Curved Or Angled Housing Patents (Class 381/336)
  • Patent number: 8144900
    Abstract: A speaker system which includes a housing and a linear array of a plurality of sound-generating transducers. A housing is in the form of a cylinder having a longitudinal axis and substantially circular cross-section. The linear array of sound-generating transducers are mounted upon a substantially planar chord configured within a sidewall of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Inventors: J. Craig Oxford, D. Michael Shields
  • Patent number: 8139784
    Abstract: A compound loudspeaker comprises an acoustically radiating first diaphragm and an acoustically radiating second diaphragm. The first and second diaphragms are substantially coaxial and at least part of the second diaphragm is situated radially outwards of the first diaphragm. There is a gap situated between the first and second diaphragms, and a seal is provided in the gap, thereby preventing or hindering the passage of air through the gap. By providing the seal, the invention solves the problem of audible turbulent airflow through the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: GP Acoustics (UK) Limited
    Inventor: Jack Anthony Oclee-Brown
  • Patent number: 8130976
    Abstract: A sound system which has, for example, a radio, a cassette and a CD player is usually already installed in cars as standard or as an option. In addition, a better sound system includes a box system which has a tweeter and a woofer. In order to provide a speaker box which is suitable particularly for dispensing frequencies below 150 Hz and at the same time has neat pulses accompanied at the same time by little distortion, pulse dynamics and is highly effective, a sound transducer (10) is introduced into the supporting structure of the vehicle. This takes place in such a manner that subcompartments which are separated from each other adjoin each of its two membrane sides. In this case, the two subcompartments of the speaker box are formed by at least two elements (2, 3, 4) of the supporting structure of the vehicle (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Klaus Linhard, Norbert Niemczyk
  • Patent number: 8130987
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hideo Kaneda, Naotaka Kishi, Noboru Shiina
  • Patent number: 8130996
    Abstract: A loud speaker group includes loud speakers which are equipped with joints on their front sides, and on their back sides, each is equipped with a mount for connectors with which the individual loud speakers can be connected to one another. For facilitating their assembly, the mount comprises two legs that are attached to the back side of the loud speaker box and enclose a channel in which the connector is displaceably movable. At its one end the mount has a row of holes for receiving a pin that extends through a hole on one end of a connector belonging to the adjacent loud speaker box and has at its other end a manually actuated spring-loaded snap-in pin. The snap-in pin is insertable through another hole disposed in front of the other end of the connector. One guide unit on each side of the snap-in pin limits the channel and are arranged perpendicular to the direction of movement of the connector and form guides for the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: K & F Beteiligungen GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Kling, Utz Ruescher
  • Patent number: 8111836
    Abstract: A performance venue with a main speaker system is provided having a target coverage area within the performance venue. A performance area is located within the performance venue outside the target coverage area of the main speaker system. A low frequency directed audio source is positioned with respect to the performance area for active cancellation of low frequency sound spilling over into the performance area from the main speaker system. Control of the low frequency directed audio source is effected by an audio sensor is located in the performance area for generating an output correlated with low frequency spill over into the performance area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Inventor: Curtis E. Graber
  • Patent number: 8107664
    Abstract: The invention discloses a cap with a bluetooth headset which is in the technology field of daily supplies, including a cap body. The cap body has a bluetooth headset which comprises a transceiver and two acoustic generators on the right and left respectively, the transceiver is set at either position of the cap body, each of the acoustic generators are respectively set at a side of the cap body corresponding to the ears. A piece of lead is used to connect the transceiver and acoustic generators. Compared with prior art, the invention provides dual-track voice, so as to make communication clearer, reduce noise influence on environment. The acoustic generators are fixed on both sides of the cap body so firmly that it is not prone to be dropped and lost, even under movement states, it is still very firm. The invention is applicable to outside activities, travel, riding etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventor: Yongzhong Mao
  • Patent number: 8098852
