Absorbing Or Attenuating Element Patents (Class 381/354)
  • Patent number: 8625809
    Abstract: A switch control circuit monitors a signal produced by a MEMS or other capacitor microphone. When a criterion is met, for example when the amplitude of the monitored signal exceeds a threshold or the monitored signal has been clipped or analysis of the monitored signal indicates clipping is imminent or likely, the switch control circuit operates one or more switches so as to selectively connect one or more capacitors to a signal line from the microphone, i.e., so as to connect a selected capacitance to the signal line to attenuate the signal from the microphone and, therefore, avoid clipping. The switches may be MOSFET, MEMS or other types of switches co-located with the microphone in a common semiconductor package. Similarly, the capacitors, a circuit that processes the signals from the microphone and/or the switch control circuit may be co-located with the microphone in a common semiconductor package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Invensense, Inc.
    Inventors: Olafur Mar Josefsson, Jens Gaarde Henriksen
  • Patent number: 8594357
    Abstract: A loudspeaker system with an enclosure, an electro-acoustic transducer mounted in the enclosure so as to leave space inside of the enclosure that is unoccupied by the transducer, and an air-adsorbing material in the space inside of the enclosure that is unoccupied by the transducer. The air-adsorbing material includes a silicon-based zeolite with a small amount of a second metal. The mole ratio of silicon to the second metal is at least about 200 and is less than 400.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventor: Lifun Lin
  • Publication number: 20130279732
    Abstract: An acoustic apparatus includes an outer housing, a receiver, and a shock cushion. The receiver is disposed within the outer housing. The shock cushion is disposed at least partially between the outer housing and the receiver. The shock cushion is sufficient to dampen mechanical energy received at the outer housing before reaching the receiver housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Randall A. Sanecki, Scott Miller
  • Publication number: 20130170690
    Abstract: An apparatus including an agglomeration of acoustically adsorbing members suitably located substantially on or in a non-conductive support, wherein each acoustically adsorbing member is separated from neighbouring members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Juha Reinhold Backman
  • Patent number: 8477954
    Abstract: Method, user terminal and computer program product for controlling audio signals at the user device during a communication session between the user device and a remote node, in which a primary audio signal is received at audio input means of the user device for transmission to the remote node in the communication session. It is determined whether the user device is operating in (i) a first mode in which secondary audio signals output from the user device are likely to disturb the primary audio signal received at the audio input means, or (ii) a second mode in which secondary audio signals output from the user device are not likely to disturb the primary audio signal received at the audio input means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Nils Ohlmeier
  • Publication number: 20130142373
    Abstract: An array speaker system includes a plurality of speaker units that respectively emit sounds in accordance with an input signal and an outer casing that supports the plurality of speaker units. Each speaker unit can be provided with a speaker operable to vibrate a vibrator in accordance with the signal, and a cavity back box that supports the speaker. The cavity back box forms a rear space with the vibrator on the opposite side with respect to the sound emission surface. The array speaker system thus constructed can emit a high power sound with a simple structure and improved stability in acoustic properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: TEI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: TEI CO., LTD.
