Having Acoustic Wave Modifying Structure Patents (Class 381/337)
  • Patent number: 8385575
    Abstract: A reflex enclosure, includes an enclosure body, a loudspeaker, a waveguide portion and a vibration unit; a rearward sound wave generated from the loudspeaker is guided 360 degree (in all directions) from the outside of the waveguide portion to the inside of the waveguide portion, and then push the vibration unit to generate vibration to generate a corresponding sound wave, thereby reducing a standing wave ratio of the rearward sound wave in a sound room to obtain a better timbre. Furthermore, the length of a rearward sound wave guiding distance can be extended, allowing the sound wave to have the effect of extending toward a low frequency compass. In addition, the rearward sound wave is allowed to compress to increase a vibration unit pushing force, thereby obtaining a better sound effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventor: Tsung-Cheng Kuo
  • Patent number: 8369543
    Abstract: A speaker device includes an acoustic-vibration member, an actuator that is driven on the basis of a sound signal and that includes a displacement-output unit that can obtain the displacement corresponding to the sound signal, and a displacement-output-transfer member configured to connect the displacement-output unit to a point predetermined on a face of the acoustic-vibration member. A displacement output of the actuator is transferred to the predetermined point via the displacement-output-transfer member, and the acoustic-vibration member is excited in a face direction from the predetermined point according to the displacement output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Nobukazu Suzuki, Masaru Uryu, Yoshio Ohashi
  • Patent number: 8351629
    Abstract: A loudspeaker assembly, including an acoustic waveguide; an acoustic driver mounted in the waveguide so that a first surface radiates sound waves into the waveguide so that the sound waves are radiated from the waveguide; and an acoustic volume acoustically coupled to the acoustic waveguide for increasing the amplitude of the sound waves radiated from the acoustic waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventors: Robert Preston Parker, Eric J. Freeman, Jeffrey J. Hoefler
  • Patent number: 8351630
    Abstract: An acoustic apparatus, including an acoustic driver, acoustically coupled to a pipe to radiate acoustic energy into the pipe. The pipe includes an elongated opening along at least a portion of the length of the pipe through which acoustic energy is radiated to the environment. The radiating is characterized by a volume velocity. The pipe and the opening are configured so that the volume velocity is substantially constant along the length of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher B. Ickler, Joseph Jankovsky, Eric S. Johanson, Richard Saffran
  • Patent number: 8345908
    Abstract: A loudspeaker system includes a speaker enclosure having an opening in a front wall, and a speaker manifold mounted within the speaker enclosure and communicating with the opening. The speaker manifold includes a pair of substantially parallel side walls, a back wall, and top and bottom walls, defining a manifold chamber. The wall opposite the back wall is substantially open to define a manifold opening and to permit the communicating. The manifold opening is substantially in alignment with the front wall opening. A woofer is mounted on a first wall of the speaker manifold. An acoustic vent is mounted on a second wall of the manifold, such that the woofer and the acoustic vent face each other at one of about a 180 degree angle or about a 90 degree angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Audiovox Corporation
    Inventor: Todd K. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 8345909
    Abstract: A loudspeaker assembly comprises a base supporting at least one electro-acoustic transducer and at least one waveguide segment detachably supported by the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher B. Ickler
  • Patent number: 8331587
    Abstract: A thermoacoustic module includes a substrate, at least one first electrode, at least one second electrode, at least one first conductive bonding layer, at least one second conductive bonding layer, and a sound wave generator. The sound wave generator is electrically connected to and span across the at least one first electrode and the at least one second electrode. The at least one first electrode and the at least one second electrode are located on the substrate. The at least one first conductive bonding layer is located on the at least one first electrode. The at least one second conductive bonding layer is located on the at least one second electrode. The sound wave generator is spaced from the substrate and embedded in the at least one first and the at least one second conductive bonding layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Beijing FUNATE Innovation Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Liang Liu
  • Patent number: 8325959
