Plural Diaphragms Patents (Class 381/186)
  • Patent number: 7245729
    Abstract: A loudspeaker includes a box-form structure made from stiff lightweight sheet material to define a plurality of faces, at least one face of the structure forming a panel-form bending wave acoustic radiator, and an electro-acoustic vibration transducer coupled thereto to apply bending wave energy to the radiator to cause it to radiate an acoustic output when an input signal is applied to the transducer. The box-form structure is collapsible, so that the box-form structure can be stored and transported in a flat form and erected as a box when required as a loudspeaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: New Transducers Limited
    Inventors: Andrew D. Bank, Ian D. MacFarlane, Keith D. Hills, Paul Burton
  • Patent number: 7218743
    Abstract: A speaker module includes a first diaphragm and a second diaphragm acoustically coupled with each other as a part of a wall forming a hermetic space with a panel. A light emitting section emits light to the panel, and the panel transmits the light to a side of the second diaphragm. The speaker module is configured to emit sound and light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahide Sumiyama, Tetsuya Mouri, Satoshi Itoh, Takayoshi Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 7210213
    Abstract: A speaker collective substrate with component insertion hole sections and electrode sections has a plurality of speaker forming areas. An electrical speaker section, which comprises a magnetic circuit section and a vibration section, is inserted into each of the component insertion hole sections. Then, a collective lid, in which a plurality of lids have been formed for sealing the electrical speaker sections, is attached onto the speaker collective substrate. After that, the speaker collective substrate and the collective lid are divided into individual speaker forming areas along partition lines extending in the directions of the X and Y axes to form individual dynamic speakers. Thus, it is possible to mass-produce dynamic speakers with uniform quality through a collectively manufacturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Citizen Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazumi Miyamoto, Naoki Miura
  • Patent number: 7171013
    Abstract: A loudspeaker system designed for ceiling installation. The system includes a woofer, a midrange speaker and a tweeter commonly supported on a rotatable support member which in turn is supported on and is rotatable with respect to an annular rim that is designed to be fixed about an opening in the ceiling. The woofer is aligned at one acute angle and the midrange speaker and tweeter at another acute angle to the annular rim. The mid range speaker and tweeter are partially segregated from the woofer by a baffle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Boston Acoustic, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Kosatos, Brian Cox, David Kroll, Miriam Korsunsky
  • Patent number: 7162050
    Abstract: A case is provided for mounting an information equipment and a frame of the compound sound generator is set in the case. A speaker and receiver are provided in the frame. A first back chamber is formed in the speaker and a second back chamber is formed in the receiver. A baffle is formed integrally with the frame so as to separate the first and second back chambers from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Citizen Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahito Furuya, Hironori Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 7142680
    Abstract: A flush mountable ceiling speaker (10) with individual coaxial waveguides (20, 22) for both the lower and high-frequency transducers (11, 12). The lower frequency radiation is combined with the sonic energy radiated by the high-frequency transducer (12) and shaped by the high-frequency waveguide (20) to create a coherent, uniformly controlled coverage pattern. The loudspeaker (10) creates a well defined sound dispersion pattern over a relatively large bandwidth, resulting in increased vocal intelligibility and more accurate reproduction of music at relatively great distances from the loudspeaker, as is particularly useful in association with high ceiling installations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Telex
    Inventors: William James Gelow, Christopher Sean Beckett
  • Patent number: 7120264
    Abstract: A sound reproducing apparatus includes a display unit, a board 22, a diaphragm panel 23, and an electroacoustic transducer 26. The display unit displays an image on a display surface. The board 22 is composed of a material which transmits visible light and arranged such that a first space is provided between the display surface of the display unit and the board 22. The diaphragm panel 23 is composed of a material which transmits visible light and arranged on the opposite side of the board 22 from the display unit such that a second space is provided between the board 22 and the diaphragm panel 23. The electroacoustic transducer 26 emits sound into the second space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuji Saiki, Sawako Usuki
  • Patent number: 7050600
    Abstract: A speaker system includes a display panel for displaying an image; a transparent panel provided such that the image displayed in the display panel is viewed through the transparent panel; an electric-mechanical-acoustic-transducer having a diaphragm for outputting a sound by vibrating the diaphragm in accordance with an electric signal; and an acoustic signal transfer member for transferring the sound output from the electric-mechanical-acoustic-transducer to a space provided between the display panel and the transparent panel. The transparent panel is allowed to be vibrated by the sound transferred to the space from the electric-mechanical-acoustic-transducer via the acoustic signal transfer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuji Saiki, Sawako Usuki, Shuhei Konishi
