Plural Diaphragms, Compartments, Or Housings Patents (Class 381/335)
  • Patent number: 7185735
    Abstract: A speaker that is designed to substantially eliminate wobble of the voice coil during operation, and thus remove that source of distortion and early failure of the speaker. This is accomplished with the creation of triangular ring that extends upward from the top edge of the voice coil bobbin with that ring mating with a flat diaphragm at a right angle directly above the top edge of the bobbin. The outer edge of the diaphragm connects to the inner edge of the surround at the point where a sloping side of the “triangle” is also connected and slopes down to the top edge of the bobbin where the opposite end is connected. The outer portion of the diaphragm provides the third side of the triangle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Joseph Yaacoub Sahyoun
  • Patent number: 7142827
    Abstract: In a structural arrangement for radio communication terminals comprising a casing in which are disposed at least a first sound transducer having an earpiece function and a second sound transducer having a loudspeaker function, the two transducers being respectively connected to two opposite faces of a printed circuit card, and each transducer comprising at least one resonating membrane vibrating in a front acoustical cavity and a rear acoustical cavity. The rear acoustical cavities of the transducers communicate with each other via orifices formed in the printed circuit card to form a twin rear acoustical cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: TCL Communication Technology Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Stephane Dufosse, Jean-Christophe Villain, Eric Menu, Yves Lebaudour
  • Patent number: 7134523
    Abstract: This invention provides a radiation boundary integrator (“RBI”) for integrating sound radiation from mid-range and high-frequency sources in multi-way loudspeakers. The RBI is a substantially solid boundary that is placed over the mid-range speakers to provide smooth, wave-guiding side walls to control the angular radiation of the high-frequency sound waves emanating from the high-frequency sound sources. To allow the mid-range frequency sound waves generated from mid-range sound sources to pass through the RBI, the RBI is designed with openings. To further prevent the possibility of having high-frequency sound radiate through the openings in the RBI, the RBI may be designed with porous material in the openings of the RBI. The porous material would be transparent to the mid-range sound radiation, but would prevent the high-frequency sound radiation from being disturbed by the openings in the RBI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Mark Engebretson
  • Patent number: 7133533
    Abstract: An audio device has passive radiators that are driven by acoustic drivers. The passive radiators are arranged so that the net mechanical vibration is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Geoffrey C. Chick, Hal P. Greenberger, Roman Litovsky, Christopher B. Ickler, Roger Mark, George Nichols
  • Patent number: 7130432
    Abstract: A system and a method for mounting a speaker unit (12). The system (12) containing a surface mounting bracket (14) including at least one attaching feature (20) and a speaker unit (12). The speaker unit (12) comprises at least one audio speaker (42) and a semi-circular shaped surface (41). The shaped surface (41) defines a plurality of angularly spaced apart receiving features (44). The plurality of angularly spaced apart receiving features (44) are adapted for removably engaging said at least one attaching feature (20). In another embodiment, a speaker mounting system (10) contains a detachable base stand (60) having at least one base attaching feature (62) and a speaker unit (12) defines a plurality of angularly spaced apart receiving features (44). The plurality of angularly spaced apart receiving features (44) are adapted for removably engaging said at least one base attaching feature (62).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Monster LLC
    Inventors: Noel Lee, Kendrew Lee
  • Patent number: 7113813
    Abstract: A portable communication terminal employs an electro-acoustic transducer having openings on the housing. The openings of the transducer are coupled to a housing of the terminal or acoustic pipes unitarily formed with the housing of the transducer. An opening of the acoustic pipe faces an opening provided in the housing of the terminal. The terminal uses a transducer including a diaphragm, a cover closely jointed to an outer periphery of the diaphragm and facing a front face of the diaphragm, and a frame provided at a rear face of the diaphragm. The terminal and the transducer consume less power and yet radiate greater output sound pressure with smaller bodies. They can deliver sound from a display section, so that a user accepts the sound normally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Shimokawatoko, Shigeru Tomoeda, Koji Sano, Tetsuya Mori, Kazutaka Kubo
  • Patent number: 7103193
