Patents Examined by Davetta W. Goins
  • Patent number: 9754578
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, a loudspeaker horn and cabinet are designed to achieve a sound coverage pattern characterized by narrow vertical dispersion and a wide horizontal dispersion. A loudspeaker horn may comprise at least two horn sections, each extending from an inlet to a mouth. A first plurality of outlet channels is disposed in an interleaved column with a second plurality of outlet channels. A loudspeaker cabinet may comprise a primary enclosure having a front wall, the front wall having an aperture in which a low frequency loudspeaker driver is mounted. The loudspeaker cabinet further comprises a top baffle section having a top end and a bottom baffle section having a bottom end, each extending vertically from the primary enclosure. The top baffle section has a first width that gradually increases towards the top end and the bottom section has a second width that gradually increases towards the bottom end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Smithers
  • Patent number: 9749725
    Abstract: In a wireless microphone having an antenna in a lower part of a main body, a wireless microphone in which a microphone main body serves as a ground plane, which secures stable antenna ground by being gripped by a user, and which is capable of obtaining good RF performance is provided. The microphone main body includes a holder member made of metal for holding at least an antenna circuit part, a cylindrical cover member made of metal for covering a periphery of the holder member, and a cylindrical grip end member made of metal, inserted into a rear end side of the cover member, and connected with a rear part side of the holder member. The holder member has conduction with the cover member via the grip end member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA AUDIO-TECHNICA
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Naito, Akira Masuda
  • Patent number: 9743166
    Abstract: In the present invention, a device is provided with a main surface member, a piezoelectric body plate, a first support part, and a housing. The main surface member is used as a vibration plate. The piezoelectric body plate vibrates according to an electric signal. The first support part supports the piezoelectric body plate. The housing has a second support part that supports the main surface member and extends in a prescribed direction that intersects the main surface member. The first support part is secured to the second support so that the second support part vibrates in the prescribed direction according to the vibration of the piezoelectric body plate. The vibration of the piezoelectric body plate is transmitted to the main surface member via the first support part and the second support part, and due to this the main surface member vibrates to generate a sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignees: TOKIN CORPORATION, SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Abe, Katsunori Kumasaka, Kouichi Shuta, Osamu Yamazaki, Hiroshi Shima, Noriaki Ikezawa
  • Patent number: 9743173
    Abstract: There is provided a signal processing device including a first reproduced sound outputting section configured to cause a first reproduced sound providing section to provide a first reproduced sound, a second reproduced sound outputting section configured to cause a second reproduced sound providing section to provide a second reproduced sound, a comparison result obtaining section configured to obtain a result of comparison between the first reproduced sound and the second reproduced sound, and a correcting section configured to generate, based on the obtained result of comparison, a signal for correcting an output feature of the second reproduced sound from the second reproduced sound outputting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Nakagawa, Junya Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9743214
    Abstract: A sound processing apparatus includes a processing unit that is configured to acquire an audio signal, perform a correction processing on the acquired audio signal and output the correction-processed audio signal to a sound emitting unit. The correction processing includes an indirect sound adjusting processing in which a given signal processing is performed on an audio signal so as to adjust an influence of an indirect sound to be heard at a sound receiving point, and a frequency characteristic adjusting processing in which a frequency characteristic of an audio signal is adjusted. In the correction processing, a frequency characteristic for the frequency characteristic adjusting processing is determined based on a frequency characteristic of the indirect sound adjusting processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kunihiro Kumagai, Masaya Kano
  • Patent number: 9743163
    Abstract: A loudspeaker unit includes a voice coil, a diaphragm, a damper, a frame supporting an outer edge of the diaphragm and an outer edge of the damper, and a duct projecting from an outer surface of the frame, with air moved by vibration of the diaphragm flowing into and out of the loudspeaker unit through the duct. The frame has an aperture that communicates with a space inside the frame. The duct, serving as a separate member, is attached to the frame so as to cover the aperture. The frame further includes a support tab that projects into the aperture. Link terminals are attached to the support tab. Before the duct is attached to the frame, lead wires extending from the voice coil are formed into a predetermined shape and are then connected to the link terminals in a space within the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryo Ito
  • Patent number: 9743198
    Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for modular circuit component for a hearing assistance device flex antenna. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a universal apparatus for use with multiple hearing assistance devices. The apparatus includes a circuit module including an outer radial surface, the circuit module configured to provide electronics for a hearing assistance device. A flex circuit loop antenna is configured to be affixed to the outer radial surface, and the antenna is configured for wireless communication for the hearing assistance device. After the antenna is affixed to the outer radial surface, the circuit module is configured to be inserted into a plurality of different main hearing assistance device chassis. In various embodiments, the circuit module includes a retention feature and the antenna includes an opening configured to align with and receive the retention feature to affix the antenna to the circuit module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Blaise Bergner, Jay Rabel
  • Patent number: 9738515
    Abstract: A packaged integrated device includes a package substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, and the package substrate has a hole therethrough. The integrated device package also includes a first lid mounted on the first surface of the package substrate to define a first cavity, and a second lid mounted on the second surface of the package substrate to define a second cavity. A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) die can be mounted on the first surface of the package substrate inside the first cavity and over the hole. A port can be formed in the first lid or the second lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: INVENSENSE, INC.