  • Patent number: 7021419
    Abstract: A small-sized speaker system having a very excellent bass-range reproduction capability includes a sound radiation component for guiding acoustic waves radiated from the speaker units to a free space by causing a larger degree of air compression and expansion than in the case where acoustic waves are directly radiated to the free space with the speaker units mounted in corresponding enclosures of the same shape as the speaker units. The speaker system has 20% or more lower f0 than in the case where acoustic waves are directly radiated to the free space with the speaker units mounted in corresponding enclosures of the same shape as the speaker units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Onkyo Corporation
    Inventors: Koichi Sadaie, Kenichiro Toyofuku
  • Patent number: 6996243
    Abstract: The loudspeaker and method provide a driver of a loudspeaker that is movable parallel to an axis of movement through a center of the driver to produce sound waves. The driver is aligned with the driver plane orthogonal to the axis of movement. The driver plane is at a non-zero acute angle to a support plane. A reflector is mounted facing a diaphragm of the driver for reflecting sound waves from the driver. The reflector is configured relative to the driver such that reflected sound energy is greatest in a selected direction from a front of the reflector and the driver, and diminishes a progressively larger angle from the selected direction. The selected direction diverges from the driver plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Audio Products International Corp.
    Inventors: Andrew C. Welker, John Tchilinguirian
  • Patent number: 6985593
    Abstract: A vibration reducing apparatus comprising, a baffle subject to vibration, a first electroacoustical transducer characterized by a first mass seated in the baffle, a second electromechanical transducer mechanically connected to said first transducer or said baffle in the vicinity of the periphery of the first transducer. The rear sides of the diaphragms of the first and the second transducer are not connected to the listening area. The first transducer and the second transducer are constructed and arranged to receive a common electrical signal so that the movable element in the first transducer and the movable element in the second transducer move in phase opposition in response to the common electrical signal to significantly reduce the vibrating force imparted to the baffle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: George Nichols, Amar G. Bose, Hal P. Greenberger
  • Patent number: 6980664
    Abstract: A loudspeaker comprising a moving coil and a membrane fastened to a chassis, where the membrane is divided into a concentrically disposed inner membrane part and a concentrically disposed outer membrane part, whereby a meeting area is defined between the inner membrane part and the outer membrane part, the inner membrane part being fastened to an inner moving coil and the outer membrane part being fastened to an outer moving coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Danish Sound Technology A/S
    Inventor: Lars Goller
  • Patent number: 6963650
    Abstract: A coaxial speaker assembly (10) with reduced sound distortion, sound time delay, and polar response distortion. The coaxial speaker assembly (10) includes a high-frequency speaker system (16) mounted coaxially with and fitting within a lower-frequency speaker system (14). A baffle (50) is secured to a diaphragm (48) of the high-frequency speaker system (16). A step-down ledge (52) is circumferentially positioned adjacent to the baffle (50) and extends outwardly therefrom. A portion of the sound waves emanating from the high-frequency diaphragm (48) are reflected off the step-down ledge (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Multi Service Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher Combest
  • Patent number: 6963651
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved single magnetic circuit dual output speaker, comprising a support retainer with an expanded opening at its front end, a bridge disposed across the opening, a magnetic circuit wound and fixed inwardly in the middle of the bridge, a vibrating space disposed on each of both sides of the magnetic circuit, a first voice coil disposed in the vibrating space on one side of the magnetic circuit, a second voice coil disposed in the vibrating space on the other side of the magnetic circuit, a first diaphragm disposed on the expanded opening of the support retainer and having its internal diameter stuck with the first voice coil, a second diaphragm disposed on the expanded opening of the support retainer and having its internal diameter stuck with the second voice coil, and a damper disposed at the back of the support retainer and stuck with the first voice coil, such that the magnetic circuit is mounted at the front of the support retainer by the bridge to provide the dual ou
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Meiloon Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jack Peng
  • Patent number: 6940990