    Abstract: A bandpass loudspeaker enclosure having three sub chambers, a first subchamber being a Helmholtz-reflex chamber with a passive acoustic radiator operating in parallel with the transducer, and the remaining two chambers utilizing two passive acoustic radiators to achieve three Helmholtz-reflex vent tunings and a multiple of low pass acoustic filters that provide an acoustic bandpass with reduced diaphragm displacement and substantially reduced distortion and pipe resonances above the pass band. A further embodiment provides a reduced lowest frequency vent size for a given low frequency subchamber size and tuning frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: American Technology Corporation
    Inventor: James J. Croft, III
  • Patent number: 7036781
    Abstract: The invention relates to a connecting unit for the angle-adjustable connection of at least two loudspeaker enclosures. There are provided a first supporting part (13), which can be assigned to one loudspeaker enclosure (11), and a second supporting part (14), which can be assigned to the other loudspeaker enclosure (12), it being the case that the supporting parts (13, 14) are connected to one another in an articulated manner, and the angle position assumed in each case between the two supporting parts (13, 14) is fixed in an adjustable manner by an angle-position device (15) which acts in the manner of a turnbuckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: D&B Audiotechnik AG
    Inventor: Frank Bothe
  • 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: 6968068
    Abstract: A foldable speaker system, including an elongated base member having a first end and a second end; a first speaker member having a first pivoting end and being pivotally connected to the first end of the base member, wherein the first speaker member is pivotally movable between a first closed position co-linear with the base member and a second vertical position; and a second speaker member having a second pivoting end and being pivotally connected to the second end of the base member, wherein the second speaker member is pivotally movable between a first closed position co-linear with the base member and a second vertical position. The first and second speaker members in their first closed positions, respectively, substantially overlap the base member, so that the non-pivoting second ends of the first and second speakers are adjacent to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Sakar International, Inc.
    Inventor: Allan Amsel
  • Patent number: 6961438
    Abstract: A loudspeaker system having wide-directional characteristics includes a loudspeaker body having a polyhedron shape, preferably of dodecahedron and a plurality of speakers disposed on outer surfaces, respectively, of the polyhedron-shaped loudspeaker body in a manner that axial lines of adjacent two speakers intersect each other at a predetermined angle. A correction filter is further operatively connected to the speakers, and the correction filter provides a correction value set so as to obtain a flatness of sound pressures at various portions around the loudspeaker body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Globo Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Takeshi Fujita
  • 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: 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: 6862360
    Abstract: A speaker system is provided which includes a sound box and a speaker mounted in the sound box. The sound box is divided into a plurality of air chambers, each of which is formed with at least an air dissipating hole connecting the atmosphere of the box and at least an air passing hole connecting at least a neighboring air chamber, so as to generate behind the speaker pressurized air cushions corresponding to each frequency band of the frequency response of the speaker. Meanwhile, upon reaching the air dissipating hole of each air chamber the air cushions are generated depressurized and vanished at an appropriate timing so that formerly air cushions do not interfere with those generated in succession; therefore each frequency band of the frequency response of the speaker is provided with an appropriate and independent pressurized air cushion so that high fidelity sound frequencies can be reproduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Inventor: Jen-Hui Tsai
  • Publication number: 20040252857
    Abstract: An electronics device (100), for example, a cellular telephone, includes a plurality of discrete transducers, one of which is a dynamic loudspeaker device (162) and the other being a linear vibrating device (164). In another embodiment, two or more linear vibrators within device housing are driven with signals having different frequency and/or time variant characteristics to provide different sensory effects for the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventor: Ian Lewis
  • Publication number: 20040240697
