Driven Diverse Static Structure (e.g., Wall, Sounding Board) Patents (Class 381/152)
  • Patent number: 8107667
    Abstract: A loudspeaker diaphragm includes a tapering edge region. Thus, it is possible to prevent or considerably reduce wave reflection and uncontrolled wave propagation caused thereby in a cheap and effective manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Daniel Beer, Heinz Gensicke, Sandra Brix, Thomas Sporer, Martin Kuster
  • Patent number: 8103024
    Abstract: A door leaf includes a stiff, light structural part that maintains fed-in vibrational energy and, by flexural waves, propagates this energy in at least one active surface perpendicular to its thickness to distribute resonance mode vibration components over at least one surface, which has specified, preferred locations or sites within it for transducer devices, which are affixed on the structural part at one of the locations or sites to set the structural part into vibration and to allow it to resonate, thus creating an acoustic radiator that delivers an acoustic output signal when it vibrates in resonance, the front and/or the rear cover panel of the door leaf being part of the stiff, light structural component. The transducer(s) is/are situated between the cover panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bachmann, Gerhard Krump, Hans-Juergen Regl, Andreas Ziganki
  • Patent number: 8090124
    Abstract: A method of mounting a flat panel speaker is provided which is capable of reliably preventing entry of dust and of shortening assembling time. By bonding a gasket member to a diaphragm, by pasting a separator to a gasket member side opposite to the diaphragm and, by sandwiching the diaphragm and the gasket member from both sides, a gasket-attached diaphragm is fabricated. After peeling off a protecting sheet on a rear side of the gasket-attached diaphragm, the actuator module is bonded to the diaphragm. Then, after peeling the separator from the gasket-attached diaphragm, positioning is performed on the diaphragm and the gasket member is bonded to a putting-face of the front case. The entry of dust into a region corresponding to a liquid crystal display panel is blocked by a partitioning portion of the gasket member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Takahiro Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 8090140
    Abstract: A speaker has an acoustic diaphragm, and an actuator that is driven based on an acoustic signal. The actuator has a transmission portion that is directly or indirectly attached to the acoustic diaphragm and transmits a displacement output of the actuator to the acoustic diaphragm. The actuator vibrates with the acoustic diaphragm by at least its component of the vibration along a plane of the acoustic diagram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Nobukazu Suzuki, Masaru Uryu, Yoshio Ohashi
  • Patent number: 8085955
    Abstract: A transducer including a frame and a panel disposed within the frame and coupled to the frame such that the panel may rotate relative to the frame about a rotational axis. The transducer includes an actuator positioned to engage the panel such that the panel rotates about the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventor: Todd Henry
  • Patent number: 8077884
    Abstract: Transducers and resonators are embedded in body support structures in contact with a user to for the purpose of conveying musical sound energy to a user's body at selected frequencies and in selected patterns. Body support structures comprise beds, pillows, chairs, and other structures typically used to support people. The sound may be audio tones and/or music. The transducers and resonators may be incorporated into a foam component or in a coil spring component of the body support structure. Latex-type foams and beds made with springs are candidate body support structures for receiving transducer's and resonators. Electro-active polymers are also used as transducers. Floor systems are activated by both mechanical transducers and electro-active polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: So Sound Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Barry Oser, Suzannah Long
  • Patent number: 8073162
    Abstract: A speaker includes a sound source, a rod-like member whose base end is in contact with the sound source, and a pair of flexible wing members whose ends are attached to the tip of the rod shape member, and whose other ends are free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Inventor: Yukihiro Ando
  • Publication number: 20110280417
    Abstract: The invention refers to a device (3) for actuating a membrane arranged in an opening to a space, and a vehicle having such a device. The membrane (1) has a first surface (1?) and a second opposite surface (1?), and is limited by an edge area. The device includes a first strip (5) to be attached to the first surface of the membrane in the edge area, and a second strip (6) to be attached to a surface of a frame portion extending around the opening. An exchanging number (8) is arranged between and connecting the first strip with the second strip. An actuating member (20) is arranged to transfer a reciprocating primary movement to the exchanging member converting the primary movement to a reciprocating secondary movement, which has a longer length of stroke than the primary movement and acts on the strips to move towards and away from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventor: Mats Gustavsson
  • Patent number: 8041072
