US5357578A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Acoustic output device, and electronic apparatus using the acoustic output device
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1993-11-22
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Granted: 1994-10-18
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Expires: 2013-11-22
Abstract
Abstract Sound waves from a plate-shaped acoustic source, which generates fundamental waves (sound waves) having at least two frequencies, propagate through a propagating portion. The propagating portion consists of a medium in which a non-linear interaction is induced by the fundamental waves. A secondary sound wave having a frequency conforming to the difference between the two fundamental waves is generated by the medium. Fundamental wave components other than the secondary sound wave are absorbed by an acoustic absorber so that only the secondary sound wave is delivered as an output. The acoustic source, propagating portion and acoustic absorber are substantially transparent and stacked in three layers. This allows the resulting acoustic output device to be incorporated in the display unit of an electronic apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 Shinnosuke Taniishi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 12:25
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10K; G10K15/00; G10K15/02; H; H04; H04R; H04R23/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
An acoustic output device comprising: an acoustic source for generating sound waves having at least two different frequencies; a sound-wave generator for propagating sound waves from said acoustic source and generating a sound wave having a frequency conforming to a difference between said different frequencies; and an acoustic absorber provided on a sound-wave output side of said sound-wave generator in order to absorb sound waves from said acoustic source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
69 words
An acoustic output device comprising: an acoustic source for generating sound waves having at least two different frequencies; a sound-wave generator for propagating sound waves from said acoustic source and generating a sound wave having a frequency conforming to a difference between said different frequencies; and an acoustic absorber provided on a sound-wave output side of said sound-wave generator in order to absorb sound waves from said acoustic source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein said sound-wave generator is an elastomeric body of a polymeric material exhibiting structural anisotropy, said elastomeric body having an elongation direction that substantially coincides with a direction in which the sound waves propagate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein said acoustic source is stacked with said sound-wave generator and said acoustic absorber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein said acoustic source has the shape of a flat plate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein a boundary surface at which said sound-wave generator and said acoustic absorber are stacked is formed to be a convex surface with respect to said acoustic source.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device according to claim 5, wherein said acoustic absorber has a substantially uniform thickness.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device according to claim 5, wherein said acoustic absorber has a thickness that conforms to said convex surface in such a manner that a surface on a side opposite said boundary surface is flat.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein said acoustic source has both surfaces thereof provided with electrodes for generating sound waves having at least two frequencies, said electrodes each being arranged in mutually staggered fashion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device according to claim 3, wherein said acoustic source, said sound-wave generating unit and said acoustic absorber are transparent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
106 words
An acoustic output device for inducing a non-linear interaction by introducing two sound waves having different frequencies emitted as fundamental waves by an acoustic source, and outputting a secondary wave corresponding to a beat frequency, comprising: a plate-shaped acoustic source for generating at least two of the fundamental waves; a propagating portion comprising a medium in which said non-linear interaction is induced by the fundamental waves introduced from said acoustic source; and an absorber capable of absorbing fundamental wave elements other than said secondary wave formed via said propagating portion; said acoustic source, said propagating portion and said absorber being stacked and made of transparent materials.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
106 words
An acoustic output device for inducing a non-linear interaction by introducing two sound waves having different frequencies emitted as fundamental waves by an acoustic source, and outputting a secondary wave corresponding to a beat frequency, comprising: a plate-shaped acoustic source for generating at least two of the fundamental waves; a propagating portion comprising a medium in which said non-linear interaction is induced by the fundamental waves introduced from said acoustic source; and an absorber capable of absorbing fundamental wave elements other than said secondary wave formed via said propagating portion; said acoustic source, said propagating portion and said absorber being stacked and made of transparent materials.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device according to claim 10, wherein a boundary surface at which said propagating portion and said absorber are stacked is formed to be a convex surface with respect to said acoustic source.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device according to claim 10, wherein said device is integrated with a display unit possessed by an electronic apparatus.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
121 words
An electronic apparatus comprising: a display unit having an upper surface; an acoustic output device arranged on said upper surface and including: an acoustic source consisting of a substantially transparent member for generating sound waves having at least two different frequencies; a substantially transparent sound-wave generator for propagating sound waves from said acoustic source and generating a sound wave having a frequency conforming to a difference between said different frequencies; and a substantially transparent acoustic absorber provided on a sound-wave output side of said sound-wave generator in order to absorb sound waves from said acoustic source; audio signal generating means for outputting an audio signal to said acoustic output device; and display means for displaying display data on said display unit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
121 words
An electronic apparatus comprising: a display unit having an upper surface; an acoustic output device arranged on said upper surface and including: an acoustic source consisting of a substantially transparent member for generating sound waves having at least two different frequencies; a substantially transparent sound-wave generator for propagating sound waves from said acoustic source and generating a sound wave having a frequency conforming to a difference between said different frequencies; and a substantially transparent acoustic absorber provided on a sound-wave output side of said sound-wave generator in order to absorb sound waves from said acoustic source; audio signal generating means for outputting an audio signal to said acoustic output device; and display means for displaying display data on said display unit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein a boundary surface at which said sound-wave generator and said acoustic absorber are stacked is formed to be a convex surface with respect to said acoustic source.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said acoustic absorber has a substantially uniform thickness.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said acoustic absorber has a thickness that conforms to said convex surface in such a manner that a surface on a side opposite said boundary surface is flat.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said acoustic source has both surfaces thereof provided with electrodes for generating sound waves having at least two frequencies, said electrodes each being arranged in mutually staggered fashion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1616639A
Cited
US4593160A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-10-17 | 1998-04-18 | 1998-10-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-10-17 | 2002-04-18 | 2002-10-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-10-17 | 2006-04-18 | 2006-10-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |