Patents by Inventor Bruce Thigpen

Bruce Thigpen has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11818564
    Abstract: A quadrupole transducer created by spatially offsetting a first dipole from a second dipole while causing the first and second dipoles to produce the same acoustic signal. This arrangement minimizes floor, ceiling and wall reflections which alter the perception of sound quality. In some embodiments the second dipole is vertically offset from the first dipole. This produces a phantom acoustic image that is perceived to emanate from an intermediate position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Inventor: F. Bruce Thigpen
  • Patent number: 11546680
    Abstract: A flat plate audio transducer. A front panel and a back panel are connected via a frame. One or more electromagnetic actuators are mounted between the two panels. Voice coils are used as the actuators in some embodiments. Stiffening braces are preferably run between groups of actuators to prevent unwanted resonance phenomena. In some embodiments an actuator array moves both the front and back panels. In other embodiments only one panel is moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Inventor: F. Bruce Thigpen
  • Publication number: 20220394412
    Abstract: A quadrupole transducer created by spatially offsetting a first dipole from a second dipole while causing the first and second dipoles to produce the same acoustic signal. This arrangement minimizes floor, ceiling and wall reflections which alter the perception of sound quality. In some embodiments the second dipole is vertically offset from the first dipole. This produces a phantom acoustic image that is perceived to emanate from an intermediate position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventor: F. Bruce Thigpen
  • Publication number: 20210195305
    Abstract: A flat plate audio transducer. A front panel and a back panel are connected via a frame. One or more electromagnetic actuators are mounted between the two panels. Voice coils are used as the actuators in some embodiments. Stiffening braces are preferably run between groups of actuators to prevent unwanted resonance phenomena. In some embodiments an actuator array moves both the front and back panels. In other embodiments only one panel is moved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventor: F. Bruce Thigpen
  • Patent number: 10951966
    Abstract: A flat plate audio transducer. A front panel and a back panel are connected via a frame. One or more electromagnetic actuators are mounted between the two panels. Voice coils are used as the actuators in some embodiments. Stiffening braces are preferably run between groups of actuators to prevent unwanted resonance phenomena. In some embodiments an actuator array moves both the front and back panels. In other embodiments only one panel is moved. The flat plate transducer is configured to mount on a room wall in a position that is conventionally used for decorative items such as artwork.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Inventor: F. Bruce Thigpen
  • Publication number: 20210058688
    Abstract: A flat plate audio transducer. A front panel and a back panel are connected via a frame. One or more electromagnetic actuators are mounted between the two panels. Voice coils are used as the actuators in some embodiments. Stiffening braces are preferably run between groups of actuators to prevent unwanted resonance phenomena. In some embodiments an actuator array moves both the front and back panels. In other embodiments only one panel is moved. The flat plate transducer is configured to mount on a room wall in a position that is conventionally used for decorative items such as artwork.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventor: F. Bruce Thigpen
  • Patent number: 10045525
    Abstract: An active non-lethal infrasound system for denying all bird species access to critical areas, particularly in areas around aircraft and other high value systems. The system comprises a plurality of infrasound generators broadcasting continuous infrasonic signals to create a bird-free infrasound active zone within the perimeters of the protected critical area and an infrasound-free dead zones for birds being denied access to the critical areas. Further, an active infrasonic barrier is assembled within an exclusion area surrounding the bird-free infrasound active zone to dampen all low frequency sound waves emanating from the critical area and its perimeters. Wherever the situation allows, a wildlife sanctuary is preferably established further from the exclusion area to attract and protect birds, enforced by broadcasting infrasound signals that simulate natural sounds that attract species typical of the geographic location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignees: TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED, EMINENT TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Abdo A. Husseiny, Omar Abdallah, F. Bruce Thigpen, Ajay Mahajan, Jonathan Tyron Hagstrum, Zeinab A. Sabri
  • Patent number: 9854364
    Abstract: A speaker may be configured with at least one diaphragm positioned proximal to and separated from an array of magnets. The diaphragm may consist of a substrate and at least one patterned electrically conductive trace with a portion of the diaphragm knurled to provide a ridge extending a height above the diaphragm that is at least twice a thickness of the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: MrSpeakers, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel W. Clark, Frederick Bruce Thigpen, Robert Jason Egger
  • Patent number: 9387941
    Abstract: A method is provided for mitigation of aircraft bird strikes through the provision of conditions on the ground that totally prevents the formation of atmospheric thermals in the proximity of airports and airfields, whereby conflicts between soaring and migratory birds and aircrafts may be avoided. This is accomplished by modification of the topography of the field into a plurality of zones, as described herein and through construction of high albedo pavements, roads, artificial turfs and cool terrains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignees: Technology International Incorporated, Eminent Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Abdo Husseiny, Omar Abdallah, Bruce Thigpen, Ajay Mahajan, Jonathan Hagstrum, Zeinab A. Sabri
  • Patent number: 9363611
    Abstract: A rotary sound transducer having an improved output at higher frequencies. The invention includes stiff vanes that are preferably rigidly attached to a hub. A torsional actuator is provided in each vane. The torsional actuator selectively twists the tip portion of each vane. The torsional actuator for each vane is activated by an input energy source corresponding to the sound waves that are desired. The input force may also be electromechanical energy, purely mechanical energy, or some other form of energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Inventor: F. Bruce Thigpen
  • Publication number: 20160142824
    Abstract: A speaker may be configured with at least one diaphragm positioned proximal to and separated from an array of magnets. The diaphragm may consist of a substrate and at least one patterned electrically conductive trace with a portion of the diaphragm knurled to provide a ridge extending a height above the diaphragm that is at least twice a thickness of the diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Daniel W. Clark, Frederick Bruce Thigpen
