Windscreen Patents (Class 381/359)
  • Patent number: 8009851
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sound receiving device and a microphone unit for such a sound receiving device. In microphone unit there is provided a microphone, an air filled chamber and a wind noise barrier covering chamber for providing a wind shield and having at least one air passage channel connecting the exterior of the device with the air filled chamber and having an inlet facing the exterior of the device and an outlet facing the air filled chamber. The air passage channel comprises at least one turn for reducing the influence of the wind on microphone. The invention provides enhanced wind noise reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications
    Inventors: Pieter De Pooter, Gerrit Johannes Willem Sampimon, Johannes Lucas Schreuder, Rudy Stubenitsky
  • Patent number: 8009845
    Abstract: A microphone unit (1) has a first vibration plate. A support member (6) supports the microphone unit (1). A second vibration plate (5) is fixed to the support member (6) at a predetermined distance from the first vibration plate. An armoring body (2) covers the microphone unit (1), the support member (6) and the second vibration plate (5). A space surrounded by the support member (6), the first vibration plate and the second vibration plate (5) is a closed space (S1) with air kept therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Limited
    Inventors: Kazuo Sakurai, Masayuki Shimada
  • Patent number: 8005250
    Abstract: One embodiment of a microphone housing having at its base a cylindrical solid section (4) containing circuit boards (3) and on which is mounted transducer (2) and acoustically permeable basket (1). The basket is made of rigid, conductive foam providing electrical shielding, mechanical protection and wind and pop screening, without appreciably altering the acoustical characteristics of the transducer. Another embodiment is also described and shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Josephson Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: David Lane Josephson, David M. Gordon, Kelly Q. Kay
  • Publication number: 20110135118
    Abstract: A personal microphone that includes a structure having a live-performance form factor, a capsule that converts acoustic energy into an input signal, a signal processor that converts the input signal into a processed output signal, and a microphone output connector. The signal processor has input terminals that receive the input signal and input/output terminals that receive a phantom DC voltage from the microphone output connector while sending the microphone output connector a processed output signal. The signal processor has a dynamic range compressor that compresses the processed output signal, and a programming or adjustment device that sets the signal processor operating parameters. The personal microphone can have a security device for avoiding unwanted changes to the operating parameters of the adjustable signal processor. The personal microphone can be powered by a phantom power supply coupled to the microphone output connector via a mixing console and/or other devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventor: Gary T. Osborne
  • Patent number: 7946379
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a filter assembly for filtering pop noise during a recording session, having a frame that forms the outer perimeter of the filter assembly, the frame comprising a first frame structure and a second frame structure. Further included is a filter diaphragm enclosed in between the first frame structure and the second frame structure of the frame, and a strap comprised of a second soft material that is coupled with the frame for detachably coupling the frame with a microphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Inventor: Michael Frenchik
  • Publication number: 20110103634
    Abstract: A system and method for mechanically reducing unwanted wind, audio, and other noise in a telecommunications or other electronic device. In accordance with an embodiment, a telecommunications or other electronic device, such as a mobile telephone, computer, personal digital assistant, geographical positioning system (gps) device, camera, video camera and the like, comprises a housing which includes one or more openings or ports for use with one or more microphones. A portion of the housing which contains the ports is overlaid with a combination of one or more metal or plastic grills, and a sound-reducing felt or other material. Used separately or with other features, this provides for mechanical noise reduction, particularly of wind noise. In accordance with different embodiments, the noise reducing combination can be overlaid over the microphone and over the housing, as an add-on module; or can be overlaid over the microphone and beneath the housing, as a manufactured or OEM-supplied feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: BLUEANT WIRELESS PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Taisen Maddern, Adrian Tan
  • Publication number: 20110105196
