US 20080031481A1
`
`a2y Patent Application Publication o) Pub. No.: US 2008/0031481 A1l
`
`a9y United States
`
`Warren et al.
`
`43) Pub. Date: Feb. 7, 2008
`
`(54) PERSONAL LISTENING DEVICE
`
`(75) Inventors: Daniel Max Warren, Geneva, IL (US);
`Thomas Edward Miller, Arlington
`Heights, IL (US); Charles Bender
`King, Chicago, IL. (US); Janice L.
`LoPresti, Itasca, IL. (US); Gwendolyn
`P. Massingill, Aurora, IL. (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`
`FITCH EVEN TABIN AND FLANNERY
`120 SOUTH LA SALLE STREET
`SUITE 1600
`
`CHICAGO, IL 60603-3406 (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: KNOWLES ELECTRONICS, LLC,
`
`Ttasca, IL (US)
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/803,487, filed on May
`30, 2006.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. CL
`
`HO4R 25/00 (2006.01)
`(52) US. Cle oo 381/322
`(57) ABSTRACT
`
`A receiver module for a personal listening device to be fitted
`in the ear, on the ear, near the ear, or behind the ear, the
`receiver module having a movable armature, the receiver
`module comprises a motor assembly and a housing defining
`a chamber, the housing is made from a material that is
`corrosion resistant and is biocompatible to human skin
`contact. The receiver module further comprises at least one
`motor assembly directly disposed in the chamber. Optionally
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 11/755,408 a communication link adapted to couple or decouple with
`the motor assembly. At least a portion of the communication
`(22) Filed: May 30, 2007 link is disposed in the housing.
`External Source Communication Link Personal Listening
`6 System
`- 2
`
`Exhibit 1008
`Page 01 of 20
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`Samsung v. Zophonos
`IPR2026-00083
`Exhibit 1008
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`Patent Application Publication Feb. 7,2008 Sheet 1 of 11 US 2008/0031481 A1
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`External Source Communication Link Personal Listening
`8 4 System
`B B 2
`FIGURE 1
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`Exhibit 1008
`Page 02 of 20
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`US 2008/0031481 Al
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`PERSONAL LISTENING DEVICE
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`[0001] This patent claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119
`(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/803,487, filed
`May 30, 2006 and entitled Assistive Listening System, the
`disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein for all
`purposes.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0002] Various hearing aids and earpiece devices are
`known in the art. Many take the form of a Behind-the-Ear
`(BTE), In-The-Ear (ITE), In-the-Canal (ITC), Completely-
`In-The Canal (CIC), or Receiver-in-the-Ear (RIE) compo-
`nent. In a typical hearing aid, the hearing aid is constructed
`with a four-piece structure, e.g. internal components for the
`receiver, receiver housing, surrounding structure, and an ear
`mold or compliant ear dome/tip. The receiver comprises a
`housing that is made of metal or a non-biocompatible
`material. Some wearers may be allergic to metal housing,
`and the wearer may experience discomfort when the receiver
`housing is directly in the ear canal.
`
`[0003] The tissues covering the bony region of the ear are
`relatively thin and, therefore, little or no tolerance for
`expansion exists in this region as compared to the tissues
`covering the cartilaginous region. Inserting the metal
`receiver deeply into the ear canal so that it touches the bony
`region not only damages the tissues in the bony region, but
`the wearer will experience great pain.
`
`[0004] The ear mold or compliant ear dome/tip is attached
`to the surrounding structure and then inserted into the ear
`canal for comfort wear. The ear mold and the surrounding
`structure must be carefully removed in order to reach the
`receiver, and once the receiver has been repaired or replaced,
`the receiver is inserted back into the ear mold and the
`surrounding structure.
`
`[0005] The surrounding structure has been used to accom-
`plish several tasks: protect the user from non-biocompatible
`receiver housing, provide ease of assembling the ear fit
`device, and protect the electrical and mechanical portions of
`the device from ear wax, perspiration, and various environ-
`mental contaminants.
