Patents by Inventor Suzanne Hardy

Suzanne Hardy 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: 20240048895
    Abstract: Loudspeakers are described that may reduce comb filtering effects perceived by a listener by either 1) moving transducers closer to a sound reflective surface (e.g., a baseplate, a tabletop or a floor) through vertical (height) or rotational adjustments of the transducers or 2) guiding sound produced by the transducers to be released into the listening area proximate to the reflective surface through the use of horns and openings that are at a prescribed distance from the reflective surface. The reduction of this distance between the reflective surface and the point at which sound emitted by the transducers is released into the listening area may lead to shorter reflected path that reduces comb filtering effects caused by reflected sounds that are delayed relative to the direct sound. Accordingly, the loudspeakers shown and described may be placed on reflective surfaces without severe audio coloration caused by reflected sounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Martin E. Johnson, Simon K. Porter, Suzanne Hardy, John H. Sheerin
  • Patent number: 11818535
    Abstract: Loudspeakers are described that may reduce comb filtering effects perceived by a listener by either 1) moving transducers closer to a sound reflective surface (e.g., a baseplate, a tabletop or a floor) through vertical (height) or rotational adjustments of the transducers or 2) guiding sound produced by the transducers to be released into the listening area proximate to the reflective surface through the use of horns and openings that are at a prescribed distance from the reflective surface. The reduction of this distance between the reflective surface and the point at which sound emitted by the transducers is released into the listening area may lead to shorter reflected path that reduces comb filtering effects caused by reflected sounds that are delayed relative to the direct sound. Accordingly, the loudspeakers shown and described may be placed on reflective surfaces without severe audio coloration caused by reflected sounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Apple, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin E. Johnson, Simon K. Porter, Suzanne Hardy, John H. Sheerin
  • Publication number: 20220174399
    Abstract: Loudspeakers are described that may reduce comb filtering effects perceived by a listener by either 1) moving transducers closer to a sound reflective surface (e.g., a baseplate, a tabletop or a floor) through vertical (height) or rotational adjustments of the transducers or 2) guiding sound produced by the transducers to be released into the listening area proximate to the reflective surface through the use of horns and openings that are at a prescribed distance from the reflective surface. The reduction of this distance between the reflective surface and the point at which sound emitted by the transducers is released into the listening area may lead to shorter reflected path that reduces comb filtering effects caused by reflected sounds that are delayed relative to the direct sound. Accordingly, the loudspeakers shown and described may be placed on reflective surfaces without severe audio coloration caused by reflected sounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Applicant: Apple, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin E. Johnson, Simon K. Porter, Suzanne Hardy, John H. Sheerin
  • Patent number: 11290805
    Abstract: Loudspeakers are described that may reduce comb filtering effects perceived by a listener by either 1) moving transducers closer to a sound reflective surface (e.g., a baseplate, a tabletop or a floor) through vertical (height) or rotational adjustments of the transducers or 2) guiding sound produced by the transducers to be released into the listening area proximate to the reflective surface through the use of horns and openings that are at a prescribed distance from the reflective surface. The reduction of this distance between the reflective surface and the point at which sound emitted by the transducers is released into the listening area may lead to shorter reflected path that reduces comb filtering effects caused by reflected sounds that are delayed relative to the direct sound. Accordingly, the loudspeakers shown and described may be placed on reflective surfaces without severe audio coloration caused by reflected sounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Martin E. Johnson, Simon K. Porter, Suzanne Hardy, John H. Sheerin
  • Publication number: 20200221216
    Abstract: Loudspeakers are described that may reduce comb filtering effects perceived by a listener by either 1) moving transducers closer to a sound reflective surface (e.g., a baseplate, a tabletop or a floor) through vertical (height) or rotational adjustments of the transducers or 2) guiding sound produced by the transducers to be released into the listening area proximate to the reflective surface through the use of horns and openings that are at a prescribed distance from the reflective surface. The reduction of this distance between the reflective surface and the point at which sound emitted by the transducers is released into the listening area may lead to shorter reflected path that reduces comb filtering effects caused by reflected sounds that are delayed relative to the direct sound. Accordingly, the loudspeakers shown and described may be placed on reflective surfaces without severe audio coloration caused by reflected sounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Martin E. Johnson, Simon K. Porter, Suzanne Hardy, John H. Sheerin
  • Patent number: 10652650
    Abstract: Loudspeakers are described that may reduce comb filtering effects perceived by a listener by either 1) moving transducers closer to a sound reflective surface (e.g., a baseplate, a tabletop or a floor) through vertical (height) or rotational adjustments of the transducers or 2) guiding sound produced by the transducers to be released into the listening area proximate to the reflective surface through the use of horns and openings that are at a prescribed distance from the reflective surface. The reduction of this distance between the reflective surface and the point at which sound emitted by the transducers is released into the listening area may lead to shorter reflected path that reduces comb filtering effects caused by reflected sounds that are delayed relative to the direct sound. Accordingly, the loudspeakers shown and described may be placed on reflective surfaces without severe audio coloration caused by reflected sounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Martin E. Johnson, Simon K. Porter, Suzanne Hardy, John H. Sheerin