    Abstract: This invention discloses a multi-channel audio center speaker device that has a low-frequency sound box working together with a mid-frequency sound box each on both sides, and the low-frequency sound box works with a high-frequency sound box having a forward sound direction and a mid-frequency sound box having a backward sound direction, and both sound boxes are tilted up to an appropriate angle such that after the sound frequencies are mixed, the audio image provided by the sound frequency of the mixed sound is extended backward through the mid/high frequency speaker, and then the image at the back is reflected to the audience in the front, such that the position of placing the center sound box becomes more flexible, and produces a sound together with the simulated video screen at the back. In the meantime, the present invention can reduce or eliminate the impact of the sound being acted directly on the audience to prevent uneasiness and broaden the range of the multi-channel audio sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Inventor: Wan-Fang Huang
  • Patent number: 6925191
    Abstract: A loudspeaker having a back plate, a driver attached to the back plate, the driver being responsive to an electrical signal, an enhancer having a neck and a mouth, the neck attached to the driver and movable in accordance with the movement of the driver, a thin film membrane, the membrane attached to the enhancer, the membrane stretched over the frame, a frame for supporting the membrane and maintaining it in a taut state, and a rubber type adhesive for dampening the membrane resonances and for adhering the membrane to the frame. Clarity of sound can be further improved by including a plurality of sound breathers in the back plate of the speaker. For improved sound radiation capability, the size and the shape of the enhancer can be modified in various ways, including a frustoconical, parabolic, or bell-shaped enhancer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Digital Sonics LLC
    Inventors: Michael Petroff, Mayuki Yanagawa, Keiko Muto
  • Patent number: 6925190
    Abstract: Loudspeaker mounting apparatus that permits mounting of a loudspeaker at an angle to a mounting surface. In one embodiment the apparatus comprises an assembly that includes a frame member that is flush mountable in a cutout in the mounting surface. The frame member includes an angled flange that is employed for the mounting of a cooperative baffle. The front of the baffle is recessed behind the mounting surface to permit a flush speaker installation. The baffle mounts to the angled flange of the frame member in one of two possible predetermined orientiations so as to disperse sound around a centerline that is either oriented normal to the mounting surface or at a predetermined angle from normal corresponding to the degree of angle incorporated into the frame and baffle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Russound/FMP, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Popken, Andy Lewis, Allen Boothroyd, Tim Evans
  • Patent number: 6910549
    Abstract: An embedded multimedia speaker structure includes a five-facet housing having a same dimension as that of a 5-and-¼-inch disk drive; a recess disposed at a bottom center portion of the housing; a bass speaker disposed at the recess and having a bell thereof facing downward; a circuit board having play function disposed at an rear end of an interior of the housing and for controlling sounds; a panel enclosing a front end of the housing, and having a speaker provided at two sides thereof, respectively; and two sound guide tubes having an end thereof connected to a rear end of the speakers, respectively, and the other end thereof arranged to an exterior of the housing, respectively. Using the aforesaid structure, a multimedia speaker is assembled for disposing within a 5-and-¼-inch disk drive housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Inventor: Hsien-Chin Kung
  • Patent number: 6834113
    Abstract: A loudspeaker system, which has the ability to create a homogeneous sound over large distances, comprising at least one line-source of acoustical radiation, each comprising three or more essentially identical speaker-units arranged adjacent to each other at a center-to-center spacing D1, and at least one elongated high frequency transducer arranged in parallel with said line source(s), said elongated high frequency transducer(s) having an essentially continuous radiating surface along the axis of elongation. Where the crossover frequency FCR and the distance D1, for said line-source(s), is set according to new design criteria, taking into account the frequency response from said speaker units in said line-sources and the optimal performance for a line-source. A method is also included, by which a homogeneous sound over large distances can be accomplished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Inventors: Erik Liljehag, Martin Löfgren, Gunnar Löfgron
  • Publication number: 20040218775
    Abstract: Headphones with a multichannel guiding mechanism having different channel speakers positioned within each of earphones and separate sound-guiding chambers for receiving the different channel speakers. In taking the acoustics into account, the separate sound chambers are installed within the earphones according to the sound effect of different channel speakers. An inner and an outer tube are installed within the first sound chamber. The inner tube defines a treble area in the middle of the front main speaker while the outer tube defines a bass area around the treble area whereby the first sound chamber has a tube-in-tube configuration. Accordingly, a clear positioning of the acoustic field is achieved by different installation position of the speakers within the earphones. In addition, the interference of sound waves is avoided and the reproduction of original sound is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventor: Jui-Shu Huang
