On Rear Side Of Diaphragm Patents (Class 381/348)
  • Patent number: 10085086
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising: an audio transducer configured to at least one of: generate sound upon receiving an audio signal provided by the apparatus; and convert sound into an audio signal to be processed by the apparatus; a housing component comprising one or more sound apertures configured to allow the transmission of sound through the one or more sound apertures; and an acoustic cavity inside the apparatus being acoustically coupled to the audio transducer using the one or more sound apertures wherein the one or more sound apertures are configured to provide an acoustic damping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventor: Shengrong Shi
  • Patent number: 9813802
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) comprising: an audio transducer (201) configured to at least one of: generate sound upon receiving an audio signal provided by the apparatus (10); and convert sound into an audio signal to be processed by the apparatus (10); a housing component (301) comprising one or more sound apertures (303) configured to allow the transmission of sound through the one or more sound apertures (303); and an acoustic cavity (203) inside the apparatus (10) being acoustically coupled to the audio transducer (201) using the one or more sound apertures (303) wherein the one or more sound apertures (303) are configured to provide an acoustic damping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventor: Shengrong Shi
  • Patent number: 9583692
    Abstract: A piezoelectric vibration device capable of allowing a low profile and generating strong vibration, and a portable terminal using the same are provided. Disclosed are a piezoelectric vibration device at least including a support body (11); a vibration member (12) mounted to the support body (11) so as to vibrate; a vibration element (14) capable of being subjected to bending vibration; and a deformable first connecting member (13) interposed between a first surface that is a bending surface of the vibration element (14) and one main surface of the vibration member (12), and a portable terminal using the same. A piezoelectric vibration device capable of allowing a low profile and generating strong vibration, and a portable terminal can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Harumi Hayashi, Kenji Yamakawa, Satoru Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 9060224
    Abstract: A voice controlled assistant has a housing to hold one or more microphones, one or more speakers, and various computing components. The housing has an elongated cylindrical body extending along a center axis between a base end and a top end. The microphone(s) are mounted in the top end and the speaker(s) are mounted proximal to the base end. The microphone(s) and speaker(s) are coaxially aligned along the center axis. The speaker(s) are oriented to output sound directionally toward the base end and opposite to the microphone(s) in the top end. The sound may then be redirected in a radial outward direction from the center axis at the base end so that the sound is output symmetric to, and equidistance from, the microphone(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Rawles LLC
    Inventor: Timothy T. List
  • Patent number: 8989427
    Abstract: An earphone includes a first acoustic chamber with one or more of a reactive element and a resistive element for acoustically coupling the first acoustic chamber with an environment external to the earphone. The earphone includes an acoustic transducer and a second acoustic chamber separated from the first acoustic chamber by the acoustic transducer. A housing supports the earphone from the concha of a wearer's ear and extends the second acoustic chamber at least to an entrance of an ear canal of the wearer's ear. A port acoustically couples the first and second acoustic chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan C. Silvestri, Jason Harlow, Kevin P. Annunziato
  • Patent number: 8953830
    Abstract: A horn loudspeaker, in particular for reproducing bass sound in public address systems, in which the horn (23) is mounted directly to the driver element (21) without any intervening compression chamber. The back side of the driver element (21) is covered by a back chamber (24) designed with walls of a semi-permeable material. The walls may be perforated or made of a “leaky” material such as cell foam with open structure, or a fibrous material. The “leaky” back chamber will prevent the build up of high pressures in the back chamber at large cone excursions. The horn loudspeaker is suitable for stacking in groups of two or more, so as to produce a sound source scalable for reproducing any frequency range heard by humans in public address systems or hi-fi systems. Due to the back chamber design, the horn loudspeaker, for high frequencies especially in conical horn shaped versions, can be stacked close together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventor: Rune Skramstad
  • Patent number: 8929578
    Abstract: The invention provides, in some aspects, electronic devices with improved radiators (or “passive drivers”) comprising an elastomerically mounted mass in order to improve sound reproduction fidelity. The mass comprises a component of the device not normally used for such purpose—e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Dr. G Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Godehard A. Guenther
  • Patent number: 8887861
    Abstract: A manipulated vortex waveguide loudspeaker alignment that provides frequency independent amplification and projects with even dispersion and signal correlation from both sides of the transducer. The loudspeaker of the present invention may include a housing that contains a driver baffle that supports at least one transducer. The present invention may further include pressure baffles, waveguide baffles, and output flare baffles arranged within the housing to project amplified sounds with reflection resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Inventors: Stephen David Regier, Thomas Michael Ewers
  • Patent number: 8848960
    Abstract: A cone speaker that outputs audio by transmitting to a truncated cone, the movements of a voice coil driven when an audio current is transmitted through a voice coil placed inside a magnetic circuit formed in a space that surrounds a pole piece. Inside a space between the back surface of a center cap attached to a central portion of the cone and the apical surface of the pole piece that faces the center cap, a first filling material composed of a flexible porous body with a low porosity fills the periphery of the space and a second filling material composed of a flexible porous body with a higher porosity than the first filling material fills the central portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Genus Audio Corp.