  • Patent number: 8442255
    Abstract: A boundary microphone includes: a metal mesh; a base made of metal; a cover made of metal on which a plurality of holes through which a sound wave is passed is formed; and a microphone unit that is installed on the base and converts sound into an electrical signal. The metal mesh is welded onto the base with a metal material of the base entering a space of the metal mesh. The microphone unit is covered by the metal mesh.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-Technica
    Inventor: Hiroshi Akino
  • Patent number: 8406446
    Abstract: A microphone includes: a housing that serves as a microphone grip; a microphone unit supported at one end of the housing; an air chamber provided behind the microphone unit in the housing. The air chamber is filled with a plurality of elastic particles. The individual particles are mechanically bonded to one another and part of the particles are mechanically bonded to the housing such that gaps are formed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-Technica
    Inventor: Hiroshi Akino
  • Patent number: 8396241
    Abstract: There is provided a sound field adjusting method that can provide an acoustic improvement effect tailored to the characteristics of various acoustic rooms, with small differences in reflection properties between sound receiving points. The diameters of a plurality of columnar reflectors are calculated so as to diffuse sound waves of respective different frequency ranges. An arrangement condition is calculated so that the columnar reflectors having the calculated diameters form a plurality of reflecting surfaces that reflect the sound waves of different frequency ranges in random reflection directions, with random reflection time delays, or in random phases. The plurality of columnar reflectors having respective different diameters are then arranged under the arrangement condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Nittobo Acoustic Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Satake, Hideo Tsuru, Kazuhiro Makino, Shinji Ohashi, Hiroshi Ohyama
  • Patent number: 8356689
    Abstract: An improved structure for the compositely formed sound box consists of a plastic-made box with one-way opening and intensified rib and inlet components provided inside the box. The main feature is the bubbled one-piece soundproof layer inside the sound box to expand the overall structure of the sound box, reduce the thickness of the sound box, minimize the thickness of the shell, and upgrade the soundproof performance at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Chen-Hui Huang
  • Publication number: 20130016866
    Abstract: A treble-bass coaxial loudspeaker has an inverted conical frame, a bass resonance assembly mounted to the bottom of the frame, a bracket, and a treble resonance assembly. The bracket is mounted on the bass resonance drumhead and contains the treble resonance assembly inside to separate the treble resonance chip from the bass resonance assembly below. In this way, when the bass resonance drumhead vibrates, the air turbulence between the bass resonance drumhead and the wave damping annular board decreases destruction of the joint strength between the treble resonance chip and the treble resonance drumhead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: GRENESS ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ting-Pang CHEN
  • Patent number: 8320598
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of providing an apparatus, the apparatus including: a loudspeaker configured to convert an electrical input signal into an acoustic output signal; and carbon nanohorn material wherein the carbon nanohorn material is positioned so as to be exposed to the acoustic output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Markku Rouvala, Tim Mellow, Pritesh Hiralal, Haolan Wang, Gehan Amaratunga
  • Publication number: 20120257776
    Abstract: An apparatus configured to acoustically process an acoustic signal for a transducer, and to provide a physical interface for a further apparatus within which the apparatus is located.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2009
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: NOKIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koray Ozcan
  • Patent number: 8284977
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a multi-chamber ported stereo speaker is disclosed. The stereo speaker is a single unit with multi-chambers in an enclosure box. The multi chamber ported speaker comprises an enclosure housing a shared acoustic chamber having an external port for allowing air external of the enclosure box to flow into the shared acoustic chamber, and at least two additional chambers comprising a corresponding internal port in each additional chamber for forming an air pass from each additional chamber with the shared chamber, each additional chamber comprising a corresponding driver mounted through a wall of the chamber and enclosure box for forming the ported speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Creative Technology Ltd
    Inventor: Kok Huan Ong
  • Patent number: 8280095
    Abstract: A mobile apparatus includes a main body; a wall forming part of an enclosure forming a sound space in the main body, the wall having an opening therein; a speaker disposed in the sound space; a signal line connected to the speaker and passing through the opening in the wall; and an opening sealing member that seals the opening in the wall through which the signal line passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-il Lee, Boo-sang Kim, Cheul-hae Park
  • Patent number: 8259983
