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US5115472A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Electroacoustic novelties

Assignee: Measurement Specialties Inc
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Filing: 1988-10-07
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Granted: 1992-05-19
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Expires: 2008-10-07
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Abstract

Abstract Electroacoustic novelties are disclosed having a piezoelectric polymer film which functions as a speaker or microphone. The novelties include flags, banners, posters or articles of headwear. The piezoelectric polymer film may be attached to a portion of the flexible substrate forming the novelty, or it may be used as an integral part of the novelty structure. An audio output or recording device is electrically coupled to the piezoelectric polymer film. Both the piezoelectric polymer film and the electrodes may be transparent so that the adjoining portion of the novelty is visible.

Inventors

  • 👤 Kyung T. Park
  • 👤 Peter F. Radice

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-26 20:46
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04R; H04R17/00; H04R17/005; H04R1/00; H04R1/02; H04R1/028; H04R2201/00; H04R2201/02; H04R2201/023; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S310/00; Y10S310/80

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim 118 words
An electroacoustic novelty, comprising: a flexible substrate forming at least a portion of said novelty, at least a portion of said substrate having a curved, non-enclosed cross section; a transparent piezoelectric polymer film having opposed first and second surfaces; a first transparent electrode electrically coupled with said first surface; a second transparent electrode electrically coupled with said second surface; means for conformably adhering said film to the portion of said substrate having the curved, noncontinuous cross section; and means electrically coupled with said first and second electrodes for applying an audio-frequency signal voltage across said film to cause said film and associated portion of said substrate having the curved, noncontinuous cross section to vibrate and emit sound waves.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 118 words
An electroacoustic novelty, comprising: a flexible substrate forming at least a portion of said novelty, at least a portion of said substrate having a curved, non-enclosed cross section; a transparent piezoelectric polymer film having opposed first and second surfaces; a first transparent electrode electrically coupled with said first surface; a second transparent electrode electrically coupled with said second surface; means for conformably adhering said film to the portion of said substrate having the curved, noncontinuous cross section; and means electrically coupled with said first and second electrodes for applying an audio-frequency signal voltage across said film to cause said film and associated portion of said substrate having the curved, noncontinuous cross section to vibrate and emit sound waves.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 19 words
An electroacoustic novelty according to claim 1 wherein said substrate is a banner having an outwardly facing display surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 19 words
An electroacoustic novelty according to claim 1 wherein said substrate is a poster having an outwardly facing display surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 142 words
An electroacoustic novelty with microphone, comprising: a flexible substrate forming at least a portion of said novelty, at least a portion of said substrate having a curved, noncontinuous cross section; a piezoelectric polymer film having opposed first and second surfaces which responds to received sound waves by vibrating with said substrate and producing an electrical audio signal; a first electrode electrically coupled with said first surface; a second electrode electrically coupled with said second surface; a device responsive to processed electrical audio signals; means for conformably adhering said film to the portion of said substrate having the curved, noncontinuous cross section; and receiving means electrically coupled with said first and second electrodes for processing the electrical audio signal generated by said film when said film is caused to vibrate by sound waves and delivering the processed electrical audio signal to said device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 142 words
An electroacoustic novelty with microphone, comprising: a flexible substrate forming at least a portion of said novelty, at least a portion of said substrate having a curved, noncontinuous cross section; a piezoelectric polymer film having opposed first and second surfaces which responds to received sound waves by vibrating with said substrate and producing an electrical audio signal; a first electrode electrically coupled with said first surface; a second electrode electrically coupled with said second surface; a device responsive to processed electrical audio signals; means for conformably adhering said film to the portion of said substrate having the curved, noncontinuous cross section; and receiving means electrically coupled with said first and second electrodes for processing the electrical audio signal generated by said film when said film is caused to vibrate by sound waves and delivering the processed electrical audio signal to said device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 19 words
An electroacoustic novelty according to claim 4 wherein said substrate is a banner having an outwardly facing display surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 19 words
An electroacoustic novelty according to claim 4 wherein said substrate is a poster having an outwardly facing display surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 83 words
An electroacoustic novelty, having a loudspeaker comprising: a transparent piezoelectric polymer film having a curved, noncontinuous cross section forming at least a portion of said novelty, said film having first and second opposed surfaces; a first transparent electrode electrically coupled with said first surface; a second transparent electrode electrically coupled with said second surface; and means electrically coupled with said first and second electrodes for applying an audio-frequency signal voltage across said film to cause said film to vibrate and emit sound waves.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 83 words
An electroacoustic novelty, having a loudspeaker comprising: a transparent piezoelectric polymer film having a curved, noncontinuous cross section forming at least a portion of said novelty, said film having first and second opposed surfaces; a first transparent electrode electrically coupled with said first surface; a second transparent electrode electrically coupled with said second surface; and means electrically coupled with said first and second electrodes for applying an audio-frequency signal voltage across said film to cause said film to vibrate and emit sound waves.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 19 words
An electroacoustic novelty according to claim 7 wherein said film is a banner having an outwardly facing display surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 19 words
An electroacoustic novelty according to claim 7 wherein said film is a poster having an outwardly facing display surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 24 words
An electroacoustic novelty according to claim 7, further comprising: a dielectric polymer film disposed over at least one of said first and second electrodes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 96 words
