Patent Application
20090080684
The embodiments herein relate to speaker accessories compatible for use with portable media players (PMPs) non-exclusively including smart phones, handheld game consoles, and digital audio and video players capable of storing and playing files in one or more media formats. More specific embodiments relate to speaker assemblies designed for use with portable media players that are configured to be used in multiple orientations.
Portable media players (PMPs) are handheld electronic devices that are capable of storing and playing files in one or more media formats. In general PMPs are configured to play audio and/or video files. Additionally, PMPs can also display image files, including pictures, spreadsheets, word processing documents, drawings, graphs, web pages, and the like. Data files are typically stored on a hard drive, microdrive, or flash memory within the PMP. Various portable media players include the ability to record video and audio, and some have built-in card readers like SD or MMC, which makes it convenient to upload media directly to the player, or the memory is used as extra capacity.
Typical video formats PMPs can be configured to play non-exclusively include MPEG, DivX, Xvid, AMV and SigmaTel Motion Video (SMV) files. Typical audio file formats PMPs can be configured to play, non-exclusively include MP3, WAV, Advanced Audio Coding (ACC) and Ogg Vorbis. Typical digital image formats PMPs can be configured to display non-exclusively include BMP, JPEG, PDF, and GIF, for example.
While most PMPs are capable of playing audio, because of their relatively small size and power needs, often times the speakers that are built into the PMP are inadequate, if they exist at all. Minimally powered, or small built-in speakers on a PMP make it difficult for multiple listeners to simultaneously enjoy an audio file. To address this issue, removable speaker assemblies for PMPs have been designed to allow multiple listeners to simultaneously hear an audio file.
One example of an existing speaker assembly configured for a PMP is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 7,230,822, to Langberg, et al, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Unfortunately, the speaker assembly disclosed in Langber, et al., and other existing speaker assemblies, are configured for PMPs that display images and videos files in a single orientation. Recent technological developments in PMPs however, now allow for the screen to display images and video files in multiple orientations. Examples of PMPs that currently display images and video files in multiple orientations (e.g., vertical and horizontal or portrait and landscape) non-exclusively include Apple iPhone and Apple iPod Touch, for example.
Thus, there is a need in the art for releasably attached speaker assemblies configured to work with PMPs that display images and/or video in multiple orientations. Accordingly, one object of the teachings herein is to provide a releasably attachable speaker assembly operably coupled to a PMP that can operate while the PMP is positioned in a plurality of orientations. More specifically, in advantageous embodiments, the teachings herein are directed to speaker assemblies that can expand past the coupled PMP in its widest orientation such that the body of the PMP does not significantly block, or overlap the speakers. Further objects of the invention, allow for a compact speaker assembly that is collapsible and expandable, to make it easier for the user to handle and transport. More specifically, in preferred embodiments the speaker assemblies provided herein can be configured to have the same, or substantially the same, height and width as the attached PMP, or even smaller.
Embodiments herein are directed to speaker assemblies having a housing configured to utilize a power source and being operably connected to 1 or more speakers having means for expanding and contracting, and further including means for releasably attaching and operably coupling to a portable media player (PMP), such that audio can be transmitted from the PMP through the 1 or more speakers. More specifically, speaker assemblies herein can include means for releasably attaching to said PMP that are configured to rotate, such that a user can view the PMP in multiple orientations
In further embodiments, the means for expanding and contracting are operably coupled to said means for releasably attaching to said PMP, such that the speakers are configured to expand and contract based on the rotation of the PMP. In further embodiments, the means for releasably attaching to said PMP are operably coupled to a rotating central gear within the housing that is configured to expand and contract the speakers based upon clockwise or counter-clockwise rotational direction. Additionally, the gear can include two toothed quadrants positioned on opposite sides from each other and are complementary to toothed sections on extension arms coupled to 1 or more speakers. Additionally, the means for expanding and contracting can be configured to expand the 1 or more speakers to a position beyond the body of the PMP and contract the 1 or more speakers to a position behind the body of the PMP.
Additional embodiments relate to speaker assembly having a housing configured to utilize a power source and being operably connected to 1 or more speakers having means for expanding and contracting, and further including means for releasably attaching and operably coupling to a portable media player (PMP) having a substantially rectangular screen that can display video or images in both a vertical and horizontal orientation, such that data can be transmitted from the PMP through the 1 or more speakers. In other embodiments, the means for releasably attaching to said PMP can be configured to rotate, such that a user can view the PMP in both said vertical and horizontal orientation. Further means for expanding and contracting are operably coupled to the means for releasably attaching to said PMP, such that the speakers are configured to expand and contract based on the rotation of the PMP.
