Plural Or Compound Reproducers Patents (Class 381/182)
  • Patent number: 8335338
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a loudspeaker in the acoustic field and the information communication field. The invention provides a loudspeaker that can realize a thinner size. To achieve this, the loudspeaker of the present invention is structured so that a part of a diaphragm is inserted to a dent or an opening formed at the center poles of a lower plate of a magnetic circuit. This structure allows the diaphragm to be stored within the height of the magnetic circuit, thus allowing the loudspeaker to have a thinner size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kouzi Sano, Masahide Sumiyama, Takanori Fukuyama, Takeshi Shimokawatoko, Kazutaka Kubo, Satoshi Itoh, Kazuki Honda
  • Publication number: 20120314888
    Abstract: A speaker assembly includes a speaker housing with a closed top wall that is substantially planar and forms a support surface. A first midrange driver and a first tweeter are mirror images of a second midrange driver and a second tweeter. A first support bracket supports the first midrange driver and first tweeter along a first side of the closed top wall adjacent the first sidewall of the speaker housing. The first support bracket includes a planar support surface which is obliquely oriented relative to a plane in which the closed top wall lies. A second support bracket supports the second midrange driver and the second tweeter along a second side of the closed top wall adjacent the third sidewall of the speaker housing. The second support bracket includes a planar support surface which is obliquely oriented relative to the plane in which the closed top wall lies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventor: Dennis A. Tracy
  • Patent number: 8320596
    Abstract: A plurality of speakers are linked in the present invention. The linked position of each speaker can be detected. Audio signal is input to any one of the master speakers. The master speaker synchronizes the other linked speakers, and supplies audio signals to other speakers. It also controls the delay quantity of the speaker unit of each speaker. For a single speaker, the apparent width of this array speaker system becomes twice the width, and the speaker unit spacing becomes one third the spacing. Consequently, the frequency band at which direction is controllable becomes enhanced. Additionally, a plurality of microphone devices are linked at the top, bottom, left and right sides in the present invention. The linked position of each microphone device can be detected. Audio data is output from each microphone device to the master microphone device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Ishibashi, Takuya Tamaru
  • Patent number: 8311261
    Abstract: A loudspeaker system comprises a plurality of speaker transducer units divided among and arrayed in at least three linear arrays. The linear arrays are disposed in a like plurality of elongated rectangular baffles. The elongated rectangular baffles are disposed in side by side relationship along the respective elongated sides of the baffles in the form of a tube. The speaker transducer units are aligned in a plurality of ranks. The ends of the tube are closed with the result that one side of speaker transducers radiates into the interior of the enclosure and the other side radiates into the environment. The speaker transducers of each rank are spaced no further from one another than one quarter wavelength at a selected frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Inventor: Curtis E. Graber
  • Publication number: 20120281861
    Abstract: A vibration diaphragm for a speaker has a spherical bowl section, an annular intervening section and an annular outer section. The spherical bowl section has a top and a spherical cavity defined in the top. The annular intervening section is formed on and protrudes radially outward from the spherical bowl section. A bending line is formed on a boundary between the spherical bowl section and the annular intervening section. An annular outer section is formed on and protrudes radially from the annular intervening section and extends obliquely outward in a direction along which the cavity is sunk, wherein a bending line is formed on a boundary between the annular intervening section and the annular outer section, and an obtuse angle is defined between the annular intervening section and annular outer section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventor: Steff Lin
  • Patent number: 8300871
    Abstract: An earphone device capable of achieving sound bandwidths beyond the 150-7000 Hz wideband range, and configured for supra-concha or supra-aural placement. The earphone comprises at least two frequency range receivers positioned within a housing. In at least one embodiment, the earphone is capable of achieving a super-wideband range by physically combining a low frequency range receiver and a high frequency range receiver in a space-efficient and acoustically advantageous manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: MWM Acoustics, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher T. Welsh, Larry A. Marcus, John C. Baumhauer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8290605
    Abstract: In an acoustic design support apparatus, a speaker selection supporter selects a desired speaker as a candidate for use in a given space based on shape information representing a shape of the space. A speaker mounting angle optimizer calculates an optimal mounting direction of the selected speaker by selecting a mounting direction pattern which minimizes a degree of variation among sound pressure levels at a plurality of positions on a sound receiving surface defined in the space. An acoustic parameter calculator calculates a variety of acoustic parameters at sound receiving points within the space based on both of the shape information of the space and the optimal mounting direction of the speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Hideo Miyazaki, Takayuki Watanabe, Hideki Sakanashi, Shuichi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8284976
