We think freely like music, create value with sounds that are enjoyable, and solve social issues with sounds that are useful.
Business Overview
Change the world with sound
Business Overview
Business Overview
Business direction
We are circulating the cycle to license our technologies that are created by our R&D and to invest our profit that is generated by the license to our R&D.
Further, we are strengthening our licensing business by increasing exposing of Onkyo brand and increasing Onkyo brand value.
In addition, it is the material for our decision of our R&D direction to feed back market trend to our R&D.
Under our slogan "change the world with sound", we are advancing our R&D by extending "sound" technologies that have been developed over years as a long-established audio maker to medical care, food, infrastructure and industry and performing marketing for increasing Onkyo brand degree of recognition with our entire company.
Business direction
We are circulating the cycle to license our technologies that are created by our R&D and to invest our profit that is generated by the license to our R&D.
Further, we are strengthening our licensing business by increasing exposing of Onkyo brand and increasing Onkyo brand value.
In addition, it is the material for our decision of our R&D direction to feed back market trend to our R&D.
Under our slogan "change the world with sound", we are advancing our R&D by extending "sound" technologies that have been developed over years as a long-established audio maker to medical care, food, infrastructure and industry and performing marketing for increasing Onkyo brand degree of recognition with our entire company.
Business direction
We are circulating the cycle to license our technologies that are created by our R&D and to invest our profit that is generated by the license to our R&D.
Further, we are strengthening our licensing business by increasing exposing of Onkyo brand and increasing Onkyo brand value.
In addition, it is the material for our decision of our R&D direction to feed back market trend to our R&D.
Under our slogan "change the world with sound", we are advancing our R&D by extending "sound" technologies that have been developed over years as a long-established audio maker to medical care, food, infrastructure and industry and performing marketing for increasing Onkyo brand degree of recognition with our entire company.
R&D
Under our slogan "change the world with sound", we are broadening our technologies relating to sound and vibration to the world.
We are filing patent applications so that inventions created from R&D are patented, profits are generated from patents and we invest generated profits to R&D.
Medical care
Aiming the acoustic biomarker that is involved in diagnosis by sound and vibration
We obtain biological sound precisely and easily by technologies relating to sound and vibration that have been developed in connection with audio, help diagnosis in medical care by combining biological sound with AI and aim “acoustic biomarker” that is involved in diagnosis by sound and vibration.
Digital stethoscope
We are performing R&D of the digital stethoscope so as to aim using in the online medical treatment.
*Proto type of developing digital stethoscope
*Future image to use the digital stethoscope
It is estimated to upload biological sound recorded by using the digital stethoscope at home to the DB on the cloud, to be diagnosed by the doctor based on uploaded biological sound and to alert for seeing the doctor by AI.
We are performing joint R&D of the digital stethoscope for remote medical care with Kanazawa Medical University and KOCHI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY.
We filed three patent applications regarding inventions that were created in process of joint R&D.
・JP2021-120549
Stethoscope and stethoscope system
・JP2022-051404
Stethoscope and stethoscope system
・JP2022-051405
Stethoscope and stethoscope system
Joint R&D with Kanazawa Medical University and KOCHI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
Patent applications / Patent rights (as of April 2025)
Japan
• JP2020-109205
Stethoscope system, stethoscope and method
• JP2020-111885
Stethoscope system, stethoscope and method
• JP2021-120549
Stethoscope system and stethoscope
• JP2021-143854
Signal processing device and signal processing method
• JP2022-000523
Stethoscope system and stethoscope
• JP2022-021976
Stethoscope
• JP2022-039895
Stethoscope
• JP2022-050070
Stethoscope system and stethoscope
• JP2022-051404
Stethoscope system and stethoscope
• JP2022-051405
Stethoscope system and stethoscope
• JP2022-116832
Not published
• JP2022-129821
Not published
• JP2022-129822
Not published
• JP2022-129823
Not published
• JP2022-129824
Not published
• JP2022-129825
Not published
• JP2022-129826
Not published
• JP2022-139018
Not published
• JP2022-140419
Not published
• JP2022-149642
Not published
• JP2022-209443
Not published
• JP2022-129823
Stethoscope system and stethoscope
• JP2022-129824
Stethoscope system
• JP2022-129825
Electronic device
• JP2022-129826
Electronic device
• JP2022-139018
Stethoscope
• JP2022-140419
Electronic device
• JP2022-149642
Electronic device
• JP2022-209443
Electronic device
Japan
• JP7518357
Stethoscope system, stethoscope and method
• JP7662932
Stethoscope system, stethoscope and method
• JP2022-000523
Stethoscope system and stethoscope
• JP2022-021976
Stethoscope
• JP2022-039895
Stethoscope
• JP2022-050070
Stethoscope system and stethoscope
• JP2022-051404
Stethoscope system and stethoscope
• JP2022-051405
Stethoscope system and stethoscope
• JP2022-116832
System and method
• JP2022-129821
Electronic device
• JP2022-129822
Electronic device
United States
• US18/108586 Stethoscope
• US18/125760 Stethoscope
• US18/230209 Electronic device
China
• 202310138421.X Stethoscope
• 202311034448.0 Electronic device
Application using bowel sound (Gut note)
Application using bowel sound
(Gut Note)
We performed R&D support of the application using bowel sound "Gut note".