    Abstract: Disclosed is a speaker system for installation within a ceiling, wall, or other structure. The speaker system includes at least one pair of woofers housed by a woofer housing. The two woofers of each pair are oppositely arranged relative to one another so that the vibrations generated by each during operation are essentially neutralized or eliminated. Attached to the woofer housing is a mounting frame to which is attached a driver, such as a tweeter, a combination tweeter and midrange, or another woofer. This driver is perpendicularly arranged to a woofer pair. When installed, the woofers are positioned within the ceiling or other structure in which the system is installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Eugen Nedelcu
  • Patent number: 8259982
    Abstract: A mobile computing device comprises a printed circuit board, a processing circuit, a surface mount microphone, and a vibration attenuation portion. The processing circuit is disposed on a first portion of the printed circuit board. The surface mount microphone is disposed on a second portion of the printed circuit board. The vibration attenuation portion of the board is configured to attenuate vibrations from the first to the second portion of the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: James Samuel Bowen
  • Patent number: 8247930
    Abstract: An acoustic exciter comprises a suspension made of an elastic material, which is coupled to the opening part of a frame, and a vibrator to which a voice coil disposed in the magnetic gap of a magnetic circuit connected to the suspension is coupled. An elastic body is so disposed between the frame and the vibrator as to be pressed against the frame and the vibrator. Thereby, the exciting efficiency of the vibrator can be increased, and the performance and tone quality of the acoustic exciter can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Yamagishi
  • Publication number: 20120195452
    Abstract: The invention relates to an enclosure with a substantial rectangular configuration, adapted to contain an apparatus sensitive to acoustic vibrations, the enclosure comprising walls and acoustic damping material located within the wall, wherein the acoustic damping material comprises at least one absorbing body of acoustic energy absorbing material located adjacent to a rib of the enclosure. The acoustic vibrations most disturbing the processes in the apparatus within the enclosure are caused by standing acoustic waves within the enclosure with frequencies in the range between 50 Hz and 1000 Hz. These acoustic waves are efficiently damped by the provision of a block of acoustic absorbing material adjacent to one of the ribs of the enclosure, to such an extent that the need for thick walls of the enclosure is substantially obviated, leading to a less voluminous enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: FEI COMPANY
    Inventors: Albert Visscher, Joseph Hubert Marie Guillaume Schroen
  • Patent number: 8213643
    Abstract: A sound transducer for the transmission of audio frequency signals with a pressure-voltage transducer is provided. This pressure-voltage transducer is disposed on a supporting plate and at least partially embedded in a sound-insulating, substantially incompressible material, for example a gel. The supporting plate rests herein in contact on a body part, for example a jaw or skull bone, of a person. If this person conducts a conversation, the vibrations of the bone generated through the conversation are transmitted to a supporting plate. This supporting plate subsequently transmits the vibrations onto the pressure-voltage transducer, for example a piezoelectric element or an electret element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Ceotronics Aktiengesellschaft Audio, Video, Data Communication
    Inventor: Berthold Hemer
  • Publication number: 20120155688
    Abstract: The invention relates to an acoustic absorber comprising an absorption layer (1a, 1b) composed of an open-pored porous material. According to the invention, the open-pored porous material is flexurally stiff in such a way that the absorption layer (1a, 1b) is stimulated to flexurally oscillate when sound waves impinge on the absorption layer and the absorber can absorb sound waves of a first frequency range because of the inflow of air into the open-pored porous material of the absorption layer and can absorb sound waves of a second frequency range that comprises lower frequencies than the first frequency range because of the stimulation of flexural oscillations of the absorption layer. The invention further relates to an acoustic transducer and to a method for producing an acoustic absorber or an acoustic transducer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventor: Willsingh Wilson
  • Patent number: 8191678
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a combination of a microphone and a composite acoustic panel. The composite acoustic panel comprises materials having different spectra of acoustic absorption. The materials may be integrated in a single layer or in a plurality of different layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: SE Electronics International, Inc.
    Inventor: Siwei Zou
  • Patent number: 8194906
    Abstract: Disclosed is an antenna-speaker assembly, including an antenna unit including a radiator, a speaker unit including a speaker and coupled to the antenna unit, and a sound-absorbing part formed to conform to a circumference of a coupling surface of the antenna unit and the speaker unit, the sound-absorbing part being interposed between the antenna unit and the speaker unit. According to the present invention, the antenna-speaker assembly equipped with the structure of generating clear sound is provided. Furthermore, in a wireless communication device including an antenna-speaker assembly, the antenna-speaker assembly include an antenna unit including a radiator, a speaker unit including a speaker and coupled to the antenna unit, and a sound-absorbing material formed on a circumference of a face where the antenna unit and the speaker unit are coupled in such a manner as to be interposed between the antenna unit and the speaker unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: EMW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byung Hoon Ryou, Won Mo Sung, Dong Suk Lee
