Knowles Electronics, Inc.

Optotune Ag

Daniel Max Warren

Thomas E Miller

David Earl Schafer

Charles William King

Stephen C Thompson

Dennis Ray Kirchhoefer

Anthony D Minervini

Mekell Jiles

Charles Bender King

Andrew David Unruh

Paris Tsangaris

Thomas E Longwell

Hanny Sunarto

Manuel Aschwanden

David Niederer

Shehab Albahri

Janice LoPresti

Matthew Mial Mason

Clifford Ryan Grounds

Michael Abry

Earl E Houcek

Thomas Kern

Brad Olson

Mark F Halla

Thomas Schmidhausler

Christoph Romer

Gwendolyn P Massingill

Shu-Heng Yang

Thomas Joschika

Thomas J Jalava

Thomas Miller

Thomas Edward Miller

David Earle Schafer

An acoustic apparatus and method produces an acoustic signal in response to an electrical input signal applied to an acoustic receiver. The acoustic signal is converted to an electrical output signal that is proportional to a sound pressure of the acoustic signal, using an electro-acoustic transducer. In some embodiments the apparatus and method determine whether there is a change in the acoustic signal indicative of a change in an acoustic load coupled to the receiver by comparing the electrical output signal to reference information. The change in acoustic load, in one example, is attributable to ear wax accumulation in an output of the acoustic receiver or acoustic passage in the ear canal of a user or is attributable to seal leakage.

Load change diagnostics for acoustic devices and methods

A pre-distorted electrical excitation signal is generated for an acoustic transducer having an armature and a non-linear transfer characteristic by applying an electrical input signal (x) representative of a desired acoustic output to a computable non-linear function that is a function of the electrical input signal (x). When applied to an input of the transducer, the pre-distorted electrical excitation signal results in an improved acoustic output signal.

Armature-based acoustic receiver having improved output and method

A receiver includes an acoustic module and a coil module. The acoustic module includes a first housing, a plurality of magnets, and an armature. The armature is disposed within the first housing and extends between the plurality of magnets. The coil module is coupled to the acoustic module, is physically separate from the acoustic module, and includes a second housing and a coil. The coil disposed within the second housing and does not surround the armature. The coil is excitable by an electrical current representative of acoustic energy and excitation of the coil produces a magnetic flux path which moves the armature.

Receiver with coil wound on a stationary ferromagnetic core

An apparatus includes a coil; a stationary core, wherein the coil is wound about a portion the stationary core; a first magnetic structure and a second magnetic structure, wherein the first magnetic structure and the second magnetic structure are coupled to the stationary core; a first armature having a first end of the first armature and a second end of the first armature, wherein the first end of the first armature is coupled to the stationary core and the second end of the first armature is disposed within the first magnetic structure; and a second magnetic armature having a first end of the second armature and second end of the second armature, wherein the first end of the second armature is coupled to the stationary core and the second end of the second armature is disposed within the second magnetic structure.

Shared coil receiver

An optical apparatus includes a first membrane, a second membrane and at least one electromagnetically displaceable component. The first membrane includes an optically active area. The first membrane and the second membrane are coupled by a filler material disposed in a reservoir. At least one electromagnetically displaceable component is coupled to the filler material via the second membrane, such that a displacement of the at least one electromagnetically displaceable component is operative to cause a deformation of the optically active area of the first membrane by movement of the filler material.

Lens assembly apparatus and method

A receiver is provided having a balanced armature motor mechanically interconnected to a displaceable diaphragm component. A front volume changes as the displaceable diaphragm component moves. The front volume is connected to a port. A rear volume changes oppositely to the front volume as the displaceable diaphragm moves. An acoustic channel connects to the port and is also connected to a sound outlet. The sound outlet allows acoustic energy to exit from the acoustic channel. A first acoustic pressure is generated in the front volume as the balanced armature motor moves the diaphragm. The acoustic channel and the internal volume are divided by a common wall section, wherein the common wall section is defined by at least one of the walls of the housing which also provides a portion of at least one wall for the acoustic channel.

Receiver assemblies

A transducer comprising a pair of spaced magnets at least partially forming a tunnel having a central axis. A coil having a first and a second side wall and an upper and a lower wall at least partially forms the tunnel. A reed having a central portion extends through the tunnel. The reed has a stationary end, a deflection end, and a tip portion which lies at least partially between the magnets, wherein the reed is mounted for deflection towards or away from the respective magnets.

