Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
381113000 | With electrostatic microphone | 41 |
20080205668 | SENSITIVE SILICON MICROPHONE WITH WIDE DYNAMIC RANGE - A silicon microphone includes a silicon microphone device, on which four acoustic transducers are integrated, an integrated circuit device and a package for housing the devices in an inner space defined therein, and the four acoustic transducers have different values of sensitivity and, accordingly, different values of dynamic range; the analog acoustic signals are supplied from the four acoustic transducers to the integrated circuit device, and are converted to digital acoustic signals; the digital acoustic signal output from the acoustic transducers with relatively high sensitivity are normalized with respect to the digital acoustic signal output from the acoustic transducer with lowest sensitivity, and the normalized digital acoustic signals are selectively formed into a composite acoustic signal depending upon the sound pressure of sound waves so that the dynamic range is expanded without sacrifice of high sensitivity in the low sound pressure range. | 08-28-2008 |
20080279397 | MICROPHONE MADE FROM A POLYMER WAVEGUIDE - An apparatus and method for making a microphone that is not susceptible to RF noise and that can be fabricated to be very thin. The microphone includes a light transmitter configured to generate light, a waveguide having optically aligned transmit, vibrating and receive sections, and a receiver. Light from the transmitter is configured to be transmitted through the transmit section, vibrating section and the receive section of the waveguide, and to the receiver. The vibrating section of the waveguide is configured to vibrate in response to received acoustic energy, so that the light received by the receive section is modulated in proportion to the acoustic energy. In response, the receiver converts the modulated light to an electrical signal that is indicative of the received acoustic energy. Since the microphone of the present invention uses a thin waveguide to modulate the acoustic energy, it is not susceptible to RF noise, and it can be made to have a very thin profile. | 11-13-2008 |
20080317262 | Microphone Having an Output Signal Amplifier - A microphone is described including a microphone housing having a microphone capsule disposed therein. The microphone is connected via a microphone cable to an audio system, and has an integrated amplifier that raises the signal output level. The integration of a preamplifier into the microphone advantageously reduces the microphone's susceptibility to interference. In contrast to conventional preamplifiers, the preamplifier does not, or not exclusively, operate as an impedance converter, but instead amplifies the output voltage. As a consequence, the signal-to-noise ratio is advantageously increased even in the presence of interference. The preamplifier can be provided with energy via a battery or accumulator mounted in the microphone, or advantageously from the audio system via additional conductors in the microphone cable. | 12-25-2008 |
20090003629 | Programmable Microphone - A semiconductor die with an integrated electronic circuit, configured so as to be mounted in a housing with a capacitive transducer e.g. a microphone. A first circuit is configured to receive an input signal from the transducer at an input node and to provide an output signal at a pad of the semiconductor die. The integrated electronic circuit comprises an active switch device with a control input, coupled to a pad of the semiconductor die, to operatively engage or disengage a second circuit interconnected with the first circuit so as to operate the integrated electronic circuit in a mode selected by the control input. That is, a programmable or controllable transducer. The second circuit is interconnected with the first circuit so as to be separate from the input node. Thereby less noise is induced, a more precise control of the circuit is obtainable and more advanced control options are possible. | 01-01-2009 |
20090141909 | Microphone Circuit - Microphones are used in acoustically insulated masks, headsets, phones and personal digital assistants. Frequently, the microphone provides an input to speech recognition software. The working environment is often humid and the speaker's mouth is in close proximity to the microphone. Frequently the signal suffers from clipping and distortion caused by the large signals and nonlinear response of the microphone circuitry. The claimed invention uses a resistor connected in parallel with the signal source to reduce its sensitivity and to produce a signal suitable for use with speech recognition software. The resistor can be varied for different speakers. | 06-04-2009 |
20090161890 | MICRO-ELECTRO-MECHANICAL SYSTEMS (MEMS) CAPACITIVE SENSING CIRCUIT - The present invention discloses a Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) capacitive sensing circuit wherein two input nodes of a fully differential amplifier are separately connected to a MEMS capacitive sensing device and a matching capacitor, which both contain similar capacity value and connect to a bias node, and two resistors separately connect the MEMS capacitive sensing device and the matching capacitor to ground (zero voltage). Thus, the present invention could effectively eliminate the bias noise in the circuit without any discrete capacitor and capable for designer to integrate all circuit devices into an IC. | 06-25-2009 |