    Abstract: A system and method for mechanically reducing unwanted wind, audio, and other noise in a telecommunications headset or other device. In accordance with an embodiment, a headset housing includes one or more openings or ports for use with one or more, microphones. A portion of the housing which contains the ports is overlaid with a combination of one or more metal or plastic grills, and a sound-reducing felt or other material. Used separately or with other features, this provides for mechanical and/or pattern-based noise reduction, particularly of wind noise. In accordance with some embodiments the voice microphone can be held in place within a microphone mounting boot which allows sound to impinge the microphone in a configured pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: BLUEANT WIRELESS PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Taisen Maddern, Adrian Tan
  • Patent number: 7916887
    Abstract: A wind-shielded acoustic sensor, having a microphone and a housing of the microphone. The housing has a streamlined, continuous profile about a latitudinal axis and a longitudinal axis thereof, such that wind-induced noise can be reduced. A plurality of uniformly spaced sound ports are formed along a plurality of circumferences centered about a longitudinal axis thereof. At least one region of the housing is sufficiently thin and pliable such that deformation will occur while subjected to wind. Thereby, both acoustic signals and wind-related random-like pressure fluctuations are transmitted into the cavity enclosed by the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Scientific Applications and Research Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Cleckler, Scott Paul Catanzariti, Gabriel Hiu Tse, John Shigenori Hirai, Raymond Charles Law
  • Patent number: 7894621
    Abstract: An audio device includes a microphone, a sound canal allowing sound to pass from the surroundings to the microphone, a signal path from the microphone to a receiver, and a current source, such that sounds received at the microphone may be enhanced and presented at the ear level of the user. A protection screen is provided at the sound canal, and includes a first surface which faces the surroundings and a second surface which faces the sound canal, and defines a slit-formed opening between the first surface and the second surface. The curvature between the first surface and the slit-formed opening is smooth and gradual, and a sharp edge is located at the transition between the second surface and the slit-formed opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Oticon A/S
    Inventor: Lars T. Jensen
  • Patent number: 7804975
    Abstract: A housing inserted in to the ear of a user is disclosed, said housing comprising a lateral end defined by being a part of the housing which is directed towards surroundings if the housing is inserted into the ear, a medial end defined by being a part of the housing which is directed towards the inner ear of the user if the housing is inserted into the ear, said medial end comprising at least a medial opening, wherein at least the lateral end of the housing is covered by a cover element. The cover element is acoustically transparent and made of open porous foam. The inventive in-ear device can be used as hearing device to improve the hearing of a hearing impaired person or as a communication device for natural as well as for remote communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Phonak AG
    Inventors: Hilmar Meier, Christoph Schwob
  • Patent number: 7783069
    Abstract: The ergonomic performance chamber 50 improves audio production efficiency for recording vocals or other sound sources with a microphone. The basic embodiment features an openable, lightweight, easily portative, molded flexible plastic, elemental structure 20, that surrounds only the microphone, and includes, a top 42 portion, a bottom 43 portion, an outer surface 21, a plurality of abutting surfaces 22, an audio source opening collar 23, an audio source opening 24, a microphone attachment collar 25, a microphone opening 26, an acoustically controlled air space 27, an inner chamber surface 28, a chamber body 29, and a plurality of insert slots 31. Acoustic inserts 30 are used to modify the quality of sound in the acoustically controlled air space 27. A desktop support 39 is used for desktop installation. The present invention combines acoustic control and ergonomics to facilitate production workflow and meet the needs for a wide variety of performers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Inventors: John William Miller, William John Miller
  • Publication number: 20100208930
    Abstract: A wind filter device (215) for use with a microphone (203), the wind filter device including a substrate (219) having an aperture (221) extending through the substrate, attached to a first face of the substrate a first layer (223) having a first perforated region (228) over the aperture and, attached to a second face of the substrate, a second layer (225) having a second perforated region (228) over the aperture. Also described is an arrangement of the wind filter device and a microphone, and a hand portable radio communication unit including the arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: MOTOROLA, INC.
