Abstract: An arrangement for optimizing the frequency response of an electro-acoustic transducer (10), comprising the electro-acoustic transducer (10) and a damping element (12) arranged behind the sound emanating or receiving side of a membrane (14) of the electro-acoustic transducer (10), wherein an air gap (16) is provided between the damping element (12, 13) and the membrane (14), which air gap (16) is sufficiently small for intimately acoustically coupling the membrane (14) with the damping element (12, 13), wherein the damping element (12, 13) is adapted to dampen an air flow created by the membrane (14) when moving.

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.

Abstract: A loudspeaker enclosure with a cylindrical compression chamber to which an electro-dynamic loudspeaker is mounted at the front. The rear of the cylindrical compression chamber is faired to the front of a tapered triangular pipe with a slot to connect the air column in the cylinder to the air column in the triangular tapered pipe. A baffle inside the tapered triangular pipe splits the tapered pipe into two triangular pipes, effectively increasing the length of the triangular air column substantially. This tapered triangular air column expands into an extended triangular bell and then the room.

Abstract: A new approach has been developed to combine mid-range and high frequency sound into the throat of a horn designed for sound reinforcement. An acoustic low pass filter element is interposed between the lower frequency passage and the higher frequency passage, so that a smooth combination of the two frequency bands is achieved at the entrance to the horn bell. Thus, each frequency band has nearly identical dispersion, and the two sources have equal delay.

Abstract: A film-type audio output apparatus includes an audio output device, at least one speaker unit, and at least one film. The at least one speaker unit is positioned at any side of the audio output device. The speaker unit can be an embedded speaker unit. The at least one film can be positioned at any or more places of an inner side and an outer side of the audio output device. When the speaker unit of the audio output device releases sound, the film positioned on the audio output device can get vibration of the sound so that the inside of the audio output device can generate resonance. Thus, the audio output apparatus can generate softer undertone and wider diapason.

Abstract: An enclosure includes a chamber holding a driver with an end at a first opening in a housing and a rear end nearby a first terminal end of a passageway having a second terminal end at a second opening in the housing. The driver projects sound waves into a listening area directly through the first opening and simultaneously projects sound waves along the passageway and out the second opening into the listening area. The passageway comprises expansion and compression zones of different cross-sectional areas.

Abstract: A speaker device includes an acoustic capacity unit; an acoustic pipe connected to the acoustic capacity unit; and a driving speaker attached to the acoustic capacity unit. The acoustic capacity unit and the acoustic pipe constitute the Helmholtz resonator, and resonate at a predetermined Helmholtz resonant frequency. On the other hand, the acoustic pipe itself has a resonant frequency. By setting the resonant frequency of the acoustic pipe to be 0.5 to 2.5 octaves higher than the Helmholtz resonant frequency, the speaker device can be obtained which outputs signals of continuous frequency band from the Helmholtz resonant frequency to the resonant frequency of the acoustic pipe.

Abstract: The present invention, in one embodiment, includes a reverb device and method for assisting vocalists in hearing their vocal sounds. The reverb device includes a vocal sound receiver, a sound director coupled to the vocal sound receiver and an ear sound deliverer coupled to the sound director. In addition to aiding users in hearing their own voices, the present invention facilitates vocal training, enjoyment and entertainment for users.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for changing a coverage angle of sound produced from a loudspeaker system. The loudspeaker system includes an enclosure that projects sound at a predetermined angle. A sound integrator includes an inner surface positioned adjacent to a mid-range frequency sound source. An outer surface of the sound integrator includes a planar and a curved surface. The surfaces control the angle which sound radiates from the loudspeaker.

Abstract: The present invention is related to sound generating devices such as audio speakers. Prior art audio speakers typically have inertia related distortion. The present invention provides methods and structures to solve the inertia distortion problem by stop-and-forget mechanism using stoppers.

Abstract: A loudspeaker enclosure includes a first sound wave guiding portion that partitions a first space which is separated by one face of a diaphragm of a loudspeaker and has a first opening portion, and a second sound wave guiding portion that partitions a second space which is separated by the other face of the diaphragm of the loudspeaker and has a second opening portion. The second opening portion of the second sound wave guiding portion is provided around the first opening portion of the first sound wave guiding portion. A position of the second opening portion of the second sound wave guiding portion is set so that a second sound wave emitted from the second opening portion of the second sound wave guiding portion is emitted in a direction to suppress a spread of a first sound wave emitted from the first opening portion of the first sound wave guiding portion.