    Abstract: A speaker assembly is provided with a housing, a speaker mounted to the housing, and a reflector spaced apart from and facing the speaker. The reflector is symmetrical and has an arcuate central convex region for reflecting pressure back to the speaker for amplifying back pressure to the speaker. The reflector has a secondary region with an arcuate cross-section for reflecting acoustic vibrations past and outboard of the housing. The reflector is partially translucent, and a light source is provided adjacent the reflector for conveying light to the reflector, past and outboard of the housing for illuminating a region that receives acoustic vibrations reflected from the reflector. A media assembly is provided with a fan operably connected to a generator so that air that passes into a housing through an inlet and out of an outlet, causes the fan to rotate thereby providing a power source to a media device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Inventors: Ronald Paul Harwood, Kenneth Alan Klemmer, Larry Alan Schirmer
  • Patent number: 8094860
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to stereo sound boxes, and more particularly to a sound box assembly containing micro stereo sound boxes joined magnetically together. The sound box assembly contains at least a pair of sound boxes with magnets of opposite polarities, respectively, so that the sound boxes could be magnetically attracted together for convenient transportation and then later could be easily detached for placing apart to achieve superior stereo sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Inventor: Tian-Xu Huang
  • Patent number: 8085963
    Abstract: A combined power and audio dock for a handheld electronic device provides an integrated solution to the multiple uses of multifunction devices such as mobile telephones with built-in music players. The dock is configured with a recess into which the handheld device is docked so that all four exterior edges of the device are surrounded by the dock. This enables the dock to engage with any controls, jacks and ports along any edge of the device, and includes loudspeakers that can amplify the audio output of the device. The device is docked in an intentional assembly sequence that enables power and audio connectors to engage corresponding jacks on common, adjacent or opposing edges of the handheld device. Removal is accomplished in a reverse sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Kurt Solland
  • Patent number: 8068618
    Abstract: A highly compact loudspeaker system having a spherical housing produces time and phase coherent sound waves in an omnipresent manner throughout a spatial listening environment. Within is a relatively low frequency sound driver and a relatively high frequency sound driver. The spherical housing has upper and lower hemispherical halves. The upper half is hollow and has holes through its surface over most of its surface. The lower half forms a sound compression propagation vacuum chamber for the low frequency driver. Mounted within the lower half is a crossover network conventionally connected to the sound drivers. Acoustic foam lines the interior wall surface of the lower half. The low frequency sound driver is mounted inverted, into the open end of the lower half, and then sealed air tight, at a lowered atmospheric pressure, while the high frequency sound driver is mounted upwardly, affixed to the backside of the low frequency driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Inventor: Edward G. Vollmer
  • Patent number: 8064626
    Abstract: A loudspeaker apparatus includes an acoustic diaphragm; a support member having a housing, which is a hole in a surface of the support member facing the acoustic diaphragm; a magnetostrictive actuator having a magnetostrictor and a drive rod coupled to an end of the magnetostrictor, the magnetostrictive actuator being inserted into the housing such that the drive rod contacts the acoustic diaphragm, the magnetostrictive actuator applying vibration to the acoustic diaphragm; and a spring inserted into the housing from a position opposite to a position of the drive rod of the magnetostrictive actuator, the spring pressing the magnetostrictive actuator toward the acoustic diaphragm and applying a load to the magnetostrictor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Nobukazu Suzuki, Masaru Uryu, Yoshio Ohashi, Yukio Tanaka, Nobuyuki Nishigori
  • Patent number: 8050432
    Abstract: To conclude, in a preferred embodiment in accordance with the invention, the sound system comprises two loudspeakers (LA, LB) which mask their spectral signatures at the ear (C1) of the listener by positioning the two loudspeakers (LA, LB) such that their maxima of the polar radiation patterns have directions which at least differ 30 degrees, and which generate coherent sound in the direction of the listener. These two aspects together cause different gradients of the sound of the two loudspeakers (LA, LB) at the same ear (C1) of the listener, while the information which reaches the ear (C1) from the spatially shifted different loudspeakers (LA, LB) is still coherent and not blurred by diffusion. The loudspeakers LA, LB should be spaced apart to obtain sufficient different gradients of their sound at the same ear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Bloomline Acoustics B.V.