  • Patent number: 8170255
    Abstract: An enclosure with a substantial rectangular configuration, adapted to contain an apparatus sensitive to acoustic vibrations, the enclosure comprising walls and acoustic damping material located within the wall, wherein the acoustic damping material comprises at least one absorbing body of acoustic energy absorbing material located adjacent to a rib of the enclosure. The acoustic vibrations most disturbing the processes in the apparatus within the enclosure are caused by standing acoustic waves within the enclosure with frequencies in the range between 50 Hz and 1000 Hz. These acoustic waves are efficiently damped by the provision of a block of acoustic absorbing material adjacent to one of the ribs of the enclosure, to such an extent that the need for thick walls of the enclosure is substantially obviated, leading to a less voluminous enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: FEI Company
    Inventors: Albert Visscher, Joseph Hubert Marie Guillaume Schroen
  • Patent number: 8150043
    Abstract: Methods of acoustic dose monitoring and acoustic dose systems are provided. An acoustic dose system includes a first device configured to measure sound pressure levels directed to an ear drum and a second device configured to convert the sound pressure levels into a sound pressure level dose. The second device sends a notification signal to a third device if the sound pressure level dose is larger than a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Personics Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Steven W. Goldstein, John Usher, John P. Keady
  • 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: 8144885
    Abstract: A sound insulating device used to carry out audio testing of a mobile phone is provided. The sound insulating device includes a sound speaker, a sound receiver, a clamping platform clamping the mobile phone thereon and a sound insulating chamber. The sound insulating chamber receives the sound speaker and the sound receiver and the clamping platform therein. The sound insulating chamber is enclosed by several sound insulating boards. Each sound insulating board includes a sound absorbing layer, a cushion layer and an aluminium-alloy layer combined together. The cushion layer is sandwiched between the absorbing layer and the aluminium-alloy layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Chi Mei Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Chiang-Fu Pan
  • Patent number: 8144911
    Abstract: A garment with a speaker function is provided. The garment includes a garment body, a bag, and an electret speaker. The bag disposed on the garment body includes a sound-absorbing layer. The electret speaker, disposed in the bag, gives off sounds to a first direction and a second direction at the same time. The sound-absorbing layer absorbs the sound of the second direction. Therefore, the present invention not only provides convenience to the user, but also enhances the acoustic quality of the electret speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Dar-Ming Chiang, Jen-Yuh Jiang
  • 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: 8098869
    Abstract: A loudspeaker damper, a manufacturing method thereof, and a loudspeaker, electronic equipment and device using the loudspeaker damper. The damper has flexibility. Therefore, even if a large input is applied and the damper oscillates with a large amplitude, a resin layer provided on the surface of the damper base material is not cracked due to partial interface peeling. Thus, the damper follows such a large amplitude and realizes high input-resistance. This loudspeaker damper material is obtained by impregnating a material with thermosetting resin including 2 to 20 wt % of flexibility imparting agent and heat-curing thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Masatoshi Okazaki, Kazuyoshi Mimura, Shinya Mizone, Masahide Sumiyama
  • 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: 8069946
    Abstract: A portable sound recording device and method comprises a first enclosure having symmetrical halves and a second enclosure having symmetrical halves. The second enclosure is fitted inside the first enclosure such that neither enclosure has direct contact with each other. The symmetrical halves pivot about the device handle. A sound resistant material aligns the inside walls of the second enclosure and the outside walls of the second enclosure. The device eliminates unwanted echoes and allows sound to be clearly captured by an attached microphone or input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Inventor: Martin Howard Cruise, III
  • Patent number: 8036410
    Abstract: Offset baffles are provided in a speaker for acoustic signal arrival synchronization. The speaker includes an enclosure. The enclosure includes a first side positioned at an angle with respect to a horizontal axis or plane. The first side includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion and the lower portion are offset from one another by a first offset in a first direction and a second offset in a second direction. The first offset in the first direction and the second offset in the second direction define a vent extending across a width of the first side. The vent is positioned above a low-frequency transducer and below a high-frequency transducer. The low-frequency transducer is mounted to the lower portion and generates a first acoustic signal within a first frequency range. The high-frequency transducer is mounted to the upper portion and generates a second acoustic signal within a second frequency range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel M. Koren, Nicholas J. Sulzer, Steven J. Jakowski