Abstract: A speaker device for improving mid/high-range frequencies includes a magnetic base, a frame annularly mounted to the magnetic base, a cone mounted to an inner side of the frame, a voice coil mounted to the cone and suspended in a gap of the magnetic base, and a deadening phase plug mounted on a central portion of the magnetic base. The magnetic base includes a T-iron, a magnet, and a pole plate. The deadening phase plug is made of a sound-absorbing material for absorbing and eliminating sound waves generated by the voice coil and the cone.

Abstract: A loudspeaker having a vented enclosure with at least one tuning port includes a fan inside the vented enclosure, which is positioned to produce airflow for cooling the magnetic assembly of the loudspeaker's transducer. Airflow within said vented enclosure is produced such that air within the enclosure is exchanged with outside air through the at least one tuning port. Typically, the vented enclosure will have two tuning ports wherein outside air drawn into the enclosure through one of the tuning ports is circulated out through the other tuning port. Preferably, the outside air drawn in through one tuning port is circulated directly around the transducer magnetic assembly for greatest heat dissipation.

Abstract: The frequency at which standing waves occur in a loudspeaker enclosure may be reduced by the addition of an internal barrier to the enclosure in order to lengthen the effective length of an internal dimension of the enclosure. Additionally, the internal barrier may be configured such that it forms a resistive coupling between two sides of the barrier. By configuring the internal barrier to form a resistive coupling, aberrations in the frequency response of the loudspeaker caused by certain standing waves may be dampened.

Abstract: A speaker grille is disposed in front of a speaker having a diaphragm and reproducing the sounds of 1 kHz and higher. The speaker grille is provided with a sound opening which includes a sound opening portion that opposes a region extending from the edge portion of a diaphragm to the fixing portion o n the outer circumference of the diaphragm of the speaker. The speaker grille offers superior sound characteristics, and at the same time a sufficient mechanical strength.

Abstract: Micro-speaker assemblies and mobile terminals including micro-speaker assemblies are provided. The micro-speaker assembly includes a micro-speaker positioned in a housing. A low frequency back tuning volume is adjacent a front face of the micro-speaker and a high frequency forward tuning volume is adjacent a back face of the micro-speaker. A passageway extends from the forward tuning volume to an opening in the housing.

Abstract: A low frequency exponential/hyperbolic hybrid folded horn enclosure intended for use in proximity with at least one planar surface, such as a floor, ceiling, or wall, with access to the horn throat from the top of the enclosure. The horn is bifurcated at the throat and folds horizontally around a central trapezoid-shaped vertical back chamber which is reflex ported for enhanced low frequency response below the frequency cutoff of the horn. The back chamber outer sides define part of the horn channel, resulting in a relatively simple structure with a small footprint and no void internal space. The throat exponential expansion cross-sectional area is consistently maintained while the proportions of the throat channels are elongated to the height of the enclosure.

Abstract: A system comprising a portable computer chassis having an internal speaker; openings in the chassis from which sound from the speaker can emanate, wherein the openings allow heat generated by the system to escape is provided. In one embodiment, the internal speaker is located at least a minimum distance away from the openings. By utilizing speaker grills as ventilation openings in this manner, ventilation openings on the bottom side of notebook computers can be eliminated and user comfort can be increased when the system is placed on the lap. Additionally, system reliability is improved as ventilation is also increased.

Abstract: An acoustic impedance matching enclosure is provided having a driver loaded into a chamber buffering the throat/mouth of a closed loop transmission line. Transmission line consists of a termination member, outer and inner enclosure walls, high-density lining and throat/mouth area. Transmission line eliminates internal random standing waves while providing variable-frequency standing waves that through superposition of the waves compensates for mass-acceleration loss of the high-end of the driver output while damping the resonance of the driver. Alternative application of the acoustic impedance matching enclosure is that of compression loading the driver directly into the closed loop transmission line and using an acoustic low pass filter to translate the output into low frequencies only through a port.

Abstract: A horn or waveguide public address unit, enabling to adapt the dispersion characteristics of the horn or waveguide. The unit is provided with at least one profiling component (21a, 21b) constituting a removable dispersion shaper, capable of being mounted on the inner wall of the horn (13) or waveguide between the throat (17) and the mouth (19) thereof.

