Patents by Inventor Sam NOERTKER
Sam NOERTKER 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).
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Patent number: 10462560Abstract: A driver assembly comprises a housing structure, a magnet assembly within the housing structure, and opposing spring structures coupled to the housing structure at different vertical positions than one another. The magnet assembly comprises a permanent magnet, a plate structure underlying the permanent magnet, a voice coil circumscribing the permanent magnet and the plate structure, and a yoke structure at least partially surrounding the permanent magnet, the plate structure, and the voice coil. The opposing spring structures are configured to impede horizontal movement of the permanent magnet, the plate structure, and the yoke structure while permitting vertical movement thereof. A headphone and a method of forming a headphone are also described.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2018Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: SkullCandy, Inc.Inventors: John Timothy, Branden Sheffield, Randall J. Hull, Sam Noertker, Gregory R. Woolston, Andrew Pierce
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Publication number: 20190215603Abstract: A driver assembly comprises a housing structure, a magnet assembly within the housing structure, and opposing spring structures coupled to the housing structure at different vertical positions than one another. The magnet assembly comprises a permanent magnet, a plate structure underlying the permanent magnet, a voice coil circumscribing the permanent magnet and the plate structure, and a yoke structure at least partially surrounding the permanent magnet, the plate structure, and the voice coil. The opposing spring structures are configured to impede horizontal movement of the permanent magnet, the plate structure, and the yoke structure while permitting vertical movement thereof. A headphone and a method of forming a headphone are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2018Publication date: July 11, 2019Inventors: John Timothy, Branden Sheffield, Randall J. Hull, Sam Noertker, Gregory R. Woolston, Andrew Pierce
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Patent number: 10206027Abstract: A speaker assembly includes a support structure and a tactile vibrator coupled to the support structure. The tactile vibrator includes a plurality of rigid members coupled to a plurality of suspension members. Each rigid member of the plurality of rigid members has at least one magnetic member coupled thereto for generating tactile vibrations during operation of the speaker assembly. A headphone includes the speaker assembly. A method of operating a speaker assembly includes driving a tactile vibrator having a plurality of magnetic members coupled to a plurality of rigid members and a plurality of suspension members to cause tactile vibrations in the speaker assembly.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2017Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: Skullcandy, Inc.Inventors: John Timothy, Sam Noertker
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Patent number: 10070213Abstract: Methods of generating tactile user feedback utilizing headphone devices may involve sending a feedback signal from a computing device to a headphone device operatively connected to the computing device. A tactile vibration may be generated utilizing a tactile bass vibrator of the headphone device in response to the feedback signal. Systems for generating tactile user feedback utilizing headphone devices may include a headphone device operatively connected to a computing device, the headphone device comprising a tactile bass vibrator configured to generate a tactile vibration in response to a feedback signal received from the computing device. The computing device may be programmed to send a feedback signal to the headphone device in response to a predetermined event.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2017Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: Skullcandy, Inc.Inventors: Sam Noertker, John Timothy, Matthew Windt
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Patent number: 10063976Abstract: Headphones for stereo tactile vibration, and related systems and methods are disclosed. A headphone comprises a first speaker assembly including a first audio driver and a first tactile bass vibrator. The headphone also comprises a second speaker assembly including a second audio driver and a second tactile bass vibrator. The headphone further comprises a signal processing circuit configured to generate a first tactile vibration signal and a second tactile vibration signal from an audio signal to be received by the headphone. The first tactile vibration signal differs from the second tactile vibration signal. A method of operating the headphone includes generating the first tactile vibration signal and the second tactile vibration signal, and driving vibration of the first and second tactile bass vibrators with the first and second tactile vibration signals, respectively. A stereo tactile vibrator system includes the headphone.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2017Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: Skullcandy, Inc.Inventors: Tetsuro Oishi, John Timothy, Sam Noertker
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Patent number: 9942650Abstract: Speaker assemblies for a headphone device may include an audio speaker configured to produce audible sound in response to receiving an audio signal at the audio speaker. A tactile bass vibrator distinct from the audio speaker may be operatively connected to the audio speaker. The tactile bass vibrator may be configured to produce tactile vibrations in response to receiving the audio signal at the tactile bass vibrator. A current divider may be operatively connected to the audio speaker and the tactile bass vibrator. A pivoting portion of an attachment structure of an ear cup supporting the audio speaker, tactile bass vibrator, and current divider may intersect with a geometrical central axis of the ear cup, and the audio speaker and tactile bass vibrator may not intersect with the geometrical central axis of the respective ear cup.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2017Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: Skullcandy, Inc.Inventors: John Timothy, Sam Noertker