20090169033 | MICROPHONE MODULE WITH ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE SHIELDING MEANS - A microphone module includes a cabinet, a sensor, an integrated circuit chip, a first substrate, and a second substrate. The first substrate carries the integrated circuit chip and includes a first top surface, a first bottom surface, and a first shielding part with a fixed electric potential extending from the first top surface to the first bottom surface. The second substrate includes a second top surface contacting the first bottom surface, a second bottom surface, and a second shielding part with the fixed electric potential on the second bottom surface, wherein the second shielding part is arranged in such a way that no electromagnetic waves can pass between the first shielding part and the second shielding part. | 07-02-2009 |
20090279717 | Circuit module for a condenser microphone - A circuit module for a condenser microphone includes a first chip mounted on a mounting surface of a printed circuit board and including an impedance converter circuit for amplifying an electrical signal received from a capacitive sensor via a first conductive pattern on the mounting surface and for outputting an amplified electrical signal. A second chip is mounted on the mounting surface of the printed circuit board, and includes a filtering circuit for filtering the amplified electrical signal received from the first chip via a conductive wire unit and a second conductive pattern on the mounting surface. The first chip and the second chip are further coupled to a ground pattern on the mounting surface. | 11-12-2009 |
20090285414 | AUDIO PROCESSING METHOD AND SYSTEM - An audio processing system is provided. The audio processing system comprises a transducer, a gain stage, a capacitor network, and a preamplifier. The transducer transduces a sound signal to a voltage signal. The gain stage comprises an input coupled to the transducer and an output. The capacitor network, coupled between the output of the gain stage and the transducer, provides an equivalent capacitance. The preamplifier coupled to the transducer amplifies the voltage signal. | 11-19-2009 |
20090285415 | INTERFACING CIRCUIT FOR A REMOVABLE MICROPHONE - The invention provides an interfacing circuit for a removable microphone. In one embodiment, the interfacing circuit comprises a jack for receiving the removable microphone and an integrated circuit comprising a biasing circuit, a buffer amplifier, and an insertion detecting circuit. The jack comprises a first terminal receiving an output voltage of the removable microphone and a second terminal coupling the removable microphone to a ground voltage source. The integrated circuit is coupled to the first terminal of the jack via a first node. The biasing circuit, coupled between the first node and a second node, biases the removable microphone and passes only an alternative current (AC) portion of the output voltage of the removable microphone to the second node. The buffer amplifier, coupled to the second node, buffers the AC portion to generate a voltage signal. The insertion detecting circuit, coupled to the first node, generates an insertion signal indicating whether the removable microphone is inserted in the jack. | 11-19-2009 |
20100166228 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR BIASING A TRANSDUCER - An apparatus comprising a capacitive transducer, for example a MEMS microphone. A first voltage generator is connected to receive a first voltage (VDD*) and generate a second voltage (V | 07-01-2010 |
20100208919 | ELECTRET CONDENSER MICROPHONE FOR NOISE ISOLATION AND ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE PROTECTION - An electret condenser microphone reinforces electrostatic discharge protection and noise isolation by adding a series of components in the electret condenser microphone. It is possible to block TDMA noise by embodying an RC circuit using series resistors and a varistor having a capacitor component in an electret condenser microphone, and to provide ESD protection effect when testing air or contact ESD by mounting two transient voltage suppressor (TVS) diodes. It is possible to block RF noises in various frequency bands, and to reduce TDMA noise level when making a cal with a maximum power level, by applying an electret condenser microphone for ESD protection and noise isolation to a mobile communication terminal. Further, since the electret condenser microphone may use an internal analog ground, an artwork of a PCB substrate or isolations from other parts is possible. | 08-19-2010 |
20100310096 | Switchable Attenuation Circuit for MEMS Microphone Systems - A switch control circuit monitors a signal produced by a MEMS or other capacitor microphone. When a criterion is met, for example when the amplitude of the monitored signal exceeds a threshold or the monitored signal has been clipped or analysis of the monitored signal indicates clipping is imminent or likely, the switch control circuit operates one or more switches so as to selectively connect one or more capacitors to a signal line from the microphone, i.e., so as to connect a selected capacitance to the signal line to attenuate the signal from the microphone and, therefore, avoid clipping. The switches may be MOSFET, MEMS or other types of switches co-located with the microphone in a common semiconductor package. Similarly, the capacitors, a circuit that processes the signals from the microphone and/or the switch control circuit may be co-located with the microphone in a common semiconductor package. | 12-09-2010 |
