Abstract: A self resonance-type sound-producing speaker that is waterproof and readily attachable. The self resonance-type sound-producing speaker includes an actuator speaker unit and a polymer foam arranged to cover the entire outer surface of this speaker unit and converts the vibrations from the speaker unit into plane waves to externally produce sound. The polymer foam preferably has the expansion ratio of 10 to 30 times and the closed pore structure. The thickness of the polymer foam is preferably not less than 2 mm and is more preferably not less than 3 mm.

Abstract: A hat with sound playing function includes a hat body, a brim extending from the hat body and at least one slim speaker. The brim has a supporting layer and a decorating layer covering a surface of the supporting layer. The at least one slim speaker is disposed between the supporting layer and the decorating layer.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a television apparatus includes a housing, a skeletal member, a speaker, a speaker holder, and a sound guiding mechanism. The housing is provided with an emission opening. The skeletal member is housed in the housing and fixed to the housing. The speaker is arranged inside the housing. The speaker holder is attached to the skeletal member with an engagement mechanism while holding the speaker. The sound guiding mechanism includes the speaker holder, and guides sound produced from the speaker to the emission opening.

Abstract: An audio source device may be used with a garment such as a hooded garment by passing the audio wires into a channel in the hood and having them exit the hood inside hollow lanyards with earbuds at the ends. A means to fix the wires and the lanyards to each other inside the hood is shown; and a means is shown to prevent lateral movement inside the hood. The wires and lanyard are crimped at the earbuds to prevent relative movement, the wires also being slacked inside the lanyard. The wire inside one or both of the lanyards can have an activatible microphone and the a source device can be a Bluetooth equipped device.

Abstract: Gaming machine chairs and wagering game systems and machines with a gaming chair are presented herein. A gaming chair is disclosed that includes a base, a seat portion supported by the base, one or more speaker assemblies, and a backrest assembly. The backrest assembly includes a backrest and a mounting frame. The mounting frame has a polymeric honeycombed body comprising a plurality of ribs that define an array of compartments. Optionally, the mounting frame body has at least one contoured face. The mounting frame is attached to the backrest and speaker assembly, coupling both the backrest and speaker assembly to the base. The mounting frame may be fabricated with numerous fastening regions that are integrally formed with the polymeric body. In this optional configuration, at least some of the fastening regions lie in a respective plane divergent from the other fastening regions.

Abstract: A footwear device for enhancing an entertainment experience in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes a first actuator mounted in the footwear device and operable to impart a vibration to the footwear device based on an indication of reproduced sound included in the entertainment experience. A vibration signal is provided to drive the vibration of the footwear device and may be based on reproduced audible information and/or enhanced information optimized to maximize vibration. The present application also relates to an entertainment system for use with the vibrating footwear device.

Abstract: A sound enhancing system includes a haptic chair formed of a chair and plural speakers mounted to the chair. The speakers receive audio input from a subject audio source and generate corresponding sound vibrations. The chair is configured to deliver the generated sound vibrations to various body parts of a user seated in the chair through the sense of touch and by bone conduction of sound. A visual display viewable by the user corresponds to the generated sound vibrations and is indicative of the corresponding audio input. The sound enhancing system enhances user experience of the audio input by any one or combination of visually, by the sense of touch, and by bone conduction of sound.

Abstract: A music playing system employing the combination of mini-speaker footwear wirelessly receiving music from a music source (20) external to the footwear using an audio adapter transmitter (13) connected to the music source (20) to wirelessly transmit music to an audio adapter receiver (9) mounted in the footwear is disclosed. A rechargeable lithium-ion polymer battery pack (10) is hidden in a shoe compartment (19). This battery pack powers the speakers (1-4) in the footwear and the audio adapter receiver (9). The external music source (20) may for example be but not limited to an iPod, iPhone, iPad, iPad 3G, iPod nano, iPod Shuffle, iPod Touch, iPad Tablet, smart phone, Droid phone, Android phone, MP3 player, CD player, microchip player or computer. Power for the audio adapter transmitter (13) is provided by the battery power pack of the external music source.

