Abstract: An audio system for a vehicle having a plurality of seat positions includes, at each seat position, first and second directional loudspeaker arrays. Each array is driven by audio signals to radiate greater acoustic energy corresponding to the audio signals to the expected position of the head of a listener at a first seat position than to an expected position of the head of the listener at a second seat position. The first and second directional loudspeaker arrays comprise different numbers of acoustic drivers.

Abstract: A method for processing an audio signal is disclosed. The present invention includes obtaining a stereophonic audio signal including a speech component signal and other component signals, obtaining gain values for each channel of the audio signal, determining whether the audio signal is an inverse-phase mono signal including left and right channel whose phase is inverted, inverting a phase of the obtained gain value corresponding to the one channel of the audio signal when the audio signal is an inverse-phase mono signal, modifying the speech component signal based on the inverted phase of the gain value, and generating a modified audio signal including the modified speech component signal, wherein the modified audio signal is in-phase mono signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for reproducing sound from original source signals has a control device, a first speaker, and a second speaker. The control device receives first and second original source signals, and controls magnitudes and phases of the received first and second original source signals so that a sound pressure level in a pre-determined zone is higher than a sound pressure level in a zone other than the pre-determined zone, and outputs first and second controlled source signals. The first speaker receives the first controlled source signal and reproduces sound. The second speaker receives the second controlled source signal and reproduces sound. The apparatus according provides a sound environment in which only the person using the sound system enjoys the sound.

Abstract: A speaker array apparatus capable of performing directivity control with ease even when sound emission is performed based on audio signals of different frequency ranges. The speaker array apparatus includes a speaker unit for emitting high-frequency range sound, and another speaker unit for emitting low- and high-frequency range sound. A signal processed by a high pass filter is used for generation of both audio signals used by these speaker units to emit the high-frequency range sounds. Since both the audio signals are rotated in phase similarly to each other, the phases of audio signals supplied to both the speaker units are in coincidence with each other in high-frequency range, which makes it easy to carry out directivity control.

Abstract: Differential spacing of loudspeakers in an end fire array is employed to reduce beam spread and, where a ground barrier is present, to suppress any resultant back wave.

Abstract: A vehicle loudspeaker system in a vehicle including directional loudspeakers. One directional loudspeaker radiates sound at a first seating position and another loudspeaker radiates sound at a second seating position. The directional loudspeakers may be used with other vehicle loudspeakers to control spatial perceptions.

Abstract: A television includes a flat panel display device for presenting video images, a housing for supporting the flat panel display device, and a first acoustic volume located substantially (a) inside the housing, and (b) behind the display device. Two or more acoustic drivers are provided for acoustically energizing the acoustic volume. The drivers are positioned such that acoustic energy put into the acoustic volume from the drivers is substantially additive and vibrational energy from the drivers substantially cancels out.

Abstract: A media playback media playback apparatus having user-selectable shapes is disclosed. In accordance with the media playback apparatus having user-selectable shapes in accordance with the present invention, speakers are attached to a media playback unit via rotatable connecting means such that a user may select a shape of the media playback apparatus according to his or her preference.

Abstract: A method for processing an audio signal is disclosed. The present invention includes obtaining a plural-channel audio signal including a speech component signal and other component signals, obtaining gain of the audio signal, obtaining modification strength parameter determining the strength of the modification of the speech component signal, modifying the gain based on the modification strength parameter, and modifying the speech component signal based on the modified gain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for redeeming otherwise closed and concealed information contained in audio signals. 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 into layers that result in an omni-directional acoustic signal, representing the sound as it would behave in nature. The audio reproduction system uses an in-phase circuit and a separate phase layering technique circuit to drive independent multiple mixed channels, to produce an open, substantially complete sound from a discrete audio signal, for the purpose of enabling a substantially complete audio signal to be formed, or to transform existing incomplete audio signals into a substantially complete audio signal.