`
`[0006] A disadvantage in using the four-piece structure,
`e.g. internal components for the receiver, receiver housing,
`surrounding structure, and ear mold, for the earphone or the
`hearing aid is that it is very bulky by nature. Also, it is very
`difficult to design and control the design parameters of the
`surrounding structure to suit different receiver and hearing
`aid configurations. It is not suited for low cost mass pro-
`duction. In addition, in some cases, the structure needs to be
`taken apart in order to repair and or replace the receiver.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0007] For a more complete understanding of the disclo-
`sure, reference should be made to the following detailed
`description and accompanying drawings wherein:
`
`[0008] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the communi-
`cation link between a personal listening device and an
`external device according to various embodiments of the
`present invention;
`
`Exhibit 1008
`Page 13 of 20
`
`Feb. 7, 2008
`
`[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a personal listening
`device that may be utilized in various types of devices
`according to various embodiments of the present invention;
`
`[0010] FIG. 3 is a detailed block diagram showing an
`interface between a personal listening device and an external
`device in accordance with various embodiments of the
`present invention;
`
`[0011] FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram of another
`exemplary personal listening device in accordance with
`various embodiments of the present invention;
`
`[0012] FIG. 5 is a simplified block diagram of another
`exemplary personal listening device in accordance with
`various embodiments of the present invention;
`
`[0013] FIG. 6 is a simplified block diagram of another
`exemplary personal listening device in accordance with
`various embodiments of the present invention;
`
`[0014] FIGS. 7A-7C are different views of another exem-
`plary personal listening device in accordance with various
`embodiments of the present invention;
`
`[0015] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of another exem-
`plary personal listening device in accordance with various
`embodiments of the present invention;
`
`[0016] FIGS. 9A-9C are different views of another exem-
`plary personal listening device in accordance with various
`embodiments of the present invention;
`
`[0017] FIGS. 10A-10C are different views of another
`exemplary personal listening device in accordance with
`various embodiments of the present invention;
`
`[0018] FIGS. 11A-11C are different views of another
`exemplary personal listening device in accordance with
`various embodiments of the present invention;
`
`[0019] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of another exem-
`plary personal listening device in accordance with various
`embodiments of the present invention;
`
`[0020] FIGS. 13A-13B is a cross-sectional view of
`another exemplary personal listening device in accordance
`with various embodiments of the present invention;
`
`[0021] FIG. 14 is a sectional view of another exemplary
`personal listening device in accordance with various
`embodiments of the present invention;
`
`[0022] FIG. 15 is a sectional view of another exemplary
`personal listening device in accordance with various
`embodiments of the present invention; and
`
`[0023] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of another exem-
`plary personal listening device in accordance with various
`embodiments of the present invention.
`
`[0024] Skilled artisans will appreciate that all elements in
`the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity. It will
`further be appreciated that certain actions and/or steps may
`be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence
`which those skilled in the art will understand that such
`specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required.
`It will also be understood that the terms and expressions
`used herein have the ordinary meaning as is accorded to such
`terms and expressions with respect to their corresponding
`respective areas of inquiry and study except where specific
`meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.
`
`
`
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`US 2008/0031481 Al
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`[0025] While the present disclosure is susceptible to vari-
`ous modifications and alternative forms, certain embodi-
`ments are shown by way of example in the drawings and,
`these embodiments will be described in detail herein. It will
`be understood, however, that this disclosure is not intended
`to limit the invention to the particular forms described, but
`to the contrary, the invention is intended to cover all
`modifications, alternatives, and equivalents falling within
`the spirit and scope of the invention defined by the appended
`claims.