It will be appreciated that the drawings are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead being placed on illustrating the various aspects and features of embodiments of the invention, in which:
Embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the above described Figures. It is, however, expressly noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments depicted in the Figures, but rather the intention is that modifications that are apparent to the person skilled in the art and equivalents thereof are also included.
Other means, beside the cradle 6 depicted in
In other preferred embodiments, the means for releasably securing the PMP can include a connector 8 configured to receive and operably couple with the PMP 4. In more specific embodiments, the connector 8 can be attached to the cradle backing 13 by an extension plate 12, configured to hold the PMP 4 securely within the sides 10 and 11 of the cradle 6 such that the connector 8 is in operable connection to the PMP port 22. In preferred embodiments, the extension plate 13 can also provide support to the back of the PMP 4. Means for operably coupling the PMP 4 to the speaker assembly 2 can also include wireless means.
The connector 8 can serve multiple functions, non-exclusively including transferring power into the PMP 4 and transferring data from the PMP 4 to the speakers 30, 32, 34, and 36. The power and data transfer through the connector 8 and the PMP 4 (e.g., complementary port) can be embodied in various forms and combinations including contact based and non-contact based platforms. By way of example, contact based platforms may include electrical contacts that are capable of transferring data and/or power when the electrical contacts between the PMP 4 and the connector 8 are electrically engaged or in contact with one another. Non-contact based platforms, on the other hand, may include inductive devices, optical devices, or wireless devices that are capable of transferring data and/or power without mating contact. In preferred non-exclusive embodiments, the connector 8 is configured to operably couple with an Apple iPod Touch and an Apple iPhone. The speaker assemblies 2 provided herein can include connectors 8 that are in contact and/or non-contact communication with the PMP 4, and can include contact and/or non-contact communication means for transferring the data from the PMP 4 to the speakers 30, 32, 34, and 36.
Preferred means for coupling the PMP 4 to the speakers 30, 32, 34, and 36 involve speaker wires, but can be wireless. While shown in the Figures as crescent shaped, the speaker casings herein can be any suitable shape, non-exclusively including substantially square, rectangular, circular or oval, for example. Preferred embodiments include speaker casings that do not extend past the body of the PMP 4 in a contracted state, or do not substantially extend past the body of the PMP 4 in a contracted state. Likewise preferred speaker casings 26 and 28 are configured to be able to expand, such that the speakers 30, 32, 34, and 36 are not blocked, or are minimally blocked, by the PMP 4, cradle 6, or connector 8.
While the Figures depict the left and right speaker 26 and 28 casings individually housing 2 speakers 30, 32 and 34, 36, those with skill in the art will readily appreciate having 1, 3, 4, or more speakers in each casing 26 and 28.
Additional ports, such as those supporting a Universal Serial Bus, Fire Wire, and the like, can be added to the speaker assembly 2, preferably on the main housing 14 or speaker casings 26 and 28. Such connectors can allow the speaker assembly to have docking station functionality thus enabling the portable media device to transfer files with another computer, PMP, and the like. Further preferred ports on the speaker assembly 2 can support a 3.5 mm, 2.5 mm, or other sized headphone jack. As PMPs 4 often include their own port for a headphone jack, it is preferred that speaker assemblies 2 provided herein, including the connector 8, are configured to not engage or block said port, or other ports on the PMP 4 except the connector port 22.
In preferred embodiments, the speaker assemblies 2 provided herein include a housing 14 that is in operable connection with the cradle 6 and first and second expandable speaker casings 26 and 28 and supports a power source 16. According to preferred embodiments, the speaker assemblies 2 disclosed herein are configured to utilize a battery power source 16 and do not have means for plugging into an electrical outlet. In other embodiments, it is contemplated that speaker assemblies 2 provided herein can include means for plugging into an electrical outlet (e.g., AC current). Further speaker assemblies can be configured to utilize both a battery power source and an electrical outlet. This embodiment can be especially advantageous if the user does not have batteries available or if the speaker assemblies 2 are using rechargeable batteries that are configured to be charged while the speaker assembly 2 is plugged into an electrical outlet.
In preferred embodiments, the power source 16 is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 batteries. In preferred embodiments, the speaker assemblies 2 described herein can be powered by 1 or more alkaline batteries, including but not limited to D, C, AA, and AAA, PP3 batteries. In other embodiments, 1 or more 9 volt alkaline batteries can be used as a power source.