    Abstract: A microphone assembly includes a housing including at least one first tube in communication with at least one first cavity, at least one second tube in communication with at least one second cavity, one third tube in communication with at least one third cavity, and at least one microphone element separating the first, second and third cavities, wherein sound waves are received in the first, second, and third tubes and directed into the cavities and received by the microphone element. A method for converting sound waves into an electrical signal includes receiving the sound waves through at least three tube openings and directing the received sound waves along tube pathways into at least a first, second, and third cavity to a microphone separating the first, second, and third cavity. The method further includes converting the received sound waves into an electrical signal with the microphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: General Motors LLC
    Inventor: Walter A. Kargus, IV
  • Patent number: 8311245
    Abstract: A thermoacoustic module includes a substrate, at least one first electrode, at least one second electrode, a sound wave generator, and at least one spacer. The sound wave generator electrically connect to, span between the at least one first electrode and the at least one second electrode. The at least one first electrode and the at least one second electrode are located on the substrate and provide support to the sound wave generator. The at least one spacer is located on the substrate, between the substrate and the sound wave generator. The at least one spacer supports the sound wave generator. An interval is defined between the sound wave generator and the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Beijing FUNATE Innovation Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Liang Liu
  • Publication number: 20120269371
    Abstract: Provided is a synchronization system and method for acoustic communication in audible frequency range, and an apparatus applied thereto. The synchronization system for acoustic communication in audible frequency range is configured to prevent deterioration of a synchronization performance and to reduce an amount of calculation by calculating a correlation based on a few samples as opposed to calculating a correlation for each sample when a receiver of the acoustic communication performs synchronization while the acoustic communication is performed in the audible frequency range through modification of an audio signal or adding of a predetermined signal to an audio signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicants: SNU R&DB FOUNDATION, SK TELECOM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dong Keon KIM, Moon Kee KIM, Keun Hwan CHOI, Jae Hwang YU, Min Seok KIM, Nam Soo KIM, Hwan Sik YUN, Ki Ho CHO
  • Patent number: 8295526
    Abstract: A television includes a flat panel display device for presenting video images, a housing for supporting the flat panel display device, and a first acoustic volume located substantially (a) inside the housing, and (b) behind the display device. Two or more acoustic drivers are provided for acoustically energizing the acoustic volume. The drivers are positioned such that acoustic energy put into the acoustic volume from the drivers is substantially additive and vibrational energy from the drivers substantially cancels out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin J. Bastyr, Jacky Chi-Hung Chan, Brian J. Gawronski, Hilmar Lehnert, Robert Preston Parker
  • Patent number: 8284976
    Abstract: A sound reproduction system is disclosed in which a sound barrier defines a horn passageway having a first end and a second open end. A high frequency range driver is provided at the first end, and is mutually coupled with a lower driver to the horn passageway. The lower driver has an upper frequency end lower than a frequency of a first cancellation notch for the drivers. The lower driver is located at a position along the horn passageway at which the passageway has a preselected cross-sectional area which is no greater than an area of a round cross section having a circumference equal to one wavelength at the upper frequency end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas J. Danley
  • Patent number: 8275164
    Abstract: A transmission line speaker enclosure featuring a main enclosure, a speaker driver and an exit port in the main enclosure, exit port walls extend from the exit port into the main enclosure; and an inner sub enclosure in the main enclosure having a curved vertex facing the speaker driver and walls extending from ends of the vertex, the vertex has an angle between about 40 to 80 degrees, the vertex is either attached or separated from the magnet of the speaker driver by a gap, the vertex functions to divert sounds exiting the speaker driver between walls of the inner sub enclosure wall the main enclosure, then between the walls of the inner sub enclosure and the exit port and further out of the exit port, wherein back waves generated by the speaker driver can have total travelling distance of about ΒΌ wavelength of a tuned frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Inventor: Thach T. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8259981
    Abstract: A sound reproduction system is disclosed in which a sound enclosure defines a soundwave path having a first end, a second open end and at least one bend therebetween. At least one driver is provided at the first end for producing a driver soundwave that is confined by the sound enclosure for travel along the soundwave path. At least one baffle member is situated in the soundwave path, defining a reflective surface of preselected shape that reflects and constricts the soundwave therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas J. Danley
  • Patent number: 8254613
