Office Action 2: Final Rejection (2025-02-07)
Rejection types: Double Patenting

CLAIMS:
LISTING OF CLAIMS

1-30. (Canceled)229

31\. (Previously Presented) A computing device comprising:a detection circuit configured to identify a component, of a multichannel input audio signal, according to a field-of-view, and wherein the detection circuit is configured to detect a common element in at least two channels of the multichannel input audio signal; and
an adjustment circuit configured to suppress the component of the audio signal to generate an output audio signal according to a characteristic of the component.

32\. (Previously Presented) The computing device of claim 31, wherein the computing device comprises a controller circuit configured to provide settings for controlling an adjustment applied via the adjustment circuit, wherein the settings are determined according to the identification of the component via the detection circuit.

33\. (Previously Presented) The computing device of claim 32, wherein the controller circuit is configured to determine the settings.

34\. (Previously Presented) The computing device of claim 32, wherein the adjustment circuit is configured to apply the adjustment to enhance a perception of the one or more other components.

35\. (Previously Presented) A system comprising:a computing device configured to:
identify a component, of a multichannel input audio signal, according to a field-of-view; and
suppress the component of the audio signal to generate an output audio

signal, wherein:
the suppression is processed according to a characteristic of the component,
an audio processing circuit is configured to identify the component according to an identification of an element of the multichannel input audio signal, and the element is a common element of at least two channels.

36\. (Previously Presented) The system of claim 35, wherein the computing device is configured to enhance a perception of at least one other component.

37\. (Previously Presented) The system of claim 35, wherein the system comprises an audio output component configured to convey the output audio signal.

38\. (Previously Presented) The system of claim 37, wherein the audio output component comprises a speaker.

39\. (Previously Presented) A method comprising:in a computing device:
identifying a component, of a multichannel input audio signal, according to a field-of-view and according to an element of the multichannel input audio signal; and
suppressing the component of the audio signal to generate an output audio signal, wherein:
the suppression is processed according to a characteristic of the component, and
the element is a common element of at least two channels.

40\. (Previously Presented) The method of claim 39, wherein the method comprises enhancing a perception of at least one other component.

41\. (Previously Presented) A computing device comprising:a detection circuit configured to identify a component, of a multichannel input audio signal, according to a field-of-view;
an adjustment circuit configured to suppress the component of the audio signal to generate an output audio signal according to a characteristic of the component; and
a controller circuit configured to provide settings for controlling the adjustment applied via the adjustment circuit, wherein the settings are determined according to the identification of the component via the detection circuit, and wherein the controller circuit is configured to determine the settings.

42\. (Previously Presented) The computing device of claim 41, wherein the adjustment circuit is configured to apply an adjustment to enhance a perception of the one or more other components.

OFFICE ACTION:
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
===============================

The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA.

Double Patenting
================

The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).

A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP § 2146 et seq. for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA. A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).

The filing of a terminal disclaimer by itself is not a complete reply to a nonstatutory double patenting (NSDP) rejection. A complete reply requires that the terminal disclaimer be accompanied by a reply requesting reconsideration of the prior Office action. Even where the NSDP rejection is provisional the reply must be complete. See MPEP § 804, subsection I.B.1. For a reply to a non-final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.111(a). For a reply to final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.113(c). A request for reconsideration while not provided for in 37 CFR 1.113(c) may be filed after final for consideration. See MPEP §§ 706.07(e) and 714.13.

The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The actual filing date of the application in which the form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26, PTO/AIA/25, or PTO/AIA/26) should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/applying-online/eterminal-disclaimer.

Claims 31-42 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-24 of U.S. Patent No. 11,938,397 B2. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because at least one claim of the instant application is being taught by the claims of the U.S. Patent.

Note that the previous patent granted of the parent application family are also considered such as: 11,484,786 B2, 10,709,974 B2, 10,232,256 B2, 9,782,672 B2.

Patented claim 1 recites a system which perform the feature of suppressing at least one of the one or more components of the audio signal to generate an output audio signal.

The pending claim 31 recites a system which perform the similar feature of suppressing the component of the audio signal to generate an output audio signal according to a characteristic of the component.

Therefore, the patented claim 1 anticipates the pending 31.

