Patents Examined by Walter F. Briney, III
  • Patent number: 11395070
    Abstract: A diaphragm for a speaker includes; a diaphragm body configured to provide different stiffness along different directions extending from a center of the diaphragm body to a periphery of the diaphragm body, with a largest stiffness value provided along a first direction extending between the center and the periphery of the diaphragm body; and a protector including a first rib extending in one of the first direction or a second direction, where the stiffness is less than the largest stiffness value, intersecting the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akihiko Nozaki
  • Patent number: 11388501
    Abstract: An earpiece for an earphone comprising a leading portion, a trailing portion, and a resilient bridge interconnecting the leading portion and trailing portion. The resilient bridge is configured to flex so that the earpiece can conform to ear canal geometry as it is received in a user ear canal and to provide a biasing effect so that the leading portion and/or trailing portion contact the ear canal wall. An actuator to augment low frequency sound is provided on the leading portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: ZOKU LIMITED
    Inventor: Simon Austen
  • Patent number: 11363359
    Abstract: This document describes techniques and systems that enable a range extender device. The techniques and systems include a user device that includes a housing with an audio sensor, a heat sink assembly, a circuit board assembly, and a speaker assembly positioned within the housing. The housing includes a top housing member connected to a bottom housing member. The top housing member includes a concave-down top-end portion connected to a generally-cylindrical vertical wall via rounded corners. The heat sink assembly includes a heat sink and one or more antennas positioned proximate to an inner surface of the vertical wall. The circuit board assembly is positioned within the housing and proximate to the heat sink assembly, and the speaker assembly is positioned within the housing and connected to the circuit board assembly. Also, a light ring assembly is connected to a bottom exterior surface of the bottom housing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Vivian W. Tang, Li Ya Wang, Yu-Ming Chen, Mihika Hemmady, DuanYing Lin, Yau-Shing Lee, Frédéric Heckmann
  • Patent number: 11343608
    Abstract: A coaxial compression driver including a housing, a first vibrating membrane for relatively lower frequencies housed in the housing where the first vibrating membrane faces a first compression chamber in communication with a first acoustic conduit, a second vibrating membrane for relatively higher frequencies housed in the housing, where the second vibrating membrane faces a second compression chamber in communication with a second acoustic conduit the first vibrating membrane and the second vibrating membrane arranged in the housing being coaxial or substantially coaxial with respect to each other, the first acoustic conduit and the second acoustic conduit converge into a common output acoustic conduit, and the coaxial compression driver includes a passive low pass filter at least partially housed in the first acoustic conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: B&C SPEAKERS S.P.A.
    Inventors: Andrea Casadei, Valentina Cardinali
  • Patent number: 11341948
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electromagnetic actuator, which can be connected to a backside of a plate like structure and which comprises a voice coil, a magnet system and a spring arrangement connecting the voice coil and a movable part of the magnet system. The spring arrangement comprises at least two spiral springs each having at least three spring legs. The spring legs run in radial and tangential direction in a clockwise or counterclockwise winding direction and are rotational symmetric around the coil axis. The winding directions of the spiral springs are chosen in a way that rotations around the coil axis caused by a relative movement between the voice coil and the movable part of the magnet system in the excursion direction are oriented in opposite directions. The invention also relates to an output device with a plate like structure and an electromagnetic actuator connected thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Sound Solutions International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gustav Otto, Christoph Schmauder, Michael Schoffmann, Franz Heidinger
  • Patent number: 11336995
    Abstract: A system includes a micro-mobility device that is configured to support a user on a mechanical structure of the micro-mobility device and a directional acoustic radiating device carried by the mechanical structure of the micro-mobility device and comprising a first acoustic driver that is acoustically coupled to a first passive directional device so as to radiate acoustic energy into the first passive directional device. The first passive directional device comprises an opening in a perimeter of the first passive directional device that extends along a length of the first passive directional device and through which acoustic energy is radiated to an environment to provide a direction of maximum radiation of the first passive directional device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Roman N. Litovsky, Chester Smith Williams
  • Patent number: 11317181
    Abstract: The present invention provides a speaker box and an electronic device. The speaker box includes: a case having a receiving space; a speaker body having a sound outlet and received in the receiving space; and a graphite sheet received in the receiving space and connected to both the speaker body and the case. The speaker body divides the receiving space into a front cavity in communication with the sound outlet and a rear cavity opposite to the front cavity. The electronic device uses the speaker box. Compared with the related art, the speaker box and the electronic device provided by the present invention have a better heat dissipation effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: AAC Technologies Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Jinming Li
