Diaphragm And Enclosure Patents (Class 181/148)
  • Patent number: 11765511
    Abstract: Provided is a speaker, including: a connector and a magnetic circuit unit and a vibration system that are fixed to the connector. The vibration system includes a first diaphragm fixed to the connector and a voice coil driving the first diaphragm to vibrate and sound. The magnetic circuit unit includes a magnet assembly providing driving force to the voice coil and a mounting member fixing the magnet assembly. A bending portion is formed by bending from an edge of the mounting member toward the first diaphragm, and the bending portion is fixedly connected to the connector. With this structure, the first diaphragm is fixedly connected to the mounting member, so as to strengthen the overall strength of the speaker and prevent the deformation of the speaker in its vibrating direction, thereby improving the quality of the speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: AAC Microtech (Changzhou) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Weiwei Tao, Xin Jin
  • Patent number: 11747176
    Abstract: A measuring device that includes a housing and at least one vibration damper attached to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: NETZSCH-Gerätebau GmbH
    Inventors: Jürgen Blumm, Martin Brunner, Reinhard Gschwendtner, Georg Krist, Fabian Wohlfahrt
  • Patent number: 11706556
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an acoustic output apparatus including one or more status sensors, at least one low-frequency acoustic driver, at least one high-frequency acoustic driver, at least two first sound guiding holes, and at least two second sound guiding holes. The status sensors may detect status information of a user. The low-frequency acoustic driver may generate at least one first sound, a frequency of which is within a first frequency range. The high-frequency acoustic driver may generate at least one second sound, a frequency of which is within a second frequency range including at least one frequency exceeding the first frequency range. The first and second sound guiding holes may output the first and second spatial sound, respectively. The first and second sound may be generated based on the status information, and may simulate a target sound coming from at least one virtual direction with respect to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: SHENZHEN SHOKZ CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Lei Zhang, Junjiang Fu, Bingyan Yan, Fengyun Liao, Xin Qi
  • Patent number: 11653143
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a housing having an external-device interface and a sound port to an interior to the housing. A transducer and an electrical circuit are disposed within the housing. The transducer is acoustically coupled to the sound port while the electrical circuit is electrically coupled to the transducer and the external-device interface. A cavity is formed in a portion of the sensor assembly. In some embodiments, the portion is a base of the housing of the sensor assembly. In other embodiments, the portion is a sound port adapter coupled to the sensor assembly. In any case, the cavity is acoustically coupled to the interior of the housing via the sound port and includes a wall portion structured to modify an acoustic property of the sensor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: KNOWLES ELECTRONICS, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Bradt, Usha Murthy, Ben Vondersaar
  • Patent number: 11490188
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an acoustic output device. The acoustic output device may include an earphone core, a controller, a power source, and a flexible circuit board. The earphone core may include at least one low-frequency acoustic driver configured to output sounds from at least two first guiding holes and the at least one high-frequency acoustic driver configured to output sounds from at least two second guiding holes. The controller may be configured to direct the at least one low-frequency acoustic driver to output the sounds in a first frequency range and direct the at least one high-frequency acoustic driver to output the sounds in a second frequency range. The power source may be configured to provide power supply for the earphone core. The flexible circuit board may be configured to connect the earphone core with the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: SHENZHEN SHOKZ CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Lei Zhang, Junjiang Fu, Bingyan Yan, Fengyun Liao, Xin Qi
  • Patent number: 11437967
    Abstract: An information handling system housing forms an audio chamber within which a speaker generates audible noise based upon audible information. An adaptive material, such as an electroactive polymer, is disposed at an opening formed in the audio chamber to selectively expand to increase the audio chamber size and contract to decrease the audio chamber size. An increased audio chamber volume enhances audible noise, such as music or audio associated with audiovisual content. A decrease audio chamber can improve airflow within the housing, such as during times of thermal stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Deeder M. Aurongzeb, Allen B. McKittrick, Weijong Sheu
  • Patent number: 11425482
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an acoustic output apparatus. The acoustic output apparatus may include at least one acoustic driver. The at least one acoustic driver may generate sound that is output through at least two sound guiding holes. Further, the acoustic output apparatus may include a supporting structure. The supporting structure may be configured to support the at least one acoustic driver. A baffle may be disposed between the at least two sound guiding holes. The baffle may increase an acoustic distance from at least one sound guiding hole of the at least two sound guiding holes to a user's ear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: SHENZHEN SHOKZ CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Lei Zhang, Junjiang Fu, Bingyan Yan, Fengyun Liao, Xin Qi