  • Patent number: 8036411
    Abstract: There are provided a speaker for outputting sound, a plurality of sound output holes formed in a reverse side cabinet, a mesh sheet, a two-sided tape, and a transparent sheet. The sound output holes, the mesh sheet, the two-sided tape, and the transparent sheet control the direction of sound output from the speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenzoh Daimon, Kimiaki Imai
  • Patent number: 7991181
    Abstract: A speaker unit is attached to an opening section formed on an front surface of a cabinet. In an inside of the cabinet, fibrous activated carbon (activated carbon fiber) is located. A pressure change in the inside of the cabinet, which changes according to a sound pressure of the speaker unit, is suppressed by physical adsorption by the activated carbon. Further, since the activated carbon fiber has micro pores, which physically adsorbs a gaseous body, situated on a surface of the fiber, a loss in acoustic energy at the time of physical adsorption is small, and thus it is possible to prevent deterioration in a sound pressure level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Shuji Saiki, Toshiyuki Matsumura
  • Patent number: 7961900
    Abstract: A communication device 100 includes a first audio output 105; a second audio output 110; an audio transducer 115 for dual mode use; a shuttered acoustic path 120 coupled between the audio transducer 115 and the first audio output 105; and an attenuated acoustic path 125 coupled between the audio transducer 115 and the second audio output 110.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Zurek, Greg R. Black, Joel A. Clark
  • Patent number: 7953240
    Abstract: A loudspeaker apparatus comprises a housing, an adsorptive material provided inside the housing, for physically adsorbing gas inside the housing, a vibration section including a diaphragm and provided in an opening formed in the housing, a drive section for driving the diaphragm to generate sound from the diaphragm, and a negative stiffness generating mechanism provided inside the housing, for reducing an acoustic stiffness inside the housing, the acoustic stiffness acting on the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Matsumura, Shuji Saiki
  • Patent number: 7912238
    Abstract: A speaker attenuation system includes an attenuating member comprised of suitable material and having a size and a shape capable of attenuating a speaker when positioned in a central beam region of the speaker. A positioning mechanism is capable of positioning the attenuating member predominantly in the central beam region of the speaker in such a manner that it is between the speaker and an audience in a performance setting. The suitable material, such as open cell foam (i.e., acoustic foam), preferably has a property that it is capable, at one or more thicknesses, of reducing amplitudes of a majority of frequencies between one-thousand and eight-thousand Hertz by at least six decibels without reducing amplitudes of any frequencies in that range by more than eighteen decibels. Accordingly, the “beaminess” of the speaker can be reduced without creating a “hole in the sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Inventor: Frank LaMarra
  • Publication number: 20110051971
    Abstract: Disclosed is a speaker system for installation within a ceiling, wall, or other structure. The speaker system includes at least one pair of woofers housed by a woofer housing. The two woofers of each pair are oppositely arranged relative to one another so that the vibrations generated by each during operation are essentially neutralized or eliminated. Attached to the woofer housing is a mounting frame to which is attached a driver, such as a tweeter, a combination tweeter and midrange, or another woofer. This driver is perpendicularly arranged to a woofer pair. When installed, the woofers are positioned within the ceiling or other structure in which the system is installed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventor: Eugen Nedelcu
  • Publication number: 20100329498
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of providing an apparatus, the apparatus including a loudspeaker configured to convert an electrical input signal into an acoustic output signal; and carbon nanohorn material wherein the carbon nanohorn material is positioned so as to be exposed to the acoustic output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Markku Rouvala, Tim Mellow, Pritesh Hiralal, Haolan Wang, Gehan Amaratunga
  • Patent number: 7844068
    Abstract: A wall mounted speaker system which is arranged to alleviate problems of unwanted noise in the production and transmission of audio waves, particularly in the lower wave lengths from 20 to 200 hz. There is a speaker unit having a pair of vertically spaced speakers, and an inertial noise suppressing section positioned between the two speakers. The inertial noise suppressing section has an inertial mass which is moved in a back and forth motion to create an inertial offsetting force into a housing structure of the speaker section. The two speakers also create inertial forces which are also transmitted into the housing of the speaker unit, and these are substantially diminished by the interaction of the inertial forces of the speakers and those of the inertial noise suppressing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Linear Corporation
    Inventor: Robert W. Carver
  • Publication number: 20100296674