    Inventor: Leendert De Klerk
  • Patent number: 8050441
    Abstract: A portable speaker having at least one driver mounted in a first enclosure and a second enclosure separate from the first enclosure and having pivotally mounted to it the first enclosure. The second enclosure has all electronics, controls and a battery compartment. The first enclosure is moveable relative to the second enclosure between a first configuration and a second configuration, the at least one driver being protected by the second enclosure when the first enclosure is in the first configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Creative Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Jeng Khim Tan, Huang Pheng Ang, Aik Hee Goh, Susimin Suprapmo
  • Patent number: 8036409
    Abstract: A speaker cabinet according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a pair of side plates whose outer peripheral portions define no apexes; and a bent plate curved in conformity with the outer peripheral portions of the pair of side plates and mounted to the pair of side plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignees: Onkyo Corporation, Takamine Gakki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sadatoshi Hisamoto, Yushi Ono, Kosuke Heki, Koichi Sadaie, Hiroyuki Mizutani
  • Patent number: 7995776
    Abstract: A timepiece includes a casing having a casing interior having a viewer's side provided with a viewing opening, a base side provided with a sound aperture, and an annular surface surrounding the sound aperture. A membrane extending over the sound aperture closes the base side of the casing interior, the membrane having a circumferential region in sealed connection with the annular surface. A tensioning device maintains the membrane at a desired tension in the radial direction. A vibration generator arranged in the casing interior produces a sound whose frequency can be adjusted by adjusting the tension of the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Lange Uhren GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Alain Greubel, Stephen Edward Methuen Forsey, Ludovic Philippe Roland Perez
  • Patent number: 7970149
    Abstract: A speaker housing assembly including an adapter and a speaker enclosure is disclosed. The adapter has an escutcheon and a partially spherical recessed concave portion. The speaker enclosure has a partially spherical sidewall that is received in the recessed concave portion of the adapter. A lock assembly secures the speaker enclosure to the adapter through an arcuate slot. Flanges of the lock assembly are placed in registry with teeth formed on opposite sides of the arcuate slot to lock the speaker enclosure in place. An elastomeric pad is provided between the recessed concave portion and the partially spherical sidewall to dampen vibrations and supplement the locking engagement of the lock assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: BBY Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick G. Reardon, Peter L. Lam, Mark W. Jones, Pablo C. Tobiano
  • Patent number: 7970158
    Abstract: A long and narrow loudspeaker on an entire wall gives off a cylindrical wave, which covers the entire room. Extra loudspeakers fixed at an angle against the wall will be heard in another direction, producing angle stereo independent of where one is in the room. Electro-dynamic loudspeakers are made of long plates of iron with air gapes between them where magnetic fields are produced. In the air gaps are strips, which conduct the sound currents. The strips influence directly one or more membranes. The magnetic field can be produced by permanent magnets, electromagnets or through concentration of geomagnetic fields. Long loudspeakers, which use other forces such as electrostatic forces, only need to be made for small sound pressure at the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Inventor: Lennart Hoglund
  • Patent number: 7957550
    Abstract: A flexible electronic device with flexible speaker is disclosed, comprising: a flexible printed circuit board (FPC), having a circuit layout arranged thereon; an input unit, electrically connected to the FPC for setting an information; a flexible speaker, electrically connected to the FPC for outputting the information; a display unit, electrically connected to the FPC for displaying the information; a power supply, electrically connected to the FPC for outputting the information for providing electricity to the FPC, the input device, the display device and the flexible speaker; a thin-film substrate; a film made of poly ethylene terephthalate (PET), referring as PET film hereinafter; wherein, the thin-film substrate completely cover the FPC, the power supply, and all the FPC, the input unit, the display unit, the power supply, the thin-film substrate and the flexible speaker are flexible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Huang Jih-Fon, Chen Ming-Daw, Chiang Dar-Ming, Ko Wen-Ching
  • Publication number: 20110110549
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a coil transducer motor structure (20) including at least one coil (22), at least one magnetic element (23) arranged in use to provide a path for magnetic flux between the ends of said coil (22), wherein the magnetic element (23) has a structure providing a curvilinear path therethrough for said magnetic flux.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Guy Lemarquand, Mathias Remy, Gaél Guyader
  • Publication number: 20110095900