An electroacoustic novelty with audio-frequency transducer, comprising: a piezoelectric polymer film having a curved, noncontinuous cross section forming at least a portion of said novelty, said film having first and second opposed surfaces and responding to processed electrical signals by vibrating and producing sound waves; a first electrode electrically coupled with said first surface; a second electrode electrically coupled with said second surface; and receiving means electrically coupled with said first and second electrodes for processing electrical signals which are then delivered to said film whereby said film is caused to vibrate and produce sound waves.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 96 words
An electroacoustic novelty with audio-frequency transducer, comprising: a piezoelectric polymer film having a curved, noncontinuous cross section forming at least a portion of said novelty, said film having first and second opposed surfaces and responding to processed electrical signals by vibrating and producing sound waves; a first electrode electrically coupled with said first surface; a second electrode electrically coupled with said second surface; and receiving means electrically coupled with said first and second electrodes for processing electrical signals which are then delivered to said film whereby said film is caused to vibrate and produce sound waves.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 19 words
An electroacoustic novelty according to claim 11 wherein said film is a banner having an outwardly facing display surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 19 words
An electroacoustic novelty according to claim 11 wherein said film is a poster having an outwardly facing display surface.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 24 words
An electroacoustic novelty according to claim 11, further comprising: a dielectric polymer film disposed over at least one of said first and second electrodes.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 120 words
An electroacoustic display device, comprising: a substrate having a display surface; a flexible mounting member attached to said substrate so that a portion of said member is freely spaced away from said substrate; a piezoelectric polymer film attached to the freely spaced portion of said member, said film having opposed first and second surfaces with a first electrode electrically coupled with said first surface and a second electrode electrically coupled with said second surface; means electrically coupled with said first and second electrodes for applying an audio-frequency signal voltage across said film to cause said film and said flexible mounting member to vibrate and emit sound waves; and a sensor for activating said means for applying an audio-frequency signal voltage.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 120 words
An electroacoustic display device, comprising: a substrate having a display surface; a flexible mounting member attached to said substrate so that a portion of said member is freely spaced away from said substrate; a piezoelectric polymer film attached to the freely spaced portion of said member, said film having opposed first and second surfaces with a first electrode electrically coupled with said first surface and a second electrode electrically coupled with said second surface; means electrically coupled with said first and second electrodes for applying an audio-frequency signal voltage across said film to cause said film and said flexible mounting member to vibrate and emit sound waves; and a sensor for activating said means for applying an audio-frequency signal voltage.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 15 words
An electroacoustic display device according to claim 15 wherein said sensor is a proximity sensor.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 62 words
An electroacoustic display device according to claim 16 wherein said substrate is a poster with said flexible mounting member, said means for applying an audio-frequency signal voltage and said proximity sensor are mounted on a side opposite to said display surface, and said poster further containing an aperture through which the proximity sensor views the area in front of said display surface.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 15 words
An electroacoustic display device according to claim 15 wherein said sensor is a motion sensor.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 62 words
An electroacoustic display device according to claim 18 wherein said substrate is a poster with said flexible mounting member, said means for applying an audio-frequency signal voltage and said motion sensor are mounted on a side opposite to said display surface, and said poster further containing an aperture through which the motion sensor views the area in front of said display surface.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 102 words
An electroacoustic display device, comprising: a substrate having a display surface; a piezoelectric polymer film attached to said substrate so that a portion of said film is freely spaced away from said substrate, said film having opposed first and second surfaces with a first electrode electrically coupled with said first surface and a second electrode electrically coupled with said second surface; means electrically coupled with said first and second electrodes for applying an audio-frequency signal voltage across said film to cause said film to vibrate and emit sound waves; and a sensor for activating said means for applying an audio-frequency signal voltage.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 102 words
An electroacoustic display device, comprising: a substrate having a display surface; a piezoelectric polymer film attached to said substrate so that a portion of said film is freely spaced away from said substrate, said film having opposed first and second surfaces with a first electrode electrically coupled with said first surface and a second electrode electrically coupled with said second surface; means electrically coupled with said first and second electrodes for applying an audio-frequency signal voltage across said film to cause said film to vibrate and emit sound waves; and a sensor for activating said means for applying an audio-frequency signal voltage.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 15 words
An electroacoustic display device according to claim 20 wherein said sensor is a proximity sensor.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 62 words
An electroacoustic display device according to claim 21 wherein said substrate is a poster with said piezoelectric polymer film, said means for applying an audio-frequency signal voltage and said proximity sensor are mounted on a side opposite to said display surface, and said poster further containing an aperture through which the proximity sensor views the area in front of said display surface.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 15 words
An electroacoustic display device according to claim 20 wherein said sensor is a motion sensor.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 62 words
An electroacoustic display device according to claim 23 wherein said substrate is a poster with said piezoelectric polymer film, said means for applying an audio-frequency signal voltage and said motion sensor are mounted on a side opposite to said display surface, and said poster further containing an aperture through which the motion sensor views the area in front of said display surface.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 21 words
An electroacoustic display device according to claim 15 wherein a portion of the mounting member bows outwardly away from the substrate.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 22 words
An electroacoustic display device according to claim 20 wherein a portion of the piezoelectric polymer film bows outwardly away from the substrate.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1995-05-19 1995-11-18 1996-05-19 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1999-05-19 1999-11-18 2000-05-19 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2003-05-19 2003-11-18 2004-05-19 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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