`
`[0026] FIGS. 1-2 illustrate the flexibility and usefulness of
`a personal listening device 2 to be fitted in the ear, on the ear,
`near the ear, or behind the ear, in accordance with one or
`more of the herein described embodiments. The personal
`listening device 2, which may be virtually any personal
`listening device or system such as a hearing aid 8, an
`earphone 10, a headphone (not shown), a wireless headset
`12, an insert earphone (not shown), and the like. Other
`examples of devices are possible. An optional communica-
`tion link 4, which can be a direct wired link or a wireless
`link, couples the personal listening device 2 to an external
`device 6. The external device 6 may be virtually any
`electronic device, a gaming device and the like such as a
`computer (e.g. a desktop, a laptop 14, a notebook, a tablet
`22, a hand-held computer, a Personal Digital Assistant
`(PDA) 16, etc), a communication device (e.g. cellular tele-
`phone 20, a web-enabled cellular telephone, a cordless
`telephone, a pager, etc), a computer-related peripheral (e.g.
`a printer, a scanner, a monitor, etc), an entertainment device
`(e.g. a television, a radio, a stereo, a tape and/or compact
`disc player, a digital layer 3 (MP3) player, etc), a digital
`camera 18 and the like. Other examples of devices are
`possible. The external device 6 needs only to be capable of
`or configured to be capable of communication over one or
`more public or private communication networks.
`
`[0027] The communication link 4 transmits and receives
`data or signals over the air (in a wireless mode) or over the
`wire (in a wired mode).
`
`[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed block diagram of a
`personal listening device 2. The personal listening device 2
`comprises a first module 30, a second module 40, and a
`communication link 50 adapted to couple or decouple the
`first and second modules 30, 40. In this example, the first and
`second modules 30, 40 may be a Receiver-in-the-Ear (RIE),
`a Behind-the-Ear (BTE), In-the-Ear (ITE), In-the-Canal
`(ITC), Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC) component or com-
`bination thereof. Other examples of devices are possible.
`Alternatively the modules 30, 40 may be integrated to form
`a single device. More aspects about the formation of the
`system 2 are described elsewhere in this specification. At
`least a portion of the personal listening device 2 may be
`optionally coupled to an external device 6 via a second
`communication link 4 adapted to couple or decouple the
`personal listening device 2 and the external device 6. The
`first and second communication links 50, 4 may be virtually
`any communication link, and for example, the communica-
`tion links 50, 4 may be constructed and defined or config-
`ured to operate in a wired mode, a wireless mode, or both
`wired and wireless modes to transmit and receive data or
`signals over the air or over the cable. If the system 2 and the
`external device 6 are constructed in a wireless mode to
`
`Exhibit 1008
`Page 14 of 20
`
`Feb. 7, 2008
`
`radiate signals in the radio frequency (RF) range for
`instance, the system 2 may be at a remote location with
`respect to the external device 6. Alternatively, the system 2
`and the external device 6 may be converted to a wired mode
`by means of plugging the wired link 50 and/or 4.
`
`[0029] The module 30 may include one or more devices,
`e.g. 32 or 34, to deliver an acoustic energy directly to the ear
`canal. The devices 32, 34 may be a receiver, a dual receiver,
`a microphone/receiver, or a microphone with a dual receiver,
`depending on the desired applications. Other types of elec-
`troacoustic transducers are possible. In this example, the
`receiver may be a silicon (micro-electromechanical
`machined, MEMS) receiver, a balanced armature receiver, a
`bone-conduction receiver, or combinations thereof for the
`conversion of an electrical audio frequency signal to an
`acoustic or vibratory signal, depending on the desired appli-
`cations. Alternatively, the devices 32, 34 may be selected to
`have virtually any frequency response. For example, the
`devices 32, 34 may be low-range frequency (LF) receivers,
`mid-range frequency (MF) receivers, high-range frequency
`(HF) receivers, or a combination thereof. The microphone
`may be a silicon (MEMS) condenser microphone, an electret
`microphone, an omni-directional microphone, a directional
`microphone, a dynamic microphone, or a monitor micro-
`phone such as the monitor microphone disclosed in U.S.