    Inventor: Eiji Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8842868
    Abstract: An improved structure for a passive radiation sound box comprises: a body, which is formed an inner room and a sound-guide tunnel through several clapboards, the surface of the body is disposed an outlet connecting with the tunnel; a passive radiation component, each of the two ends of a vibration film has an edge, the component is disposed between the clipboards, the edges are connected with the clipboards; and an amplifier unit, which is surrounded in the room by the clapboards and the component, a vibration film of the unit is disposed on a side surface of the room, the component is beneath the unit; wherein while the unit is vibrating and sounding, partial sound pressure in the room is through the room by way of the component, and is then released by the outlet along the tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Jazz Hipster Corporation
    Inventors: Yueh-Hua Hsu Huang, Lien-Huang Yang
  • Patent number: 8831263
    Abstract: A ported electroacoustical device that uses the action of the port to provide cooling airflow across a heat producing device. The device includes a loudspeaker enclosure including a first acoustic port, an acoustic driver, mounted in the loudspeaker enclosure. The device also includes a heat producing device. The acoustic driver and the acoustic port are constructed and arranged to coact to provide a cooling, substantially unidirectional airflow across the heat producing device, thereby transferring heat from the heat producing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Preston Parker, Antonio M. Lage
  • Patent number: 8798291
    Abstract: A structure of a micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) electroacoustic transducer includes a substrate, a diaphragm, a silicon material layer, and a conductive pattern. The substrate includes an MEMS device region. The diaphragm has openings, and is disposed in the MEMS device region. A first cavity is formed between the diaphragm and the substrate. The silicon material layer is disposed on the diaphragm and seals the diaphragm. The conductive pattern is disposed beneath the diaphragm in the MEMS device region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Bang-Chiang Lan, Ming-I Wang, Li-Hsun Ho, Hui-Min Wu, Min Chen, Chien-Hsin Huang
  • Patent number: 8763238
    Abstract: A hearing aid (8) comprises an inlet port (6), a sound tube (12) for conveying sound to the ear piece (13). The invention further provides a component for a hearing aid comprising a slab (26) having an exterior surface, which is super-hydrophobic. The component may be any one of a housing, a casing, a shell, a faceplate, a grid, a hook, a lid, a battery drawer, a button, or a manipulator. The invention also provides a method of manufacturing a component for a hearing aid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Widex A/S
    Inventors: Jorn Eiler Vestergaard, Jorgen Mejner Olsen, Leif Hojslet Christensen, Kenneth Brian Haugshoj, Martin Frohling Jensen, Kasper Vestentoft
  • Patent number: 8718309
    Abstract: In the invention a speaker apparatus acoustically combines the earpiece and hands free functions. Thus a speaker has acoustically separated functions for acting as the earpiece and as the hands free. The speaker apparatus has a back cavity having an outlet so that the damped sound of the outlet operates as the earpiece. The front of the speaker apparatus operates as the louder hands free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Anders Weskström, Benedict Slotte
  • Patent number: 8582794
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for improving speaker performance with an acoustic damped port are disclosed. In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, a damping material is placed around a vented frame of a speaker driver, and substantially covers or fills the vents of the frame. In some embodiments, the damping material results in improved impedance matching with acoustic delay, without required dimensional tuning (as with conventional ports). In some embodiments, it also reduces the air velocity gradients minimizing higher order frequency distortion components. In some embodiments, the damping material also acts as an absorber of energy by coupling to the sound wave. In some embodiments, low-frequency performance is improved in a small-scale design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Polycom, Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Stanley Foletta
  • Patent number: 8515101
    Abstract: A bending vibration type sound transmitter includes a plurality of vibrating bodies that perform resonant vibration and two lids. The plurality of vibrating bodies is fastened between the two lids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Shiba
  • Patent number: 8509459
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a noise canceling microphone and microphone system are disclosed. The system generally includes a housing with a printed circuit board forming a surface of the housing. Electrical terminals are located on an exterior side of the printed circuit board. A diaphragm is disposed within the housing. A first port in the housing remote from the printed circuit board provides access to one face of the diaphragm first face and a second port disposed in the housing remote from the printed circuit board provides access to a second face of the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Osman K. Isvan
  • Patent number: 8467549