    Abstract: An audio output apparatus for converting an input audio signal into audio and outputting the audio includes a first oscillation enhancing panel for outputting the audio as a result of being oscillated; a second oscillation enhancing panel for outputting the audio as a result of being oscillated; a first transducer for allowing the first oscillation enhancing panel to oscillate on the basis of an audio signal, the first transducer being disposed in the first oscillation enhancing panel; and a second transducer for allowing the second oscillation enhancing panel to oscillate on the basis of an audio signal, the second transducer being disposed at a position on the second oscillation enhancing panel, the position on the second oscillation enhancing panel differing from the position corresponding to the position of the first transducer in the first oscillation enhancing panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsujiro Kondo, Junichi Shima, Akihiko Arimitsu
  • Patent number: 8014545
    Abstract: A loudspeaker system includes an enclosure having an open end defining a plane, a baffle, a loudspeaker operating in the 4 kHz to 10 kHz range, and a device, preferably a ribbed portion having a plurality of grooves, coupled to the baffle for modifying the spectral profile of the projected sound waves. The baffle includes first and second angled surfaces each oriented at an oblique angle with respect to the plane. The speaker is coupled to the first angled surface and the ribbed portion is coupled to the baffle along the intersection of the first angled surface and the second angled surface. When mounted in a wall or ceiling, the system projects a sound field substantially indistinguishable from that of a loudspeaker located within the listener's listening plane. The baffle can also have acoustic damping material attached thereto, with grooves formed therein, to prevent reflections of 4 kHz to 10 kHz sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: DEI Headquarters, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Grant, Timothy A. Gladwin, Robert G. Johnston
  • Patent number: 8014547
    Abstract: A piezoelectric speaker comprises a plurality of diaphragms, connecting components, and piezoelectric elements. The plurality of diaphragms are each formed by a laminated material in which a core layer made of an insulating material is laminated to skin layers each made of a conductive material so as to form the skin layers on both surfaces of the core layer. The connecting components each corresponds to a plate-shaped component of the insulating material and connects between at least two of the plurality of diaphragms. Piezoelectric elements are mounted on surfaces of the plurality of diaphragms, respectively. The plurality of diaphragms are insulated from each other such that separate voltages are applied to the piezoelectric elements mounted thereon, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Ogura, Kousaku Murata
  • Patent number: 8009854
    Abstract: A system for the projection of cinematographic works or digital works with sound having at least one sound channel. The system comprises a screen and, for the sound channel, at least one woofer and at least one medium/treble transducer. The screen is a non-perforated screen. The medium/treble speaker is a flat sound transducer placed against the screen to the rear thereof in relation to the direction of projection. An extreme treble speaker is disposed on the periphery of the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Inventor: Pierre Vincent
  • Patent number: 7992673
    Abstract: An on-wall loudspeaker and mounting apparatus includes an enclosure, a loudspeaker driver mounted in the enclosure, brackets of equal length and attachable to a wall, arms of equal length pivotably attached to the brackets and pivotably attached to the enclosure, each arm pivotable perpendicular to the wall. A movement of a cone in the driver is parallel to the pivoting of the arms when an alternating current signal is applied to the driver. The present invention mitigates vibrations transmitted to walls and other building structures, and provides improved means for reproducing low frequencies below a range of conventional loudspeakers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventor: William Francis Petrie
  • Publication number: 20110188679
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a sound plate switchable between a stand type and a hang type. In the electronic device, the sound plate has a coupled structure movable between a first arrangement, in which the sound plate functions as a stand and a second arrangement wherein the sound plate is disposed at the rear of a main body as a hang type. In the first arrangement, the sound plate emits a sound through a slit provided in a side surface of the sound plate, and in the second arrangement, the sound plate emits sound through an opening in a front surface of the sound plate which is perpendicular to the side surface of the sound plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Gyeong-tae LEE, Jong-bae KIM, Jong-in JO
  • Publication number: 20110188678
    Abstract: Provided are a sound plate and an electronic device employing the same. The sound plate includes at least one speaker unit disposed within a plate that is configured as a stand of the electronic device. Sound output by the at least one speaker is emitted through at least slit provided in a side surface of the plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Gyeong-tae LEE, Jong-bae KIM, Jong-in JO
  • Patent number: 7986799
