Speakers and headphones related to vibrations in an audio system, and methods for operating same
AssigneeSkullcandy, Inc.
InventorsJohn Timothy, Sam Noertker
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A speaker assembly includes a support structure and a tactile vibrator coupled to the support structure. The tactile vibrator includes a plurality of rigid members coupled to a plurality of suspension members. Each rigid member of the plurality of rigid members has at least one magnetic member coupled thereto for generating tactile vibrations during operation of the speaker assembly. A headphone includes the speaker assembly. A method of operating a speaker assembly includes driving a tactile vibrator having a plurality of magnetic members coupled to a plurality of rigid members and a plurality of suspension members to cause tactile vibrations in the speaker assembly.
Claims26
A headphone, comprising:
- a plurality of speaker assemblies including one speaker assembly for each ear of the user,
- wherein each speaker assembly of the plurality includes:
- an audio driver configured to produce sound at audible frequencies;
- a first support structure;
- and
- a tactile vibrator coupled to the first support structure and positioned with the audio driver within the speaker assembly and configured to generate tactile vibrations during operation of the speaker assembly, the tactile vibrator including:
- a first rigid member;
- a second rigid member, wherein the first rigid member is annular and concentric to the second rigid member;
- a first suspension member coupled between the first rigid member and the first support structure;
- a second suspension member coupled between the first rigid member and the second rigid member;
- a second support structure coupled to the first rigid member to form a plurality of mass/spring systems;
- a first magnetic member for a first mass/spring system coupled to the first support structure;
- a second magnetic member for the first mass/spring system coupled to the second support structure;
- a third magnetic member for a second mass/spring system coupled to the second support structure;
- and
- a fourth magnetic member for the second mass/spring system is coupled to the second rigid member.
A headphone including at least one speaker assembly and a device for operatively coupling the at least one speaker assembly with a media player configured to send an electrical audio signal to the at least one speaker assembly, the at least one speaker assembly comprising:
- an audio driver;
- a first support structure;
- and
- a tactile vibrator coupled to the first support structure with the audio driver within the at least one speaker assembly, the tactile vibrator including:
- a first rigid member coupled to the first support structure via a first support member;
- a second rigid member coupled to the first rigid member via a second support member;
- a second support structure coupled to the first rigid member to form a plurality of mass/spring systems;
- at least one magnetic member coupled to the first support structure for a first mass/spring system;
- at least one magnetic member coupled to the second support structure for the first mass/spring system;
- at least one magnetic member coupled to the second support structure for a second mass/spring system;
- and at least one magnetic member coupled to the second rigid member for the second mass/spring system;
- wherein the magnetic members of each of the first and second mass/spring systems are configured to be displaced and generate tactile vibrations responsive to receipt of the electrical audio signal.
A method of operating a headphone including a plurality of speaker assemblies, the method comprising:
- driving a tactile vibrator coupled with a first support structure and a second support structure to form a plurality of mass/spring systems, and positioned within each speaker assembly to cause tactile vibrations in the respective speaker assembly, each tactile vibrator having:
- a first rigid member coupled to the first support structure via a first support member, and coupled to the second support structure;
- a second rigid member coupled to the first rigid member via a second support member;
- at least one magnetic member coupled to the first support structure for a first mass/spring system;
- at least one magnetic member coupled to the second support structure for the first mass/spring system;
- at least one magnetic member coupled to the second support structure for a second mass/spring system;
- and
- at least one magnetic member coupled to the second rigid member for the second mass/spring system;
- and
- driving a respective audio driver positioned within each speaker assembly of the plurality causing audible sound waves to be produced responsive to an input audio signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.