Abstract: A pocket on the garment is configured to store an audio playback device. A device dock is associated with the pocket. The device dock includes an audio connector connectable to the audio playback device. A jack dock is on the garment. The jack dock includes a headphone jack configured to connect to a headphone. An elongated stretchable textile data/power bus is integrated with the garment between the device dock and the jack dock.

Abstract: An embodiment of a baseball-style cap and stereo combination having a crown, a brim/bill, a sweatband, and one or more speakers concealed within the brim/bill is disclosed. The stereo components including a wireless receiver, an amplifier, and/or battery are concealed within an inner surface and/or inner space defined as the area between the lowermost inner surface area of the crown and the inner surface of the sweatband. The wireless receiver receivers audio signals from an external audio source and plays the audio via the one or more speakers.

Abstract: An audio source system may be built into a garment such as a hooded garment in such a way that safety concerns such as with a hooded garment for children are taken into account so that the audio system wiring cannot be made loose causing a danger of strangulation nor can the hood be cinched. This is done by putting speakers into the hood between a lining and an outer layer and passing the wires into the space between them and then into a tube that is open to the hood inner space and down the tube to a pocket in the body of the garment. Also securing tabs are used to prevent cinching action upon pulling the wire.

Abstract: A musical travel cap assembly provides music to sooth a child while traveling. The assembly includes a main body having a crown section and opposed ear sections extending from the crown section. A pair of speakers is provided with each the speaker being positioned adjacent to an interior surface of the main body. Each speaker is further positioned adjacent to an associated one of the ear sections. A pocket is coupled to the main body and a music player is positioned in the pocket. The music player is operationally coupled to the speakers whereby music from the music player is played through the speakers.

Abstract: An articulating speaker assembly includes a first member including a first driver and a second member including second driver. The first member and the second member are pivotally connected for selectively changing the profile of the speaker assembly. A central housing member is pivotally connected to each of the first member and the second member, wherein the central housing member supports a third driver.

Abstract: An articulating speaker assembly includes a first member pivotally connected to a second member for selectively changing the profile of the speaker assembly. A central driver is positioned between the first member and the second member. The first member includes a first enclosure with a cavity shaped and dimensioned for receiving a first driver, the first driver being secured within the first enclosure. The second member includes a second enclosure with a cavity shaped and dimensioned for receiving a second driver, the second driver being secured within the second enclosure. Each of the first member and the second member includes a central driver aperture and the central driver is mounted within the central driver apertures of the first member and the second member.

Abstract: A hat mounted music system includes a semi-rigid hatband and a flexible crown and hat bill mounted to the hatband. A retaining pocket is mounted to the hatband and is sized and shaped to hold a portable music player. First and second headphone mounts are located to align with the ears of a user. The mounts have first and second hinges. First portions of the hinges are attached to the hatband and second portions of the hinges are attached to the mounts. The hinges permit movement of the mounts from a first, open position to a second, listening position. First and second headphone modules are adapted to fit the headphone mounts. Connection wires connect the player to the headphone modules. The headphone mounts are spring-loaded and are retained in the second position by a latching mechanism. A release device allows the headphone mounts to return to the first, open position.

Abstract: An audio reproducing system includes a pair of speaker units, a mounting unit for mounting the pair of speaker units, without being attached to a baffle board, to the vicinity of a listener's ears in a manner such that sounds emitted from the front and back of a diaphragm of each speaker unit are mixed, and an audio signal output unit for virtual sound imaging an input audio signal and outputting the virtual sound imaged signal to the pair of speaker units in a manner such that the listener listens to a sound reproduced by the pair of speaker units feeling as if the sound is emitted from a different speaker device.