Pending claims 32-42 have similar limitations comparing the patented claims 2- 24 as shown on the table below.

Pending claims

Patented claims

31\. A computing device comprising: a detection circuit configured to identify a component, of a multichannel input audio signal, according to a field-of-view, and wherein the detection circuit is configured to detect a common element in at least two channels of the multichannel input audio signal; and an adjustment circuit configured to suppress the component of the audio signal to generate an output audio signal according to a characteristic of the component.

32\. The computing device of claim 31, wherein the computing device comprises a controller circuit configured to provide settings for controlling an adjustment applied via the adjustment circuit, wherein the settings are determined according to the identification of the component via the detection circuit.

33\. The computing device of claim 32, wherein the controller circuit is configured to determine the settings.

34\. The computing device of claim 32, wherein the adjustment circuit is configured to apply the adjustment to enhance a perception of the one or more other components.

35\. A system comprising: a computing device configured to: identify a component, of a multichannel input audio signal, according to a field-of-view; and suppress the component of the audio signal to generate an output audio signal, wherein: the suppression is processed according to a characteristic of the component, an audio processing circuit is configured to identify the component according to an identification of an element of the multichannel input audio signal, and the element is a common element of at least two channels.

36\. The system of claim 35, wherein the computing device is configured to enhance a perception of at least one other component.

37\. The system of claim 35, wherein the system comprises an audio output component configured to convey the output audio signal.

38\. The system of claim 37, wherein the audio output component comprises a speaker.

39\. A method comprising: in a computing device: identifying a component, of a multichannel input audio signal, according to a field-of-view and according to an element of the multichannel input audio signal; and suppressing the component of the audio signal to generate an output audio signal, wherein: the suppression is processed according to a characteristic of the component, and the element is a common element of at least two channels.

40\. The method of claim 39, wherein the method comprises enhancing a perception of at least one other component.

41\. A computing device comprising: a detection circuit configured to identify a component, of a multichannel input audio signal, according to a field-of-view; an adjustment circuit configured to suppress the component of the audio signal to generate an output audio signal according to a characteristic of the component; and a controller circuit configured to provide settings for controlling the adjustment applied via the adjustment circuit, wherein the settings are determined according to the identification of the component via the detection circuit, and wherein the controller circuit is configured to determine the settings.

42\. The computing device of claim 41, wherein the adjustment circuit is configured to apply an adjustment to enhance a perception of the one or more other components.

1\. A system comprising: a hearing device configured to: identify one or more components, of an input audio signal, according to one or more criteria related to a field-of-view associated with a user of the system, wherein the input audio signal comprises a left channel and a right channel; and suppress at least one of the one or more components of the audio signal to generate an output audio signal, wherein the suppression is processed according to a characteristic of the one or more components, as perceived by the user, when the user is receiving the output audio signal.

2\. The system of claim 1, wherein the hearing device is configured to enhance a perception of at least one other component.

3\. The system of claim 1, wherein the input audio signal comprises a plurality of channel signals.

4\. The system of claim 3, wherein an audio processing circuit is configured to identify the one or more components according to an identification of one or more elements in the plurality of channel signals.

5\. The system of claim 4, wherein the one or more elements comprise common elements in a left channel and a right channel.

6\. The system of claim 1, wherein the system comprises an audio output component configured to convey the output audio signal.

7\. The system of claim 6, wherein the audio output component comprises a speaker.

8\. A method comprising: in a hearing device: identifying one or more components, of an input audio signal, according to one or more criteria related to a field-of-view associated with a user of the system, wherein the input audio signal comprises a left channel and a right channel; and suppressing at least one of the one or more components of the audio signal to generate an output audio signal, wherein the suppression is processed according to a characteristic of the one or more components, as perceived by the user, when the user is receiving the output audio signal.

9\. The method of claim 8, wherein the method comprises conveying the output audio signal to the user.

10\. The method of claim 8, wherein the method comprises enhancing a perception of at least one other component.

11\. The method of claim 8, wherein the input audio signal comprises a plurality of channel signals.

12\. The method of claim 11, wherein the method comprises identifying the one or more components according to one or more elements in the plurality of channel signals.

13\. The system of claim 12, wherein the one or more elements comprise common elements in a left channel and a right channel.