    Abstract: An audio information processing apparatus for processing input audio information is adapted to input an audio signal composed of front area audio information that should be input to a front speaker and rear area audio information that should be input to a plurality of speakers. A mixer is adapted to mix the rear area audio information in accordance with an instruction from an instruction circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Taizo Hori
  • 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 ¼ wavelength of a tuned frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Inventor: Thach T. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8189840
    Abstract: The invention provides, in some aspects, electronic devices with improved radiators (or “passive drivers”) comprising an elastomerically mounted mass in order to improve sound reproduction fidelity. The mass comprises a component of the device not normally used for such purpose—e.g., a battery—thereby, permitting size reductions while, at the same time, enhancing audio fidelity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Inventor: Godehard A. Guenther
  • 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: 8135149
    Abstract: A wireless communication device includes a speaker grille, a built-in speaker provided behind the speaker grille, and an output amplifier connected to the built-in speaker. A voltage applied to the output amplifier is increased to a level higher than the level of voltage applied to the output amplifier while audio signals are being produced, and instead of the audio signals, low-frequency continuous signals are applied to the output amplifier. By increasing the voltage applied to the output amplifier to a level higher than the level of voltage applied to the output amplifier while audio signals are being produced, the amplitude of the voltage applied to the speaker is increased. Also, instead of the audio signals, low-frequency continuous signals are applied to the output amplifier so that the speaker produces a higher sound pressure than while audio signals are being produced to discharge water in the speaker grille under the sound pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Icom Incorporated
    Inventors: Akihide Yoshida, Yoshio Sekiyama
  • Patent number: 8094842
    Abstract: A loudspeaker system includes a loudspeaker enclosure having an inside space, a loudspeaker provided on the loudspeaker enclosure, a first diaphragm which has one of ends fixed to a surface of the loudspeaker enclosure and the other end, a second diaphragm which has one of ends fixed to the surface of the loudspeaker enclosure and the other end, a coupling portion having an elasticity, and coupling the other end of the first diaphragm to the other end of the second diaphragm, an opening structure provided in the surface of the loudspeaker enclosure, and a sealing member provided to a portion among the first and second diaphragms, the coupling portion and an edge part of the opening structure, and closing the inside space to hold an airtightness of the loudspeaker enclosure in a state that the first and second diaphragms can be vibrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Masao Noro, Akira Arai
  • Patent number: 8041064
    Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide an MEMS microphone having a directionality. A card type MEMS microphone according to the invention comprises a substrate having a first through hole and a second through hole, an MEMS chip in which a space formed by a diaphragm electrode and a silicon substrate is mounted in a position to surround an outlet of the first through hole and which serves to convert a sound signal propagated to the diaphragm electrode into an electric signal, and an acoustic resisting member mounted in a position covering the first through hole at a substrate surface on an opposite side to a side on which the MEMS chip is mounted, and the substrate has a terminal for transmitting an electric signal output from the MEMS chip to an electronic apparatus and takes a shape of a card which can be attached to and removed from the electronic apparatus, and the second through hole is a hole which a sound signal passes to be propagated to the diaphragm electrode around the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Norio Kimura
  • Patent number: 7953239
    Abstract: A speaker system with an enclosure having at least six sides. At least two active transducers are mounted inside the enclosure. Each active transducer is oriented to project from one of the sides. At least four passive radiators are mounted inside the enclosure. Each passive radiator is oriented to project from one of the sides. The number of active transducers and passive radiators equals the number of sides on the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: William Andrew Decanio
  • Patent number: 7899201
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for improving speaker performance with an acoustic damped port are disclosed. In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, a damping material is placed around a vented frame of a speaker driver, and substantially covers or fills the vents of the frame. In some embodiments, the damping material results in improved impedance matching with acoustic delay, without required dimensional tuning (as with conventional ports). In some embodiments, it also reduces the air velocity gradients minimizing higher order frequency distortion components. In some embodiments, the damping material also acts as an absorber of energy by coupling to the sound wave. In some embodiments, low-frequency performance is improved in a small-scale design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Polycom, Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Stanley Foletta