In other advantageous aspects, 1 or more lithium batteries can be used to power the speaker assemblies 2 herein. Non-exclusive examples of lithium batteries that can be used with the teachings herein include lithium thionyl chloride batteries, and lithium manganese oxide batteries, and the like. In advantageous embodiments, 1 or more 6 Volt or 3 Volt lithium batteries can used to power the embodiments described herein. In still further embodiments, 1 or more 3.5 Volt, AA, 2.1 AH rated lithium batteries can be used as a power source. Those with skill in the art can readily select an appropriate power source 16 that is compatible with the power requirements of the speaker assembly 2 used. In further aspects, rechargeable batteries can be used to power the speaker assemblies 2 described herein. In additional embodiments, nickel-cadmium batteries can be used as a power source 16.
The speaker assemblies 2 herein can preferably include one or more of the following: means for controlling a power source such as an ON/OFF switch, means for controlling the volume, means for amplifying the sound (e.g., anti-static protected amplifier), means for adjusting the balance of sound, means for adjusting the treble and/or bass, and means for remote control operation, for example (not shown). These features are well known in the art of speakers and stereos, and their respective circuitry and electronics can readily be implemented with the teachings herein. Preferably, the above features can non-exclusively be located externally on the housing 14 or on the speaker casings 26 and 28 to be accessible to the user. The above features can also be readily implemented in a remote control configured to work with said speaker assemblies 2. Alternatively, the speaker assemblies 2 herein can be controlled through the PMP 4 alone or through the PMP 4 in conjunction with controls on the speaker assembly 2. In other embodiments the speaker assemblies 2 provided herein do not have an ON/OFF switch; for example, they could have a sensor that automatically detects an audio signal from the PMP 4. This specific embodiment allows the user to preserve power.
Preferably, the speaker assemblies 2 herein can be configured to use means for minimizing static such that the PMP 4 can be operated in its normal functioning mode. Non-exclusive means for minimizing static can include shielding the amplifier, surrounding the amplifier in aluminum and grounding it, shielding the signal wire and grounding the signal wire, and utilizing plastic-metallic shielding, and the like, for example.
The housing 14 preferably has a front side 15 facing the back of the cradle 13 and back side 17 that preferably includes a stand 24 or other means for supporting the speaker assembly 2 and attached PMP 4 in a desired position on a flat surface, such as a cabinet, table top, bookshelf, and the like. In more preferred embodiments, the stand 24 is configured such that it can support the speaker assembly 2 and attached PMP 4 in both a vertical and horizontal, and expanded and contracted position. As depicted in
In other embodiments, the back side 17 of the housing 14 can include means for hanging the speaker assembly 2 and attached PMP 4 on a hook, nail, and the like, for example. (not shown) Preferred hanging means include 1 or more wire, metal, or plastic loops configured to hang the speaker assembly 2 and PMP 4 substantially level on a wall.
In other advantageous embodiments, the back side 17 of the housing preferably includes a hinged or removable panel 18 for removing and inserting a power source 16 (e.g., 1 or more batteries). These types of panels 18 are well known in the art and can be closed by the use of tabs, latches, snaps, slots, and the like, for example.
In further embodiments, the housing 14 is in operable connection with 1 or more speaker casings 26 and 28. Preferably, the housing 14 is coupled to a right and left speaker casing 26 and 28, that house 1 or more speakers. In preferred embodiments, the connector 8 can be operably wired to the housing 14 and the housing 14 can be operably wired to the speakers such that the sound from the PMP's 4 audio files can be transferred to the speakers 30, 32, 34, and 36. In other embodiments, this configuration is wireless, such that the connector 8 transfers a signal to the housing 14, which then transmits a signal to the 1 or more speakers 30, 32, 34, and 36. Other suitable means for transferring data from the PMP 4 to the 1 or more speakers are expressly incorporated herein.
