Loudspeakers Driven In Given Phase Relationship Patents (Class 381/89)
  • Patent number: 12126981
    Abstract: An acoustic transducer comprising a plurality of acoustic diaphragms configured to vibrate in opposing directions in response to a received electrical signal, a frame assembly coupled to a first diaphragm and a second diaphragm of the plurality of acoustic diaphragms, a plurality of suspension elements coupled to the plurality of acoustic diaphragms, the plurality of suspension elements comprising at least two primary-suspension-elements and at least two secondary-suspension-elements, and a magnet assembly fixedly positioned within the frame assembly including a housing, at least two magnets, a first pole piece mounted on a first of the at least two magnets and a second pole piece mounted on a second of the at least two magnets, the housing having at least a first region for placement of a first magnet and a first vertical portion having a vertical height greater than a vertical height of the first magnet or a second magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: Tectonic Audio Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan C. Mettler, Timothy C. Whitwell, Philip C. Bunch
  • Patent number: 12120483
    Abstract: An audio device includes a vibration member, and a first piezoelectric vibrator and a second piezoelectric vibrator that are provided on the vibration member. A natural frequency of the first piezoelectric vibrator is larger than a natural frequency of the second piezoelectric vibrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiki Ohta, Takuto Horii, Yoshikazu Shimura, Atsushi Ezawa, Miho Bamba, Kaoru Kijima, Akihiro Takeda
  • Patent number: 12101596
    Abstract: Embodiments of this application provide a speaker module and a portable electronic device. The speaker module includes a first speaker module and a second speaker module. The first speaker module includes a first housing and a first speaker monomer accommodated in the first housing, and the first speaker monomer has a first diaphragm. The second speaker module includes a second housing and a second speaker monomer accommodated in the second housing, and the second speaker monomer has a second diaphragm. The first speaker module and the second speaker module are sequentially disposed in a vertical direction, and a vibration direction of the first diaphragm is opposite to a vibration direction of the second diaphragm, so that momentum variations (mv) ? of the speaker module are offset against each other, thereby resolving a problem that a vibration feeling is strong when the speaker module works.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wentao Yang, Qiong Ruan, Shitao Chen, Yanbiao Luo, Jie Liu
  • Patent number: 12015893
    Abstract: Provided in the present invention is a stereo sound box, including: a box body. Two sets of sound generating units are provided on a surface of the box body, correspondingly for a left sound channel and a right sound channel. Each set of sound generating units includes a low sound unit and at least one high sound unit. The low sound units of the two sets of sound generating units are arranged to mirror each other so as to neutralize the inertia of vibrations. The high sound units are arranged outside each low sound unit. In the described stereo sound box, high-fidelity low sound can be maintained even while the box body is kept light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: TGI TECHNOLOGY PTE LTD
    Inventor: Shihuang Li
  • Patent number: 11991505
    Abstract: Techniques described herein may involve audio settings based on an environment. An example implementation may involve a playback device playing back first audio content and during playback of at least a portion of the first audio content, detecting, via the at least one microphone, an audio signal. At least a portion of the detected audio signal may include a reflection of the first audio content played back by the playback device. The playback device may determine an equalization setting based on at least the determined one or more reflection characteristics and apply the determined equalization setting during playback of second audio content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Bush
  • Patent number: 11917360
    Abstract: A loudspeaker cabinet has a front panel, a back panel, and first and second panels connected with the front panel and the back panel. These four panels enclose a cabinet cavity that is elongated and tapered. The cabinet cavity has first and second openings at its far ends. One or more loudspeakers are mounted in the front panel. Damping material uniformly fills the cabinet cavity. The ratio of the fill density range and the material density is from 2.1 to 5%. If there are multiple loudspeakers, they can be equal and cover the full frequency range. They can be driven by a shared signal, without a crossover filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Inventor: Ashok K. Babbar