Abstract: An embodiment of a baseball-style cap and stereo combination having a crown, a brim/bill, a sweatband, and two amplified stereo speakers concealed within the brim/bill is disclosed. The stereo components including a circuit board, an amplifier and battery are concealed within an inner surface and/or inner space defined as the area between the lowermost inner surface area of the crown and the inner surface of the sweatband when pulled apart from one another. Also included are wires connecting the battery to the circuit board and wires connecting the amplifier to the speakers both of which are concealed within the sweatband. A stereophonic music generator sends a music signal which is provided to the amplifier by any suitable means of communication, like an audio cord or wireless by means of infrared or Bluetooth wireless technology.

Abstract: The invention is a garment with an integrated earphone, headset, and wire. The wire allows an audio signal to travel from an electronic device at one end of the wire to the earphone or earphones, and/or a microphone at the other end of the wire. The wire, or wires, is preferably permanently sewn into the seams of the garment. The earphone may be retractable and/or kept in a small pocket near the collar of the garment to limit the movement of the earphone when it is not being actively used. The integrated earphone and microphone are preferably machine washable and dryable along with the garment with which they are integrated.

Abstract: A linear speaker assembly including a plurality of speakers in side by side relation within a piece of furniture in such a manner that a horn element, a phase plug and other ancillary speaker structure forms a sound path that communicates from the speakers to the environment and the speaker assembly is partially concealed or camouflaged from the casual viewing of an observer. The phase plug and horn element are elongated and are provided along the entire length of the plurality of speakers which comprise a portion of the linear speaker assembly. The phase plug and horn element visually complement the outer portion of the piece of furniture that the plurality of speakers are disposed within. This permits the piece of furniture or other structure to provide amplified sound from a plurality of speakers in side by side relation in such a manner whereby the speaker assembly is substantially camouflaged or not visible.

Abstract: Presented herein is a system for transmitting sounds to an in-utero infant, that is worn by a pregnant woman, said system comprising a flexible carrier with two arms and adapted to accommodate the continuously changing shape of the abdomen of a pregnant woman; an array of speakers disposed on the arms of the carrier and substantially surrounding the in-utero infant with the sounds emitted from said speakers; an amplifier operatively associated with the array of speakers that enables tailoring the frequencies and tonal qualities of the sounds emitted from the array of speakers to levels suitable for an in-utero infant; and an audio device, operatively connected to the array of speakers and the amplifier, that provides a source from which sounds are played back.

Abstract: An audio output device includes: a main unit including a terminal configured to connect an external speaker; a speaker unit configured to be detachably attached to the main unit while the terminal is covered with the speaker unit; and an amplification unit configured to amplify an audio signal so that the amplified audio signal is input to the terminal and the speaker unit.

Abstract: A portable speaker for a music play such as an iPod® player. The housing of the speaker is shaped and sized as a cup and can be placed inside a commonly seen cup holder, such as a cup holder in a car or other vehicles, a baby stroller, a foldable camping chair, etc. The speaker housing has a slot for receiving a music player, as well as electrical connectors for electrically connecting to the audio output of the music player. The sound producing devices are disposed within the speaker housing and face upwards and/or downwards.

Abstract: A frame has an interior side and an exterior side. The frame is configured to extend around the back of a user's head. A first membrane is coupled to at least a portion of the interior side of the frame. In one embodiment, a second membrane is coupled to the first membrane. The first membrane and the second membrane define a receptacle and an opening that communicates with the receptacle. In one embodiment, a speaker is disposed in the receptacle. A first electrical wire has a first end electrically coupled to the speaker and a second end including a connector. The connector can be disposed proximate to the opening of the receptacle. The connector is configured to be electrically coupled to a second electrical wire.

Abstract: A communication system is provided for a patient featuring a cushion with an opening for receiving the face of the patient. The cushion includes a microphone for receiving audible signals from the patient and one or more speakers for delivering audible signals to the patient. The microphone and speaker(s) are integrated with the cushion to avoid interfering with the comfort of the patient. In one embodiment, the audible signals are delivered to and from the patient via a communication port. In another embodiment, the system includes a display device, so the patient may view parts of the patient's body on the device and then communicate with system operators through the microphone and speaker(s).