    Abstract: A sound reproduction system is disclosed in which a sound barrier defines a horn passageway having a first end and a second open end. A high frequency range driver is provided at the first end, and is mutually coupled with a lower driver to the horn passageway. The lower driver has an upper frequency end lower than a frequency of a first cancellation notch for the drivers. The lower driver is located at a position along the horn passageway at which the passageway has a preselected cross-sectional area which is no greater than an area of a round cross section having a circumference equal to one wavelength at the upper frequency end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas J. Danley
  • Patent number: 8284977
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a multi-chamber ported stereo speaker is disclosed. The stereo speaker is a single unit with multi-chambers in an enclosure box. The multi chamber ported speaker comprises an enclosure housing a shared acoustic chamber having an external port for allowing air external of the enclosure box to flow into the shared acoustic chamber, and at least two additional chambers comprising a corresponding internal port in each additional chamber for forming an air pass from each additional chamber with the shared chamber, each additional chamber comprising a corresponding driver mounted through a wall of the chamber and enclosure box for forming the ported speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Creative Technology Ltd
    Inventor: Kok Huan Ong
  • Patent number: 8280063
    Abstract: In public audio presentation it is desirable that the playback loudness is continuously adapted to the background noise loudness. Such adaptation of the playback volume requires a continuous measurement of the loudness somewhere within the sound exposure area. A dipole loudspeaker panel has a strong attenuation of the emitted sound in the panel plane. When placing a microphone capsule in that plane but outside the panel, the sound emitted from the panel will be recorded by the microphone with a significant sound pressure level attenuation. Such specific microphone arrangement can capture the background noise without being unduly disturbed by the direct sound emitted from the loudspeakers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventor: Juergen Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8254604
    Abstract: Provided are an array speaker system and a method of implementing the same. The array speaker system includes a group setting unit setting one or more combinations of a plurality of speakers included in an array speaker system into at least one group according to a predetermined adjustment factor, a signal assignment unit dividing an input signal into at least one sound source signal according to the adjustment factor and selectively assigning the divided sound source signal(s) to the set group(s), a sound adjustment unit adjusting a sound source signal to be output through speakers within the group according to sound source characteristics of the group, and a signal output unit outputting the adjusted sound source signal through the speakers within the group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang-chul Ko
  • Patent number: 8249289
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an electronic apparatus of splittable type comprising at least two speaker portions, the two speaker portions are connected by electro-wires, wherein in one speaker portion is provided a winding mechanism for pulling-out and retracting-in the electro-wires; each of the speaker portions has a voice chamber, and the voice chambers in the two speaker portions have the different shapes from but substantially the same volumes as each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Sony (China) Limited
    Inventors: Hajime Mizuno, Zhixiong Yao, Shen Cheng
  • Patent number: 8249282
    Abstract: A speaker assembly includes a speaker housing with a closed top wall, an opposed open end and first, second, third and fourth sidewalls extending downwardly from the closed top wall. The closed top wall is substantially planar and forms a support surface. First and second midrange drivers and first and second high frequency drivers are mounted within the housing, wherein the first midrange driver and the first tweeter are mirror images of second midrange driver and the second tweeter. A first support bracket supports the first midrange driver and first tweeter along a first side of the closed top wall adjacent the first sidewall of the speaker housing. The first support bracket includes a planar support surface which is obliquely oriented relative to a plane in which the closed top wall lies. A second support bracket supports the second midrange driver and the second tweeter along a second side of the closed top wall adjacent the third sidewall of the speaker housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Inventor: Dennis A. Tracy
  • Patent number: 8249286
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to earphones, earphone assemblies, and methods of using the same. Further, these embodiments provide earphones that can releasably interconnect in a compact configuration that also reduces the likelihood that the earphone wires or cords will become entangled. By way of example, in at least one embodiment, an earphone can comprise a housing including a channel defined therein and a wire stem extending from the housing. The channel may be sized and configured to releasably retain a wire stem portion from another earphone. These and other various embodiments are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Koss Corporation
    Inventor: Brad Nault
  • Publication number: 20120207332