Abstract: A horn assembly for high frequency acoustic speakers. In an array of speakers, a spacing between adjacent speakers needs to be less than the wavelength of sound being emitted in order to combine effectively. For high frequency sound, a relatively small wavelength imposes a limitation on such a spacing. Such limitations are sometimes physically difficult to implement. A horn assembly increases the exit dimensions of the small speaker to larger desired dimensions by utilizing one or more plugs that divide a larger horn cavity into smaller horn cavities and creating similar pathlengths thereto. The similar pathlengths and the smaller horn cavities having desired dimensions allow the exiting sound to combine effectively. The overall dimensions of the exit portion of the horn assembly can be selected to match the dimensions of larger bass speakers, thus allowing improved arraying of the high frequency speakers with respect to other larger speakers.

Abstract: A speaker apparatus includes a speaker unit, a passive radiator unit, and a front baffle on which the speaker unit and the passive radiator unit are mounted to form a portion of a speaker box and a back plate. A closed front chamber is formed by the front baffle for coupling the sound output generated from the back of the speaker unit with the passive radiator unit. A closed rear chamber is formed by the front baffle and the back plate for confining sound output generated from the front of the speaker unit. The speaker unit is disposed in a direction opposite to the direction of passive radiator unit, or in a direction approximately opposite.

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.

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.

Abstract: An acoustic enclosure for a single sound transducer has sound pressure apertures near the end where the transducer is located, and sound apertures in a wall at the other end. The sound apertures enable the low, mid-range, and high frequency sounds to exit the enclosure along different paths. The sound aperture end can be flat or contoured with one or two outwardly extending members having straight or tapered end walls in which the mid-range and high frequency sound apertures are formed. One or two inwardly extending members can also be provided in the interior of the enclosure. The sound pressure apertures can be fixed or adjustable.

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.

Abstract: A phase plug for optimally matching a drive-unit's diaphragm to the throat of a waveguide is disclosed. Specific embodiments of a circular diaphragm matched to an elliptical waveguide and a circular diaphragm to a rectangular waveguide are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of improving the modal resonance frequency distribution of a panel (2) for a distribution resonant mode bending wave acoustic device involves analysing the distribution of the modal resonance frequencies of the panel, identifying a modal resonance frequency that is non-uniformly spaced relative to adjacent modal resonance frequencies, identifying a location on said panel that exhibits anti-nodal behaviour at said modal resonance frequency and changing the local impedance to bending wave vibration at said location (6). The method has particular application to distributed mode loudspeakers (1).

Abstract: A loudspeaker comprising a phase uncorrelated diffuse sound source and a duct or wave guide coupled to the sound source to direct acoustic energy from the source, the duct or wave guide having a substantially parallel section extending from the vicinity of the sound source and a termination positioned remotely from the panel.

Abstract: An apparatus for increasing the quality of sound from an acoustic source comprises in one embodiment a hollow enclosure, an acoustic source, an acoustic guide, a pair of acoustic inlet openings, a pair of acoustic exit openings, and pair of acoustic paths, wherein the acoustic inlet openings separate acoustic waves from the acoustic source and direct the acoustic waves the length of the acoustic paths to the acoustic exit openings in such a manner as to increase the quality of sound, and especially bass sound, from the acoustic source.

Abstract: An electroacoustical transducer has an enclosure having a thickness substantially smaller than the width and the depth. The transducer includes a first rigid sheet, a second rigid sheet, and a spacing structure for spacing the first rigid sheet from the second rigid sheet to define an acoustic enclosure, having a top, a bottom and a side edge. The top includes the first rigid sheet and the bottom includes the second rigid sheet. The transducer includes an acoustic transducer for exchanging sound waves with the acoustic enclosure. The enclosure has a plurality of outlet points.

Abstract: A dipole radiating dynamic speaker design comprises a diaphragm (32) providing a surface for radiating acoustic output, a voice coil assembly (36) for driving the diaphragm, and a magnet system for providing magnetic flux across the voice coil assembly. The speaker incorporates a vented pole flux conductor (42) and a vent adjacent to the diaphragm permitting the rearward acoustic output to propagate away from the diaphragm producing acoustic output as a dipole radiator. A method of utilizing the dipole radiating dynamic speaker design for tweeter and mid-range speaker applications used in home, automotive, and professional audio systems is disclosed. In addition a novel enclosure design is disclosed that utilizes a front panel perimeter vent providing improvement of audio reproduction quality for mid-range speaker applications.