20110228954 | Electret Microphone Circuit - There is disclosed a microphone, a circuit, and a method. A microphone capsule may include an electret microphone and a field effect transistor (FET). A floating DC voltage source may have a first end connected to a drain terminal of the electret microphone capsule and a second end. A load resistor may be connected between the second end of the floating DC voltage source and a source terminal of the electret microphone capsule. A voltage follower may have an output connected to the source terminal of the electret microphone capsule and the first end of the floating DC voltage source. A coupling capacitor may couple an audio signal from the source terminal of the electret microphone capsule to an input of the voltage follower. | 09-22-2011 |
20110293116 | BATTERY COMPARTMENT FOR CONDENSER MICROPHONE - A battery compartment for a condenser microphone includes a battery space configured to hold a battery; a battery outlet open to a portion of a peripheral wall of the battery space and allowing removal of the battery in the battery space; a lid covering the battery outlet; and a ribbon having one end portion fixed to an internal wall of the battery space and the other end portion disposed to be pulled out from the battery outlet and wrapping around an external periphery of the battery. The ribbon is conductive and the fixed end portion is grounded. | 12-01-2011 |
20120076325 | Phantom Power Circuit - A phantom power circuit has a detection circuit and a limiting circuit, the detection circuit detecting a pulse current generated in association with connection or disconnection of a condenser microphone, the limiting circuit limiting the output of the condenser microphone. The detection circuit detects a pulse current generated between input terminals of the condenser microphone. The limiting circuit reduces the output from the condenser microphone when the detection circuit detects the pulse current. | 03-29-2012 |
20130044899 | Dual Backplate Microphone - A dual backplate microphone is provided that utilizes either an electret condenser or a MEMS condenser configuration and in which an op-amp IC is electrically connected to both backplates and the conductive layer of the diaphragm. | 02-21-2013 |
20130287231 | System and Method for a Programmable Voltage Source - In accordance with an embodiment, a method of operating a charge pump includes providing a first programmable voltage to a plurality of clock generators having outputs coupled to first nodes of corresponding groups of charge pump capacitors, and selecting a second node of one capacitor from one of the corresponding groups of charge pump capacitors. The clock generators produce a plurality of clock signals having amplitudes proportional to the first programmable voltage. | 10-31-2013 |
20150369653 | CAPACITIVE SENSOR, ACOUSTIC SENSOR AND MICROPHONE - A chamber that penetrates vertically is formed in a silicon substrate. A diaphragm is arranged on the upper surface of the silicon substrate so as to cover the upper opening of the chamber. Leg pieces are provided in corner portions of the diaphragm, within the diaphragm. The diaphragm and the leg pieces are separated by slits, and the leg pieces extend in the diagonal directions of the diaphragm. The leg pieces are connected to the diaphragm at the ends on the outer peripheral side of the diaphragm, and the ends on the central side of the diaphragm are supported by anchors provided on the upper surface of the silicon substrate. A back plate is provided above the silicon substrate so as to cover the diaphragm, and a fixed electrode plate is provided on the lower surface of the back plate so as to oppose the diaphragm. | 12-24-2015 |
20160021459 | CAPACITIVE SENSOR, ACOUSTIC SENSOR AND MICROPHONE - A diaphragm is arranged on the upper surface of a silicon substrate so as to cover a chamber in the silicon substrate. Multiple anchors are provided on the upper surface of the silicon substrate, and the lower surfaces of corner portions of the diaphragm are supported by the anchors. Also, a fixed electrode plate is provided above the diaphragm with an air gap therebetween. In a view from a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the silicon substrate, the entire length of the outer edge of the diaphragm located between adjacent anchors is located outward of a line segment that circumscribes the edges of the adjacent anchors on the side distant from the center of the diaphragm. Also, one or two or more through-holes are formed in the diaphragm in the vicinity of the anchors. | 01-21-2016 |
20160029129 | BIASING CIRCUIT FOR A MEMS ACOUSTIC TRANSDUCER WITH REDUCED START-UP TIME - A MEMS acoustic transducer device has a capacitive microelectromechanical sensing structure and a biasing circuit. The biasing circuit includes a voltage-boosting circuit that supplies a boosted voltage on an output terminal, and a high-impedance insulating circuit element set between the output terminal and a terminal of the sensing structure, which defines a first high-impedance node associated with the insulating circuit element. The biasing circuit has: a pre-charge stage that generates a first pre-charge voltage on a first output thereof, as a function of, and distinct from, the boosted voltage; and a first switch element set between the first output and the first high-impedance node. The first switch element is operable for selectively connecting the first high-impedance node to the first output, during a phase of start-up of the biasing circuit, for biasing the first high-impedance node to the first pre-charge voltage. | 01-28-2016 |
