Loudspeaker system

• US 4,472,834 A
• Filed: 10/14/1981
• Issued: 09/18/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/1980
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pioneer Electronic Corporation
• Original Assignee: Pioneer Electronics (USA) Incorporated (Pioneer Corporation)
• Inventors: Shimada, Kunihiko, Yamamuro, Isao
• Primary Examiner(s): Rubinson, G. Z.
• Assistant Examiner(s): George, Keith E.
• Application Number:
  US06/311,355
• Time in Patent Office: 1,070 Days
• Field of Search: 179/1 AT, 179/1 J, 179/1 GA, 381/24, 381/61, 381/62, 381/63, 381/64, 381/65, 381/82, 381/99, 381/100
• US Class Current: 381/61
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/403 loud-speakers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/12 for distributing signals to two or more loudspeakers specially adapted for hearing aids H04R25/407

Abstract

A plurality of delay circuits each having a different delay time are inserted between an audio signal source and each speaker in a multiple-speaker system so that the frequency dependence of speaker system directivity is reduced. If desired, the audio signal can be divided into different frequency band signals with each frequency band signal subjected to a different delay or set of delays.

Claims

1. A loudspeaker system, comprising:

an audio signal source for generating an audio signal;

band dividing means for separating said audio signal into at least first and second signals occupying first and second frequency bands respectively;

at least first and second delay means having different delay times, said first delay means receiving said first signal and said second delay means receiving said second signal, said first delay means comprising at least two delay circuits having delay times different from one another and commonly receiving said first signal and said second delay means comprising at least two circuits having delay times different from one another and commonly receiving said second signal; and

at least one speaker assembly having a first loudspeaker driven by the output from said first delay means and

a second loudspeaker driven by the output of said second delay means.

2. A loudspeaker system, comprising:

an audio signal source for generating an audio signal;

band dividing means for dividing said audio signal into a plurality of signals each occupying a different frequency band;

at least one speaker assembly having a plurality of loudspeakers;

a plurality of groups of delay circuits, each group including a plurality of delay circuits receiving one of said plurality of signals as a common input and the delay circuits in each group having delay times which differ from one another;

a plurality of combining means each of which combines a different combination of delay circuit outputs from selected ones of said delay circuits, the output of each said combining means driving a different respective one of said loudspeakers.

3. A loudspeaker system as defined in claim 2, wherein each of said combining means combines delay circuit outputs from a plurality of said groups of delay circuits.