    Abstract: Various inventive features are disclosed for efficiently generating regulation-compliant audible alerts, including but not limited to 520 Hz square wave alert/alarm signals, using an audio speaker. One such feature involves the use of a non-linear amplifier in combination with a voltage boost regulator to efficiently drive the audio speaker. Another feature involves speaker enclosure designs that effectively boost the output of the audio speaker, particularly at relatively low frequencies. These and other features may be used individually or combination in a given alarm-generation device or system to enable regulation-compliant audible alerts to be generated using conventional batteries, such as AA alkaline batteries. Various examples of efficiently generated regulation-compliant audible alerts and further enhancing such audible alerts by utilizing speaker enclosure designs are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: INNOVALARM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Landgrave T. Smith, James J. Lewis, David E. Albert
  • Patent number: 7903834
    Abstract: A curve fitted planar loudspeaker minimizes variation and dead zones in the sound field propagated by an array of the loudspeakers. The curve fitted loudspeaker provides a plurality of sound generating transducers. The diaphragm is curved and each adjacent section fits as a section into a larger curve, eliminating or minimizing breaks in the propagated sound filed at the target distance to the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Inventor: Curtis E. Graber
  • Patent number: 7886867
    Abstract: A flexible multiple speaker support apparatus is provided for supporting a plurality of speakers therein and includes a flexible, hollow speaker support unit which includes a plurality of open, sound emission channels. The speakers are housed within the flexible, hollow speaker support unit, and the speakers are placed in registration with the open, sound emission channels. With one embodiment of the invention, the flexible, hollow speaker support unit includes a flexible, tubular speaker support member, and the flexible, tubular speaker support member includes a plurality of the open, sound emission channels. The speakers are placed in registration with the open, sound emission channels. With another embodiment of the invention, a suspension bracket assembly is connected to the flexible, hollow speaker support unit for supporting the flexible, hollow speaker support unit in a desired orientation from a ceiling, wall or other surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Inventor: Steven L. Adams
  • Publication number: 20110033075
    Abstract: A prenatal interactive toolbox has a flexible and adjustable belt having an adjustable fastening means and having a centrally located support panel with an anchor means. A removable mat configured as a pouch having an anchor mate means dimensioned and configured to removably mate with the anchor means of the support panel whereby the mat is held snugly and comfortably against the abdominal wall of a pregnant woman. The mat houses at least one pressure activated sound generating means. The at least one pressure activated sound generating means is set to be activated by the motion of a fetus in the womb of a pregnant woman wearing the prenatal interactive toolbox.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventor: Gordon Joseph VIRTUE
  • Patent number: 7835536
    Abstract: One mode of the present invention provides an electroacoustic transducer composed of a multifaced diaphragm assembly and a multifaced speaker housing assembly that is housed inside the multifaced diaphragm assembly. The multifaced speaker housing is configured by combining the outer peripheral surface of a plurality of individual speaker drive units into a nearly spherical shell. The multifaced diaphragm assembly, which has thereinside the multifaced speaker housing assembly, is configured to have a plurality of regular pentagonal diaphragm segments that are combined together into a nearly spherical shape shell, and a plurality of speaker drive units opposing the diaphragm segments from inside in one-to-one relation. Each speaker drive unit has a bobbin, the one end portion of which is adhered to the center portion of the inner surface of each diaphragm segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan Limited
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Inagaki, Manabu Omoda, Jiro Nakaso
  • Patent number: 7826634
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a front frame forms a cabinet, and a display screen of an image display unit is arranged to be exposed from an opening at the center thereof. A frame forming portion is located at the lower part of the front frame, and sound emitting units which open elongatedly in a longitudinal direction of the frame forming portion are formed. A cabinet surface is formed continuously to the bottom side of the opening and is tilted and retreated while being bent in a direction of the back face of the front frame as it goes downwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Takayuki Soga
  • Patent number: 7826622
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: D. Broadus Keele, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7806227