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Patent number: 9918154Abstract: A tactile vibration driver for use in a headphone includes a support structure, at least one suspension member suspending at least one rigid member relative to the support structure, and a plurality of magnetic members attached to the at least one rigid member and configured to drive oscillating movement of the at least one rigid member and the at least one suspension member so as to produce tactile vibrations during operation of the tactile vibration driver. An audio system includes the tactile vibration driver. A method of operating an audio system includes driving a plurality of magnetic members attached to a rigid member of the tactile vibration driver to cause oscillations of the plurality of magnetic members and the rigid member relative to a suspension member and producing tactile vibrations responsive to receipt of an electrical signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2015Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: SKULLCANDY, INC.Inventors: John Timothy, Sam Noertker
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Publication number: 20180035201Abstract: Speaker assemblies for a headphone device may include an audio speaker configured to produce audible sound in response to receiving an audio signal at the audio speaker. A tactile bass vibrator distinct from the audio speaker may be operatively connected to the audio speaker. The tactile bass vibrator may be configured to produce tactile vibrations in response to receiving the audio signal at the tactile bass vibrator. A current divider may be operatively connected to the audio speaker and the tactile bass vibrator. A pivoting portion of an attachment structure of an ear cup supporting the audio speaker, tactile bass vibrator, and current divider may intersect with a geometrical central axis of the ear cup, and the audio speaker and tactile bass vibrator may not intersect with the geometrical central axis of the respective ear cup.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2017Publication date: February 1, 2018Inventors: John Timothy, Sam Noertker
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Patent number: 9883290Abstract: An audio driver assembly comprises a driver housing and an audio driver secured within the driver housing. The audio driver comprises a magnet assembly, a flexible diaphragm overlying the magnet assembly, and a spacer between the magnet assembly and the flexible diaphragm. A headphone and a method of forming a headphone are also described.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2015Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: Skullcandy, Inc.Inventors: John Timothy, Sam Noertker
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Patent number: 9860629Abstract: Speaker assemblies for a headphone device may include an audio speaker configured to produce audible sound in response to receiving an audio signal at the audio speaker. A tactile bass vibrator distinct from the audio speaker may be operatively connected to the audio speaker. The tactile bass vibrator may be configured to produce tactile vibrations in response to receiving the audio signal at the tactile bass vibrator. A current divider may be operatively connected to the audio speaker and the tactile bass vibrator, the current divider providing greater electrical resistance to flow of current to the audio speaker than to flow of current to the tactile bass vibrator.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2015Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Skullcandy, Inc.Inventors: John Timothy, Sam Noertker
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Publication number: 20170318381Abstract: Methods of generating tactile user feedback utilizing headphone devices may involve sending a feedback signal from a computing device to a headphone device operatively connected to the computing device. A tactile vibration may be generated utilizing a tactile bass vibrator of the headphone device in response to the feedback signal. Systems for generating tactile user feedback utilizing headphone devices may include a headphone device operatively connected to a computing device, the headphone device comprising a tactile bass vibrator configured to generate a tactile vibration in response to a feedback signal received from the computing device. The computing device may be programmed to send a feedback signal to the headphone device in response to a predetermined event.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: Sam Noertker, John Timothy, Matthew Windt
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Patent number: 9800978Abstract: An audio driver assembly comprises a driver housing and an audio driver secured within the driver housing. The audio driver comprises a magnet assembly, a flexible diaphragm overlying the magnet assembly, and a stabilizer extending through the driver housing and into the magnet assembly. A headphone and a method of forming a headphone are also described.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2015Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: Skullcandy, Inc.Inventors: Sam Noertker, John Timothy, Randall J. Hull, Sam Lepley, Matthew Windt, Gregory R. Woolston
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Publication number: 20170245042Abstract: A speaker assembly includes a support structure and a tactile vibrator coupled to the support structure. The tactile vibrator includes a plurality of rigid members coupled to a plurality of suspension members. Each rigid member of the plurality of rigid members has at least one magnetic member coupled thereto for generating tactile vibrations during operation of the speaker assembly. A headphone includes the speaker assembly. A method of operating a speaker assembly includes driving a tactile vibrator having a plurality of magnetic members coupled to a plurality of rigid members and a plurality of suspension members to cause tactile vibrations in the speaker assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2017Publication date: August 24, 2017Inventors: John Timothy, Sam Noertker
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Patent number: 9712907Abstract: Methods of generating tactile user feedback utilizing headphone devices may involve sending a feedback signal from a computing device to a headphone device operatively connected to the computing device. A tactile vibration may be generated utilizing a tactile bass vibrator of the headphone device in response to the feedback signal. Systems for generating tactile user feedback utilizing headphone devices may include a headphone device operatively connected to a computing device, the headphone device comprising a tactile bass vibrator configured to generate a tactile vibration in response to a feedback signal received from the computing device. The computing device may be programmed to send a feedback signal to the headphone device in response to a predetermined event.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2015Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: Skullcandy, Inc.Inventors: Sam Noertker, John Timothy, Matthew Windt