    Inventors: Nikolay A. Kopnov, Lorne R. Brown, Aryeh Vered
  • Patent number: 7738670
    Abstract: A wind protection device for a microphone, the wind protection device including a body portion having a raised surface, a lower surface and a front face. The raised surface has a flow separation edge. The lower surface is offset from the raised surface the front face is bordered at a first edge by the flow separation edge and bordered at a second edge by the lower surface. The lower surface includes a recessed microphone holding area. Airflow separates from one of the raised surface or the flow separation edge, and the separated airflow is directed as one of recirculating airflow or a major airflow. The recirculating airflow is directed into a recirculation zone, and the major airflow is directed over a microphone zone and the recirculation zone to reduce the level of pressure fluctuations experienced by the microphone located in the recessed microphone holding area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: General Motors LLC
    Inventor: Walter A. Kargus, IV
  • Publication number: 20100128901
    Abstract: An apparatus for reduction of wind noise comprised of an electro-acoustic transducer arrangement with at least one transducer element. The exposed structure is covered with at least one thin layer of wind-resistive material, in the form of a mesh, and optionally includes one or more further layers of felt, foam and/or mesh in any combination. Where a plurality of elements is provided, the electrical outputs of the elements may be added together to provide an output signal with increased signal to wind noise ratio. The signal may be subject to additional signal processing such as filtering and/or level sensitive signal inhibition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventor: David Herman
  • Publication number: 20100111345
    Abstract: A miniature microphone enclosure is provided for use with a wireless headset. The microphone enclosure provides superior noise and wind cancellation without any circuitry. Two sound ports and wind suppression material help minimize any noise attributable to wind or air. Moreover the microphone enclosure has a directivity such that the microphone does not have to be placed directly in front of a user's mouth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Douglas Andrea, Stephan Auguste, John Probst
  • Publication number: 20100067727
    Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments are a noise-cancelling microphone housing including a body and a round wind shield member having a round depression in the end facing away from the body. The body is sized such that at least one microphone element will fit inside. The wind shield member is positioned such that in the course of normal use, wind directed toward the microphone will be intercepted and deflected by the wind-shield element. Deflecting wind away from the noise-cancelling microphone allows the microphone to produce a high-quality signal in spite of heavy winds. Various embodiments may also include a cover made of noise-damping material and/or holes through at least one face of the housing such that sound may pass through and reach the interior where the microphones are located.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: SPEEDCOM COMMUNICATIONS INC.
    Inventor: Teodoro Lassally
  • Publication number: 20100054516
    Abstract: An apparatus for reducing background and wind noise to a microphone contained in a microphone casing comprises a clamshell enclosure. The clamshell enclosure has a top piece and a bottom piece held together by a hinge or a plastic membrane, wherein the clamshell enclosure is designed to encapsulate the microphone casing containing the microphone. The clamshell enclosure contains foam materials inside the clamshell enclosure, or the clamshell enclosure itself is made out of foam materials such as polyurethane, wherein the foam materials contribute to reduction of background and wind noises to the microphone. The clamshell enclosure may optionally incorporate one or more channels as electrical cord pathways between the microphone casing encapsulated in the clamshell enclosure and another object (e.g. electronic device, earphones, and etc.).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventor: Wayne GP Chan
  • Publication number: 20090310797
    Abstract: An apparatus for reduction of wind noise comprised of an electro-acoustic transducer arrangement with at least two and preferably three omni-directional transducer elements. The exposed structure is covered with a thin layer of acoustic-resistive material. The electrical outputs of the elements are added together to provide an output signal with increased signal to noise ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventor: David Herman
  • Patent number: 7627132
    Abstract: The present invention relates to wind noise reduction for a microphone (10) achieved by locating a microphone pick up (2) in a chamber (4) provided with at least one sound passage (5), wherein one or more elements (s) (6) is/are provided in the sound passage (s) (5) to decrease the speed of the air stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventor: David Anderson
  • Publication number: 20090290741