Abstract: A hand-held electronic device for producing stereo effect sound in both a first and a second orientation of the device. The first and second directions are perpendicular to each other. The device comprises a pair of loudspeakers spaced from each other in two directions perpendicular to each other. One direction always lies in a horizontal plane irrespective of whether the device is in its first or second orientation.

Abstract: A speaker device employing a diaphragm structure for providing high quality sound characteristics. In particular, a separate speaker unit is additionally provided so as to improve a resonator characteristic produced at the rear side of an existing speaker. As such, the rear sound arriving at an end of the resonator is dampened by the sound outputted from the additional speaker unit, thereby improving characteristics, such as clearness, total harmonic distortion, etc.

Abstract: A line array speaker provides highly uniform frequency response throughout a wide listening field, while also reducing distortion and improving fidelity, clarity, and output level. In a symmetrical embodiment, central apertures are straddled by a sequential pairs of sets of apertures. The straddling pairs emit frequencies in the next lower frequency band relative to the frequency band of the immediately preceding frequency band apertures. In an asymmetrical embodiment, sequential frequency bands are emitted by adjacent sets of apertures rather than straddling pairs of sets of apertures. Each of the apertures may be a loudspeaker cone, one or more straight slots, one or more arbitrarily curved slots, one or more arbitrarily angled slots, one or more holes or the mouth of a horn. The speaker may have a front baffle which is a flat panel or multiple facets arranged in one or multiple recesses across a front of the speaker.

Abstract: A speaker unit includes: two front-side driver units arranged adjacently on the left and right, and two rear-side driver units coupled to respective magnets of the front-side driver units back to back, the two front-side driver units and the two rear-side driver units being attached to a box-shaped mounting frame. One of the front-side driver units and one of the rear-side driver units output audio signals from a media resource, and the other front-side driver unit and the other rear-side driver unit output signals in anti-phase to the audio signals from the media resource.

Abstract: A communications system is disclosed that may incorporate a first platform and a second platform. The second platform may have a relative position with respect to the first platform, with at least one of the platforms being mobile. A communications subsystem is included that is adapted to modify a signal sent from the second platform to a user on the first platform that provides a spatial indication to the user as to a position of the second platform relative to the user.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for increasing a parametric output of a parametric loudspeaker system. The method can include the operation of providing multiple ultrasonic frequency emission zones that output signals in a frequency band. The phase relationships of the ultrasonic frequency emission zones can be correlated and controlled to increase phase coherence between each ultrasonic frequency emission zone to maximize parametric output. Correlating and controlling the phase relationships can include offsetting a frequency of a carrier signal applied to each emission zone from a resonant frequency of each emission zone in view of a rate of change of phase of each emission zone in a vicinity of each resonant frequency. Ultrasonic energy from the ultrasonic frequency emission zones can be generated, using the correlated phase relationship to increase the parametric output.

Abstract: A speaker system includes a cabinet, at least one speaker unit fixed to the cabinet, and a gas adsorbent which is situated inside the cabinet and which is made from a porous material. The speaker unit is configured with moisture-proof component parts. In the speaker system, a tubular structure which has a tubular hollow allows ventilation between an inside and an outside of the cabinet. A resonant frequency which is determined by an acoustic impedance of the tubular structure and an acoustic impedance of the cabinet is lower than a minimum resonant frequency of an acoustic impedance of the speaker system.

Abstract: A loudspeaker configuration capable of generating stereophonic sound separation from relatively loudspeaker drivers that are not necessarily widely separated. For example, such a loudspeaker configuration can be used to generate relatively good sound separation from a single chassis, such as a single speaker box, a boom box, a clock radio or the like. This can advantageously save space in many environments. One embodiment uses four mid-tweeter speaker drivers and a bass driver. The four mid-tweeter speaker drivers are arranged facing outward approximately 90 degrees apart from each other. A speaker driver facing the listener reproduces a mid channel signal, for example, L+R. A speaker driver facing away from the listener reproduces the same mid channel signal or a delayed version of the mid channel signal. A left facing speaker reproduces a side channel, for example, L?R. A right facing speaker reproduces a side channel, for example, R?L.

