Patents by Inventor Donald J. North

Donald J. North has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9369817
    Abstract: A three channel speaker system is provided that includes a three-channel processor to receive a signal from an audio source, where the speaker system includes a center-channel speaker on a first face, a left-channel speaker on a second face, and a right-channel speaker on a third face, where the first face further includes first and second passive radiators positioned on opposite sides of the center-channel speaker, and also includes a fourth face comprising third and fourth passive radiators. Where all three-channel speakers are on a front face, passive radiators may be positioned in between each of the speakers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Inventors: Donald J. North, Dennis H. Barnes, Thomas Richard Farr
  • Patent number: 9288601
    Abstract: A sound system processor for converting left and right channel signals from an audio source into composite left and right signals and employing a mid-side processor, at least one low and high pass filters, and one or more sum processors, together which create at least two or more composite signals for delivery to speaker drivers to generate a broad sound field from a compact multi-speaker sound system source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: AUDIO DESIGN EXPERTS, INC.
    Inventor: Donald J. North
  • Publication number: 20160066098
    Abstract: A speaker system having a voice coil and diaphragm supported within a speaker frame, and three suspension systems, where one suspension system includes at least three wires extending between the voice coil and the speaker frame, one to carry a positive charge, another to carry a negative charge, and yet another one that carries no charge, where the three wires are positioned so as to permit axial movement of the voice coil without restraint of the voice coil by the wires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: AUDIO DESIGN EXPERTS, INC.
    Inventor: Donald J. North
  • Patent number: 9197963
    Abstract: A sound system processor for converting left and right channel signals from an audio source into composite left and right signals and employing at least one low and high pass filters, a plurality of sum processors, and at least one difference processor so as to create at least two or more composite signals for delivery to speaker drivers to generate a broad sound field from a compact multi-speaker sound system source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Audio Design Experts, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald J. North
  • Publication number: 20140355773
    Abstract: A sound system processor for converting left and right channel signals from an audio source into composite left and right signals and employing a mid-side processor, at least one low and high pass filters, and one or more sum processors, together which create at least two or more composite signals for delivery to speaker drivers to generate a broad sound field from a compact multi-speaker sound system source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: AUDIO DESIGN EXPERTS, INC.
    Inventor: Donald J. North
  • Publication number: 20140355797
    Abstract: A three channel speaker system is provided that includes a three-channel processor to receive a signal from an audio source, where the speaker system includes a center-channel speaker on a first face, a left-channel speaker on a second face, and a right-channel speaker on a third face, where the first face further includes first and second passive radiators positioned on opposite sides of the center-channel speaker, and also includes a fourth face comprising third and fourth passive radiators. Where all three-channel speakers are on a front face, passive radiators may be positioned in between each of the speakers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: AUDIO DESIGN EXPERTS, INC.
    Inventors: DONALD J. NORTH, DENNIS H. BARNES, THOMAS RICHARD FARR
  • Patent number: 8804995
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a co-axial speaker system for generating quality hi-fidelity sound with reduced distortion of wave propagation using a generally flat diaphragm and generally flat suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: GGEC America, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald J. North
  • Patent number: 8571252
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a loudspeaker system is provided comprising a motor assembly for driving a diaphragm assembly, where the motor assembly includes a pole piece configured to receive an inductance sleeve. The motor assembly also comprises a permanent magnet, a first shorting ring, and a second shorting ring, with the first and second shorting ring being positioned at least partially within an air gap adjacent the pole piece, and with the first ring positioned adjacent a first side of the permanent magnet and the second shorting ring positioned adjacent a second side of the permanent magnet. The permanent magnet preferably is preferably coated with an insulative material, and may also comprise a plurality of arcuate segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: GGEC America, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald J. North, Thomas Richard Farr
  • Publication number: 20130163806
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a loudspeaker system is provided comprising a motor assembly for driving a diaphragm assembly, where the motor assembly includes a pole piece configured to receive an inductance sleeve. The motor assembly also comprises a permanent magnet, a first shorting ring, and a second shorting ring, with the first and second shorting ring being positioned at least partially within an air gap adjacent the pole piece, and with the first ring positioned adjacent a first side of the permanent magnet and the second shorting ring positioned adjacent a second side of the permanent magnet. The permanent magnet preferably is preferably coated with an insulative material, and may also comprise a plurality of arcuate segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: AURASOUND, INC.
    Inventors: Donald J. North, Thomas Richard Farr
  • Publication number: 20130108085
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a co-axial speaker system for generating quality hi-fidelity sound with reduced distortion of wave propagation using a generally flat diaphragm and generally flat suspension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: Aurasound, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald J. North
  • Patent number: 8175304
    Abstract: A loudspeaker configuration capable of generating stereophonic sound separation from relatively loudspeaker drivers that are not necessarily widely separated. For example, such a loudspeaker configuration can be used to generate relatively good sound separation from a single chassis, such as a single speaker box, a boom box, a clock radio or the like. This can advantageously save space in many environments. One embodiment uses four mid-tweeter speaker drivers and a bass driver. The four mid-tweeter speaker drivers are arranged facing outward approximately 90 degrees apart from each other. A speaker driver facing the listener reproduces a mid channel signal, for example, L+R. A speaker driver facing away from the listener reproduces the same mid channel signal or a delayed version of the mid channel signal. A left facing speaker reproduces a side channel, for example, L?R. A right facing speaker reproduces a side channel, for example, R?L.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Inventor: Donald J. North
  • Patent number: 6801631
    Abstract: A speaker system features a plurality of transducers arranged to produce a sound field similar to that of an acoustic point source. The arrangement of transducers optimizes the sound field by reducing the sound energy directed towards the primary reflective surfaces within the room in which they are placed. In a preferred embodiment, four medium-size transducers (woofers) operate together to reproduce the low-range to mid-range frequencies with the woofers positioned so that no two woofers share a common vertical axis or a common horizontal axis, and so that the horizontal and vertical axes of the woofers are evenly spaced. Preferably a center of a fifth transducer, a high frequency tweeter, is placed at the center of a pattern formed by the center of the woofers. The fifth transducer is set at a depth within the enclosure that is at the same acoustic center as the acoustic center of the woofers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Inventor: Donald J. North
  • Patent number: 6636612
    Abstract: The invention provides a speaker having a number of features that cooperate to provide a small speaker 10 having a high sound pressure level output capability (volume), a wide frequency range, in particular from below 200 Hz to 20,000 Hz, low distortion, and that is magnetically shielded. The speaker 10 is suitable for mounting in, for example, a television where spaces are confined and stray magnetic fields are undesirable, yet high output is desirable and a wide frequency range is desirable to avoid the need for separate middle frequency (midrange) and high frequency (tweeter) speakers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Algo Sound, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald J. North, Dai Z. Lee
  • Publication number: 20030048918
    Abstract: An acoustic transducer is secured to a plate having a front side and a back side. The transducer has an outer body with a front portion and rear portion and is sized to entirely fit inside an electrical gang box. A front-to-back enlarged opening in the plate is sized to receive the front portion of the transducer body. The transducer is secured to the plate so that the front portion is located within the front-to-back opening of the plate and is generally flush with the front side of the plate and most of the transducer body including the rear portion extends behind the plate into the gang box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Geoffrey M. Dillon, Paul Sauer, Donald J. North, Dai Z. Lee, Robert L. Goodman, David Liu