  • Patent number: 7801320
    Abstract: The specification and drawings present a new method and apparatus for reducing loudspeaker size by partitioning the back cavity of the loudspeaker using a sound sponge block. The sound sponge block is an array of narrow ducts (e.g., parallel ducts, or parallel round cylinders of a small diameter) made of a pre-selected material with predetermined dimensions (e.g., the diameter and length) formed within a single block which is placed behind a loudspeaker diaphragm but not in a direct contact with it. The sound sponge block, comprising the multiple very narrow ducts (e.g., with duct diameters on the order of microns) substantially absorbs the sound waves radiated from a rear side of the diaphragm in the backward direction due to significant drop in the impedance for very narrow tube diameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Tim Mellow
  • Patent number: 7508952
    Abstract: To ensure the same high quality of acoustic radiation from audio systems on each seat of current vehicles, an acoustic device is provided for generating audio signals, which allows sound sources to be integrated into the area located near the headrest of a vehicle seat such that the volume can be regulated in an individual manner without unduly disturbing the other passengers in a vehicle. The headrest does not comprise any loudspeakers, thus is safe regarding accident protection. The acoustic near field at the headrest is generated by means of a sound channel. The loudspeaker is disposed inside the backrest or under the seat, for example, while the sound channel terminates in the headrest. Tuned pipes, the end of which is adjusted to the acoustic impedance of the clearance zone, are used as a sound channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Marcus Hofmann, Klaus Linhard
  • Patent number: 7477755
    Abstract: A speaker system according to the present invention comprises a cabinet (10), a speaker unit (11), a first parting board (12), a drone cone (13), an adsorption member (14), a second parting board (15), a backboard (16), a variable mechanism (17), and a port (18). A sound pressure generated by the speaker unit (11) causes a pressure variation in a second chamber (R12) via the drone cone (13). The adsorption member (14) with an effect of physical adsorption is operable to suppress the pressure variation. Furthermore, by displacing the diaphragm (171), the variable mechanism (17) is operable to reduce a pressure variation of a direct current component, which is caused by variations in ambient temperature or atmospheric pressure of the speaker system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Shuji Saiki, Mitsukazu Kuze, Toshiyuki Matsumura, Sawako Kano
  • Patent number: 7450733
    Abstract: A speaker comprises an enclosure with at least one wall; and an acoustic driver mounted in an interior of the enclosure and being attached to a front wall of the enclosure. An acoustic extension is mounted to the enclosure and is external of the enclosure. The acoustic extension is operatively connected to the interior of the enclosure; and comprises one of: a bass reflex port, a tuned port, a passive radiator, and a concentric loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Creative Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Susimin Suprapmo, Choon Yen Frankie Shee, Thean Kule Christopher Chang, Kin Fui Chong
  • Patent number: 7447322
    Abstract: A speaker having a transparent sound panel and an exciter connected to the transparent sound panel for converting electrical energy received by the exciter, into vibrations that are transmitted to the transparent sound panel, resulting in the transparent sound panel transmitting sound. The speaker also contains a stiff panel located between the exciter and the transparent sound panel, where the stiff panel minimizes dampening qualities associated with material utilized to fabricate the transparent sound panel and minimizes bending of the portion of the transparent sound panel that is in contact with the stiff panel. In addition, a dampening pad is located within the exciter for absorbing a portion of excessive mid-high frequency vibrations emanating from the exciter prior to transmission to the transparent sound panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Brookstone Purchasing, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth David Harris, Jr., Vian W. Y. Li, Timothy L. Trzepacz
  • Patent number: 7412763
    Abstract: A method of making an acoustic assembly for use in a transducer includes forming a multi-layer assembly. The multi-layer assembly includes a first layer member and a second layer member. Each member includes a center portion, an edge portion and an aperture separating the center portion and the edge portion. The assembly has an assembly stiffness that is greater than the stiffness of either the first or second layer members. A hinge joins the assembled first and second center portions and the first and second edge portions such that the assembled first and second center portions is free to at least partially rotate relative to the assembled first and second edge portions about an axis. A flexible layer member is coupled to the assembly and provides airtight sealing of the passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC.
