Abstract: An MEMS optical microphone, including: a shell including an inner cavity and a sound inlet that communicates the inner cavity with outside; an MEMS module including a diaphragm suspended in the inner cavity, when an acoustic pressure is applied, an aperture is formed in the diaphragm, and the size of the aperture increases or decreases with the magnitude of the acoustic pressure applied to the diaphragm; an optoelectronic module including an electromagnetic radiation source and a sensor, the electromagnetic radiation source and the sensor are arranged on opposite sides of the diaphragm, and a light beam emitted by the electromagnetic radiation source passes through the aperture and reaches the sensor; and an integrated circuit module electrically connected with the MEMS module and the optoelectronic module. Advantages of high sensitivity and flat frequency response can be achieved, which provides the potential to further improve the performance of the device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling a light output signal emitted by a set of light sources comprising at least one light source, wherein said light output signal includes a modulation signal which carries individual information, such that the method includes recurrently: remotely detecting the light output signal of said set of light sources; determining at least one quality measure of said remote detection of the light output signal; and adjusting the modulation signal on basis of said at least one quality measure.

Abstract: An optical system includes a transmitter module and/or a receiver module. The transmitter module is configured to receive input data, map the input data to a set of subcarriers associated with an optical communication channel, independently apply spectral shaping to each of the subcarriers, generate input values based on the spectral shaping of each of the subcarriers, generate voltage signals based on the input values, modulate light based on the voltage signals to generate an output optical signal that includes the subcarriers, and output the output optical signal. The receiver module is configured to receive the output optical signal, convert the output optical signal to a set of voltage signals, generate digital samples based on the set of voltage signals, independently process the digital samples for each of the subcarriers, map the processed digital samples to produce output data, and output the output data.

Abstract: A programmable discrete input module is described. In one or more implementations, the programmable discrete input module comprises a pulse width modulation module configured to generate a pulse width modulated signal based upon an input signal and a pulse width modulation module configured to generate a demodulated pulse width signal. An isolator is configured to isolate the pulse width modulation module and the pulse width demodulation module and to generate isolated modulated pulse width signal based upon the pulse width modulated signal for the pulse width demodulation module to generate the demodulated pulse width signal. The programmable discrete input module also includes a first comparator and a second comparator for comparing the demodulated pulse width signal with a respective programmable reference and a digital filter configured to filter a comparison signal output by the first comparator or the second comparator to generate a discrete input signal.

Abstract: A system and method for directional sound sensing directs an optical sensing beam to an object of interest having a rough surface that vibrates acoustically. The light is reflected thereby and scattered as a speckle pattern that includes multiple speckles having a random distribution of phase offsets. A detector array having multiple detector elements receives and detects the speckle pattern and produces signals that are linearly proportional to phase modulation of the speckles. A summer receives signals from at least two of the detector elements that are offset at different phases and sums the received signals to generate a non-vanishing signal representative of an acoustic signal.

Abstract: The present invention guides a talker into a narrow sensitivity region by providing a light that is only visible when the talker's eyes are just above the sensitivity region of a microphone. When the talker keeps the light within his sight while speaking, there is no wavering problem. If the talker cannot see the light, then he is outside the sensitivity region and is alerted to a potential wavering problem by not seeing the light. In this way, the present invention takes advantage of the fact that the talker's eyes are located in close proximity to his mouth. In addition, high frequencies emanating from the mouth are highly directional and applications with speech input, such as speech recognition, function better when these high frequencies are available for analysis.

Abstract: An optical microphone includes: a light source; a first polarizer for allowing linearly-polarized light, of light output from the light source, to pass therethrough; a second polarizer for allowing linearly-polarized light having a different polarization plane from the first polarizer to pass therethrough; a sound-receiving section including an acoustic medium having a smaller sound velocity than the air, wherein an acoustic signal propagates through the acoustic medium, the sound-receiving section being arranged so that the linearly-polarized light from the first polarizer passes through the acoustic medium and enters the second polarizer; and a photodetector for converting an intensity of light having passed through the second polarizer to an electric signal, wherein between the first polarizer and the second polarizer, the linearly-polarized light having passed through the first polarizer is given different phase shifts in two orthogonal directions which are each different from a polarization direction.

Abstract: An optical microphone includes: a propagation medium portion; a light source to output a light wave passing through the propagation medium portion across the acoustic wave propagating through the propagation medium portion; a reflecting section to retroreflect the light wave having passed through the propagation medium portion; and a photoelectric conversion section to receive the light wave having been reflected by the reflecting section and passed through the propagation medium portion to output an electric signal. 0th-order, +1st-order and ?1st-order diffracted light waves are respectively produced on outward and return paths, by virtue of a refractive index distribution across the propagation medium portion caused by the propagation of the acoustic wave therethrough. The photoelectric conversion section detects interference light between the +1st-order or ?1st-order diffracted light wave of the outward path and the ?1st-order or +1st-order diffracted light wave of the return path.