  • Patent number: 11330364
    Abstract: A ported speaker assembly includes an outer enclosure having a front opening. An inner frame of the speaker assembly is positioned at least partially within the outer enclosure and has an outer perimeter edge proximate the front opening of the outer enclosure. A resonator chamber is defined between an interior of the outer enclosure and an exterior of the inner frame. At least one speaker driver is mounted to the inner frame and configured to emit sound from a front end of the ported speaker assembly. A perimeter port is formed between the outer perimeter portion of the inner frame and the front opening of the outer enclosure. The perimeter port extends uninterrupted to encircle the outer perimeter portion. A plurality of fastener joints secure the inner frame to the outer enclosure, and at least some are distributed around multiple sides of the inner frame and positioned closer to the front opening of the outer enclosure than a rear end of the inner frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Mark Delay, Andrew Pardoe, Nolen Ryba
  • Patent number: 11140474
    Abstract: An active and passive radiator configuration and method is disclosed which provides surrounds overlapped on active moving elements of the acoustic radiators avoiding interference between the surround elements and adjacent pieces during acoustic radiator, active element motion, in operation. Single and dual suspension arrangements are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Inventor: Joseph Yaacoub Sahyoun
  • Patent number: 10966009
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes: a display panel configured to display an image, a supporting member on a rear surface of the display panel, at least one sound generation device adjacent to the display panel, a wiring configured to transfer a signal to the at least one sound generation device, and a supporting plate on the rear surface of the display panel, the supporting plate being under the at least one sound generation device and the wiring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sungtae Lee, KwanHo Park, YeongRak Choi
  • Patent number: 10856081
    Abstract: A method for adjusting audio being outputted through a beam forming loudspeaker array. Program audio is rendered to drive the loudspeaker array to produce sound beams having i) a main content pattern that is aimed at a listener, superimposed with ii) several diffuse content patterns that are aimed away from the listener. In response to receiving an alert message that refers to alert audio, the portion of the program audio in the main pattern is moved into the diffuse patterns, and the alert audio is rendered to drive the loudspeaker array so that the portion of the program audio in the main pattern is replaced with the alert audio. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Afrooz Family, Gary I. Butcher, Hugo D. Verweij, David C. Graham, Imran A. Chaudhri, Marcos Alonso Ruiz, Christopher J. Stringer
  • Patent number: 10841699
    Abstract: The present embodiments relates to a display panel configured to display images, a plurality of sound generating actuators in a plurality of sound output areas, the sound generating actuators configured to vibrate the display panel to generate sound, and a partition that is between each of the plurality of sound output areas and surrounds at least one of the plurality of sound output areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: YeongRak Choi, KwanHo Park, Sungtae Lee, Kwangho Kim
  • Patent number: 10785571
    Abstract: A speaker capable of active cooling includes a basin frame, and a vibration system and a magnetic circuit system accommodated in the basin frame. The vibration system includes a diaphragm and a voice coil fixed on the diaphragm through a top end of a winding portion thereof. The magnetic circuit system includes a T-iron, a magnet and a washer, wherein the washer and the magnet are located above the T-iron, a magnetic gap is formed between the washer and the magnet and the T-iron, and the voice coil moves up and down in the magnetic gap. The speaker further comprises an active cooling module fixed to a back of the T-iron, and the active cooling module cools the magnetic circuit system by means of heat conduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Tymphany Acoustic Technology (Huizhou) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zhiwen Chen
  • Patent number: 10764661
    Abstract: Loudspeaker enclosures and loudspeaker devices are provided. In some embodiments, a loudspeaker device is provided, the loudspeaker device comprising: a loudspeaker enclosure, comprising: a rear side; and a front side of the loudspeaker enclosure comprising: a lower portion of the front side comprising a first opening for receiving a first loudspeaker and a second opening for receiving a second loudspeaker; and an upper portion of the front side comprising a third opening for receiving a third loudspeaker, a first port, and a second port, wherein a distance from the lower portion of the front side to the rear side is greater than a distance from the upper portion of the front side to the rear side; the first loudspeaker positioned in the first opening; the second loudspeaker positioned in the second opening; and the third loudspeaker positioned in the third opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Warner Music Inc.