    Abstract: A loudspeaker is provided for receiving an incoming electrical signal and transmitting an acoustical signal that is directional and has a substantially constant beamwidth over a wide frequency range. The loudspeaker may include a curved mounting plate that has curvature over a range of angles. The loudspeaker may include an array of speaker drivers coupled to the mounting plate. Each speaker driver may be driven by an electrical signal having a respective amplitude that is a function of the speaker driver's respective location on the mounting plate. The function may be a Legendre function. Alternatively, the loudspeaker may include a flat mounting plate. In this case, the respective electrical signal driving each speaker may have a phase delay that virtually positions the speaker onto a curved surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventor: D. Broadus Keele
  • Publication number: 20040234093
    Abstract: Speaker device includes a main speaker unit and sub-speaker unit having their respective axes oriented in different directions. Signal processing device includes a processing unit for main speaker that supplies the main speaker unit with an, audio signal input to an input terminal, and a signal processing unit for sub-speaker including an adjustment section that adjusts a characteristic of the audio signal input to the input terminal. The signal processing unit for sub-speaker supplies the sub-speaker unit with the audio signal adjusted by the adjustment section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Applicant: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Fukushi Kawakami
  • Patent number: 6819767
    Abstract: A sound reproduction apparatus includes a left channel speaker apparatus for receiving a left-channel sound output signal of a sound source, a right channel speaker apparatus for receiving a right-channel sound output signal and a center speaker apparatus disposed at the center, or in the central front space between the speaker apparatuses for the left and the right channels. A speaker unit of the center speaker apparatus is provided with a left-channel voice coil for receiving the left-channel sound output signal and a right-channel voice coil for receiving the right-channel sound output signal; and these two voice coils are disposed co-axially. The center speaker apparatus is formed only of the above-described speaker unit, a front baffle and a cabinet. The amplifying unit that was indispensable in the conventional configuration has been totally eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Funahashi, Hiroyuki Morimoto
  • Publication number: 20040218773
    Abstract: A loudspeaker array comprising line sources, each of which comprises a curved one dimensional array of loudspeakers. The loudspeakers have horizontal dispersion angles of less than 60°. Adjacent pairs of loudspeakers of each line source are time-aligned in a direction bisecting their propagation axes, which are in a common vertical plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventor: Anthony J. Andrews
  • Publication number: 20040213425
    Abstract: A surface loudspeaker array uses a plurality of sound sources, such as flat panel or planar magnetic transducers, that are mounted on either a flat or a curved surface to produce a substantially controlled sound dispersion in both the horizontal and vertical planes. The sound sources are mounted in rows and the rows are secured together to allow splaying in the vertical plane to a preset angle defined between rows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Vahan Simidian, Dragoslav Colich
  • Patent number: 6810127
    Abstract: A loud speaker enclosure being made in two parts with each of the side panels cut into angle form to assist in angle adjustment, alone with pivot hinges and friction lid supports used to hold it's angled position. The enclosure can be modified to accommodate any design or style of drivers boards. In addition to any design of loudspeaker, any orientation of enclosing may be incorporated with this invention. This enclosure can be used without driver board 5B were by Box B would then operate as an angling base for Box T.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Inventor: Andrew P Bronson, III
  • Publication number: 20040190741
    Abstract: The subject invention is directed to a portable entertainment system that includes a housing unit and an audio system supported by the housing unit. A transport structure is coupled to the housing unit such that the housing unit is portable. The audio system includes electronic audio equipment and at least a first pair of speakers coupled to the electronic audio equipment. The housing unit contains a speaker enclosure and a support panel is disposed between and substantially parallel to the front and rear panels and the support panel divides the speaker enclosure to form a front air-filled section and a rear air-filled section. A first audio port extends through the housing unit into a front air-filled section of the speaker enclosure and a second audio port extends through the housing unit at least into a rear air-filled section of the speaker enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventor: Patrick Lopez
  • Publication number: 20040190736
    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: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: Telex Communications Inc.
