678results about "Piezoelectric/electrostrictive microphones" patented technology

A silicon condenser microphone package is disclosed. The silicon condenser microphone package comprises a transducer unit, substrate, and a cover. The substrate includes an upper surface having a recess formed therein. The transducer unit is attached to the upper surface of the substrate and overlaps at least a portion of the recess wherein a back volume of the transducer unit is formed between the transducer unit and the substrate. The cover is placed over the transducer unit and includes an aperture.

An energy harvesting device includes a MEMS composite transducer. The MEMS composite transducer includes a substrate. Portions of the substrate define an outer boundary of a cavity. A MEMS transducing member includes a beam having a first end and a second end. The first end is anchored to the substrate and the second end cantilevers over the cavity. A compliant membrane is positioned in contact with the MEMS transducing member. A first portion of the compliant membrane covers the MEMS transducing member. A second portion of the compliant membrane is anchored to the substrate. The compliant member is configured to be set into oscillation by excitations produced externally relative to the energy harvesting device.

The interior cabin of a vehicle is provided with a vehicular sound-processing system that comprises an interior rearview mirror assembly, the mirror assembly including a mirror housing and a reflective element. An accessory is located in the interior cabin. The interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a user-interaction site for a wireless communication system, the wireless communication system communicating with the accessory. The user-interaction site comprises at least one microphone for producing an audio output in response to detection of vocal input of a human speaker in the interior cabin with the vehicle cabin noise superimposed thereon. Preferably, the user-interaction site further comprises at least one manually operated control input. The restricted-range wireless communication system preferably comprises one of a radio frequency restricted-range wireless communication system and an infrared restricted-range wireless communication system. Signals indicative of the vocal input detected at the user-interaction site of the interior mirror assembly are wirelessly broadcast to the accessory located in the interior cabin of the vehicle.

A microphone has a substrate including an acoustically transparent substrate region, a lid with an acoustically transparent lid region, and a membrane which is held by a membrane carrier between the lid and the substrate. The acoustically transparent substrate region or the acoustically transparent lid region is provided with at least one impedance hole sized so that an acoustic impedance of the impedance hole is larger than an acoustic impedance of the acoustically transparent region of the respective other region of substrate region and lid region.

A communications headset for use with a wireless telephone comprises a mount and a first and second attachment shaped to secure itself to the mount, wherein the first attachment is configured to secure itself around the ear of a user and wherein the second attachment includes a top portion to secure itself to the frame of a pair of glasses worn by the user. Optionally, the mount includes a slot formed through the housing of the communication headset and the first and second attachments include a downwardly dependent leg shaped and sized for receipt in the slot. Also optionally, the mount and the first and second attachment are secured to one another using a magnet attached to either of the housing or the attachments.

A microphone system implements multiple microphones on a single base. To that end, the microphone system has a base, and a plurality of substantially independently movable diaphragms secured to the base. Each of the plurality of diaphragms forms a variable capacitance with the base and thus, each diaphragm effectively forms a generally independent, separate microphone with the base.

MEMS microphone packages and fabrication methods thereof are disclosed. A MEMS microphone package includes a cavity that houses a MEMS sensing element, an IC chip and other passive elements supported by a common substrate. The cavity is formed by a top cover member, a housing wall surrounds and supports the top cover member and the common substrate supports the housing wall. A conductive casing encloses and surrounds the cavity, and is electrically connected to a common analog ground lead on a PCB board. The top cover member and the housing wall are non-conductive. And the conductive casing is not connected directly to the ground leads of the package. An acoustic absorption layer is sandwiched between the conductive casing and the cavity which is formed by the top cover member, the housing wall and the substrate.

A self calibrating dipole microphone formed from two omni-directional acoustic sensors. The microphone includes a sound source acoustically coupled to the acoustic sensors and a processor. The sound source is excited with a test signal, exposing the acoustic sensors to acoustic calibration signals. The responses of the acoustic sensors to the calibration signals are compared by the processor, and one or more correction factors determined. Digital filter coefficients are calculated based on the one or more correction factors, and applied to the output signals of the acoustic sensors to compensate for differences in the sensitivities of the acoustic sensors. The filtered signals provide acoustic sensor outputs having matching responses, which are subtractively combined to form the dipole microphone output.