  • Patent number: 11895473
    Abstract: An audio device having a housing including a first loudspeaker disposed in the housing and oriented to emit sound towards a top of the housing, a second loudspeaker disposed in the housing and oriented to emit sound towards a bottom of the housing, and a third loudspeaker disposed in the housing and oriented to emit sound radially outward from the housing of the audio device. Embodiments may include a microphone array disposed proximate the top of the audio device and encircling the first loudspeaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Giovanni Mata Magana, Alexander David Savello, Chia Hung Kuo, Thompson Quang-Tue Nguyen, Danny Chan, Albert John Yu Sam Chua
  • Patent number: 11856359
    Abstract: An example method of operation includes performing a plurality of polar pattern permutations based on a function of an inputted magnitude and phase adjustment range, determining a plurality of polar pattern outputs, creating a list of the polar pattern outputs, and creating a set of FIR filters to apply to a loudspeaker based on a selected one of the list of polar patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Biamp Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Xian Yu
  • Patent number: 11843911
    Abstract: A generic loudspeaker enclosure including a cabinet including internal partitions defining a plurality of acoustic chambers that are sealed, distinct, and separated from one another by said internal partitions, each acoustic chamber including an orifice opening to the outside of the cabinet in a respective different direction; a plurality of loudspeakers, each including a respective diaphragm, each loudspeaker being incorporated in a respective one of the acoustic chambers; at least one first connector mounted in sealed manner on the cabinet, the first connector having contacts that are electrically connected to the loudspeakers, the first connector thus being arranged to connect the loudspeakers electrically to the electronic card of the electronic additional module via a second connector mounted on the electronic additional module and complementary to the first connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: SAGEMCOM BROADBAND SAS
    Inventors: Dominique Susini, Arnaud Ferreira, Gilles Bourgoin, Hugo Chusseau
  • Patent number: 11832071
    Abstract: An audio converter system is provided. The system comprises an audio input configured to receive a source audio, an audio output configured to couple to a hybrid speaker comprising at least two nondirectional speakers and a directional speaker, and a processor configured to generate an output audio for the hybrid speaker based on the source audio by: identifying a specific sound in the source audio, isolating the specific sound from the source audio, generating a directional speaker output for the directional speaker of the hybrid speaker based on the specific sound, and generating at least two channels of nondirectional speaker output for the at least two nondirectional speakers of the hybrid speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Takeo Matsukawa, Jaekwon Yoo
  • Patent number: 11721314
    Abstract: An active acoustics management system for the loudspeaker back-enclosure, including a first loudspeaker having a front side and a back side connected by side walls, the front facing in a first direction, is presented. An enclosure surrounds a portion of the first loudspeaker, such that the enclosure is open about the front side of the first loudspeaker and is closed about the side walls and the back side of the loudspeaker. A second loudspeaker is disposed within the enclosure behind the first loudspeaker, the second loudspeaker being oriented to output waveforms in the first direction, wherein the second loudspeaker is adapted to output waveforms in the first direction thereby to cancel at least some waveforms emanating from the back side of the first loudspeaker, using active control strategies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: ACOUSTIC METAMATERIALS LLC
    Inventor: Gopal Prasad Mathur
  • Patent number: 11671749
    Abstract: An audio speaker includes a frame or manifold supporting a plurality of drivers electrically connected to operate in common acoustic phase. The plurality of drivers includes an inner group of drivers and an outer group of drivers at least partially surrounding the inner group of drivers and the outer group of drivers includes at least two drivers with at least one the two drivers being a rearward facing driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Endow Audio, LLC
    Inventor: David T. Strunk
  • Patent number: 11641553
    Abstract: Magnetic field cancelling audio systems and associated devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, an audio system with two electromagnetic audio drivers positioned and electrically connected to reduce emitted magnetic fields over a range of predefined frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.