  • Patent number: 11317199
    Abstract: An electronic device has an acoustic transducer with an acoustic diaphragm. The diaphragm has opposed first and second major surfaces. A front volume is positioned adjacent the first major surface. A back volume is positioned adjacent the second major surface. An elongated channel defines a barometric vent and extends from a first end fluidly coupled with the front volume to a second end fluidly coupled with the back volume, fluidly coupling the front volume with the back volume. The elongated channel may have a high aspect ratio (L/D), providing the vent with a substantial air mass. The elongated channel may be segmented to define a higher-order filter. For example, a segmented channel can have a cascade of repeating acoustic-mass and acoustic-compliance units, providing the barometric vent with additional degrees-of-freedom for tuning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Peter C. Hrudey, Justin D. Crosby, Gokhan Hatipoglu
  • Patent number: 11310584
    Abstract: A bone conductive sound generating device is provided and includes a sound generating mechanism and a fixing mechanism. The fixing mechanism is configured to act on the sound generating mechanism, such that the sound generating mechanism adheres to and fit with a back of an auricle of a user at least when the sound generating mechanism is in use. Accordingly, the present application may improve the sound quality of the bone conductive sound generating device, improving listening experience for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: SHENZHEN SHOKZ CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yinchao Liu, Haofeng Zhang, Lei Zhang, Yongjian Li, Yueqiang Wang, Qian Chen
  • Patent number: 11310585
    Abstract: An electronic speaker comprising: a device housing defining an interior cavity and including a sidewall extending around the interior cavity between an upper portion and a lower portion of the device housing; first and second sound channels formed at opposing locations along the sidewall, each of the first and second sound channels comprising a plurality of openings formed through the sidewall; a passive radiator array comprising first and second passive radiators disposed within the interior cavity, spaced apart from each other in an opposing relationship and aligned to project sound through the first and second sound channels; an active driver disposed in the device housing and configured to generate sound in response to an electrical signal, the active driver comprising driver housing disposed at least partially between the first and second passive radiators, a magnet disposed within the driver housing, a voice coil and a diaphragm facing downwards towards the lower surface of the device housing; and an an
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Jason C. Della Rosa, Alexander R. Gould, Ethan W. Juhnke, John H. Sheerin, Glenn K. Trainer, Ariel A. Massias, Edward V. Anderson, Pablo Seoane Vieites, Junyi Yang
  • Patent number: 11297415
    Abstract: A loudspeaker device comprises first and second diaphragms (12, 14) arranged co-axially in an opposed relation to each other to cancel mechanical vibrations. Each diaphragm has multiple voice coils, with the voice coils of the first and second diaphragms (12, 14) arranged in the same plane to reduce the height of the loudspeaker device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Mayht Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Mattias Jeffrey Scheek, Timothy Ruben Scheek
  • Patent number: 11297448
    Abstract: A method for picking up body signals from the head of a user comprises a) placing first and second electrodes on first and second different positions at a first side of the user's head in direct or capacitive contact with the user's head, said first side comprising a first eye of the user, the first and second electrodes being configured to pick up first and second electric potentials, respectively, from the user's body, and b) providing an Electrooculography signal representative of a corneo-retinal potential difference of said first eye of the user in dependence of said at first and second electric potentials. The first and second positions may be (substantially) located in a plane including the first eye of the user. A portable electronic device providing an Electrooculography signal, and a hearing device utilizing an Electrooculography signal is further disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: OTICON A/S
    Inventors: Thomas Lunner, Alejandro Lopez Valdes, Henrik Bendsen, Claus Christensen, Peter Schmidt, Ole Andersen, Mikkel Nielsen, Tanveer Bhuiyan
  • Patent number: 11290795
    Abstract: A loudspeaker includes a cabinet, a coaxial transducer assembly, and a waveguide. The coaxial transducer assembly includes a first transducer and a second transducer that is coupled to the first transducer and arranged such that respective motion axes of the transducers are coaxial. The waveguide is coupled to the first transducer and configured to provide an acoustic impedance match between the first transducer and free air. The waveguide includes a first plurality of apertures that enables acoustic energy radiated from a first radiating surface of the second transducer to pass through the waveguide and merge with acoustic energy radiated by the first transducer. The first plurality of apertures extends through an expansion region of the waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin Grant Karnavas, Greg J. Zastoupil
  • Patent number: 11290818