    Inventors: David Bolognia, Kieran P. Harney
  • Patent number: 9736591
    Abstract: A loudspeaker having a first magnet configured to output a first magnetic field in a first magnet gap, an elongate armature extending through the first magnet gap, a first coil configured to generate a magnetic flux in the armature, a first diaphragm, a first element configured to transfer force and/or movement from the armature to the first diaphragm, a base and a first and a second support element, the first support element connecting the armature to the base at a first longitudinal position at a first side of a predetermined portion along the length of the armature, and the second support element connecting the armature to the base at a second longitudinal position at a second, opposite side of the predetermined portion. The base may flex between a U-shape and an inverted U-shape and may thus provide force to move the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Sonion Nederland B.V.
    Inventors: Aart Zeger van Halteren, Adrianus Maria Lafort, Caspar Titus Bolsman
  • Patent number: 9736612
    Abstract: An audio device includes a casing configured for operation in a first orientation and a second orientation different from the first orientation, an orientation input device disposed on the casing to detect an orientation of the casing relative to the direction of the force of gravity, and a plurality of acoustic drivers disposed on the casing and operable to form a plurality of acoustic interference arrays, each of which is associated with one of a plurality of audio channels. The acoustic drivers of the audio device operate in a first frequency range and modify at least one of the acoustic interference arrays in response to a change in the orientation detected by the orientation input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Eric J. Freeman, John Joyce
  • Patent number: 9736566
    Abstract: An earphone line control device includes a power supply management unit, a filter unit, a switching circuit and a control unit. The switching circuit includes a switch in series with a resistance, a first end of the power supply management unit and an end of the filter unit are both connected to a power supply, a second end of the power supply management unit is connected to a first end of the control unit, the other end of the filter unit is connected to a second end of the control unit, a third end of the power supply management unit is connected to ground, a third end of the control unit is connected to ground, an end of the resistance is connected to the power supply, the other end of the resistance is in series with an end of the switch and connected to a fifth end of the control unit, and the other end of the switch is connected to a forth end of the control unit. When the switch is turned off, the control unit outputs a preset coded pulse signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: 1More, Inc.