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Publication number: 20170150267Abstract: Headphones for stereo tactile vibration, and related systems and methods are disclosed. A headphone comprises a first speaker assembly including a first audio driver and a first tactile bass vibrator. The headphone also comprises a second speaker assembly including a second audio driver and a second tactile bass vibrator. The headphone further comprises a signal processing circuit configured to generate a first tactile vibration signal and a second tactile vibration signal from an audio signal to be received by the headphone. The first tactile vibration signal differs from the second tactile vibration signal. A method of operating the headphone includes generating the first tactile vibration signal and the second tactile vibration signal, and driving vibration of the first and second tactile bass vibrators with the first and second tactile vibration signals, respectively. A stereo tactile vibrator system includes the headphone.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2017Publication date: May 25, 2017Inventors: Tetsuro Oishi, John Timothy, Sam Noertker
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Patent number: 9648412Abstract: A speaker assembly includes a support structure and a tactile vibrator coupled to the support structure. The tactile vibrator includes a plurality of rigid members coupled to a plurality of suspension members. Each rigid member of the plurality of rigid members has at least one magnetic member coupled thereto for generating tactile vibrations during operation of the speaker assembly. A headphone includes the speaker assembly. A method of operating a speaker assembly includes driving a tactile vibrator having a plurality of magnetic members coupled to a plurality of rigid members and a plurality of suspension members to cause tactile vibrations in the speaker assembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2015Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: Skullcandy, Inc.Inventors: John Timothy, Sam Noertker
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Patent number: 9609421Abstract: A speaker comprises a support structure having a circumferentially extending rim, a vibration member configured to be displaced relative to the support structure during operation of the speaker, and a suspension member suspending the vibration member relative to the support structure. The suspension member includes a radially outer portion attached to the rim of the support structure, a radially inner platform portion attached to the vibration member, and a plurality of beams. Each beam of the plurality of beams may extend from the radially outer portion to the radially inner platform portion. The plurality of beams is configured such that a resonant frequency of the vibration member attached to the radially inner platform portion of the suspension member scales linearly with a beam width of the beams of the plurality of beams.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2015Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Skullcandy, Inc.Inventors: Tetsuro Oishi, Sam Noertker
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Publication number: 20170034612Abstract: A tactile vibration driver for use in a headphone includes a support structure, at least one suspension member suspending at least one rigid member relative to the support structure, and a plurality of magnetic members attached to the at least one rigid member and configured to drive oscillating movement of the at least one rigid member and the at least one suspension member so as to produce tactile vibrations during operation of the tactile vibration driver. An audio system includes the tactile vibration driver. A method of operating an audio system includes driving a plurality of magnetic members attached to a rigid member of the tactile vibration driver to cause oscillations of the plurality of magnetic members and the rigid member relative to a suspension member and producing tactile vibrations responsive to receipt of an electrical signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2015Publication date: February 2, 2017Inventors: John Timothy, Sam Noertker
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Patent number: 9549260Abstract: Headphones for stereo tactile vibration, and related systems and methods are disclosed. A headphone comprises a first speaker assembly including a first audio driver and a first tactile bass vibrator. The headphone also comprises a second speaker assembly including a second audio driver and a second tactile bass vibrator. The headphone further comprises a signal processing circuit configured to generate a first tactile vibration signal and a second tactile vibration signal from an audio signal to be received by the headphone. The first tactile vibration signal differs from the second tactile vibration signal. A method of operating the headphone includes generating the first tactile vibration signal and the second tactile vibration signal, and driving vibration of the first and second tactile bass vibrators with the first and second tactile vibration signals, respectively. A stereo tactile vibrator system includes the headphone.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2014Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignee: Skullcandy, Inc.Inventors: Tetsuro Oishi, John Timothy, Sam Noertker
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Publication number: 20160234588Abstract: A speaker assembly includes a support structure and a tactile vibrator coupled to the support structure. The tactile vibrator includes a plurality of rigid members coupled to a plurality of suspension members. Each rigid member of the plurality of rigid members has at least one magnetic member coupled thereto for generating tactile vibrations during operation of the speaker assembly. A headphone includes the speaker assembly. A method of operating a speaker assembly includes driving a tactile vibrator having a plurality of magnetic members coupled to a plurality of rigid members and a plurality of suspension members to cause tactile vibrations in the speaker assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2015Publication date: August 11, 2016Inventors: John Timothy, Sam Noertker