Abstract: A light powered communications system. The light powered communications system includes an audio control center having at least one optical source and at least one optical receiver. The light powered communications system also includes a plurality of optically powered remote communication systems located remote from the audio control center, each of the optically powered remote communication systems being configured to receive an optical signal from the audio control center. The light powered communication system also includes at least one length of fiber optic cable between the audio control center and each of the optically powered remote communication systems.

Abstract: An optical transmission module has an optical transmission path in which optical transmission is performed between a first circuit board and a second circuit board disposed opposite the first circuit board. The optical transmission path has a folded structure having a bending radius. A circumferential portion drawn by the bending radius is provided substantially perpendicular to board surfaces of the first circuit board and the second circuit board.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a photoacoustic sensor. The photoacoustic sensor may comprise: a gas cell with an opening; a light source to generate to radiate a sample gas within the gas cell; an optical microphone to detect the sample gas within the gas cell; and a membrane aligned with the opening of the gas cell to permit sample gas to enter the gas cell. The optical microphone includes a semiconducting laser. The semiconducting laser includes a p-n junction within a cavity of the semiconducting laser. The optical microphone further includes a pressure-sensitive membrane that receives coherent light emitted from the semiconducting laser and directs reflected light back toward the semiconducting laser. During operation of the optical microphone, the pressure-sensitive membrane flexes in response to acoustic pressure waves. The phase of the reflected light is dependent upon a distance of the pressure-sensitive membrane from an aperture of the semiconducting laser.

Abstract: Method for performing signal processing for an optical microphone. First and second signals corresponding to at least two beams may be generated or received. The first and second signals may be complementary, and may be based on signals provided by one or more photo detectors that receive the at least two beams after the beams return from a sensing structure. The first signal and the second signal may be subtracted to produce a third signal. A position of the sensing structure may be adjusted to cause the third signal to reach a first value, where the adjusting may be performed based on the third signal, and an audio output signal may be provided based on the third signal.

Abstract: A hearing system includes a hearing device for wear by a user, the hearing device comprising a speaker, and an optical receiver configured to detect light signals, and generate electrical signals in response to the detected light signals, wherein the speaker of the hearing device is communicatively coupled to the optical receiver, and is configured to provide audio signals based at least in part on the electrical signals. A hearing system includes a hub configured to receive an input from a user of the hub, and generate an output in response to the input, and a light source communicatively coupled to the hub, wherein the light source is configured to provide light signals for reception by a hearing device based at least in part on the output from the hub.

Abstract: An optical ultrasonic microphone includes an acoustic waveguide that transmits a sound wave received from an opening, an optical acoustic propagation medium that forms at least one portion of a wall face of the acoustic waveguide and an LDV head, and a sound wave proceeding through the acoustic waveguide is received by the optical acoustic propagation medium so that a change in the refractive index caused by the proceeding sound wave inside the optical acoustic propagation medium is generated with high efficiency, and by detecting this as an optical modulation by the LDV head, the optical ultrasonic microphone is allowed to have a very wide band.

Abstract: An acoustoelectric transducer comprising a laser source A and a light receiver H, wherein a soundfield S is provided by which the propagation velocity of the laser beam may be modulated according to the sound pressure while it traverses the soundfield S.

Abstract: A thermoacoustic device includes a sound wave generator and an infra-red reflecting element having an infrared reflection coefficient higher than 30 percent. The infra-red reflecting element can be disposed at one side of the sound wave generator to reflect the emitted heat of the sound wave generator.

Abstract: An acoustic system includes a sound-electro converting device, a electro-wave converting device, and a sound wave generator. The electro-wave converting device is connected to the sound-electro converting device. The sound wave generator is spaced from the electro-wave converting device and includes a carbon nanotube structure. The sound-electro converting device converts a sound pressure to an electrical signal and transmits the electrical signal to the electro-wave converting device. The electro-wave converting device emits an electromagnetic signal corresponding to the electrical signal and transmits the electromagnetic signal to the carbon nanotube structure. The carbon nanotube structure converts the electromagnetic signal into heat, and the heat transfers to a medium causing a thermoacoustic effect.

Abstract: A wireless microphone transmits audio signals using infrared rays. A plurality of infrared light emitting devices are attached to a board in the wireless microphone, and at least one of the plurality of infrared light emitting devices is disposed on each side of the board. A plurality of infrared light emitting devices may be provided on each side of the board, and the infrared light emitting devices may be disposed radially. Without providing a different dedicated board for the light emitting devices than the board, infrared rays can be radiated to an area around the mic. In this manner, a wireless microphone is provided that can radiate infrared rays to an area around the mic and that has a simple structure and a small number of components and thus can improve productivity.

Abstract: A sound wave generator includes a carbon nanotube film. The carbon nanotube film comprises a plurality of carbon nanotubes entangled with each other. At least part of the carbon nanotube film is supported by a supporting element. The carbon nanotube film produces sound by means of the thermoacoustic effect.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a signal device, a power amplifier, and a sound wave generator. The power amplifier is electrically connected to the signal device. The power amplifier outputs an amplified electrical signal to the sound wave generator. The sound wave generator produces sound waves by a thermoacoustic effect. The amplified electrical signal is positive or negative.

