USRE41384E1 - Dipole speaker headrests - Google Patents

Dipole speaker headrests Download PDF

Info

Publication number
USRE41384E1
USRE41384E1 US12/430,617 US43061709A USRE41384E US RE41384 E1 USRE41384 E1 US RE41384E1 US 43061709 A US43061709 A US 43061709A US RE41384 E USRE41384 E US RE41384E
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
mounting
loudspeaker
acoustic transducer
pathway
opposed
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US12/430,617
Inventor
William Neal House
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Harman International Industries Inc
Original Assignee
Harman International Industries Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Harman International Industries Inc filed Critical Harman International Industries Inc
Priority to US12/430,617 priority Critical patent/USRE41384E1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of USRE41384E1 publication Critical patent/USRE41384E1/en
Assigned to JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT reassignment JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Assignors: HARMAN BECKER AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GMBH, HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
Assigned to HARMAN BECKER AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GMBH, HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED reassignment HARMAN BECKER AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GMBH RELEASE Assignors: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R5/00—Stereophonic arrangements
    • H04R5/02—Spatial or constructional arrangements of loudspeakers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R5/00—Stereophonic arrangements
    • H04R5/02—Spatial or constructional arrangements of loudspeakers
    • H04R5/023—Spatial or constructional arrangements of loudspeakers in a chair, pillow

Definitions

  • This invention relates to sound systems. It is disclosed in the context of a loudspeaker mounting for a vehicle, but is believed to be useful in other contexts as well.
  • a sound reproduction unit comprises a central, head receiving portion, and opposite first and second ends having opposed front and back surfaces. Means are provided for mounting a first acoustic transducer within the first end. Further means are provided for mounting a second acoustic transducer within the second end.
  • Additional means provide between the first acoustic transducer and the front surface of the first end a first acoustically substantially transparent pathway, between the first acoustic transducer and the back surface of the first end a second acoustically substantially transparent pathway, between the second acoustic transducer and the front surface of the second end a third acoustically substantially transparent pathway, and between the second acoustic transducer and the back surface of the second end a fourth acoustically substantially transparent pathway.
  • the first transducer comprises a first loudspeaker having opposed first front and second rear radiating surfaces.
  • the first pathway is defined between the first radiating surface and the front of the first end and the second pathway is defined between the second radiating surface and the back of the first end.
  • the second transducer comprises a second loudspeaker having opposed third front and fourth rear radiating surfaces.
  • the third pathway is defined between the third radiating surface and the front of the second end and the fourth pathway is defined between the fourth radiating surface and the back of the second end.
  • the head receiving portion defines a first longitudinal axis and the first end defines a second longitudinal axis, and the first and second axes define between them an angle ⁇ greater than 0° and less than or equal to 90°.
  • the second end defines a third longitudinal axis, and the first and third axes define between them an angle ⁇ greater than 0° and less than or equal to 90°.
  • the sound reproduction unit further comprises means for mounting the unit on an automotive vehicle seat.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a vehicle headrest incorporating the invention
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a top plan view of an aspect of a vehicle sound system incorporating headrests according to FIG. 1 in a typical passenger car layout
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a side elevational view of an aspect of a vehicle sound system incorporating headrests according to FIGS. 1-2 in a typical passenger car layout.
  • an automotive vehicle 18 headrest 20 for use on the driver's and front seat passenger's seats includes a central head-receiving region 22 and left and right wings 24 , 26 , respectively, which project outwardly from the opposite left and right ends 28 , 30 , respectively, of region 22 and somewhat forwardly therefrom at angles ⁇ and ⁇ to the longitudinal extent of central region 22 , 0° ⁇ 90°, 0° ⁇ 90°.
  • angles ⁇ and ⁇ are illustrated as being substantially the same, these angles may be different from each other and typically are dictated by, inter alia, the internal dimensions of the vehicle 18 listening environment in accordance with the below explained principles.
  • appropriate mounting(s) 32 extend(s) downwardly from the bottom 34 of central region 22 for engagement by a complementary mounting 36 in the upper back 38 of each of the driver's and front seat passenger's seats.
  • the wings 24 , 26 are provided with separate moving coil loudspeakers 40 , 42 , respectively, which are mounted in appropriate baffles 43 and are coupled to the left and right channels 44 , 46 , respectively, of the sound system 48 with which the vehicle 18 is equipped by appropriate conductors 50 .
  • the covering 52 with which the headrests 20 are upholstered is provided with left and right forward vents 54 , 56 , respectively, which are acoustically substantially transparent to the program material reproduced by loudspeakers 40 , 42 , as is conventional in the prior art.
  • rearwardly facing left and right vents 58 , 60 also provided in headrests 20 to vent the rearward sides of loudspeakers 40 , 42 . Vents 58 , 60 are also upholstered with material which is acoustically substantially transparent to the program material being reproduced by loudspeakers 40 , 42 .
  • each of the driver 62 and front seat passenger 64 will receive at his left ear 66 substantially only the signal reproduced by loudspeaker 40 and will receive at his right ear 68 substantially only the signal reproduced by loudspeaker 42 .
  • the left and right rear seat passengers 69 , 71 will also, by virtue of vents 58 , 60 , receive at their left ears 66 substantially only the signals reproduced by their respective loudspeakers 40 and at their right ears 68 substantially only the signals reproduced by their loudspeakers 42 .
  • These signals will be 180° out of phase with the signals from loudspeakers 40 , 42 reaching the ears 66 , 68 , respectively, of the driver 62 and front seat passenger 64 .
  • passenger 70 will also be directly exposed to the separated, reproduced left loudspeaker 40 and right loudspeaker 42 signals, although these signals will be 180° out of phase with the same signals as heard by the driver 62 and front seat passenger 64 .
  • the signal from the back of the left loudspeaker 40 of the front seat passenger 64 's headrest 20 will impinge upon the rear middle seat passenger 70 's right ear 68 and the signal from the back of the right loudspeaker 42 of the driver 62 's headrest 20 will impinge upon the rear middle seat passenger 70 's left ear 66 .
  • the driver 62 hears the right signal, R, in his right ear 68 and the left signal L in his left ear 66 ;
  • the front seat passenger 64 hears the right signal, R, in his right ear 68 and the left signal L in his left ear 66 ;
  • the left and right rear passengers 69 , 71 respectively, hear the negative of the right signal, ⁇ R, in their respective right ears 68 and the negative of the left signal, ⁇ L, in their respective left ears 66 , owing to the 180° phase reversal of the back radiated signals from loudspeakers 40 , 42 .
  • the rear middle seat passenger 70 will hear the negative of the right signal, ⁇ R, in his left ear 66 , and the negative of the left signal, ⁇ L, in his right ear 68 .

