Patents by Inventor Niro Nakamichi

Niro Nakamichi 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).

  • Publication number: 20060078129
    Abstract: Presented is a surround sound system including a loudspeaker enclosure containing a left speaker, a right speaker, and a center speaker. The speakers receive separate audio signals previously processed by a channel decoder. A virtualizer performs a head related transfer function (HRTF) on at least two audio channels. First and second summers respectively combine a front L signal with a post-HRTF L signal, and a front R signal with post-HRTF R signal. The respective combined front L and front R signals are then provided through respective amplifiers to the front L speaker and the front R speaker so as to produce front and rear signals. In another aspect, a loudspeaker enclosure contains first and second left speakers, first and second right speakers, and a center speaker. Wherein the second left speaker and the second right speaker receive respective left surround and right surround post-HRTF virtualizer audio signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Applicant: niro1.com Inc.
    Inventor: Niro Nakamichi
  • Patent number: 6801481
    Abstract: A connecting member connects a pair of holder plates toward the end of the holder plates at the recessed end in the direction in which the disk is inserted. By forming the holding member holding disks using three pieces, there is less deformation causes by high temperatures compared to integrally formed units. Also, since this connecting member only serves to connect the pair of holder plates, a thin rod-shaped connecting bar can be used. This allows the clearance between the disks held toward the back of the device and the rear panel to be minimized, thus contributing to a reduced depth dimension for the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignees: Mechanical Research Corporation, Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Niro Nakamichi
  • Patent number: 6799321
    Abstract: A connecting member connects a pair of holder plates toward the end of the holder plates at the recessed end in the direction in which the disk is inserted. By forming the holding member holding disks using three pieces, there is less deformation causes by high temperatures compared to integrally formed units. Also, since this connecting member only serves to connect the pair of holder plates, a thin rod-shaped connecting bar can be used. This allows the clearance between the disks held toward the back of the device and the rear panel to be minimized, thus contributing to a reduced depth dimension for the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignees: Mechanical Research Corporation, Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Niro Nakamichi
  • Publication number: 20040184628
    Abstract: The present invention comprises an L channel speaker unit which produces an L channel signal; a R channel speaker unit which produces a R channel signal; and a center speaker unit which is placed between the L channel speaker unit and the R channel speaker unit and which produces a −L channel signal and a −R channel signal. For speakers mounted in an automobile described above, the L channel speaker unit and the R channel speaker unit are placed in the front center of the driver seat and passenger seat of an automobile, and the horizontal vibration axis is in a direction pivoting in a direction from the direction of motion of the automobile, and a vertical vibration axis is at a prescribed angle incline in the direction of motion of the automobile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Applicant: niro1.com Inc.
    Inventors: Niro Nakamichi, Takaaki Yamagisawa
  • Patent number: 6791912
    Abstract: A connecting member connects a pair of holder plates toward the end of the holder plates at the recessed end in the direction in which the disk is inserted. By forming the holding member holding disks using three pieces, there is less deformation causes by high temperatures compared to integrally formed units. Also, since this connecting member only serves to connect the pair of holder plates, a thin rod-shaped connecting bar can be used. This allows the clearance between the disks held toward the back of the device and the rear panel to be minimized, thus contributing to a reduced depth dimension for the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignees: Mechanical Research Corporation, Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Niro Nakamichi
  • Patent number: 6785898
    Abstract: A compact disk player/changer for compact disks fits within the standard half-height disk drive form factor for computer peripherals. A disk, either 5 ¼-inch or 3 ½ inch in size, is inserted through an aperture and supported, at opposite contact points on its edge, between laterally movable left and right-side disk guides. The disk's left side contacts a belt revolved on the left-side disk guide. The disk's right side contacts a fixed wall on the right-side disk guide. The belt slides along a rigid wall that prevents bowing from pressure exerted by the disk's edge. Thus, the right-side disk guide presents a flat movable wall that rolls the disk into the disk player along the fixed wall. The left and right-side disk guides move laterally to accommodate the disk as it is inserted. The spacing between the disk guides, once the disk is fully supported between the disk guides, is detected by a controller to determine the size of the disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Nakamichi Corporation
    Inventor: Niro Nakamichi
  • Patent number: 6781940
