Headrest surround channel electroacoustical transducing

• US 7,899,198 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2006
• Issued: 03/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bose Corporation
• Original Assignee: Bose Corporation
• Inventors: Holmi, Douglas J., Rosen, Michael D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le; Huyen D
• Application Number:
  US11/614,356
• Publication Number:
  US 20070092100A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,531 Days
• Field of Search: 381/86, 381/300, 381/302, 381/303, 381/304, 381/305, 381/306, 381/307, 381/332, 381/333, 381/386, 381/387, 381/388, 381/389
• US Class Current: 381/302
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/023 in a chair, pillow

Abstract

An audio system including a first audio source, including a surround channel signal, coupled to an electroacoustical transducer mounted in the back of a seat of, for example, an automobile, so that the surround channel is radiated from the electroacoustical transducer. In one embodiment, the electroacoustical transducer is oriented to radiate substantially upwardly.

Claims

1. A vehicle sound system comprising,

a vehicle having a console separating first and second front seats, a passenger compartment rear portion behind said first and second front seats, and an audio signal source, wherein said audio source is constructed and arranged with a center channel output for providing a center channel signal,

the console having a rear panel facing said passenger compartment rear portion, and an electroacoustical transducer mounted on said rear panel and coupled to said audio source, said electroacoustical transducer being coupled to said center channel output for radiating said center channel signal.

2. The vehicle sound system of claim 1, further comprising an additional electroacoustical transducer coupled to said audio source.

3. The vehicle sound system of claim 2, wherein said audio source is capable of outputting a surround channel signal to said additional transducer.

4. The vehicle sound system of claim 2, further comprising third and fourth rear seats located in said passenger compartment rear portion, said additional transducer being mounted in one of said first through fourth seats.

5. The vehicle sound system of claim 4, wherein said audio source is capable of outputting a surround channel signal to said additional transducer.

6. The vehicle sound system of claim 4, wherein said additional transducer is mounted in one of said rear seats.

7. The vehicle sound system of claim 6, wherein said audio source is capable of outputting a surround channel signal to said additional transducer.

8. The vehicle sound system of claim 6, wherein said additional transducer is mounted in a seat back of one of said rear seats.

9. The vehicle sound system of claim 8, wherein said audio source is capable of outputting a surround channel signal to said additional transducer.

10. The vehicle sound system of claim 6, wherein said additional transducer is mounted in a headrest of a seat back of one of said rear seats.

11. The vehicle sound system of claim 10, wherein said audio source is capable of outputting a surround channel signal to said additional transducer.