Abstract: Various implementations include seats and related loudspeakers. In particular cases, a seat includes: a seat headrest portion; a seat backrest portion; and a loudspeaker assembly. The loudspeaker assembly includes at least one driver for generating an acoustic output; and an acoustic exit fixed in the seat backrest portion and angled to provide the acoustic output to a location below a nominal ear position of an occupant of the seat, wherein a firing angle of the at least one driver provides the acoustic output to achieve a consistent frequency response across a range of positions deviating from the nominal ear position.

Abstract: Systems and methods of providing audio through or near a headrest are provided. A headrest includes an adjustable surface positioned to be proximate an occupants head when in use and an acoustic opening is configured to emit acoustic energy from an acoustic transducer in a range of directions in which an ear of the occupant is expected to occupy. The position of the adjustable surface gives some indication of the location of the occupants ear, and various audio signal (driver signal) properties may be adjusted based upon the position of the adjustable surface.

Abstract: Various implementations include vehicle headrest configurations and related audio systems. In some cases, a headrest includes: a main body having a front surface to support a back of a user’s head and a pair of acoustic channels each formed in part by a side wall having a front edge that is offset from the front surface, the main body having a portion configured to receive first and second transducers, where a transducer mount in each of the pair of acoustic channels for mounting respective ones of the first and second transducers, where a dimension (Dimension C) is defined by a rotation angle of the transducer mount relative to a centerline of the vehicle headrest, wherein Dimension C is approximately -20 degrees to approximately zero degrees.

Abstract: Various implementations include vehicle headrest configurations and related audio systems. In some cases, a headrest includes: a main body having a front surface to support a back of a user's head and a pair of acoustic channels each formed in part by a side wall having a front edge that is offset from the front surface, the main body having a portion configured to receive first and second transducers, where a transducer mount in each of the pair of acoustic channels for mounting respective ones of the first and second transducers, wherein a dimension (Dimension C) is defined by a rotation angle of the transducer mount relative to a centerline of the vehicle headrest, wherein Dimension C is approximately ?20 degrees to approximately zero degrees.

Abstract: Various implementations include seats and related loudspeakers. In particular cases, a seat includes: a seat headrest portion; a seat backrest portion; and a loudspeaker assembly. The loudspeaker assembly includes at least one driver for generating an acoustic output; and an acoustic exit fixed in the seat backrest portion and angled to provide the acoustic output to a location below a nominal ear position of an occupant of the seat, wherein a firing angle of the at least one driver provides the acoustic output to achieve a consistent frequency response across a range of positions deviating from the nominal ear position.

Abstract: A vehicle audio system includes a loudspeaker configured to be acoustically coupled to an interior of a vehicle and to be ducted to an exterior of the vehicle as well as a controller coupled to the loudspeaker. The controller is configured to (i) detect one or more vehicle operating parameters of the vehicle that would result in a pressure differential condition between the interior and the exterior, and (ii) adjust an audio signal provided to the loudspeaker in response to detecting the vehicle operating parameters.

Abstract: Various implementations include seats and related loudspeaker assemblies. In particular cases, a seat includes: a seat headrest portion; a seat backrest portion; and a loudspeaker assembly associated with the backrest portion. The loudspeaker assembly can have an acoustic directivity angled upward above a nominal ear position of an occupant.

Abstract: Various implementations include seats and related loudspeakers. In particular cases, a seat includes: a seat headrest portion; a seat backrest portion; and a loudspeaker assembly. The loudspeaker assembly includes at least one driver for generating an acoustic output; and an acoustic exit fixed in the seat backrest portion and angled to provide the acoustic output to a location below a nominal ear position of an occupant of the seat, wherein a firing angle of the at least one driver provides the acoustic output to achieve a consistent frequency response across a range of positions deviating from the nominal ear position.

Abstract: Various implementations include seats and related loudspeakers. In particular cases, a seat includes: a seat headrest portion; a seat backrest portion; and a loudspeaker assembly. The loudspeaker assembly includes at least one driver for generating an acoustic output; and an acoustic exit fixed in the seat backrest portion and angled to provide the acoustic output to a location below a nominal ear position of an occupant of the seat, wherein a firing angle of the at least one driver provides the acoustic output to achieve a consistent frequency response across a range of positions deviating from the nominal ear position.

Abstract: A vehicle audio system includes a loudspeaker configured to be acoustically coupled to an interior of a vehicle and to be ducted to an exterior of the vehicle as well as a controller coupled to the loudspeaker.