Abstract: An earphone mounting structure includes an earphone consisting of a flat base frame shell, a speaker, a cover frame shell capped and a detachable decorative cap shell, and a mounting device adapted for securing the earphone to a cap for the head of a person. The mounting device can be formed of a snap fastener, a clamping device, or pads of hook and loop materials, enabling the earphone to be conveniently and detachably fastened to the user's cap.

Abstract: A fabric bag for holding an audio playback device. The fabric bag includes a control device constructed substantially in fabric for controlling an audio playback device. The control device comprises a control portion having indicated regions thereon. The indicated regions are responsive to individually applied manual presses so as to control discrete operations of said audio playback device, and the control portion, including the indicated regions, is responsive to manually applied strokes or gestures so as to control variable operations of the audio playback device.

Abstract: A media playback media playback apparatus having user-selectable shapes is disclosed. In accordance with the media playback apparatus having user-selectable shapes in accordance with the present invention, speakers are attached to a media playback unit via rotatable connecting means such that a user may select a shape of the media playback apparatus according to his or her preference.

Abstract: An audio output device includes: a speaker unit including at least first to third speakers; and an audio signal processor configured to select either one of a first mode for outputting a stereo audio signal from the first and second speakers and a second mode for outputting a monaural audio signal from the third speaker and the first or second speaker.

Abstract: An audio reproduction system includes: a first speaker arranged near a listener and behind a head of the listener with a speaker unit being held by first holding means to make it possible to mix sounds emitted from front and rear of a vibration plate of the speaker; second and third speakers held by second holding means and arranged near the listener and on left and right of the first speaker; separating means for separating and obtaining low-frequency components and medium- and high-frequency components for left and right channels from an input audio signal; means for supplying the low-frequency components separated by the separating means to the first speaker; and means for supplying the medium- and high-frequency components for the left and right channels separated by the separating means to the second and third speakers.

Abstract: A loudspeaker horn includes a pair of opposed flared sides defining a passage diverging to a mouth, and a vane positioned in the passage for steering sound waves through the passage. The vane may have a straight configuration and be either centrally located between the flared sides or laterally offset in the diverging passage. The vane may be fixed in position or, more preferably, be pivotable so as to be adjustable before each new use according to conditions at that use. The horn may be part of a horn unit that includes a funnel for feeding sound to the horn, and the horn or horn unit may be part of a horn loudspeaker.

Abstract: In order to enable a driver to obtain traffic jam information or to listen to a navigation guidance voice from a car navigation system without interrupting the reproduction of music when a passenger enjoys music reproduced by a CD player and the like through cabin loudspeakers, the present invention provides car audio equipment in which a pair of loudspeakers is disposed on both sides of a headrest of a driver's seat. The equipment processes at a decoder thereof a sound signal from a radio tuner, a car navigation device, a mobile phone and the like selected by a selector using a changeover switch, and the sound signal is reproduced through the loudspeakers.

Abstract: An audio system utilizes a method for detecting and adjusting a sound field effect thereof. The audio system includes a first speaker and a second speaker. The first speaker is used to emit a first sound signal, and the second speaker is used to emit a second sound signal. The method for adjusting the sound field effect includes the steps of detecting a specific position and adjusting the first speaker or the second speaker based on the specific position to focus the first sound signal and the second sound signal on the specific position.

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.

Abstract: Normally a speaker is used by attaching to a sealed or semi-sealed cabinet so that vibration generated at the front and the back of a diaphragm does not mutually interfere. Therefore, a certain depth and a volume are necessary, and in a limited location such as a front panel of a device, there is a case that it cannot be attached to the most suitable position for a listener. As a means to solve that, a method that a speaker sound at a distant position is led to a front panel by a waveguide is practically used. However, still it has limitations in depth and attaching position, and good results cannot be obtained also in efficiency. A speaker is attached so that a sound generated at the front of the speaker attached to a cabinet is led to a plane such as a front panel of a device by a waveguide, and the opening surface of the waveguide is almost perpendicular to the plane.

