A sound signal processing apparatus may include: a directional microphone configured to detect a user voice signal including a user's voice by arranging the directional microphone to face an utterance point of the user's voice; a non-directional microphone configured to detect a mixed sound signal comprising the user voice and an external sound; and a processor configured to generate an external sound signal by attenuating the user's voice from the mixed sound signal, by differentially calculating the user voice signal from the mixed sound signal.

A vibration transmitter includes: a proximal end extending portion; a supported portion; a distal end extending portion; a first relay unit provided between the supported portion and the proximal end extending portion; and a second relay unit provided between the supported portion and the distal end extending portion. The second relay unit includes a horn that is constructed such that an outer diameter at a position continuously adjacent to the supported portion is larger than: (i) an outer diameter of the first relay unit at a position continuously adjacent to the supported portion, and (ii) the outer diameter of the distal end extending portion. The horn expands amplitude of vibration output from a distal end of the distal end extending portion to be larger than a maximum amplitude at an antinode of vibration in the first relay unit or the proximal end extending portion.

A vibration transmitter includes: a proximal end extending portion; a supported portion; a distal end extending portion; a first relay unit provided between the supported portion and the proximal end extending portion; and a second relay unit provided between the supported portion and the distal end extending portion. The second relay unit includes a horn that is constructed such that an outer diameter at a position continuously adjacent to the supported portion is larger than: (i) an outer diameter of the first relay unit at a position continuously adjacent to the supported portion, and (ii) the outer diameter of the distal end extending portion. The horn expands amplitude of vibration output from a distal end of the distal end extending portion to be larger than a maximum amplitude at an antinode of vibration in the first relay unit or the proximal end extending portion.

An acoustic wave device includes a cover portion, an outer support layer, a support portion, a piezoelectric substrate, and functional elements on the piezoelectric substrate. The outer support layer is on the piezoelectric substrate around a region where the functional elements are disposed. The cover portion is opposed to the piezoelectric substrate with the outer support layer interposed therebetween. The support portion is in a hollow space defined by the piezoelectric substrate, the outer support layer, and the cover portion. The height of the support portion is smaller than that of the outer support layer and larger than that of each of the functional elements. A gap is provided between the support portion and the cover portion or between the support portion and the piezoelectric substrate.

In at least one embodiment, a multi-stage sound and vibration sensor is provided. The multi-stage sound and vibration sensor includes a housing, a first piezo-diaphragm and a second piezo diaphragm. The first piezo-diaphragm and the second piezo-diaphragm are positioned in the housing to detect an input signal including audio or vibrations. The first piezo-diaphragm and the second piezo-diaphragm provide a first resonance frequency and a second resonance frequency in response to detecting the audio or the vibrations.

A sound processor comprises one or more electrical signal outputs configured to generate a plurality of electrical signals. The plurality of electrical signals are generated in specific tuned audio frequency bands in respective audio channels, in response to sound information received at the sound processor in the specific tuned audio frequency bands. The sound processor further comprises a transmitter coupled to the one or more electrical signal outputs for transmission of the plurality of electrical signals. The transmitter is configured to transmit the electrical signal in the respective audio channel over a separate respective transcutaneous communication link.

A panel-type speaker includes a panel and an actuator and is configured to vibrate the panel by the actuator so as to output sound waves from the panel, the actuator includes: a vibrating plate; and a piezoelectric element arranged on at least one surface of the vibrating plate, the piezoelectric element has, at a central portion of the piezoelectric element in a plan view, an opening from which the vibrating plate is exposed, and at a portion of the vibrating plate exposed from the opening, the vibrating plate is coupled to the panel.

A panel-type speaker includes a panel and an actuator and is configured to vibrate the panel by the actuator so as to output sound waves from the panel, the actuator includes: a vibrating plate; and a piezoelectric element arranged on at least one surface of the vibrating plate, the piezoelectric element has, at a central portion of the piezoelectric element in a plan view, an opening from which the vibrating plate is exposed, and at a portion of the vibrating plate exposed from the opening, the vibrating plate is coupled to the panel.

An acoustic wave device includes a substrate, functional elements on a first main surface of the substrate, an outer support portion on the substrate around a region where the functional elements are disposed, a cover portion opposed to the first main surface of the substrate with the outer support portion interposed therebetween, a support portion in a hollow space defined by the substrate, the outer support portion, and the cover portion, a wiring pattern electrically connected to the functional elements, and a through electrode extending through the substrate and electrically connected to the wiring pattern. A gap is provided between the support portion and the cover portion. A distance from the first main surface of the substrate to an upper surface of the support portion is greater than a distance from the first main surface of the substrate to an upper surface of the functional elements.

Disclosed are a voice recognition system and a display device using the same. The disclosed voice recognition system includes a plate structure, a vibration sensor, and a voice recognition device. The plate structure vibrates based on propagation of a voice wave generated from a user, and the vibration sensor is provided in contact with the plate structure to detect the vibration of the plate structure. The voice recognition device recognizes voice of the user by receiving a signal output from the vibration sensor.