Patents by Inventor Scott P. Porter
Scott P. Porter 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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Publication number: 20160080870Abstract: An audio speaker having a suspension system including a surround to support a diaphragm within a frame and to reduce non-pistonic motion of the diaphragm at several resonant frequencies is disclosed. More particularly, embodiments of the surround include a film that undulates in a peripheral direction around the diaphragm and includes several undulations above and below a radial gap between the diaphragm and the frame. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2015Publication date: March 17, 2016Inventors: Pablo Seoane Vieites, Christopher Wilk, Suzanne Hardy, Alexander V. Salvatti, Oliver Leonhardt, Scott P. Porter
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Patent number: 9288582Abstract: A speaker driver including a frame and a magnet assembly positioned within the frame. A sound radiating surface may be suspended over the magnet assembly. The sound radiating surface may include a top face and a bottom face, and the bottom face may face the magnet assembly. A suspension member may suspend the sound radiating surface over the magnet assembly. The suspension member may include a top side connected to the bottom face of the sound radiating surface and a bottom side connected to assembly support member that is separate from the magnet assembly. A voice coil extends from the bottom face of the sound radiating surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2015Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Pablo Seoane Vieites, Suzanne Hardy, Christopher R. Wilk, Alexander V. Salvatti, Scott P. Porter, Justin D. Crosby
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Publication number: 20160073182Abstract: This document describes methods and apparatus for reducing a magnetic field emitted by an earpiece assembly from extending substantially outside a device associated with the earpiece assembly. Where the earpiece assembly is susceptible to ingress of magnetically attractable particles into the earpiece assembly such a reduction can prolong an operational life of the earpiece assembly. By insert molding magnetically permeable materials throughout an enclosure that surrounds and supports a permanent magnet of the earpiece assembly, a portion of a magnetic field emanating from the permanent magnet that extends outside the device can be substantially reduced or redirected so that the magnetic field ceases to draw the magnetically attractable particles into the earpiece assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2015Publication date: March 10, 2016Inventors: Jared M. Kole, Martin J. Auclair, Ruchir M. Dave, Scott P. Porter, Benjamin M. Russo
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Publication number: 20160073183Abstract: An electronic device has a speaker housing secured within the device housing. The speaker housing has a cavity with a speaker at one end and a port at the other configured to communicate through an aperture in the housing of the electronic device. A panel of acoustic mesh is integrally formed within the cavity of the housing and is disposed between the port and the speaker. In other embodiments flexible structures are integrally molded onto a plate or the acoustic device and used to secure and acoustically seal the acoustic device within the device housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2015Publication date: March 10, 2016Inventors: Martin J. Auclair, Jared M. Kole, Marwan Rammah, David A. Pakula, Scott P. Porter
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Patent number: 9277323Abstract: A audio speaker includes two parallel magnetically permeable plates and a diaphragm movably supported parallel to and approximately equidistant from the plates by a surround. A magnet assembly is coupled to the two magnetically permeable plates and passes through an opening in the diaphragm. The magnet assembly includes two magnets that are coupled with two like poles adjacent the diaphragm. A voice coil is coupled around the opening in the diaphragm to move the diaphragm when an electrical current flows in the voice coil. A suspension ring may surround a portion of the magnet assembly with a first end sealed to the diaphragm and an opposing second end sealed to one of the two plates to separate a back volume from a front volume. Some embodiments include several magnetic assemblies passing through the diaphragm with a voice coil and a suspension ring for each magnet assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2014Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Antony J. Locke, Scott P. Porter
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Publication number: 20160057541Abstract: An electromechanical transducer including a magnetic circuit having a magnet configured to generate a magnetic field and a magnetic gap into which a voice coil associated with a diaphragm is at least partially inserted, the magnetic field having a primary flux component and a secondary flux component. The transducer further including a housing positioned around the magnetic circuit, the housing having an acoustic spout whose sound outlet opening is positioned outside of a portion of the magnetic field that is dominated by the primary flux component. A transducer including an enclosure having a top wall, a bottom wall, at least one side wall connecting the top wall to the bottom wall and an acoustic spout extending from the top wall or the bottom wall, a diaphragm, a voice coil and a magnet assembly having a ring magnet and a gap within which the voice coil is positioned.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2014Publication date: February 25, 2016Inventors: Scott P. Porter, Ruchir M. Dave, Christopher R. Wilk
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Publication number: 20160057543Abstract: A microspeaker includes a frame and a diaphragm having length sides that are longer than its width sides. A magnet is positioned below the diaphragm. A yoke includes a base portion positioned below the magnet and sidewalls which extend from the base portion, the yoke sidewalls positioned only along a length dimension of the magnet. A voice coil includes an upper end attached to a bottom face of the diaphragm and a lower end positioned within a gap formed between the length dimension of the magnet and the yoke sidewalls. A first suspension member is attached to the length sides and the width sides of the diaphragm and the frame. The first suspension member is within a first plane. A second suspension member is attached to the lower end of the voice coil and the frame. The second suspension member is in a second plane different from the first plane.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2014Publication date: February 25, 2016Inventors: Alexander V. Salvatti, Pablo Seoane Vieites, Justin D. Crosby, Scott P. Porter, Edward T. Sweet, Daniel K. Boothe