Abstract

A sound reproduction unit comprises a central, head receiving portion and opposite first and second ends. The first and second ends have opposed front and back surfaces. A first acoustic transducer is mounted within the first end and a second acoustic transducer is mounted within the second end. First, second, third and fourth acoustically substantially transparent pathways are provided between the first transducer and the front surface of the first end, the first transducer and the back surface of the first end, the second transducer and the front surface of the second end, and between the second transducer and the back surface of the second end, respectively.

Description

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to sound systems. It is disclosed in the context of a loudspeaker mounting for a vehicle, but is believed to be useful in other contexts as well.
In the field of sound systems, numerous proposals have been made to mount system components, for example, loudspeakers in seat headrests. There are, for example, the systems disclosed in the following U.S. Pat. Nos.: 2,452,103; 2,501,993; 2,527,656; 2,908,766; 3,156,500; 3,385,393; 3,512,605; 3,944,020; 3,976,162; 4,027,112; 4,038,499; 4,042,791; 4,310,307; 4,440,443; 4,490,842; 4,565,405; 4,638,884; 4,696,370; 4,797,934; 4,991,222; 5,482,352; D277,630; and, D361,674; and British Patent Specification 827,306. There are also the systems disclosed in the following U.S. Pat. Nos.: 2,710,662; 3,918,551; 4,025,724; 4,289,936; 5,191,177; 5,199,075; and, 5,301,237.
A sound reproduction unit comprises a central, head receiving portion, and opposite first and second ends having opposed front and back surfaces. Means are provided for mounting a first acoustic transducer within the first end. Further means are provided for mounting a second acoustic transducer within the second end. Additional means provide between the first acoustic transducer and the front surface of the first end a first acoustically substantially transparent pathway, between the first acoustic transducer and the back surface of the first end a second acoustically substantially transparent pathway, between the second acoustic transducer and the front surface of the second end a third acoustically substantially transparent pathway, and between the second acoustic transducer and the back surface of the second end a fourth acoustically substantially transparent pathway.
According to an illustrative embodiment, the first transducer comprises a first loudspeaker having opposed first front and second rear radiating surfaces. The first pathway is defined between the first radiating surface and the front of the first end and the second pathway is defined between the second radiating surface and the back of the first end. The second transducer comprises a second loudspeaker having opposed third front and fourth rear radiating surfaces. The third pathway is defined between the third radiating surface and the front of the second end and the fourth pathway is defined between the fourth radiating surface and the back of the second end.
Further according to an illustrative embodiment, the head receiving portion defines a first longitudinal axis and the first end defines a second longitudinal axis, and the first and second axes define between them an angle α greater than 0° and less than or equal to 90°.
Additionally according to an illustrative embodiment, the second end defines a third longitudinal axis, and the first and third axes define between them an angle β greater than 0° and less than or equal to 90°.
According to an illustrative embodiment, the sound reproduction unit further comprises means for mounting the unit on an automotive vehicle seat.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention may best be understood by referring to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings which illustrate the invention. In the drawings:
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a vehicle headrest incorporating the invention;
FIG. 2 illustrates a top plan view of an aspect of a vehicle sound system incorporating headrests according to FIG. 1 in a typical passenger car layout; and,
FIG. 3 illustrates a side elevational view of an aspect of a vehicle sound system incorporating headrests according to FIGS. 1-2 in a typical passenger car layout.
 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT
Referring now to FIG. 1, an automotive vehicle 18 headrest 20 for use on the driver's and front seat passenger's seats includes a central head-receiving region 22 and left and right wings 24, 26, respectively, which project outwardly from the opposite left and right ends 28, 30, respectively, of region 22 and somewhat forwardly therefrom at angles α and β to the longitudinal extent of central region 22, 0°≦α≦90°, 0°≦β≦90°. Although angles α and β are illustrated as being substantially the same, these angles may be different from each other and typically are dictated by, inter alia, the internal dimensions of the vehicle 18 listening environment in accordance with the below explained principles. (An) appropriate mounting(s) 32 extend(s) downwardly from the bottom 34 of central region 22 for engagement by a complementary mounting 36 in the upper back 38 of each of the driver's and front seat passenger's seats.
The wings 24, 26 are provided with separate moving coil loudspeakers 40, 42, respectively, which are mounted in appropriate baffles 43 and are coupled to the left and right channels 44, 46, respectively, of the sound system 48 with which the vehicle 18 is equipped by appropriate conductors 50. The covering 52 with which the headrests 20 are upholstered is provided with left and right forward vents 54, 56, respectively, which are acoustically substantially transparent to the program material reproduced by loudspeakers 40, 42, as is conventional in the prior art. In addition, rearwardly facing left and right vents 58, 60 also provided in headrests 20 to vent the rearward sides of loudspeakers 40, 42. Vents 58, 60 are also upholstered with material which is acoustically substantially transparent to the program material being reproduced by loudspeakers 40, 42.
Referring to FIGS. 2-3, it will be appreciated that each of the driver 62 and front seat passenger 64 will receive at his left ear 66 substantially only the signal reproduced by loudspeaker 40 and will receive at his right ear 68 substantially only the signal reproduced by loudspeaker 42. The left and right rear seat passengers 69, 71, respectively, will also, by virtue of vents 58, 60, receive at their left ears 66 substantially only the signals reproduced by their respective loudspeakers 40 and at their right ears 68 substantially only the signals reproduced by their loudspeakers 42. These signals will be 180° out of phase with the signals from loudspeakers 40, 42 reaching the ears 66, 68, respectively, of the driver 62 and front seat passenger 64.
In addition, should a passenger 70 be occupying the middle position of the rear seat, passenger 70 will also be directly exposed to the separated, reproduced left loudspeaker 40 and right loudspeaker 42 signals, although these signals will be 180° out of phase with the same signals as heard by the driver 62 and front seat passenger 64. In addition, the signal from the back of the left loudspeaker 40 of the front seat passenger 64 's headrest 20 will impinge upon the rear middle seat passenger 70's right ear 68 and the signal from the back of the right loudspeaker 42 of the driver 62 's headrest 20 will impinge upon the rear middle seat passenger 70's left ear 66. To summarize then: the driver 62 hears the right signal, R, in his right ear 68 and the left signal L in his left ear 66; the front seat passenger 64 hears the right signal, R, in his right ear 68 and the left signal L in his left ear 66; the left and right rear passengers 69, 71, respectively, hear the negative of the right signal, −R, in their respective right ears 68 and the negative of the left signal, −L, in their respective left ears 66, owing to the 180° phase reversal of the back radiated signals from loudspeakers 40, 42. Finally, the rear middle seat passenger 70 will hear the negative of the right signal, −R, in his left ear 66, and the negative of the left signal, −L, in his right ear 68.
Thus, although there will be phase reversal for the rear seat passengers 69, 70, 71, and the middle rear seat passenger 70 will hear the left program material (−L) in his right ear 68 and the right program material (−R) in his left ear 66, separation between the left and right channels will be substantially maintained for all of listeners 62, 64, 69, 70, 71. And, because of the relatively close, substantially ear-level spacing of the loudspeakers 40, 42 to all of the listeners 62, 64, 69, 70, 71 and particularly to the front seat listeners 62, 64, direct radiated program material will predominate substantially over longer path (echo and the like) program material, and so crosstalk and head related transfer functions should not contribute substantial ambiguity to, or otherwise degrade substantially, the separation and localization of the left and right sound sources by the listeners 62, 64, 69, 70, 71.