Abstract: This invention has been made to provide a speaker system capable of miniaturization and presenting a good sound quality. A speaker 15 is mounted on a printed circuit board 21 arranged inside a telephone body enclosure 12. Acoustic waves of positive phase produced by vibration of a diaphragm 23 of the speaker 15 are output through front acoustic apertures 28 and a front air chamber 37 to the exterior from an enclosure acoustic aperture 13. On the other hand, the acoustic waves of opposite phase enter a rear air chamber 35 through rear acoustic apertures 29, reach an enclosure internal space 36 through an opposite-phase opening 34 provided by cutting away a part of a rear sealing member 32, and transmit to a card slot 14, then being output to the exterior.

Abstract: The invention relates to the embodiment of so-called panel loudspeakers working according to the bending wave principle. Said panels are generally formed by a panel (11), at least one driver (12) and a frame (13), the panel (11) being connected to the frame (13). In order to achieve appropriate bending wave induction in the panel (11), very complicated assessments must be made in order to determine the corresponding positioning areas (15) in which the driver (12) excites the panel (11) or is connected to the latter. Furthermore, the size of the panels (11) can change considerably depending on the application so that assessments must only be made repeatedly in the case of panels that can be easily modified. The invention aims at providing general positioning areas (15) for the driver (12) in or on the panels (11) so that no further assessments need to be carried out regarding the positioning area (15).

Abstract: Micro-speaker assemblies and mobile terminals including micro-speaker assemblies are provided. The micro-speaker assembly includes a micro-speaker positioned in a housing. A low frequency back tuning volume is adjacent a front face of the micro-speaker and a high frequency forward tuning volume is adjacent a back face of the micro-speaker. A passageway extends from the forward tuning volume to an opening in the housing.

Abstract: A waveguide system for radiating sound waves. The system includes a low loss waveguide for transmitting sound waves, having walls are tapered so that said crosssectional area of the exit end is less than the cross-sectional area of the inlet end. In a second aspect of the invention, a waveguide for radiating sound waves, has segments of length approximately equal to A ⁡ ( y ) = A inlet ⁡ [ 1 - 2 ⁢ Y B + ( Y B ) 2 ] where l is the effective length of said waveguide and n is a positive integer.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for changing a coverage angle of sound produced from a loudspeaker system. The loudspeaker system includes an enclosure that projects sound at a predetermined angle. A sound integrator includes an inner surface positioned adjacent to a mid-range frequency sound source. An outer surface of the sound integrator includes a planar and a curved surface. The surfaces control the angle which sound radiates from the loudspeaker.

Abstract: An acousto-optical add/drop multiplexer includes an acousto-optical switch including a first optical port coupled to a first polarization splitter, at least one polarization converter coupled between the first polarization splitter and a second polarization splitter, and second and third optical ports coupled to the second splitter. A first circulator is coupled to the first optical port, a mirror is coupled to the second optical port, and a second circulator is coupled to the third optical port. A wavelength selective optical cross-connect may be realized by coupling two such acousto-optical add/drop multiplexers by a single optical fiber to their respective third optical ports.

Abstract: A driver unit is fixed to a stand. A front box and a rear box are directly fitted to the stand through a buffer material. A box comes into contact with the driver unit through a buffer material and is fixed to the stand. Therefore, sound of the driver unit is not transmitted to the box and the drop of sound quality of the speaker can be prevented. The driver unit is fixed to the stand at an immovable foundation, and sound energy can be efficiently transmitted from a speaker cone to the air.

Abstract: An overhead loudspeaker system is achieved which controls and shapes the ultimate acoustical wave form produced thereby, by providing at least one loudspeaker driver, mounted in a housing or enclosure, and a uniquely constructed wave shaping and controlling member formed as an integral component of the speaker assembly. In this way, broad band, acoustical wave shaping and control is realized. In accordance with a present invention, the wave shaping/controlling member is cooperatively associated with the drivers of the loudspeaker in a way which effects the critical acoustical loading and atmospheric coupling thereof, while controlling and shaping the ultimate acoustical wave form so that a hemispherical polar coverage pattern results. In the preferred configuration, the polar coverage pattern produced by the present invention is provided across the loudspeaker system's entire power bandwidth, beginning at an approximate distance of about three times the diameter of the acoustical source.

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.