    Inventors: Kuanhong Hsieh, Boqing Lin, Xiaohong Sun
  • Patent number: 9736576
    Abstract: An energy conversion apparatus including a permanent magnet fixed to a predetermined region; and a diaphragm arranged on the permanent magnet, the diaphragm including a coil having a conductor wire pattern formed on the diaphragm, wherein the diaphragm includes a slit formed in the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michiaki Shinotsuka, Tsutomu Kawase
  • Patent number: 9729994
    Abstract: A system and method for providing assistive listening for a plurality of listeners in an environment including a plurality of acoustic sources. A microphone array in combination with an acoustic beamforming processor configured to receive the acoustic signals within the environment and to process the acoustic signals based upon a target location of an acoustic signal selected on a listener-controlled interface device to generate a steered beam pattern. The acoustic beamforming processor further configured to transmit the steered beam pattern to the listener-controlled interface device based on the target location selected. The listener-controlled interface device configured to provide the steered beam pattern to an ear-level transducer of a hearing-impaired listener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignees: University of South Florida, Rochester Institute of Technology
    Inventors: David A. Eddins, David A. Borkholder, Vincent J. Amuso
  • Patent number: 9723392
    Abstract: Headphones that have one or two earphones. A headband carries the earphones such that they are held against the head of a wearer. A coupling member is located between the earphone and the headband, the coupling member pivotably mounted to the headband at a joint having a first axis around which the coupling member pivots, such that the earphone can be moved from a deployed position in which the earphone is positioned to be worn by the wearer to a stowed position in which the earphone is located closer to the headband than it is in the deployed position. A conductive cable runs from the earphone to the headband through the coupling member. The cable is held in place at a first anchor location in the headband, proximate the coupling member. There is slack in the cable between the first anchor location and the coupling member at least when the earphone is in the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventor: Tristan Edward Taylor
  • Patent number: 9723410
    Abstract: A speaker assembly includes a shellpot for receiving a speaker motor, the shellpot including an upstanding rim on an upper portion of the shellpot, and speaker basket including a base portion having an opening therein for receiving the shellpot. An insert member is disposed adjacent the speaker basket and the rim, wherein a plurality of sections of the rim are displaced to abut the insert member and couple the shellpot to the speaker basket. A method of assembling the speaker assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: David J. Sell
  • Patent number: 9723411
    Abstract: A piezoelectric speaker driving system includes a band splitter, a plurality of gain producers, an adder, a piezoelectric speaker, a sound compensator and a gain-adjusting device. The band splitter receives a first audio signal and splits the first audio signal into band signals. The gain producers gain the band signals respectively. The adder receives the gained band signals to generate a second audio signal. The piezoelectric speaker outputs a sound according to the second audio signal. The sound compensator analyzes a sound pressure level of the sound to generate a control signal. The gain-adjusting device adjusts the gains of the gain producers according to the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: NATIONAL CHIAO TUNG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jin-Chern Chiou, Tzu-Sen Yang, Yuan-Chen Liu
  • Patent number: 9723423
    Abstract: An acoustic transducer has a back plate having a fixed electrode, a diaphragm that is opposed to the back plate with a gap interposed therebetween and that serves as a movable electrode, and a stopper protruding from a face of the back plate or the diaphragm, which is on a side of the gap. The stopper includes a conductive section electrically isolated from the fixed electrode and the movable electrode. The conductive section comes in contact with a front face of the fixed electrode or the movable electrode opposed to the stopper through deformation of the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventor: Yuki Uchida
  • Patent number: 9723407
    Abstract: A communication apparatus and a sound playing method thereof are provided. The method is adapted for a communication apparatus having a first speaker used as an earpiece and a second speaker, in which the first speaker and the second speaker are disposed at opposite sides of the communication apparatus. In the method, an event with a sound notification is detected. A left channel sound and a right channel sound of the sound notification are mixed to generate a mixed sound in response to detecting the event. The mixed sound is played by the first speaker with a fade-in effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: HTC Corporation
    Inventors: Wen-Lin Chang, Chien-Yuan Chen, Shih-Pei Huang
  • Patent number: 9716951
    Abstract: A speaker box with side acoustic emission structure is disclosed. The speaker box has a cabinet having an acoustic window, a speaker unit mounted in the cabinet and including a diaphragm, a voice coil and a magnetic circuit, the diaphragm disposed in the side of the acoustic window and not faced to the acoustic window and having a dome and a suspension surrounding the dome, the dome having a plurality of reinforcements aligned in multi-row, the area of one of the plurality of reinforcements which is closest to the acoustic window that is maximum for improving vibration of the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: AAC TECHNOLOGIES PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Bin Cai, YunXia Xu
  • Patent number: 9711166
    Abstract: An external clock signal having a first frequency is received. A division ratio is automatically determined based at least in part upon a second frequency of an internal clock. The second frequency is greater than the first frequency. A decimation factor is automatically determined based at least in part upon the first frequency of the external clock signal, the second frequency of the internal clock signal, and a predetermined desired sampling frequency. The division ratio is applied to the internal clock signal to reduce the first frequency to a reduced third frequency. The decimation factor is applied to the reduced third frequency to provide the predetermined desired sampling frequency. Data is clocked to a buffer using the predetermined desired sampling frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Sarmad Qutub, Robert A. Popper, Thibault Kassir, Dibyendu Nandy