Claims (12)

1. A sound reproduction unit comprising a central, head receiving portion, opposite first and second ends, the first end having opposed front and back surfaces, the second end having opposed front and back surfaces, means for mounting within the first end a first acoustic transducer loudspeaker having opposed first front and second rear radiating surfaces, means for mounting within the second end a second acoustic transducer loudspeaker having opposed third front and fourth rear radiating surfaces, a first port connecting the first acoustic transducer loudspeaker and the front surface of the first end to provide a first acoustically substantially transparent pathway between the first front radiating surface and the front surface of the first end, a second port connecting the first acoustic transducer loudspeaker and the back surface of the first end to provide a second acoustically substantially transparent pathway between the second rear radiating surface and the back surface of the first end, a third port connecting the second acoustic transducer loudspeaker and the front surface of the second end to provide a third acoustically substantially transparent pathway between the third front radiating surface and the front surface of the second end, and a fourth port connecting the second acoustic transducer loudspeaker and the back surface of the second end to provide a fourth acoustically substantially transparent pathway between the fourth rear radiating surface and the rear surface of the second end.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first transducer comprises a first loudspeaker having opposed first front and second rear radiating surfaces, the front pathway defined between the first radiating surface and the front of the first end and the second pathway defined between the second radiating surface and the back of the first end, the second transducer comprises a second loudspeaker having opposed third front and fourth rear radiating surfaces, the third pathway defined between the third radiating surface and the front of the second end and the fourth pathway defined between the fourth radiating surface and the back of the second end.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the head receiving portion defines a first longitudinal axis and the first end defines a second longitudinal axis, and the first and second axes define between them a first angle greater than 0° and less than or equal to 90°.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the second end defines a third longitudinal axis and the first and third axes define between them a second angle greater than 0° and less than or equal to 90°.
5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the head receiving portion defines a first longitudinal axis and the first end defines a second longitudinal axis, and the first and second axes define between them a first angle greater than 0° and less than or equal to 90°.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the second end defines a third longitudinal axis and the first and third axes define between them a second angle greater than 0° and less than or equal to 90°.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising means for mounting the unit on an automotive vehicle seat.
8. The apparatus of claim 2 and further comprising means for mounting the unit on an automotive vehicle seat.
9. The apparatus of claim 3 and further comprising means for mounting the unit on an automotive vehicle seat.
10. The apparatus of claim 4 and further comprising means for mounting the unit on an automotive vehicle seat.
11. The apparatus of claim 5 and further comprising means for mounting the unit on an automotive vehicle seat.
12. The apparatus of claim 6 and further comprising means for mounting the unit on an automotive vehicle seat.
US12/430,617 1996-08-07 2009-04-27 Dipole speaker headrests Expired - Lifetime USRE41384E1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/430,617 USRE41384E1 (en) 1996-08-07 2009-04-27 Dipole speaker headrests

