Skullcandy, Inc.

Other

John Timothy

Sam Noertker

Randall J Hull

Branden Sheffield

Matthew Windt

Tetsuro Oishi

Gregory R Woolston

Richard Lee Bybee

Andrew Pierce

Sam Lepley

Noise-canceling audio devices may include a first vibration member, a second vibration member, and a microphone supported by a housing. A feedback, noise-cancelation circuit may be operatively connected to the microphone, the feedback, noise-cancelation circuit configured to generate a first portion of a modified audio signal by combining an audio signal with a noise-canceling signal generated in response to a signal from the microphone to at least partially cancel at least a portion of an audible response of the second vibration member. A feed-forward, noise-cancelation circuit may be operatively connected to the microphone, the feed-forward, noise-cancelation circuit configured to compare the signal from the microphone to a predetermined SPL profile and generate a second portion of the modified audio signal configured to at least partially cancel environmental noise, the feedback, noise cancelation circuit configured to output the modified audio signal only to the first vibration member.

Noise-canceling audio device including multiple vibration members

Noise-canceling headphones may include a headband, an audio input, and earcups supported proximate ends of the headband. A first vibration member operatively connected to the audio input, a second vibration member operatively connected to the audio input, and a microphone may be supported by a housing of at least one of the earcups. A feedback, noise-cancelation circuit configured to reduce a user's perception of a portion of an audible response of the second vibration member may be operatively connected to the microphone. The feedback, noise-cancelation circuit may be configured to modify an audio signal from the audio input at least in part based on a signal from the microphone and send the modified audio signal to the first vibration member.

Noise-canceling headphones including multiple vibration members and related methods

Noise-canceling headphones may include a headband, an audio input, and earcups supported proximate ends of the headband. A first vibration member operatively connected to the audio input, a second vibration member operatively connected to the audio input, and a microphone may be supported by a housing of at least one of the earcups. A feedback, noise-cancelation circuit configured to reduce a user's perception of an undesirable audible response of the second vibration member may be operatively connected to the microphone. The feedback, noise-cancelation circuit may be configured to modify an audio signal from the audio input at least in part based on a signal from the microphone and send the modified audio signal to the first vibration member. The modified audio signal may be configured to at least partially cancel at least a portion of an audible response of the second vibration member.

A headphone that may be operated in either a wireless mode or a wired mode includes a housing and an acoustic driver within the housing. The headphone includes a jack for receiving a complementary jack at the end of an audio cable, and at least one control input. The at least one control input controls operation of the headphone when the headphone is operated in the wireless mode, and the at least one control input controls operation of an associated media device when the headphone is operated in the wired mode. A method of method of operating a headphone includes using at least one control input on a headphone to control operation of the headphone while using the headphone in a wireless mode, and using the at least one control input on the headphone to control operation of an associated media device while using the headphone in a wired mode.

Headphone with adaptive controls

A driver assembly comprises a housing structure, a magnet assembly within the housing structure, and opposing spring structures coupled to the housing structure at different vertical positions than one another. The magnet assembly comprises a permanent magnet, a plate structure underlying the permanent magnet, a voice coil circumscribing the permanent magnet and the plate structure, and a yoke structure at least partially surrounding the permanent magnet, the plate structure, and the voice coil. The opposing spring structures are configured to impede horizontal movement of the permanent magnet, the plate structure, and the yoke structure while permitting vertical movement thereof. A headphone and a method of forming a headphone are also described.

Driver assemblies, headphones including driver assemblies, and related methods

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.

Speakers and headphones related to vibrations in an audio system, and methods for operating same

Methods of generating tactile user feedback utilizing headphone devices may involve sending a feedback signal from a computing device to a headphone device operatively connected to the computing device. A tactile vibration may be generated utilizing a tactile bass vibrator of the headphone device in response to the feedback signal. Systems for generating tactile user feedback utilizing headphone devices may include a headphone device operatively connected to a computing device, the headphone device comprising a tactile bass vibrator configured to generate a tactile vibration in response to a feedback signal received from the computing device. The computing device may be programmed to send a feedback signal to the headphone device in response to a predetermined event.

Methods of generating tactile user feedback utilizing headphone devices and related systems

Headphones for stereo tactile vibration, and related systems and methods are disclosed. A headphone comprises a first speaker assembly including a first audio driver and a first tactile bass vibrator. The headphone also comprises a second speaker assembly including a second audio driver and a second tactile bass vibrator. The headphone further comprises a signal processing circuit configured to generate a first tactile vibration signal and a second tactile vibration signal from an audio signal to be received by the headphone. The first tactile vibration signal differs from the second tactile vibration signal. A method of operating the headphone includes generating the first tactile vibration signal and the second tactile vibration signal, and driving vibration of the first and second tactile bass vibrators with the first and second tactile vibration signals, respectively. A stereo tactile vibrator system includes the headphone.

Headphones for stereo tactile vibration, and related systems and methods

Speaker assemblies for a headphone device may include an audio speaker configured to produce audible sound in response to receiving an audio signal at the audio speaker. A tactile bass vibrator distinct from the audio speaker may be operatively connected to the audio speaker. The tactile bass vibrator may be configured to produce tactile vibrations in response to receiving the audio signal at the tactile bass vibrator. A current divider may be operatively connected to the audio speaker and the tactile bass vibrator. A pivoting portion of an attachment structure of an ear cup supporting the audio speaker, tactile bass vibrator, and current divider may intersect with a geometrical central axis of the ear cup, and the audio speaker and tactile bass vibrator may not intersect with the geometrical central axis of the respective ear cup.

Speaker assemblies for passive generation of vibrations and related headphone devices and methods

A tactile vibration driver for use in a headphone includes a support structure, at least one suspension member suspending at least one rigid member relative to the support structure, and a plurality of magnetic members attached to the at least one rigid member and configured to drive oscillating movement of the at least one rigid member and the at least one suspension member so as to produce tactile vibrations during operation of the tactile vibration driver. An audio system includes the tactile vibration driver. A method of operating an audio system includes driving a plurality of magnetic members attached to a rigid member of the tactile vibration driver to cause oscillations of the plurality of magnetic members and the rigid member relative to a suspension member and producing tactile vibrations responsive to receipt of an electrical signal.

Tactile vibration drivers for use in audio systems, and methods for operating same

An audio driver assembly comprises a driver housing and an audio driver secured within the driver housing. The audio driver comprises a magnet assembly, a flexible diaphragm overlying the magnet assembly, and a spacer between the magnet assembly and the flexible diaphragm. A headphone and a method of forming a headphone are also described.

Audio driver assembly, headphone including such an audio driver assembly, and related methods

Speaker assemblies for a headphone device may include an audio speaker configured to produce audible sound in response to receiving an audio signal at the audio speaker. A tactile bass vibrator distinct from the audio speaker may be operatively connected to the audio speaker. The tactile bass vibrator may be configured to produce tactile vibrations in response to receiving the audio signal at the tactile bass vibrator. A current divider may be operatively connected to the audio speaker and the tactile bass vibrator, the current divider providing greater electrical resistance to flow of current to the audio speaker than to flow of current to the tactile bass vibrator.

An audio driver assembly comprises a driver housing and an audio driver secured within the driver housing. The audio driver comprises a magnet assembly, a flexible diaphragm overlying the magnet assembly, and a stabilizer extending through the driver housing and into the magnet assembly. A headphone and a method of forming a headphone are also described.

Growing community of inventors

Salt Lake City, UT, United States of America

John Timothy