    Abstract: A microphone system includes a microphone and a control device external to the microphone. The microphone includes at least two capacitor capsules or one dual-sided capsule. The control device is capable of varying the polar pattern of the microphone over a two-conductor shielded cable or wirelessly. The microphone system may include an anti-rotational positioning mount for the microphone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: Kelly Statham, Craig Huffman
  • Patent number: 7813770
    Abstract: A speaker module and a mobile device having the speaker module are provided herein. The speaker module includes a speaker unit and a speaker box. The speaker box has a wall defining an aperture receiving the speaker unit therein. The speaker box has a first speaker chamber, a second speaker chamber and a connecting section connecting the first speaker chamber and the second speaker chamber. The cross-sectional height of the space of the connecting section is lower than that of the first speaker chamber or the second speaker chamber. In other option, the space of the connecting section is smaller than that of the first speaker chamber or the second speaker chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: HTC Corporation
    Inventors: San-Chi Ho, Kar-Chai Luk, Teerada Sirirattanasit
  • 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: 7801323
    Abstract: A device for housing a sound-emitting transducer including a housing and a cap. The housing has a chamber defined by a cylindrical sidewall and an endwall with apertures. The cap mounts to the housing, and has apertures that can register with the apertures in the endwall. A groove is formed between the cap and teeth formed at its circular outer periphery. The cap's circular lip is inserted into the groove by deforming the cap slightly. Thus, relative movement is permitted between the cap and housing for registering and de-registering the apertures on the cap and housing. This controls the volume of the sound-emitting transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Floyd Bell, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas A. Shain
  • Patent number: 7783069
    Abstract: The ergonomic performance chamber 50 improves audio production efficiency for recording vocals or other sound sources with a microphone. The basic embodiment features an openable, lightweight, easily portative, molded flexible plastic, elemental structure 20, that surrounds only the microphone, and includes, a top 42 portion, a bottom 43 portion, an outer surface 21, a plurality of abutting surfaces 22, an audio source opening collar 23, an audio source opening 24, a microphone attachment collar 25, a microphone opening 26, an acoustically controlled air space 27, an inner chamber surface 28, a chamber body 29, and a plurality of insert slots 31. Acoustic inserts 30 are used to modify the quality of sound in the acoustically controlled air space 27. A desktop support 39 is used for desktop installation. The present invention combines acoustic control and ergonomics to facilitate production workflow and meet the needs for a wide variety of performers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Inventors: John William Miller, William John Miller
  • Patent number: 7743877
    Abstract: A speaker system that includes a speaker unit, a cabinet, a plurality of protruding materials, and a gas adsorbing material. The cabinet forms a chamber at a backside of the speaker unit. The plurality of protruding materials are formed inside the chamber and connected to the cabinet. The gas adsorbing material is supported, in a space, by the plurality of protruding materials. Accordingly, it is possible to easily increase a contact area between the gas adsorbing material and the space theresurrounding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Shuji Saiki, Toshiyuki Matsumura
  • Patent number: 7668323
    Abstract: A push-pull type electrostatic ultrasonic transducer includes a vibrating film having a conductive layer and a pair of fixed electrodes provided at respective surfaces of the vibrating film. The front-side fixed electrode and the rear-side fixed electrode sandwich the vibrating film. A plurality of through holes are provided in the front-side fixed electrodes and through holes having the same shape are provided in the rear-side fixed electrode in positions opposed to the respective through holes provided in the front-side fixed electrode. A sound absorbing material is provided facing the rear-side fixed electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Miyazaki
  • Publication number: 20090285432
    Abstract: An acoustic structure and a method for dampening sound. The acoustic structure includes an acoustic absorber having one or more acoustic elements. The acoustic absorber is disposed inside a volume. The acoustic structure further includes an acoustic radiator having one or more acoustic elements. The acoustic radiator is disposed outside the volume. A cross-sectional area of the one or more acoustic elements decreases with a distance from a mouth of the one or more acoustic elements to a throat of the one or more acoustic elements. The acoustic structure also includes one or more acoustic waveguide ducts configured to acoustically couple the acoustic absorber and the acoustic radiator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventors: Bonnie S. Schnitta, Roy S. Freedman
  • Patent number: 7614479
    Abstract: A sound enhancement module includes a set of walls that define an enclosed chamber, an aperture in one of the walls to provide a path for audio waves to travel between the enclosed chamber and an external space and an alternative density transmission medium positioned in the enclosed chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Inventor: Jan Plummer