    Abstract: A connecting member connects a pair of holder plates toward the end of the holder plates at the recessed end in the direction in which the disk is inserted. By forming the holding member holding disks using three pieces, there is less deformation causes by high temperatures compared to integrally formed units. Also, since this connecting member only serves to connect the pair of holder plates, a thin rod-shaped connecting bar can be used. This allows the clearance between the disks held toward the back of the device and the rear panel to be minimized, thus contributing to a reduced depth dimension for the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignees: Mechanical Research Corporation, Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Niro Nakamichi
  • Patent number: 6771782
    Abstract: The impact of disturbances on the amplifier parts for the L and R channels is reduced by attaching the cases for the L and R channels, spaced apart, to the case for the power supply. Only the relatively massive power supply is directly supported on a supporting surface. Independent support on the supporting surface of the signal processing parts of the L and R channel is omitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Mechanical Research Corporation
    Inventor: Niro Nakamichi
  • Patent number: 6771572
    Abstract: A connecting member connects a pair of holder plates toward the end of the holder plates at the recessed end in the direction in which the disk is inserted. By forming the holding member holding disks using three pieces, there is less deformation causes by high temperatures compared to integrally formed units. Also, since this connecting member only serves to connect the pair of holder plates, a thin rod-shaped connecting bar can be used. This allows the clearance between the disks held toward the back of the device and the rear panel to be minimized, thus contributing to a reduced depth dimension for the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignees: Mechanical Research Corporation, Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Niro Nakamichi
  • Publication number: 20040145859
    Abstract: A circular audio amplifier positions the weighty components of its power supply at the bottom, and the audio amplifier portions at the top. Modular finned heat sinks about the audio amplifier portions are resiliently mounted to reduce the transmission of vibration therefrom into the audio amplifier portions. Each module of the heat sink includes copper wires spanning its vertical dimension to short out induced current from top to bottom of the relatively poor electrical conduction of the aluminum of which the heat sinks are made. The audio amplifier portions, except for the final amplifiers, are mounted on independently resiliently mounted parallel substrates. The low-signal substrates are mounted the furthest away from the power supply. All cable entries and exits include grooves surrounding them to suppress the entry of electrical interference. Wires between the power supply and the audio amplifier pass through ferrite beads to filter out high-frequency electrical signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Applicant: MECHANICAL RESEARCH CORP.
    Inventor: Niro Nakamichi
  • Patent number: 6643250
    Abstract: Resilient members absorb vibrations to limit transmission of vibrations from a chassis to a base of a disk record/playback device. A restricting device limits transverse movement of the base on the resilient members. The restricting device limits sloping of a disk mounted on the record/playback device, and thereby prevents interference of the mounted disk with other disks in a storage device. By minimizing the sloping of the disk, the minimum required clearance from the disk mounted on the turntable is reduced and the available vertical space for use in storing disks is maximized. A compact design is possible permitting conformity to constrained dimensions such as standard DIN dimensions in vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Nakamichi Corporation
    Inventor: Niro Nakamichi
  • Publication number: 20030193852
    Abstract: A connecting member connects a pair of holder plates toward the end of the holder plates at the recessed end in the direction in which the disk is inserted. By forming the holding member holding disks using three pieces, there is less deformation causes by high temperatures compared to integrally formed units. Also, since this connecting member only serves to connect the pair of holder plates, a thin rod-shaped connecting bar can be used. This allows the clearance between the disks held toward the back of the device and the rear panel to be minimized, thus contributing to a reduced depth dimension for the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Applicants: MECHANICAL RESEARCH CORPORATION, ALPINE ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Niro Nakamichi
  • Publication number: 20030193853
    Abstract: A connecting member connects a pair of holder plates toward the end of the holder plates at the recessed end in the direction in which the disk is inserted. By forming the holding member holding disks using three pieces, there is less deformation causes by high temperatures compared to integrally formed units. Also, since this connecting member only serves to connect the pair of holder plates, a thin rod-shaped connecting bar can be used. This allows the clearance between the disks held toward the back of the device and the rear panel to be minimized, thus contributing to a reduced depth dimension for the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Applicant: MICHANICAL RESEARCH CORPORATION AND ALPINE ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Niro Nakamichi