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.

Abstract: A speaker system includes an enclosure, a first speaker unit for low frequency and a plurality of second speaker units for high frequency. The enclosure includes a front plate portion which is a baffle plate and a rear plate portion. A length of the rear plate portion in a first direction perpendicular to a forward and backward direction is shorter than a length of the front plate portion in the first direction. The first speaker unit and the second speaker units are mounted to the front plate portion. The plurality of second speaker units are arranged in the first direction. Vibration plates of the plurality of second speaker units are located in the vicinity of the front plate portions in the forward and backward direction.

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.

Abstract: An audio system utilizes a method for detecting and adjusting a sound field effect thereof. The audio system includes a first speaker and a second speaker. The first speaker is used to emit a first sound signal, and the second speaker is used to emit a second sound signal. The method for adjusting the sound field effect includes the steps of detecting a specific position and adjusting the first speaker or the second speaker based on the specific position to focus the first sound signal and the second sound signal on the specific position.

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.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sound reinforcement for musical instruments. The method and apparatus re-direct sound waves via an open-sided chamber against a curved wall panel in such a way that the sound from a musical amplifier is reflected or altered in its course from a direction in which the microphone design has reduced sensitivity to a direction of maximum sensitivity and, typically, altering the direction of the sound from off-axis to on-axis into the microphone capsule.

Abstract: The sound reproducing apparatus for use with a signal source comprises, a first output unit connected to the signal source via a first power amplifier, a first phase shifter connected to the signal source, a second output unit connected to the first phase shifter via a second power amplifier, a second phase shifter connected to the signal source, a third output unit connected to the second phase shifter via a third power amplifier, a fourth phase shifter connected to a third phase shifter, and a fourth output unit connected to the fourth phase shifter via a fourth power amplifier, wherein the first output unit and the second output unit are in right and left relation with each other, the third output unit and the fourth output unit are in right and left relation with each other, a group of the first output unit and the second output unit and a group of the third output unit and the fourth output unit are in front and rear relation with each other. The vehicle is equipped with the sound reproducing apparatus.

Abstract: A sound reproduction system provided for in-vehicle use includes: a music signal source; a first group of a first transducer, a second transducer, a third transducer and a fourth transducer connected to the music signal source; a signal processor shifting the phase of first sound signals output from the music signal source; and a second group of a first transducer, a second transducer, a third transducer and a fourth transducers connected to the signal processor.

Abstract: Vehicle audio systems including directional loudspeakers, particularly directional arrays. An exemplary audio system for a vehicle includes a plurality of audio channels. The vehicle includes a first passenger position and a second passenger position ahead of the first passenger position. The audio system includes a first directional loudspeaker positioned ahead of the first passenger position and in back of the second passenger position, constructed and arranged to radiate directionally a first audio channel so that a direction toward the first passenger position is one of a low radiation direction and a high radiation direction and so that a direction toward the second passenger position is the other of a low radiation direction and a high radiation direction.

Abstract: Loudspeaker apparatus comprise commonly some sort of casings or assemblies, in which one or more single speakers are integrated and which are used to convert electrical signals into sound. A loudspeaker apparatus 1 for radiating sound in a hemisphere is disclosed having a center axis 9, the loudspeaker apparatus 1 comprising: a set of midrange drivers 6a, b, c, d, e, f, whereby the midrange drivers 6a, b, c, d, e, f are controlled and/or arranged in a Bessel configuration and are operable to provide a first acoustic field in the hemisphere, a set of tweeter drivers 7a, b, c, d adapted to provide a second acoustic field in the hemisphere, whereby the first and the second acoustic field are respectively arranged symmetrically, whereby the main sound emitting directions of the single tweeter drivers 7a, b, c, d are angled to the center axis 9.