Suntory Global Innovation Center Ltd. developed "Gut note" that measures and evaluates bowel sound and suggests gut activity.
Application using bowel sound (Gut note)
Application using bowel sound
(Gut note)
”Gut note” is the unprecedented application that suggests gut activity based on bowel sound recorded by the smartphone.
“Gut note“ that was being developed at that time was exhibited to CES 2023 that was held on January 2023 at Las Vegas, US and prized for “CES 2023 Innovation Awards” that prizes products and services that should be paid attention from exhibitions that year.
Credit to indicate that we performed R&D support is displayed in “Gut note”.
In R&D of “Gut note”, we are supporting effective bowel sound obtaining method and AI analysis and evaluation of obtaining biological sound.
Voice recognition engine (Onkyo SPEECH)
We are performing R&D of voice recognition engine as our goal to use it as the acoustic biomarker.
Thesis (as of January 2024)
[2021]
O-COCOSDA 2021 Best Paper AwardNobuya Tachimori (Onkyo Corporation, Japan)，Sakriani Sakti and Satoshi Nakamura(Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Japan)MULTI-ENCODER SEQUENTIAL ATTENTION NETWORK FOR CONTEXT-AWARE SPEECH RECOGNITION IN JAPANESE DIALOG CONVERSATION https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9660580
Patent applications / Patent rights (as of April 2025)
Japan
• JP2021-196114
Voice recognition system and voice recognition method
• JP2022-198287
Voice recognition system and voice recognition method
• JP2022-198288
Voice recognition system and voice recognition method
• JP2023-108240
Not published
Voice recognition engine (Onkyo SPEECH)
Food
Being involved in daily life of consumers in sound and vibration and food
We are aiming that we are involved in daily life of the consumers by using technologies relating sound and vibration to food that is consumed every day.
In our activity, we are performing R&D with universities and companies that have knowledge of food.
Kashinshu (Matured alcohol by music vibration)
We are progressing R&D regarding influence music vibration with the following theme.
The theme is to increase reproduction purity by physical accuracy, to apply audio design that brings out music expressiveness to food and to bring out potential of material by using natural power that is had by music.
Publishing pursuit of appropriate music vibration corresponding to each environment and taste as “Matured by Onkyo”, we are performing our R&D.
Joint R&D with Tokyo University of Agriculture
Regarding fermentation mechanism, we concluded the agreement relating to joint R&D with Tokyo University of Agriculture and are performing joint R&D of fermentation technology as we announced “R&D of fermentation technology using vibration and sound by exciter -starting joint R&D relating to “food” with Tokyo University of Agriculture-” dated on July 1, 2020.
With professor: Hiroharu Tokuda, Department of Brewing and Fermentation, Tokyo University of Agriculture (as of January 2024), we are attempting to reveal effective how to provide the exciter, how to vibrate and influence that is given to fungus increasing, flavor component and various organic acids by differences of sound frequency bands.
Professor: Hiroharu Tokuda
Department of Brewing and Fermentation
Tokyo University of Agriculture
Profile: http://dbs.nodai.ac.jp/html/397_ja.html
Tokyo University of Agriculture: https://www.nodai.ac.jp/
Professor: Hiroharu Tokuda
Department of Brewing and Fermentation
Tokyo University of Agriculture
Joint R&D with Gekkeikan Sake Company, Limited
We performed inspection regarding possibility to mature sake by music based on joint R&D with Research Institute, Gekkeikan Sake Company, Limited and revealed that specific sound wave influences increasing and decreasing fermentation component by performing analysis of fermentation process under acoustic vibration condition.