Abstract: A speaker system has a laterally extending body portion for supporting the back of the head of a user and a pair of right and left side portions respectively connected to the right and left ends of the body portion. A plurality of openings in side wall of each of two speaker boxes for making communication between the inside and the outside of each speaker box, for preventing sound leakage from each speaker unit and ensuring the sound pressure level in a low-frequency range of the audio frequencies reproducible by the speaker unit.

Abstract: A person-support apparatus comprises a frame, a sound generating device, a user interface, and a controller. The sound generating device is configured to generate an audible sound. The user interface is configured to receive an input from a user. The input corresponds to at least one of a sound conditioning system mode and an audible sound adjustment. The controller is electrically coupled to the sound generating device and the user interface. The controller is configured to control the operation of the sound generating device in accordance with the input from the user interface.

Abstract: A storage rack capable of storing an audio apparatus is provided. The storage rack includes: a top board portion, at least two leg portions, a shelf board portion, and a speaker storage portion. The top board portion supports the audio apparatus. The at least two leg portions hold the top board portion. The shelf board portion is vertically joined to a side surface of the respective leg portions and in parallel with the top board portion with an adjustable distance thereto. The speaker storage portion is arranged under the shelf board portion. The speaker storage portion is arranged at a position having a predetermined distance in the depth direction of the shelf board portion.

Abstract: An audio source device may be used with a garment such as a hooded garment by passing the audio wires into a channel in the hood and having them exit the hood inside hollow lanyards with earbuds at the ends. A means to fix the wires and the lanyards to each other inside the hood is shown; and a means is shown to prevent lateral movement inside the hood.

Abstract: A music playing system employing the combination of mini-speaker footwear wirelessly receiving music from a music source (20) external to the footwear using an audio adapter transmitter (13) connected to the music source (20) to wirelessly transmit music to an audio adapter receiver (9) mounted in the footwear is disclosed. A rechargeable lithium-ion polymer battery pack (10) is hidden in a shoe compartment (19). This battery pack powers the speakers (1-4) in the footwear and the audio adapter receiver (9). The external music source (20) may for example be but not limited to an iPod, iPhone, iPad, iPad 3G, iPod nano, iPod Shuffle, iPod Touch, iPad Tablet, smart phone, Droid phone, Android phone, MP3 player, CD player, microchip player or computer. Power for the audio adapter transmitter (13) is provided by the battery power pack of the external music source.

Abstract: The invention discloses differing embodiments of pillow speaker systems and methods. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed of directing sound energy emitted from a speaker substantially into a cavity of a gas pillow. In other embodiments, pillow speaker systems are disclosed which direct sound energy emitted from the speakers substantially into the gas pillow cavity.

Abstract: This invention is a hat specially configured to carry earphones and a music player equipped with or without an attachment clip. The hat comprises slit-like button-hole openings and grooves in the bill into which the music player clip can be attached, as well as elastic retaining straps to affix the music player and the earphones. Button holes on the hat's surface form together with the headband a conduit that allow the passage, from outside to the inside, of the electrical cables connecting the music player to the earphones. The seam between the headband and the hat is open above the ears of the wearer to allow the retrieval or stowing away of the earphones. The invention also covers a method of listening to music at the option of the user without obstructing surrounding sound by keeping the earphones stowed away in the retaining area formed by the headband.

Abstract: A system includes a chair having an electrical connection to electrically connect the chair to a gaming device and a speaker package incorporated into the chair and coupled to the electrical connection. The speaker package includes a speaker mounted to a central member between a first shell defining a front cavity and a second shell defining a back cavity.