    Inventors: William James Gelow, Christopher Sean Beckett
  • Patent number: 6798891
    Abstract: A small-sized speaker system having extremely excellent bass range reproduction capability comprises a speaker unit provided in a closed box and a sound guide through which sound radiated from the speaker unit is guided into the free space so as to cause compression and expansion of air in an extent greater than that in which the speaker unit is provided in a closed box of the same shape but sound is radiated directly into the free space. The f0 of the speaker system is 20% or more lower than that of when the speaker unit is provided in a closed box of the same shape but sound is radiated directly into the free space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Onkyo Corporation
    Inventors: Koichi Sadaie, Kenichiro Toyofuku
  • Patent number: 6782111
    Abstract: A loudspeaker system having a dual voice coil for radiating sound waves from a multiple channel system. The loudspeaker system includes an audio signal input, a first driver having a first voice coil which has a first and a second voice coil winding, and a second driver having a voice coil which has a first and a second voice coil winding. The audio signal input is coupled to the second voice coil winding of the first driver and to the second voice coil of the second driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Peter J. Wagner, II, Charles R. Barker, III
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20040156518
    Abstract: A speaker system includes a main speaker and a subordinate speaker arranged around the main speaker. A pseudo-spherical wave is generated around the main speaker as a whole such that both speakers are vibrated in the frequency range of piston vibration and are in phase and that the propagation speed of a sound wave produced by the vibration of the subordinate speaker is preferably lower than the propagation speed of a sound wave produced by the vibration of the main speaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Applicant: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20040136553
    Abstract: A surround speaker system according to the present invention includes an integral speaker in which a surround speaker is integrally formed with a front speaker, a canceling device for canceling a directly propagating sound of the surround speaker, and a reflective device for reflecting the output sound of the surround speaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: Bluetek Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin Sub Lee, Takashi Ohyaba, Masao Gibo, Hyeon Goo Yoon
  • Publication number: 20040131202
    Abstract: A sound system assembly for use in a hand held device is provided. The sound system assembly includes a pair of transducers, and a corresponding pair of manifolds, which redirect the sound produced by the transducers away from the front or back surface of the device toward respective side facings of the hand held device. By redirecting the sound produced by the transducers, the apparent source of each audio source, corresponding to the respective opening in each of the sides of the hand held device through which the sound waves exit the device, is displaced further apart horizontally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: David Cranfill, David Brenner, Richard Thrush
  • Patent number: 6758303
    Abstract: An electronic device (100) having a multi-mode acoustic system (120) and a method (500) for radiating sound waves are described herein. The acoustic system (120) generally includes a transducer (530), a first port (510), and a second port (520). The first and second ports (510, 520) may be acoustically coupled to the transducer (530). The second port (520) may be acoustically symmetric relative to the first port (510) such that output from the second port (520) is substantially identical to output from the first port (510).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Zurek, Simone Koo, Thomas Gitzinger, Chris Gremo, Thomas Walczak
  • Publication number: 20040125974
    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: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: Boston Acoustics, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Kosatos, Brian Cox, David Kroll, Miriam Korsunsky
  • Publication number: 20040109576
    Abstract: A multi-channel earphone module is provided. The earphone module comprises two earphone units for engaging with each respective ear of a user. Each earphone unit includes a housing, a front channel speaker, a rear channel speaker and a subwoofer channel speaker. The front and the back channel speaker are adjacent to each other within the housing. The subwoofer channel speaker is installed at the bottom of the housing. The axis of the front channel speaker and the axis of the rear channel speaker form an acute angle for reducing the overlapping or interference of acoustic sound waves and improving output sound quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventors: HSAING-HUEI YOU, JUNG-CHIN CHANG
  • Patent number: 6739424
    Abstract: A speaker system includes a first speaker; a second speaker; and a first spacer for separating the first speaker and the second speaker from each other so that the first speaker and the second speaker face each other. The first speaker and the second speaker are located so that opposing faces of the first speaker and the second speaker output sounds of an identical phase. The first speaker, the second speaker and the first spacer form a first sound path through which the sounds output from the opposing faces of the first speaker and the second speaker pass. The speaker system according to the present invention includes n number speakers and (n−1) number of spacers and can be arranged so that the opposing faces of even-numbered speakers and odd-numbered speakers output sounds of an identical phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Ogura, Kosaku Murata