20160037263 | ELECTROSTATIC MICROPHONE WITH REDUCED ACOUSTIC NOISE - A micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) microphone includes a base; a MEMS die disposed on the base; and a cover coupled to the base and enclosing the MEMS die. The MEMS die includes and diaphragm and back plate and posts extend from a first periphery of the back plate. The diaphragm is free to move within a boundary created by the posts. A front volume is formed on a first side of the diaphragm and a back volume is formed on a second side of the diaphragm between the diaphragm and the cover. A plurality of openings extend through the diaphragm about an outer periphery of the diaphragm, the openings being effective to mitigate noise. | 02-04-2016 |
20160065152 | System and Method for Low Distortion Capacitive Signal Source Amplifier - According to an embodiment, a method includes amplifying a signal provided by a capacitive signal source to form an amplified signal, detecting a peak voltage of the amplified signal, and adjusting a controllable impedance coupled to an output of the capacitive signal source in response to detecting the peak voltage. The controllable impedance is adjusted to a value inversely proportional to the detected peak voltage. | 03-03-2016 |
20160087606 | Packaged MEMS Device and Method of Calibrating a Packaged MEMS Device - A packaged MEMS device and a method of calibrating a packaged MEMS device are disclosed. In one embodiment a packaged MEMS device comprises a carrier, a MEMS device disposed on the substrate, a signal processing device disposed on the carrier, a validation circuit disposed on the carrier; and an encapsulation disposed on the carrier, wherein the encapsulation encapsulates the MEMS device, the signal processing device and the memory element. | 03-24-2016 |
20160094194 | System and Method for Adjusting the Sensitivity of a Capacitive Signal Source - In accordance with an embodiment, a system for amplifying a signal provided by a capacitive signal source includes an impedance converter having an input node configured to be coupled to a first terminal of the capacitive signal source, and an adjustable capacitive network having a first node configured to be coupled to a second terminal of the capacitive signal source and a second node coupled to an output node of the impedance converter. | 03-31-2016 |
20160099638 | DIFFERENTIAL DYNAMIC CHARGE PUMP CIRCUIT - A differential dynamic charge pump circuit comprising; a first charging stage in series with a second charging stage; the first charging stage comprising a first circuit input for receiving an alternating clock signal; a second circuit input for receiving an inverted version of the alternating clock signal; a first output inverter arrangement configured to receive output voltages from upper and lower charge pump arrangements and having a first output and a second output for providing a dynamic differential output; the second charging stage comprising a first input and a second input configured to receive the output signal from the first stage; a second output inverter arrangement configured to receive output voltages from upper and lower charge pump arrangements and having a first output and a second output for providing a dynamic differential output of the circuit. | 04-07-2016 |
20160100256 | Acoustic Assembly and Method of Manufacturing The Same - A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) microphone includes a base; a cover having a port extending therethrough; a MEMS die coupled to the cover, the MEMS die including a diaphragm and a back plate; an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) coupled to the cover and the MEMS die; and an electrical interconnection from the ASIC to the base, the electrical interconnection being disposed on an inside surface of the cover. The base includes customer pads, the customer pads on the base being connected electrically to the ASIC via the electrical interconnection. The microphone is connected to a customer board at the base and arranged such that sound enters through the port in the cover. | 04-07-2016 |
20160107884 | PACKAGE FOR A MEMS SENSOR AND MANUFACTURING PROCESS THEREOF - A packaged MEMS device, wherein at least two support structures are stacked on each other and are formed both by a support layer and a wall layer coupled to each other and delimiting a respective chamber. The chamber of the first support structure is upwardly delimited by the support layer of the second support structure. A first and a second dice are accommodated in a respective chamber, carried by the respective support layer of the first support structure. The support layer of the second support structure has a through hole allowing wire connections to directly couple the first and the second dice. A lid substrate, coupled to the second support structure, closes the chamber of the second support structure. | 04-21-2016 |
20160111954 | Voltage Generator and Biasing Thereof - In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method of operating a voltage generator includes providing a bypass switch to bypass a ripple filter coupled to a power converter. A coupling capacitor includes a first plate and a second plate. The first plate is coupled to a control node of the bypass switch. A bypass control signal is received. The control node of the bypass switch is toggled between a first voltage to a second voltage different from the first voltage by toggling the second plate of the coupling capacitor based on the bypass control signal. | 04-21-2016 |