Abstract: A highly compact loudspeaker system having a spherical housing produces time and phase coherent sound waves in an omnipresent manner throughout a spatial listening environment. Within is a relatively low frequency sound driver and a relatively high frequency sound driver. The spherical housing has upper and lower hemispherical halves. The upper half is hollow and has holes through its surface over most of its surface. The lower half forms a sound compression propagation vacuum chamber for the low frequency driver. Mounted within the lower half is a crossover network conventionally connected to the sound drivers. Acoustic foam lines the interior wall surface of the lower half. The low frequency sound driver is mounted inverted, into the open end of the lower half, and then sealed air tight, at a lowered atmospheric pressure, while the high frequency sound driver is mounted upwardly, affixed to the backside of the low frequency driver.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing data for wave field synthesis rendering in a wave field synthesis system with plurality of renderer modules, at least one loudspeaker being associated with each renderer module, and the loudspeakers associated with the renderer modules being attachable at different positions in a reproduction room, includes a provider for providing a plurality of audio files, wherein a virtual source at a source position is associated with an audio file, and a data output for providing the audio file to a renderer with which an active loudspeaker is associated, with the data output further formed to not provide the audio file to a renderer if all loudspeakers associated with the renderer are not to be active for the reproduction of the source. Thus, unnecessary data transmissions in the wave field synthesis system are avoided, while making optimum use of the renderer maximum capacity in a multi-renderer system.

Abstract: A speaker arrangement is described, suitable for improving the sound quality of a small size first speaker. The arrangement comprises a cavity, to which the first speaker is acoustically coupled. A second speaker is also acoustically coupled to the cavity, and the first and second speakers are excited in phase with each other. The first speaker may be an earphone speaker tuned to be held to a user's ear, whereas the second speaker may be a larger ring alert speaker with lower compliance than the first speaker, both of which are incorporated in the same mobile phone. By exciting the second speaker in phase with the first speaker, the second speaker will aid the smaller first speaker's reproduction of sound, particularly in the lower frequency range.

Abstract: Mobile terminals include a housing, an electronic circuit and a speaker assembly positioned in the housing. The speaker assembly includes a first speaker positioned adjacent a first side of the electronic circuit and a second speaker positioned adjacent the first speaker on the first side of the electronic circuit. A grommet may be positioned in the housing that is configured to receive the first speaker and the second speaker and the first speaker and the second speaker are positioned in the grommet. The first speaker can be a receiver speaker and the second speaker can be a micro-speaker.

Abstract: Power amplifies are provided to correspond with a plurality of speaker units constituting a speaker array. Driving signals from the power amplifies are supplied to one terminals of the speaker units, and other terminals are connected a common line. Inverters are provided at preceding stages of the power amplifies such that the driving signals supplied to the speaker units being arranged adjacently have an opposite phase respectively. Since a correlation between the driving signals of the adjacent speaker units is high, a current flowing through the common line can be very reduced. An LED display panel can be driven by the similar method.

Abstract: An audio signal supply apparatus which can broaden a listening area in the directions of directivity axes of acoustic beams output from a speaker array and directions other than the directions of the directivity axes. A listening area is set, propagation paths to be followed by sounds output from speakers constituting the speaker array until the sounds reach the listening area are identified, propagation path information related to the propagation paths is obtained, window function information giving wide directivities covering the entire listening area to the sounds output from the speakers is identified based on the propagation path information and the listening area size, and weighting on the signal levels of audio signals to be supplied to the speakers is carried out using the window function information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating a third signal channel from an input signal received in each of a first and second channel involves inverting a predetermined frequency range of signals in the first channel out of phase with a corresponding frequency range of signals in the second channel. Thereafter, the inverted signal in the first channel and the corresponding frequency signal in the second channel may be communicated to a speaker, which is bridged across the first and second channels, as the third signal channel. This speaker produces sound corresponding to the difference (i.e., the frequency range determined by the predetermined bandwidth of the inverted signal) between the inverted signal in the first channel and the corresponding frequency signal in the second channel.