`patent Ser. No. 11/382,318, filed on May 9, 2006, the
`disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its
`entirely for all purpose, depending on the desired applica-
`tions. Other types of microphones are possible. The module
`30 may further include other electronic components such as
`a power source 36, a transceiver 38 with an antenna 39, and
`a processor (not shown). The transceiver 38 is configured to
`send and receive signals between the modules 30, 40 via the
`wireless communication link 50. The power source 36 is
`coupled to the rest of the electronic components to provide
`power. The processor (not shown) may be a signal process-
`ing unit, a speech processing unit, a multi-function process-
`ing unit or the like, and it is coupled between the transducers
`32, 34 and the transceiver 38. Other types of processor are
`possible. The antenna 39 is used to transmit and receive
`signals from the transceiver 38. The antenna 39 may be
`external or internal to the module 30. The antenna 39 may
`serve as part of the communication link. Alternatively, the
`antenna 39 may serve as part of the retrieval member to
`remove the module 30 from the ear.
`
`[0030] The module 40 includes at least one device 42. The
`device 42 may be a microphone to receive sound from the
`outside environment. Alternatively, the device 42 may be
`multiple devices such as a microphone/receiver, a dual
`microphone, or a plurality of microphones. The module 40
`may further include other electronic components such as a
`power source 44, a signal processing unit 46, and a trans-
`ceiver 48 with an antenna 49. The microphone 42 converts
`acoustic signals into electrical signals and transfers such
`electrical signals to the signal processing unit 46 for pro-
`cessing before such signals are transmitted to the module 30
`via the optional transceiver 48. Like the transceiver 38 of
`module 30, the transceiver 48 is in operative communication
`with the transducer 42 and/or the external device 6 and is
`configured to transmit and receive wireless communication
`in accordance with any suitable protocol such as Bluetooth,
`Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Home Radio Frequency (Hom-
`eRF), Digital Enhanced Cordless Telephone (DECT), Per-
`sonal Handy System (PHS), wireless LAN (WLAN), or
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`US 2008/0031481 Al
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`other open or proprietary protocols now known or later
`developed that are capable to couple between the modules
`30, 40 and/or the external device 6. The antenna 49 is used
`to transmit and receive signals from the transceiver 48. The
`antenna 49 may be external or internal to the module 40. The
`power source 44 is coupled to the rest of the components of
`the module 40 to provide power. Other circuitry such as a
`speech processing unit, switching means, digital audio com-
`pression and depression, oscillator-FM modulator, multipli-
`ers, expender, FM detector, down-converter and intermedi-
`ate frequency (IF), or the like now known or later developed
`may be provided in the modules 30, 40 to perform certain
`operations.
`
`[0031] The external device 6, such as a mobile phone, has
`the capability to send and receive a wide variety of audio
`signals between the system 2 either by the wired link or a
`wireless link 4, 24 and a wireless network 26. In turn, it is
`connected to the public switched telephone network
`(PSTN). The wireless network 26 may be a cellular network,
`a paging network, or the like. Other types of network are
`possible. The cellular network 26 includes common data
`service network protocols for sending and receiving infor-
`mation to and from the mobile phone such as AMPS (analog
`signal), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Code
`Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Global System for
`Mobile Communications (GSM), Personal Handy System
`(PHS), Digital Enhanced Cordless Telephony (DECT), Gen-
`eral Packet Radio Service (GPRS), or other open or propri-
`etary wireless data service protocols now known or later
`developed. Alternatively, the external device 6 may be other
`types of electronic devices (See FIG. 2) that do not require
`communication with a wireless network.