    Abstract: Disclosed is an acoustic device comprising an enclosed housing defining an inner volume and having a front and a back; an acoustic port penetrating the front of the enclosed housing; a first and second sense structure attached to the inside of the housing and defining a gap between the first and second sense structures; a front volume defined by the portion of the inner volume between the first sense structure and the front of the housing; a back volume defined by the portion of the inner volume between the second sense structure and the back of the housing; and at least one vent in the first sense structure operatively connecting the front volume and the gap, wherein the acoustic device has a cutoff frequency above approximately 100 Hz.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventors: Michael James Daley, Andrew Jonathan Doller, Todd Martin Keebler
  • Patent number: 7623671
    Abstract: A narrow directional microphone includes an acoustic tube made of a resin film having thousands of minute holes, and a microphone unit attached in a rear end of the acoustic tube. The acoustic tube is made of a resin film having thousands of minute holes and curled up. The minute holes let air in but block droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-Technica
    Inventor: Hiroshi Akino
  • Publication number: 20090279712
    Abstract: A microphone boom cap includes a porous plastic portion adapted to cover a microphone boom first aperture. The microphone boom cap includes a non-porous plastic portion affixed to the porous plastic portion. The non-porous plastic portion is adapted to cover a microphone boom second aperture in a second use position, where the porous plastic portion covers the second aperture in a first use position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: PLANTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Lawrence W. Gollbach, Timothy P. Johnston
  • Patent number: 7561705
    Abstract: Leakage flux is reduced particularly in a magnetic gap of a magnetic circuit to improve the sensitivity of a dynamic microphone. A dynamic microphone including a magnetic circuit unit 20 including a center pole piece 22 connected to one pole of a first permanent magnet 21 and a yoke 23 which is connected to the other pole of the first permanent magnet 21 and is arranged like a ring around the center pole piece 22 via a magnetic gap of a predetermined width, a diaphragm 10 having voice coils 13 disposed in the magnetic gap, and a resonator 40 which has a front acoustic terminal 41 and is disposed at the front of the diaphragm 10, the dynamic microphone further including a second permanent magnet 43 disposed on a part of the resonator 40 so as to face the center pole piece 22, the second permanent magnet 43 being polarized in such a way that the same poles of the first permanent magnet 21 and the second permanent magnet 22 face each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-Technica
    Inventor: Hiroshi Akino
  • Patent number: 7531617
    Abstract: This invention relates to a continuous process for production of poly(trimethylene terephthalate), wherein gaseous 1,3-propanediol by product resulting from the process is condensed in a condenser, and a portion of the condensed by-product is recycled back into the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: John Harvey Eng, Emily A. Blum, Daniel Albert Green, Carl J. Giardino, Gene Parrish, Robert E. Trotter, Gary J. Wilson
  • Patent number: 7524921
    Abstract: This invention relates to a continuous process for production of poly(trimethylene terephthalate), wherein gaseous 1,3-propanediol by-product resulting from the process is condensed in a condenser, the total amount of any trimethylene terephthalate cyclic dimer and poly(trimethylene terephthalate) in the condensed by-product 1,3-propanediol is adjusted, and a portion of the condensed by-product is recycled to the condenser while another portion is recycled back into the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: John Harvey Eng, Emily A. Blum, Daniel Albert Green, Carl J. Giardino, Gene Parrish, Robert E. Trotter, Gary J. Wilson
  • Patent number: 7496208
    Abstract: A pop reduction filter can be properly replaced with a simple operation according to the use of a microphone. A wind shield including a shield body 20 made of an open-cell foam with a microphone insertion hole 30, the wind shield being directly put on a microphone M through the microphone insertion hole 30, the wind shield including a disk-like pop filter 40 detachably housed in the microphone insertion hole 30 so as to be orthogonal to the 0-degree direction sound pickup axis of the microphone M, the pop filter 40 being made of an open-cell foam different in foam density from the open-cell foam of the shield body 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-Technica
    Inventor: Satoshi Uchimura
  • Publication number: 20090046882
    Abstract: A microphone unit (1) has a first vibration plate. A support member (6) supports the microphone unit (1). A second vibration plate (5) is fixed to the support member (6) at a predetermined distance from the first vibration plate. An armoring body (2) covers the microphone unit (1), the support member (6) and the second vibration plate (5). A space surrounded by the support member (6), the first vibration plate and the second vibration plate (5) is a closed space (S1) with air kept therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: Kazuo Sakurai, Masayuki Shimada
  • Patent number: 7471802
    Abstract: There is provided a boundary microphone especially suitable for outdoor applications, which has strong waterproof and high wind noise resistance. In a boundary microphone in which a microphone case 1 includes a flat base portion 10 the upper surface side of which is open, and a microphone cover 20 having a large number of openings, which is attached to the base portion 10 so as to cover the upper surface of the base portion 10, and a microphone unit 31 is housed in the microphone case 1, a pile 23 is flocked by electrostatic flocking over the whole surface of at least the outer surface of the microphone cover 20 including a connecting portion 20a between the microphone cover 20 and the base portion 10, and the pile 23 is subjected to water repellent processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-Technica