    Inventor: George Augspurger
  • Patent number: 10671114
    Abstract: A display device includes: a display panel; a plurality of vibro-acoustic elements coupled to the display panel and spaced apart from each other on a lower surface of the display panel; and a bracket disposed below the display panel and including a bottom plate, where a plurality of receiving holes is defined through the bottom plate. The plurality of vibro-acoustic elements is disposed in the plurality of receiving holes, respectively, a vibration space is defined by a portion of the bottom plate defining a receiving hole of the receiving holes, which is recessed from an upper surface toward a lower surface of the bottom plate, and audio frequencies in different frequency bands, respectively, is produced from regions in which the plurality of vibro-acoustic elements are disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yi Joon Ahn, Sung Chul Kim, Jung Hun Noh, Keun Kyu Song, Hye Yong Chu
  • Patent number: 10662692
    Abstract: A door of a motor vehicle, in particular a tailgate, having a section made of a plastic, and having a metallic strut embedded in the section, and having an ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic transducer is acoustically coupled to the strut. An electromotor door drive of a motor vehicle is also provided as well as a metallic strut of a door of a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft
    Inventors: Christoph Brueckner, Bernd Herthan
  • Patent number: 10531196
    Abstract: A method for adjusting audio being outputted through a beam forming loudspeaker array. Program audio is rendered to drive the loudspeaker array to produce sound beams having i) a main content pattern that is aimed at a listener, superimposed with ii) several diffuse content patterns that are aimed away from the listener. In response to receiving an alert message that refers to alert audio, the portion of the program audio in the main pattern is moved into the diffuse patterns, and the alert audio is rendered to drive the loudspeaker array so that the portion of the program audio in the main pattern is replaced with the alert audio. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Afrooz Family, Gary I. Butcher, Hugo D. Verweij, David C. Graham, Imran A. Chaudhri, Marcos Alonso Ruiz, Christopher J. Stringer
  • Patent number: 10524043
    Abstract: A speaker apparatus according to an embodiment includes a panel, one or more vibration elements, a drive unit, and a reflection part. The one or more vibration elements vibrate the panel. The drive unit applies a driving signal to the one or more vibration elements to form a striped vibration region on the panel. The driving signal is obtained by modulating a carrier wave of an ultrasonic band by a sound signal of an audible frequency band. The reflection part reflects at least one of first and second ultrasonic waves, which are generated from the vibration region and advancing in respective different directions, so as to bring an advancing direction of the first ultrasonic wave and that of the second ultrasonic wave close to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO TEN Limited
    Inventors: Masahiko Kubo, Keiichiro Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10506315
    Abstract: An acoustical screen that can be utilized in a variety of applications including as part of a projection screen to cover and hide the presence of an audio speaker. The acoustical screen is formed using multiple hole sizes, e.g., three or more hole diameters or outer dimensions if not round. These differently-sized holes are placed in pseudo-random positions so that there is no perceivable repeating pattern of hole placement in the acoustical screen. By avoiding an ordered grid of holes of a single diameter as in prior speaker grills, the new acoustical screen disguises the visible reflection pattern through non-uniformity. It also provides an improved acoustic transmission surface that allows sound with a greater variety of wavelengths to pass while reflecting a less pronounced echo. The acoustical screen will be in demand for use in entertainment venues using projection systems with speakers positioned behind a front projected screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Steven M. Chapman, Mason Daryl Lev, Bryan L. Jolley, Jeffrey A. Davis, Thomas F. Laduke
  • Patent number: 10484785
    Abstract: A loudspeaker cabinet having at least one side wall defining a side wall perimeter; a front wall mounted to the at least one side wall along the side wall perimeter, the front wall having a front surface; wherein a central area of the front surface is positioned within the side wall perimeter, an extended area of the front surface extends beyond the side wall perimeter, and a portion of the extended area is configured to provide a gradual transition to open free space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: IMAX Corporation
    Inventor: Denis Gilles Tremblay