We announced this R&D result under the title of “analysis of fermentation process of sake brewing under vibration” at “2023 contest of Brewing Society of Japan” on October 4, 2023.
Thesis (as of January 2024)
Analysis of fermentation process of brewing sake under vibration condition
Yoshiki Asai1, Hiroaki Negoro1, Hiroki Ishida1, Norimasa Kitagawa, Koichi Sadaie
(1 Gekkeikan Sake Company, Limited, 2 Onkyo Corporation)
2023 Contest of the Brewing Society of Japan (Organizer: Brewing Society of Japan)
Patent applications / Patent rights (as of April 2025)
Japan
• JP2021-091987
System, method, manufacturing method, food and sake
• JP2022-062770
System, method, manufacturing method, food and sake
• JP2022-159405
Not published
• JP2023-161797
Device, manufacturing device of sake, food and sake
• JP2023-202775
Not published
• JP2023-217484
Not published
Fermented food
Fermented food
We are performing our R&D of influence by vibration regarding fermented foods such as butter and say sauce.
We filed patent application regarding the result of our R&D of butter.
Plant
We concluded the agreement relating to joint R&D with NARA INSTITUTE and SCIENCE and TECHNOLOGY and performed joint R&D of plant growth environment using vibration and sound by the exciter.
Joint R&D with NARA INSTITUTE of SCIENCE and TECHNOLOGY
In this joint R&D, we performed R&D regarding influence that stress using the exciter gives to growth process of seedling body (Arabidopsis thalina).
We attempted to reveal change of gene expression in growth of seeding body by giving different vibration signals.
Shiitake mushroom
We concluded the agreement relating to Joint R&D with NIPPON INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (NIT) and performed joint R&D regarding growth promotion technology of shiitake mushroom using vibration and sound by the exciter.
Joint R&D with Nippon Institute of Technology
In this joint R&D, our purpose is to realize controlling growth of shiitake mushroom by vibration and sound.
Concretely, in R&D of shiitake mushroom growth promotion technology by thunder sound that was progressed by NIT, we provided knowledge and technology relating to sound and vibration that were had by us and the purpose is to realize controlling growth in the view of sound and vibration.
Infrastructure
Existence value with sound and vibration in social activity
Sound and vibration exist everywhere such as a road, a bridge, and a car.
Our goal is to show our value in social activity by sensing sound and vibration in various places and detecting abnormal including deterioration and natural disaster from sound and vibration.
Traffic volume investigation
We are performing R&D to obtain road vibration when vehicle and pedestrian pass by using the vibration sensor that has little influence to privacy, to perform machine learning and deep learning of vibration signal and to judge passing.
*Vibration sensor "Ototorukun"
Adopted R&D
2022 / 2023 New road technology conference
Road bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
FS (Feasibility Study) research for realizing road administration needs
Research theme
Technology research and development using vibration sensor for easily realizing measurement of traffic flow (vehicle and pedestrian)
Thesis (as of January 2024)
2019
〇Japan
Consideration of indoor traffic flow of human by vibration using multiple piezoelectric elements
Shinya Akiyama, Makoto Yoshida, Yumiko Moriyama, Yusuke Kondo (Onkyo)
Hirohiko Suwa, Keiichi Yasumoto (NAIST)
DPSWS 27th multimedia communication and dispersion processing workshop (DPSWS2019)
Information Processing Society of Japan
• JP2020-114660
Sensor
• JP2022-161162 Not published
• JP2022-001969
Moving body detection system and moving body detection method
• JP2021-195538
Trigger device, system and method
• JP2022-194554
Not published
Japan
• JP2021-178421
Electronic device and method
• JP2021-109776
Sensor
• JP2021-079409 System and method
• JP2021-109777
Sensor and method
• JP2021-163990
Detection device and detection method
•JP2021-178422 System and method
• JP2022-067620
Sensor
• JP2023-001768 Not published
• JP2023-173324
Not published
• JP2023-128073 Not published
Japan
• JP2020-114660
Sensor
• JP2021-079409
System and method
• JP2021-109776
Sensor
• JP2021-109777
Sensor and method
• JP2021-163990
Detection device and detection method
• JP2021-178421
Electronic device and method
• JP2021-178422
System and method
• JP2021-195538
Trigger device and method
2020
〇International
Estimation of Walking Direction with Vibration Sensor based on Piezoelectric Device.
