Plural Or Compound Reproducers Patents (Class 381/182)
  • Patent number: 9167350
    Abstract: A magnetic circuit for coaxial speaker includes a first magnetic unit, at least one second magnetic unit arranged around the first magnetic unit and at least one third magnetic unit arranged around the at least one second magnetic unit. The magnetic pole arrangement of the second magnetic unit is reversed to the magnetic pole arrangement of the first magnetic unit and the third magnetic unit, enabling a first magnetic loop to be established between the first magnetic unit and the at least one second magnetic unit and a second magnetic loop to be established between the at least one second magnetic unit and the at least one third magnetic unit. The magnetic circuit is practical for use in the inner and outer drivers of a coaxial speaker, providing uniform magnetic field distribution, and facilitating speaker miniaturization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: MERRY ELECTRONICS (SUZHOU) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tsai-Ti Lai, Chun-Pin Chen, Wen-Hong Wang
  • Patent number: 9167330
    Abstract: A portable storage device within which earbud cords are able to be neatly stored and easily accessed to untangle the world from earbud cords, providing consumers with a more user friendly means of listening to music while exercising or engaging in normal daily activities without the user becoming tangled in cords, as well as providing a unit for storing and transporting earbuds in a pocket or purse without risking damage to these loose cords.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Inventor: Robert S. Shattuck
  • Patent number: 9111521
    Abstract: A modular horn type loudspeaker and a modular horn array formed of modular loudspeakers. An acoustic horn includes a first acoustic module. The first acoustic module includes a first acoustic driver and a first acoustic duct, for conducting acoustic energy from the first acoustic driver. The first acoustic duct has a first opening through which acoustic energy is radiated. The first acoustic duct is characterized by a first centerline. A second acoustic module includes a second acoustic driver and a second acoustic duct, for conducting acoustic energy from the acoustic driver. The second acoustic duct has a second opening through which acoustic energy is radiated. The second acoustic duct is characterized by a second centerline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: David Edwards Blore, Paul F. Fidlin, Soichiro Hayashi, Thomas E. Macdonald, Peter C. Santoro
  • Patent number: 9113244
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a speaker system is provided. The speaker system includes a speaker enclosure having a front end, a rear end, and a first transducer. The front end is arranged to face a listening area. The rear end is arranged for being mounted to a mounting surface. The first transducer is positioned within the speaker enclosure for facing into the mounting surface such that the first loudspeaker transmits acoustic energy from the rear end towards the mounting surface to prevent a frequency response dip with the transmitted acoustic energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: William Decanio
  • Patent number: 9100733
    Abstract: A loudspeaker includes a woofer having a first permanent magnet disposed substantially within a center pole having an associated magnetic polarity and generating a flux path through an air gap, a voice coil at least partially positioned in the air gap and having an inside diameter larger than an outside diameter of the first permanent magnet, a frame, a spider connecting the voice coil to the frame, and a diaphragm connected between the voice coil and the frame. A tweeter is generally coaxially positioned relative to the woofer and includes a second permanent magnet. A third permanent magnet is coaxially positioned between the woofer and the tweeter. A non-magnetic structure may encompass the third permanent magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Zhijun Zhao
  • Patent number: 9094745
    Abstract: To enable a regenerated sound in the high-note range to sufficiently reach an ear of an operator (rider) during travel. A meter display unit is provided for displaying drive information such as a vehicle speed or a travel distance. Left and right speakers are disposed on both sides of the meter display unit for generating regenerated sounds such as English conversation and music. The left speaker includes a left midrange/woofer unit disposed on the left side of the meter display unit for regenerating midrange/low-note sound and a left tweeter unit disposed between the meter display unit and the left midrange/woofer unit for regenerating high-note sounds. The right speaker includes a right midrange/woofer unit disposed on the right side of the meter display unit for regenerating midrange/low-note sound and a right tweeter unit disposed between the meter display unit and the right midrange/woofer unit for regenerating high-note sounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Suzuki, Koichi Shimamura
  • Patent number: 9055369