  • Patent number: 10419855
    Abstract: An audio appliance includes an oscillatable diaphragm, a first heat-dissipation unit, a second heat-dissipation unit, and a control unit. The first heat-dissipation unit dissipates heat at a first rate and the second heat-dissipation unit dissipates heat at a second rate. The control unit can receive an indication of a temperature of the first heat-dissipation unit and an indication of a temperature of the second heat-dissipation unit. The control unit provides oscillation control of the oscillatable diaphragm to maintain the temperature of the first heat-dissipation unit below a first threshold and/or to maintain the temperature of the second heat-dissipation unit below a second threshold. The control unit can provide the oscillation control responsive to each of the indication of the temperature of the first heat-dissipation unit and the indication of the temperature of the second heat-dissipation unit exceeding a respective threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua L. Hare, Daniel C. Klingler, Daniel S. Naito, Richard M. Powell
  • Patent number: 10362389
    Abstract: A loudspeaker system comprises a driver mounted within the interior of a single-reflex band-pass box which is self-draining to protect the driver from exposure to standing water. The band-pass box may be mounted at the stern of a boat to direct acoustic energy from the driver to an individual being towed behind it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: JL Audio, Inc.
    Inventors: Lucio Proni, Bellal J Hamze, Donald C Nesbit, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10306353
    Abstract: The invention relates to an acoustic impedance matching device arranged so as to be mounted behind a loudspeaker. Said device comprises a chamber at least partially filled with an absorbent material. Said device is characterized in that the cross-section of the chamber increases with the distance from the loudspeaker, and the density of the absorbent material increases with the distance from the loudspeaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: FOCAL JMLAB
    Inventor: Shintaro Hosoi
  • Patent number: 10277985
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a speaker module. The speaker module comprises an inner cavity defined by a shell, and a first induction coil. A single speaker piece is provided in the inner cavity of the shell, the first induction coil is configured to be electrically connected with a terminal device, and a second induction coil, which corresponds to the first induction coil and is configured to be electrically connected with a voice coil in the single speaker piece, is also provided on the shell. According to the speaker module, an output end of a complete machine and the voice coil are conducted through the first induction coil and the second induction coil; and by the adoption of such a structure, the space of the module can be greatly saved, and a lighter and thinner complete machine can be developed. In addition, the problems, such as poor performance due to the change of the resistance value in a traditional electro-acoustic connection way, can be solved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Goertek.Inc
    Inventors: Zhibing Zhang, Gang Chen
  • Patent number: 10241746
    Abstract: A boat includes a dash positioned proximate a windshield at a first non-zero angle. A speaker is mounted under a top surface of the dash at a second non-zero angle. The speaker is positioned to direct sound emanating from the speaker through an opening in the dash and the windshield is configured to reflect the sound emanating from the speaker as reflected sound in an aft direction. The boat may also include an enclosure having a reflective surface positioned within a cavity formed between the deck and hull of the boat. A speaker, mounted within the enclosure, and the reflective surface are configured to reflect sound emanating from the speaker off of the reflective surface and through an opening of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: MasterCraft Boat Company, LLC
    Inventors: Darren S. Sheedy, David F. Ekern
  • Patent number: 10200782
    Abstract: A speaker structure includes a speaker box, a speaker unit, and an elastic component. An air pressure inside the speaker box is lower than that outside the speaker box. The speaker unit is disposed on the speaker box and includes a first vibrating assembly. The elastic component is disposed in the speaker box and connected to the first vibrating assembly and the speaker box in the speaker unit. When the speaker unit operates, the first vibrating assembly of the speaker unit vibrates, and the elastic component produces a pre-force correspondingly, the total pressure of the pre-force and the air pressure inside the speaker box equals to the air pressure outside the speaker box to balance the first vibrating assembly at an equilibrium position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC.
