Provided are a pickup sensor and a biological sensor that are small-sized and can detect micro vibration efficiently and stably with high accuracy. The pickup sensor includes an electroacoustic converter film including: a piezoelectric polymer composite in which piezoelectric particles are dispersed in a viscoelastic matrix that is formed of a polymer material having viscoelasticity at normal temperature; two thin film electrodes that are laminated on opposite surfaces of the piezoelectric polymer composite, respectively; and a protective layer that is laminated on at least one of the two thin film electrodes, in which at least a part of a surface of the electroacoustic converter film is an abutting surface that abuts against a test object, and the thin film electrode on a surface opposite to the abutting surface is grounded.

Provided are a pickup sensor and a biological sensor that are small-sized and can detect micro vibration efficiently and stably with high accuracy. The pickup sensor includes an electroacoustic converter film including: a piezoelectric polymer composite in which piezoelectric particles are dispersed in a viscoelastic matrix that is formed of a polymer material having viscoelasticity at normal temperature; two thin film electrodes that are laminated on opposite surfaces of the piezoelectric polymer composite, respectively; and a protective layer that is laminated on at least one of the two thin film electrodes, in which at least a part of a surface of the electroacoustic converter film is an abutting surface that abuts against a test object, and the thin film electrode on a surface opposite to the abutting surface is grounded.

A wearable audio apparatus used to support multiple audio components, namely, microphones. The audio apparatus can have a housing that contains the multiple microphones. The housing can be easily worn by a user, such as by coupling to a headset, ear mount/hook, user's clothing, or user's body. The microphones can be acoustically matched for rapid swapping without requiring a separate audio setup. The audio components can be mounted astride or near one another in the audio apparatus. The audio components can also be separately wired so that each audio component can be independently activated.

A wearable audio apparatus used to support multiple audio components, namely, microphones. The audio apparatus can have a housing that contains the multiple microphones. The housing can be easily worn by a user, such as by coupling to a headset, ear mount/hook, user's clothing, or user's body. The microphones can be acoustically matched for rapid swapping without requiring a separate audio setup. The audio components can be mounted astride or near one another in the audio apparatus. The audio components can also be separately wired so that each audio component can be independently activated.

A system may detect silent, internal articulation of words by a human user, by measuring low-voltage electrical signals at electrodes positioned on a user's skin. The measured signals may have been generated by neural activation of speech articulator muscles during the internal articulation. The system may detect the content of internally articulated words even though the internal articulation may be silent, may occur even when the user is not exhaling, and may occur without muscle movement that is detectable by another person. The system may react in real-time to this detected content. In some cases, the system reacts by providing audio feedback to the user via an earphone or a bone conduction transducer. In other cases, the system reacts by controlling another device, such as a luminaire or television. In other cases, the system reacts by sending a message to a device associated with another person.

[Problem] To provide a neck-worn device in which a battery or other electronic component is disposed at an appropriate location. [Solution] This neck-worn device is to be worn at the neckline of a wearer, wherein a body part 30 comprises: a battery 90; a circuit board 85 on which is installed an electronic component that is driven by receiving power supplied from the battery 90; and a body part casing 32 in which the battery 90 and the circuit board 85 are stored. The circuit board 85 is disposed inside the body part casing 32 so as to be positioned in between the battery 90 and the neckline of the wearer while the device is being worn. [Effect] Heat generated from the battery 90 is not readily transmitted to the wearer, thus improving the fit of the neck-worn device.

A system directs boom microphone placement. A microphone is configured to capture speech audio from a user and output corresponding electrical signals. A proximity sensor is situated adjacent the microphone and configured to produce output signals representative of a distance from the microphone to the user's face or mouth. A headset assembly includes a boom carrying the microphone and the proximity sensor, where the boom can be adjusted to a plurality of positions adjacent the user's face or mouth. Processing circuitry is coupled to receive the output signals from the proximity sensor and produce an output indicative that the microphone is outside a prescribed distance or range of distances from the user's face or mouth.

Operating an electrostatic acoustic device simultaneously as a speaker and as a microphone. The electrostatic acoustic device includes a membrane and an electrode disposed proximate to the membrane. An input varying audio signal is input to the electrostatic acoustic device. The membrane is configured to respond mechanically to a varying electric field responsive to the varying audio signal input. A portion of the input varying audio signal is tapped to produce a reference signal. A signal is detected responsive to motion of the membrane, to convert the signal to an output varying voltage signal. The output varying voltage signal is compared to the reference signal to produce a microphone signal. The microphone signal is responsive to motion of the membrane induced by air pressure variations of ambient sound.

A communication and speech enhancement system featuring a first transducer designed to be temporarily affixed to a human such as a hospital patient to convert the audible vibrations of human speech into an electrical signal. The transducer provides this electrical signal to one or more electronic modules which modify and enhance the signal. The enhanced signal may then be amplified and converted back into audible sound by means of a second transducer. A user of the system controls the electronic modules through a user interface. In an embodiment, one or both of the user interface and second transducer feature smooth surfaces amenable to cleaning sterilizing with liquid agents.

A communication and speech enhancement system featuring a first transducer designed to be temporarily affixed to a human such as a hospital patient to convert the audible vibrations of human speech into an electrical signal. The transducer provides this electrical signal to one or more electronic modules which modify and enhance the signal. The enhanced signal may then be amplified and converted back into audible sound by means of a second transducer. A user of the system controls the electronic modules through a user interface. In an embodiment, one or both of the user interface and second transducer feature smooth surfaces amenable to cleaning sterilizing with liquid agents.