Knowles Electronics, Inc.

Etymotic Research, Inc.

James Collins

Jerrold S Zdenek

Mead C Killion

Thomas E Miller

Viorel Drambarean

Andrew J Haapapuro

Timothy Scott Monroe

Steve Iseberg

William A Ryan

Gail Gudmundsen

Joseph Heidenreich

Russ Thoma

Ryan S Scott

Daniel Repplinger

Certain embodiments provide a system and method for measurement of the force applied to a bone-conduction oscillator during application to a subject, resolving the measured force relative to a pre-determined criteria, and providing an indication to the user to specify whether an external force applied to an applied force indication system coupled with a bone-conduction oscillator is within a pre-determined acceptable range. A mechanical arrangement is prescribed which allows the full extent of the force applied to be represented onto the pressure measurement apparatus. The system and apparatus may be applied onto or integrated into bone-conduction oscillators.

System and method for providing an applied force indication

Systems and methods for providing communication and protection by an electronic earplug are provided. A communication and protection system includes an electronic earplug operable in a transmit mode and a receive mode. The electronic earplug includes an external microphone, an ear canal microphone, processing circuitry, and a receiver. In the receive mode, the external microphone is configured to transduce sound pressure levels received from exterior to an ear canal to electrical signals; the processing circuitry is configured to process the electrical signals from the external microphone to provide processed electrical signals; and, the receiver is configured to convert the processed electrical signal to sound. In the transmit mode, the ear canal microphone is configured to transduce sound pressure levels received from in the ear canal to electrical signals provided to a communication device; and, one or more of the external microphone, the processing circuitry, and the receiver is disabled.

Electronic earplug for providing communication and protection

A valve for a personal auditory system is described. The auditory system is capable of converting between an acoustic signal and an electrical signal. The auditory system has an acoustic pathway through which an acoustic signal may travel between a first point exterior to the auditory system and a second point interior to the auditory system. The valve includes a free floating electrode and a second electrode adjacent to free floating electrode. An electric signal that is generated by the second electrode moves the free floating electrode to substantially open or close the acoustic pathway.

Acoustic valve mechanisms

A microphone assembly comprises a housing that includes a conductive material. A preamplifier circuit is disposed within the housing, the preamplifier circuit having a signal input and a ground terminal. A microphone portion is disposed within the housing, the microphone portion having an output coupled to the signal input of the preamplifier circuit. A ribbon wire is attached to the ground terminal of the preamplifier circuit and is attached to the housing.

Apparatus for suppressing radio frequency interference in a microphone assembly with preamplifier

A condenser microphone having a housing, a diaphragm assembly and backplate located within the housing. A spacer isolates the diaphragm assembly from the housing and spaces the diaphragm assembly from the backplate. The spacer has a first portion disposed between the backplate and the diaphragm assembly, and a second portion disposed between the diaphragm assembly and the wall of the housing. A conductive member electrically connects the backplate to a ground.

Electret condenser microphone

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.

A method for manufacturing a motor assembly for an acoustic transducer is provided. The motor assembly includes a base member, a support member, a diaphragm and a backplate. The base member has a surface and a protrusion extending a distance from the surface. The support member has an opening therethrough, and the diaphragm is connected to the support member such that the diaphragm covers a portion of the opening of the support member. The support member is placed on the base member such that the support member contacts the surface of the base member, and the protrusion of the base member contacts the diaphragm. The backplate is placed on the diaphragm such that the backplate is supported by the protrusion. As part of the assembly, the backplate is secured to the support member. By having an assembly wherein the backplate does not contact the diaphragm, the capacitance of the assembly is reduced.

Method for manufacturing acoustical transducer with reduced parasitic capacitance

A condenser microphone, and method of construction, is disclosed. The microphone comprises a cup-shaped housing having a base surface and an upstanding peripheral wall. The wall terminates at a distal edge defining an opening. The microphone further comprises a diaphragm and ring assembly disposed on the base surface and having a peripheral edge, a backplate having a peripheral edge, and a spacing washer disposed between the diaphragm and ring assembly and the backplate for separating the diaphragm and ring assembly from the backplate. The microphone also comprises a substrate closing the housing opening. The spacer is disposed between the peripheral housing wall and the peripheral edges of the diaphragm and ring assembly and the backplate. The spacer includes a radially inwardly directed flange which engages an upper peripheral surface of the backplate.

Condenser microphone

An acoustical transducer including a case and a support member, diaphragm, and backplate located within the case. The diaphragm is connected to the support member and is capable of vibrating. The backplate is mounted to the support member and is spaced a distance from the diaphragm to provide a gap between the backplate and the diaphragm. An electret material on the backplate cooperates with the diaphragm to develop a signal which is transmitted to an amplifier. By having an assembly wherein the backplate does not contact the diaphragm, the capacitance of the assembly is reduced.

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Elk Grove Village, IL, United States of America

James Collins