    Inventors: Lai-Shi Huang, Yen-Hsin Ho
  • Patent number: 10187731
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive audio pickup comprises an audio detection circuit. The audio detection circuit comprises at least one linear magnetoresistive sensor, a coupling capacitance, an AC amplifier, and a signal processing circuit comprising an additional amplifier. The linear magnetoresistive sensor comprises at least one single-axis linear magnetoresistive sensor unit. The linear magnetoresistive sensors are placed in a measurement plane above a speaker's voice coil, the signal output end of each single-axis linear magnetoresistive sensor unit is capacitively coupled to the AC amplifier which provides AC signals through electrical connection to the amplifier, these signals are combined within the signal processing unit into an audio signal, and the audio signal is output from the circuit; each single-axis linear sensor unit is located in the linear response area of the measurement plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: MultiDimension Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhimin Zhou, James Geza Deak, Haiping Guo
  • Patent number: 10051374
    Abstract: A loudspeaker is provided with a magnet assembly with an overall length aligned along a longitudinal axis and a frame with a wall encircled around the magnet assembly with a length aligned along the longitudinal axis, wherein the magnet assembly and the wall define a voice coil gap. The loudspeaker is also provided with a voice coil disposed in the voice coil gap; wherein the magnet assembly is symmetrically aligned with the wall such that a halfway point of the overall length of the magnet assembly coincides with a midpoint of the length of the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Brian Sterling
  • Patent number: 10003883
    Abstract: A sealed speaker system includes an enclosure and a transducer diaphragm mounted within the enclosure, where an increase in air pressure within the enclosure results in an outward movement of the diaphragm toward an exterior of the enclosure, and a decrease in air pressure within the enclosure results in an inward movement of the diaphragm toward an interior of the enclosure. A pressure vent is provided in the enclosure and allows a gradual transfer of air between the enclosure interior and the enclosure exterior to substantially maintain a pressure equilibrium between the enclosure interior and the enclosure exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Jerry Moro
  • Patent number: 9997081
    Abstract: An audio demonstration kit encourages understanding of audio concepts by enabling children to construct and study speaker performance. In a particular example, the audio demonstration kit includes a paper speaker and instructions. The paper speaker includes a backplate, a suspension, and a diaphragm cut from a single sheet of paper. The demonstration kit may feature an amplifier that is configurable to accommodate various hardware additions as a child is ready for more progressively challenging construction. For example, the amplifier of an example allows single and dual mode operation, as well as drives a rotary motor and is coordinated with a strobe light. The amplifier of an example is synchronized with the strobe light and a moveable platform to create the impression of that jiggling figures attached to the table are dancing. Interfaces with smart phone, recording, and other technologies further enhances and encourages the learning experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: BOSE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lee Zamir, Laszlo Otto Drimusz
  • Patent number: 9980037
    Abstract: A speaker includes: an open-backed speaker unit, a housing, and a fin unit. The housing is disposed so as to cover a rear side of the speaker unit, and forms a back cavity with the speaker unit. The fin unit is disposed in the back cavity, and includes an annular or arc-like fin, which approaches a rear side of the housing as going from a center of the speaker unit toward an outer diameter side thereof, and expands in diameter as separating from the speaker unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: JVC KENWOOD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Miwa, Hikaru Nagata
  • Patent number: 9947310
    Abstract: An acoustic conversion device for an active noise control is provided. The acoustic conversion device can effectively suppress or remove noise by controlling variation in a lowest resonance frequency. A volume of a closed space is smaller than an equivalent compliance air volume of a speaker unit. Therefore, motion of a vibration plate, an edge and a damper is suppressed, it is possible to restrain the edge and the damper from being deteriorated with time, variation in lowest resonance frequency can be suppressed, phase of emitted sound can be less prone to be deviated from opposite phase of noise, and it is possible to effectively suppress or remove noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignees: PIONEER CORPORATION, TOHOKU PIONEER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Junichi Iida