Abstract: An acousto-optic tunable filter that includes a polarization beamsplitter, a multi-segment interaction region and a polarization beam combiner is described. The polarization beamsplitter generates a first and a second polarized optical signal. The multi-segment optical interaction region includes a first optical interaction region and a first acoustic wave generator that generates acoustic waves in the first optical interaction region. The multi-segment optical interaction region also includes a second optical interaction region that is non-collinear relative to the first optical interaction region and a second acoustic wave generator that generates acoustic waves in the second optical interaction region. Optical signals that are phase-matched to the acoustic waves are mode-converted in response to the acoustic waves. The acousto-optic tunable filter also includes a polarization beam combiner that generates both a mode-converted optical signal and a non-mode-converted optical signal.

Abstract: A nonlinearly tapering transmission line loudspeaker enclosure comprised of a waveguide whose cross sectional area is largest near the loudspeaker driver, and smallest at the terminal end. The transmission line nonlinearly tapers between the one end and the other end. The taper can be exponential or any other type of nonlinear taper.

Abstract: An electroacoustical transducer has an enclosure having a thickness substantially smaller than the width and the depth. The transducer includes a first rigid sheet, a second rigid sheet, and a spacing structure for spacing the first rigid sheet from the second rigid sheet to define an acoustic enclosure, having a top, a bottom and a side edge. The top includes the first rigid sheet and the bottom includes the second rigid sheet. The transducer includes an acoustic transducer for exchanging sound waves with the acoustic enclosure. The enclosure has a plurality of outlet points.

Abstract: An upper base/low mid loudspeaker comprises a conical driver and a channel defined by a housing and a central member. The central member has a portion extending into the cone to form a first generally ring-shaped region whose cross-sectional area increases in the direction of sound propagation. A second generally ring-shaped region is defined between a portion of the housing and a portion of the central member. The cross-sectional area of the second region decreases in the direction of sound propagation. The channel continues with a throat and a horn.

Abstract: The present invention includes a loudspeaker system having at least one loudspeaker drive unit; at least one loudspeaker enclosure for housing the loudspeaker drive unit(s), the loudspeaker enclosure(s) having resonating chamber(s), wherein the loudspeaker drive unit(s) produces at least one standing wave in the resonating chamber(s); and at least one internal resonance control structure, the internal resonance control structure being positioned within the loudspeaker enclosure to form a tapering cross-sectional area within the resonating chamber(s) in relation to the loudspeaker drive unit(s) to substantially diffuse the standing wave.

Abstract: This invention provides an acoustic waveguide with a continuous least-energy-surface formed from an upper vertical control curve, a lower vertical control curve, right horizontal control curve and a left horizontal control curve. In addition, a circular throat end and a non-elliptical closed control curve form a mouth such that the continuous least-energy-surface is coincident with the six control curves.

Abstract: A directional speaker system includes an enclosure having an inner surface, an outer surface, an open end, and a closed end, a speaker driver directed toward the open end and mounted near the closed end of the enclosure, an in-line phase plug mounted in front of the speaker driver for manipulating the wavefront of sound waves produced by the speaker driver, and a preferably frustoconical shaped wave guide provided between the speaker driver and the open end of the speaker enclosure. A preferably annular space is provided between the enclosure and the wave guide and a plurality of openings are provided between the enclosure at the open end of the enclosure. Out-of-phase sound waves produced by the speaker driver travel into the space and exit the speaker system through the openings.

Abstract: A touch pad assembly for use in an electronic article. The assembly comprises a touch pad, a coupler for mechanically coupling the touch pad to casing of the electronic article and a transducer which is mounted by coupling means on the coupler or the touch pad to drive the casing as an acoustic radiator. An electronic article can incorporate the same. An electronic article comprises a body in or on which a bending wave loudspeaker is mounted. The loudspeaker comprises a bending wave acoustic radiator and an electromechanical force transducer mounted to the radiator to vibrate the radiator to produce an acoustic output. The transducer has an intended operative frequency range and comprises a resonant element having a frequency distribution of modes in the operative frequency range and coupling means for mounting the transducer to the radiator.

Abstract: A vehicle component for mounting in a passenger compartment of a vehicle, the component comprising a loudspeaker having an acoustic radiator capable of supporting bending wave vibration and an electromechanical force transducer mounted to the acoustic radiator to excite bending waves in the acoustic radiator to produce an acoustic output, characterized in that the transducer has an intended operative frequency range and comprises a resonant element having a frequency distribution of modes in the operative frequency range and a coupler on the resonant element for mounting the transducer to the acoustic radiator.