    Abstract: An earphone including a housing, a bracket, a first speaker unit and a second speaker unit is provided. The bracket disposed inside the housing includes a front plate, a first tube portion, a second tube portion and at least one connecting portion. The first tube portion is connected to the front plate. The second tube portion is separated from the first tube portion. The first tube portion is between the front plate and the second tube portion. The connecting portion connects the first tube portion and the second tube portion. The front plate has a central hole and surrounding holes. The second accommodating space is communicated to a main audio-output path of the housing through the surrounding holes. The first speaker unit is disposed in a first accommodating space of the first tube portion. The second speaker unit is disposed in a second accommodating space of the second tube portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Cotron Corporation
    Inventor: Bill Yang
  • Patent number: 9042582
    Abstract: A coaxial passive radiation monomer apparatus is disclosed. In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there is disclosed a dynamic speaker monomer combined with a passive radiator in a single unitary structure located in spatial proximity with respect to one another to thereby and further comprising an elastic material at the base of the speaker assembly for enhanced and optimized resonance frequencies for the active and passive components of the overall device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Inventors: Matthew Chi-Hung Chan, Kin-Man Tse
  • Publication number: 20150139455
    Abstract: A loudspeaker array and methods for generating sound in an arc pattern. The loudspeaker array includes a plurality of loudspeakers. A delay network is included, the delay network having a plurality of stages. Each stage has a stage input and a stage output. The stage output of each stage is coupled to the stage input of a next stage. Each stage output is also connected to at least one of the plurality of loudspeakers. The stage input of the first stage is coupled to an audio signal input. Each stage is configured to add an electrical delay of the audio signal at each subsequent stage. The electrical delay is adjusted such that the plurality of loudspeakers generates sound in a desired radiation pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Doug Button
  • Patent number: 9036839
    Abstract: A coaxial loudspeaker includes a permanent magnet positioned between a generally coaxially aligned first transducer having an associated permanent magnet and second transducer having an associated permanent magnet. In one embodiment, a magnetic cylinder is positioned between a woofer and a tweeter of a coaxial multi-way loudspeaker. An optional support structure, such as a plastic cylinder, may encompass the permanent magnet to enhance structural characteristics of the assembly. The woofer may include an external ceramic magnet extending around a center pole of the woofer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhijun Zhao, Brian Sterling, John Yungman
  • Patent number: 9025798
    Abstract: Coaxial transducers, some of which include a first assembly and assembly, each of which includes a magnet and a coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Inventors: Stephen Saint Vincent, Dai Zo Lee, Pablo Co Tobiano
  • Publication number: 20150117686
    Abstract: An apparatus including a first speaker configured to output higher-frequency sound from among sound of a channel via at least one slit, and a second speaker configured to output lower-frequency sound from among the sound of the channel via at least one other slit. The at least one slit may have a thickness that is less than a wavelength of sound emitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jong-bae KIM, Dae-joung KIM, Dong-kyu PARK, Sung-ha SON, Gyeong-tae LEE, Joo-yeon LEE, Jong-in JO, Sung-joo KIM, Dong-hyun JUNG, Seon-ho HWANG, Dae-kyung AHN, Sang-sung WOO, Sang-min HYUN
  • Publication number: 20150110308
    Abstract: A handheld electronic device including a housing, at least one speaker and a touch display module is provided. The speaker and a touch display module are assembled to the housing. A channel is formed between the touch display module and the speaker, and a first sound is generated by the speaker and transmitted in the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Acer Incorporated
    Inventors: Kuei-Ting Tai, Jia-Ren Chang, Po-Jen Tu
  • Patent number: 9008337
    Abstract: An articulating speaker assembly includes a first member pivotally connected to a second member for selectively changing the profile of the speaker assembly. A central driver is positioned between the first member and the second member. The first member includes a first enclosure with a cavity shaped and dimensioned for receiving a first driver, the first driver being secured within the first enclosure. The second member includes a second enclosure with a cavity shaped and dimensioned for receiving a second driver, the second driver being secured within the second enclosure. Each of the first member and the second member includes a central driver aperture and the central driver is mounted within the central driver apertures of the first member and the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Dennis A Tracy