    Inventors: Mekell Jiles, David Earl Schafer, Anthony D. Minervini, Hanny Sunarto, Thomas Edward Miller, Daniel Max Warren
  • Patent number: 7400910
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mobile terminal such as a mobile telephone or the like which has a speaker built in, and realizes a sound emission structure for separately extracting the front output and back output of the speaker in a plurality of directions. The construction of this mobile terminal comprises a first sound emission part which is formed in one surface part of a case having a speaker built in, and which conducts the front output of the speaker to the outside of the case, a sound conducting hole which is formed in case internal members disposed inside the case, and which causes the back output of the speaker to pass through the interior of the case, and conducts this output to the other surface of the case, and a second sound emission part which is formed in the other surface part of the case, and which conducts the back output from the sound conducting hole to the outside of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignees: Fujitsu Limited, NTT DoCoMo, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshiya Matsumoto, Kouji Hirata, Yoshito Fukata, Katsushige Kohri
  • Publication number: 20070280499
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for improving speaker performance with an acoustic damped port are disclosed. In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, a damping material is placed around a vented frame of a speaker driver, and substantially covers or fills the vents of the frame. In some embodiments, the damping material results in improved impedance matching with acoustic delay, without required dimensional tuning (as with conventional ports). In some embodiments, it also reduces the air velocity gradients minimizing higher order frequency distortion components. In some embodiments, the damping material also acts as an absorber of energy by coupling to the sound wave. In some embodiments, low-frequency performance is improved in a small-scale design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Applicant: POLYCOM, INC.
    Inventor: WAYNE STANLEY FOLETTA
  • Patent number: 7187105
    Abstract: A transducer includes a Langevin type vibrator, a bending vibrator, and a ring-like member. The Langevin type vibrator has a construction in which a front mass, a cylindrical vibrator, and a rear mass are provided in tandem, and those elements are tightened by a bolt. The bending vibrator is provided apart from the front mass. The ring-like member is provided in outer peripheral portions of the front mass and the bending vibrator to couple the front mass and the bending vibrator to each other. The transducer generates a large sound pressure over a wide frequency band since a sound wave radiation surface is wide and its amplitude amount is large.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Shiba
  • Patent number: 7155021
    Abstract: A panel-shaped loudspeaker comprising a panel (1) having a first main surface (1A) and a second main surface (1B) parallel to the first main surface and further comprising an exciter (3) positioned at the first main surface. When the exciter is energized the panel is capable of sustaining bending waves and has a distribution of resonant modes of its natural bending wave vibration, which results in an acoustic radiation. The loudspeaker has a tuning element (17) extending near the second main surface of the panel and positioned opposite the exciter so as to form a resonant cavity (18) between the panel and the exciter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: David Magda Eddy Corynen
  • Patent number: 7039212
    Abstract: A port for a loudspeaker is disclosed which is sufficiently weather resistant for long term outdoor use and which prevents debris, insects and other vermin from entering the loudspeaker and which is compact and efficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Britannia Investment Corporation
    Inventors: John B. Poling, Bradley M. Starobin, Allen S. Baran, Matthew S. Polk, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6912290
    Abstract: The invention provides a speaker unit for low frequency reproduction wherein distortion is reduced and the orientation of a sound image of the lower side frequency region is augmented. To that end, the phase characteristic in an actually used frequency band is made substantially flat. The speaker unit includes a speaker enclosure, a duct formed in the speaker enclosure and having a port thereon, and a speaker mounted in the speaker enclosure. The speaker is formed such that it has a first resonance frequency set higher than a higher side frequency of the actually used frequency band (about 20 Hz to 100 Hz), while the port is formed such that it has a second resonance frequency set lower than a lower side frequency of the used frequency band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Thorsell, Glenn Cass, Tetsuya Oishi