    Abstract: A wearable electronic device may be formed from a layer of fabric having opposing first and second ends. The ends may have first and second respective ear openings that receive a user's ears and may have speakers for playing audio. A soft central portion of the fabric between the ends may overlap the user's eyes. The wearable electronic device may have control circuitry that receives power from a power source. Sensors may be used to gather sensor information such as biometric sensor information. The sensors, control circuitry, and power source may be mounted in a stiff edge portion of the fabric. The stiff edge portion of the fabric may have an elongated strip shape and may extend along an upper edge of the central and the electronic device. Stiffener structures sandwiched between inner and outer layers of the fabric may be used to support speakers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andrea L. Blakemore, Amit S. Barve, Donald L. Olmstead, Joshua A. Hoover, Samuel G. Smith, Seulbi Kim
  • Patent number: 11265641
    Abstract: A MEMS vibration sensor die can include a substrate having a top portion, a mounting surface, and an aperture extending at least partially through the substrate. The die can include a first electrode coupled to the top portion of the substrate and positioned over the aperture. The die can include a second electrode disposed between the substrate and the first electrode. The second electrode can be spaced apart from the first electrode. The die can include a proof mass that can have a first portion coupled to the first electrode or the second electrode. The proof mass can have a second end opposite the first portion. The second end can be recessed within the aperture relative to the mounting surface of the substrate. The proof mass can be suspended freely within the aperture. The proof mass can move the first electrode or the second electrode from which it is suspended in response to vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Pedersen, Venkataraman Chandrasekaran, Joshua Watson, Jeremy Johnson
  • Patent number: 11264048
    Abstract: A boundary of a highlight of audiovisual content depicting an event is identified. The audiovisual content may be a broadcast, such as a television broadcast of a sporting event. The highlight may be a segment of the audiovisual content deemed to be of particular interest. Audio data for the audiovisual content is stored, and the audio data is automatically analyzed to detect one or more audio events indicative of one or more occurrences to be included in the highlight. Each audio event may be a brief, high-energy audio burst such as the sound made by a tennis serve. A time index within the audiovisual content, before or after the audio event, may be designated as the boundary, which may be the beginning or end of the highlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: STATS LLC
    Inventors: Mihailo Stojancic, Warren Packard
  • Patent number: 11240577
    Abstract: A speaker cover having an exterior top portion; at least one exterior side wall extending from the exterior top portion; at least one pull tab extending from a portion of the speaker cover; an interior top wall formed substantially opposite at least a portion of the exterior top portion; an interior side wall formed substantially opposite at least a portion of the exterior side wall, wherein an at least partial interior cavity is defined by the interior top wall and the interior side wall; one or more side wall projections extending from at least a portion of the interior side wall; and optionally one or more top wall projections extend from at least a portion of the interior top wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Marine Speaker Covers Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Wilkey, Jared Egge
  • Patent number: 11234079
    Abstract: A suspension component may be used within a system for isolating vibrations produced by an electrical component. A body of the suspension component may be formed from a single piece of planar material. A suspension component includes a plurality of flexures. The plurality of flexures includes a first set of flexures configured to suspend a first sub-assembly of a transducer from support brackets, a second set of flexures configured to suspend a second sub-assembly of the transducer from the first sub-assembly, and a third set of flexures configured to suspend the second sub-assembly from the support brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Scott Porter
  • Patent number: 11218811
    Abstract: A loudspeaker and method of operating a loudspeaker are provided. The loudspeaker has a motor assembly with at least one planar coil. First and second magnets are magnetized in a magnetized direction perpendicular to a direction of coil movement and perpendicular to a central axis of radiation of the loudspeaker. The central axis of radiation is generally parallel to a direction of coil movement and parallel to the plane of the planar coil. The first and second magnets each have upper and lower large surface faces separated by a narrowest dimension. The first and second magnets are magnetized across the narrowest dimension in first and second magnetized directions being opposite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Gilles Milot, Marc-Olivier Chauveau, Ludovic Fournier, Guenther Weber, Armin Prommersberger
  • Patent number: 11218797
    Abstract: A loudspeaker arrangement having a first loudspeaker comprising a first sound radiating surface and a first loudspeaker basket, and a second loudspeaker comprising a second sound radiating surface and a second loudspeaker basket. The first loudspeaker and the second loudspeaker are arranged opposite each other in a first direction, a cavity is formed between a front side of the first loudspeaker and a front side of the second loudspeaker, and the first loudspeaker basket is directly coupled to the second loudspeaker basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Inventors: Joerg Prokisch, Michael Schuster, Andreas Pfeffer, Manfred Aigner