Patent Application
20200312291
The present invention is generally directed to sound absorbing and/or sound reflecting insulators for smart speaker devices. More specifically, the present invention is directed to sound absorbing/sound reflecting housings or other storage compartments constructed to prevent unintentional activation of smart speaker devices enclosed therein.
Smart Speaker Devices, such as devices currently marketed under the designations ALEXA, SIRI, ECHO, and GOOGLE ASSISTANT, are generally placed in open areas of residences or businesses so as to be activated by a voice signal from an authorized user in close proximity to the device. These smart speaker devices do not have voice recognition software, and therefore are subject to inadvertent actuation or intentional actuation by unauthorized persons, thereby resulting in transmitting or providing unintended access to personal conversations, emails, and files by such unauthorized persons, and compromising the privacy and security of the owner of the smart speaker device.
The following United States patents are directed to devices provided for the purpose of reflecting or absorbing sound to improve the quality of voice transmission or to protect the privacy of voice communications:
U.S. Pat. No. 10,038,950 is directed to a case for a microphone with a sound reflector which improves the transmission of sound when the microphone is in operation;
U.S. Pat. No. 9,336,768 is directed to a temporary storage compartment for mobile devices at locations where sensitive conversations are being conducted. The compartment prevents audible signals from being received by the mobile device by generating acoustic signals to mask the audible signals;
U.S. Pat. No. 8,408,356 is directed to a storage box for electronic apparatus for reducing noise during the operation of the electronic apparatus housed therein;
U.S. Pat. No. 8,203,850 is directed to a compartment for housing an electronic device and having a noise generator to minimize signal emissions from the interior of the compartment to the exterior of the compartment. The noise generator prevents the device within the compartment from recording audio signals originating from the exterior of the compartment;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,883,144 is directed to a housing formed from a noise absorbing material for absorbing noise generated by an appliance operating within the housing;
U.S. Pat. No. 3,963,883 is directed to a soundproof enclosure for a telephone to prevent use of the telephone for surveillance purposes. The enclosure also includes sound generating means to interfere with any audio signals that might penetrate the enclosure; and
U.S. Pat. No. 2,373,172 is directed to a muffler for components of a communications system which reduces external interfering sounds.
It is the primary object of the present invention to provide an enclosure for a smart speaker device which reduces or eliminates the possibility of unintended or unauthorized access to the smart speaker device housed within the enclosure to safeguard and protect the privacy and data of the owner or authorized user of the smart speaker device.
An enclosure, including a housing for a smart speaker device, is formed, at least in part, from a sound absorbing material, a sound reflecting material, or both. The housing includes closure elements such a door or doors which can be selectively opened or closed by an authorized person to permit the transmission of a voice signal to be received by the smart speaker device when the door(s) is opened, and to prevent the receipt of any voice signal by the smart speaker device when the door(s) is closed. The closure elements of the housing can be controlled manually, or remotely by a signal generated by a remote actuating device external of the housing. The housing includes an internal electrical receptacle for electrically actuating the smart speaker device enclosed therein, and means for coupling the internal electrical receptacle to an external source of electrical energy.
Referring
Preferably, the sidewall 16 of the housing is formed from ABS plastic textured on the outside; the sound reflecting layer 18 is formed from chrome plating for reflecting sound, some of which will be diffused by outer textured surface of the sidewall; and the sound absorbing layer 20 is formed from CFAB cellulose acoustical material. It is, however, within the scope of the present invention to use any other appropriate materials for housing, the sound reflecting layer, and the sound absorbing layer.
Although it is preferable that the sound reflecting material be on the outside of the sidewall 16 and the sound absorbing layer be on the inside of the sidewall 16, it is within the scope of the present invention to provide the sound reflecting layer on the inside of the sidewall and the sound absorbing layer on the outside of the sidewall. In this manner, the outer sound absorbing layer will absorb incoming sound signals, and the inner layer of sound reflecting material will reflect any sound waves which have penetrated the layer of sound absorbing material and reflect those sound waves in any outward direction back towards the outer sound absorbing layer of material.
It is also within the scope of the present invention to provide only a layer of a sound reflecting material to only the outside or inside of the sidewall, or to provide only a layer of sound absorbing material to only the inside or outside of the sidewall.
As also illustrated by
Other modifications and advantages of the acoustic isolator device disclosed herein falling within the scope of the present invention will become apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art. For example, the arrangement of the doors to open and close the housing can be different from that illustrated in the drawings, and only a single and not multiple doors can be provided. Moreover, although it is preferred that the housing be provided with an internal electrical receptacle for powering the smart speaker device by an external source of electrical energy, the device can also be operated by electrical battery power alone, thereby eliminating the need to provide the internal electrical receptacle within the housing. Accordingly, the acoustic isolator devices in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the invention disclosed and illustrated herein are intended to be illustrative only, and not restrictive of the scope of the invention, that scope being defined by the following claims and all equivalents thereto.