Abstract: An adapter or an appliance for use with an independently operable consumer electronic device having a user interface. The adapter comprises a holding device forming a device cavity capable of admitting the consumer electronic device in a predetermined orientation. An access opening into the device cavity exposes a portion of the consumer electronic device when the consumer electronic device is in the predetermined orientation. The portion of the consumer electronic device exposed includes at least a portion of the user interface.

Abstract: An embodiment of a baseball-style cap and stereo combination having a crown, a brim/bill, a sweatband, and two amplified stereo speakers concealed within the brim/bill is disclosed. The stereo components including a circuit board, an amplifier and battery are concealed within an inner surface and/or inner space defined as the area between the lowermost inner surface area of the crown and the inner surface of the sweatband when pulled apart from one another. Also included are wires connecting the battery to the circuit board and wires connecting the amplifier to the speakers both of which are concealed within the sweatband. A stereophonic music generator sends a music signal which is provided to the amplifier by any suitable means of communication, like an audio cord or wireless by means of infrared or Bluetooth wireless technology.

Abstract: An audio chair includes a plurality of speakers and a sound absorbing material. The audio chair may be designed with an egg-shaped body resting on a pedestal. The egg-shaped body may include a hollow region under the seat. A subwoofer may be mounted in this hollow region, while speakers may be mounted around the sides of the inside of the egg-shaped body. The audio chair may provide 5.1 surround sound, 7.1 surround sound, or standard stereo (2.1) sound in the space within the egg-shaped body with very little sound being delivered outside of the audio chair.

Abstract: An embodiment of a baseball style cap and stereo combination having a crown, a brim/bill, a sweatband, and two amplified stereo speakers concealed within the brim/bill is disclosed. The baseball-style cap combination further includes a battery holder/forehead cushion housing a battery holder concealed within an inner surface of the baseball-style cap combination by a flap. Also included are wires connecting the battery holder to an amplifier concealed within the sweatband and wires connecting the amplifier to the speakers. A stereophonic music generator sends a music signal which is provided to the amplifier by any suitable means of communication, like an audio cord or wireless by means of infrared or Bluetooth wireless technology.

Abstract: An active sound management system for a vehicle includes a plurality of zones defined in the vehicle, each zone including at least one speaker and at least one microphone associated therewith, and a control unit operatively connected to the plurality of zones, the control unit having an input line for receiving an input signal from the at least one microphone of each of the plurality of zones and an output line for sending an output signal to the at least one speaker of each of the plurality of zones.

Abstract: There is provided a portable storage container with cable management functionality, including: a case constructed from a rigid material with a first extent and a second extent in an adjacent relationship therewith, the first and second extent each defining an interior space for the placement of at least one speaker driver in at least one extent, the at least one speaker driver being connected through a cable with a connector, rear portions of the first and second extent being pivotally coupled together, at least one extent having an extended rim along an edge of the interior space, the rim defining a groove along the edge of the interior space, the groove being used for aligning the cable, and a fastener for fastening edges of the first and second extent. The fastener may feed the cable into the groove when fastening the edges of the first and second extent. A corresponding method for managing at least one cable in a portable storage container is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system (50) for inducing multi-frequency vibrations in a vibration propagating structure, for example a seat (52), is disclosed. The system is comprised of an acoustic vibration transducer unit (12) mounted on a relatively flat and rigid surface (54?) such that the direction of movement of an actuating element in the unit is parallel to the surface. When the unit is driven by an amplified low frequency audio signal a person sitting in the seat experiences vibrations. Additionally, a series of vibration propagating structures, for example a row of seats at a movie theatre, can be connected in series via vibration-propagating members (60) between adjacent seats thereby allowing a single acoustic vibration transducer unit to propagate vibrations to all connected seats.

Abstract: An acoustic chamber as part of adapter for an appliance. The acoustic chamber is substantially enclosed except at the exterior surface, and is configured to interchangeably receive a plurality of different consumer electronic devices.