  • Patent number: 8995696
    Abstract: A speaker includes a housing and four substantially similar electro-acoustic drivers secured inside the housing. The drivers are driven by substantially the same audio signal and are arranged such that the net mechanical vibrational force between the drivers and the housing is substantially zero. Four substantially similar passive radiators are secured inside the housing and driven by acoustic energy from the four drivers. The passive radiators are arranged such that the net mechanical vibrational force between the passive radiators and the housing is substantially zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Roman N. Litovsky, Jason D. Silver, Darius Mobed
  • Patent number: 8995695
    Abstract: A speaker system includes: a first speaker unit having a predetermined directivity angle in the horizontal direction; and a pair of second speaker units which are disposed opposite to each other with the first speaker unit sandwiched between them when viewed in the vertical direction and which have a directivity angle in the horizontal direction greater than the directivity angle of the first speaker unit, wherein distances from the center of the first speaker unit to the centers of the pair of second speaker units are equal to each other, and the first speaker unit and the pair of second speaker units are disposed so as to face toward the same direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Ohashi, Kazuko Yamagishi, Yoshiyuki Kaku, Yoshihiro Iwami, Shin Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8971562
    Abstract: A headphone can have at least one wireless audio reproducing element attached to a headband. The headband may have parietal and temporal features with the temporal feature contacting a user's temporal bone and the parietal feature having a curvilinear extension from the temporal feature that contacts a predetermined portion of a user's parietal bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: WR Nine Ventures LLC
    Inventors: Mark Clayton, John Grayson Estes, Phillip Dale Lott
  • Patent number: 8965546
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for using a psychoacoustic-bass-enhanced signal to drive an array of loudspeakers are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Erik Visser, Pei Xiang
  • Patent number: 8958592
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a case, a microphone array housing consists of a first acoustic extending structure, a second acoustic extending structure, an interface IC, a first membrane and a second membrane. The case includes a first acoustic opening and a second acoustic opening. The first acoustic extending structure is connected to the first acoustic opening. The second acoustic extending structure is connected to the second acoustic opening. The first membrane receives a first acoustic signal via the first acoustic opening and the first acoustic extending structure. The second membrane receives a second acoustic signal via the second acoustic opening and the second acoustic extending structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Fortemedia, Inc.
    Inventors: Yen-Son Paul Huang, Iou-Din Jean Chen, James Juei Son Lin
  • Patent number: 8953819
    Abstract: Provided is a method and apparatus for focusing sound using an array speaker system. The method includes generating a plurality of delayed signals to be focused to a predetermined position from an input signal, filtering a low-frequency signal having a frequency that is lower than a reference frequency from the delayed signals, generating low-frequency focusing signals divided into 2 groups by adjusting a gain of the filtered low-frequency signal, and applying the low-frequency focusing signals divided into the 2 groups to speaker units of the array speaker system at both sides with respect to a center portion of the array speaker system and outputting the low-frequency focusing signals through the speaker units. In this way, the performance of sound focusing for the low-frequency signal can be improved and thus a listener located a predetermined distance from and in a predetermined direction relative to the array speaker system can clearly listen to the low-frequency focusing signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-chul Ko, Young-tae Kim, Jung-ho Kim
  • Patent number: 8948423
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a micro speaker capable of having a high-pitched sound speaker unit and a low-pitched sound speaker unit and allowing the respective speaker units to clearly reproduce an inherent sound without interference. The micro speaker for converting an electrical signal into an acoustic signal includes: a high-pitched sound speaker unit disposed in an outer case; and a low-pitched sound speaker unit disposed in the outer case together with the high-pitched sound speaker unit, wherein the high-pitched sound speaker unit and the low-pitched sound speaker unit are disposed in the outer case so that a high-pitched sound vibrating plate of the high-pitched sound speaker unit and a low-pitched sound vibrating plate of the low-pitched sound speaker unit have directions opposite to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: PSI Korea Inc.