  • Publication number: 20040071298
    Abstract: The stereo speaker includes at least one speaker and a sonic reflector. The speaker has a sound output opening where the sonic reflector is set. The sonic reflector reflects the sonic waves created by the speaker in the direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the sonic waves are generated from the speaker. The reflected sonic waves are circularly scattered from the stereo speaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventor: Shyh-Dar Geeng
  • Patent number: 6719090
    Abstract: The speaker assembly includes a speaker housing having a closed top wall and an opposed open end. The speaker assembly further includes a first sound source having a cone with an interior surface and an exterior surface. The first sound source is mounted within the speaker housing such that the interior surface of the cone faces the closed top wall and the exterior surface substantially faces the opposed open end. A portion of the exterior surface of the cone is covered, thereby, revealing an exposed portion which defines the directionality of the first sound source. The speaker assembly also includes a second sound source having a cone with an interior surface and an exterior surface. The second sound source is mounted within the speaker housing such that the interior surface of the cone faces the closed top wall and the exterior surface substantially faces the opposed open end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Dennis A. Tracy
  • Patent number: 6721430
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed where a musical system is integrated with an outdoor seating apparatus, such that a user may rest comfortably while listening to music. The musical system is designed to withstand outdoor weather conditions. The musical system, typically a radio, is integrated with the backrest portion of the seating apparatus. The radio is designed to function in both extreme hot and cold temperatures. The radio also features RCA inputs, so that external signal inputs may be played on the radio's speakers. A cellular modem and interface is present so that a computer can connect to the Internet. An adapter is also present so a cell phone can connect to the radio, and use the radio's speakers. The speakers can be magnetic coil based, or may use flat panel speaker technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Dragon Claw (U.S.A.) Incorporated
    Inventor: Leo Wang
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20040017920
    Abstract: A speaker device has a pair of speaker units each including a magnetic circuit. The magnetic circuits are opposed and connected to each other by a binding member. Vibrations generated by the speaker units are canceled to each other so that the occurrence of unnecessary vibrations can be suppressed and the transient characteristic can be improved. Acoustic load members are arranged in the front portions of frames so that the resonance frequency can be lowered and a band of reproducing sound of low frequency can be expanded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicants: FUJITSU TEN LIMITED, TIMEDOMAIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira Nishikawa, Akira Motojima, Hiroyuki Yoshii
  • Patent number: 6650758
    Abstract: This invention describes a loudspeaker implementation which can adaptively reduce the transmission of an acoustic signal to listeners other than the intended listener. The invention uses a dipole loudspeaker implementation with two acoustic sources, each of which is driven by a separate signal. By introducing a predetermined phase difference between the signals produced by the two acoustic sources, the null in the standard dipole spatial directivity pattern may be moved to any desired direction. Alternatively, using a microphone close to the unintended listener's ears and a suitable feedback arrangement, the null can adaptively be aligned with the direction of minimum desired sound transmission. This invention, therefore, provides a solution for applications where it is preferable to reduce the transmission of sound in particular directions while providing the listener with headphoneless audio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventor: Andre J. Van Schyndel
  • Patent number: 6643379
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a unique stereophonic speaker system of unique construction and true left and right speakers assemblies, booth physically and electrically. The speaker assemblies, located to the left and right front sides of a room effectively recreate the sound characteristics of a sound stage. Each speaker assembly includes a plurality of axially aligned speakers supported one above the other in a housing made of flexible material and which can vibrate and resonate. Each speaker assembly includes cutouts in the side wall of the housing, the speakers being positioned such that the side wall with the cutouts are in facing relation. The left channel information must be played in the left speaker assembly and the right channel information must be played in the right speaker assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Inventor: Roland Ed Onglao
  • Patent number: 6628793
    Abstract: A speaker system comprises a housing that includes a front wall with a plurality of openings, and first and second exterior sidewalls. A plurality of vertically arranged speakers are each placed into an associated one of the plurality of openings and secured to the housing. A hemispherical concave interior wall is positioned in back of the plurality of speakers and within said first and second sidewalls to disperse and attenuate audio waves within the housing. The first and second interior sidewalls extend from front to back and preferably taper inward from back to front of the speaker system, wherein the first and second interior sidewalls each mate with the hemispherical concave interior wall. The plurality of speakers preferably include mid-range drivers and tweeters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Inventors: Mark G. Porzilli, J. Craig Oxford