  • Patent number: 9900699
    Abstract: A speaker device includes: a diaphragm that radiates sound; an edge arranged in an outer periphery of the diaphragm; a frame arranged in an outer periphery of the edge, and including an annular attachment part connected to an outer peripheral region of the edge; and a connecting member arranged between the outer peripheral region and the attachment part and adhered to the outer peripheral region and the attachment part. An inner diameter of the attachment part is less than an inner diameter of the outer peripheral region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignees: PIONEER CORPORATION, TOHOKU PIONEER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shintaro Niidera
  • Patent number: 9843400
    Abstract: A passive, linear arrangement of a sonic crystal-based apparatus and method including a 1D sonic crystal, a nonlinear medium, and an acoustic low-pass filter, for permitting unidirectional broadband ultrasound propagation as a collimated beam for underwater, air or other fluid communication, are described. The signal to be transmitted is first used to modulate a high-frequency ultrasonic carrier wave which is directed into the sonic crystal side of the apparatus. The apparatus processes the modulated signal, whereby the original low-frequency signal exits the apparatus as a collimated beam on the side of the apparatus opposite the sonic crystal. The sonic crystal provides a bandpass acoustic filter through which the modulated high-frequency ultrasonic signal passes, and the nonlinear medium demodulates the modulated signal and recovers the low-frequency sound beam. The low-pass filter removes remaining high-frequency components, and contributes to the unidirectional property of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: U.S. Department of Energy
    Inventors: Dipen N. Sinha, Cristian Pantea
  • Patent number: 9813803
    Abstract: An electrical speaker assembly has a speaker element and two caps. The speaker element has two sides. The caps are attached respectively to the two sides of the speaker element, and each cap has a resonance space between the cap and a corresponding one of the sides of the speaker element, wherein one of the caps has a wire notch defined in the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Inventor: Wu-Hsu Lin
  • Patent number: 9807481
    Abstract: In particular embodiments, a smart speaker includes a speaker, a housing with a speaker grille portion, a circuit board, and one or more indirect input sensors (e.g. an antenna or a proximity sensor). The grille can comprise a first plurality of openings. The circuit board can reside behind the grille and in front of the speaker (e.g. in the path of sound transmission from the speaker). The circuit board can be a substrate for the one or more indirect input sensors. The circuit board can further comprise a second plurality of openings, at least some of which align with at least some of the openings in the grille, thereby providing sound transmission through the circuit board, while providing improved access for the sensors to the local environment in the vicinity of the smart speaker. Several embodiments enable the region behind the speaker grille to accomplish the dual functions sensing the local environment and sound transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Inventor: James Thomas O'Keeffe
  • Patent number: 9807513
    Abstract: An electroacoustic transducer comprising an electromechanical transducer and a vibratory component. The latter has a generally cylindrical side wall, an outwardly directed portion at the base of the side wall, and a generally planar vibratory top wall extending inwardly from the rim of the side wall further from its base to close the upper end of the cylindrical side wall. The said outwardly directed portion is mounted on the electromechanical transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Gill Instruments Limited
    Inventor: Anthony Charles Robert Stickland
  • Patent number: 9743165
    Abstract: A method of mounting a speaker to a wall having an opening defined therein includes attaching a top portion of the speaker to the wall. The top portion of the speaker is attached to the wall by a first clip. The method also includes swinging a bottom portion of the speaker toward the wall with the wall at an upper side of the opening between the top portion of the speaker and the first clip until a space between the bottom portion of the speaker and a second clip is substantially aligned with the wall at a lower side of the opening. The method further includes sliding the speaker away from the wall at the upper side of the opening to cause the wall at the lower side of the opening to be between the bottom portion of the speaker and the second clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Inventor: Oren Mordechai
  • Patent number: 9736573