    Inventor: Heung Bae Kim
  • Patent number: 8917896
    Abstract: A loudspeaker includes a horn including a first end panel, a second end panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. Edges of at least the first and second side panels define a diffraction slot opening. The first and second side panels are each fabricated from a sheet of flexible material held in a stressed, curved shape by at least a rigid support member. The panels are designed by an automated process based on a number of electro-acoustic transducers to be used in a loudspeaker, horizontal and vertical coverage angles for the loudspeaker, and a wall length for a horn of the loudspeaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher B. Ickler, Clifford A. Henricksen, Akira Mochimaru, Kenneth D. Jacob, Soichiro Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20140363035
    Abstract: A coaxial loudspeaker includes a permanent magnet positioned between a generally coaxially aligned first transducer having an associated permanent magnet and second transducer having an associated permanent magnet. In one embodiment, a magnetic cylinder is positioned between a woofer and a tweeter of a coaxial multi-way loudspeaker. An optional support structure, such as a plastic cylinder, may encompass the permanent magnet to enhance structural characteristics of the assembly. The woofer may include an external ceramic magnet extending around a center pole of the woofer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Zhijun Zhao, Brian Sterling, John Yungman
  • Publication number: 20140348352
    Abstract: A line array speaker in which interference between back pressures of adjacent speakers is reduced is provided. The line array speaker includes three or more cone-shaped speaker units including diaphragms vibrated by magnetic circuit portions. The speaker units are attached to a rectangular baffle plate 2 such that the speaker units are arranged side by side along a single line in the longitudinal direction of the baffle plate 2. The diaphragms are supported by respective frames 10 which are formed by aluminum die casting and which have openings 10a, 10a in upper and lower regions. Each frame 10 has no opening 10a in at least one region in an arrangement direction of the speaker units. Alternatively, the frame 10 of each speaker unit is configured so that the area of openings 10a, 10a in the regions in the arrangement direction is smaller than the area of openings 10a, 10a in other regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Hisao Hattori, Junsei Sato
  • Patent number: 8897471
    Abstract: The invention concerns a mobile terminal with at least two transducers (LSm, LSs1, LSS2) used simultaneously as loudspeakers for stereophonic effect. According to the invention, one of said transducers is a main transducer (LSm) with a main working frequency band (Bm) corresponding to at least the phone frequency band, while the other transducer is a secondary transducer (LSs1; LSs2) with a secondary working frequency band (Bs1; Bs2) band different from said main frequency band, the lowest frequencies of said secondary working frequency band (Bs1; Bs2) being greater than the lowest frequencies of said main working frequency band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: DRNC Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerard Douhet, Stephane Dufosse, Alain Guillotin
  • Patent number: 8885864
    Abstract: A hearing aid (1) comprises a housing, two microphones (3, 4), signal processing means provided with user selectable settings, and a receiver. The housing is provided with mechanical sound generating means (5, 11). The sound generating means is capable of providing a specific sound when manipulated by a hearing aid user. The sound generating means is arranged such that the two signals (25), obtained from the specific sound being recorded by the two different microphones (3, 4) will have a negative correlation, making said specific sound identifiable by said signal processing means. The signal processing means are arranged for selecting a specific setting dependent on one or more sounds generated by the sound generating means (5, 11). The invention further provides a method for selecting a setting of a hearing aid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Widex A/S
    Inventor: Kristian Timm Andersen
  • Patent number: 8885865
    Abstract: A technology which improves frequency characteristics by an acoustic method so that, when a sound-isolating earphone is attached to a human ear, the sound is heard with natural frequency characteristics is provided. In a sound path from a diaphragm of an electro-acoustic transducer inside a sound-isolating earphone to the eardrum passing through a cylindrical sound leading pipe via the external auditory canal, two independent paths for sound waves are provided in the sound leading pipe, and transfer of the sound with a specific frequency is suppressed by adjusting a difference in length of the paths, whereby the frequency characteristics of the sound passing through this sound path are improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Inventor: Makoto Yamagishi
  • Patent number: 8879758
    Abstract: A loudspeaker includes a back panel and a plurality of thin loudspeakers mounted onto the back panel. The back panel has an aspect ratio of 6 or higher, and has a wiring unit formed thereon and wire-connecting the thin loudspeakers. The thin loudspeakers are arranged on the back panel in series in a straight line. Accordingly, a thin-type loudspeaker can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Yamauchi, Masatoshi Okuyama, Satoshi Takayama, Satoshi Koura, Shoji Nakajima, Yachiyo Shimokawatoko, Hideaki Inoue, Mitsutaka Enomoto
  • Patent number: 8879760