    Abstract: The invention refers to a device (3) for actuating a membrane arranged in an opening to a space, and a vehicle having such a device. The membrane (1) has a first surface (1?) and a second opposite surface (1?), and is limited by an edge area. The device includes a first strip (5) to be attached to the first surface of the membrane in the edge area, and a second strip (6) to be attached to a surface of a frame portion extending around the opening. An exchanging number (8) is arranged between and connecting the first strip with the second strip. An actuating member (20) is arranged to transfer a reciprocating primary movement to the exchanging member converting the primary movement to a reciprocating secondary movement, which has a longer length of stroke than the primary movement and acts on the strips to move towards and away from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Magna Donnelly Corporation
    Inventor: Mats Gustavsson
  • Patent number: 7983432
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for an audio transducer. The audio transducer is excited by driving a paddle of a diaphragm. A plurality of node regions of a paddle is determined for the higher-order modal components, which correspond to resonance frequencies and have an order greater than one. An intersection region of at least two higher-order modal components is identified, in which an excitation point is located with the intersection region. The diaphragm of the audio transducer includes a frame, at least one hinge, and a paddle. The paddle connects to the frame by the at least one hinge and is excited by a signal source at an excitation point to produce an acoustic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Shure Acquisition Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger Stephen Grinnip, III
  • Patent number: 7982627
    Abstract: A meter device includes an indicator unit, movably supported within a predetermined range, for representing an amplitude value of an input signal by a movement amount ?? from a reference position ?0 which is one end of the predetermined range. A gain acquiring unit acquire a gain of the input signal; and a maximum movement amount determining part determines a maximum movement amount ??M of the indicator unit at the gain based on the gain acquired by the gain acquiring unit. A drive control unit moves the indicator unit to a position corresponding to the amplitude value of the input signal between the reference position ?0 and a maximum movement position ?M moved from the reference position ?0 by the maximum movement amount ??M based on the maximum movement amount ??M determined by the maximum movement amount determining part and the amplitude value of the input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Sato, Yoko Kuzuoka, Kiyoshi Suzuki, Wei Keat Yew
  • Patent number: 7916880
    Abstract: An inertial force transducer having an operative frequency range comprises a resonant element having a frequency distribution of modes in the operative frequency range of the transducer and a coupler for mounting the resonant element to a site to which force is to be applied. The resonant element is a piezoelectric device comprising a layer of piezoelectric material and a substrate layer on the layer of piezoelectric material. The substrate layer has a region extending beyond the piezoelectric layer, with the coupler mounted to the extended region whereby the low frequency performance of the transducer is extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: New Transducers Limited
    Inventors: Mark Starnes, Steven Mark Hoyle, James John East, Neil Simon Owen
  • Patent number: 7916878
    Abstract: An acoustic device comprising a diaphragm (10) having an area and having an operating frequency range and the diaphragm (10) being such that it has resonant modes in the operating frequency range, an electromechanical transducer having a drive part coupled to the diaphragm (10) and adapted to exchange energy with the diaphragm, and at least one mechanical impedance means (20,22,24) coupled to or integral with the diaphragm, the positioning and mass of the drive part (26) of the transducer and of the at least one mechanical impedance means (20,22,24) being such that the net transverse modal velocity over the area of the diaphragm (10) tends to zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: New Transducers Limited
    Inventors: Graham Bank, Neil Harris
  • Patent number: 7907742
    Abstract: An exciter for directly vibrating a board treated for dustproofing and heat dissipation, provided with a vibrator comprised of an outer yoke, a permanent magnet, and inner yoke, having a coil fixed inserted between the outer yoke and inner yoke, and having a coupler member for coupling the exciter to the surface of the board. The coupler member and vibrator are connected by an elastic member. A closed space is formed in the exciter by providing a sealing member between the outer yoke and coupler member. A through hole is formed in the outer yoke. Due to the vibration of the vibrator at the time of coil excitation, air convection is caused through the through hole between the closed space and the outside space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Fujitsu Ten Limited
    Inventors: Yuichi Nakajima, Kiyoshi Ootani, Akira Nishikawa, Noboru Hidaka
  • Patent number: 7889876
    Abstract: An improved driver assembly for a panel loudspeaker includes a retaining element for locating the voice coil with respect to the magnet assembly and forming a surface for removable attachment of the driving assembly to a radiating member. In a preferred embodiment, the retaining element is injection moulded from a hydrogel material with Shore A hardness in the range 0 to 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: SFX Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Ian Hynd, Jordi F. Munoz
  • Publication number: 20110033066