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/693,399 US5887071A (en) 1996-08-07 1996-08-07 Dipole speaker headrests
US12/430,617 USRE41384E1 (en) 1996-08-07 2009-04-27 Dipole speaker headrests

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US08/693,399 Reissue US5887071A (en) 1996-08-07 1996-08-07 Dipole speaker headrests

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
USRE41384E1 true USRE41384E1 (en) 2010-06-22

Family

ID=24784489

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US08/693,399 Ceased US5887071A (en) 1996-08-07 1996-08-07 Dipole speaker headrests
US12/430,617 Expired - Lifetime USRE41384E1 (en) 1996-08-07 2009-04-27 Dipole speaker headrests

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US08/693,399 Ceased US5887071A (en) 1996-08-07 1996-08-07 Dipole speaker headrests

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (2) US5887071A (en)
EP (1) EP0988771B1 (en)
JP (1) JP3760447B2 (en)
AU (1) AU717216B2 (en)
BR (1) BR9711821A (en)
CA (1) CA2262927A1 (en)
DE (2) DE988771T1 (en)
WO (1) WO1998006232A1 (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20090257616A1 (en) * 2008-04-15 2009-10-15 Sony Corporation Speaker system
US20100254557A1 (en) * 2009-04-06 2010-10-07 Creative Technology Ltd Sound reproduction apparatus for varying sound transmission and a corresponding method thereof
US9428090B2 (en) * 2014-08-07 2016-08-30 Bose Corporation Headrest with speakers and method for manufacturing headrest cushion member
US10994643B2 (en) 2017-08-04 2021-05-04 Harman International Industries, Incorporated Headrest with speakers

Families Citing this family (55)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19751920A1 (en) * 1997-11-22 1999-05-27 Pvt Praezisions Verbindungstec Electroacoustic transducer
US7050593B1 (en) * 1999-08-25 2006-05-23 Lear Corporation Vehicular audio system and electromagnetic transducer assembly for use therein
US7853025B2 (en) * 1999-08-25 2010-12-14 Lear Corporation Vehicular audio system including a headliner speaker, electromagnetic transducer assembly for use therein and computer system programmed with a graphic software control for changing the audio system's signal level and delay
US7424127B1 (en) 2000-03-21 2008-09-09 Bose Corporation Headrest surround channel electroacoustical transducing
US6804565B2 (en) * 2001-05-07 2004-10-12 Harman International Industries, Incorporated Data-driven software architecture for digital sound processing and equalization
US7684577B2 (en) * 2001-05-28 2010-03-23 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Vehicle-mounted stereophonic sound field reproducer
US6571907B2 (en) 2001-09-11 2003-06-03 The Jennings Company Portable acoustic hearing enhancement device
JP4019952B2 (en) * 2002-01-31 2007-12-12 株式会社デンソー Sound output device
JP3880865B2 (en) * 2002-02-08 2007-02-14 パイオニア株式会社 Chair with speaker
US7218745B2 (en) * 2002-12-23 2007-05-15 Lear Corporation Headliner transducer covers
US7077405B2 (en) * 2003-01-17 2006-07-18 Stacie Akpom Stroller with CD player
US8668045B2 (en) * 2003-03-10 2014-03-11 Daniel E. Cohen Sound and vibration transmission pad and system
US7553288B2 (en) * 2003-03-10 2009-06-30 Cohen Daniel E Sound and vibration transmission pad and system
US9949004B2 (en) * 2003-03-10 2018-04-17 Daniel E. Cohen Sound and vibration transmission device
JP4523640B2 (en) * 2005-03-30 2010-08-11 パイオニア株式会社 Speaker built-in seat and personal sound field system
JP4935091B2 (en) * 2005-05-13 2012-05-23 ソニー株式会社 Sound reproduction method and sound reproduction system
US7607512B2 (en) * 2005-08-23 2009-10-27 Ronald Paul Harwood Speaker assembly for a structural pole and a method for mounting same
US7688992B2 (en) 2005-09-12 2010-03-30 Richard Aylward Seat electroacoustical transducing