    Abstract: Entertainment systems are provided including directional sound speakers associated with a media player of the entertainment system; and a directional sound controller associated with the directional sound speakers of the media player. The directional sound controller is configured to direct a sound beam associated with the media player at a defined target region such that the sound beam is only audible within the defined target region and experiences less than about 20 dB of leakage outside the target region during operation of the media player. In-flight entertainment systems and related methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Thales Avionics, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Bleacher, Christopher K. Mondragon
  • Publication number: 20140301580
    Abstract: A bracket for attachment to a first speaker and for suspending a second speaker therefrom. The bracket comprises a suspension member configured for attachment to a second speaker and defining an axis about which a second speaker is free to rotate when attached to the suspension member and an adjustable end stop configured to limit the maximum amount of rotation of a second speaker about the axis of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Funktion One Research
    Inventors: Anthony John Andrews, Toby Charles Collingwood Hunt, John Newsham
  • Patent number: 8855338
    Abstract: A new type of sound transducer, with high output capability and compact size employs a motor in combination with a displacement amplification system using curved lamina. The motor may be electrostatic, such as piezoelectric, or electrodynamic, such as magnetostrictive, or balanced armature. Newer forms of driver materials such as PMN-PT and layered PZT or Galfenol or Terfenol-D are examples. The design exhibits high source levels, smooth frequency response and uniform directivity. Although the application described herein relates to a low frequency sound source for underwater use, the design is not restricted to low frequencies or to an underwater sound source. Both sound production and reception may be conducted. Further, diaphragmatic displacement pumps and sensors may be equipped with curved lamina, which experience a change of curvature upon excitation of their edges, and which may generate displacement of their edges due to changes of their curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Inventor: Richard H. Lyon
  • Publication number: 20140286510
    Abstract: Improved speakers are better able to accurately reproduce sound through the use of low-mass transducers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventor: Eric Jay Alexander
  • Patent number: 8842866
    Abstract: A loudspeaker system has a front loudspeaker enclosure (30) having at least one first loudspeaker (20) and a rear loudspeaker enclosure (50) having at least one second loudspeaker (60). The rear loudspeaker enclosure (50) is in the form of a bandpass enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: D&B Audiotechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Matthias Christner
  • Publication number: 20140270274
    Abstract: An actuation system for generating a physical effect, the system comprising at least one array of translating elements each constrained to travel alternately back and forth along a respective axis, toward first and second extreme positions respectively, in response to activation of first and second forces respectively; and a controller operative to use the first and second forces to selectably latch at least one subset of said translating elements into the first and second extreme positions respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: AUDIO PIXELS LTD.
    Inventors: Yuval COHEN, Daniel LEWIN, Shay KAPLAN, Alex SROMIN, Meir BEN SIMON
  • Publication number: 20140270271
    Abstract: A MEMS acoustic transducer includes a substrate having a cavity therethrough, and a conductive back plate unit including a plurality of conductive perforated back plate portions which extend over the substrate cavity. A dielectric spacer arranged on the back plate unit between adjacent conductive perforated back plate portions, and one or more graphene membranes are supported by the dielectric spacer and extend over the conductive perforated back plate portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Alfons Dehe, Guenther Ruhl
  • Patent number: 8831270
    Abstract: Single magnet coaxial loudspeaker having two air gaps on both sides of its faces, front gap of larger diameter for low frequency voice-coil and the opposite gap accommodating compression driver voice-coil. Front voice-coil drives low frequency membrane and rear voice-coil drives high frequency diaphragm, radiating sound waves through a phasing plug to the horn input through an opening into the magnetic structure, whereas the membrane acts as horn flair. Common region geometry around bottom pole of the magnetic structure controls flux line proportions between the two gaps. The five embodiments use series or parallel, inner or outer magnetomotive flux division. These are suitable for much simpler, more reliable and better balanced coaxial loudspeakers for professional and high-end markets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Inventor: Dimitar Kirilov Dimitrov
  • Patent number: 8824708