    Abstract: A housed loudspeaker array includes a first substrate having a plurality of loudspeaker elements formed therein, a second substrate fixed at a first surface of the first substrate in a flip-chip manner and comprising a plurality of orifices that are aligned with the loudspeaker elements of the plurality of loudspeaker elements of the first substrate, and a cover applied to a second surface of the first substrate opposite to the first surface. A method for manufacturing the housed loudspeaker array is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Alfons Dehe
  • Publication number: 20120207321
    Abstract: A speaker device includes a static part, a driving part and a vibrating body. The vibrating body includes a plurality of diaphragms supported by the static part. A vibration direction converter part is provided between a first diaphragm and a second diaphragm facing each other in a plurality of the diaphragms, and connects the first diaphragm with the second diaphragm such that the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm synchronously move toward and away from each other. A part of the vibration direction converter part disposed in the proximity of the static part is supported by the static part, and a part of the vibration direction converter part disposed in the proximity of the driving part is supported by the driving part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicants: TOHOKU PIONEER CORPORATION, PIONEER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenichi Oshima, Shinichi Hayasaka, Yoji Ogata, Kodai Nagasawa, Minoru Horigome, Hiroyuki Kobayashi, Shunichi Takahashi, Yasuhisa Abe, Yasuhiro Saso, Toshihiro Hikichi, Takuei Nagasawa, Tempei Katsuta
  • Patent number: 8243963
    Abstract: An audio transducer assembly configured for positioning with respect to a mounting surface, said assembly employing a tweeter in a directionally adjustable body which swivels radially and axially for positioning and directing the tweeter in a desired direction. By keeping the center of rotation at or near the center of the surface of the tweeter, the adjustment of the tweeter does not significantly offset its body in the X or Y direction through its range of motion. Such configuration allows for compensation of the distortion caused by placing the tweeter in the middle of a woofer in a speaker having multiple transducers in a single assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Inventors: Timothy A. Gladwin, Christopher I. Carlisle, Shawn Luimes, Robert G. Johnston
  • Publication number: 20120201403
    Abstract: An omnidirectional speaker comprises a high frequency driver which generates sound over a high frequency range and has a first diameter, and a high frequency waveguide having a second diameter which is larger than the first diameter. A first midrange driver has a third diameter and a second midrange driver has a fourth diameter. Each midrange driver generates sound over a middle frequency range and the first midrange driver faces the second midrange driver. A first midrange waveguide corresponds to the first midrange driver and has a fifth diameter, and a second midrange waveguide corresponds to the second midrange driver and has a sixth diameter. The fifth diameter is larger than the third diameter and the sixth diameter is larger than the fourth diameter, and both of the midrange frequency waveguides are positioned between the first midrange driver and the second midrange driver so as to block a direct path from the first midrange driver to the second midrange driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: DREAM INFOTAINMENT RESOURCES PTE LTD
    Inventor: Kok Leong Tan
  • Patent number: 8238572
    Abstract: A speaker device employing a diaphragm structure for providing high quality sound characteristics. In particular, a separate speaker unit is additionally provided so as to improve a resonator characteristic produced at the rear side of an existing speaker. As such, the rear sound arriving at an end of the resonator is dampened by the sound outputted from the additional speaker unit, thereby improving characteristics, such as clearness, total harmonic distortion, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Dong-Ik Park, Soon-Youl Kwon
  • Patent number: 8238588
    Abstract: A loudspeaker system has a plurality of relatively small transducer elements configured in a closely spaced transducer array such that their acoustic outputs combine to produce a focused beam of sound in front of the array that is substantially uniform about the beams radiation axis. The transducer array lies in a plane and has a perimeter that approximates a circle, and will have fill-factor with respect to a circle circumscribing the array of at least approximately 70%. In one variation of the loudspeaker system, the transducer array is constructed in smaller transducer array modules that are operatively fitted together to produce a larger array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Meyer Sound Laboratories, Incorporated
    Inventors: John D. Meyer, Perrin Meyer, Roger Schwenke, Alejandro Antonio Garcia Rubio, Paul Joseph Kohut, Richard D. Herr, Jon M. Arneson, Peter C. Soper
  • Patent number: 8229141
    Abstract: A transducer array assembly includes a support structure having a plurality of predetermined openings therein for accommodating transducer components. Flexible circuits are embedded in the support structure. Each flexible circuit has first ends being positioned in the support structure predetermined openings. Terminal blocks are joined to the second ends. Transducer elements are positioned in the support structure predetermined openings and placed in electrical communication with the flexible circuit first ends. A polymer material is provided surrounding the transducer elements, said support structure, and said flexible circuit first ends. There is also provided a method for manufacturing the transducer array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Kim C. Benjamin