US8090116B2 (en) * 2005-11-18 2012-01-03 Holmi Douglas J Vehicle directional electroacoustical transducing
JP4359779B2 (en) * 2006-01-23 2009-11-04 ソニー株式会社 Sound reproduction apparatus and sound reproduction method
JP2007251895A (en) * 2006-03-20 2007-09-27 Clarion Co Ltd Acoustic device incorporated in vehicle seat
JP4802824B2 (en) * 2006-04-04 2011-10-26 トヨタ自動車株式会社 Noise control structure
US8724827B2 (en) * 2007-05-04 2014-05-13 Bose Corporation System and method for directionally radiating sound
US20080273722A1 (en) * 2007-05-04 2008-11-06 Aylward J Richard Directionally radiating sound in a vehicle
US8483413B2 (en) * 2007-05-04 2013-07-09 Bose Corporation System and method for directionally radiating sound
US8325936B2 (en) * 2007-05-04 2012-12-04 Bose Corporation Directionally radiating sound in a vehicle
US9950793B2 (en) 2009-10-02 2018-04-24 Dennis A Tracy Loudspeaker system
US9555890B2 (en) * 2009-10-02 2017-01-31 Dennis A Tracy Loudspeaker system
KR101573830B1 (en) 2010-07-30 2015-12-02 프라운호퍼 게젤샤프트 쭈르 푀르데룽 데어 안겐반텐 포르슝 에. 베. Vehicle with sound wave reflector
US9088842B2 (en) 2013-03-13 2015-07-21 Bose Corporation Grille for electroacoustic transducer
US9327628B2 (en) 2013-05-31 2016-05-03 Bose Corporation Automobile headrest
US9699537B2 (en) 2014-01-14 2017-07-04 Bose Corporation Vehicle headrest with speakers
US9440566B2 (en) * 2014-12-05 2016-09-13 Bose Corporation Lightweight acoustic enclosures
CN105188003B (en) * 2015-09-30 2018-09-11 歌尔股份有限公司 A kind of loud speaker module
US9967672B2 (en) 2015-11-11 2018-05-08 Clearmotion Acquisition I Llc Audio system
US9756408B2 (en) * 2016-01-25 2017-09-05 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Integrated sound system
US9776543B2 (en) 2016-01-25 2017-10-03 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Integrated independent thigh supports
US10035442B2 (en) 2016-01-25 2018-07-31 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Adjustable upper seatback module
US10052990B2 (en) 2016-01-25 2018-08-21 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Extended seatback module head restraint attachment
US10239432B2 (en) * 2016-03-17 2019-03-26 Bose Corporation Acoustic output through headrest wings
CN115284990A (en) * 2016-10-28 2022-11-04 伯斯有限公司 Back speaker with acoustic channel
US10715895B2 (en) 2017-04-20 2020-07-14 Dennis A. Tracy Loudspeaker system
GB201721127D0 (en) * 2017-12-18 2018-01-31 Pss Belgium Nv Dipole loudspeaker for producing sound at bass frequencies
US11178488B2 (en) 2017-12-20 2021-11-16 Sony Corporation Acoustic device
US10926678B2 (en) * 2017-12-21 2021-02-23 Bose Corporation Headrest speakers with asymmetric radiation patterns
WO2019139103A1 (en) * 2018-01-12 2019-07-18 ソニー株式会社 Acoustic device
GB201805523D0 (en) 2018-04-04 2018-05-16 Pss Belgium Nv Loudspeaker unit
US20200247295A1 (en) * 2019-02-04 2020-08-06 GM Global Technology Operations LLC Vehicle head restraint incorporating speakers
US11535136B2 (en) * 2019-03-08 2022-12-27 Harman International Industries, Incorporated Headrest with integrated nose and loudspeaker enclosure
GB201907267D0 (en) * 2019-05-23 2019-07-10 Pss Belgium Nv Loudspeaker
DE102019218889A1 (en) 2019-12-04 2021-06-10 Lear Corporation Sound system
KR102359742B1 (en) * 2020-05-15 2022-02-08 박재범 Element for chair comprising multi channel sound system for chair and chair comprising the same
KR102378865B1 (en) * 2020-06-16 2022-03-25 박재범 Element implementing multi channel sound system for chair and chair comprising the same
WO2022039539A1 (en) * 2020-08-21 2022-02-24 박재범 Chair provided with multi-channel sound system
WO2023083711A1 (en) * 2021-11-10 2023-05-19 Pss Belgium Nv Loudspeaker assembly for headrest