    Inventors: Ray Merewether, Mark S. Olsson
  • Patent number: 11638095
    Abstract: A method for improving the effective signal-to-noise ratio (“SNR”) of an analog to digital converter (“ADC”) for active loudspeakers uses the two available channels of a stereo ADC to separately process the low- and high-frequency components of an audio signal. Because the power spectral density of music approximates a pink noise spectrum, the high-frequency component of the signal has peak levels low enough to avoid exceeding the maximum ADC input level. The audio signal is analog high-pass filtered and the resulting high-frequency signal component is sent directly to a first ADC channel without attenuation. The remaining low-frequency component is attenuated and sent to a second ADC channel. The digital signals are processed, converted back to analog, amplified, and reproduced by loudspeaker drivers. Noise and distortion at low frequencies is less audible than higher frequencies, so the improved SNR at higher frequencies yields a significant practical improvement in audio fidelity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Barefoot Sound, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Barefoot
  • Patent number: 11528559
    Abstract: A double sided speaker device, comprising a magnetic conductive carrier board, a first magnetic circuit module, a second magnetic circuit module, a first voice coil, a second voice coil, a first sounding hood, and a second sounding hood. The magnetic conductive carrier board comprises a plurality of openings. The first magnetic circuit module is disposed at one side of the magnetic conductive carrier board. The second magnetic circuit module is disposed at the other side of the magnetic conductive carrier board. The first voice coil is disposed around the first magnetic circuit module. The second voice coil is disposed around the second magnetic circuit module. The first sounding hood is disposed at one side of the magnetic conductive carrier board and comprises a first accommodating space. The second sounding hood is disposed at the other side of the magnetic conductive carrier board and comprises a second accommodating space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: LUXSHARE-ICT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jiin-Tarng Huang, Chih-Kai Sun
  • Patent number: 11503388
    Abstract: Loudspeaker enclosures and loudspeaker devices are provided. In some embodiments, a loudspeaker device is provided, the loudspeaker device comprising: a loudspeaker enclosure, comprising: a rear side; and a front side of the loudspeaker enclosure comprising: a lower portion of the front side comprising a first opening for receiving a first loudspeaker and a second opening for receiving a second loudspeaker; and an upper portion of the front side comprising a third opening for receiving a third loudspeaker, a first port, and a second port, wherein a distance from the lower portion of the front side to the rear side is greater than a distance from the upper portion of the front side to the rear side; the first loudspeaker positioned in the first opening; the second loudspeaker positioned in the second opening; and the third loudspeaker positioned in the third opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Warner Music Inc.
    Inventor: George Augspurger
  • Patent number: 11425476
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an audio system for extracting online parameters is provided. The system includes a loudspeaker and at least controller. The loudspeaker transmits an audio signal in a listening environment. The at least one controller includes a signal processing block and an adaptive filter. The signal processing block is programmed to provide a driving signal u(n) to drive the loudspeaker to transmit the audio signal. The adaptive filter is programmed to receive the driving signal and to receive a first varying signal i(n) from the loudspeaker in response to the loudspeaker transmitting audio signal. The adaptive filter is further programmed to generate an admittance curve for the loudspeaker based at least on the driving signal and the first varying signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Markus E. Christoph, John Barry French
  • Patent number: 11245979
    Abstract: A stiffening part (25) arranged to be integrated into the interior of a casing (12) of an audio speaker (11) in order to stiffen said casing, the audio speaker also being capable of comprising at least one loudspeaker (18a) mounted on a first face (14) of the casing, the stiffening part comprising a connecting portion, at least one damping support defining a receiving space arranged to receive a damping device (40a) for intended to limit vibrations of the loudspeaker, wherein the damping support comprises a plurality of ribs (34) distributed around the receiving space (31), each rib extending in a distinct plane parallel to a depth of the receiving space, the stiffening part being arranged such that, when the enclosure (11) is assembled, the connecting portion interconnects inner walls of a second (15) of the casing and a third face (16) of the casing opposite each other and both perpendicular to the first face (14), the damping device being positioned in the receiving space, and a rear portion of the loudspe
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: SAGEMCOM BROADBAND SAS
    Inventors: Hugo Chusseau, Gilles Bourgoin
  • Patent number: 11153700
    Abstract: A signal delay adjustment device for individually setting delay times of audio signals supplied to a plurality of speakers and individually delaying the audio signals supplied to the plurality of speakers with set delay times to adjust output timings of sounds among the plurality of speakers is configured to include a setting part to set a delay time applied to the audio signal for each speaker, and a delay part for individually delaying the audio signal to be supplied to the plurality of speakers based on the delay time set by the setting part. The delay part gradually changes the delay time to be applied to the audio signal over a predetermined time so that the delay time to be applied to the audio signal reaches the delay time set by the setting part over the predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: CLARION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Morita, Takeshi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 11146892
    Abstract: Magnetic field cancelling audio systems and associated devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, an audio system with two electromagnetic audio drivers positioned and electrically connected to reduce emitted magnetic fields over a range of predefined frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: SeeScan, Inc.