  • Patent number: 6859543
    Abstract: A speaker system and related method for making the same include a rigid, cylindrically shaped body member with opposite ends and a hollow interior which defines a sound chamber. A base is connected with one end of the body member to support the speaker system within a building room. A high-range speaker is mounted in the sound chamber, with a diaphragm portion located within a first radial opening in the body member to direct high-range sound radially toward the listener. A bass port is mounted in a second radial opening in the body member opposite the high-range speaker, and directs low-range sound in the sound chamber radially toward the listener. A head is mounted on the end of the body member opposite the base member, and includes a mid-bass speaker with a diaphragm oriented axially outwardly, so that sound emitted therefrom is directed axially onto the surfaces of the room to naturally equalize the output of the speaker system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Fingleton
  • Patent number: 6763117
    Abstract: An enclosure assembly for use in an audio speaker includes a driver support, a plurality of cavity forming layers disposed rearward of the driver support, and an end piece disposed adjacent a rearward most cavity forming layer. The driver support includes a front and rear and is adapted to support a driver. Each cavity forming layer includes an outer peripheral edge and a void disposed inward of the outer peripheral edge. The void defines an inner circumferential edge. The cavity forming layers may be removably joined such that the voids and the end piece cooperate to form a cavity rearward of the driver support. The cavity forming layers cooperate to advantageously modify the sound performance of the speaker, while providing a high degree of adjustability to the speaker's application environment. Methods of providing the enclosure assembly are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Inventors: Barry Goldslager, Philip A. Goldslager, Philip W. Goldslager
  • Patent number: 6741717
    Abstract: A novel cap for a telephone unit is provided to de-couple the loudspeaker diaphragm from the acoustic resonance in the enclosure and dampen the first resonant frequency of the diaphragm. The cap has a flange located at an outer edge thereof and a cavity provided in the cap. The cap cavity is sized to house an acoustical speaker that is directed outwardly through an aperture in an outer casing of the telephone unit. The flange of the cap is coupled to the outer casing so that the cap covers the aperture. A gap is provided between the cap and the outer casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Mitel Knowledge Corporation
    Inventors: Stephane Dedieu, Philippe Moquin
  • Patent number: 6735320
    Abstract: A loudspeaker comprises an enclosure including a bottom wall, a front wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, and a rear wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall and opposite the front wall and having an angled wall portion facing generally upwardly and rearwardly. At least one speaker is mounted on the front wall in a given plane to direct sound waves outwardly therefrom and at least one passive device is mounted on the angled wall portion to direct sound waves generally upwardly and rearwardly of the given plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Inventor: Stephen J. Gertner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6561311
    Abstract: An improved structure of speaker cabinet comprising a housing opened on one side thereof, and comprising a front panel, wherein, a plurality of intermediate speakers can be held firm and get increased connecting strength when the front panel is integrally connected with the housing to thereby offset the frontward and rearward thrusts of the speakers. Moreover, a plurality of hollow posts located at the positions in correspondence with those of the connecting areas of the speakers to the cabinet can be filled therein with vibration absorbing material in order to reduce vibration at the earliest time. Such a design not only can reduce volume and weight of the cabinet, but also can improve sound quality and provide a hidden port to improve beauty and waterproofing effect of the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Inventor: Po-An Chuang
  • Publication number: 20030063766
    Abstract: An enclosure assembly for use in an audio speaker includes a driver support, a plurality of cavity forming layers disposed rearward of the driver support, and an end piece disposed adjacent a rearward most cavity forming layer. The driver support includes a front and rear and is adapted to support a driver. Each cavity forming layer includes an outer peripheral edge and a void disposed inward of the outer peripheral edge. The void defines an inner circumferential edge. The cavity forming layers may be removably joined such that the voids and the end piece cooperate to form a cavity rearward of the driver support. The cavity forming layers cooperate to advantageously modify the sound performance of the speaker, while providing a high degree of adjustability to the speaker's application environment. Methods of providing the enclosure assembly are also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Barry Goldslager, Philip A. Goldslager, Philip W. Goldslager