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Patent number: 9271084Abstract: A speaker driver including a frame and a magnet assembly positioned within the frame. A sound radiating surface may be suspended over the magnet assembly. The sound radiating surface may include a top face and a bottom face, and the bottom face may face the magnet assembly. A suspension member may suspend the sound radiating surface over the magnet assembly. The suspension member may include a top side connected to the bottom face of the sound radiating surface and a bottom side connected to the magnet assembly. A voice coil extends from the bottom face of the sound radiating surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2013Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Pablo Seoane Vieites, Suzanne Hardy, Christopher R. Wilk, Alexander V. Salvatti, Scott P. Porter, Justin D. Crosby
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Patent number: 9210496Abstract: An earphone comprising an earphone housing having a wall comprising (1) a front side that joins (2) an end portion in which a primary sound output opening is formed, which joins (3) a face portion in which a secondary output opening is formed, which joins (4) a back side which joins the front side and encloses a driver, wherein the face portion and the front side form a tapered portion of the earphone housing that is dimensioned to be inserted into, and contact, an ear of a wearer, wherein the primary output opening is dimensioned to output sound generated by a diaphragm of the driver contained within the earphone housing into the ear, the secondary output opening is dimensioned to vent the ear to a surrounding environment, and wherein the primary output opening and the secondary output opening face different directions and are positioned over a sound output face of the driver.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2015Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Michael B. Howes, Yacine Azmi, Scott P. Porter, Jonathan S. Aase, Andrew P. Bright, Christopher R. Wilk
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Patent number: 9161118Abstract: An earphone comprising an earphone housing having a body portion, the body portion having an acoustic output opening to output sound from a driver positioned therein into an ear of a user. An acoustic tuning member is positioned within the body portion. The acoustic tuning member defines a back volume chamber of the driver and includes an acoustic output port for outputting sound from the back volume chamber of the driver to improve an acoustic performance of the earphone.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2014Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Michael B. Howes, Yacine Azmi, Scott P. Porter, Jonathan S. Aase
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Publication number: 20150281846Abstract: A audio speaker includes two parallel magnetically permeable plates and a diaphragm movably supported parallel to and approximately equidistant from the plates by a surround. A magnet assembly is coupled to the two magnetically permeable plates and passes through an opening in the diaphragm. The magnet assembly includes two magnets that are coupled with two like poles adjacent the diaphragm. A voice coil is coupled around the opening in the diaphragm to move the diaphragm when an electrical current flows in the voice coil. A suspension ring may surround a portion of the magnet assembly with a first end sealed to the diaphragm and an opposing second end sealed to one of the two plates to separate a back volume from a front volume. Some embodiments include several magnetic assemblies passing through the diaphragm with a voice coil and a suspension ring for each magnet assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2014Publication date: October 1, 2015Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Antony J. Locke, Scott P. Porter
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Patent number: 9106987Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a micro speaker assembly that has two drivers, each having a separate yoke, set of magnets, voice coil, and acoustic diaphragms. One driver may produce high frequency (HF) sound while the other produces low frequency (LF) sound. The two drivers may be packaged, side-by-side, within the same micro speaker acoustic enclosure. The drivers may have their respective magnet systems physically connected to each other, in order to enhance heat transfer from one to the other. In particular, a thermally conductive portion or bridge may be used to directly join or thermally connect adjacent edges of the yoke portions of the two magnet systems, in order to enhance heat transfer between the first and second micro speaker drivers. Thus, the assembly can handle more power without overheating. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2013Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Scott P. Porter, Christopher Wilk, Ruchir M. Dave
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Publication number: 20150172800Abstract: An in-ear earphone housing has a speaker driver installed therein. The driver has a diaphragm with a front face and a rear face, and a motor to vibrate the diaphragm in accordance with an audio signal. A back volume chamber is positioned behind the driver within the earphone housing. The diaphragm is part of a wall of the back volume chamber. An acoustic mass loading membrane that is part of a wall of the back volume chamber, and that is to vibrate in response to acoustic waves produced by vibration of the diaphragm impinging on a front face of the membrane, is provided. Other embodiments are also described and claimed, including a polymer production process for an elastic material.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2014Publication date: June 18, 2015Inventors: Yacine Azmi, Scott P. Porter