    Inventors: Ray Merewether, Mark S Olsson
  • Patent number: 11076220
    Abstract: Provided are loudspeaker systems. Embodiments include a first speaker to provide a direct radiating output from the front of the loudspeaker system and a second speaker to drive a ported side chamber of the loudspeaker system, wherein the first and second speakers share a ported common chamber, and wherein at least one port of the ported common chamber exits the front of the loudspeaker system. In one embodiment, the common chamber includes at least one port that is substantially aligned with the front of the loudspeaker system. In another embodiment, each speaker is coupled to a separate amplifier and signal processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: VUE AUDIOTECHNIK LLC
    Inventor: Michael Charles Adams
  • Patent number: 10834488
    Abstract: An acoustic speaker (1), comprising: a metal frame (3), a plastic shell (5) fastened on the frame, the shell defining at least two openings (7A, 7B), at these two loudspeakers (9A, 9B) arranged back-to-back along a transverse axis (T), the two loudspeakers respectively extending through the two openings. The frame comprises an inner part (21) located transversely between the two loudspeakers and on which the two loudspeakers are fastened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: DEVIALET
    Inventors: Max Rainer, Bertrand Gangloff, Bérenger Roig, Jérémy Beigeaud, Victor Chambon
  • Patent number: 10602288
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an audio amplifier system including a memory and an audio amplifier is provided. The audio amplifier includes the memory and is programmed to receive an audio input signal and to generate a target current signal based on the audio input signal. The audio amplifier is further configured to generate a first predicted position of a voice coil of a loudspeaker and to generate a first corrected current signal based on the target current signal and on the first predicted position of the voice coil. The audio amplifier is further configured to determine a pressure within a loudspeaker enclosure based at least on the first predicted position of the voice coil and determine a position of a passive radiator based at least on the pressure within the loudspeaker enclosure. The audio amplifier is further configured to generate a second predicted position of the voice coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: John Barry French
  • Patent number: 10224014
    Abstract: The invention is a process for the creation of an audio effect in the context of an audio editing software. The effect is created by applying a series or sequence of reversal instances across a sample or waveform in time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Inventor: Brandon Nedelman
  • Patent number: 10206029
    Abstract: An omnidirectional speaker includes a speaker module configured to generate sound, a main body having a circular cross section and configured to accommodate the speaker module, and a control panel configured to cover an upper side of the main body and allow a user to select an operation. The control panel includes a display for displaying a state of the operation and a touch unit configured to receive an input of the user as a touch input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jang Hun Song, Jae Seung Kwack, Woo Sung In
  • Patent number: 10034110
    Abstract: A loudspeaker is disclosed. The loudspeaker includes a frame; a vibration system accommodated in the frame and comprising a vibrating diaphragm and a voice coil for driving the vibrating diaphragm fixed with the frame; a magnetic circuit system driving the vibration system; a light source assembled with the voice coil; a photosensitive sensor located in the yoke and within the irradiation scope of the light source. The magnetic circuit system includes a yoke positioned by the frame and a magnet portion supported by the yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: AAC TECHNOLOGIES PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Shengrong Shi, Fuhu Zhang, Ronglin Linghu
  • Patent number: 9973862
    Abstract: The invention is a multi-channel loudspeaker system that provides a compact loudspeaker configuration and filter design methodology that operates in the digital signal processing domain. Further, the loudspeaker system can be designed to include drivers of various physical dimensions and can achieve prescribed constant directivity over a large area in both the vertical and horizontal planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Ulrich Horbach
  • Patent number: 9843856
    Abstract: An acoustic chamber includes a loudspeaker, which includes at least two membranes that each reproduce a different frequency band, and a filter that makes it possible to generate a plurality of activation signals from an audio signal source. The activation signals are each applied to an actuator of one of the membranes. The acoustic chamber has an operating range having a variable and controlled directivity, each frequency of which belongs to at least two frequency bands reproduced by the membranes. The acoustic chamber obtains a directivity control signal, and the filter makes it possible to dose, for each frequency of the operating range and depending on the directivity control signal, the contribution of each one of the at least two membranes reproducing the frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: CABASSE SA
    Inventor: Bernard Debail
  • Patent number: 9661412