    Abstract: A device comprising a circular shaped resonating chamber having an upper resonating chamber and a lower resonating chamber, which are joined together by a sound board, the sound board divides said upper resonating chamber and said lower resonating chamber, wherein one or more speakers are mounted to the sound board, the sound board has one or more breather holes, the upper resonating chamber has one or more exit holes for the sound to escape, and a base member for holding the circular shaped resonating chamber, the base member is a guitar amplifier, and the resonating chamber allows the sound waves to travel from the speaker to resonate sound into the sound board and out through the circular shaped structured walls outward in a 360 degree radius.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventor: James Siegrist
  • Patent number: 7876916
    Abstract: A card-type sound apparatus has, on a card-shaped substrate, a combination of a sound signal input portion to which a sound signal is input from outside and a sound generation portion that generates sound according to the sound signal input to the sound signal input portion, or a combination of a sound collection portion that collects sound from outside and converts the sound into an electric signal and a sound signal output portion that outputs to outside the electric signal obtained from the sound collection portion, or both of these combinations. The sound generation portion generates sound by making the card-shaped substrate itself vibrate according to the sound signal input to the sound signal input portion. The sound collection portion collects sound by converting the vibration of the card-shaped substrate itself into an electric signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Miyata, Hidetaka Mizumaki
  • Publication number: 20110002484
    Abstract: An acoustic transducer radiates a sound wave into a medium, and includes: a shaft member which extends at a center portion of the acoustic transducer; first and second cylindrical acoustic radiation plates which have a cylindrical shape, a central axis of the first and second cylindrical acoustic radiation plates agreeing with the longitudinal axis of the shaft member, the first and second cylindrical acoustic radiation plates alternately arranged in a direction of the central axis; a plurality of connection members which have a ring shape, and connect adjacent first and second acoustic radiation plates to each other; a plurality of bending vibration plates each of which connects the shaft member and one of the connection members to each other; and a plurality of vibrators which are provided on the bending plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventor: YOSHINORI HAMA
  • Publication number: 20100329486
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an oscillator, particularly for or in a flat loudspeaker, particularly for use in the aerospace field, comprising an oscillating part carrier, a coupling ring for coupling the oscillator to a sound converter of a loudspeaker, wherein the oscillating part carrier and the coupling ring are connected to each other via a detachable quick-release closure, comprising first closing elements for a locked, secure connection in relation to vibrations and second closing elements that are separate from the first closing elements, for a secure connection between the oscillating part carrier and the coupling ring. The invention further relates to a flat loudspeaker comprising such an oscillator and to a vehicle comprising such a flat loudspeaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Henning Scheel, Frank Cordes
  • Publication number: 20100316236
    Abstract: An acoustical window assembly for a vehicle includes a transparent glass window panel and mounting portions for mounting respective perimeter regions of the window panel to a vehicle structure. A first mounting portion substantially fixedly mounts a first perimeter region of the window panel relative to the vehicle structure, while a second mounting portion mounts a second perimeter region of the window panel to the vehicle structure and includes a flexible element to allow for movement of the second perimeter region of the window panel toward and away from the vehicle structure. An actuating assembly is positioned at an actuating region of the window panel and has a substantially rigid interface element that engages the actuating region of the window panel. The actuating assembly is operable to vibrate the window panel via vibration of the substantially rigid interface element relative to the vehicle structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventors: Darin J. SNIDER, Gregory D. Rizzo
  • Patent number: 7844060
    Abstract: A light socket mounted radio receiver speaker device having a light bulb screw base for attaching to a light socket. A detector having a detector signal input, a first electrical output and a control output is electrically connected to the light bulb screw base. A radio receiver is controlled by the control output of the detector, having a radio frequency input and an audio signal output, whereby said radio receiver converts a radio signal into an audio signal. A speaker is connected to the audio signal output of the radio receiver, whereby said audio signal may be propagated. A light bulb socket is in electrical connection with the first electrical output of the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Inventor: Terry Zulkowski
  • Patent number: 7844068
    Abstract: A wall mounted speaker system which is arranged to alleviate problems of unwanted noise in the production and transmission of audio waves, particularly in the lower wave lengths from 20 to 200 hz. There is a speaker unit having a pair of vertically spaced speakers, and an inertial noise suppressing section positioned between the two speakers. The inertial noise suppressing section has an inertial mass which is moved in a back and forth motion to create an inertial offsetting force into a housing structure of the speaker section. The two speakers also create inertial forces which are also transmitted into the housing of the speaker unit, and these are substantially diminished by the interaction of the inertial forces of the speakers and those of the inertial noise suppressing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Linear Corporation
