Patent ID: 8111871

Claim:
A method for operation of a microphone chip, the method comprising: providing a microphone having a diaphragm coupled to a stationary portion by a plurality of springs wherein in a rest position, in the absence of an audio signal, at least a portion of the diaphragm resides internal to a recess within the stationary portion, and wherein when the diaphragm is in the rest position, a gap defining a first distance is formed between the outer periphery of the diaphragm and the stationary portion; providing an input audio signal to the diaphragm of the microphone; as a result of the input audio signal, moving the diaphragm to a position external to the internal recess providing for pressure relief, wherein when the diaphragm is in the position external to the recess, the gap between the outer periphery of the diaphragm and the stationary portion defines a second distance that is greater than the first distance, and wherein the plurality of springs are capable of returning the diaphragm from the position external to the internal recess to the rest position internal to the recess.