    Abstract: A high-performance, full-range speaker includes a front horn having a channel tube located on the inside at the bottom side, a rear cover shell, a holder base defining a sound transmission passage, a speaker unit mounted on the holder base, a control circuit board, an equalizer mounted in the sound transmission passage of the holder base to buffer the gain of the treble of the forward waves produced by the speaker unit and to balance the mid-range, a bass resonator, a rack and first, second, third and fourth resonance chambers in air communication with the channel tube and the bass resonator to eliminate noises and to amplify the bass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Inventor: Li-Pen Wang
  • Publication number: 20100232635
    Abstract: In an acoustic design support apparatus, a speaker selection supporter selects a desired speaker as a candidate for use in a given space based on shape information representing a shape of the space. A speaker mounting angle optimizer calculates an optimal mounting direction of the selected speaker by selecting a mounting direction pattern which minimizes a degree of variation among sound pressure levels at a plurality of positions on a sound receiving surface defined in the space. An acoustic parameter calculator calculates a variety of acoustic parameters at sound receiving points within the space based on both of the shape information of the space and the optimal mounting direction of the speaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Hideo MIYAZAKI, Takayuki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7782012
    Abstract: In this present invention, MP3 playing and charging system having an adapter for installing MP3 and dynamic speakers which includes a docking station and two speakers that can be used in attached or separated manner; two speakers that allow variation of speaker direction generating dynamic sound when attached; and a docking station that can be attached and connected to MP3 player with the use of MP3 installing adapter when connecting MP3 to the docking station is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Diasonic Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Su Hwan Jo
  • Patent number: 7766122
    Abstract: The sound generating and transmitting apparatus is based on a radiator including at least a first, and possibly two or more, shaped reflecting surface(s) having a forward radiant axis. Each of the shaped reflecting surfaces defines sets of equivalent acoustic input locations, with each set being a ring of non-zero circumference centered on the forward radiant axis. The sound source is a distributed, functionally continuous sound source adapted to exploit this feature. In its preferred form the sound source is a sort of closed line array of loudspeakers providing a toroidal shaped acoustic source to direct at the hyperbolic cone, the transducers being disposed in a circle with all of the loudspeakers oriented inwardly toward or outwardly from the forward radiant axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Inventor: Curtis E. Graber
  • Patent number: 7748495
    Abstract: Provided is an acoustic loudspeaker comprising an enclosure and at least first and second loudspeaker drivers. The enclosure comprises at least one tubular sound channel of a substantially constant inside dimension acoustically coupled to the at least first and second loudspeaker drivers. The at least one tubular sound channel comprises a first opening disposed at a first end of the at least one tubular sound channel, a second opening disposed at a second end of the at least one tubular sound channel and a third opening disposed on the at least one tubular sound channel between the first and second ends. The second opening comprises a sound outlet for outputting sound conducted through the enclosure. The enclosure further comprises at least one tuning section disposed within the at least one tubular sound channel between the second and third openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Inventor: Paul M. Krueger
  • Patent number: 7729499
    Abstract: The present invention provides a speaker apparatus and reproducing apparatus with no limitation on their listening areas. The apparatus includes; the housing 2 substantially in the shape of a spheroid; the left speaker 5A, which is attached to the left end of the long side of the housing 2 such that the left speaker 5A faces outwardly of the housing 2; and the right speaker 5B, which is attached to the right end of the long side of the housing 2 such that the right speaker 5B faces outwardly of the housing 2. Therefore, the left speaker 5A and the right speaker 5B are approximately equivalent to a point sound source, and the sound from the left speaker 5A and the right speaker 5B smoothly radiates from the housing 2 in every direction. Thus, a listener can have good quality of sound from anywhere around the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Wataru Kokubo, Tomohiro Yamada
  • Patent number: 7706558
    Abstract: The invention relates to an automated system for adjusting line array speakers. The automated system includes a system for moving two or more speakers with a moving device. Additionally, moving two linear actuators essentially simultaneously; a bracket to attach to the moving device to the speaker; a remote control system for controlling the movement of the speakers and for displaying the position of the speakers in real time; and a system for modeling and determining the proper frequency response for a venue and automatically adjusting the linear array speaker systems to the proper position for the proper frequency response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Inventors: Domonic Sack, Robert Kodadek