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a sound system. The sound system includes a box body and a loudspeaker arranged in the box body. An internal space of the box body is partitioned into a first chamber and a second chamber by a partition board in a sounding vibration direction of the loudspeaker. A vibration side of the loudspeaker is intercommunicated with the first chamber, and a side of the loudspeaker opposite to the vibration side is intercommunicated with the second chamber. At least one of the first chamber and the second chamber is intercommunicated with the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yongda Ma, Yuxin Zhang, Jian Xu
  • Patent number: 9729972
    Abstract: A speaker device includes: a diaphragm that radiates sound; an edge arranged in an outer periphery of the diaphragm; a frame arranged in an outer periphery of the edge, and including an annular attachment part connected to an outer peripheral region of the edge; and a connecting member arranged between the outer peripheral region and the attachment part and adhered to the outer peripheral region and the attachment part. An inner diameter of the attachment part is less than an inner diameter of the outer peripheral region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignees: PIONEER CORPORATION, TOHOKU PIONEER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shintaro Niidera
  • Patent number: 9699922
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to an interactive audio pass-through device constructed as a portable unit that houses Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth wireless hardware and software, a microprocessor for processing a unique queuing algorithm for a plurality of users, and a plurality of colored light sources for visually indicating the queue to the users. The queuing algorithm assigns specific Bluetooth codes to users' Bluetooth devices, and a user software application loaded on the users' Bluetooth enabled devices allows the device to stream content wirelessly using its unique Bluetooth code to the interactive audio pass-through device. The microprocessor also allows private interactive chats among users in the queue, and also includes administrator control software to allow the unit's owner to set parameters for the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: APS Customs, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Selken
  • Patent number: 9693470
    Abstract: An electric device includes: a device body; and a frame guard. The device body has a plurality of surfaces for defining a three-dimensional configuration. The frame guard is configured to guard the device body. The frame guard is connected to the device body and disposed outside the device body. The plurality of surfaces is all disposed inside the frame guard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takafumi Itoh, Masanori Okada, Rui Akiba, Masato Sakai
  • Patent number: 9681215
    Abstract: A speaker module includes a casing and a speaker unit housed and fixed in the casing, a rear acoustic cavity being formed between the casing and the speaker unit, wherein at least one baffle wall is provided on the casing in the rear acoustic cavity and divides the rear acoustic cavity into at least two cavities, and wherein at least one slit is formed between the baffle walls or on the baffle wall, so that sound generated by the speaker unit can spread to an adjacent cavity inside the rear acoustic cavity through the slit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: GOERTEK INC.
    Inventors: Yitao Liu, Zhigan Dai, Qing Miao
  • Patent number: 9635444
    Abstract: A flat panel sound system (400) includes an acoustic backing (410) and stand-offs (412) on its back side. The stand-offs (412) are interposed between a frame (406) or housing (408) and the wall on which the sound system (400) is mounted. The sound system (400) further includes an electronic housing (414) and exciters (404) mounted on the frame (406). The electronics within the electronic housing (414) receive wireless inputs from a user interface and drive the exciters (404) to produce an audio output. The stand-offs (412) inhibit transmission of vibrations to the wall and allow acoustic waves to emanate the back side of the flat panel system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: SoundWall LLC
    Inventors: David Hose, Sven Coppom
  • Patent number: 9628880
    Abstract: Wireless-enabled loudspeaker includes a wooden capacitive touch user interface. The loudspeaker may comprise at least one electroacoustic transducer, a processor in communication with the at least one electroacoustic transducer, and a wooden exterior surface comprising a capacitive touch user interface that allows a user to control operation of the loudspeaker. The wooden exterior surface acts a dielectric for the capacitive touch user interface. The loudspeaker may comprise a wireless transceiver circuit for receiving and transmitting wireless communication signals via a wireless network. The wireless transceiver circuit may receive wirelessly audio content from streaming audio content servers that are connected to the Internet. The capacitive touch user interface comprises a plurality of user control icons etched in the wooden exterior surface, and a plurality of capacitive sense electrodes located under the wooden exterior surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: KOSS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael J. Koss, Michael J. Pelland, Nicholas Blair