  • Patent number: 6813362
    Abstract: A loudspeaker includes an assembly of at least two bending wave panel-form acoustic members each having a set of modes which are distributed in frequency. The parameters of at least two of the acoustic members are selected so that the modal distributions of each acoustic member are substantially different. The arrangement is such that the modal distributions of the assembly of acoustic members are interleaved constructively in frequency. A transducer applies bending wave energy to the acoustic members to cause them to resonate to produce an acoustic output. A method of making such a loudspeaker is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: New Transducers Limited
    Inventors: Andrew D. Bank, Ian D. MacFarlane, Keith D. Hills, Paul Burton, Neil Harris
  • Patent number: 6804370
    Abstract: A speaker capable to playback in wide frequency range by means of reducing peak values of amplitude of resonance frequencies in frequency characteristics is provided by means of differing a radius of curvature R1 of an inner diaphragm 10a and a radius of curvature R2 of an outer diaphragm 10b to differ resonance frequencies of the inner diaphragm 10a and the outer diaphragm 10b. Furthermore, by means of equalizing an area S1 of the inner diaphragm 10a and an area S2 of the outer diaphragm 10b, sound pressure levels of the inner and outer diaphragms 10a, 10b are equalized with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignees: Pioneer Corporation, Tohoku Pioneer Corporation
    Inventor: Hideaki Sugiura
  • Patent number: 6782112
    Abstract: An acoustical transducer enclosure has an acoustic lever acoustically coupled to an electro-acoustical transducer so as to force all radiated sound through the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Inventor: Earl R. Geddes
  • Patent number: 6778675
    Abstract: In a speaker device including a plurality of speakers outputting different frequency bands, for a listener listening to sound from the speaker device, a first emitting direction of a first speaker emitting a high frequency band is oriented toward the listener more than a second emitting direction of a second speaker emitting a low frequency band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: Yoshito Maruo
  • Patent number: 6766027
    Abstract: An elliptical speaker system is provided for in-wall/in-ceiling mounting. The speaker system comprises an elliptical speaker frame or bracket defining a speaker front plane having a generally arcuate inner surface. First and second speaker components are mounted within the speaker frame, on opposing sides of the speaker inner surface. At least one of the speaker components may be translatable within the speaker frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Dana Innovations
    Inventors: Todd Ryan, Ray Call, Tommy Rucci
  • Patent number: 6731765
    Abstract: A loudspeaker device includes left and right channel loudspeaker units which are disposed on left and right sides in close proximity to each other, and a partition member projecting forwardly in the direction of propagation of sound from the loudspeaker units by a predetermined distance from a position between the loudspeaker units on a plane of a baffle on which the loudspeaker units are mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Hiromi Sotome
  • Patent number: 6721436
    Abstract: A loudspeaker for vehicles having cabins, the loudspeaker including a diaphragm including a first, planar portion for radiating acoustic energy and a second, planar portion for transmitting vibrational energy from a voice coil driver to the first portion. The first portion is incorporated into an inner surface of the vehicle's cabin. The second portion extends from the first portion to a location outside of the cabin, where the voice coil driver is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Sound Advance Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Alejandro Bertagni, Eduardo Bertagni
  • Patent number: 6721431
    Abstract: An audio array for receiving or generating audio signals. The audio array includes first, second and third audio elements and first second and third structures. Each of the first second and third structures are right triangles. The first second and third audio elements are each secured to a respective one of the first, second and third structures and the first, second and third structures are positioned to extend at a substantially 90° angle to each other. The first second and third audio elements are positioned in a substantially central location of the first second and third structures. The first second and third audio elements are all either speakers or microphones. The first, second and third structures are all retained within a comprising a housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Dean E Johnson
  • Patent number: 6704426
    Abstract: A bandpass loudspeaker enclosure system including at least one electro-acoustic transducer with a vibratable diaphragm having a first acoustical coupling surface and a second acoustical coupling surface, and at least one differential area passive radiator with three separate acoustical coupling surface areas. The first acoustical coupling surface of the vibratable diaphragm is substantially air coupled through a first enclosure volume to a first of the three separate acoustical coupling surface areas of the at least one differential area passive radiator. A second of the three separate acoustical coupling surface areas of the at least one differential area passive radiator is substantially air coupled through a second chamber to the external environment through a restricted acoustic opening or passive acoustic radiator of predetermined characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: American Technology Corporation