14\. A hearing device comprising: a detection circuit configured to identify one or more components, of an input audio signal, according to one or more criteria related to a field-of-view associated with a user of the system, and wherein the detection circuit is configured to detect common elements in a left channel signal and a right channel signal of the input audio signal; and; an adjustment circuit configured to suppress at least one of the one or more components of the audio signal to generate an output audio signal, wherein the suppression is processed according to a characteristic of the one or more components, as perceived by the user, when the user is receiving the output audio signal.

15\. The hearing device of claim 14, wherein the hearing device comprises a controller circuit configured to provide settings for controlling the adjustment applied via the adjustment circuit, wherein the settings are determined according to the identification of the one or more components via the detection circuit.

16\. The hearing device of claim 15, wherein the controller circuit is configured to determine the settings.

17\. The hearing device of claim 14, wherein the adjustment circuit is configured to apply the adjustment to enhance a perception of the one or more other components.

18\. A system comprising: a hearing device configured to: identify one or more components, of an input audio signal, according to one or more criteria related to a field-of-view associated with a user of the system, wherein the input audio signal comprises a plurality of channel signals; and suppress at least one of the one or more components of the audio signal to generate an output audio signal, wherein: the suppression is processed according to a characteristic of the one or more components, as perceived by the user, when the user is receiving the output audio signal, an audio processing circuit is configured to identify the one or more components according to an identification of one or more elements in the plurality of channel signals, and the one or more elements comprise common elements in a left channel and a right channel.

19\. The system of claim 18, wherein the hearing device is configured to enhance a perception of at least one other component.

20\. The system of claim 18, wherein the system comprises an audio output component configured to convey the output audio signal.

21\. The system of claim 20, wherein the audio output component comprises a speaker.

22\. A method comprising: in a hearing device: identifying one or more components, of an input audio signal, according to one or more criteria related to a field-of-view associated with a user of the system and according to one or more elements in the plurality of channel signals, wherein the input audio signal comprises a plurality of channel signals; and suppressing at least one of the one or more components of the audio signal to generate an output audio signal, wherein: the suppression is processed according to a characteristic of the one or more components, as perceived by the user, when the user is receiving the output audio signal, and the one or more elements comprise common elements in a left channel and a right channel.

23\. The method of claim 22, wherein the method comprises conveying the output audio signal to the user.

24\. The method of claim 22, wherein the method comprises enhancing a perception of at least one other component.

.

Response to Arguments
=====================

Applicant’s arguments, see page 5, filed Janvier 21, 2025, with respect to:

Allowable Subject Matter

Claims 31-42 are allowed.

The examiner agrees that claims 31-43 are allowed on the prior art rejection.

Rejections under 35 U.S.C. §103

Claims 21-30 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being allegedly unpatentable over Bonanno (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0040240) in view of Bellamy (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0164894).

The Applicant traverses these rejections, but in order to advance prosecution has claims 21-30 have been cancelled.

The examiner agrees that the cancellation of the claims overcome the 35 U.S.C. 103 rejection.

The applicant arguments have been fully considered and are persuasive. The 35 U.S.C. 103 rejection of 21-30 has been withdrawn.

Conclusion
==========

The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. See PTO-892 form.

Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).

A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the date of this final action.

APPLICANT REBUTTAL: REMARKS
The present application includes pending claims 21-42. Claims 21-30 have been rejected only on the basis of alleged double patenting. Claims 31-42 are allowed. The Final Office Action of February 5, 2025 ("FOA") has been carefully considered.
The Applicant respectfully traverses the above rejections at least for the reasons previously set forth during prosecution and at least based on the following remarks. Allowance of the claims in view of the following remarks are respectfully requested.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 31-42 are allowed.
Double Patentin
g
Rejection
The eTD, filed herewith, regarding U.S. Patent No. 11,938,397, U.S. Patent No. 11,484,786, U.S. Patent No. 10,709,974, U.S. Patent No. 10,232,256, and U.S. Patent No. 9,782,672 overcomes the nonstatutory double patenting rejection.
Final Matters
The Office Action makes various statements, including without limitation statements regarding the claims, the cited references, one of ordinary skill in the art, etc., that are now moot in view of the previously presented amendments and/or arguments. Thus, the Applicant will not address all of such statements at the present time. However, the Applicant expressly reserves the right to challenge such statements in the future should the need arise (e.g., if such statements should become relevant by reappearing in a rejection of any current or future claim or be relied upon in any proceeding involving this application or a corresponding patent). The Applicant also respectfully reserves the right to argue additional reasons that support the allowability of all claims, whether or not argued in this
Response or previous responses, should that need arise in the future.
Conclusion

NEXT OFFICE ACTION: 
NOA

DETAILED ACTION
===============

Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
===============================

The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA.

