Noise-canceling audio devices may include a first vibration member, a second vibration member, and a microphone supported by a housing. A feedback, noise-cancelation circuit may be operatively connected to the microphone, the feedback, noise-cancelation circuit configured to generate a first portion of a modified audio signal by combining an audio signal with a noise-canceling signal generated in response to a signal from the microphone to at least partially cancel at least a portion of an audible response of the second vibration member. A feed-forward, noise-cancelation circuit may be operatively connected to the microphone, the feed-forward, noise-cancelation circuit configured to compare the signal from the microphone to a predetermined SPL profile and generate a second portion of the modified audio signal configured to at least partially cancel environmental noise, the feedback, noise cancelation circuit configured to output the modified audio signal only to the first vibration member.

A MEMS microphone includes a substrate having a cavity, a diaphragm disposed over the substrate to cover the cavity, an anchor extending from and end portion of the diaphragm to surround a periphery of the diaphragm, the anchor being fixed to a lower surface of the substrate to support the diaphragm from the substrate, a back plate disposed over the diaphragm, the back plate being spaced apart from the diaphragm to define an air gap therebetween and having a plurality of acoustic holes, an upper insulation layer covering an upper surface of the back plate to hold the back plate, and a strut positioned on the anchor, the strut being connected to the upper insulation layer and making contact with a lower surface of the anchor to support the upper insulation layer and to be spaced from the diaphragm.

A MEMS microphone includes a substrate having a cavity, a diaphragm disposed over the substrate to cover the cavity, an anchor extending from and end portion of the diaphragm to surround a periphery of the diaphragm, the anchor being fixed to a lower surface of the substrate to support the diaphragm from the substrate, a back plate disposed over the diaphragm, the back plate being spaced apart from the diaphragm to define an air gap therebetween and having a plurality of acoustic holes, an upper insulation layer covering an upper surface of the back plate to hold the back plate, and a strut positioned on the anchor, the strut being connected to the upper insulation layer and making contact with a lower surface of the anchor to support the upper insulation layer and to be spaced from the diaphragm.

The Application relates to optically transparent electrostatic transducers. In some embodiments, the transducers comprise graphene. Such transducers are capable of functioning as acoustic sensors and/or transmitters as a singulated device or in an array configuration. Also provided are methods of manufacturing and using such transducers.

The Application relates to optically transparent electrostatic transducers. In some embodiments, the transducers comprise graphene. Such transducers are capable of functioning as acoustic sensors and/or transmitters as a singulated device or in an array configuration. Also provided are methods of manufacturing and using such transducers.

A MEMS and/or NEMS pressure sensor including, in a substrate: a stationary portion and a portion movable relative to the stationary portion, the movable portion including a sensitive element configured to move in the plane of the sensor under effect of a pressure variation; a stress gauge detecting movement of the sensitive element in the plane of the sensor due to the pressure variation; electrodes actuating the sensitive element, the actuating electrodes being borne partially by the stationary portion and partially by the movable portion, the actuating electrodes being commanded to automatically control positionwise the movement of the sensitive element; a mechanism commanding the actuating electrodes, which are configured, on the basis of signals emitted by the gauge, to bias the actuating electrodes to automatically control positionwise the movement of the sensitive element.

The present application discloses an apparatus for controlling an earphone and a media player in communication with the earphone, including an ambient sound detector configured to detect an ambient sound volume level; a processor configured to select an adjustment value to be applied to an audio volume level to be produced by an earphone speaker of the earphone based on the ambient sound volume level; and a controller configured to adjust the audio volume level of the earphone speaker based on the adjustment value selected by the processor.

The present application discloses an apparatus for controlling an earphone and a media player in communication with the earphone, including an ambient sound detector configured to detect an ambient sound volume level; a processor configured to select an adjustment value to be applied to an audio volume level to be produced by an earphone speaker of the earphone based on the ambient sound volume level; and a controller configured to adjust the audio volume level of the earphone speaker based on the adjustment value selected by the processor.

A capacitive sensor assembly includes a capacitive transduction element and an electrical circuit disposed in the housing and electrically coupled to contacts on an external-device interface of the housing. The electrical circuit includes a sampling circuit having an operational sampling phase during which a voltage produced by the capacitive sensor is sampled by a sampling capacitor coupled to a comparator and an operational charging phase during which a second capacitor is charged by a charge and discharge circuit until the output of the comparator changes state, wherein the output of the sampling circuit is a pulse width modulated signal representative of the voltage on the input of the sampling circuit during each sample period. The output of the sampling circuit can be coupled to a delta-sigma analog-to-digital (A/D) converter.

A capacitive sensor assembly includes a capacitive transduction element and an electrical circuit disposed in the housing and electrically coupled to contacts on an external-device interface of the housing. The electrical circuit includes a sampling circuit having an operational sampling phase during which a voltage produced by the capacitive sensor is sampled by a sampling capacitor coupled to a comparator and an operational charging phase during which a second capacitor is charged by a charge and discharge circuit until the output of the comparator changes state, wherein the output of the sampling circuit is a pulse width modulated signal representative of the voltage on the input of the sampling circuit during each sample period. The output of the sampling circuit can be coupled to a delta-sigma analog-to-digital (A/D) converter.