    Inventor: James J. Croft, III
  • Patent number: 6678384
    Abstract: A speaker structure having a simple configuration while maintaining good sound quality is disclosed. The speaker structure comprises a first speaker (20) having a first vibration plate (21), a first frame (22) for fixing the perimeter of the first vibration plate and a first magnetic circuit (24) for converting a signal into the vibration of the first vibration plate, a second speaker (30) having a second vibration plate (31), a second frame (32) for fixing the perimeter of the second vibration plate and a second magnetic circuit (34) for converting a signal into the vibration of the second vibration plate, and a fixing unit (50) for fixing the first magnetic circuit and the second magnetic circuit at their backs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignees: Fujitsu Ten Limited, Timedomain Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kowaki, Hiroyuki Yoshii
  • Patent number: 6647122
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound loudspeaker. In the loudspeaker, the L.F. drive unit has a curved flexible diaphragm whose shape is determined such that it optimally controls the directivity of the compound loudspeaker to produce matched directivity of the L.F. and H.F. drive units. The L.F. diaphragm drive unit radiates sound by the controlled flexure of its diaphragm and thus, eliminates the need for a flexible rolling seal at the edge of the diaphragm. This allows for a continuous smooth surface to exist between the H.F. drive unit and the exterior of the loudspeaker, thereby greatly improving its radiation characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Pioneer Electronics Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Jones
  • Publication number: 20030053644
    Abstract: A coincident source stereo speaker in accordance with the present invention includes a high-frequency component (tweeter) and a low-frequency component (woofer) that are separated by a sound channel. The tweeter emits a first sound pattern directly outward from the speaker, with the sound pattern having a corresponding high frequency center axis. The sound channel is located between the tweeter and woofer and is symmetrically oriented around the high-frequency component. The woofer emits a second sound pattern into the sound channel for re-direction out of the speaker. With this configuration, the second sound pattern has an effective low frequency center axis that is coincident with the high frequency center axis. As a result, the tweeter and woofer exhibit co-axial performance characteristics, even though they are not physically located co-axially.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Richard J. Vandersteen
  • Publication number: 20030048920
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electro-acoustic transducer suitable for applications within mobile communication equipment and hearing aids. The transducer comprises two diaphragms positioned on opposite sides of a magnetic circuit having two magnetic gaps. When used as a microphone the transducer is substantially insensitive to vibrations, and when used as a speaker the transducer generates only very low vibration levels. The magnetic circuit has a number of advantages compared to conventional transducers with circular magnetic. The transducer can be made lightweight and with very compact dimensions compared to conventional designs. In a preferred embodiment the diaphragms are rectangular. The transducer may additionally be used as a vibration generator for silent alarm signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Aart Zeger Van Halteren, Leif Johannsen
  • Publication number: 20030044031
    Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-function actuator comprising: a case having an internal space; a vibrating coil installed in the case for generating vibration; a diaphragm for generating sound with an outer end being fixed to the upper end of the case; a voice coil fixedly installed in the bottom of the diaphragm for generating sound according to a sound source and having an notch filter; a vertically magnetized magnet; an upper plated attached to the magnet for constituting a magnetic circuit; a yoke for constituting the magnetic circuit together with the magnet; a weight for constituting a vibrator body together with the magnet, the upper plate and the yoke; and a suspension spring for supporting the vibrator body. In generating sound, sound quality is improved without influencing sound while vibration is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yeon Ho Son
  • Publication number: 20030002697
    Abstract: A dual diaphragm speaker comprising first and second diaphragms operating in accordance with the piezoelectric effect, the diaphragms being arranged to be driven in opposite phase with respect to one another so as to cancel out non-linearities. The speaker is made transparent and mounted over the display panel of a mobile telephone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventor: Timothy Mellow
  • Patent number: 6493452
    Abstract: A speaker unit includes a woofer having a diaphragm with an ellipse shape sound emitting opening, and a separate speaker having an ellipse shape diaphragm with an area smaller than that of the diaphragm of the woofer, located in front of the diaphragm of the woofer, attached to a center axis of the ellipse shape of the woofer coincident with that of the ellipse shape of the separate speaker, and emitting a sound higher in frequency than that of the woofer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Koizumi, Hachishiro Kobayashi, Hideki Minami