`
`[0032] FIG. 4 illustrates a simplified block diagram of a
`personal listening device 2. In this example, module 30 is
`electrically coupled to a second module 40 via a wired
`communication link 50. The module 30, which is capable of
`converting amplified signals to acoustic signals before trans-
`mitting to the ear canal of a user, comprises an acoustic
`assembly and a motor assembly that is attached to the
`acoustic assembly via a coupling assembly. The assemblies
`are disposed within a housing 28. The housing 28 may be
`made of any biocompatible material and has no adverse
`effect on the surrounding tissue. More aspects about the
`formation of the module 30 will be discussed in greater
`detail herein. In this example, the module 30 may be a RIE,
`CIC, ITC, ITE, or any body-worn device. Other types of
`listening devices are possible. The module 40 comprises a
`microphone 42 and a signal processing unit 46 disposed in
`a housing 54. Alternatively, the microphone 42 may be
`separated from the signal processing unit 46 and is located
`outside the housing 54. A second communication link (not
`shown) couples the microphone 42 to the module 40 and/or
`the module 30. A microphone 42 comprises a housing (not
`shown) made of any bio-compatible material that is used to
`encapsulate the internal components and is then inserted into
`the auditory canal. The module 40 may be a BTE, ITE, or
`ITC. Other types of listening devices are possible. More than
`one microphone may be provided. The microphone 42
`receives acoustic signals from the external environment and
`converts such signals into electrical signals before the sig-
`nals are transmitted to the signal processor unit 46. The
`signal processor unit 46 then amplifies the signal received
`from the microphone 42 and delivers the processed signal to
`the module 30 via the communication link 50. More aspects
`
`Exhibit 1008
`Page 15 of 20
`
`Feb. 7, 2008
`
`about the formation of the communication link 50 are
`described elsewhere in this specification.
`
`[0033] FIG. 5 illustrates a simplified block diagram of a
`personal listening device 2. In this example, the first and
`second modules 30, 40 are integrated into a single unit. The
`module 30 capable of converting amplified signals to acous-
`tic signals before transmitting to the ear canal of a user
`comprises an acoustic assembly and a motor assembly that
`is attached to the acoustic assembly via a coupling assembly.
`The assemblies are disposed within a housing 28. The
`housing 28 may be made of any biocompatible and has no
`adverse effects on the surrounding tissue in the ear canal.
`The module 40 comprises a microphone 42 and a signal
`processing unit 46. More than one microphone may be
`included. The microphone 42 and the signal processing unit
`46 are disposed in a housing 54. The housing 28 comprises
`a connecting member 52 configured to attach the plastic
`body 28 to the housing 54. Alternatively, the housing 28 of
`the module 30 has a first end adapted to couple and decouple
`with the housing 54 of the module 40 by mechanical
`fastening, crimping, welding, adhesive bonding, or any other
`suitable attachment arrangement now known or later devel-
`oped. The module 30 or 40 is easily removed and replaced
`if the module 30 or 40 fails for any reason. In this example,
`the system 2 may be a CIC, ITC, ITE, BTE, or RIE
`component.
`
`[0034] FIG. 6 illustrates a simplified block diagram of a
`personal listening device 2. In this example, a module 30 is
`a listening device. The listening device 30 may be an
`earphone, an earplug, a headphone, a wireless earphone, a
`wireless headset, a wireless headphone, an insert earphone
`and the like. Other types of devices are possible. The
`listening device 30 comprises at least one earphone to be
`positioned in an ear canal. The earphone 30 may be elec-
`trically coupled to an electronic device 6 via a suitable
`communication link 50 that provides audio signals to the
`earphone 30. Alternatively, a user input device (not shown)
`may be coupled to the earphone 30 to perform different
`functions. The earphone 30 comprises a plastic body 28 to
`be worn by a user. An acoustic assembly and a motor
`assembly coupled to the acoustic assembly via the coupling
`assembly are collectively disposed within the housing 28.
`An outer surface of the body 28 can take various forms or
`shapes adapted for fitting to the user’s ear. Alternatively, an
`ear impression, a sealed mold, an ear tip, an ear mold, an ear
`dome, an ear tube, an ear mold, an ear bud, an ear cone, or
`an ear plug of varying sizes and shapes, or the like may be
`used to cover at least a portion of the body 28. This allows
`the user to wear the listening device 30 comfortably for an
`extended period of time. The body 28 with or without the ear
`tip provides a good seal in the ear. Alternatively, the body 28
`may be smaller in size than the interior of the auditory canal
`whereby the body 28, with or without the ear tip, does not
`occlude the ear canal.