  • Patent number: 8229155
    Abstract: An improved audio speaker assembly is provided for directional adjustability of the woofer or driver. The assembly includes a housing comprising a baffle, a swivel, a swivel cup, and a retainer. The driver is mounted in the swivel. The swivel and swivel cup are mounted between the baffle and the retainer. The swivel is pivotal approximately 60° relative to the swivel cup, and is rotatable 360° relative to the baffle, thereby selectively positioning the driver in a desired direction. A pair of screws extend through the baffle and into the retainer, and can be tightened so as to lock or clamp the swivel and driver in the selected position, and preclude directional movement due to vibrations, temperature, and humidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Three Amigos LLC
    Inventors: Ronald D. Maurer, Sean P. McDermott, Richard P. Apgar
  • Patent number: 8223592
    Abstract: An acoustic radiator for underwater application is provided by opposing boundaries mutually spaced and centered on a common axis, a plurality of radial barriers located perpendicular to and connected between the top and bottom boundaries to define a plurality of adjacent radial waveguides, and a plurality of transducers disposed in each radial waveguide, and with one group of transducers being located radially outwardly from another group, the groups being defined in part by all members of the group being the same distance from the apex of the radial waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Inventor: Curtis E. Graber
  • Patent number: 8218398
    Abstract: An omni-directional acoustic horn for applications in a liquid transmission medium deploys a plurality of transducers distributed along an interior face of the horn to radiate against an opposed surface. The arrangement mimics operation at a greater depth of submergence to depress development of acoustic cavitation bubbles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventor: Curtis E. Graber
  • Publication number: 20120163636
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for creating a personal sound zone are provided. The personal sound zone creating apparatus increases directivity in a horizontal direction by including a broadside array adapted to generate a sound beam perpendicularly to an arrangement of an array constituted by at least three transducers in a personal audio device. Also, the personal sound zone creating apparatus controls back radiation by including an end-fire array by arranging at least two arrays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung Woo Choi, Young Tae Kim, Sang Chul Ko
  • Publication number: 20120140969
    Abstract: A piezoelectric speaker is a piezoelectric speaker which radiates acoustic waves by vibrating according to an applied voltage, including (i) a substrate which includes a first region having first bending stiffness against bending of a plane perpendicular to a vibration direction and a second region having second bending stiffness against bending of the perpendicular plane, the second bending stiffness being different from the first bending stiffness, (ii) a first piezoelectric element which is mounted on the first region and to which a voltage of a first frequency band is applied, and (iii) a second piezoelectric element which is mounted on the second region and to which a voltage of a second frequency band different from the first frequency band is applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: Akiko FUJISE, Toshiyuki Matsumura
  • Patent number: 8194897
    Abstract: A speaker system includes a body unit, a front panel slidably coupled to a front surface of the body unit, a first speaker unit that is provided on the front surface the body unit to output sound, and a second speaker unit that is provided on a rear surface of the front panel to output sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jung Woo Choi
  • Patent number: 8194904
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a speaker system unit with a cone type vibration plate, a horn and a diffuser. The horn is disposed such that a small-diameter opening thereof is positioned inward from a front opening of the vibration plate, and an outer surface of the horn is arranged along an inner surface of the vibration plate to form a first acoustic path. The diffuser has a base portion, a front end portion and an outer peripheral surface extending therebetween, and is disposed such that the base portion is positioned inward from a front opening of the horn, opposite the small-diameter opening of the horn. The diffuser has a specific shape such that the outer peripheral surface expands along an inner surface of the horn to form a second acoustic path and then narrows toward the front end portion of the diffuser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Ken Iwayama
  • Patent number: 8194911
    Abstract: An integrated eartip (501) that utilizes a one-piece, rather than a multi-piece, design is provided. The one-piece design is comprised of a first portion that includes at least one, or at least two, sound delivery tubes (513/515) and a second portion that is comprised of a compressible region. The integrated eartip also includes means for releasably attaching the eartip to an earphone in general, and a coupling member (503) in particular, thus allowing the eartip to be replaced as desired. When attached, the sound delivery tube, or tubes, of the integrated eartip are aligned with the acoustic port, or ports, of the earphone/coupling member. The first and second portions of the integrated eartip may exhibit different rigidity and/or compressibility characteristics. The integrated eartip can be fabricated from a single material such as a natural or synthetic elastomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Logitech International, S.A.