Abstract: A speaker includes a housing; a support assembly installed on the lower end of the housing to support the housing; at least one first speaker unit installed in the housing to reproduce a sound signal; and a second speaker unit installed in the support assembly to reproduce a sound signal which belongs to a low sound band. Openings are defined through both sides of the support assembly to transmit to the outside sound reproduced by the second speaker unit. A guide cone is provided to the lower end of the support assembly to guide sound toward the openings. The speaker unit can be installed in a baffle which is supported at the opened front end of the housing to be rotated about a vertical axis. Through rotating the baffle, the speaker unit can be actually rotated within a predetermined range to change a sound transmission direction.

Abstract: A control user interface for laundry appliances, such as a clothes dryer or washing machine, enables a user to control multiple modes of operation and a variable associated with at least one mode of operation by manipulating a single control element. In one arrangement, the variable is time and multiple time increments are associated with at least one mode of operation. One embodiment includes a rotatable single control knob. Upon detecting the rotation of the control knob, a determination is made whether the currently selected operation mode has associated operation times to be presented to the user. If no associated operation times are presented, the user interface display is updated to reflect the next mode of operation. The operation mode and operation times may be part of different display region within the dryer control user interface.

Abstract: A method and system for surround sound beam-forming using the overlapping portion of driver frequency ranges provides a low cost alternative to present external surround array systems. The overlapping frequency range of a pair of speaker drivers, generally a low-frequency and a high-frequency driver, is supplied with a surround channel information in a controlled phase relationship such that the surround channel information is propagated in a directivity pattern substantially differing from that of main channel information supplied to the low and high frequency drivers. The main channel information is generally directed at a listening area, while the surround channel information is directed away from the listening area so that the surround channel information is heard as a diffuse reflected field. An electronic network provides for control of the surround channel phase relationship and combining of main and surround signals via either an active or passive circuit.

Abstract: A portable spa including an audio system designed to use the spa shell as the sound generating device. Transducer devices are mounted within an enclosure which is bonded to the spa shell so as couple the sound vibration energy to the shell so that sound can be heard when using the spa.

Abstract: A loudspeaker system with three loudspeakers (LF, LR, LB), includes a first and a second amplifier (BF, BR), each of which amplifies a channel of an audio signal. The outputs of the amplifiers (FDA, FIA; RDA, RIA) are in phase opposition, wherein the outputs of the amplifiers (RDA, FIA; RDA, FIA) are each connected to the inputs of the first and second loudspeakers (LF, LR). The outputs of the amplifiers (RDA, FIA; RDA, FIA) are also connected to the inputs of the third loudspeaker (LB). A high-pass filter (HP) and a low-pass filter (TP), which are used to partition the audio signal, are connected in parallel. As the amplifiers, bridge output stages (BF, BR) are provided. The output of the high-pass filter (HPA) is connected to the inputs of the two bridge output stages (BF, BR). An inverter (IF, IR) is provided in each case between the output of the high-pass filter (HPA) and one of the inputs of the bridge output stages (BF, BR).

Abstract: Communication systems and apparatus to allow a user to perceive the relative spatial location or present position of other elements of interest in a control space, such as the location of a speaker participating in a telephone conference or that of an aircraft carrier to a remotely piloted vehicle on final approach. The system inserts synthetic sound cues into the communication to the user that represent the relative position(s). In one embodiment, the user will perceive the communication as though it were communicated through free space to the user from the relative position of the represented source, so that, for example, the squad leader will perceive his wingman to be at his immediate left. Methods of conveying relative position sound cues are also provided.