    Abstract: A speaker apparatus includes a speaker, a tubular duct extended in order to make the sound generated in the inside of the cabinet of the speaker get to the vicinity of the listener's ears and a support mechanism that rotatably supports the tubular duct in order to bring the front end aperture of the tubular duct to the vicinity of the ears of the listener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Yamagishi, Hideki Seki, Yousuke Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8254603
    Abstract: A speaker apparatus includes an acoustic vibration plate, and an actuator mounted to the acoustic vibration plate such that one end and the other end thereof, in a driving axis direction, exist in a plate surface of the acoustic vibration plate. The actuator applies vibration to the acoustic vibration plate to play back sound. The speaker apparatus enables a sound image to uniformly spread over the entire plate surface of the acoustic vibration plate. In addition, the entire speaker apparatus can be made compact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Nobukazu Suzuki, Yoshio Ohashi
  • Publication number: 20120177238
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an acoustic reproduction device includes a loudspeaker unit, a loudspeaker rear chamber unit, and a port unit. The loudspeaker unit generates a sound wave. The loudspeaker rear chamber unit includes a chamber portion in which the loudspeaker unit is arranged, and at least one of a duct portion and a branch portion. The duct portion and the branch portion each have a volume, a cross-sectional area, and a length different from those of the chamber portion. A port unit is connected to the loudspeaker rear chamber unit and has a port to externally output a rear wave. The duct portion guides the rear wave from the loudspeaker unit up to the port unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventors: Akihiko Enamito, Osamu Nishimura, Takahiro Hiruma
  • Patent number: 8213632
    Abstract: A reproduced sound of high quality is allowed to be listened to by a listener while natural sound image localization is provided. By providing a housing 4L having internal space mounted at a predetermined position of the head of the listener, a speaker unit 7L mounted on one surface of the housing 4L and positioned away from an entrance of an external acoustic meatus of the listener for a predetermined distance when the housing 4L is mounted on the head 100 of the listener, and a tubular duct 8L extended so as to allow a sound generated by the housing 4L to reach the vicinity of the entrance of the external acoustic meatus of the listener, the sound generated by the housing 4L can be directly reached to an eardrum 103L in the inside of the external acoustic meatus from the vicinity of the entrance of the external acoustic meatus of the listener via a tubular duct 8L.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Yamagishi, Toru Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20120155686
    Abstract: A loudspeaker assembly includes a first shell, a second shell, and a loudspeaker embedded in the first shell. Together the first shell and the second shell enclose a sound chamber. At least one of the first shell and the second shell can be folded to adjust the size of the sound chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicants: FIH (HONG KONG) LIMITED, SHENZHEN FUTAIHONG PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: JIAN-HUI LI
  • Patent number: 8204266
    Abstract: An electronic device having an audio function and its loudspeaker arrangement are described. The electronic device comprises an exterior housing, an acoustic transducer and an acoustic radiator forming a part of the exterior housing of the electronic device. In one embodiment, the exterior housing undergoes pistonic movement and is provided with hydrogel pads to couple an acoustic signal to an auxiliary surface, which then vibrates in a distributed mode. The voice coil may be directly bonded to the exterior housing. A formation may be provided to promote pistonic movement of a part of the exterior housing. Methods of operation and formation are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: SFX Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Jordi Frigola Munoz, Rene Meinhard Winter, Piyush Gaur
  • Patent number: 8194894
    Abstract: An assembly (38) comprises a vibration transducer (50) coupled to a substrate (58) which incorporates a circuit (62) electrically connected to the transducer (50). The substrate (58) is adapted to be coupled to a bending wave member (30) for converting actuator vibration into acoustic radiation or vice versa and has sufficient flexibility to allow bending wave coupling between the substrate (58) and the member (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: New Transducers Limited
    Inventors: Paul Burton, Matthew Dore, Neil Firth
  • Patent number: 8194904
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a speaker system unit with a cone type vibration plate, a horn and a diffuser. The horn is disposed such that a small-diameter opening thereof is positioned inward from a front opening of the vibration plate, and an outer surface of the horn is arranged along an inner surface of the vibration plate to form a first acoustic path. The diffuser has a base portion, a front end portion and an outer peripheral surface extending therebetween, and is disposed such that the base portion is positioned inward from a front opening of the horn, opposite the small-diameter opening of the horn. The diffuser has a specific shape such that the outer peripheral surface expands along an inner surface of the horn to form a second acoustic path and then narrows toward the front end portion of the diffuser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Ken Iwayama