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising: a first substantially horn shaped structure configured to couple and amplify sound from a first speaker of a further apparatus; and a second substantially horn shaped structure configured to couple and amplify sound from a second speaker of the further apparatus, wherein the first and second substantially horn shaped structure each comprise a mouth portion with a physical separation dimension greater than a physical separation dimension of the first and second speaker acoustic outlet of the further apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Qifeng Yan, Ming Lei, Zhichang Wang, Jyri Salomaa, Zhen Liu, Koray Ozcan
  • Patent number: 9584904
    Abstract: A loudspeaker system for the reproduction of acoustic waves of music, sound and speech in a substantially circular horizontal plane. The loudspeaker system includes multiple spherical enclosures, each enclosure housing a pair of transducers, each pair of transducers producing acoustic waves of a predetermined frequency range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Inventors: J. Craig Oxford, D. Michael Shields
  • Patent number: 9420374
    Abstract: Provided are apparatus and method for focusing sound so that a sound radiation pattern output from an array speaker system composed of a plurality of speakers may approach a target sound radiation pattern. The sound focusing apparatus uses a focusing filter formed in consideration of sound characteristics of the array speaker system. In addition, the sound focusing apparatus may compensate for delay and gain values of each channel generated when an input signal is replicated to a plurality of channels and output through an array speaker in the array speaker system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-chul Ko, Young-tae Kim, Jung-ho Kim, Jung-woo Choi
  • Patent number: 9241221
    Abstract: A thermoacoustic chip includes a shell having a hole and a speaker located in the shell. The speaker includes a substrate having a surface, a sound wave generator located on the surface of the substrate and opposite to the hole of the shell, and, a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode are spaced from each other and electrically connected to the sound wave generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yang Wei, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Patent number: 9042575
    Abstract: A method, device and computer program product for processing audio signals, the method including determining beamformer filter coefficients to be applied to the audio signals; applying the beamformer filter coefficients to the audio signals; outputting the filtered audio signals from an audio output comprising a plurality of speakers coupled with the device; and receiving at a microphone coupled with the device, the filtered audio signals output from the audio output. The filter coefficients are determined such that the filtered audio signals are suppressed when received at the microphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Skype
    Inventor: Karsten Vandborg Sorensen
  • Patent number: 9020154
    Abstract: An acoustic apparatus including circuitry to correct for acoustic cross-coupling of acoustic drivers mounted in a common acoustic enclosure. A plurality of acoustic drivers are mounted in the acoustic enclosure so that motion of each of the acoustic drivers causes motion in each of the other acoustic drivers. A canceller cancels the motion of each of the acoustic drivers caused by motion of each of the other acoustic drivers. A cancellation adjuster cancels the motion of each of the acoustic drivers that may result from the operation of the canceller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Klaus Hartung, Roman Katzer
  • Patent number: 9014380
    Abstract: A loudspeaker drive circuit comprises an input for receiving an audio signal and a signal processor for processing the audio signal before application to the loudspeaker. The signal processor processes the audio signal to derive a loudspeaker drive signal which results in the loudspeaker membrane reaching its maximum displacement in both directions of diaphragm displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Temujin Gautama, Bram Hedebouw
  • Patent number: 8971547
    Abstract: A loudspeaker array and methods for generating sound in an arc pattern. The loudspeaker array includes a plurality of loudspeakers. A delay network is included, the delay network having a plurality of stages. Each stage has a stage input and a stage output. The stage output of each stage is coupled to the stage input of a next stage. Each stage output is also connected to at least one of the plurality of loudspeakers. The stage input of the first stage is coupled to an audio signal input. Each stage is configured to add an electrical delay of the audio signal at each subsequent stage. The electrical delay is adjusted such that the plurality of loudspeakers generates sound in a desired radiation pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Doug Button
  • Patent number: 8953819
    Abstract: Provided is a method and apparatus for focusing sound using an array speaker system. The method includes generating a plurality of delayed signals to be focused to a predetermined position from an input signal, filtering a low-frequency signal having a frequency that is lower than a reference frequency from the delayed signals, generating low-frequency focusing signals divided into 2 groups by adjusting a gain of the filtered low-frequency signal, and applying the low-frequency focusing signals divided into the 2 groups to speaker units of the array speaker system at both sides with respect to a center portion of the array speaker system and outputting the low-frequency focusing signals through the speaker units. In this way, the performance of sound focusing for the low-frequency signal can be improved and thus a listener located a predetermined distance from and in a predetermined direction relative to the array speaker system can clearly listen to the low-frequency focusing signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-chul Ko, Young-tae Kim, Jung-ho Kim
