract in their center axis direction (height direction), and whereby ultrasonic waves (carrier waves) are emitted into the air from the magnetostrictive elements themselves. Since the magnetostrictive elements made of ferrite or the like are used, power consumption can be reduced, compared with the case of using piezoelectric vibrators. Also, the magnetostrictive elements can be made resistant to damage even if subjected to an impact due to falling or the like. Accordingly, in a parametric speaker using ultrasonic waves as carrier waves, power consumption can be reduced and vibrating elements can be made resistant to impact damage.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus and a light-transmissive cover plate are disclosed. The electronic apparatus includes an image display device that includes an image display surface; a casing that houses at least a portion of periphery of the image display device; a light-transmissive cover plate that includes a first surface facing the image display surface, at least a peripheral edge region of the first surface is bonded to the casing; and a joining member that bonds the peripheral edge region of the first surface to the casing. The joining member has a Young's modulus smaller than that of the light-transmissive cover plate. The light-transmissive cover plate includes a gradual reduction area, and in this gradual reduction area, thickness is gradually reduced towards an outermost edge. At least a portion of the peripheral edge region of the first surface of the light-transmissive cover plate is included in the gradual reduction area.

Abstract: An ultrasonic audio speaker includes a backing plate comprising a first major surface and a conductive region, the backing plate further comprising a plurality of textural elements disposed on the first major surface. A flexible layer disposed adjacent the first major surface of the backing plate includes a conductive region and an insulative region, wherein the flexible layer is disposed adjacent the backing plate such that the insulative region is positioned between the backing plate and the conductive region of the flexible layer, and such that there is a volume of air between the flexible layer and surfaces of the textural elements.

Abstract: A micro-electromechanical chip includes a substrate, a micro-electromechanical structure formed in the substrate, and a covering element that is positioned on a surface of the substrate and that is configured to protect the micro-electromechanical structure from at least one of outside contaminants and mechanical influences.

Abstract: A piezoelectric acoustic transducer (1) of the present invention includes a lower frame (78), a lower speaker circuit (20), an upper frame (77), an upper speaker circuit (10), and a surround (76). The upper speaker circuit (10) has a piezoelectric diaphragm (14) in which piezoelectric elements (16, 17), each having a structure that flat plate electrodes are disposed on top and bottom of a piezoelectric member, are mounted on top and bottom surfaces of a board (15). The lower speaker circuit (20) has a piezoelectric diaphragm (24) in which piezoelectric elements (26, 27), each having the same structure, are mounted on a top surface and a bottom surface of a board (25). The piezoelectric diaphragms (14, 24) are coupled to each other via coupling members (74, 75). At an application of a voltage, the piezoelectric diaphragms (14, 24) are caused to curve in directions opposite to each other.

Abstract: A device for actively influencing vibrations in a component, in particular vibrations in a component of a motor vehicle such as engine vibrations, for example. The device includes a sensor for detecting the vibrations, an actuator which acts on the component, and a regulation and control unit in which actuating signals may be generated from the sensor signals in order to adjust the actuator. The actuator is designed as an electrically actuatable piezoelectric actuator.