  • Patent number: 6633517
    Abstract: A connecting member connects a pair of holder plates toward the end of the holder plates at the recessed end in the direction in which the disk is inserted. By forming the holding member holding disks using three pieces, there is less deformation causes by high temperatures compared to integrally formed units. Also, since this connecting member only serves to connect the pair of holder plates, a thin rod-shaped connecting bar can be used. This allows the clearance between the disks held toward the back of the device and the rear panel to be minimized, thus contributing to a reduced depth dimension for the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignees: Mechanical Research Corporation, Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Niro Nakamichi
  • Patent number: 6587406
    Abstract: A changer type compact disk reproduction device having a first disk transfer mechanism and a second disk transfer mechanism capable of transferring a disk inserted into the device between a reproduction position and a storage position. The first disk transfer mechanism include first and second disk guide sections that hold the outer peripheral faces of a disk inserted into the reproduction device and transfers the disk to a reproduction position. The second disk transfer mechanism include third and fourth disk guide sections that hold the outer peripheral faces of the disk and transfers the disk between a storage position and a position where the first disk transfer mechanism can hold the disk. Each transfer mechanism includes a timing belt that moves the disk along the transfer mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Nakamichi Corporation
    Inventor: Niro Nakamichi
  • Patent number: 6577578
    Abstract: In a disk playback device, a driven disk guide and a fixed disk guide provide transverse movement for a disk. A pivoting arm with an engagement cavity, engages with an edge of an inserted disk and guides the disk during movement into the apparatus. A spring biases the pivoting arm toward a front of the device so that the pivoting arm is in a correct position when the disk is first inserted. As a disk is inserted into the device, the pivoting arm rotates away from a center of the disk. When the full diameter of the disk enters the apparatus, the pivoting arm rotates completely, moves into a slit disposed in the fixed disk guide, and is thereby recessed from the edge of the disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Nakamichi Corporation
    Inventor: Niro Nakamichi
  • Publication number: 20030021194
    Abstract: A connecting member connects a pair of holder plates toward the end of the holder plates at the recessed end in the direction in which the disk is inserted. By forming the holding member holding disks using three pieces, there is less deformation causes by high temperatures compared to integrally formed units. Also, since this connecting member only serves to connect the pair of holder plates, a thin rod-shaped connecting bar can be used. This allows the clearance between the disks held toward the back of the device and the rear panel to be minimized, thus contributing to a reduced depth dimension for the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Applicant: Mechanical Research Corporation
    Inventor: Niro Nakamichi
  • Publication number: 20030021195
    Abstract: A connecting member connects a pair of holder plates toward the end of the holder plates at the recessed end in the direction in which the disk is inserted. By forming the holding member holding disks using three pieces, there is less deformation causes by high temperatures compared to integrally formed units. Also, since this connecting member only serves to connect the pair of holder plates, a thin rod-shaped connecting bar can be used. This allows the clearance between the disks held toward the back of the device and the rear panel to be minimized, thus contributing to a reduced depth dimension for the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Applicant: Mechanical Research Corporation and Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Niro Nakamichi
  • Publication number: 20030021196
    Abstract: A connecting member connects a pair of holder plates toward the end of the holder plates at the recessed end in the direction in which the disk is inserted. By forming the holding member holding disks using three pieces, there is less deformation causes by high temperatures compared to integrally formed units. Also, since this connecting member only serves to connect the pair of holder plates, a thin rod-shaped connecting bar can be used. This allows the clearance between the disks held toward the back of the device and the rear panel to be minimized, thus contributing to a reduced depth dimension for the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Applicant: Mechanical Research Corporation
    Inventor: Niro Nakamichi
  • Publication number: 20030016830
    Abstract: The present invention includes: a front L-channel speaker unit for outputting a front L-minus-R signal; a front R-channel speaker unit for outputting a front R-minus-L signal; a front center speaker unit for outputting a front center signal consisting of front R-plus-front L; a rear L-channel speaker unit for outputting a rear L-minus-R signal; a rear R-channel speaker unit for outputting a rear R-minus-L signal; and a rear center speaker unit for outputting a rear L-plus-R signal. The subtracted signals contain only frequency components below a predetermined frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventor: Niro Nakamichi