Abstract: The CPS (center point stereo) system of the present invention is directed to stereo sound reinforcement of live music, particularly with electronically-implemented instruments such as guitars and keyboards that provide a musical source signal at line level. A special CPS processor, converting regular left and right stereo signals to sum and difference signals, enables a center stage acoustic image to be created directly from a forward-directed loudspeaker unit driven from the sum signal and enables left and right spatialized stereo images to be created by recombination with a difference field received indirectly from a sideways-directed special dipole loudspeaker unit conveniently co-located with the forward-directed loudspeaker unit and driven from the difference signal. The CPS processor receives L and R input from the instrument or from an interposed FX (musical effects) or DSP (digital sound process) unit receiving mono or stereo input from the instrument.

Abstract: An active and passive loudspeaker voice coil excursion and amplitude gain control device is disclosed. The excursion and amplitude gain control device is utilized in connection with a voice coil actuator having a case, a coil and a coil carrier having an extreme downward position contacting the case. The excursion and amplitude gain control device includes a restraining member mounted to the coil carrier, wherein the restraining member is positioned on the carrier such that during downward movement of the coil carrier, the restraining member contacts the case before the coil carrier reaches the extreme downward position. A proximity sensor is mounted to the coil carrier, wherein the proximity sensor produces a proximity signal varying proportional to the distance of the sensor from the extreme downward position.

Abstract: A seat having an acoustic waveguide for conveying sound from a remotely mounted loudspeaker to a location in close proximity to an occupant's ears is disclosed. The seat comprises a horizontal seating member upon which an occupant may sit and a loudspeaker located under the seating member for generating sound to be conveyed to the occupant's ears. A back rest member extends upwardly from the seating member and comprises an acoustic waveguide coupled to the loudspeaker for conveying sound to the occupant. The waveguide terminates at an upper location such that a virtual sound source is located in close proximity to the occupant's ears. In its present form, the seat has special application in the amusement ride industry where the conveyance of intelligible sound to occupants may be difficult in view of the noisy environment in which such amusement rides tend to operate. Multiple loudspeakers in combination with specially shaped waveguides may be employed to convey stereo sound to multiple occupants.