  • Patent number: 10623864
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Pablo Seoane Vieites, Christopher Wilk, Suzanne Hardy, Alexander V. Salvatti, Oliver Leonhardt, Scott P. Porter
  • Patent number: 10334355
    Abstract: A loudspeaker array has a cabinet in which is formed a continuously open circumferential horn for controlling sound produced by a number of transducers which are positioned in the cabinet, at a throat of the horn. The continuously open circumferential horn may 1) improve the power efficiency of the transducers without unwanted aliasing effects in audible frequency ranges and 2) provide vertical control for sound emitted by the transducers by flaring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Martin E. Johnson, Christopher Wilk, John H. Sheerin, Suzanne Hardy, Tom-Davy William Jendrik Saux
  • Publication number: 20190069093
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Pablo Seoane Vieites, Christopher Wilk, Suzanne Hardy, Alexander V. Salvatti, Oliver Leonhardt, Scott P. Porter
  • Patent number: 10129652
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Pablo Seoane Vieites, Christopher Wilk, Suzanne Hardy, Alexander V. Salvatti, Oliver Leonhardt, Scott P. Porter
  • Patent number: 10015584
    Abstract: Loudspeakers are described that may reduce comb filtering effects perceived by a listener by either 1) moving transducers closer to a sound reflective surface (e.g., a baseplate, a tabletop or a floor) through vertical (height) or rotational adjustments of the transducers or 2) guiding sound produced by the transducers to be released into the listening area proximate to the reflective surface through the use of horns and openings that are at a prescribed distance from the reflective surface. The reduction of this distance between the reflective surface and the point at which sound emitted by the transducers is released into the listening area may lead to a shorter reflected path that reduces comb filtering effects caused by reflected sounds that are delayed relative to the direct sound. Accordingly, the loudspeakers shown and describe may be placed on reflective surfaces without sever audio coloration caused by reflected sounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Martin E. Johnson, Simon K. Porter, Suzanne Hardy, John H. Sheerin
  • Publication number: 20170289673
    Abstract: Loudspeakers are described that may reduce comb filtering effects perceived by a listener by either 1) moving transducers closer to a sound reflective surface (e.g., a baseplate, a tabletop or a floor) through vertical (height) or rotational adjustments of the transducers or 2) guiding sound produced by the transducers to be released into the listening area proximate to the reflective surface through the use of horns and openings that are at a prescribed distance from the reflective surface. The reduction of this distance between the reflective surface and the point at which sound emitted by the transducers is released into the listening area may lead to a shorter reflected path that reduces comb filtering effects caused by reflected sounds that are delayed relative to the direct sound. Accordingly, the loudspeakers shown and describe may be placed on reflective surfaces without sever audio coloration caused by reflected sounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Martin E. Johnson, Simon K. Porter, Suzanne Hardy, John H. Sheerin
  • Publication number: 20170280231
    Abstract: Loudspeakers are described that may reduce comb filtering effects perceived by a listener by either 1) moving transducers closer to a sound reflective surface (e.g., a baseplate, a tabletop or a floor) through vertical (height) or rotational adjustments of the transducers or 2) guiding sound produced by the transducers to be released into the listening area proximate to the reflective surface through the use of horns and openings that are at a prescribed distance from the reflective surface. The reduction of this distance between the reflective surface and the point at which sound emitted by the transducers is released into the listening area may lead to shorter reflected path that reduces comb filtering effects caused by reflected sounds that are delayed relative to the direct sound. Accordingly, the loudspeakers shown and described may be placed on reflective surfaces without severe audio coloration caused by reflected sounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: Martin E. Johnson, Simon K. Porter, Suzanne Hardy, John H. Sheerin
  • Publication number: 20170223447
    Abstract: A loudspeaker array has a cabinet in which is formed a continuously open circumferential horn for controlling sound produced by a number of transducers which are positioned in the cabinet, at a throat of the horn. The continuously open circumferential horn may 1) improve the power efficiency of the transducers without unwanted aliasing effects in audible frequency ranges and 2) provide vertical control for sound emitted by the transducers by flaring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Martin E. Johnson, Christopher Wilk, John H. Sheerin, Suzanne Hardy, Tom-Davy William Jendrik Saux
  • Publication number: 20160080870
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Pablo Seoane Vieites, Christopher Wilk, Suzanne Hardy, Alexander V. Salvatti, Oliver Leonhardt, Scott P. Porter
  • Patent number: 9288582
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Pablo Seoane Vieites, Suzanne Hardy, Christopher R. Wilk, Alexander V. Salvatti, Scott P. Porter, Justin D. Crosby
  • Patent number: 9271084
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Pablo Seoane Vieites, Suzanne Hardy, Christopher R. Wilk, Alexander V. Salvatti, Scott P. Porter, Justin D. Crosby
  • Publication number: 20150146911
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Pablo Seoane Vieites, Suzanne Hardy, Christopher R. Wilk, Alexander V. Salvatti, Scott P. Porter, Justin D. Crosby
  • Patent number: D831499
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Suzanne Hardy, Scott F Gillespie, Mark Griffin
  • Patent number: D883102
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Suzanne Hardy, Scott F Gillespie, Mark Griffin