    Inventor: Robert W. Carver
  • Patent number: 7840017
    Abstract: Sheet-like audio information recording/reproducing means capable of recording/reproducing audio information is sandwiched between two support sheets from front and back only in part of the area thereof and these two support sheets are further sandwiched between two surface sheets and the support sheets and surface sheets are bonded together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Toppan Forms Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiko Isetani, Takaaki Okada, Hideo Shimizu, Yoshiaki Ide, Yasuhiro Fukuda, Takeshi Yamakami, Fumihiro Hanazawa, Akira Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7840018
    Abstract: An in-wall speaker system having at least one pair of active transducers mounted in a wall section. The active transducers may be mounted in at least one enclosure. Each active transducer has a sound radiating surface. Each active transducer is also mounted substantially perpendicular to a surface of the wall section with the sound radiating surfaces substantially parallel to each other. The sound radiating surfaces may be facing each other or away from each other. The in-wall speaker system may also include one or more pairs of passive radiators to generate sound from sound pressure generated by the active transducers. The pairs of speakers in the wall section may be mounted vertically or horizontally within the wall, with a slot or a vent at the opening at the space between the speaker pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Timothy Prenta, An Nguyen, Charles Sprinkle
  • Publication number: 20100266149
    Abstract: An in-wall speaker system having at least one pair of active transducers mounted in a wall section. The active transducers may be mounted in at least one enclosure. Each active transducer has a sound radiating surface. Each active transducer is also mounted substantially perpendicular to a surface of the wall section with the sound radiating surfaces substantially parallel to each other. The sound radiating surfaces may be facing each other or away from each other. The in-wall speaker system may also include one or more pairs of passive radiators to generate sound from sound pressure generated by the active transducers. The pairs of speakers in the wall section may be mounted vertically or horizontally within the wall, with a slot or a vent at the opening at the space between the speaker pairs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Timothy Prenta, An Nguyen, Charles Sprinkle
  • Patent number: 7817810
    Abstract: A flat panel speaker system is provided. The system includes, a modified panel having a front surface and a rear surface, wherein the modified panel acts as a diaphragm for the flat panel speaker system; a supporting member coupled to the rear surface of the modified panel; and a detachable driver operationally coupled to the supporting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Kwun-Wing W. Cheung
  • Patent number: 7786374
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pianoforte instrument comprising a musical mechanism with keys. Also provided are strings which are struck via a mechanism when the keys are actuated and are made to vibrate. The vibrations of the strings are transmitted to a sound board. A device is provided for delivering additional oscillating energy into the sound board. Also provided are sensors which directly or indirectly detect actuation of the keys of the musical mechanism. The measured values of the sensors are fed to a sound-amplifying device. The sound-amplifying device is equipped with units which compile data corresponding to a desired characteristic sound in accordance with the measured values of the sensors. The sound amplifying device supplies the sound board with additional oscillation energy via the delivering device according to the determined data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Wilhelm Schimmel Pianofortefabrik GmbH
    Inventors: Roberto Valli, Luigi Lamacchia, Nikolaus Schimmel
  • Patent number: 7769191
    Abstract: A flat panel audio output apparatus including a plurality of flat panels; and one or more vibrators respectively provided to each of the flat panels to vibrate the flat panels to make a sound; wherein the one or more vibrators of each one of the respective flat panels receives audio signals of a different channel and/or a different frequency band than those received by the one or more vibrators of at least one of the remaining flat panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyung-ju Lee, Jeong-Seon Kim, Valeri Toherniak, Yang-sung Kim, Young-hun An
  • Patent number: 7764804
    Abstract: An exciter for a panel-type loud speaker comprises a bimorph and a bimorph holding member. The bimorph comprises a plate member and a pair of piezoelectric ceramic layers, each formed on the opposite sides of the plate member. The bimorph holding member is holds one end of the bimorph and comprises a bimorph end holding portion for holding the one end of the bimorph, which comprises a three-layer embedded section embedding the pair of piezoelectric ceramic layers and the plate member sandwiched therebetween at the one end of the bimorph, and an extension embedded section in which an extension of the plate member is embedded, and a mounting protrusion protruding from the bimorph end holding portion, wherein a distal end of the mounting protrusion is connected to the diaphragm so that the bimorph is disposed on the diaphragm with a space interposed between the bimorph and the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Citizen Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshizumi Ohta, Kazuhiro Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7764803