Terminal Disclaimer
===================

The terminal disclaimer filed on February 10, 2025 disclaiming the terminal portion of any patent granted on this application which would extend beyond the expiration date of 11,938,397 B2, 11,484,786 B2, 10,709,974 B2, 10,232,256 B2 and 9,782,672 B2 has been reviewed and is accepted. The terminal disclaimer has been recorded.

Allowable Claims
================

Claims 31-42 are allowed.

The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:

As to claims 31, 35, 39 and 41, in combination with other limitations of the claims, when considered as a whole, the prior art of record fails to disclose or specifically suggested wherein the detection circuit is configured to detect a common element in at least two channels of the multichannel input audio signal; and an adjustment circuit configured to suppress the component of the audio signal to generate an output audio signal according to a characteristic of the component.

In the specific, with combined limitations recited in the claims.

Furthermore, it would not have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of invention to modify the prior art in order to arrive at the claim invention.

Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee. Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”

Response to Arguments
=====================

Applicant’s arguments, see page 5, filed on February 10, 2025, with respect to:

Allowable Subject Matter

Claims 31-42 are allowed.

The examiner agrees that claims 31-42 are allowed over the prior art, but rejected under the non-statutory double patenting.

Double Patenting Rejection

The eTD, filed herewith, regarding U.S. Patent No. 11,938,397, U.S. Patent No. 11,484,786, U.S. Patent No. 10,709,974, U.S. Patent No. 10,232,256, and U.S. Patent No. 9,782,672 overcomes the nonstatutory double patenting rejection.

The examiner agrees that the submission of the terminal disclaimer overcomes the non-statutory double patenting.

The applicant’s arguments have been fully considered and are persuasive. The non-statutory double patenting of claims of claims 31-42 has been withdrawn.

Conclusion
==========

The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. See PTO-892 form.

CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US7369672B2: Claims:
An improved audio visual system having, a housing having a front face that is substantially planar, a LCD video display with a substantially planar display surface mounted in the front face, the video display being bounded by side edges and top and bottom edges, a first speaker assembly and a second speaker assembly, each of the speaker assemblies being mounted in the housing for generating sound, each of the speaker assemblies having, a driver having a driver axis that is substantially perpendicular to the front face of the housing, a membrane symmetrically disposed about the driver axis, the membrane terminating in a distal end attached to the driver, and a proximal end, the proximal end having a greater cross section than the distal end, the membrane having a nominal diameter at the proximal end, and a rim attached to the proximal end of the membrane, and a first speaker cavity for the first speaker assembly and a second speaker cavity for the second speaker assembly,
a housing having a front face that is substantially planar,
a LCD video display with a substantially planar display surface mounted in the front face, the video display being bounded by side edges and top and bottom edges,
a first speaker assembly and a second speaker assembly, each of the speaker assemblies being mounted in the housing for generating sound, each of the speaker assemblies having, a driver having a driver axis that is substantially perpendicular to the front face of the housing, a membrane symmetrically disposed about the driver axis, the membrane terminating in a distal end attached to the driver, and a proximal end, the proximal end having a greater cross section than the distal end, the membrane having a nominal diameter at the proximal end, and a rim attached to the proximal end of the membrane, and
a driver having a driver axis that is substantially perpendicular to the front face of the housing,
a membrane symmetrically disposed about the driver axis, the membrane terminating in a distal end attached to the driver, and a proximal end, the proximal end having a greater cross section than the distal end, the membrane having a nominal diameter at the proximal end, and
a rim attached to the proximal end of the membrane, and
a first speaker cavity for the first speaker assembly and a second speaker cavity for the second speaker assembly,
the improved audio visual system being designed for personal use without disturbing those around the user, the improvement comprising:
each of the speaker cavities intersecting the front face of the housing and having a cavity bottom positioned with respect to the front face so as to define a cavity depth which is sufficient in size to accommodate one of the speaker assemblies while providing a free volume therebehind adequate to assure a responsive speaker assembly and a separation between said cavity bottom and the driver, wherein said cavity depth is less than about twice the nominal diameter of the membrane at the proximal end, the rim of each of the speaker assemblies being positioned in the cavity so as to establish a setback distance from the front face of the housing, wherein said setback distance is 50% to 100% of the nominal diameter at the proximal end; and
the rim of each of the speaker assemblies being positioned in the cavity so as to establish a setback distance from the front face of the housing, wherein said setback distance is 50% to 100% of the nominal diameter at the proximal end; and
further wherein and each of the speaker cavities terminates at the substantially planar front face;
still further wherein each of the cavities is sized at least as large as the cross section of the membrane throughout the portion of the cavity extending between the rim of the speaker assembly and the front face of the housing; and
further wherein the first speaker cavity has a first bevel that intersects the front face of the housing and is configured such that it extends the first speaker cavity toward the second speaker cavity as the first speaker cavity advances to and intersects the front face of the housing;
and further wherein the second speaker cavity has a second bevel that intersects the front face of the housing and is configured such that it extends the second speaker cavity toward the first speaker cavity as the second speaker cavity advances to and intersects the front face of the housing.
The improved audio visual system of claim 1 wherein said first bevel and said second bevel are inclined with respect to the driver axes by an angle Î±of between about 30Â° and 50Â°.
The improved audio visual system of claim 1 wherein the audio visual system is designed to interface with an entertainment system that generates various media output signals, the audio visual system further comprising: a base; means for attaching said base to the housing so as to provide articulation of the housing with respect to said base; and means for transmitting the media output signals to the LCD video display and to the first speaker assembly and the second speaker assembly residing in the housing.
means for attaching said base to the housing so as to provide articulation of the housing with respect to said base; and
means for transmitting the media output signals to the LCD video display and to the first speaker assembly and the second speaker assembly residing in the housing.
The improved audio visual system of claim 3 wherein said means for attaching said base to the housing so as to provide articulation of the housing with respect to said base further comprises: a housing bracket for supporting the housing; and an adjustable arm having, at least two rigid arm segments, joints between said at least two rigid arm segments, at least one of said joints being a pivotal joint, and means for adjusting the torsional load bearing capacity of said joints, said adjustable arm terminating in an arm first end and an arm second end, said arm first end connecting to said base and said arm second end connecting to said housing bracket, whereby said means for adjusting the torsional load bearing capacity of said joints allows setting the torsional load bearing of said joints to such a level that the position of the housing can be readily adjusted with respect to said base and the housing remains in place when so positioned.
a housing bracket for supporting the housing; and