    Inventors: Hiroshi Akino, Satoshi Uchimura
  • Patent number: 7447320
    Abstract: A vehicle rearview mirror assembly (201) includes one or more microphone assemblies (220a, 220b) positioned on the rear surface (207) of the mirror housing (206). Recesses (248a, 248b) are provided in the rear surface to serve as a deflector for deflecting airflow from the defroster. Front ports (216) are provided on the microphone housing (215) that open upward, while rear ports (218) open downward. The microphone assemblies may include an acoustic dam (230) that extends around the microphone transducer (225) to acoustically separate the acoustic chamber within the microphone housing into two zones such that the front face of the transducer is acoustically coupled to the first zone and the rear face of transducer is acoustically coupled to the second zone. The microphone assemblies may include windscreens (245) made of a material of high acoustic resistivity (i.e., about 1 or more ?/cm2), and preferably of very high acoustic resistivity (i.e., about 8 or more ?/cm2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Bryson, Alan R. Watson
  • Publication number: 20080226110
    Abstract: A microphone shield system captures sound in adverse conditions. The system includes a microphone positioned within a membrane. The membrane is inflated around the microphone to form an enclosure. The inflated membrane passes signals within a selected frequency range. The membrane may block or attenuate signals above and/or below the frequency range to pass a desired sound with little surrounding interference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: QNX Software Systems (Wavemakers), Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Soutar, Dennis Watkins, William Copeland
  • Publication number: 20080212819
    Abstract: A microphone for use in windy environments. The microphone uses a transducer to flood the environment outside the microphone with a high frequency (such as an ultrasonic) acoustic field. The sounds desired to be detected are mixed with the high frequency carrier, and can then be received by the microphone with less wind noise. The microphone then demodulates the desired sound signals from the high frequency carrier. The microphone can be configured in a special emitter-receiver configuration that also reduces interference from engine noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Stephen Anthony Cerwin, Martin Gray Dennis
  • Publication number: 20080137895
    Abstract: A windguard for a microphone includes an acoustic inlet at a downstream end and at least one pressure-relief port upstream of the acoustic inlet The windguard has a base, a skirt depending from the base, and a first hood projecting from the base. The base and skirt provide space to accommodate the microphone. The first hood extends from an upstream end of the base to the downstream end and includes the acoustic inlet at the downstream end. The pressure-relief port(s) is located on the first hood at the upstream end and is protected by a second hood.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jesse T. Gratke, Darryl T. Fornatoro
  • Publication number: 20080118096
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sound receiving device and a microphone unit for such a sound receiving device. In microphone unit there is provided a microphone, an air filled chamber and a wind noise barrier covering chamber for providing a wind shield and having at least one air passage channel connecting the exterior of the device with the air filled chamber and having an inlet facing the exterior of the device and an outlet facing the air filled chamber. The air passage channel comprises at least one turn for reducing the influence of the wind on microphone. The invention provides enhanced wind noise reduction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicant: SONY ERICSSON MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS AB
    Inventors: Pieter De Pooter, Gerrit Johannes Willem Sampimon, Johannes Lucas Schreuder, Rudy Stubenitsky
  • Patent number: 7369664
    Abstract: An airflow guard for a microphone includes a shell having an airflow diverter and a flow separation edge. The airflow diverter partially surrounds the microphone to redirect a flow of air away from the microphone. The flow of air separates from one of the airflow diverter or the flow separation edge. An acoustic reception system for a mobile vehicle and a hands-free communication device are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Walter A. Kargus, IV, Kevin T. Moss
  • Patent number: 7260236
    Abstract: A directional microphone includes a housing, a diaphragm dividing the housing into a front volume and a back volume, electronics for detecting signals corresponding to movements of the diaphragm, and front and back inlets for the front and back volumes, respectively. To obtain additional low frequency roll-off in the directional microphone, the directional microphone includes an elongated acoustical conduit connecting the front volume and the back volume. The acoustical conduit may be external or internal to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Sonionmicrotronic Nederland B.V.