  • Publication number: 20160112810
    Abstract: A rotary sound transducer having an improved output at higher frequencies. The invention includes stiff vanes that are preferably rigidly attached to a hub. A torsional actuator is provided in each vane. The torsional actuator selectively twists the tip portion of each vane. The torsional actuator for each vane is activated by an input energy source corresponding to the sound waves that are desired. The input force may also be electromechanical energy, purely mechanical energy, or some other form of energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventor: F. Bruce Thigpen
  • Publication number: 20140374539
    Abstract: A method is provided for mitigation of aircraft bird strikes through the provision of conditions on the ground that totally prevents the formation of atmospheric thermals in the proximity of airports and airfields, whereby conflicts between soaring and migratory birds and aircrafts may be avoided. This is accomplished by modification of the topography of the field into a plurality of zones, as described herein and through construction of high albedo pavements, roads, artificial turfs and cool terrains.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicants: TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED, EMINENT TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Abdo HUSSEINY, Omar ABDALLAH, Bruce THIGPEN, Ajay MAHAGAN, Jonathan HAGSTRUM, Zeinab A. SABRI
  • Patent number: 8813438
    Abstract: A method is provided for mitigation of aircraft bird strikes through the provision of conditions on the ground that totally prevents the formation of atmospheric thermals in the proximity of airports and airfields, whereby conflicts between soaring and migratory birds and aircrafts may be avoided. This is accomplished by modification of the topography of the field into a plurality of zones, as described herein and through construction of high albedo pavements, roads, artificial turfs and cool terrains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignees: Technology International Incorporated, Eminent Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Abdo Husseiny, Omar Abdallah, Bruce Thigpen, Ajay Mahagan, Jonathan Tyron Hagstrum, Zeinab A. Sabri
  • Publication number: 20140185414
    Abstract: An active non-lethal infrasound system for denying all bird species access to critical areas, particularly in areas around aircraft and other high value systems. The system comprises a plurality of infrasound generators broadcasting continuous infrasonic signals to create a bird-free infrasound active zone within the perimeters of the protected critical area and an infrasound-free dead zones for birds being denied access to the critical areas. Further, an active infrasonic barrier is assembled within an exclusion area surrounding the bird-free infrasound active zone to dampen all low frequency sound waves emanating from the critical area and its perimeters. Wherever the situation allows, a wildlife sanctuary is preferably established further from the exclusion area to attract and protect birds, enforced by broadcasting infrasound signals that simulate natural sounds that attract species typical of the geographic location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicants: EMINENT TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED, TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Abdo A. HUSSEINY, Omar ABDALLAH, F. Bruce THIGPEN, Ajay MAHAJAN, Jonathan Tyron HAGSTRUM, Zeinab A. SABRI
  • Publication number: 20120112002
    Abstract: A method is provided for mitigation of aircraft bird strikes through the provision of conditions on the ground that totally prevents the formation of atmospheric thermals in the proximity of airports and airfields, whereby conflicts between soaring and migratory birds and aircrafts may be avoided. This is accomplished by modification of the topography of the field into a plurality of zones, as described herein and through construction of high albedo pavements, roads, artificial turfs and cool terrains.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicants: EMINENT TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED, TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Abdo A. HUSSEINY, Omar ABDALLAH, F. Bruce THIGPEN, Ajay MAHAJAN, Jonathan Tyron HAGSTRUM, Zeinab A. SABRI
  • Publication number: 20120113754
    Abstract: An active non-lethal infrasound system for denying all bird species access to critical areas, particularly in areas around aircraft and other high value systems. The system comprises a plurality of infrasound generators broadcasting continuous infrasonic signals to create a bird-free infrasound active zone within the perimeters of the protected critical area and an infrasound-free dead zones for birds being denied access to the critical areas. Further, an active infrasonic barrier is assembled within an exclusion area surrounding the bird-free infrasound active zone to dampen all low frequency sound waves emanating from the critical area and its perimeters. Wherever the situation allows, a wildlife sanctuary is preferably established further from the exclusion area to attract and protect birds, enforced by broadcasting infrasound signals that simulate natural sounds that attract species typical of the geographic location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicants: EMINENT TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED, TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Abdo A. HUSSEINY, Omar ABDALLAH, F. Bruce THIGPEN, Ajay MAHAJAN, Jonathan Tyron HAGSTRUM, Zeinab A. SABRI
  • Patent number: 7343020
    Abstract: Automotive audio systems that use directional planar magnetic transducers in a layout or placement configuration to provide direct or reflected audio imaging in stereo or surround sounds for individual passengers of an automotive vehicle with reduced crossed audio interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Inventor: F. Bruce Thigpen
  • Patent number: 6760462
    Abstract: A loudspeaker, and particularly, a woofer, including a flat diaphragm transducer having at least one stator plate for carrying magnetic elements in close proximity to a low stiffness diaphragm wherein a piston-like motion of the diaphragm is achieved by creating pressure zones adjacent the diaphragm to improve an acoustic coupling and increase acoustic output for a given size of diaphragm by the provision of non-uniformly spaced openings in the at least one stator plate which are selectively spaced to control low frequency diaphragm resonance modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Eminent Technology Incorporated
    Inventor: F. Bruce Thigpen
  • Publication number: 20040109575
    Abstract: Automotive audio systems that use directional planar magnetic transducers in a layout or placement configuration to provide direct or reflected audio imaging in stereo or surround sounds for individual passengers of an automotive vehicle with reduced crossed audio interference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventor: F. Bruce Thigpen