    Abstract: A speaker apparatus for a mobile communications terminal includes a display window acts as a speaker by using the display window as a vibration plate. As a result, sound in lower frequency range can be reproduced. In addition, through use of filters, frequency characteristics can be further enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Chung-Gu Kang
  • Patent number: 7747029
    Abstract: A sound reproduction screen includes: at least one cell including a vibrator which receives and is vibrated by an ultrasonic signal carrying an audible signal, and a medium which has nonlinear response characteristics with respect to a vibration of the vibrator; and a screen containing the at least one cell which is distributed in a matrix structure, wherein the vibrator of the cell includes an elastic body that is vibrated by the ultrasonic signal and reflects the audible signal separated from the ultrasonic signal according to the nonlinear response characteristics of the medium, and an asymmetrical body that is connected with the elastic body and vibrates in the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung Ho Kim, Jun Tai Kim, Oleg V. Rudenko, Andrey V. Shanin
  • Patent number: 7702320
    Abstract: A portable information terminal having high adaptability and high convenience with respect to operating environment, and by which comfortable and high-quality sounds can be reproduced is provided. A sound reproducing system in a portable information terminal 1, wherein the portable information terminal is provided with at least two acoustic loudspeakers 2a and 2b; and the at least two acoustic loudspeakers are driven simultaneously to compensate their reproduced sounds with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsumi Komura
  • Patent number: 7684576
    Abstract: A transducer (14) for producing a force which excites an acoustic radiator, e.g. a panel (12) to produce an acoustic output. The transducer (14) has an intended operative frequency range and comprises a resonant element which has a distribution of modes and which is modal in the operative frequency range. Parameters of the transducer (14) may be adjusted to improve the modality of the resonant element. A loudspeaker (10) or a microphone may incorporate the transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: New Transducers Limited
    Inventors: Graham Bank, Neil Harris, Martin Colloms
  • Publication number: 20100067719
    Abstract: The invention refers to a device (3) for actuating a membrane arranged in an opening to a space, and a vehicle having such a device. The membrane (1) has a first surface (1?) and a second opposite surface (1?), and is limited by an edge area. The device includes a first strip (5) to be attached to the first surface of the membrane in the edge area, and a second strip (6) to be attached to a surface of a frame portion extending around the opening. An exchanging number (8) is arranged between and connecting the first strip with the second strip. An actuating member (20) is arranged to transfer a reciprocating primary movement to the exchanging member converting the primary movement to a reciprocating secondary movement, which has a longer length of stroke than the primary movement and acts on the strips to move towards and away from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventor: Mats Gustavsson
  • Patent number: 7680293
    Abstract: A loudspeaker apparatus includes a speaker unit and a front cover. The speaker unit generates acoustic waves according to an external electronic signal. The front cover located in front of the speaker unit includes a plurality of elastic spacers and a diaphragm, and the elastic spacers and the diaphragm form an enhanced chamber, such, that the acoustic waves generated by the speaker unit go through the enhance chamber, and then drives the diaphragm to generate the acoustic waves again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Lite-On Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Chi-Hsiung Lin, Hsiang-Ti Hsu
  • Patent number: 7664278
    Abstract: A flat speaker includes a casing with a display window, a vibratory sound panel mounted to the display window and having a display region and an exciter mount region, a display screen disposed internally of the display region, and an exciter mounted to the inner surface of the exciter mount region. A dust barrier is disposed to isolate a first space defined between the display region and the display screen from a second space surrounding the first space. The dust barrier has a dust barrier member disposed between the display region and the exciter mount region and extending across the vibratory sound panel to inhibit dust particles from moving from said exciter mount region to said display region within said casing. The dust barrier member is yieldingly deformable in response to vibration of said vibratory sound panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Citizen Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keita Watanabe, Kazuhiro Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7654361
    Abstract: A bracket for retaining a sound transducer against a soundboard. The bracket is mountable to architectural frame members and is operable to balance the load of the transducer in the bracket. The bracket includes a spring element that is operable to hold the sound transducer against the soundboard with a specified force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Induction Dynamics LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Combest