Shinya Akiyama, Makoto Yoshida and Yumiko Moriyama (Onkyo Corporation, Japan); Hirohiko Suwa and Keiichi Yasumoto (Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Japan).
PerLS 2020 : The Fourth International Workshop on Pervasive Smart Living Spaces
The Fourth International Workshop on Pervasive Smart Living Spaces | PerLS 2020 – IOTAP (mau.se)
〇Japan
Consideration of traffic volume estimation system by vibration sensor provided on road side
Makoto Yoshida, Tomoki Okuro, Nobunari Tachimori, Yumiko Moriyama, Yoshitada Takeshima (Onkyo)
Hirohiko Suwa (NAIST / RIKEN), Keiichi Yasumoto (NAIST)
2021
〇English thesis journal
Traffic Census Sensor Using Vibration Caused by Passing Vehicles
Makoto Yoshida, Shinya Akiyama, Yumiko Moriyama, Yoshitada Takeshima, Yusuke Kondo, Hirohiko Suwa, and Keiichi Yasumoto
Patent applications / Patent rights (as of April 2025)
Japan
• JP7522341
Sensor
• JP7654326
System and method
• JP2021-109777
Sensor and method
• JP2021-163990
Detection device and detection method
• JP2021-178421
Electronic device and method
• JP2021-178422
System and method
• JP2021-195538
Trigger device and method
• JP2022-001969
Moving body detection system and moving body detection method
• JP2022-067620
Sensor
• JP2022-161162
Moving body detection system and moving body detection method
• JP2022-194554
System
• JP2023-001768
Vehicle detection system and vehicle detection method
• JP2023-128073
Moving body detection system and moving body detection method
• JP2023-173324
The number of axle shafts detection system and the number of axle shafts detection method
Japan
• JP2020-114660
Sensor
• JP2021-079409
System and method
• JP2021-109776
Sensor
• JP2021-109777
Sensor and method
• JP2021-163990
Detection device and detection method
• JP2021-178421
Electronic device and method
• JP2021-178422
System and method
• JP2021-195538
Trigger method, system and method
Analysis of bridge
The problem that the bridges age simultaneously and demand of reinforcement and update increase is estimated.
We would like to contribute for solving this problem by performing various analysis of the bridges.
Cooperation by Kyoto University
We are performing "research of structure evaluation using vibration and sound" with Kyoto University.
Adopted R&D
2023 Construction technology R&D assistant system of Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport
R&D theme
R&D of estimation system of vehicle weight and axle load that construction is easy by using acceleration date in bridge
Establishment of estimation technology using acceleration data connects to R&D of BWIM (Bridge Weigh in Motion) system that has high portability and easiness.
It is expected to apply to reinforcement of various bridges and decision of update priority from large bridge such as highway to small bridge that is managed by local government.
Abnormal detection
We are performing our R&D for detecting various abnormal such as abnormal of the device.
Providing the engine inspection system to Komatsu Ltd.
We developed and provided the engine inspection system that diagnoses condition from operation sound of the engine to Komatsu Ltd. by joint R&D with Komatsu.
In the engine inspection system developed by us, it makes the learning model that diagnoses condition based on engine operation sound obtained in advance, analyze engine sound obtained by the microphone, diagnoses condition of the engine by the learning model and outputs inspection result.
It is possible to perform higher accuracy goods quality inspection by performing diagnosis by using AI not only human ear.
Patent applications / Patent rights (as of January 2024)
・JP2021-154121
Abnormal detection device and abnormal detection method
Automobile
We are analyzing noise (example: noise generated by contacting tire and road) by automobile.
Analyzation support relating to tire quietness for Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
We used our sound analyzation technology and supported tire noise analyzation for Sumitomo Rubber. We made tire model, used BEM (Boundary Element Method) and supported noise analyzation. In analyzation, we changed parameters such as tire diameter and width and simulated noise generation situation.
Abnormal detection
We are performing our R&D for detecting various abnormal such as abnormal of the device.
Industry
Sound and vibration solution in the life
We are performing R&D for the purpose of providing sound and vibration solution in the life and R&D of technologies to be used for technical license.
Call center (Onkyo IVR)
We are performing our R&D of call center using voice recognition engine developed by us.
Call center (Onkyo IVR)
Patent applications / Patent rights (as of January 2024)
・JP2019-159994
Call center system and method
Technical support against the bone conduction glasses developed by TDK Corporation
Technical support against the bone conduction glasses developed by TDK corporation
We performed R&D support of acoustic part of AR (Augmented Reality) glasses developed by TDK Corporation.