    Inventors: Medford Alan Dyer, Simon Andre Sollberger
  • Patent number: 8189841
    Abstract: Acoustic devices that include passive radiators. The passive radiator may include an acoustic driver. The acoustic device may be hand-held or pocket sized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Roman N. Litovsky, Faruk Halil Bursal
  • Patent number: 8189822
    Abstract: This invention relates to a line-array loudspeaker that is configurable to meet the acoustic requirements of a venue. In one embodiment, the line-array includes a combination of far-field and near-field loudspeaker modules which are selectively fixedly connected to each other. Each module includes a first loudspeaker element and a second loudspeaker element. Each of the first and second elements includes a high-frequency transducer assembly and a low-frequency transducer assembly. The far-field modules and the near-field modules are fixedly connected using a rigging system to provide a smooth and continuous transition from a first splay angle to a second splay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Steven J. Jakowski
  • Patent number: 8189823
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a speaker system in which a woofer and a group of tweeters are substantially coaxially arranged, and sound waves emitted from the woofer and sound waves emitted from the tweeter are less likely to interfere with each other in at least one direction, and whose sound pressure frequency characteristics easily stabilize. A speaker system according to the present invention includes a woofer and three or more tweeters, and the tweeters are arranged in front of the woofer in a circular-arc formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Toa Corporation
    Inventors: Seiichi Tezuka, Tsutomu Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 8184835
    Abstract: A transducer array includes speaker drivers having nonuniform asymmetric spacing. The array includes at least three drivers formed along a line or arc. The first of the drivers is positioned having a first spacing from an adjacent second driver that is different from a second spacing between the second driver and its adjacent third driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Creative Technology Ltd
    Inventor: Michael M. Goodwin
  • Publication number: 20120121111
    Abstract: There is provided a sound reproduction apparatus including a sub-woofer unit and a plurality of wireless speakers. A method of speaker charging and speaker calibration using the sound reproduction apparatus is also provided. The sub-woofer unit may be configured to perform tasks of both charging a power source in each of the plurality of wireless speakers; and calibrating speaker identity for each of the plurality of wireless speakers. It is advantageous that both of the tasks are performed when the plurality of wireless speakers is coupled to the sub-woofer unit. The speaker identity may include, for example, left front, right front, left rear, right rear, and centre.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Wong Hoo Sim, Boon Keat Eddy Toh, Jeng Khim Tan, Susimin Suprapmo
  • Patent number: 8180076
    Abstract: Adjustments to an electro-acoustic transducer may be made to match the performance of a second electro-acoustic transducer such that a net inertial force generated by movement of the electro-acoustic transducers' diaphragms are substantially zero. Adjustments may include adjusting a moving mass of one of the elector-acoustic transducers. Adjustments may include applying an equalization to one of the electro-acoustic transducers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin J. Bastyr, Michael W. Stark
  • Patent number: 8180089
    Abstract: An earphone including a case, a case extension unit, a plate, a cover, a first speaker and a second speaker is provided. The first speaker is disposed on a supporting portion of the plate and is disposed on a first plane different from a second plane where the second speaker is located. A distance exits in the position of the first speaker and the position of the second speaker corresponding to a direction of the sound from the earphone to the user who wears the earphone. The distance variation can make the sound field have more special effects and have better frequency response in some frequency domain. The distance variation can also avoid the interference of different sound fields generated by the speakers inside the earphone, and thus improves the performance of the whole sound field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Cotron Corporation
    Inventor: Bill Yang
  • Publication number: 20120114147
    Abstract: A speaker system includes: a first speaker unit having a predetermined directivity angle in the horizontal direction; and a pair of second speaker units which are disposed opposite to each other with the first speaker unit sandwiched between them when viewed in the vertical direction and which have a directivity angle in the horizontal direction greater than the directivity angle of the first speaker unit, wherein distances from the center of the first speaker unit to the centers of the pair of second speaker units are equal to each other, and the first speaker unit and the pair of second speaker units are disposed so as to face toward the same direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshio Ohashi, Kazuko Yamagishi, Yoshiyuki Kaku, Yoshihiro Iwami, Shin Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8175301