  • Publication number: 20120121118
    Abstract: A slotted waveguide for use with an electrodynamic transducer is described. The slotted waveguide has a transducer front surface for radiating acoustic energy from the electrodynamic transducer. The transducer front surface is concave and the electrodynamic transducer is operable to a desired high frequency. The slotted waveguide may include a body and a volume displacement element. The slotted opening has a width not substantially greater than a wavelength corresponding to the desired high frequency and the volume displacement element has a displacement surface that extends inward into the electrodynamic transducer and complements in shape the transducer front surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Anthony Fregoso, Henry Goldansky
  • Patent number: 8175311
    Abstract: An acoustic waveguide system, having source of acoustic radiation and a source of opposing acoustic radiation. An acoustic waveguide has an open end and an interior. A first acoustic driver having a first radiating surface and a second radiating surface is arranged and constructed so that the first radiating surface radiates sound waves into free air and the second radiating surface radiates sound waves into the acoustic waveguide so that sound waves are radiated at the open end. A source of opposing sound waves in the acoustic waveguide opposes a predetermined spectral component of the sound waves radiated into the acoustic waveguide to reduce the acoustic radiation of the predetermined spectral component from the acoustic waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Inventor: J. Richard Aylward
  • Publication number: 20120106765
    Abstract: The invention concerns a loudspeaker system having a plurality of segmented line array speakers and a plurality of acoustic waveshapers. In addition there is provided an overlap region between two adjacent waveshapers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventor: JΓΆrg Knieschewski
  • Publication number: 20120106766
    Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide an electronic device in which sound quality of the sound radiated from a panel is changeable. An electronic device of the present invention comprises: an electronic-device body which has a first sound hole that radiates a sound wave generated at a built-in vibration source; and a panel which has a second sound hole at the position corresponding to the first sound hole, and is attached to the electronic-device body: and the electronic-device body and the panel are separated from each other in a predetermined area including the area where the first sound hole and the second sound hole are formed, and the cross section of the area where the first sound hole and the second sound hole overlap when the second sound hole is projected onto the first sound hole is smaller than the cross section of the first sound hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventor: Jun Kuroda
  • Patent number: 8160285
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a waveguide unit, for use with a transducer unit, and in particular transducer of the dome type, where the wave guide unit is substantially circular, and suitable to be arranged around the transducer, where the wave guide unit has a front side on which front side means are provided for reflecting the sound waves from the transducer, and a substantially flat backside, and where substantially centrally in the unit an aperture is provided which aperture is suitable for accommodating a transducer unit, and the side of said aperture connects the front and back sides, where said waveguide comprises one or more diffraction edges arranged concentric with the circular shape of the unit on said front side of the unit, and where adjacent on both sides of said one or more diffraction edges, substantially flat conical surfaces are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Mike Thomas ApS
    Inventor: Michael Gjedbo Kragelund
  • Patent number: 8151929
    Abstract: An acoustic waveguide with at least two portions coupled by vibration damping structure. The vibration damping structure may be a conformable material such as closed cell foam. The vibration damping structure may further include structure for inhibiting motion in a direction transverse to the interface between the vibration damping structure and a portion of the waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Jacky Chi-Hung Chan, Brian J. Gawronski
  • Patent number: 8150072
    Abstract: A vibration generator for a portable electronic device includes a speaker driver and a counterweight retained by a housing to form a closed assembly. When a communications transmission is received by the electronic device, an input force signal is transmitted to the speaker driver to apply a force at a frequency substantially below its resonance frequency. Air sealed within the vibration generator between the speaker driver and the counterweight transmits the force signal inputted to the speaker driver to the counterweight with minimal dissipation, thereby causing the counterweight to vibrate at substantially the same frequency as that of the input force signal. The vibrations of the counterweight alert a user that a communications transmission is being received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventor: Carl StΓ₯hl