an adjustable arm having, at least two rigid arm segments, joints between said at least two rigid arm segments, at least one of said joints being a pivotal joint, and means for adjusting the torsional load bearing capacity of said joints, said adjustable arm terminating in an arm first end and an arm second end, said arm first end connecting to said base and said arm second end connecting to said housing bracket, whereby said means for adjusting the torsional load bearing capacity of said joints allows setting the torsional load bearing of said joints to such a level that the position of the housing can be readily adjusted with respect to said base and the housing remains in place when so positioned.
at least two rigid arm segments,
joints between said at least two rigid arm segments, at least one of said joints being a pivotal joint, and
means for adjusting the torsional load bearing capacity of said joints, said adjustable arm terminating in an arm first end and an arm second end, said arm first end connecting to said base and said arm second end connecting to said housing bracket,
whereby said means for adjusting the torsional load bearing capacity of said joints allows setting the torsional load bearing of said joints to such a level that the position of the housing can be readily adjusted with respect to said base and the housing remains in place when so positioned.
The improved audio visual system of claim 4 wherein the housing has a top surface and a bottom surface and said housing bracket attaches to the top surface of the housing, and further wherein the audio visual system further comprises: LED lamps on the bottom surface of the housing; and a switch for selectively activating said LED lamps to allow varying the intensity of light produced by said LED lamps.
LED lamps on the bottom surface of the housing; and
a switch for selectively activating said LED lamps to allow varying the intensity of light produced by said LED lamps.
The improved audio visual system of claim 4 wherein said arm segments have arm passages therethrough, and said joints have joint passages therethrough which provide communication between said arm passages to accommodate said means for transmitting the media output signals to the LCD video display and to the first and second speaker assemblies.
The improved audio visual system of claim 6 wherein, for at least one of said joints, said means for adjusting the torsional load bearing capacity of said joints further comprises: a first joint element; a second joint element, said first and second joint elements being mounted so as to pivot with respect to each other about a common pivot axis; a friction element positioned between said first joint element and said second joint element; and means for varying the force of engagement of said first joint element and said second joint element with said friction element, thereby varying the torsional load bearing capacity of said joint.
a first joint element;
a second joint element, said first and second joint elements being mounted so as to pivot with respect to each other about a common pivot axis;
a friction element positioned between said first joint element and said second joint element; and
means for varying the force of engagement of said first joint element and said second joint element with said friction element, thereby varying the torsional load bearing capacity of said joint.
The improved audio visual system of claim 7 wherein, said first joint element is provided by a joint central region attached to one of said rigid arm segments, further wherein said second joint element is provided by a pair of joint end caps attached to another of said rigid arm segments, said joint central region rotatably engaging said pair of end caps, still further wherein said friction element is provided by a pair of resilient rings, each positioned between one of said end caps and said joint central region, and yet further wherein said means for varying the force of engagement of said first joint element and said second joint element with said friction element is provided by means for varying the position of each of said pair of joint end caps with respect to said joint central region so as to vary the compression of said resilient ring.
said first joint element is provided by a joint central region attached to one of said rigid arm segments,
further wherein said second joint element is provided by a pair of joint end caps attached to another of said rigid arm segments, said joint central region rotatably engaging said pair of end caps,
still further wherein said friction element is provided by a pair of resilient rings, each positioned between one of said end caps and said joint central region, and
yet further wherein said means for varying the force of engagement of said first joint element and said second joint element with said friction element is provided by means for varying the position of each of said pair of joint end caps with respect to said joint central region so as to vary the compression of said resilient ring.
The improved audio visual system of claim 6 wherein said joints are dual pivoting joints and further wherein, for each of said dual pivoting joints, said means for adjusting the torsional load bearing capacity of said joints further comprises: a first saddle bracket frictionally engaging and pivotably attaching to one of said arm segments, said first saddle having a first pivot axis, about which said one of said arm segments pivots, and a first bracket passage; means for varying the force of engagement of said first saddle bracket with said one of said arm segments attached thereto; a second saddle bracket frictionally engaging and pivotably attaching to another of said arm segments, said second saddle bracket having a second pivot axis, about which said another of said arm segments pivots, and a second bracket passage communicating with said first bracket passage; means for varying the force of engagement of said second saddle bracket with said another of said arms attached thereto; a bracket rotation axis about which said first saddle bracket and said second saddle bracket can rotate with respect to each other; means for rotatably and frictionally engaging said first saddle bracket with said second saddle bracket so as to allow relative rotation therebetween about said bracket rotation axis; and means for varying the force of the frictional, rotatable engagement of said first saddle bracket with said second saddle bracket.
a first saddle bracket frictionally engaging and pivotably attaching to one of said arm segments, said first saddle having a first pivot axis, about which said one of said arm segments pivots, and a first bracket passage;
means for varying the force of engagement of said first saddle bracket with said one of said arm segments attached thereto;