    Abstract: A loudspeaker driver that includes a suspended diaphragm and at least one voice coil disposed lateral to the suspended diaphragm, suspended in a magnetic field and coupled to the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Inventor: Kourosh Salehi
  • Publication number: 20120099745
    Abstract: An exemplary portable electronic device includes a flat shell, two speakers received in the shell, and a display panel. The shell includes a front plate at a front side thereof, a rear plate at a rear side thereof, and a sidewall between the front plate and the rear plate. The display panel is arranged at the front side of the shell. The rear plate has a center flat portion substantially parallel to the display panel and two angled portions at two opposite sides of the flat portion. Two sets of sound emission holes are respectively defined in the two angled portions of the rear plate of the shell. The two speakers are located corresponding to the two sets of sound emission holes with a front side of each facing a corresponding set of sound emission holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: HWANG-MIAW CHEN
  • Patent number: 8160286
    Abstract: A loudspeaker device includes an enclosure, a loudspeaker unit and a passive radiator both mounted to the enclosure. The passive radiator includes an edge sandwiched and bonded between a first diaphragm and a second diaphragm. This structure allows increasing the bonding strength between the edge and the first diaphragm as well as between the edge and the second diaphragm, so that the loudspeaker device can withstand greater maximum inputs and reproduce quality bass sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Koike, Hidekazu Tanaka, Soo Chen Lai, Thomas Chee Wee Leow
  • Patent number: 8150077
    Abstract: To obtain a composite type microphone, the microphone preventing an increase in size and weight and thereby improving the freedom for installation and handling while keeping the phases of signals output from respective microphone units the same. A composite type microphone that incorporates microphone units of different electroacoustic conversion methods into a common microphone body is provided. Here, in a front acoustic terminal portion of a first microphone unit based on one electroacoustic conversion method, a second microphone unit based on another electroacoustic conversion method is disposed, and in the front acoustic terminal portion of the first microphone unit, an air that vibrates in the same phase with that of a vibrating plate of the first microphone unit exists, and within the air that vibrates in the same phase with that of the vibrating plate of the first microphone unit, the second microphone unit is disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-Technica
    Inventors: Hiroshi Akino, Mitsuo Nemoto
  • Patent number: 8144900
    Abstract: A speaker system which includes a housing and a linear array of a plurality of sound-generating transducers. A housing is in the form of a cylinder having a longitudinal axis and substantially circular cross-section. The linear array of sound-generating transducers are mounted upon a substantially planar chord configured within a sidewall of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Inventors: J. Craig Oxford, D. Michael Shields
  • Patent number: 8098849
    Abstract: A method of optimizing the low frequency audio response emanating from a pair of low frequency transducers housed within a cabinet. The low frequency transducers are electrically connected to a power amplifier and source of audio content. The resonant frequency (Fs) and amplitude (Q) are characterized as to the high-pass pole of the low frequency transducers as they are mounted within the cabinet. An equalizer is placed between the amplifier and source of audio content for canceling the complex pole of the low frequency transducers and for establishing a new complex pole at a cut off frequency below which the sound generated by the low frequency transducers will diminish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Inventors: J. Craig Oxford, D. Michael Shields
  • Patent number: 8098854
    Abstract: A speaker module for a personal communication device includes two transducers for generating sound on the basis of an electrical signal. One transducer outputs sound to the surroundings from a sound output thereof and the other transducer outputs sound to the surroundings via the first transducer. In this manner, two transducers require only one sound output. The sound from the second transducer may be transmitted through and filtered by an opening in a diaphragm of the first transducer. Filtering elements may be provided between the two transducers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Sonion Nederland BV
    Inventors: Aart Zeger van Halteren, Onno Geschiere
  • Patent number: 8073176
    Abstract: The present invention introduces a speakerbar which mounts above or below a flat screen TV and reproduces the surround sound experience normally associated with speakers placed in five to seven separate locations around the room. This particular invention effectively increases the perceived stereo separation of the left and right front speakers, and creates the perception of two and even four surround speakers typically placed in the rear of the listening area. In addition, it introduces new technology to achieve multichannel bass extension beyond the normal limitations due to the minimal internal volume of a multichannel speakerbar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Inventor: Bernard Bottum