  • Patent number: 8150094
    Abstract: An electroacoustic transducer comprises an electric sound conversion section that vibrates a mechanical device based on an electric signal so as to emit a sound wave; and an electromagnetic wave radiation section that generates and emits an electromagnetic wave from the electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventor: Yukihiro Ando
  • Patent number: 8141677
    Abstract: Ring-shaped membrane for an electro-acoustical loudspeaker, where said membrane comprises two or more dome-shaped annulus concentrically arranged around a central portion through which an imaginary axis of symmetry passes, where an outer periphery of said membrane is suitable to be attached to a surround; where the central portion is attached to a tower, which again is fastened to the loudspeakers driver, wherein the angle between a plane being perpendicular to the axis of symmetry and the attachment of the membrane to the surround resp. the tower is in the interval 0Β° to 40Β°, most preferred around 30Β°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignees: C.V. Sinar Baja Electric, Danesian Audio APS
    Inventor: Lars Goller
  • Patent number: 8144906
    Abstract: Disclosed is an acoustic device comprising an enclosed housing defining an inner volume and having a front and a back; an acoustic port penetrating the front of the enclosed housing; a first and second sense structure attached to the inside of the housing and defining a gap between the first and second sense structures; a front volume defined by the portion of the inner volume between the first sense structure and the front of the housing; a back volume defined by the portion of the inner volume between the second sense structure and the back of the housing; and at least one vent in the first sense structure operatively connecting the front volume and the gap, wherein the acoustic device has a cutoff frequency above approximately 100 Hz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Akustica, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael James Daley, Andrew Jonathan Doller, Todd Martin Keebler
  • Patent number: 8144912
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a paper making part for a loudspeaker has freedom of adjusting a characteristic and a sound quality, and has a higher productivity. Accordingly, a fibrillating step of a paper making material is achieved by an explosive crushing step. Alternatively, the step is achieved by a mixing step of a paper making material and a liquid, a material micro-fabricating step of applying a pressure to a mixed solution obtained by the mixing step so as to pass through an orifice and thereafter run into a device wall, and a paper making step including the micro-fabricated material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Mimura, Kenichi Ajiki, Shinya Mizone, Masahide Sumiyama, Toru Fujii
  • 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: 8130973
    Abstract: A superdirectional acoustic system for reproducing a sound signal supplied from a real sound source by using a superdirectional speaker and producing a virtual sound source in a vicinity of a sound wave reflection surface. The system includes an ultrasonic speaker, which includes an ultrasonic transducer for oscillating a sound wave in an ultrasonic frequency band, for reproducing an audio signal in a relatively medium to high frequency sound range, which is included in the sound signal supplied from the real sound source; and a low frequency sound reproducing speaker for reproducing an audio signal in a relatively low frequency sound range, which is included in the sound signal supplied from the real sound source. Sound in the medium-high frequency range is reproduced in a manner such that the sound is produced from a virtual sound source which is formed in the vicinity of the sound signal reflection surface such as a screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Akihito Uetake, Kinya Matsuzawa
  • Patent number: 8130994
    Abstract: A waveguide configured to function as a high frequency waveguide for a high frequency sound source mounted to the waveguide, and to function as an acoustical low pass filter for a low frequency sound source mounted behind the waveguide in a multi-way loudspeaker system. The waveguide includes openings that overlay the vibrating surface of the low frequency source. The openings are configured by selection of various geometrical parameters to tailor filtering characteristics as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Douglas J. Button, Alexander V. Salvatti
  • Patent number: 8121330
    Abstract: A phase plug comprises a body having an input side for receiving acoustic waves and an output side for transmitting acoustic waves, the body including a plurality of channels extending from the input side to the output side for propagating acoustic waves through the body. The input side comprises an input surface which includes a plurality of openings constituting entrances for the channels, the input surface being substantially part of a sphere or an ellipsoid in shape. The areas of the openings vary with radial position on the input surface, the radial position being measured in a direction extending perpendicularly from a central axis extending through the input surface. The variation in the areas is a function of the cosine of an angle subtended at the centre of the sphere or a focus of the ellipsoid between the central axis and the radial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: GP Acoustics (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Mark Dodd, Jack A. Oclee-Brown