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Publication number: 20150163583Abstract: An earphone comprising an earphone housing having a wall comprising (1) a front side that joins (2) an end portion in which a primary sound output opening is formed, which joins (3) a face portion in which a secondary output opening is formed, which joins (4) a back side which joins the front side and encloses a driver, wherein the face portion and the front side form a tapered portion of the earphone housing that is dimensioned to be inserted into, and contact, an ear of a wearer, wherein the primary output opening is dimensioned to output sound generated by a diaphragm of the driver contained within the earphone housing into the ear, the secondary output opening is dimensioned to vent the ear to a surrounding environment, and wherein the primary output opening and the secondary output opening face different directions and are positioned over a sound output face of the driver.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2015Publication date: June 11, 2015Inventors: Michael B. Howes, Yacine Azmi, Scott P. Porter, Jonathan S. Aase, Andrew P. Bright, Christopher R. Wilk
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Publication number: 20150146911Abstract: A speaker driver including a frame and a magnet assembly positioned within the frame. A sound radiating surface may be suspended over the magnet assembly. The sound radiating surface may include a top face and a bottom face, and the bottom face may face the magnet assembly. A suspension member may suspend the sound radiating surface over the magnet assembly. The suspension member may include a top side connected to the bottom face of the sound radiating surface and a bottom side connected to assembly support member that is separate from the magnet assembly. A voice coil extends from the bottom face of the sound radiating surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2015Publication date: May 28, 2015Inventors: Pablo Seoane Vieites, Suzanne Hardy, Christopher R. Wilk, Alexander V. Salvatti, Scott P. Porter, Justin D. Crosby
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Publication number: 20150110330Abstract: An earphone comprising an earphone housing having a body portion, the body portion having an acoustic output opening to output sound from a driver positioned therein into an ear of a user. An acoustic tuning member is positioned within the body portion. The acoustic tuning member defines a back volume chamber of the driver and includes an acoustic output port for outputting sound from the back volume chamber of the driver to improve an acoustic performance of the earphone.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2014Publication date: April 23, 2015Inventors: Michael B. Howes, Yacine Azmi, Scott P. Porter, Jonathan S. Aase
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Patent number: 8976994Abstract: An earphone comprising an earphone housing having a body portion acoustically coupled to a tube portion extending from the body portion, the body portion having an acoustic output opening to output sound from a driver positioned therein into an ear canal of a wearer. An acoustic tuning member is positioned within the body portion for acoustically coupling the driver to the tube portion. The acoustic tuning member defines a back volume chamber of the driver and includes an acoustic output port for outputting sound from the back volume chamber of the driver to the tube portion to improve an acoustic performance of the earphone.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2012Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Michael B. Howes, Yacine Azmi, Scott P. Porter, Jonathan S. Aase
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Patent number: 8971561Abstract: An earphone having an earphone housing including a tip portion dimensioned to be inserted into an ear canal of a wearer, a body portion extending outward from the tip portion, and a tube portion extending from the body portion. The body portion has a face portion that faces a pinna region of the ear when the tip portion is inserted into the ear canal. A primary output opening, that outputs sound from a driver in the housing to the ear canal, is formed in the tip portion. A secondary output opening, that outputs air from the ear canal to the surrounding environment, is formed in the face portion. The primary output opening and the secondary output opening are horizontally aligned when the tube portion is positioned vertically downward and an angle formed between the primary output opening, the tube portion and the secondary output opening is less than 90 degrees.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2012Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Michael B. Howes, Yacine Azmi, Scott P. Porter, Jonathan S. Aase, Andrew P. Bright, Christopher R. Wilk
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Publication number: 20150036866Abstract: A speaker driver including a frame and a magnet assembly positioned within the frame. A sound radiating surface may be suspended over the magnet assembly. The sound radiating surface may include a top face and a bottom face, and the bottom face may face the magnet assembly. A suspension member may suspend the sound radiating surface over the magnet assembly. The suspension member may include a top side connected to the bottom face of the sound radiating surface and a bottom side connected to the magnet assembly. A voice coil extends from the bottom face of the sound radiating surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2013Publication date: February 5, 2015Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Pablo Seoane Vieites, Suzanne Hardy, Christopher R. Wilk, Alexander V. Salvatti, Scott P. Porter, Justin D. Crosby
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Publication number: 20150010175Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a micro speaker assembly that has two drivers, each having a separate yoke, set of magnets, voice coil, and acoustic diaphragms. One driver may produce high frequency (HF) sound while the other produces low frequency (LF) sound. The two drivers may be packaged, side-by-side, within the same micro speaker acoustic enclosure. The drivers may have their respective magnet systems physically connected to each other, in order to enhance heat transfer from one to the other. In particular, a thermally conductive portion or bridge may be used to directly join or thermally connect adjacent edges of the yoke portions of the two magnet systems, in order to enhance heat transfer between the first and second micro speaker drivers. Thus, the assembly can handle more power without overheating. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2013Publication date: January 8, 2015Inventors: Scott P. Porter, Christopher Wilk, Ruchir M. Dave