We suppose that AR glasses becomes main streaming as next generation interface of the smartwatch such as Apple Watch in the future and focus on the bone conduction system that is appropriate for the glasses type wearable device such as AR glasses and does not block the ear.
In R&D of the bone conduction device that is the base of R&D support to TDK, we succeeded downsizing and thinning.
Further, we suggested special mechanism that can surely fit to heads of many users and developed smart bone conduction glasses that does not let them feel mounting stress with TDK.
In addition, we are concerned with sound leak in the bone conduction system; however, we attempted to suppress sound leak by using our knowledge of sound and vibration technologies.
R&D relating to sound
R&D relating to sound
We are performing R&D so as to further deepen R&D that has supported technologies of audio product and speaker of Onkyo brand.
Magnesium diaphragm balanced armature driver (Mg-BA driver)
Realizing high quality sound which does not exist conventionally
Extending high frequency reproduction by lightweighting vibration system maximumly
Reducing noise component preventing sound source reproduction by holding high shock absorbing property and increasing rigidity by special surface processing technology developed newly.
It is said that Magnesium is the lightest in operational metal materials. A diaphragm which impregnates ceramic layer into inside of Magnesium material by special surface processing technology and realizes high rigidity is used for Mg-BA driver. High frequency reproduction can be extended, noise components which prevent sound source are decreased by high vibration absorbing property which is specific to material and sounds which are smoother and faithful to original sounds are realized.
Mg-BAドライバー
Mg-BAドライバー断面図
マグネシウム振動板
Realizing high rigidity by impregnating ceramic layer into inside of Magnesium material.
Biomimetics diaphragm
“Biomimetics” means applying structure and element which exist in the natural world to industrial products to solve complicated phenomena.
For the purpose of “coexisting of light weight and high rigidity” and “resonance dispersion” and realizing these, we considered applying structures and configurations of creatures which survive the natural world to a speaker diaphragm shape.
Shape to which “wing vein structure” and “three-dimensional structure of a shell” are applied is applied to a speaker diaphragm.
Dragonfly wing vein evolving for flying
（JP7299454B2 / US10805732B2）
飛翔動作のため進化した、
トンボの翅脈構造
（特許7299454）
Speaker unit using biomimetics diaphragm
ODMD (speaker diaphragm)
"ODMD" means "Onkyo Double-Molding Diaphragm". A diaphragm, a gasket and an edge are integrated by two-color molding. Features are following.
members are welded strongly, joining strength is high and divided vibrations are small.
Problem that variation of coating quantity of adhesive does not occur and quality stability is superior.
The number of parts and man-hours are decreased.
CLUSTRON driver
CLUSTRON driver is whole surface driving type unit. Structure that thin and long grating diaphragms are lined in one line and they are driven by connected voice coils is adopted. Although it is a thin speaker, it has wide directionality that "sound field broadens to 180 degrees" and it realizes high energy feeling and flat characteristics over wide frequency.
Exciter: Vibtone
What is an exciter?
Difference between exciter and speaker
Patent applications / Patent rights (as of January 2024)
(1) Circuit / amplifier
Japan
• JP5207155B
Current / voltage conversion circuit
• JP5333520B
Amplification circuit
• JP7096478B
Amplification device
• JP7206472
Amplification device
etc.
(2) Speaker
Japan
• JP7185116B
Diaphragm or dust cap and speaker unit
• JP7299454B
Diaphragm or dust cap and speaker unit
• JP7397271B
Exciter
• JP7212264B
Diffuser and speaker having thereof and electronic music instrument
etc.
(3) Software
Japan
• JP5590111B Frequency decision device
• JP6160604B ΔΣ modulator and grogram thereof
etc.
Exciter Vibtone
We are performing R&D so as to further deepen R&D that has supported technologies of audio product and speaker of Onkyo brand.
Branding
To expand Onkyo brand license and technology license, branding for increasing Onkyo brand recognition is important and we perform actions illustrated in this figure. At our EC site "ONKYO DIRECT" and our stores "ONKYO DIRECT ANIME STORE" and "ONKYO DIRECT ANIME STORE -Lifestyle-", we are selling various collaboration products.
ONKYO DIRECT
https://onkyodirect.jp/shop/default.aspx
ONKYO DIRECT ANIME STORE
https://onkyoanime.com/
ONKYO DIRECT ANIME STORE-Lifestyle-
https://onkyoanime.com/