  • Publication number: 20120033843
    Abstract: An audio driver comprising a diaphragm (101, 103) with a first side and a second side. The diaphragm (101, 103) is coupled to a transducer element (109, 111) on the second side and is arranged to radiate sound. The transducer element (109, 111) converts an electrical input signal into movement of the diaphragm (101, 103). The diaphragm (101, 103) is arranged such that a part of the diaphragm (103) at least partly forms a cavity (113) at the second side and an air conduit (115) is coupled to the cavity (113). The air conduit (115) has a first opening (117) into the cavity and a second opening (119) outside the cavity (113). The air conduit (115) and cavity (113) form a resonator which has a resonance frequency that is less than half a free air acoustic resonance frequency of the audio driver. The invention may allow simultaneous sound production and an acoustic air flow generation while maintaining an efficient decoupling between the two functionalities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Okke Ouweltjes, Joris Adelbert Maria Nieuwendijk, Gerben Kooijman, Ronaldus Maria Aarts
  • Patent number: 8111853
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a dual-mode earphone is provided, comprising a first earbud including a speaker with a diaphragm and at least one acoustic port in front of the diaphragm, and a cap in front of the speaker. The speaker or the cap is configured to move relative to the other for opening and closing the acoustic port in one embodiment and a movable seal is provided in another embodiment. The earphone further includes a second earbud housing operably coupled to the first earbud opposite the speaker. A method for providing acoustic equalization in a dual-mode earphone is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Plantronics, Inc
    Inventor: Osman Kemal Isvan
  • Publication number: 20120020510
    Abstract: Disclosed is a microphone unit (1) including: an electroacoustic conversion section (13) that converts sound pressure to an electrical signal; a casing (11) that accommodates the electroacoustic conversion section (13); and a cover (12) that covers the casing (11) and is provided with a first acoustic opening (121) and a second acoustic opening (122). The casing (11) consists of a laminated substrate comprising integrated laminated layers. The casing (11) is provided with: a concave space (111) in which the electroacoustic conversion section (13) is mounted and which communicates with the first acoustic opening (121), and a hollow space (121) that provides communication between a bottom face (111a) of the concave space and the second acoustic opening (122).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fuminori Tanaka, Ryusuke Horibe, Takeshi Inoda
  • Patent number: 8103023
    Abstract: An apparatus for acoustic beamforming comprises a beamform processor (105) for generating a beamformed signal from two audio inputs. An update processor (107) updates the beamforming filter of the beamform processor (105) if an update criterion is met. An adaptive filter (111) filters the signal from one of the signals and the difference signal between the filtered signal and the signal from the other audio input (101) is generated. An adaptation processor (115) adapts the adaptive filter (111) to minimize the difference signal. A criterion processor (109) modifies the update criterion in response to the (possibly normalized) difference signal. Specifically, the update criterion may be relaxed to improve acquisition performance if the difference signal is indicative of a strong signal outside the beam of the beamform processor (105).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Ivo Leon Diane Marie Merks
  • Patent number: 8103043
    Abstract: A mobile electronic device is provided. The mobile electronic device includes a housing having an ear-facing surface. Also, the mobile electronic device includes an audio transducer disposed within the housing. Further, the mobile electronic device includes an acoustic channel coupled between the audio transducer and the ear-facing surface for transmitting sound waves produced by the audio transducer to external of the ear-facing surface, wherein the audio-transducer having an audio-transmitting plane disposed at an angle other than parallel relative to the ear-facing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventors: Greg Williams, Alex Dekoster
  • Patent number: 8094853
    Abstract: A speaker system includes a cabinet, a front baffle, a speaker unit, a rear baffle, and a fitting member fitted in the rear baffle. The front baffle includes a front duct segment extending backward from the rear thereof. The rear baffle includes an opening portion, a duct connecting portion, and a receiving portion having a semicircular cross section. The receiving portion extends from the opening portion to the duct connecting portion while protruding backward. The opening portion, the receiving portion, and the duct connecting portion have a groove. The receiving portion has an engagement hole. The fitting member having a semicircular cross section is formed by double molding. The frame of the member is made of relatively rigid resin and the rim thereof is made of relatively flexible resin. The frame has an engagement projection. The receiving portion and the fitting member constitute a sealed rear duct segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Hideki Seki