    Inventors: Dion Ivo De Roo, Aart van Halteren, Bastiaan Broekhuijsen
  • Patent number: 7255196
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing acoustic, wind or other background noise that may interfere with sensing of a seismic signal is provided. More specifically, a shield is provided to enclose a geophone and thereby protect it from harmful noise. The shield may comprise a rigid shell, a structural damping material, an acoustically absorptive material, and a compliant seal for coupling the shield to the ground or reference surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: BBN Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: William B. Coney, Peter A. Krumhansl
  • Patent number: 7251340
    Abstract: A microphone suspension, particularly for absorbing the vibrations from a boom. The microphone suspension has a base member pivotable mounted to the boom. Bars extend substantially perpendicular to the base member and are adapted to hold an internal microphone holder by first elastic members. An oval ring-shaped member interconnects the bars in the ends opposite to the base member. At least one microphone can be suspended in the internal holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Inventor: Jan Juhler
  • Patent number: 7245733
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a hearing instrument for positioning in the ear of a user, incorporating a faceplate having first and second spatially separated sound openings for receiving sound to be provided to respective inlets of a microphone; at least one screen partially blocking the sound openings and positioned to increase effective distance between the first and second spatially separated sound openings; and a housing for containing the microphone, the housing having the faceplate mounted thereon and being sized to fit within the ear of a hearing instrument wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Hearing Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Oleg Saltykov
  • Patent number: 7136494
    Abstract: A microphone assembly for a vehicle accessory includes one or more transducers positioned in a microphone housing. The microphone housing has at least one acoustic port to which the transducer is acoustically coupled. The microphone assembly further includes a windscreen sealed across the acoustic port. The windscreen having hydrophobic properties to prevent water from penetrating the microphone housing through the acoustic port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Alan R. Watson, Robert C. Knapp, Robert R. Turnbull, William R. Spence, G. Bruce Poe, Michael A. Bryson
  • Patent number: 7136500
    Abstract: An electret condenser microphone includes a housing, a diaphragm disposed within the housing, first and second sound inlet ports and an acoustic resistive material disposed within the housing and in the acoustic path between the second inlet port and the diaphragm. The acoustic resistive may further electrically couple a backplate coupled to the diaphragm to an amplifier disposed within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC.
    Inventor: James S. Collins
  • Patent number: 7130431
    Abstract: A microphone assembly includes one or more transducers positioned in a housing. Circuitry is coupled to the transducer for outputting an electrical signal such that the microphone has a main lobe directed forwardly and attenuates signals originating from the sides and/or rear. The transducers can advantageously include multiple transducers, which, with the circuit, produce a desired sensitivity pattern. The microphone assembly can be employed in a vehicle accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Alan R. Watson, Robert C. Knapp, Robert R. Turnbull, William R. Spence, G. Bruce Poe, Michael A. Bryson
  • Patent number: 7120261
    Abstract: A microphone assembly includes at one or more transducers positioned in a housing. Circuitry is coupled to the transducer for outputting an electrical signal such that the microphone has a main lobe directed forwardly and attenuates signals originating from the sides. The microphone transducers can advantageously include multiple transducers which with the circuit produce a desired sensitivity pattern. The microphone can be employed in a vehicle accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Robert R. Turnbull, Robert C. Knapp, Alan R. Watson, G. Bruce Poe
  • Patent number: 7106875
    Abstract: In general, a three dimensional microphone and a three dimensional hearing aid is described. The microphone and hearing aid typically have two boundaries that contribute to the increased frequency response and three dimensional response of the microphone. A microphone element is oriented in and flush with the first boundary which is typically the forward face of a hearing aid. A second boundary, which is typically a boundary button is oriented above and generally parallel with the microphone element creating an overall improvement in frequency response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Inventor: James T. King
  • Publication number: 20040264726
