The recent products launched by the company Apple Lossless Audio CODEC (ALAC), seem to borrow some characteristics of some designs patented by THX, at least this is what I support the lawyers representing the company in a lawsuit filed against Apple. iPhone, iPad si Mac- the ones launched in recent years have very thin cases, and this is basically the basis of the whole process, those from THX patenting a technology through which the speakers can be positioned to efficiently emit sounds through such places.
A narrow profile speaker unit comprises at least one speaker outputting sound towards an internal surface and through a duct with an output terminus, such as a slot, having a narrow dimension, effectively changing the cross-section of the speaker's audio output wave. A pair of speakers may face one another, outputting sound towards a common output slot. Multiple pairs of speakers may be used to form an inline speaker unit for increased sound output. A slotted speaker unit may include multiple speakers facing the same direction, towards a ground plane or reflecting surface, and having parallel apertures for allowing sound radiation. The speaker units may be integral with or attached to electronic appliances such as desktop computers or flatscreen devices, or may be used in automobiles or other contexts.
THX was founded by the director of Star Wars, George Lucas, the company is asking the court to stop the sales of the products that it says infringe its patents and of course to offer compensation for the unauthorized use of the technology. It's hard to say what chances of winning THX have at the moment, but it wouldn't be hard to believe that Apple is infringing their patents and if this is true, then Apple will probably have to pay damages.