  • Patent number: 6466675
    Abstract: The invention relates to a loudspeaker system. The loudspeaker system respectively includes first and second satellite speaker having a housings supporting a high frequency driver and a middle frequency driver. Each housing forms a complete enclosure with a single opening and the middle frequency driver includes a magnet and a cone. The middle frequency drivers are respectively mounted within the single openings of the housings such the middle frequency drivers seal the interior of the housings from an external environment and the magnets are directed away from the interior of the housings. The high frequency drivers are mounted to the housings for movement in a plurality of planes. The system further includes a subwoofer having a subwoofer housing in which at least one low frequency driver is mounted. The invention further relates to the specific loudspeakers forming the present system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Inventor: Dennis A. Tracy
  • Patent number: 6466676
    Abstract: A compound driver acoustic transducer. A frame supports a motion generator to one side of two diaphragms. An intermediate diaphragm is continuous and is driven by the motion generator. The intermediate diaphragm forms a closed volume with a solid portion of the frame that opens into a central opening through the other, open diaphragm. An axially rigid coupling connects the two diaphragms so they operate in unison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Inventor: C. Ronald Coffin
  • Publication number: 20020094097
    Abstract: A compound loudspeaker drive unit comprising a first drive unit and a second drive unit arranged co-axial with respect to the center axis of the loudspeaker, and each drive unit comprises permanent magnet means and pole piece means together forming a magnetic circuit with a pole gap for exciting a voice coil assembly, each pole gap providing magnetic field directed radially with respect to a center axis of the loudspeaker. At least one of the permanent magnet means has a radially extending magnetization direction with respect to said center axis of the loudspeaker and the acoustic centers of said drive units substantially coincide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventor: Anders Sagren
  • Publication number: 20020071580
    Abstract: This invention provides a system enabling the assembly and suspension of a plurality of line array loudspeakers where the splay angle between the adjacent speakers can be easily adjusted and rigidly maintained. This line array system utilizes rigging frames allowing for the coupling and supporting of the loudspeakers forming and rigidly maintaining a curvature in the line speaker array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: Mark Engebretson, Yoshiyuki Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6393132
    Abstract: A speaker having a tweeter and a woofer together is disclosed. The tweeter can be selectively chosen to combine with the woofer or not, such that a user will have much more choices when mount the speaker. That is, the user is able to decide his/her own style of speaker according to where the user wants to locate the speaker, which increase the variety of decoration and also reduces the volume of the speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Jih Yo Electronic Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun-Yi Lin
  • Patent number: 6356640
    Abstract: A direction adjusting arrangement for a tweeter mainly includes a round sleeve screwed to a base mounted at a center of a woofer of a loudspeaker and a ball portion provided at a rear end of the tweeter. The sleeve is formed at a lower inner end with a bowl-shaped socket into which the ball portion is movably received. A curved slide way is provided in the socket extended by a predetermined length from a top of the sleeve toward a bottom center of the socket. A projection is provided at middle point of one side of an outer wall surface of the ball portion to movably extend into the slide way. The ball portion could be turned in the socket with the projection guided by the slide way and be pivotally turned in the socket about the projection, so that the tweeter could be adjusted in its angular position relative to the woofer to face different directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Inventor: Steff Lin
  • Patent number: 6343134
    Abstract: A loudspeaker includes a compresion chamber, a first electroacoustic transducer and a horn. The first electroacoustic transducer is disposed inside the compression chamber. The horn is mechanically and acoustically coupled to the first electroacoustic transducer. The loudspeaker also includes a second electroacoustic transducer. The second electroacoustic transducer is disposed outside the compression chamber. The second electroacoustic transducer is mechanically and acoustically coupled to the horn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Inventor: Euguene J. Czerwinski
  • Patent number: 6343128
    Abstract: A dual-cone loudspeaker includes a primary speaker cone and an axially displaced secondary speaker cone mounted to the back of a magnet structure. A rigid link causes both cones to move in unison. The rigid link includes an open support structure with equiangularly extending spokes that form a central hub. A ring circumscribes the spokes and ataches to the first speaker cone. A rigid element connects to the spokes and the secondary speaker cone so the primary and secondary speaker cones move in unison and improve the bass response for the loudspeaker. The rigid coupling device is also adapted to support a high frequency radiator to extend the overall loudspeaker frequency response into higher frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Inventor: C. Ronald Coffin