  • Patent number: 7684574
    Abstract: A reflective loudspeaker array is cooperatively operable with an acoustically reflective planar surface to provide a constructive combination of direct and reflected sound waves that produces a uniform sound field. The uniform sound field provides a controlled sound field in the vertical and horizontal direction, and also provides uniformity from distances close to the reflective loudspeaker array to far way. The direct and reflected sound waves are advantageously and constructively combinable to generate a focused beamwidth of soundwaves. The reflective loudspeaker array includes a plurality of loudspeakers coupled to a surface of the reflective loudspeaker array. The surface may be formed to include at least one curve with a radius of curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: D. Broadus Keele, Jr., Douglas J. Button
  • Patent number: 7621369
    Abstract: The sound generating and transmitting apparatus is based on a radiator including at least a first, and possibly two or more, shaped reflecting surface(s) having a forward radiant axis. Each of the shaped reflecting surfaces defines sets of equivalent acoustic input locations, with each set being a ring of non-zero circumference centered on the forward radiant axis. The sound source is a distributed, functionally continuous sound source adapted to exploit this feature. In its preferred form the sound source is a sort of closed line array of loudspeakers providing a torodial shaped acoustic source to direct at the hyperbolic cone, the transducers being disposed in a circle with all of the loudspeakers oriented inwardly toward or outwardly from the forward radiant axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Inventor: Curtis E. Graber
  • Patent number: 7604091
    Abstract: An improved system and method for reducing standing waves and diffracted waves in speaker a driver enclosure is disclosed. The speaker driver enclosure has an interior enclosure surface, shaped such that any cross section taken of it comprises a looped, substantially continuously curved, non-rational B spline. A rear enclosure surface is provided, the rear enclosure surface being shaped substantially the same as the interior enclosure surface and offset from the interior enclosure by a wall thickness. An outer baffle surface has slightly varying curvatures such that substantially any cross section taken of it comprises a continuously curved, non-rational B spline and a flat surface shaped such that at least one loudspeaker driver may be mounted to it. A loudspeaker driver is mounted to the flat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Steven Kane, Kirk Samuel Lombardo
  • Patent number: 7599510
    Abstract: The present invention is a multifunctional actuator including a magnetic circuit, a suspension that supports the magnetic circuit, a diaphragm positioned facing the magnetic circuit, and a voice coil that is mounted on the diaphragm and inserted in a circular air gap of the magnetic circuit, comprising a housing to accommodate the magnetic circuit, and a cover to cover an open end of the housing, wherein a sound release gap is formed between an outer periphery of the housing and a side wall of the cover for communication between the inside and outside of said housing. Thereby, it can prevent the infiltration of foreign matter into the housing without attaching a dust mesh or non-woven fabric over the sound release hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Namiki Seimitsu Houseki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Minoru Ueda, Shoichi Kaneda, Etsuo Ohno
  • Patent number: 7570778
    Abstract: A speaker frame that can be rotated to adjust the direction and/or angle of sound dispersion of a speaker mounted therein. One embodiment of the invention includes a recessed speaker frame with an angled flange mounted on an angled ridge. The angled flange rides on the angled ridge to cause the angle of the speaker frame to change, relative to a mounting surface, within a range of angles. The range of angles defined by the maximum cumulative angle of the flange and angled ridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Inventor: Doug S. Wright
  • Publication number: 20090092272
    Abstract: A speaker structure contains a removable food container as a resonant box. The speaker structure contains a baffling device. The baffling device contains a baffle and means for retaining an open top of the food container that is attached to the baffle. When the food container is incorporated with the baffling device, the food container works as a conventional resonant box. Furthermore, a user can freely remove the food container from the baffling device and the removed food container may serve its original food-containing function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventor: Wei Liang Lin
  • Patent number: 7483544
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a post extension system frame assembly for mounting fixtures within a recess in a wall or ceiling and that can be adjusted and installed with minimal time and effort. One feature of the invention provides a post extension mechanism that can be manually installed and/or adjusted to position a first audio device either above or below the mounting surface and an angling mechanism permits adjusting the direction and angle of the audio device to permit positioning the sound dispersion axis of the audio device (e.g., speaker, tweeter, woofer, audio transducer, etc.) directly towards a listener. Another feature of the invention provides a rotating angling mechanism that permits adjusting the sound dispersion axis of a recessed second audio device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Inventors: Doug S. Wright, Vance Dickason
