18609732. MICRO-SPEAKER DEVICE simplified abstract (Infineon Technologies AG)

MICRO-SPEAKER DEVICE

Organization Name

Infineon Technologies AG

Inventor(s)

Christian Bretthauer of München (DE)

MICRO-SPEAKER DEVICE - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18609732 titled 'MICRO-SPEAKER DEVICE

Simplified Explanation:

The speaker device described in the patent application includes a housing with an acoustic aperture, a transducer element, and a shutter element. The transducer element generates an acoustic output signal in response to a first actuation signal, while the shutter element, offset from the transducer, moves in response to a second actuation signal to control the acoustic path between the transducer and the aperture. The controller modulates the first actuation signal with an ultrasonic signal component and an audio signal component, and provides the second actuation signal to the shutter element at half the frequency of the ultrasonic signal component.

• Key Features and Innovation:

   - Housing with acoustic aperture, transducer element, and shutter element.
   - Shutter element controls acoustic path between transducer and aperture.
   - Controller modulates first actuation signal with ultrasonic and audio signal components.
   - Second actuation signal to shutter element at half the frequency of ultrasonic signal component.

• Potential Applications:

   - High-quality audio output in compact devices.
   - Directional sound projection for specific applications.
   - Enhanced sound control in smart home devices.

• Problems Solved:

   - Controlling acoustic output in small speaker devices.
   - Improving sound quality and directionality.
   - Integrating ultrasonic technology for audio applications.

• Benefits:

   - Enhanced sound performance.
   - Precise sound direction control.
   - Compact design for various applications.

• Commercial Applications:

   - Smart speakers.
   - Home entertainment systems.
   - Portable audio devices.

• Prior Art:

   - Prior research on ultrasonic modulation in audio devices.
   - Studies on sound direction control in speakers.

• Frequently Updated Research:

   - Advancements in ultrasonic technology for audio applications.
   - Research on compact speaker design for improved sound quality.

Questions about Speaker Device Technology: 1. How does the modulation of the first actuation signal with ultrasonic and audio components impact sound quality? 2. What are the potential challenges in implementing the shutter element for controlling the acoustic path in speaker devices?

Original Abstract Submitted

A speaker device comprises a housing having an acoustic aperture, a transducer element in the housing configured to receive a first actuation signal and to generate an acoustic output signal. The speaker device comprises a shutter element in the housing configured to receive a second actuation signal and arranged laterally offset to the transducer in the housing. The shutter element is arranged in an acoustic path between the transducer element and the acoustic aperture and comprises a shutter portion movable in opposite directions in response to the second actuation signal. A controller provides the first actuation signal to the transducer element, while the first actuation signal has an ultrasonic signal component modulated with an audio signal component. The controller provides the second actuation signal to the shutter element that has half the frequency of the ultrasonic signal component.