With reference to
Preferred means for expanding and contracting the speaker casings 26 and 28 involve a central gear 44. According to one embodiment, the gear 44 includes teeth 66 and 68 that are complementary to teeth 70 and 72 on a first and second extension arm 48 and 50. As depicted in
Rotating the PMP 4 from a vertical to a working horizontal orientation is highly desirable depending on the visual orientation of the PMP screen 20 the user desires. If the user desires the PMP 4 in a narrow orientation, such as when space is limited, they can rotate the PMP 4 into a vertical position (See
In addition to being oriented in a vertical position (
The first toothed arc 66 can be configured to engage with a complementary toothed section 70 on a first extension arm 48, while a second toothed arc 68 can be configured to engage with a complementary toothed section 72 on the second extension arm 50. The extension arms 48 and 50 each preferably include a first notch 51 and 52. The first notches 51 and 52 can be advantageously configured such that they are configured with other means for stopping the rotation of the gear 44. Any suitable means for releasably stopping, or controlling the rotation of the gear 44 can be used with the teachings herein, non-exclusively including, detents, ratchets, pawls, stops, springs, and the like, for example. In preferred embodiments leaf springs 54 and 56 can be engaged with the first notches 51 and 52, respectively, such that the extension arms 48 and 50 remain in the contracted position (as depicted in
The radius of the gear 44 can readily be adjusted to achieve the desired amount of contraction and expansion of the extension arms 48 and 50. In specific preferred embodiments, it is preferred that the gear 44 has a radius of approximately 0.72 inches to allow the extension arms 48 and 50 to extend 1 and ⅛th inches. Further support means can be added to the extension arms 48 and 50, for strength purposes respectively. An example of support means can include expanding the width of the extension arms 48 and 50, utilizing rigid material, or adding additional extension arms (e.g., toothed and non-toothed) in suitable configurations, for example. Casing can also be used to house the extension arms 48 and 50, in order to protect them and for aesthetic purposes, for example.
With reference to
In further embodiments, the central gear 44 can include 1, 2, 3, or 4 indentions around the perimeter of the gear.
The first indention 82 can be used alone or in conjunction with other means (e.g., notches 51 and 52, springs 54 and 56) for preventing and controlling the expansion and contraction of the speaker casings 26 and 28 while the PMP 4 is oriented in a vertical position as depicted in
The above preferred configurations generally pertain to PMPs that are wider in their horizontal orientation than their vertical orientation. For PMPs that are wider in a vertical orientation, the gear and extension arms can readily be configured to expand the speaker casings past the body of the PMP in a vertical position and contract as the PMP rotates to a horizontal position. As it is appreciated that vertical and horizontal orientations can and will be more difficult to define as PMPs adapt their user interface depending on their given orientation, it is preferred that the speaker assemblies provided herein expand as the PMP is moved to its widest orientation, and contract as the PMP is moved to its narrowest orientation. While the above embodiments generally relate to rectangular PMPs, or substantially so (e.g., having rounded corners such as the iPhone and iPod Touch) the teachings are likewise applicable to PMPs that have substantially circular, square, oval, or other non-rectangular shapes. For example, the above described means can readily be configured such that the speaker casings expand past the body of the PMP in a working or preferred configuration, and contract in another configuration, for storage and transport, regardless of the shape of the PMP.
While the speaker assemblies 2 herein are primarily advantageous when used with PMPs 4 capable of being viewed in multiple orientations, it is also expressly contemplated that they can be used with ordinary PMPs not having multiple orientations, including 5th generation Apple iPods, and older, for example.
While the teachings herein have been primarily directed to speaker assemblies that are configured to have means that expand and contract dependent on the rotation of the PMP, it is also expressly contemplated that the speaker assemblies can include means for contracting and expanding that can be controlled independent of the PMP's rotation. According to more specific embodiments, a PMP can be secured within a rotatable cradle operably coupled to the speaker assembly, without being operably coupled to the means for contraction and expansion of the speaker casings. The cradle can include means (e.g., rotating disc, rotating shaft, or axle) for controlling the rotation including, stops, latches, notches, detents, and the like, that are not in operable connection with the means for expansion and contraction. Preferred means will be positioned on the back of the cradle, on the opposite side of the PMP.
The means for expansion and contraction that are independent of the cradle can include extension arms that include releasable locks, stops, latches, teeth, springs, hinges, detents, and the like such that a user can manually expand them when desired, regardless of the orientation of the PMP. More specifically, the speaker casings can be releasably locked in a contracted position by 1 or more releasable buttons or tabs. For example, when a user presses in on the 1 or more release buttons or tabs, the speaker casings can become unhinged, spring outward, slide outward, or be manually pulled outward.
The invention may be embodied in other specific forms besides and beyond those described herein. The foregoing embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects illustrative rather than limiting, and the scope of the invention is defined and limited only by the appended claims and their equivalents, rather than by the foregoing description.