  • Patent number: 7454029
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Inventor: Anthony J. Andrews
  • Patent number: 7426278
    Abstract: A sound device for carrying out a homogenous sound cover for a public addressed area includes an electroacoustic source network (1), wherein each electroacoustic source (1) diffuses a version delayed by a delay (3), filtered by a filter (4) and amplified by the device input signal amplifier (5). The network is substantially rectilinear and vertical, angles ? which are formed by the emitting axes of the electroacoustic sources (1) and a normal to the network are selected such that ?n>?n?1, wherein n is the index of the electroacoustic sources (1) numbered in ascending order from the top of the device to the bottom thereof and the delays (3) interact with the angles ? in such a way that the device generates a wavefront (6) whose shape corresponds to the desired sound cover of the public addressed area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Active Audio
    Inventor: Xavier Meynial
  • Patent number: 7366314
    Abstract: Disclosed is an enclosure for a speaker for a communication device. The enclosure comprises: a surface; a speaker grill located in the surface, the grill having an opening therein providing an air channel to the speaker; and at least one structure located in a first region in the surface and protruding from the surface. The enclosure is shaped such that when the enclosure is placed on a flat surface with the surface facing the flat surface, the structure causes the surface to be canted from the flat surface to expose the speaker grill to ambient air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Research in Motion Limited
    Inventors: Cortez Corley, Frank Tyneski, Norman Ladouceur, Larry Hawker
  • Publication number: 20080075311
    Abstract: A speaker cabinet according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a pair of side plates whose outer peripheral portions define no apexes; and a bent plate curved in conformity with the outer peripheral portions of the pair of side plates and mounted to the pair of side plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Sadatoshi HISAMOTO, Yushi Ono, Kosuke Heki, Koichi Sadaie, Hiroyuki Mizutani
  • Patent number: 7296653
    Abstract: A sound controlling apparatus adapted for combination with a speaker unit, comprising a stand configured to support the speaker unit, a reflecting panel or panels associated with the stand to reflect sound waves transmitted by the speaker unit, a side panel or panels associated with the stand, there being a reflected sound transmission path or paths defined by at least one of the following: i) the stand ii) a side panel, or panels, iii) the stand and a side panel or panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Inventors: Harold N. Smith, Jr., Harold N. Smith, III
  • Publication number: 20070258611
    Abstract: An angle-adjustable mechanism for a speaker system includes a housing and a plurality of speakers. The housing has an opening for accommodating and pivoting a console within the opening. The housing and the speakers can therefore be rotated to a desired angle relatively to the console. The speaker system may be alternatively coupled, by way of example, to either a computer system or an MP3 player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Publication date: November 8, 2007
    Applicant: KYE SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventor: Zu-Nan Li
  • Publication number: 20070223762
    Abstract: An external sound outputting device is provided. The external sound outputting device includes a connection connector and a speaker unit. The connection connector is inserted into a connection terminal of a portable terminal. The speaker unit outputs an electric signal delivered through the connection connector as an audio signal. The speaker unit rotates in multi-directions when the connection connector is connected to the portable terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Inventors: Oh Suk Kwon, Jong Woo Kim, Tae Young Na, Kyoung Seok Choi
  • Patent number: 7178628
    Abstract: A pivoting panel-mount speaker assembly comprises a speaker housing. The speaker housing has a perimeter flange portion, an exterior housing wall extending rearwardly from the perimeter flange portion, and an interior curved track extending rearwardly from the perimeter flange portion. The interior curved track has an outward facing convex surface and an inward facing concave surface. The speaker assembly further comprises a speaker unit having a transducer element and a speaker frame supporting the transducer element. The speaker frame has an outward facing surface configured to slidably engage the inward facing concave surface of the housing interior curved track. The speaker assembly further comprises a speaker support member attached to the speaker unit. The speaker support member also has an inward facing surface configured to slidably engage the outward facing convex surface of the housing interior curved track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Dana Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan Gordon
  • 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