  • Publication number: 20020085731
    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: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventor: J. Richard Aylward
  • Patent number: 6411720
    Abstract: Speaker systems with lower frequency of resonance have a short air passage in a cabient from the speakers or drivers to an air passage exit. Teh resulting column of air lowers the resonant frequency or the drivers from within a frequency range of interest to below the frequency range. With the resonance out of the way, the resulting system is smaller and smoother.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Inventor: Eric K. Pritchard
  • Patent number: 6377696
    Abstract: The loudspeaker system includes a loudspeaker drive unit (2) and a tube (4) acoustically coupled to the rear of the loudspeaker drive unit for leading away and absorbing sound waves produced at the rear of the loudspeaker drive unit. The tube is acoustically coupled to the loudspeaker drive unit by a hollow resonant enclosure (6) and the loudspeaker drive unit is mounted at an aperture (8) in an external wall of the enclosure. The tube communicates with the interior of the enclosure and extends outwardly from the enclosure. There is a significant change in acoustic impedance where the tube communicates with the interior of the enclosure. The fundamental resonant frequencies of the enclosure and the tube each lie between the first and second frequencies but the Helmholtz resonant frequency of the tube, when its distal end is open, lies below the first frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: B & W Loudspeakers Limited
    Inventor: Stuart Michael Nevill
  • Patent number: 6356643
    Abstract: An electro-acoustic transducer, such as a speaker device or an earphone device. Includes an electro-acoustic transducing unit, such as a speaker unit, for converting input electrical signals into sound, a casing in which the electro-acoustic transducing unit is arranged and which delimits a back cavity towards the rear side of the electro-acoustic transducing unit, and at least two openings having a sound duct communicating with the back cavity. The sound radiated from the back surface of the electro-acoustic transducing unit is attenuated by being transmitted into the inside of the sound duct to prevent the radiated sound from being re-admitted into the electro-acoustic transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Yamagishi, Masao Fujihira
  • Patent number: 6324292
    Abstract: A speaker apparatus comprises a speaker unit, a cabinet for forming an internal space on the rear side of the speaker unit with a plurality of wall surfaces including a baffle plate for use in mounting the speaker unit, a acoustic tube which is formed along at least one wall surface out of the plurality of wall surfaces and has not only a substantially uniform hollow section but also an opening at one end, and an acoustical material for separating the internal space from the internal space of the acoustic tube by closing the opening of the acoustic tube. The speaker apparatus is characterized in that the acoustic tube has a tube length about 1/(2n) (n=positive integer) time as large as a wavelength corresponding to the lowest resonance mode of the standing wave produced along the one wall surface out of the standing waves produced in the internal space and that the opening is disposed close to the node of the standing wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Mitsuhashi, Hiroyuki Hamada
  • Patent number: RE39330
    Abstract: A speaker system suppresses standing waves generated in the system and reproduces clear and dynamic bass sound. The system includes a cabinet formed of acoustic insulation walls, and at least one partition wall situated inside the cabinet to form a space by surrounding the space. The partition wall suppresses the standing waves generated inside the cabinet and is formed of a material having high internal loss. The space has a total capacity more than one tenth of a capacity of the cabinet, wherein a closed end of the partition wall is located between one-half and four-fifths of a distance from one end to the other end, and an opening area of the same partition wall is located at a side opposite to the closed end in a longitudinal direction of the cabinet. The opening area is located between four-fifths and five fifths of a distance from one end to the other end. The material has a density per volume greater than 0.1 g/cm3, a density per area from 0.01 g/cm2 to 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Inventor: Katsutoshi Tozawa