A microphone comprises a housing defining an inner volume and including a first exterior surface with an aperture leading to the inner volume. The microphone includes a transducing assembly within the housing for converting sound into an electrical signal. A sound inlet plate defines, typically in combination with the first exterior surface, a passageway for transmitting sound to the aperture The passageway receives the sound from an opening in the sound inlet plate. The opening is offset from the location at which the aperture is positioned on the exterior surface. The sound inlet plate is made very thin so that it does not extend substantially away from the housing.

The present invention is a receiver that includes electronics for converting an input audio signal to an output acoustic signal. The receiver has a housing for containing at least a portion of the electronics. The housing includes a port for broadcasting the output acoustic signal. A suspension system is coupled to the housing for dampening vibrations of the housing. In one preferred embodiment, the suspension system includes three resilient contact structures for contacting a surrounding structure in which the receiver is placed. The contact structures are positioned at specific locations to provide variable dampening levels. In another embodiment, the dampening is provided by a low-viscosity, gel-like material positioned between the housing and the surrounding structure.

An apparatus includes first and second microphone arrangements, arranged to output first and second signals respectively and is operable in a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, an output signal is generated based on the second signal and a third signal, where the second signal and, optionally, the first signal, can be used to compensate for ambient noise, for example, for noise cancellation when a telephone call is relayed through a speaker. In the second mode, an output signal is generated based on the first and second signals. In this manner, the combination of the first and second microphone arrangements provides a directional sensitivity that can pick up sound from a remote source, for example, in an audio or video recording session. The apparatus may include a sensor to allow automatic switching between one or more of modes, directional sensitivity patterns and types of recording session.

In a microphone cartridge, a flexible printed circuit board serves two functions, separating the diaphragm and backplate, and electrically connecting the cartridge and the buffer amplifier. The flex-print includes a spacer portion that maintains the appropriate distance between the diaphragm and backplate, and an integral lead portion having a conductor serving as the signal path for transmitting the signal from the cartridge to the amplifier. The spacer portion has a conductor that electrically contacts the diaphragm or backplate and is connected to the conductor of the integral lead portion. The integral lead portion may optionally include a second electrical conductor providing a reference path from the cartridge to the amplifier. Further, the flex-print may be used as the carrier for the amplifier, its associated circuitry, and for other circuitry within the listening device. And, the flex-print may be used as a portion of the diaphragm subassembly and/or the backplate subassembly

An acoustic receiver comprises means for converting an input audio signal into an acoustic signal. The receiver has a housing having a plurality of sides that surround the converting means. One of the sides include an output port for broadcasting the acoustic signal. A jacket fits around the housing and has sections for engaging the sides. The sections are generally flat. The jacket may also form a gap with a corresponding side surface of the housing. A printed circuit board can be located within the gap. The printed circuit board including electronics for processing said input audio signal.

A vehicle overhead audio system, an electromagnetic transducer assembly for use therein and a computer system programmed with a graphic software control for changing the audio system's signal level and delay are provided where a headliner of the vehicle is a loudspeaker of the system thereby replacing many other loudspeakers and being invisible to the occupants. The headliner is driven in multiple zones that effect proper imaging for all occupants. Supplemental high frequency and subwoofer speakers and signal processing circuitry are included in one aspect of the invention.

The present invention provides a miniature MEMS microphone comprising a single-ended transducer element connected to an amplifier providing a differential electrical output at terminals arranged at a substantially plane exterior surface. The differential or balanced output signal provides a miniature microphone exhibiting a high dynamic range and a reduced susceptibility to EMI. The microphone is adapted for surface mounting thus the extra output terminal required is still suitable for low cost mass production. In preferred embodiments the transducer element and amplifier are silicon-based. The microphone may have a plurality of separate single-ended transducer elements connected to separate amplifiers providing separate differential outputs. The microphones according to the invention are advantageous for applications within for example hearing aids and mobile equipment.