Citations (68)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2452103A (en) 1946-04-15 1948-10-26 Julius A Conradt Headrest
US2501993A (en) 1946-12-10 1950-03-28 Richard J Conradt Chair attachment device
US2527656A (en) 1947-04-10 1950-10-31 Murray A Reinsdorf Combination headrest and earphones
US2710662A (en) 1948-12-23 1955-06-14 Armour Res Found Sound projection system
US2802906A (en) 1953-08-14 1957-08-13 Goldenberg Vehicular electromagnetic sound recording and reproducing system
US2908766A (en) 1956-08-21 1959-10-13 Gordon N Taylor Individual sound system for passenger vehicles
GB827306A (en) 1956-10-23 1960-02-03 Harrods Ltd A loud speaker device
US3156500A (en) 1963-01-14 1964-11-10 Kenneth C Kerr Dental chair component
US3385393A (en) 1967-09-15 1968-05-28 Pacific Internat Plastics Headrest and speaker apparatus
US3512605A (en) 1967-08-31 1970-05-19 David D Mccorkle Stereo speaker headrest for an automobile seat
US3556088A (en) 1968-07-01 1971-01-19 Ida M Leonardini Therapeutic chair
US3880152A (en) 1973-07-16 1975-04-29 Ryotaro Nohmura Device for health promotion
US3918551A (en) 1974-10-21 1975-11-11 Rizo Patron Alfonso Speaker system
US3944020A (en) 1974-07-17 1976-03-16 Ronald Leroy Brown Speaker headrest for motor vehicles
US3976162A (en) 1975-04-07 1976-08-24 Lawrence Peska Associates, Inc. Personal speaker system
US4020284A (en) 1975-10-22 1977-04-26 Shaymar, Inc. Speaker system
US4023566A (en) 1975-10-10 1977-05-17 Martinmaas Werner W Body-supporting means with adjustable vibratory means in the audible frequency range
US4025724A (en) 1975-08-12 1977-05-24 Westinghouse Electric Corporation Noise cancellation apparatus
US4027112A (en) 1974-12-20 1977-05-31 Blaupunkt-Werke Gmbh Head-rest and loudspeaker combination
US4038499A (en) 1976-02-02 1977-07-26 Yeaple Corporation Stereophonic pillow speaker system
US4042791A (en) 1975-02-27 1977-08-16 Murriel L. Wiseman Stereophonic head rest
US4055170A (en) 1976-07-22 1977-10-25 Ryotaro Nohmura Health promoting apparatus
US4061877A (en) 1976-10-04 1977-12-06 Shaymar, Inc. Speaker system
US4064376A (en) 1975-04-08 1977-12-20 Bodysonic Kabushiki Kaisha Sound reproduction system and device
US4075438A (en) 1976-12-02 1978-02-21 Gary Kappel Stereo speaker system
US4124249A (en) 1977-10-25 1978-11-07 Abbeloos Charles J Sound transmitting system
US4156117A (en) 1976-10-04 1979-05-22 Shaymar, Inc. Speaker system
US4210784A (en) 1976-10-04 1980-07-01 Shaymar, Inc. Speaker system
US4289936A (en) 1980-04-07 1981-09-15 Civitello John P Electrostatic transducers
US4310307A (en) 1980-09-02 1982-01-12 Nolan Bellisario Dental audio and gaseous analgesia applicator
US4354067A (en) 1978-05-17 1982-10-12 Bodysonic Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-band electromechanical vibration converter
US4440443A (en) 1981-04-10 1984-04-03 Nordskog Robert A Headrest
US4490842A (en) 1981-05-22 1984-12-25 Clarion Co., Ltd. Headrest speaker device
USD277630S (en) 1982-09-29 1985-02-19 Olson David V Stereo headrest for dental chairs
US4565405A (en) 1984-06-08 1986-01-21 Camille Mayer Seat mat assembly with headrests
US4638884A (en) 1985-07-11 1987-01-27 Willis S. Cole Chambered headrest mounting for stereophonic loudspeakers
US4641345A (en) 1983-10-28 1987-02-03 Pioneer Electronic Corporation Body-sensible acoustic device
US4696370A (en) 1984-11-30 1987-09-29 Pioneer Electronic Corporation Headrest-mounted acoustic device
US4758047A (en) 1987-04-13 1988-07-19 Hennington Jeffrey K Speaker equipped headrest
US4778027A (en) 1987-04-30 1988-10-18 Taylor Mildred E Rhythmizer
US4797934A (en) 1987-08-27 1989-01-10 Hufnagel Fred M Speaker headrest
US4866776A (en) 1983-11-16 1989-09-12 Nissan Motor Company Limited Audio speaker system for automotive vehicle
US4868888A (en) 1986-10-17 1989-09-19 Wang Laboratories, Inc. Audio communications module for an office chair
US4877105A (en) 1987-09-08 1989-10-31 Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Rear speaker unit for a motor vehicle
US4979777A (en) 1988-09-21 1990-12-25 Juichiro Takada Child safety seat for vehicles
US4991222A (en) 1986-12-01 1991-02-05 Nixdorf Hans W Sound reproducer
JPH03132198A (en) 1989-10-17 1991-06-05 Sony Corp Chair with built-in speaker
US5101810A (en) 1986-03-19 1992-04-07 Vibroacoustics A/S Apparatus and method for therapeutic application of vibro-acoustical energy to human body
US5113852A (en) 1988-10-24 1992-05-19 Next Wave Inc. Procedure and device for applying vibration to the human body
US5143055A (en) 1988-08-31 1992-09-01 Eakin Byron C Somatic acoustic chair
US5147109A (en) 1991-10-07 1992-09-15 Jolly Jack L Car seat apparatus
US5191177A (en) 1991-06-27 1993-03-02 Chi Yang H Tube speaker
US5193118A (en) 1989-07-17 1993-03-09 Bose Corporation Vehicular sound reproducing
US5199075A (en) 1991-11-14 1993-03-30 Fosgate James W Surround sound loudspeakers and processor
US5243640A (en) 1991-09-06 1993-09-07 Ford Motor Company Integrated cellular telephone and vehicular audio system
US5314403A (en) 1992-04-24 1994-05-24 Shaw Richard T Apparatus for the enhancement of the enjoyment of the extremely low frequency component of music
US5318340A (en) 1992-02-05 1994-06-07 Yorkshire Industries, Inc. Conference center
US5387026A (en) 1992-07-10 1995-02-07 Mazda Motor Corporation Support structure for acoustic oscillation transferring device
US5398992A (en) 1992-02-05 1995-03-21 The Walt Disney Company Seat having sound system with acoustic waveguide
USD361674S (en) 1994-02-14 1995-08-29 Carter Sr Michael C Multi-purpose, rotational, vibrating, acoustical chair
JPH07264689A (en) 1994-03-16 1995-10-13 Fujitsu Ten Ltd Headrest speaker
US5482352A (en) 1994-09-28 1996-01-09 Leal; Horacio Child seat with audio
US5608806A (en) 1994-08-25 1997-03-04 Christy A. Cassel Audio speaker mounts for off-road vehicles
US5687246A (en) 1993-12-13 1997-11-11 Lancon; Paul Headpiece or headrest comprising a personal proximity sound rig
US5692058A (en) 1995-03-02 1997-11-25 Eggers; Philip E. Dual audio program system
DE19840444A1 (en) 1997-09-05 1999-05-06 Faure Bertrand Equipements Sa Headrest which is provided with at least one loudspeaker, vehicle seat which comprises such a headrest, and audio unit which includes such a headrest
EP0993230A2 (en) 1998-10-07 2000-04-12 Karl Mantinger Headrest with audio system for motor vehicle
JP3132198B2 (en) 1992-10-29 2001-02-05 松下電器産業株式会社 Air conditioner refrigerant distribution box