  • Publication number: 20030142844
    Abstract: A dual tweeter speaker, wherein the tweeters are spaced far apart, is provided. The loudspeaker system includes a woofer and two tweeters, which are arranged so they reduce interference with sound waves emitted by the woofer. The spaced apart tweeters provide an improved stereo imaging range. The tweeters can also use a low cross-over frequency, so that they can provide both midrange and high frequencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Dean M. Rivera
  • Publication number: 20030118206
    Abstract: A combination speaker and dome lamp assembly is adapted to be mounted at the intersection of a roll bar and side bar of a vehicle equipped with such bars, such as convertible off-road vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Robert L. Damerow, Rich Kelly, Timothy L. Bastian, Daron L. Steward
  • Patent number: 6504938
    Abstract: An economical and compact dual-chamber loudspeaker includes a small driver received within a partition extending between, and in acoustical and pneumatic communication with, both a front and a back chamber, each of which has a relatively small volume. An elongated vent is in acoustical and pneumatic communication between the front and back chamber at a substantially planar opening in the partition. The drone cone is in acoustical and pneumatic communication between the front chamber and the outside environment at a substantially planar opening in the housing. The two openings are spaced apart and generally parallel to each other. In a preferred embodiment, the volume of the chambers is minimized by securing an elongated concentric vent around the vent extending between the front and back chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Anderson, Jason N. Linse, Raymond K. Weikel
  • Publication number: 20020191807
    Abstract: A speaker apparatus in which the acoustic sound is radiated by flexural oscillations of a diaphragm in the form of a panel having a substantially flat surface. The speaker apparatus includes a panel-shaped diaphragm the outer rim of which can be oscillated substantially freely at least in the direction along the diaphragm thickness and at least one driver unit constituting an oscillation source secured to the diaphragm surface for imparting oscillations to the diaphragm. The diaphragm is set into flexural oscillations by oscillations applied from the driver unit driven on the basis of the playback input signal. By flexurally oscillating the diaphragm to radiate the acoustic sound, optimum frequency response characteristics can be obtained over a wide frequency range from the low to high frequency range. Moreover, the acoustic sound of optinum sound quality may be radiated in a state of minimum sound pressure level fluctuations over a frequency range from the low to high frequency range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kohei Asada, Tooru Sasaki, Akira Kimura, Takayuki Mizuuchi
  • Patent number: 6496586
    Abstract: A thin loudspeaker is provided that produces a superior frequency response and a diffuse acoustical pattern using magnetic drivers, acoustical plates, or a combination of magnetic drivers and acoustical plates. The invention contains a specially designed crossover network and a novel enclosure design. The novel enclosure includes a septum and cross bracing which enables the invention to realize superior performance in a thin loudspeaker design. The invention encompasses methods for improving the performance of an acoustical plate which include (1) placing acoustical plate motor elements on the plate in a manner that avoids rotational, mirror, and translational symmetry, (2) using acoustical plate motor elements of different shapes and sizes to stimulate the plate, and (3) using an acoustical plate that has an asymmetric shape. All of the embodiments of the invention may be covered with a decorative cover and hung on a wall like a picture or used to form a panel in a home entertainment center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: New Transducers Limited
    Inventors: Michael A Hayes, John K. Conley, Sean O'Brien, Michael J. Parrella, David Claybaugh, Thomas Lundie, Zeev Kitov
  • Patent number: 6477356
    Abstract: A sounding-body holding device comprises: a cover 1 having turn stoppers of a sounding body 3 and a fitting portion for receiving pawls of a holding member in a fitting manner; a cushion 2 having a net attached to the side thereof which is brought into close contact with the cover, the cushion resiliently the sounding body; the sounding body 3 having conductive springs and protrusions used for stopping the turn of the sounding body 3 per se; and a holding member 4 having the pawls for fastening the sounding body 3 onto the cover 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyasu Kitamura, Shinichi Terao, Takashi Osato
  • Publication number: 20020106091
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a microphone assembly comprising a microphone assembly casing having a sound inlet port and a transducer for receiving acoustic waves through the sound inlet port. The transducer converts the received acoustic waves to analog audio signals. The assembly according to the present invention further comprises an electronic circuit positioned within the microphone assembly casing, said electronic circuit comprising a pre-amplifier and an analog-to-digital converter preferably in form of a sigma-delta modulator so as to convert amplified analog audio signals to digital audio signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventors: Claus Erdmann Furst, Igor Mucha, Lars Stenberg
  • Publication number: 20020097886
    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: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventor: Yoshito Maruo