    Abstract: A microphone has first and second differentially interconnected capsules angularly and linearly displaced from each other by a predetermined amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Daniel M. Gauger, Clifford A. Henricksen, Kenneth Dylan Jacob, Roman Sapiejewski, Anthony J. Sarno, Michael H. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20040170293
    Abstract: A microphone assembly includes one or more transducers positioned in a housing. Circuitry is coupled to the transducer for outputting an electrical signal such that the microphone has a main lobe directed forwardly and attenuates signals originating from the sides and/or rear. The transducers can advantageously include multiple transducers, which, with the circuit, produce a desired sensitivity pattern. The microphone assembly can be employed in a vehicle accessory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Alan R. Watson, Robert C. Knapp, Robert R. Turnbull, William R. Spence, G. Bruce Poe, Michael A. Bryson
  • Publication number: 20040091125
    Abstract: An acoustic system has an acoustic sensor and a processing circuit. The acoustic sensor includes a base, a microphone having a microphone diaphragm supported by the base, and a hot-wire anemometer having a set of hot-wire extending members supported by the base. The set of hot-wire extending members defines a plane which is substantially parallel to the microphone diaphragm. The processing circuit receives a sound and wind pressure signal from the microphone and a wind velocity signal from the hot-wire anemometer, and provides an output signal based on the sound and wind pressure signal from the microphone and the wind velocity signal from the hot-wire anemometer (e.g., accurate sound with wind noise removed). The configuration of the hot-wire extending members defining a plane which is substantially parallel to the microphone diaphragm can be easily implemented in a MEMS device making the configuration suitable for miniaturized applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicant: Textron Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Howard C. Choe, Emel S. Bulat
  • Patent number: 6724904
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for removably supporting a microphone in an operative position and in a manner which will protect the microphone against attenuating high impact phonetic peaks. A plurality of support assemblies are selectively attachable to one another to assume a variety of predetermined individually selectable configurations, wherein each of the predetermined configurations are determinative of a preferred operative orientation of the microphone. The plurality of support assemblies include a microphone support structured, to suspend the microphone in a predetermined orientation; a filter support structured, to adjustably support a filter in a substantially aligned, protective relation to the microphone; and an auxiliary support, structured to be removably and adjustably attached in supporting relation to at least one of said filter or microphone supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventor: Shraga Winter
  • Patent number: 6704427
    Abstract: An acoustic damper for covering a housing inlet of a transducer is disclosed. The damper includes a mesh panel and a non-mesh periphery. The non-mesh periphery of the damper is adhesively attached to the housing of the transducer wherein the mesh panel covers the inlet. The non-mesh periphery of the damper inhibits the adhesive from wicking into the mesh panel. The damper is adaptable for attachment of a film. The film is capable of cooperating with a backplate to form a motor assembly of the transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventor: Steve Kearey
  • Patent number: 6614911
    Abstract: A microphone assembly includes one or more transducers positioned in a housing. Circuitry is coupled to the transducer for outputting an electrical signal such that the microphone has a main lobe directed forwardly and attenuates signals originating from the sides and/or rear. The transducers can advantageously include multiple transducers, which, with the circuit, produce a desired sensitivity pattern. The microphone assembly can be employed in a vehicle accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Alan R. Watson, Robert C. Knapp, Robert R. Turnbull, William R. Spence, G. Bruce Poe, Michael A. Bryson
  • Patent number: 6587569
    Abstract: The pressure-difference microphone is arranged in a housing, and there is provided in one of the housing walls a single opening, directed onto the front side of the microphone, for feeding voice commands which can be produced in the acoustic near field of the housing. According to the invention, the arrangement of the microphone and/or the air volume which surrounds the microphone in this case are such that the microphone can be irradiated with sound through the opening, using the pressure-difference principle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Thomson, Licensing, S.A.
    Inventors: Ulrich Adrion, Torsten Harms