Patent Citations (70)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2452103A (en) 1946-04-15 1948-10-26 Julius A Conradt Headrest
US2501993A (en) 1946-12-10 1950-03-28 Richard J Conradt Chair attachment device
US2527656A (en) 1947-04-10 1950-10-31 Murray A Reinsdorf Combination headrest and earphones
US2710662A (en) 1948-12-23 1955-06-14 Armour Res Found Sound projection system
US2802906A (en) 1953-08-14 1957-08-13 Goldenberg Vehicular electromagnetic sound recording and reproducing system
US2908766A (en) 1956-08-21 1959-10-13 Gordon N Taylor Individual sound system for passenger vehicles
GB827306A (en) 1956-10-23 1960-02-03 Harrods Ltd A loud speaker device
US3156500A (en) 1963-01-14 1964-11-10 Kenneth C Kerr Dental chair component
US3512605A (en) 1967-08-31 1970-05-19 David D Mccorkle Stereo speaker headrest for an automobile seat
US3385393A (en) 1967-09-15 1968-05-28 Pacific Internat Plastics Headrest and speaker apparatus
US3556088A (en) 1968-07-01 1971-01-19 Ida M Leonardini Therapeutic chair
US3880152A (en) 1973-07-16 1975-04-29 Ryotaro Nohmura Device for health promotion
US3944020A (en) 1974-07-17 1976-03-16 Ronald Leroy Brown Speaker headrest for motor vehicles
US3918551A (en) 1974-10-21 1975-11-11 Rizo Patron Alfonso Speaker system
US4027112A (en) 1974-12-20 1977-05-31 Blaupunkt-Werke Gmbh Head-rest and loudspeaker combination
US4042791A (en) 1975-02-27 1977-08-16 Murriel L. Wiseman Stereophonic head rest
US3976162A (en) 1975-04-07 1976-08-24 Lawrence Peska Associates, Inc. Personal speaker system
US4064376A (en) 1975-04-08 1977-12-20 Bodysonic Kabushiki Kaisha Sound reproduction system and device
US4025724A (en) 1975-08-12 1977-05-24 Westinghouse Electric Corporation Noise cancellation apparatus
US4023566A (en) 1975-10-10 1977-05-17 Martinmaas Werner W Body-supporting means with adjustable vibratory means in the audible frequency range
US4020284A (en) 1975-10-22 1977-04-26 Shaymar, Inc. Speaker system
US4038499A (en) 1976-02-02 1977-07-26 Yeaple Corporation Stereophonic pillow speaker system
US4055170A (en) 1976-07-22 1977-10-25 Ryotaro Nohmura Health promoting apparatus
US4210784A (en) 1976-10-04 1980-07-01 Shaymar, Inc. Speaker system
US4061877A (en) 1976-10-04 1977-12-06 Shaymar, Inc. Speaker system
US4156117A (en) 1976-10-04 1979-05-22 Shaymar, Inc. Speaker system
US4075438A (en) 1976-12-02 1978-02-21 Gary Kappel Stereo speaker system
US4124249A (en) 1977-10-25 1978-11-07 Abbeloos Charles J Sound transmitting system
US4354067A (en) 1978-05-17 1982-10-12 Bodysonic Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-band electromechanical vibration converter
US4289936A (en) 1980-04-07 1981-09-15 Civitello John P Electrostatic transducers
US4310307A (en) 1980-09-02 1982-01-12 Nolan Bellisario Dental audio and gaseous analgesia applicator
US4440443A (en) 1981-04-10 1984-04-03 Nordskog Robert A Headrest
US4490842A (en) 1981-05-22 1984-12-25 Clarion Co., Ltd. Headrest speaker device
USD277630S (en) 1982-09-29 1985-02-19 Olson David V Stereo headrest for dental chairs
US4641345A (en) 1983-10-28 1987-02-03 Pioneer Electronic Corporation Body-sensible acoustic device
US4866776A (en) 1983-11-16 1989-09-12 Nissan Motor Company Limited Audio speaker system for automotive vehicle
US4565405A (en) 1984-06-08 1986-01-21 Camille Mayer Seat mat assembly with headrests
US4696370A (en) 1984-11-30 1987-09-29 Pioneer Electronic Corporation Headrest-mounted acoustic device
US4638884A (en) 1985-07-11 1987-01-27 Willis S. Cole Chambered headrest mounting for stereophonic loudspeakers
US5101810A (en) 1986-03-19 1992-04-07 Vibroacoustics A/S Apparatus and method for therapeutic application of vibro-acoustical energy to human body
US4868888A (en) 1986-10-17 1989-09-19 Wang Laboratories, Inc. Audio communications module for an office chair
US4991222A (en) 1986-12-01 1991-02-05 Nixdorf Hans W Sound reproducer
US4758047A (en) 1987-04-13 1988-07-19 Hennington Jeffrey K Speaker equipped headrest
US4778027A (en) 1987-04-30 1988-10-18 Taylor Mildred E Rhythmizer
US4797934A (en) 1987-08-27 1989-01-10 Hufnagel Fred M Speaker headrest
US4877105A (en) 1987-09-08 1989-10-31 Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Rear speaker unit for a motor vehicle
US5143055A (en) 1988-08-31 1992-09-01 Eakin Byron C Somatic acoustic chair
US4979777A (en) 1988-09-21 1990-12-25 Juichiro Takada Child safety seat for vehicles
US5113852A (en) 1988-10-24 1992-05-19 Next Wave Inc. Procedure and device for applying vibration to the human body
US5193118A (en) 1989-07-17 1993-03-09 Bose Corporation Vehicular sound reproducing
JPH03132198A (en) 1989-10-17 1991-06-05 Sony Corp Chair with built-in speaker
US5191177A (en) 1991-06-27 1993-03-02 Chi Yang H Tube speaker
US5243640A (en) 1991-09-06 1993-09-07 Ford Motor Company Integrated cellular telephone and vehicular audio system
US5147109A (en) 1991-10-07 1992-09-15 Jolly Jack L Car seat apparatus
US5199075A (en) 1991-11-14 1993-03-30 Fosgate James W Surround sound loudspeakers and processor
US5301237A (en) 1991-11-14 1994-04-05 Fosgate James W Surround sound loudspeakers
US5318340A (en) 1992-02-05 1994-06-07 Yorkshire Industries, Inc. Conference center
US5398992A (en) 1992-02-05 1995-03-21 The Walt Disney Company Seat having sound system with acoustic waveguide
US5314403A (en) 1992-04-24 1994-05-24 Shaw Richard T Apparatus for the enhancement of the enjoyment of the extremely low frequency component of music
US5387026A (en) 1992-07-10 1995-02-07 Mazda Motor Corporation Support structure for acoustic oscillation transferring device
JP3132198B2 (en) 1992-10-29 2001-02-05 松下電器産業株式会社 Air conditioner refrigerant distribution box
US5687246A (en) 1993-12-13 1997-11-11 Lancon; Paul Headpiece or headrest comprising a personal proximity sound rig
USD361674S (en) 1994-02-14 1995-08-29 Carter Sr Michael C Multi-purpose, rotational, vibrating, acoustical chair
JPH07264689A (en) 1994-03-16 1995-10-13 Fujitsu Ten Ltd Headrest speaker
US5608806A (en) 1994-08-25 1997-03-04 Christy A. Cassel Audio speaker mounts for off-road vehicles
US5482352A (en) 1994-09-28 1996-01-09 Leal; Horacio Child seat with audio
US5692058A (en) 1995-03-02 1997-11-25 Eggers; Philip E. Dual audio program system
US5910996A (en) 1995-03-02 1999-06-08 Eggers; Philip E. Dual audio program system
DE19840444A1 (en) 1997-09-05 1999-05-06 Faure Bertrand Equipements Sa Headrest which is provided with at least one loudspeaker, vehicle seat which comprises such a headrest, and audio unit which includes such a headrest
EP0993230A2 (en) 1998-10-07 2000-04-12 Karl Mantinger Headrest with audio system for motor vehicle