Electroacoustic transducer with resistance to shock-waves

An acoustic assembly for use in a transducer includes a multi-layer structure. A first layer member includes a first center portion, a first edge portion and a first aperture separating the first center portion and the first edge portion. A second layer member includes a second center portion, a second edge portion and a second aperture separating the second center portion and the second edge portion such that the second center portion is free to move relative to the second edge portion. The first and second layers are formed into an assembly wherein the first center portion and the second center portion are coupled, the first edge portion and the second edge portion are coupled, and the first aperture and the second aperture are substantially aligned to define a passageway. The assembly has an assembly stiffness that is greater than the stiffness of either the first or second layer members. A hinge joins the assembled first and second center portions and the first and second edge portions such that the assembled first and second center portions is free to at least partially rotate relative to the assembled first and second edge portions about an axis. A flexible layer member is coupled to the assembly and provides airtight sealing of the passageway.

Acoustic assembly for a transducer

A receiver module for a personal listening device to be fitted in the ear, on the ear, near the ear, or behind the ear, the receiver module having a movable armature, the receiver module comprises a motor assembly and a housing defining a chamber, the housing is made from a material that is corrosion resistant and is biocompatible to human skin contact. The receiver module further comprises at least one motor assembly directly disposed in the chamber. Optionally a communication link adapted to couple or decouple with the motor assembly. At least a portion of the communication link is disposed in the housing.

Personal listening device

A directional microphone system is disclosed, which comprises circuitry for low pass filtering a first order signal, and circuitry for high pass filtering a second order signal. The system further comprises circuitry for summing the low pass filtered first order signal and the high pass filtered second order signal. A method of determining whether a plurality of microphones have sufficiently matched frequency response characteristics to be used in a multi-order directional microphone array is also disclosed. For a microphone array having at least three microphones, wherein one of the microphones is disposed between the other of the microphones, a method of determining the arrangement of the microphones in the array is also disclosed.

Microphone array having a second order directional pattern

An armature for a receiver comprising a first and a second leg portion each having a thickness and a width and connected to each other, and a connection portion in communication with the first and second leg portions. The connection portion has a width greater than the width of the first and second leg portions individually. The connection portion reduces the stiffness of the armature and minimizes magnetic reluctance of the connection between the first and second leg portions. According to one aspect of the invention, the first and second leg portions are integrally formed with the connection portion and the connection portion includes at least a portion having a thickness less than the thickness of the first and second leg portions individually to reduce the stiffness of the armature. According to another aspect of the invention, the first and second leg portions are separately formed and attached to the connection portion in a way that reduces the stiffness of the armature.

Armature for a receiver

A receiver assembly includes a first diaphragm assembly having a diaphragm, and a second diaphragm assembly having a diaphragm. A linkage assembly is coupled to an armature of the receiver. The linkage assembly is also coupled to the first diaphragm assembly and to the second diaphragm assembly.

Apparatus and method for creating acoustic energy in a receiver assembly with improved diaphragms-linkage arrangement

A method of making an acoustic assembly for use in a transducer includes forming a multi-layer assembly. The multi-layer assembly includes a first layer member and a second layer member. Each member includes a center portion, an edge portion and an aperture separating the center portion and the edge portion. The assembly has an assembly stiffness that is greater than the stiffness of either the first or second layer members. A hinge joins the assembled first and second center portions and the first and second edge portions such that the assembled first and second center portions is free to at least partially rotate relative to the assembled first and second edge portions about an axis. A flexible layer member is coupled to the assembly and provides airtight sealing of the passageway.

Method of making an acoustic assembly for a transducer

Assistive listening device

A receiver assembly includes a housing having a fixed housing portion and a shiftable housing portion cooperating to define a hollow cavity. A flexible membrane secured between the fixed housing portion and the shiftable housing portion and adapted to allow relative motion between the fixed and shiftable housing portions. The receiver assembly further includes a magnetic motor assembly including a displaceable drive rod; and a link assembly having a first end fixedly attached to an inner surface of the shiftable housing and a second end coupled to the drive rod. The link assembly translates the shiftable housing portion relative to the fixed housing portion in response to the displacement of the drive rod.

Growing community of inventors

Geneva, IL, United States of America

Daniel Max Warren