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`[0035] In this example, the external device 6 may be a
`communication device, an audio device, a gaming device, an
`entertainment device, or combination thereof. Other types of
`devices are possible.
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`[0036] FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate different views of a per-
`sonal listening device 2. In this example, the system 2 is
`configured to generate acoustic energy in the ear canal of the
`wearer. The system 2 can function on either ear. In this
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`example, the system 2 is a receiver to drive an acoustic
`signal directly to the ear canal. The system 2 comprises a
`housing 28, a connector assembly 52, and a tube assembly
`62. The housing 28 comprises a top housing 28a and a
`bottom housing 285. Although the top housing 28a and the
`bottom housing 286 are depicted, it is possible to add
`additional structures. For example, a spacer may be added
`between the top housing 28a and the bottom housing 285 to
`increase the overall height and volume of the housing 28 or
`the bottom housing 285 and the top housing 28a may be
`molded as a single structure. A chamber 64 is formed within
`the housing 28 to receive a motor assembly 68. The chamber
`64 may generally be shaped to correspond to the shape and
`configuration of the assemblies 66, 68 but may be formed to
`compliment the various shape of the different examples,
`including a roughly square shape, a cylindrical shape or
`other desired geometry. As shown, the chamber 64 has a
`rectangular in cross-sectional shape. In addition, the scale
`and size of the chamber 64 may vary based on the intended
`applications, operating conditions, required components,
`etc. The outer surface of the housing 28 can take various
`forms or configurations adapted for fitting to the user’s ear.
`The housing 28 may be shaped to fit into the external
`auditory canal without blocking the canal. Alternatively, the
`housing 28 may be designed to comfortably fit in the user’s
`ear and yet provides a good seal. The housing 28 may be
`manufactured from any type of moldable or formable mate-
`rial that is corrosion resistant and bio-compatible for skin
`contact, including plastic, polycarbonate, nylon, liquid crys-
`tal polymer (LCP), PEEK, or any other similar materials.
`Alternatively, part of the housing 28 may be made of
`magnetically soft steel, such as metal injection molded
`material, that is capable of providing electromagnetic shield-
`ing or to function as part of the magnetic return path for the
`motor assembly 68. Such material may be provided to the
`inner wall of the housing 28, between layers of the bio-
`compatible, corrosion-resistant material, or outer wall of the
`housing 28. Yet in another example, the housing 28 may be
`made of any material, including, but is not limited to Acetal
`Copolymer or Homopolymer (POM) (Delrin), Acrylic
`(PMMA), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Cellulose
`Acetate (CA, CB, CP), Polyamide (Nylons), Polyimide
`(Kapton), Polycarbonate (PC) (Lexan), Polyethylene
`Terephthalate (PET), Polyetherimide (PEI) (Ultem), Poly-
`etheretherketone (PEEK), Polyethylene, Polyphenylene
`Oxide (PPO) (Noryl), Polyphenylene Sulphide (PPS),
`Polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene, Polyvinyl Chloride
`(PVC), Styrene Acrylonitrile (SAN/ASA), Polyphtalamide
`(PPA), Polysulphone, polyphenylsulfone (Radel), polybuty-
`lene terephthalate (PBT) (Pocan), Polyphthalamide (PPA),
`Fluoropolymers, Polyarylate, Silicone, or the like. Material
`may be a blend or alloy of these materials. The material may
`or may not include additives for providing strength and
`expansion control such as glass content, carbon fiber, or the
`like. Other materials for providing one or more features,
`including electrical conductivity, magnetic conductivity, UV
`stabilization, moisture absorption, moldability, chemical
`resistance, temperature resistance, flexibility, durability, and
`hardness, may or may not be added to the base material as
`disclosed above. Other types of materials are possible. An
`optional non-biocompatible thin film or layer (not shown)
`may be provided to the housing 28 such that at least a surface
`of the housing is covered by the film or layer. Alternatively,
`the housing 28 comprises alternating layers of material, at
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`Exhibit 1008
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`least one layer of biocompatible material and at least one
`layer of non-biocompatible material. In another example, the
`housing 28 comprises an innermost layer that is made of
`biocompatible material, and at least a portion of the inner
`surface is provided with a non-biocompatible thin film or
`layer. The thin film may be made of any material that
`enhances electromagnetic performance, adhesive character-
`istics, corrosion characteristics, and environmental protec-
`tion such as copper, gold, epoxy, primers, or sealant. Alter-
`natively, other types of thin film used for surface treatments
`in order to enhance adhesion of parts, sealants to encapsu-
`lated and protect parts, paints, treatments, thin films for
`decorative or other reasons may be used. Unlike previous
`listening devices, the overall size of the module 2 is reduced
`and a second housing, also known as a surrounding structure
`is no longer required.