  • Publication number: 20140314249
    Abstract: A narrow-profile balanced subwoofer or similar speaker includes a number of drivers placed side by side in the same lateral plane, with a first set of drivers facing one direction and second set of drivers facing the opposite direction. Their orientation is such that the sum of the forces from the first set of drivers is equal and opposite the sum of the forces from the second set of drivers, thus cancelling, and the sum of the moments from all of the drivers about a center or pivot point substantially equals zero. The speaker may include three or more drivers, symmetrically or asymmetrically spaced. The drivers may be of the same or different sizes, and the audio signal amplitudes may be adjusted to help balance the speaker. Each set of drivers may output sound into separate sound ducts, which may output sound from one or more apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventor: Lawrence R. Fincham
  • Patent number: 8867770
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a speaker-connector module and a handheld electronic device. The handheld electronic device includes a body and a speaker-connector module. The body has an opening. The speaker-connector module is assembled in the body and correspondingly disposed to the opening. The speaker-connector module includes a housing, a speaker and an electrical connector. The housing has a major sound passage, wherein the major sound passage has a major input end and a major output end. The speaker is assembled in the housing and has a sound outlet surface, wherein the major input end is communicated with the sound outlet surface. The electrical connector is disposed in the major sound passage and adjacent to the speaker, and the major input end is connected to the electrical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: HTC Corporation
    Inventors: Chih-Ling Chien, Chien-Hsin Huang, Tsung-Yuan Ou, Chen-Yu Wang
  • Patent number: 8839342
    Abstract: An audio video system is described that includes an AV receiver with a wireless audio module (WAM) host and without audio amplifier functionality. The system further includes a plurality of wireless speakers each having a WAM device to enable unidirectional or bidirectional communications with the WAM host. Each wireless speaker includes an amplifier that may be matched to a driver of the speaker to optimize the frequency response of the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: AliphCom
    Inventors: Jano Banks, David Buuck, Jon Norenberg, Brad Bozarth, Eric Wiles, Thomas Mader
  • Patent number: 8781136
    Abstract: The invention is a multi-channel loudspeaker system that provides a compact loudspeaker configuration and filter design methodology that operates in the digital signal processing domain. Further, the loudspeaker system can be designed as a multi-way loudspeaker system comprised of a symmetric arrangement of loudspeaker drivers in a two-dimensional plane and can achieve high-quality sound, constant directivity over a large area in both the vertical and horizontal planes and can be used in connection with stereo loudspeaker systems, multi-channel home entertainment systems and public address systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Ulrich Horbach
  • Patent number: 8774424
    Abstract: Apparatus for reproducing sound including at least three loudspeakers (5, 6, 7) mounted in a substantially sealed enclosure. The three loudspeakers may be mounted to a wall of the enclosure so that they are all directed away from, and evenly spaced around, a common point. Two speakers may be driven with the respective out of phase signals comprising the difference between two stereo channels and another speaker with the sum of those channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Airsound LLP
    Inventor: Stuart Fletcher
  • Patent number: 8767984
    Abstract: Apparatus for reproduction of stereo sound from a two channel signal, having one or more first transducers (3a, 3b) for reproducing a signal comprising one of or the sum of the two channels, and one or more second transducers (5) for reproducing a signal comprising the difference between the two channels. The apparatus is arranged such that the signal generated by the one or more first transducers (3a, 3b) is transmitted from an output plane in a direction substantially orthogonal to the output plane. The apparatus also has a duct (6) associated with the one or more second transducers (5) and is arranged to conduct the signal generated by the one or more second transducers (5) such that it is transmitted along a direction substantially parallel to the output plane from a point spaced from the plane in the direction in which the signal generated by the one or more first transducers (3a, 3b) is transmitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Airsound LLP
    Inventor: Edward Stuart Fletcher
  • Patent number: 8724827
    Abstract: An audio system for a vehicle has at least one source of audio signals. At least one array of speaker elements is located at each seat position that radiates within a range of bass frequencies. For each at least one array, the speaker elements receive a common audio signal, and a respective filter is disposed between the common audio signal and each of the speaker elements. Each respective filter processes magnitude and phase of the common audio signal independently of each other respective filter to thereby define a directional audio radiation from the at least one array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Klaus Hartung, Paul B. Hultz