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
European Search Report dated Dec. 18, 2002 for Application No. 97 932 565.1-2411, 5 pgs.
International Search Report dated Aug. 29, 1997 for Application No. 1039-28613, 2 pgs.

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20090257616A1 (en) * 2008-04-15 2009-10-15 Sony Corporation Speaker system
US8130987B2 (en) * 2008-04-15 2012-03-06 Sony Corporation Speaker system with a plurality of openings in side walls of each of two speaker boxes
US20100254557A1 (en) * 2009-04-06 2010-10-07 Creative Technology Ltd Sound reproduction apparatus for varying sound transmission and a corresponding method thereof
US8224010B2 (en) * 2009-04-06 2012-07-17 Creative Technology Ltd Sound reproduction apparatus for varying sound transmission and a corresponding method thereof
US9428090B2 (en) * 2014-08-07 2016-08-30 Bose Corporation Headrest with speakers and method for manufacturing headrest cushion member
US10994643B2 (en) 2017-08-04 2021-05-04 Harman International Industries, Incorporated Headrest with speakers

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE988771T1 (en) 2001-01-11
EP0988771B1 (en) 2003-12-10
BR9711821A (en) 1999-08-31
EP0988771A1 (en) 2000-03-29
JP2000515700A (en) 2000-11-21
DE69726766D1 (en) 2004-01-22
JP3760447B2 (en) 2006-03-29
US5887071A (en) 1999-03-23
AU717216B2 (en) 2000-03-23
DE69726766T2 (en) 2004-06-03
WO1998006232A1 (en) 1998-02-12
EP0988771A4 (en) 2002-05-08
CA2262927A1 (en) 1998-02-12
AU3599397A (en) 1998-02-25

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
USRE41384E1 (en) Dipole speaker headrests
EP1137319B1 (en) Headrest surround channel electroacoustical transducing
US4594729A (en) Method of and apparatus for the stereophonic reproduction of sound in a motor vehicle
US4020284A (en) Speaker system
US7561706B2 (en) Reproducing center channel information in a vehicle multichannel audio system
US6991289B2 (en) Seatback audio system
US8090116B2 (en) Vehicle directional electroacoustical transducing
KR890702404A (en) Extended Imaging Split Mode Speaker System
WO1993001951A1 (en) Headrest containing loudspeakers for motorcar
US4876723A (en) Loudspeaker system
US4061877A (en) Speaker system
JP2002262399A (en) Vehicle electroacoustical transducing
US5966453A (en) Speaker system for use in an automobile vehicle
JPH05345549A (en) Acoustic device for vehicle
US4156117A (en) Speaker system
JPS6182712A (en) Speaker built-in headrest
US6658121B1 (en) Headphone having an adjustable localization of auditory events
WO2005034574A1 (en) Device for 3-dimensional acoustic reproduction using headphones
MXPA99001297A (en) Dipole speaker headrests
GB2273847A (en) Loudspeaker having acoustic mirror.
JPS599503Y2 (en) Car speaker system
JPH05328483A (en) On-vehicle speaker system
JPS63217899A (en) Vehicle acoustic reproducing device
JPH0329599A (en) Acoustic output device
KR200299113Y1 (en) Speaker an addition seat

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 12

AS Assignment

Owner name: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNORS:HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED;HARMAN BECKER AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GMBH;REEL/FRAME:025823/0354

Effective date: 20101201

AS Assignment

Owner name: HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED, CON

Free format text: RELEASE;ASSIGNOR:JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT;REEL/FRAME:029294/0254

Effective date: 20121010

Owner name: HARMAN BECKER AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GMBH, CONNECTICUT

Free format text: RELEASE;ASSIGNOR:JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT;REEL/FRAME:029294/0254

Effective date: 20121010