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`[0037] The motor assembly 68 comprises a drive magnet
`(not shown), a magnetic yoke 70, a coil 72 with or without
`a bobbin, an armature 74, and a coupling assembly 76. The
`device 2 further comprises an acoustic assembly 66. The
`acoustic assembly 66 may be a single layer diaphragm
`assembly, a multiple layer diaphragm assembly, or the like.
`The acoustic assembly 66 may be manufactured in a variety
`of shapes and sizes that may or may not correspond to the
`chamber 64 and/or the motor assembly 68. For example, the
`acoustic assembly 66 may be wider and longer or may be
`narrower and shorter than the motor assembly 68. More
`aspects about the configuration of the acoustic assembly 66
`are described elsewhere in this specification. The acoustic
`assembly 66 divides the chamber 64 into a back volume 100
`and a front volume 102.
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`[0038] The coupling assembly 76 may be a drive rod, a
`linkage assembly, a plurality of linkage assemblies, or the
`like. The drive magnet (not shown) may be made of a hard
`magnetic material such as Ferrite, AINiCo, Samarium-Co-
`balt, Neodymium-Iron-Boron, or of any other similar mate-
`rials. Other types of materials are possible. It will be
`understood that virtually any magnet shape or configuration
`suitable for the desired application may suffice. The mag-
`netic yoke 70 may be made of a permeable, soft magnetic
`material, including Nickel-Iron, Nickel-Iron-Molybdenum,
`steels, cobalt-iron-vanadium, or any similar alloys and mate-
`rials. Other types of materials are possible. The magnetic
`yoke 70 may be formed to compliment the various shape and
`size of the different examples. As shown, the magnet is
`fixedly attached to the inner wall of the magnetic yoke 70.
`Although the magnet and the magnetic yoke are a two-piece
`structure, it is possible to construct the magnet and the yoke
`70 as a single unit. The armature 74 is generally U-shaped.
`One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the
`armature 74 may be E-shaped, Y-shaped, or of a different
`configuration and size suitable for the desired application.
`The coil 72 is made of electrically conductive materials
`having thickness and a plurality of turns. In alternate
`examples, the coil may be made of alternating layers of
`insulating and conducting materials. Other types of materi-
`als are possible. As shown in FIG. 7B, the coil 72 is sized
`to conform to the shape of the chamber 64, but may be
`produced in a variety of shapes and sizes that may or may
`not correspond to the chamber 64. For example, the coil 72
`may be an oval shape having a dimension smaller than the
`chamber 64 while the chamber 64 may be manufactured
`having a rectangular shape. An optional acoustic structure
`and/or an electrical structure are disposed in the housing 28.
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`The structures may be acoustic compliances, acoustic resis-
`tances, acoustic inertances, damping, acoustical filters,
`chambers, tubes, ports, vents, electrical filters, or combina-
`tions thereof.
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`[0039] In this example, the armature 74 comprises a
`movable leg extending through the coil 72 and the magnetic
`yoke 70 and a fixed leg secured outside the magnetic yoke
`70 by any known technique. One end of the coupling
`assembly 76 is attached to a free end of the movable
`armature 74 by any known technique and the opposite end
`of the coupling assembly 76 is attached to the acoustic
`assembly 66 by any known technique. Alternatively, the
`diaphragm 6