Abstract: A sound device for carrying out a homogenous sound cover for a public addressed area includes an electroacoustic source network (1), wherein each electroacoustic source (1) diffuses a version delayed by a delay (3), filtered by a filter (4) and amplified by the device input signal amplifier (5). The network is substantially rectilinear and vertical, angles ? which are formed by the emitting axes of the electroacoustic sources (1) and a normal to the network are selected such that ?n>?n?1, wherein n is the index of the electroacoustic sources (1) numbered in ascending order from the top of the device to the bottom thereof and the delays (3) interact with the angles ? in such a way that the device generates a wavefront (6) whose shape corresponds to the desired sound cover of the public addressed area.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating low frequency acoustic signals in a vehicle having an instrument panel is described. The apparatus includes a baffle that is located at least partially within the instrument panel. An electroacoustical transducer is mechanically coupled to the baffle. The electroacoustical transducer generates low frequency acoustic signals that radiate into a cavity within the instrument panel and leak into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Abstract: Electroacoustical apparatus includes at least first and second acoustically coupled electroacoustical drivers. An electrical network couples their inputs so that an electrical drive signal applied to one reduces the effect of acoustic coupling from that one to the other.

Abstract: The loudspeaker has a first pair of drivers arranged in a line, a center point along the line, wherein the pair of drivers are substantially centered about the center point with a center to center distance, d0, between the drivers in the first pair of drivers, whereby the maximum frequency with out high amplitude side lobes is equal to c/2d0, and at least a subsequent pair of drivers arranged in the line array with the first pair of drivers and substantially centered about the center point, wherein the subsequent pair of drivers are spaced such that the center to center distance between each driver in the subsequent pair, dn, is equal to 4nd0, where n=0 at the innermost pair of drivers and n increases by 1 with each pair of drivers sequentially added. Each pair of drivers for n>0 has a first order low pass filter with a frequency equal to 2c/dn.

Abstract: Communication systems and apparatus to allow a user to perceive the relative spatial location or present position of other elements of interest in a control space, such as the location of a speaker participating in a telephone conference or that of an aircraft carrier to a remotely piloted vehicle on final approach. The system inserts synthetic sound cues into the communication to the user that represent the relative postion(s). In one embodiment, the user will perceive the communication as though it were communicated through free space to the user from the relative position of the represented source, so that, for example, the squad leader will perceive his wingman to be at his immediate left. Methods of conveying relative position sound cues are also provided.

Abstract: A sound-amplification apparatus comprises: an acoustic signal source for outputting an acoustic signal; an amplified sound source for receiving the acoustic signal from the acoustic signal source and radiating an amplified sound; a control sound source provided in a vicinity of the amplified sound source for radiating a control sound; and signal processing means for producing a control sound signal by controlling at least one of an amplitude and a phase of the acoustic signal from the acoustic signal source so that an acoustic space having a desired directionality is formed by interference between the amplified sound and the control sound, and providing the control sound signal to the control sound source.

Abstract: A sound reproduction device of the present invention includes: a first loudspeaker; a second loudspeaker; a first loudspeaker drive section for driving the first and second loudspeakers, the first loudspeaker drive section drives the first and second loudspeakers at substantially the same phase in a first frequency band, and the first loudspeaker drive section drives the first and second loudspeakers at substantially inverse phase and substantially different amplitude levels in a second frequency band higher than the first frequency band.

Abstract: Mobile terminals include a housing, an electronic circuit and a speaker assembly positioned in the housing. The speaker assembly includes a first speaker positioned adjacent a first side of the electronic circuit and a second speaker positioned adjacent the first speaker on the first side of the electronic circuit. A grommet may be positioned in the housing that is configured to receive the first speaker and the second speaker and the first speaker and the second speaker are positioned in the grommet. The first speaker can be a receiver speaker and the second speaker can be a micro-speaker.

Abstract: A dual diaphragm speaker comprising first and second diaphragms operating in accordance with the piezoelectric effect, the diaphragms being arranged to be driven in opposite phase with respect to one another so as to cancel out non-linearities. The speaker is made transparent and mounted over the display panel of a mobile telephone.