Abstract: A mobile device for receiving modulated light, an apparatus for transmitting information by modulated light and a system as well as corresponding methods are disclosed to be able to use at least parts of an illumination infrastructure for transmitting data to a mobile device. The mobile device comprises a visible light receiver for receiving modulated visible light carrying information corresponding to transmission data modulated onto visible light emitted from at least one light source and for outputting a signal based on the received modulated visible light, and a demodulator for demodulating said signal based on the received modulated visible light to extract said information corresponding to said transmission data.

Abstract: Various method and system embodiments of the present invention are directed to executing bit-commitment protocols. In one embodiment of the present invention, a method for executing a bit-commitment protocol for transmitting a bit from a first party to a second party comprises preparing a three qubits are entangled in a W-state, and storing a first of the three qubits in a first storage device controlled by the first party, a second of the three qubits is stored in a second storage device controlled by the second party, and a third of the three qubits is stored in a third storage device controlled by a third party. The bit is revealed to the second party by transmitting the first and third qubits to the second party and measuring the states of the three qubits to which of the entangled W-states the three qubits are in.

Abstract: A portable communication system provides a universal transmitter that couples to a communication device having an audio port, e.g., a cellular phone audio port, and which transforms the sound output into signals, e.g., infrared pulses, for transmission to a wireless receiver, e.g., a behind the ear or in the ear receiver.

Abstract: An optical acoustoelectric transducer having a directivity pattern like a better 8 by receiving by a light-receiving element a reflected fraction of the light from a light-emitting device disposed at the center of a bottom plate that is parallel to a diaphragm, has an opening through which an acoustic wave enters, and is connected to supporting side plates. An optical acoustoelectric transducer having uniform amplitude characteristics in a wide frequency range by mixing by a mixer circuit the outputs of a plurality of optical microphones having diaphragms of mutually different thicknesses so as to make the receiving sensitivity uniform in different frequency ranges. A directional optical acoustoelectric transducer having a small size and wide band characteristics by arranging a plurality of light-emitting devices (LD) and a plurality of light-receiving elements (PD) corresponding to a plurality of diaphragms arranged parallel.

Abstract: A fine displacement detection device by sound or the like: which can easily align individual optical components; which disposes a light emitting element (13) and a light receiving element (14) on a substrate, emits light from the light emitting element (13) to a diaphragm (I) set at a position facing the substrate, receives light reflected from the diaphragm (1) by the light receiving element (14), and detects as an electric signal the fine displacement of the diaphragm (1) by sound or the like; and which provides, on the optical paths of the substrate and the diaphragm (1), a focusing element (2) that focuses an incidence light from the light emitting element (13) for leading to the diaphragm (1) and focuses a diverged/reflected light from the diaphragm (1) for leading to the light receiving element (14), and a reflected light flux dividing element (3) that divides the diverged/reflected light focused by the focusing element (2) for leading to the light receiving element (14).

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a first absorbing layer is on a substrate and/or a second absorbing layer is on a heat-activated adhesive. If the IR source that supplies IR radiation is present on the substrate-side, then the absorption percentage of the substrate is less than the absorption percentage of the first absorbing layer if present and less than the absorption percentage of the second absorbing layer if present. If the IR source that supplies IR radiation is present on the “encapsulation cover”-side, then the absorption percentage of the encapsulation cover is less than the absorption percentage of the first absorbing layer if present and less than an absorption percentage of the second absorbing layer if present. The substrate and the encapsulation cover have a low thermal conductivity.

Abstract: Integrated glass ceramic spacecraft include a plurality of glass ceramic components including molded, tempered, annealed, and patterned glass ceramic components coupled together for forming a support structure or frame or housing through which is communicated optical signals through an optical communications grid and electrical signals through an electrical communications grid, with the optical communications grid and electrical communication grid forming a composite electrooptical communications grid for spacecraft wide intercommunications. The support structure multifunctions as a frame, a housing, a support, a thermal control system, and as part of an electrooptical communications grid while encapsulating a plurality of optical, electronic, electrical, and MEMS devices between which is communicated the electrical and optical signals over the electrooptical communication grid.

Abstract: A microphone is provided with a simple structure by which a lead wire is not required to detect displacement of a vibrated film. The microphone is equipped with a vibrated film 2 to receive sonic waves on either surface and to receive electro-magnetic waves on other surface, a device 4 to receive and transmit the electro-magnetic waves reflected by the vibrated film, a counter to count pulses from the device to receive and transmit electro-magnetic waves, a processing logic 5 to count the pulses output from the counter. Displacement of the vibrated film is converted into electric signals by counting the processing logic the frequency and amplitude of the electro-magnetic waves reflected by the vibrated film 2.

Abstract: A wiring line to which a high-frequency signal is applied is electrically connected in parallel to an auxiliary wiring line via a plurality of contact holes. The contact holes are formed through an interlayer insulating film and arranged in vertical direction to the wiring line. Since the auxiliary wiring line is formed in the same layer as an electrode that constitutes a TFT, the electric resistance of the wiring line can be reduced effectively and waveform rounding of an applied high-frequency signal can be reduced without increasing the number of manufacturing steps.