A microphone assembly includes a cover, a base coupled to the cover, a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device disposed on the base. An opening is formed in the base and the MEMS device is disposed over the opening. The base includes a barrier that extends across the opening and is porous to sound. The remaining portions of the base do not extend across the opening.

The robustness of hearing aid devices in terms of electromagnetic disturbances and chemically aggressive surroundings should be improved. For this purpose, provision is made to equip a hearing aid apparatus with optical microphones. Since no metal parts must be used for these optical micro-phones, corrosion can be largely excluded. Furthermore, no EMC problems occur as a result of the optical signal processing.

A microphone having an optical component for converting the sound-induced motion of the diaphragm into an electronic signal using a diffraction grating. The microphone with inter-digitated fingers is fabricated on a silicon substrate using a combination of surface and bulk micromachining techniques. A 1 mm×2 mm microphone diaphragm, made of polysilicon, has stiffeners and hinge supports to ensure that it responds like a rigid body on flexible hinges. The diaphragm is designed to respond to pressure gradients, giving it a first order directional response to incident sound. This mechanical structure is integrated with a compact optoelectronic readout system that displays results based on optical interferometry.

A silicon based microphone sensing element and a method for making the same are disclosed. The microphone sensing element has a diaphragm with a perforated plate adjoining each side or corner. The diaphragm is aligned above one or more back holes created in a conductive substrate wherein the back hole has a width less than that of the diaphragm. Perforated plates are suspended above an air gap that overlies the substrate. The diaphragm is supported by mechanical springs with two ends that are attached to the diaphragm at a corner, side, or center and terminate in a rigid pad anchored on a dielectric spacer layer. A first electrode is formed on one or more rigid pads and a second electrode is formed at one or more locations on the substrate to establish a variable capacitor circuit. The microphone sensing element can be embodied in different approaches to reduce parasitic capacitance.

A microphone includes a tubular handgrip extending in a longitudinal direction, confining an accommodating space, and having a surrounding wall formed with an opening for access into the accommodating space. A battery-mounting seat is mounted in the accommodating space, and is formed with a battery-receiving groove that extends in the longitudinal direction and that has an open side facing the opening in the surrounding wall of the handgrip. A cover plate is connected pivotally to the battery-mounting seat, and is disposed adjacent to the open side of the battery-receiving groove. A sleeve is sleeved detachably on the surrounding wall of the handgrip for covering the opening in the surrounding wall.

A microphone includes a separate end cover with a sound port. A diaphragm is directly attached to the end cover. The backplate is positioned within the housing against a ridge near an end of the housing. A spacer is positioned against the backplate. The diaphragm engages the spacer when the end cover, with its attached diaphragm, is installed in the housing. The backplate of the microphone has an integral connecting wire that is made of the same material as the backplate. The integral connecting wire may have an inherent spring force to provide a pressure contact with the accompanying electrical components. The integral connecting wire electrically couples the backplate to the electronic components within the housing and transmits the raw audio signal corresponding to movement of the diaphragm. The housing may have first and second ridges on which the printed circuit board and the electret assembly are mounted, respectively.

A wireless headset comprises a body portion and a boom pivotably coupled to the body portion. The boom is resiliently biased from a first position towards a second position relative to the first headset portion. The headset includes a sensor for detecting movement of the boom between the second to the first position.

An electronic device includes: a lower electrode; a first piezoelectric film provided on the lower electrode; and an upper electrode provided on the first piezoelectric film. At least one of the lower electrode and the upper electrode is made of an alloy composed primarily of aluminum and doped with at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co, V, Ta, Mo, W, Ti, Y, and Nd. Alternatively, an electronic device includes: a support substrate; a lower electrode provided on the support substrate; a first piezoelectric film provided on the lower electrode; and an upper electrode provided on the first piezoelectric film. The lower electrode is made of an alloy composed primarily of aluminum and doped with at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co, V, Ta, Mo, W, Ti, Y, and Nd.