  • Patent number: 9615154
    Abstract: A terminal includes a first upper carrier including a speaker grill housed as a separate piece in a penetrating hole formed at one surface, and a second upper carrier having an antenna pattern in at least one surface and being coupled to one end of the first upper carrier. A method of manufacturing a terminal having a speaker device, comprises forming a penetrating hole to house the speaker device at one surface of a first upper carrier, coupling a speaker grill to the penetrating hole, forming an antenna pattern at one surface of a second upper carrier separated from the first upper carrier and coupling the first upper carrier and the second upper carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD
    Inventors: Joon Heo, Junhui Lee
  • Patent number: 9609411
    Abstract: A device for protecting a microphone sensing surface, such as a diaphragm, from the detrimental effects of the ambient environment. The device incorporates a perforated surface to protect the microphone and in conjunction with a chamber volume creates an acoustic resonance in the 1 kHz to 20 kHz spectrum, which improves the microphone signal-to-noise ratio performance. The microphone is acoustically coupled to the chamber volume for sensing pressure of the ambient environment. There is no line of sight to the microphone sensing surface from the ambient environment, so that rain, wind and sand have no direct path to the microphone sensing surface. The perforations of the outer surface are small to prevent objects from contacting the microphone sensing surface via a direct path. Water drains from the chamber volume and does not become trapped if an embodiment of the invention is temporarily submerged so that the microphone returns to normal operation quickly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Red Tail Hawk Corporation
    Inventor: John W. Parkins
  • Patent number: 9510099
    Abstract: Provided is a speaker device with which high strength can be obtained for the connection between an outer peripheral region of an edge and an attachment part of a frame, even while reducing a size of the speaker device without sacrificing a breadth of a diaphragm and the edge. This speaker device (10, 20, 30) includes: a diaphragm (11, 21) that radiates sound; an edge (12, 22, 32) arranged in an outer periphery of the diaphragm (11, 21); a frame (13, 33) arranged in an outer periphery of the edge (12, 22, 32) and including an annular attachment part (13a, 33a) connected to an outer peripheral region (12b, 22b, 32b) of the edge (12, 22, 32); and an annular connecting member (17) arranged between the outer peripheral region (12b, 22b, 32b) and the attachment part (13a, 33a) and adhered to the outer peripheral region (12b, 22b, 32b) and the attachment part (13a, 33a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignees: PIONEER CORPORATION, TOHOKU PIONEER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shintaro Niidera
  • Patent number: 9503796
    Abstract: In one aspect, a speaker kit includes a first portion of a speaker housing, and an electroacoustic driver that can be secured to the housing first portion. The kit has one or more additional portions of the speaker housing. One of the one or more additional housing portions has at least one electrical component secured thereto. The kit also has one or more mechanisms that can be used to hold the housing portions together such that the housing portions form an acoustic seal that encompasses an acoustic volume. The one or more mechanisms are removable from the housing portions such that the housing portions can be moved away from each other without damage to the housing portions or the one or more mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Lee Zamir, Michael Andrew Zalisk, Darius Darayes Mobed, Daniel D. Najemy
  • Patent number: 9307314
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic device including: a housing having a sound emission hole formed in at least one side thereof; a speaker module which is at least partially accommodated in the housing; and a sound reflection surface formed inside the housing and obliquely facing the speaker module. A sound emitted from the speaker module can be reflected by the sound reflection surface to the sound emission hole. The side acoustic emission type speaker device and the electronic device including the same can be variously implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ji-Hoon Kim, In-Ho Jeong, Jong-Heon Ha, Ho-Yun Lee, Bong-Hee Kang, Joong-Hak Kwon, Ki-Won Kim, Byoung-Hee Lee, Ho-Chul Hwang