  • Patent number: 8073168
    Abstract: A speaker system is presented. The speaker system has a front speaker driver, a shroud mounted to the front speaker driver substantially encasing a cylinder volume on a rear portion of the front speaker driver. A rear speaker driver having similar dimensions to the front speaker is axially aligned with the front speaker driver and secured at a determined distance behind the front speaker driver and the shroud providing an air gap between the shroud and the rear speaker driver. An acoustically treated enclosure encloses a volume on a rear portion of the rear speaker driver. Electrical connections connect the front speaker driver and the rear speaker driver to terminals for connection to an external driving source such that like excursions occur on the front speaker driver and the rear speaker driver when the external driving source is operable and the front speaker driver functions in an open baffle system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Inventor: Locksley Christian
  • Patent number: 8073125
    Abstract: Audio in an audio conference is spatialized using either virtual sound-source positioning or sound-field capture. A spatial audio conference is provided between a local and remote parties using audio conferencing devices (ACDs) interconnected by a network. Each ACD captures spatial audio information from the local party, generates either one, or three or more, audio data streams which include the captured information, and transmits the generated stream(s) to each remote party. Each ACD also receives the generated audio data stream(s) transmitted from each of the remote parties, processes the received streams to generate a plurality of audio signals, and renders the signals to produce a sound-field that is perceived by the local party, where the sound-field includes the spatial audio information captured from the remote parties. A sound-field capture device is also provided which includes at least three directional microphones symmetrically configured about a center axis in a semicircular array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Zhengyou Zhang, James Johnston
  • Publication number: 20110286613
    Abstract: An audio speaker comprises three modules stacked on one another to form a tower. The bottom module generates a magneto-strictive output that is coupled to the structure on which the bottom module stands to cause audio signal radiation from that structure. The top module has an upwardly facing cone speaker that radiates audio signals primarily in the upper audio frequency range. These two audio signal radiations combine to provide a more comprehensive frequency range signal than is normally obtained at the small size of the tower. An intermediate module plays media such as an audio card. The modules are releasably held together by embedded magnets in the adjacent facing surfaces of the modules. Signal information is transmitted between modules by terminals on adjacent facing surfaces. The upwardly facing surface has a set of recessed spring loaded upwardly extending terminals. The mating terminals on the downwardly facing surface are flush with the surface contact terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: Franklin Electronic Publishers, Incorporated
    Inventors: Barry J. Lipsky, Eric A. Langberg
  • Patent number: 8059849
    Abstract: An acoustic processing module receives an acoustic signal, and outputs an analog output signal. Microphone sensors are provided for generating a corresponding electrical signal in response to the acoustic signal. A signal processing circuit is connected to the microphone sensors, and processes the electrical signals according to one or more analog signal processing functions to generate the analog output signal. An integrated casing encapsulates the microphone sensors and the analog processing circuit, and prevents external interference from affecting any electrical signals within the integrated casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: National Acquisition Sub, Inc.
    Inventors: Hans W. Klein, Bal S. Sandhu
  • Patent number: 8050432
    Abstract: To conclude, in a preferred embodiment in accordance with the invention, the sound system comprises two loudspeakers (LA, LB) which mask their spectral signatures at the ear (C1) of the listener by positioning the two loudspeakers (LA, LB) such that their maxima of the polar radiation patterns have directions which at least differ 30 degrees, and which generate coherent sound in the direction of the listener. These two aspects together cause different gradients of the sound of the two loudspeakers (LA, LB) at the same ear (C1) of the listener, while the information which reaches the ear (C1) from the spatially shifted different loudspeakers (LA, LB) is still coherent and not blurred by diffusion. The loudspeakers LA, LB should be spaced apart to obtain sufficient different gradients of their sound at the same ear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Bloomline Acoustics B.V.
    Inventor: Leendert De Klerk