20160112808 | MEMS MICROPHONE MODULES AND WAFER-LEVEL TECHNIQUES FOR FABRICATING THE SAME - A method of fabricating a plurality of MEMS microphone modules by providing a first substrate wafer | 04-21-2016 |
20160134967 | BIASING CIRCUIT FOR MICROPHONE AND MICROPHONE INCLUDING THE SAME - A microphone in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a biasing circuit to provide a variable bias voltage to a sensor. The biasing circuit includes: a regulator which receives a reference voltage and a control voltage to output a variable voltage; a digital to analog converter which receives a digital control signal to provide the control voltage to the regulator; and a charge pump which receives the variable voltage output from the regulator to output a variable voltage that is higher than the variable voltage. | 05-12-2016 |
20160134975 | Microphone With Trimming - A microphone includes a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device, an amplifier, and an attenuation apparatus. The MEMS device converts acoustic energy into electrical signals. The amplifier is coupled to the MEMS device and receives an input signal from the MEMS device and performs amplification on the input signal to produce an output signal. The attenuation apparatus is coupled to the amplifier. Activation of the attenuation apparatus is effective to attenuate the output signal of the amplifier. A self-noise of the amplifier is attenuated and a sensitivity of the microphone is reduced such that a first signal-to-noise ratio is substantially the same as a second signal-to-noise ratio. The first signal-to-noise ratio occurs when the attenuation apparatus is not activated, and the second signal-to-noise ratio occurs when the attenuation apparatus is activated. | 05-12-2016 |
20160156321 | IMPEDANCE CONVERTER CIRCUIT FOR CONDENSER MICROPHONE | 06-02-2016 |
20160157024 | FLIP-CHIP MEMS MICROPHONE | 06-02-2016 |
20160173992 | DIFFERENTIAL-TYPE MEMS ACOUSTIC TRANSDUCER | 06-16-2016 |
20160173994 | SENSING CIRCUIT AND METHOD OF DETECTING AN ELECTRICAL SIGNAL GENERATED BY A MICROPHONE | 06-16-2016 |
20160183008 | System and Method for a Programmable Voltage Source | 06-23-2016 |
20160381455 | INDEPENDENTLY CHARGE PUMPS FOR DIFFERENTIAL MICROPHONE - Systems and methods of generating independent adjustable bias voltages for a differential microphone. The microphone system includes a positive adjustable charge pump, a positive sense capacitor, a negative adjustable charge pump, a negative sense-capacitor, and a differential amplifier. The positive adjustable charge pump is configured to generate a positive bias voltage. The positive sense-capacitor is configured to generate a positive sense voltage based on acoustic pressure from a first direction and the positive bias voltage. The negative adjustable charge pump is configured to generate a negative bias voltage. The negative sense-capacitor is configured to generate a negative sense voltage based on the acoustic pressure from the first direction and the negative bias voltage. The differential amplifier is configured to receive the positive and negative sense voltages. The differential amplifier is also configured to generate a differential voltage based on the positive and negative sense voltages. | 12-29-2016 |
20160381456 | MICROPHONE WITH INTERNAL PARAMETER CALIBRATION - In one embodiment, the invention is a microphone system for adjusting the final output sensitivity of a microphone. The system includes transducers that output transducer signals. The system also includes bias circuits providing bias signals to the transducers, as well as amplifiers to receive the transducer signals and output amplified signals. The amplified signals are summed by a summer, which outputs a summed signal. A controller receives the summed signal, and is configured to obtain a desired microphone output characteristic and calculate adjustment amounts based on the characteristic. The controller modifies signals from the transducers based on the adjustment amounts. The controller then outputs a microphone signal based on the summed signal. In another embodiment, the invention provides a method for adjusting the final output sensitivity of a microphone. | 12-29-2016 |
20180027338 | DIGITAL MICROPHONE ASSEMBLY WITH IMPROVED FREQUENCY RESPONSE AND NOISE CHARACTERISTICS | 01-25-2018 |
20220141576 | SURVEILLANCE MICROPHONE - An acoustic microphone assembly for surveillance into a protected space includes a microphone including a transducer and a diagram adapted for picking up acoustic sound waves, electronic circuitry for processing input, a power source, and an audio output wire or trace for delivering processed digital sound to a sound system, a cover plate having at least two bolt openings for mounting to a base plate on a wall or structure the cover plate covering an opening there through into the protected space, the cover plate accepting an orthogonal mounting of the microphone, and a sound diffraction pattern of different sized openings placed through the cover plate, the sound diffraction pattern located in alignment to the mounted microphone head and having a foot print roughly equal to the circumference of the head of the microphone. | 05-05-2022 |