  • Patent number: 6263085
    Abstract: A surround sound headphones for enhancing a wearer's listening experience by providing a surround sound speaker configuration therein. The surround sound headphones includes a headband for wear on a user's head and a pair of earpieces coupled to the headband. Each of the earpieces has an open inner face which defines a cavity in the respective earpiece. Each earpiece may also have a generally circular shaped fabric covered shield covering the open inner face of the respective earpiece. The inner face of each of the earpieces has a center extent extending into the cavity of the respective earpiece. The center extent has a plurality of side faces each having at least one speaker mounted thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Inventor: Sergio W. Weffer
  • Publication number: 20010005419
    Abstract: Planar magnetic acoustic transducer diaphragms are formed from an electrical non-conducting membrane and metallic layer laminate by selectively removing portions of the metallic layer to create at least one electrical conductor circuit pattern and at least one passive metallic area both of which are of a predetermined size and configuration to balance modal behavior of the diaphragms when in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Publication date: June 28, 2001
    Inventors: Mohammad Kermani, Michael Leduc, Thomas Zelinka
  • Patent number: 6222929
    Abstract: A speaker apparatus, in which a middle-high frequency speaker is disposed forward of a low frequency speaker. First and second sound guiding member are disposed in front of the low frequency speaker and middle-high frequency speaker improving low sound while reducing noise and distortion. The speaker includes a yoke having a path arranged at rear side of a woofer with the first sound guiding member disposed in the yoke for guiding sound discharged through the path. A tweeter is disposed at the front end of the first sound guiding member. A partition wall is disposed at the edge of the tweeter for separating middle-high frequency sound from low sound radiated from the woofer, and the second sound guiding member is disposed at the central portion of the tweeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae-Nam Kim
  • Patent number: 6215884
    Abstract: This invention outlines several applications of piezoelectric vibrators to produce quality flat panel speakers in passenger cabin applications. A system consisting of an audio amplifier and transformer is used to drive the piezo speaker. The electronics are packaged so that they fit in small modules that can be attached to a cabin structure to produce a speaker. The invention includes a variety of flat panel speaker designs, including one in which the existing structure is converted into a speaker, and thin membrane and or panels that are fitted with piezoelectric elements. A system consisting of cabin quieting and flat panel speakers is also discussed where the mid and high frequency audio is produced by panel speakers and the low frequency audio is produced from dynamic loudspeakers. The cabin systems discussed in this patent are applicable to automobiles, aircraft, trucks and buses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Noise Cancellation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Parrella, Steven L. Machacek, Graham P. Eatwell
  • Patent number: 6169811
    Abstract: A bandpass loudspeaker enclosure system including a first primary enclosure volume, a second primary enclosure volume and a dividing wall positioned between the first and second primary enclosure volumes and having a first opening therein. At least one electro-acoustic transducer is mounted at the opening on the dividing wall and includes a movable diaphragm having a first surface area side and a second surface area side. The first surface area side communicates into the first primary enclosure volume and the second surface area side of the movable diaphragm communicates into the second primary enclosure volume. At least one differential area passive radiator is provided, including (i) a primary diaphragm surface area having a primary peripheral attachment surround, and (ii) secondary diaphragm surface area having at least a secondary peripheral attachment surround.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: American Technology Corporation
    Inventor: James J. Croft, III
  • Patent number: 6134332
    Abstract: A sound lens speaker system includes a concave sound lens, two upper frequency drivers, and a lower mid/low frequency driver. The mid/low frequency driver is oriented to fire sound waves towards the apex of the sound lens. The two high frequency drivers are positioned off axis between the mid/low frequency driver and the apex of the sound lens, and are preferably angled toward the apex of the sound lens. Sound waves from the high frequency drivers and mid/low driver are reflected by the sound lens into a downward substantially focused beam of full frequency spectrum sound. In a preferred embodiment, the sound lens has an upper parabolic portion and a coaxial lower parabolic portion defined by different parabolic equations and each having a respective focus. The high frequency drivers are preferably located along an arc through the upper focus and the mid/low frequency driver is substantially vertically aligned with the lower focus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Inventor: David Wiener