Abstract: Various implementations include vehicle headrest configurations and related audio systems. In some cases, a headrest includes: a main body having a front surface to support a back of a user's head and a pair of acoustic channels each formed in part by a side wall having a front edge that is offset from the front surface, the main body having a portion configured to receive first and second transducers, where a transducer mount in each of the pair of acoustic channels for mounting respective ones of the first and second transducers, wherein a dimension (Dimension C) is defined by a rotation angle of the transducer mount relative to a centerline of the vehicle headrest, wherein Dimension C is approximately ?20 degrees to approximately zero degrees.

Abstract: Various implementations include seats and related systems for detecting user proximity and controlling one or more functions based on that proximity detection. In particular cases, the seats include capacitive sensors for detecting user proximity. In some particular aspects, an automobile seat includes: a core section; a cover over at least a portion of the core section, the cover having a set of capacitive sensors across a front of the seat; and a processor for processing signals from the set of capacitive sensors to detect a proximity of a user.

Abstract: Audio systems and assemblies provide for a loudspeaker acoustically coupled to an interior of a vehicle and externally ducted to an exterior of the vehicle. The loudspeaker may therefore be subject to a pressure differential existing between the interior and the exterior that may cause undesirable operation, such as an altered acoustic response and/or damage to the loudspeaker. The systems and assemblies provide for various mitigating actions that may include altering an audio signal to change the acoustic response, turning off the loudspeaker, and/or isolating the loudspeaker from the pressure differential.

Abstract: A vehicle headrest includes an electro-acoustic transducer and an acoustic enclosure that supports the electro-acoustic transducer. A unitary foam member is coupled to the acoustic enclosure. The foam member has regions of contrasting firmness including a first region having a first firmness and a second region having a second firmness that is greater than the first firmness. The second region defines a speaker grille that is configured to overlie the electro-acoustic transducer.

Abstract: The technology described in this document can be embodied in a vehicle seat that includes a seat headrest portion for supporting the head of an occupant, and a seat backrest portion for supporting the back of the occupant in a seated position. The backrest portion includes an enclosure for receiving at least a portion of an acoustic transducer. The vehicle seat also includes an acoustic channel having a first end that is configured to be fitted around a driver of the acoustic transducer in an acoustically sealed configuration, and a second end. The second end is opposite the first end and disposed at a location closer to the seat headrest portion than the seat backrest portion. The acoustic channel is configured to radiate acoustic energy from the acoustic transducer through the second end.

Abstract: Various implementations include vehicle headrest configurations and related audio systems. In some cases, a headrest includes: a main body having a front surface to support a back of a user's head and a pair of acoustic channels each formed in part by a side wall having a front edge that is offset from the front surface, the main body having a portion configured to receive first and second transducers having a center-to-center spacing of approximately 130 millimeters (mm) to approximately 240 mm, where a dimension (Dimension K) is defined by a distance between respective inside surfaces of side walls of the pair of acoustic channels, a dimension (Dimension F) is defined by an amount that the front edge of each side wall is recessed from the front surface and, the first and second transducers are oriented at an outward firing angle relative to the centerline of the vehicle headrest.

Abstract: Various implementations include seats and related systems for detecting user proximity and controlling one or more functions based on that proximity detection. In particular cases, the seats include capacitive sensors for detecting user proximity. In some particular aspects, an automobile seat includes: a core section; a cover over at least a portion of the core section, the cover having a set of capacitive sensors across a front of the seat; and a processor for processing signals from the set of capacitive sensors to detect a proximity of a user.

Abstract: Various implementations include seats and related loudspeaker assemblies. In particular cases, a seat includes: a seat headrest portion; a seat backrest portion; and a loudspeaker assembly associated with the backrest portion. The loudspeaker assembly can have an acoustic directivity angled upward above a nominal ear position of an occupant.

Abstract: A vehicle headrest includes an electro-acoustic transducer and an acoustic enclosure. The acoustic enclosure defines an acoustic chamber. The acoustic enclosure supports the electro-acoustic transducer such that a rear radiating surface of the electro-acoustic transducer radiates acoustic energy into the acoustic chamber. A cushion member is coupled to the acoustic enclosure for supporting a user's head. A grille member overlies a front radiating surface of the electro-acoustic transducer. The grille member is formed of a 3D printed lattice.

Abstract: Audio systems and assemblies provide for a loudspeaker acoustically coupled to an interior of a vehicle and externally ducted to an exterior of the vehicle. The loudspeaker may therefore be subject to a pressure differential existing between the interior and the exterior that may cause undesirable operation, such as an altered acoustic response and/or damage to the loudspeaker. The systems and assemblies provide for various mitigating actions that may include altering an audio signal to change the acoustic response, turning off the loudspeaker, and/or isolating the loudspeaker from the pressure differential.