    Abstract: An oscillation device (100) includes a piezoelectric element (121), a vibrating member (122) which binds one surface of the piezoelectric element (121) and is formed of a metal material, a resin member (123) which holds an outer circumferential portion of the vibrating member (122), a piezoelectric element (111), a vibrating member (122) which binds one surface of the piezoelectric element (111), is overlapped with the vibrating member (121) and the resin member (123) when seen in a plan view, and is formed of a metal material, and a support member (140) which supports the resin member (123) and the vibrating member (112), wherein at least one opening (150), which connects a space (170) positioned between the vibrating member (121) and the resin member (123), and the vibrating member (122) to the outside of the space (170), is provided in at least one of the vibrating member (121), the resin member (123), and the vibrating member (112).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Casio Mobile Communications, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuharu Onishi, Yuichiro Kishinami, Jun Kuroda, Yukio Murata, Shigeo Satou, Motoyoshi Komoda, Nobuhiro Kawashima, Tatsuya Uchikawa
  • Patent number: 8792668
    Abstract: A headphone with a headband is provided where the headband is adapted to ensure contact between an earpad and the head or ear of the user, and with: a speaker unit; an outer frame comprising a proximal perimeter with two first pivotal hinge points at diametrically opposed positions with respect to the speaker; a middle frame, having a proximal and a distal perimeter, hinged for pivotal movement with respect to the outer frame about a first axis defined by a line through the two first hinge points, and where the middle frame comprises second pivotal hinge points at diametrically opposed positions with respect to the speaker; and an inner frame having a proximal and a distal perimeter hinged for pivotal movement with respect to the middle frame, about a second axis defined by a line through the two second hinge points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Sennheiser Communications A/S
    Inventors: Peter Vestergaard Værum, Dennis W. Hansen
  • Patent number: 8781612
    Abstract: A method of digitally processing an audio signal by sequentially performing a plurality of operations on an input audio signal by a plurality of algorithms to provide an output audio signal is provided. The method comprises automatically performing the following steps: sequentially performing the plurality of operations (a, b, c, . . . ) on an input audio signal (20) in a first sequence of operations and independently in at least one different sequence of operations; evaluating the quality of respective output audio signals (output . . . 1, output . . . 2 . . . , output . . . n!) achieved with the first sequence and the at least one different sequence; and selecting the sequence of operations providing the highest quality output audio signal for further processing of input audio signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: NXP, B.V.
    Inventor: Anton Leonard Huijnen
  • Patent number: 8781139
    Abstract: A speaker system includes a first speaker, a second speaker and a driving circuit. The first speaker and the second speaker are different types of speakers. The driving circuit drives the first speaker with a first driving voltage and a first driving current and drives the second speaker with a second driving voltage and a second driving current, wherein the first driving voltage is larger than the second driving voltage and the first driving current is smaller than the second driving current. The present disclosure further provides a speaker driving circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: HTC Corporation
    Inventor: Fang Ching Lee
  • Patent number: 8774420
    Abstract: A headphone set includes a head band and a pair of speaker assemblies supplied on opposite ends of the headband. Each of the speaker assemblies comprises an earphone speaker for reproducing sound to be directed toward one of the wearer's ears, a relatively larger and more powerful broadcast speaker for reproducing sound to be broadcast in the vicinity of the headphone set; and an expandable speaker enclosure for supporting the earphone speaker and the broadcast speaker. Each speaker enclosure defines a sound chamber having an enclosed air volume for improving the acoustical characteristics of the headphone set and each speaker enclosure is shiftable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. When the speaker enclosures are shifted to their expanded configurations, the sound chambers have a relatively larger enclosed air volume. When they are shifted to their collapsed configurations relatively smaller enclosed air volumes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Get Connected LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Belafonte, Christopher Combest, Chris Witham, David Staley
  • Patent number: 8774430
    Abstract: A linear interleaved magnetic motor in which the B-field flows between a plurality of motor cell elements, creating a long, serpentine gap. The motor is used with at least one flex circuit as a drive coil. The motor can be used as a drive motor for a loudspeaker transducer. Multiple loudspeaker transducers can be connected together to make a loudspeaker frame or system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Inventor: Thomas Paul Heed
  • Patent number: 8768495
    Abstract: Automatic recognition of sample media content is provided. A spectrogram is generated for successive time slices of audio signal. One or more sample hash vectors are generated for a time slice by calculating ratios of magnitudes of respective frequency bins from a column for the time slice. In a primary evaluation stage an exact match of bits of the sample hash vector is performed to entries in a look-up table to identify a group of one or more reference hash vectors. In a secondary evaluation stage a degree of similarity between the sample hash vector and each of the group of reference hash vectors is performed to identify any reference hash vectors that are candidates for matching the sample media content, each reference hash vector representing a time slice of reference media content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Adelphoi Limited
