Flexible, shapeable free-form electrostatic speakers

Number: 9544696
Published: 2017-01-10
Filed: 2013-12-23
Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Inventors: Poupyrev; Ivan et al.
CPC: B06B1/0292; H04R19/02
Verdict: Medium Hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

Flexible, shapeable free-form electrostatic-speaker hardware — novel audio hardware.

Abstract

An embodiment provides a free-form electrostatic speaker, including: athree dimensional object body; at least a portion of the three dimensional object body having a free-form electrode layer disposed thereon; the free-form electrode layer being shaped to substantially match the at least a portion of the three dimensional object body; a free-form diaphragm positioned proximate to, and being shaped to substantially match, the free-form electrode layer; and an input element coupled to the free-form electrode layer that accepts input from an external source. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Background

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS(1) FIG. 1A illustrates basic operating principles of an electrostatic speaker.(2) FIG. 1B illustrates example configurations for an electrostatic speaker.(3) FIG. 2 illustrates an example free form electrostatic speaker and related components.(4) FIG. 3 illustrates example arbitrary shapes for a free-form electrostatic speaker.(5) FIG. 4 illustrates example displacements of three dimensional (3D) printed diaphragms of varying thickness.(6) FIG. 5(A-D) illustrates example geometries and sound directionality for various diaphragm types of 3D printed free-form electrostatic speakers.(7) FIG. 6 illustrates an example slit 3D printed electrostatic speaker.(8) FIG. 7(A-B) illustrates an example multi-electrode 3D printed electrostatic speaker and sound production thereof.(9) FIG. 8(A-B) illustrates arbitrary shapes for free-form electrostatic speakers having a thin-film diaphragm.(10) FIG. 8C illustrates an example of a molded thin-film diaphragm.(11) FIG. 9 illustrates an example fabrication process for a thin-film diaphragm free-form electrostatic speaker.(12) FIG. 10(A-B) illustrates example frequency responses ofa 3D printed free-form electrostatic speaker and uses thereof for interactive functionality.(13) FIG. 11(A-B) illustrates tactile feedback of an example 3D printed free-form electrostatic speaker.(14) FIG. 12 illustrates an example of device circuitry.DETAILED DESCRIPTION(15) It will be readily understood that the

Claims

1. A free-form electrostatic speaker, comprising: a three dimensional object bodywith at least a portion of the three dimensional object body having a free-form electrodelayer disposed thereon, wherein the free-form electrode layer is shaped to substantially match the portion of the three dimensional object body; a free-form diaphragm positioned proximate to, and being shaped to substantially match, the free-form electrode layer; and an input element coupled to the free-form electrode layer that is configured to accept input from an external source; wherein the three dimensional object body is a three dimensional printed object; and wherein the free-form diaphragm is selected from the group of materials consisting of a three dimensional printed material and a conductive material sprayed onto the three dimensional object body. 2. A free-form electrostatic speaker, comprising: athree dimensional object body with at least a portion of the three dimensional object body having a free-form electrode layer disposed thereon, wherein the free-form electrode layer is shaped to substantially match the portion of the three dimensional object body; a free-form diaphragm positioned proximate to, and being shaped to substantially match, the free-form electrode layer; and an input element coupled to the free-form electrode layer that is configured to accept input from an external source; wherein the free-form diaphragm is a substantially continuous layer disposed on an outer surface of the three dimensional object body; and wherein the free-form diaphragm is a conductive material sprayed onto the three dimensional object body. 4. A free-form electrostatic speaker, comprising: a three dimensional object body having a conductive layer disposed on at least a portion thereof; athree dimensional printed diaphragm having a conductive layer disposed on at least a portion thereof; the three dimensional printed diaphragm having an insulating layer disposed on the conductive layer; a connecting element fixing the three dimensional printed diaphragm with respect to the conductive layer disposed on at least a portion of the three dimensional object body; and an input element coupled to the conductive layer of the three dimensional object body that accepts input from an external source.