a second saddle bracket frictionally engaging and pivotably attaching to another of said arm segments, said second saddle bracket having a second pivot axis, about which said another of said arm segments pivots, and a second bracket passage communicating with said first bracket passage;
means for varying the force of engagement of said second saddle bracket with said another of said arms attached thereto;
a bracket rotation axis about which said first saddle bracket and said second saddle bracket can rotate with respect to each other;
means for rotatably and frictionally engaging said first saddle bracket with said second saddle bracket so as to allow relative rotation therebetween about said bracket rotation axis; and
means for varying the force of the frictional, rotatable engagement of said first saddle bracket with said second saddle bracket.
The improved audio visual system of claim 5 wherein said switch also selectively activates power to the LCD display and the speaker assemblies.
The improved audio visual system of claim 5 wherein said switch can selectively activate said LED lamps to provide at least, an OFF level of illumination where none of said LED lamps are illumniated; a LOW level of illumination where less than all of said LED lamps are illuminated; a HIGH level of illumination where all of said LED lamps are illuminated.
an OFF level of illumination where none of said LED lamps are illumniated;
a LOW level of illumination where less than all of said LED lamps are illuminated;
a HIGH level of illumination where all of said LED lamps are illuminated.
An audio visual system comprising: a housing having a front face that is substantially planar; a LCD video display with a substantially planar display surface mounted in said front face, said video display being bounded by side edges and top and bottom edges, said LCD video display being a directional display that can only be viewed by a user when the line of vision of the user is no more than about 25Â° from normal to said substantially planar display surface; a first speaker assembly and a second speaker assembly, each of said speaker assemblies for generating sound being mounted in said housing, each of said speaker assemblies having, a driver having a driver axis that is substantially perpendicular to said front face of said housing, a membrane symmetrically disposed about said driver axis, said membrane terminating in a distal end attached to said driver, and a proximal end, said proximal end having a greater cross section than said distal end, said membrane having a nominal diameter at said proximal end, and a rim attached to said proximal end of said membrane; and further wherein, said first speaker assembly is provided with a first speaker cavity and the second speaker assembly is provided with a second speaker cavity, each of said speaker cavities terminating at and intersecting said front face of said housing and having a cavity bottom positioned with respect to said front face so as to define a cavity depth which is sufficient in size to accommodate said speaker assembly while providing a free volume therebehind adequate to assure a responsive speaker assembly and a separation between said cavity bottom and said driver, said rim of said speaker assembly being positioned in said cavity so as to establish a setback distance from said front face of said housing wherein said setback is 50% to 100% of the nominal diameter at said proximal end, said first speaker cavity having a first bevel that is inclined with respect to said driver axis of said first speaker assembly and which intersects said front face of said housing, said first speaker cavity being configured such that it extends said first speaker cavity toward said second speaker cavity as said first speaker cavity advances to and intersects said front face of said housing, and said second speaker cavity having a second bevel that is inclined with respect to said driver axis of said second speaker assembly and which intersects said front face of said housing, said second speaker cavity being configured such that it extends said second speaker cavity toward said first speaker cavity as said second speaker cavity advances to and intersects said front face of said housing.
a housing having a front face that is substantially planar;
a LCD video display with a substantially planar display surface mounted in said front face, said video display being bounded by side edges and top and bottom edges, said LCD video display being a directional display that can only be viewed by a user when the line of vision of the user is no more than about 25Â° from normal to said substantially planar display surface;
a first speaker assembly and a second speaker assembly, each of said speaker assemblies for generating sound being mounted in said housing, each of said speaker assemblies having, a driver having a driver axis that is substantially perpendicular to said front face of said housing, a membrane symmetrically disposed about said driver axis, said membrane terminating in a distal end attached to said driver, and a proximal end, said proximal end having a greater cross section than said distal end, said membrane having a nominal diameter at said proximal end, and a rim attached to said proximal end of said membrane; and
a driver having a driver axis that is substantially perpendicular to said front face of said housing,
a membrane symmetrically disposed about said driver axis, said membrane terminating in a distal end attached to said driver, and a proximal end, said proximal end having a greater cross section than said distal end, said membrane having a nominal diameter at said proximal end, and
a rim attached to said proximal end of said membrane; and
further wherein, said first speaker assembly is provided with a first speaker cavity and the second speaker assembly is provided with a second speaker cavity, each of said speaker cavities terminating at and intersecting said front face of said housing and having a cavity bottom positioned with respect to said front face so as to define a cavity depth which is sufficient in size to accommodate said speaker assembly while providing a free volume therebehind adequate to assure a responsive speaker assembly and a separation between said cavity bottom and said driver, said rim of said speaker assembly being positioned in said cavity so as to establish a setback distance from said front face of said housing wherein said setback is 50% to 100% of the nominal diameter at said proximal end, said first speaker cavity having a first bevel that is inclined with respect to said driver axis of said first speaker assembly and which intersects said fro
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