    Inventors: Alexander Paul Selby, Mark St John Owen
  • Patent number: 8761418
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical loudspeaker array includes a plurality of microelectromechanical loudspeaker elements each having a diaphragm element configured to be deflected from a neutral position into at least one deflection position to produce a sound pulse. The array further includes an actuation device which is configured to put the diaphragm element into the at least one deflection position from the neutral position on the basis of drive signals. The array further includes a control device coupled to the plurality of loudspeaker elements. The control device is configured to send, in each case at a driving time, (i) a first drive signal configured to produce a sound pulse by actuating the diaphragm element, and (ii) a respective second drive signal configured to relax the diaphragm element into the neutral position during a predetermined period of time after the driving time to the actuation device of at least one of the loudspeaker elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ando Feyh, Stefan Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 8755558
    Abstract: A speaker capable of suppressing deterioration of acoustic efficiency while allowing miniaturization of the speaker includes a first unit and a second unit each of which outputs sound. The first unit includes a diaphragm which vibrates back and forth to radiate sound; and plural suspensions which support, at different positions, an outer periphery of the diaphragm. At least one of air passages for channeling sound from the second unit to the outside is provided between the plural suspensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Shuji Saiki
  • Patent number: 8750541
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a head-mountable support structure, a transducer array coupled to the support structure, and a processor configured to control the transducer array to radiate ultrasonic waves toward an ear of a user of the head-mountable support structure. The ultrasonic waves are audible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Jianchun Dong, Eliot Kim, Mitchell J. Heinrich
  • Patent number: 8750540
    Abstract: An omnidirectional speaker having a high frequency driver, which generates sound over a high frequency range and which has a first diameter, and a high frequency waveguide having a second diameter larger than the first diameter. A first midrange driver and a second midrange driver have a third diameter and a fourth diameter, respectively. Each midrange driver generates sound over a middle frequency range and the first midrange driver faces the second midrange driver. First and second midrange waveguides have a fifth diameter and a sixth diameter, respectively, and correspond to the first and second midrange drivers, respectively. The fifth diameter is larger than the third diameter and the sixth diameter is larger than the fourth diameter. Both of the midrange frequency waveguides are positioned between the first midrange driver and the second midrange driver so as to block a direct path from the first midrange driver to the second midrange driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Dream Audiolab Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Kok Leong Tan
  • Patent number: 8737647
    Abstract: A display, includes: a display section; a first output section; a second output section; and a housing containing the display section, the first output section, and the second output section, wherein, the display section has an aspect ratio with a width more than twice a height, the first output section is arranged along an upper side of the display section so as to face forward and is configured to output a plurality of channels of audio, and the second output section is arranged along a lower side of the display section so as to face forward and is configured to output a plurality of channels of audio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Gen Fujiki
  • Patent number: 8737659
    Abstract: The present invention allows for the further enhancement of a low pitch range with a simple structure without increasing the size. The present invention is provided with: a pipe (102) open one end side and the other end side; a speaker unit (104) that is coaxial with the pipe (102), arranged at the one end side of the pipe (102), and driven on the basis of an audio signal; and an edge-cum-diaphragm (102B) that is coaxial with the pipe (102), installed at the other end side of the pipe (102), and vibrates in response to a sound wave that passes through the pipe (102). While the pipe (102) functions as a resonance tube by being excited to vibration with the sound wave that is radiated from the speaker unit (104) and passes through the pipe (102), the edge-cum-diaphragm (102B) functions as a passive radiator by vibrating in response to the sound wave that passes through the pipe (102).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Nobukazu Suzuki, Yoshio Ohashi
  • Patent number: 8737674
    Abstract: A housed loudspeaker array includes a first substrate having a plurality of loudspeaker elements formed therein, a second substrate fixed at a first surface of the first substrate in a flip-chip manner and comprising a plurality of orifices that are aligned with the loudspeaker elements of the plurality of loudspeaker elements of the first substrate, and a cover applied to a second surface of the first substrate opposite to the first surface. A method for manufacturing the housed loudspeaker array is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Alfons Dehe