  • Patent number: 8705760
    Abstract: The active noise control device includes: a signal obtaining section that obtains an electric signal relating to the predetermined sound; a control section that adjusts an amplitude and a phase of the electric signal obtained by the signal obtaining section; a vibrating section having a diaphragm and a vibrator, the vibrator vibrating in accordance with an output from the control section. Because a sound radiated from the diaphragm toward the first region is substantially in opposite phase to that toward the second region, the control section controls the vibrator so that the diaphragm generates a sound that attenuates the predetermined sound in the first region, and causes the predetermined sound to have a desired frequency characteristic in the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Ko Mizuno
  • Patent number: 8634586
    Abstract: A ceiling-mounted loudspeaker includes a horn-shaped enclosure, an acoustic driver, and a front module. The tubular or horn-shaped enclosure carries a slanted woofer or loudspeaker driver which radiates into an angled or slanted first opening. The tubular enclosure terminates at bottom in a second, circular opening substantially parallel to a second plane, wherein the woofer's slanted plane is inclined with respect to the second plane. The slanted woofer can be oval and radiates sound through the enclosure's interior lumen and outwardly through ports defined in a substantially circular baffle carrying the front module and connected to the second opening. The baffle carries a midrange and tweeter near the ceiling where they can provide enhanced sound dispersion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Polk Audio, Inc.
    Inventors: Lowell J. Smith, Stuart W. Lumsden, Scott Orth
  • Patent number: 8620010
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a loudspeaker device, comprising first and second closely located and individually acoustically isolated loudspeaker elements. The first and second elements are arranged to receive a first signal and a second signal, respectively, at least part of said first signal being in anti-phase relative to said second signal. The device further includes third and fourth loudspeaker elements, being located in close proximity to said first and second loudspeaker elements, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Embracing Sound Experience AB
    Inventor: Fredrik Gunnarsson
  • Patent number: 8600533
    Abstract: A digital signal processing system and method transforms pairs of channels selected from a multichannel signal into the frequency domain. Vector operations are performed upon the frequency-domain data by which signal components unique to one of the input channels are routed to one of the output channels, signal components unique to the other of the input channels are routed to another of the output channels, and signal components common to both channels are routed to a third and optionally to a fourth output channel. The frequency-domain output channels are then transformed back into the time-domain, forming a plurality of time-domain output channels. The vector operations are performed in a manner that preserves the overall information content of the input data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Akita Blue, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Berchin
  • Patent number: 8571232
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for redeeming otherwise closed and concealed information contained in audio signals. An active circuit balances the ratio between in-phase and out-of-phase signals through the application of sum and difference signals and adjusts the ratio of gain in stereophonic signals as well as in monophonic and multichannel signal applications. This includes both the primary reference signal, and a plurality of redundant duplicate signals, substantially identical in all respects to the primary reference signal except in relation to magnitude and phase, for the purpose of unfolding, or opening the audio signal content. A pair of output signal levels approximates the golden ratio where the golden ratio is one plus the square root of five divided by two which gives an irrational number 1.618.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Inventor: Barry Stephen Goldfarb
  • Patent number: 8559661
    Abstract: A sound system comprises at least three audio driver arrangements (101, 103, 105) for emitting audio signals. The audio driver arrangements (101, 103, 105) are angled relative to each other to emit sound signals in different directions angled at least 45° apart. A driving unit (201, 203, 205) is provided for each audio driver arrangement (101, 103, 105) to generate a drive signal. The audio driver arrangements (103, 105) angled most relative to each other are arranged to emit audio signals being between 90° and 270° out of phase. The driving arrangement (201) for the third audio driver arrangement (101) has a varying phase response with a variation resulting in the emitted audio signal varying between a first phase interval proximal the signal emitted from a first of the other audio driver arrangements (103) and a second phase interval proximal to the signal emitted from the second of the other audio driver arrangements (105). The invention may e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Loic Bernard Tanghe