  • Patent number: 8086285
    Abstract: Carrying cases are disclosed for portable communication devices such as iPhones and cell phones. There is a case housing for receiving a portable communication device therein, and a sound reflector linked to the housing so as to be movable between an extended position and a recessed position. The carrying case enables the device to be used as a speaker phone with enhanced sound quality, while still in the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: TJM Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Theodore J. McNamara, Mark A. Hargarten
  • Publication number: 20110280430
    Abstract: A resonance device for a speaker is provided. The device includes a speaker unit and a resonance unit. The speaker unit outputs a sound corresponding to a signal. The resonance unit is fixed to the speaker unit to provide a space for allowing a sound to resonate. The resonance unit is flexible, and the space for allowing a sound to resonate is variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Kyung-Yeup KIM, Jung-Eun HAN, Joon-Rae CHO, Ki-Won KIM, Sung-Wook KANG
  • Publication number: 20110274306
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for waveguide structures and speaker assemblies. In one embodiment, a waveguide may include an input aperture configured to receive a sound signal from a sound source, and a plurality of isolated sound paths having substantially equal path lengths. Each isolated sound path may be formed within a housing of the waveguide and formed with a curved path to reduce the depth of the waveguide. The waveguide may include a plurality of plugs, wherein each plug divides an output of one of the isolated sound paths into a plurality of output sound paths and defines a plurality of output apertures of the waveguide. Each output sound path is characterized by a reduced width relative to the output of the isolated sound path, the plurality of output apertures configured to output a combined sound signal based, at least in part, on the plurality of sound signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: Duckworth Holding, Inc. c/o QSC Audio Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Adams
  • Publication number: 20110268292
    Abstract: Apparatus including: an acoustic transducer, and a sound channel coupled to the acoustic transducer, the sound channel including an element having a shape that is electrically controllable, wherein the shape of the element is electrically controllable to change the acoustic properties of the sound channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Mikko Veli Aimo Suvanto, Koray Ozcan
  • Patent number: 8027500
    Abstract: A narrow profile speaker unit comprises at least one speaker outputting sound towards an internal surface and through a duct with an output terminus, such as a slot, having a narrow dimension, effectively changing the cross-section of the speaker's audio output wave. A pair of speakers may face one another, outputting sound towards a common output slot. Multiple pairs of speakers may be used to form an inline speaker unit for increased sound output. A slotted speaker unit may include multiple speakers facing the same direction, towards a groundplane or reflecting surface, and having parallel apertures for allowing sound radiation. The speaker units may be integral with or attached to electronic appliances such as desktop computers or flatscreen devices, or may be used in automobiles or other contexts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: THX Ltd.
    Inventor: Lawrence R. Fincham
  • Patent number: 8002078
    Abstract: An acoustic waveguide with at least two portions coupled by vibration damping structure. The vibration damping structure may be a conformable material such as closed cell foam. The vibration damping structure may further include structure for inhibiting motion in a direction transverse to the interface between the vibration damping structure and a portion of the waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Jacky Chi-Hung Chan, Brian J. Gawronski
  • Patent number: 7982627
    Abstract: A meter device includes an indicator unit, movably supported within a predetermined range, for representing an amplitude value of an input signal by a movement amount ?? from a reference position ?0 which is one end of the predetermined range. A gain acquiring unit acquire a gain of the input signal; and a maximum movement amount determining part determines a maximum movement amount ??M of the indicator unit at the gain based on the gain acquired by the gain acquiring unit. A drive control unit moves the indicator unit to a position corresponding to the amplitude value of the input signal between the reference position ?0 and a maximum movement position ?M moved from the reference position ?0 by the maximum movement amount ??M based on the maximum movement amount ??M determined by the maximum movement amount determining part and the amplitude value of the input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Sato, Yoko Kuzuoka, Kiyoshi Suzuki, Wei Keat Yew