A microphone unit includes first and second diaphragms; a substrate on a top surface of which are installed the first and second diaphragms; and a cover disposed covering the first and second diaphragms, the cover joined to an outside edge of the substrate and forming an internal space. There are formed in the substrate first and second openings that are formed respectively in the top and bottom surfaces of the substrate, and an internal sound path communicating from the first opening to the second opening. The first diaphragm is disposed on the substrate so as to cover and hide the first opening. The second diaphragm is disposed so as to seal off a partial region away from the first opening of the top surface of the substrate. A third opening is formed in the cover, and the internal space communicates to an outside space via the third opening.

A tooth microphone apparatus worn in a human mouth that includes a sound transducer element in contact with at least one tooth in mouth, the transducer producing an electrical signal in response to speech and a means for transmitting said electrical signal from the sound transducer to an external apparatus. The sound transducer can be a MEMS accelerometer, and the MEMS accelerometer can be coupled to a signal conditioning circuit for signal conditioning. The signal conditioning circuit can be further coupled to a transmitter. The transmitter can be an RF transmitter of any type, an optical transmitter, or any other type of transmitter. In particular, it can be a bluetooth device or a device that transmits into a Wi-Fi network or any other means of communication. The transmitter is optional.

Eyewear comprises a microphone and a speaker. An eyewear neck strap couples the microphone and speaker to a wearer unit carried by the eyewear wearer. The wearer unit exchanges wireless signals with a base station. The base station is coupled to various devices such as surgical theater equipment, and/or to a telecommunication system, such as a telephone system. The eyewear enables the wearer to conduct hands-free communication such as telephone conversations and command and control operations, as well as to perform other hands-free tasks such as dictation. The wearer also receives data in audio form or as an image using a video display coupled with the eyewear.

Acoustic transducers configured with transducer elements disposed on an arch or arcuate shaped member adapted to fit in juxtaposition around a tubular. The arcuate shaped member is adapted with conductors to provide a voltage to the transducer elements. One embodiment uses a metallic arcuate shaped member. Embodiments implemented as sources are used to excite borehole acoustic modes. Some embodiments provide phased array acoustic energy excitation/signal reception. The transducers are covered with a sealer in a liquid-free configuration and shields are used to protect the transducers.

A module (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600) may be electrically connected to a PCB (18) residing in a device (14) or may be joined to the device (14) to form a portion of the housing (16) of the device (14). The module includes a housing (102, 202, 302, 402, 502, 602) having at least one layer, a surface mountable component, such as a surface mountable acoustic transducer (110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610) having a connecting surface (114, 214, 314, 414, 514, 614) disposed within the housing (102, 202, 302, 402, 502, 602), and at least one acoustic port (124, 224, 324, 424, 524, 624) formed on a surface of the housing (102, 202, 302, 402, 502, 602). The module (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600) may further include a secondary mounting structure (654) electrically connected to the connecting surface (114, 214, 314, 414, 514, 614) of the surface mountable acoustic transducer (110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610). The acoustic port (124, 224, 324, 424, 524, 624) may include a layer of an environmental barrier (450, 550).

Proximity sensor, particularly for usage in an electronic mobile device, comprising at least one acoustic transducer adapted for receiving acoustic signals at least in parts of the frequency range of human audible sound and emitting and/or receiving ultrasonic signals for proximity estimation. The acoustic transducer preferably is a Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) microphone. Further, a method in an electronic device comprising an acoustic transducer is provided comprising the steps of generating at least one electric signal in the frequency range of ultrasonic sound, emitting at least one ultrasonic signal by means of the acoustic transducer; receiving at least one ultrasonic signal by means of the acoustic transducer; deducing from the at least one emitted ultrasonic signal and the at least one received ultrasonic signal at least the delay between emission of the emitted ultrasonic signal and reception of the corresponding ultrasonic signal.

An electret accelerometer is provided in which a diaphragm, an electret, a back plate and an electronic circuit are placed in a closed casing.