  • Patent number: 7657043
    Abstract: An electro-optical device with a sound generating body is disclosed, in which an electro-optical device and a sound generating body can be mounted compactly and which can eliminate necessity of acoustic design of the sound generating body for an enclosure of an electronic apparatus for accommodating the electro-optical device. The electro-optical device of the present invention includes a first frame, a second frame opposed to the first frame, a third frame interposed between the first frame and the second frame, an electro-optical panel supported by the first frame, and a sound generating body supported by the second frame and covered by the second frame and the third frame, the sound generating body being arranged so as to be two-dimensionally overlapped the electro-optical panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Wada, Hisanori Kawakami, Akio Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7657042
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a sound output function. A sound output function can be added to a liquid crystal device having a light source while preventing any increase in the external size of the liquid crystal display device. The liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between a first substrate and a second substrate which oppose each other, a flexible printed circuit (FPC) connected to a brim portion of the second substrate, a light guide plate, and an LED. An excitation source is arranged at a portion corresponding to the back side of the FPC connection portion on the second substrate. The excitation source deflects and vibrates the second substrate of the liquid crystal display panel according to a sound signal from an outside source. That is, the second substrate is used as a vibration plate for the output of a sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Miyata
  • Patent number: 7650006
    Abstract: A method and a loudspeaker construction (10), in which loudspeaker construction spherical acoustic wave fronts emitted by the diaphragms (12) of speaker elements (11) are transformed into a uniform, planar acoustic wave front. The loudspeaker construction (10) comprises a plane wave channel (20), in the surface (26) of which plane wave channel directed towards the diaphragm (12) there are adjacent sound inlet apertures (24) for transmitting acoustic waves into ducts (23) and, on the opposite side (22) of the plane wave channel, there are outlet apertures (25) for transmitting acoustic waves from the ducts into a horn portion (30). The ducts (23) taper so that the width (B) of the outlet apertures located in a row on the side of the horn portion is less than half the diameter (D) of the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Aura Audio Oy
    Inventor: Mika Isotalo
  • Patent number: 7650003
    Abstract: A flat panel speaker. The speaker includes a drive unit made up of a signal oscillation radiator the winding of which promotes oscillating rather than translational movement of the radiator. Such a configuration allows the speaker to operate at a broad range of frequencies. In one form, the radiator includes a magnet, a coil former and a coil winding formed around the coil former in such a way that a magnetic field produced in the magnet can cooperate with a magnetic field induced by a current that corresponds to an audio signal flowing in the winding to produce an oscillating force in the radiator that can be converted into the oscillating movement imparted to the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Inventor: L. DuWayne Hines
  • Patent number: 7639826
    Abstract: From one aspect, the invention is a method of making a bending wave panel loudspeaker, comprising rigidly coupling a lever to a panel edge or marginal portion such that the lever extends at an angle to the plane of the panel, coupling a bending wave exciter to the lever whereby bending wave energy is coupled to the panel to produce an acoustic output when the exciter is fed with a signal and supporting the panel on a suspension positioned outboard of the lever. From another aspect the invention is a bending wave panel-form loudspeaker having a lever rigidly coupled to a marginal portion or edge of the panel, a vibration exciter coupled to the lever to apply bending wave energy to the panel to produce an acoustic output and a panel suspension positioned outboard of the lever. From a further aspect, the invention is a small electronic device, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: New Transducers Limited
    Inventors: Henry Azima, Neil Geoffrey Harris, Denis Morecroft, Mark Starnes, Martin Colloms, Paul Burton
  • Patent number: 7636447
    Abstract: An acoustic bracket system comprising a bracket section containing an insert holder; coupling means connectable to the bracket section; and an insert securable to the insert holder and adapted to hold one or more acoustic transducers is provided. In one embodiment the coupling means comprises two flanges. In one embodiment the coupling means comprises a plurality of hooks. The acoustic bracket system is tunable and securable to framing members which are designed to support a sounding board. In one embodiment, the insert is a conformable foam insert with an opening into which each of the one or more acoustic transducers is securable. The acoustic bracket system is acoustically tunable with mass, stiffness and damping to enhance the audio performance of the one or more acoustic transducers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Multi Service Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen Saint-Vincent, John Koval, Christopher E. Combest