Patent ID: 6028752
Filing Date: 2000-02-22
Classification: G11C

Abstract:
A miniaturized device for receiving and playing back sound comprising:a combination sound pick-up microphone and playback loudspeaker defined by the same piezoelectric component operable as a microphone in a first mode and as a loudspeaker in a second mode;a power source;electronic circuitry connecting said combination sound pick-up microphone and playback loudspeaker to the power source; andsaid electronic circuitry including impedance-altering circuitry operable to provide an impedance at an elevated magnitude with respect to the piezoelectric component when the piezoelectric component is employed in the first mode as a microphone;said impedance-altering circuitry being further operable to provide an impedance at a lower magnitude with respect to the piezoelectric component to drive the piezoelectric component when the piezoelectric component is employed in the second mode as a loudspeaker, wherein said electronic circuitry includes a printed circuit board separate from said piezoelectric component and having integrated circuit means provided thereon defining respective record and play channels connected to the said piezoelectric component and further including a support plate on which each of said piezoelectric component and said printed circuit board are respectively disposed;an outer peripheral frame of non-conductive adhesive foam material arranged along the peripheral margin of said support plate and surrounding said piezoelectric component and said printed circuit boarda non-conductive protective sheet fixed to said outer peripheral adhesive foam frame along one marginal edge thereof and adapted to overlie said outer peripheral adhesive foam frame and said piezoelectric component and said printed circuit board located within said adhesive foam frame;further including first and second control switches respectively connected to said printed circuit board to control the record channel and the play channel provided by the integrated circuit means thereon; anda non-conductive sheet of adhesive foam material mounted on the back of said printed circuit board and having a notch defined therein for receiving said first and second control switches.