Portable computing devices are common features of everyday life. This area of technology is rapidly changing, creating an ever growing number of portable computing devices in smaller package sizes such as laptop computers, tablet computers, and smartphones. Often, high quality features such as processing capability, storage, display, camera, and sound output associated with larger computing devices are sacrificed in portable computing devices for the sake of portability and size. What is needed is a high-fidelity, add-on speaker system with additional functionality such as light for use with portable consumer electronics and portable computing devices.
In one embodiment, a portable light and sound bar system is provided, the portable light and sound bar system comprising: a housing; an omnidirectional high fidelity speaker; an adjustable lighting device; an electrical input; a power source; and an attachment hardware.
In another embodiment, a portable light and sound bar system is provided, the portable light and sound bar comprising: a housing, the housing comprising an inner volume for supporting at least one of: a power source, a circuit, and a storage area, the housing further comprising an outer surface for supporting at least one of: an omnidirectional high fidelity speaker output, an adjustable lighting device, and an attachment interface for interfacing with an attachment hardware, the housing further comprising a swivel for rotably adjusting at least a portion of the housing comprising the omnidirectional high fidelity speaker and the adjustable lighting device thereon; an omnidirectional high fidelity speaker; an adjustable lighting device operatively connected to the housing; an electrical input; a power source; and an attachment hardware, the attachment hardware operable to connect to either the attachment interface on the outer surface of the housing, or directly to the outer surface of the housing, wherein the attachment hardware is selectively removable from the attachment interface and outer surface housing.
In another embodiment, a portable light and sound bar system is provided, the portable light and sound bar system comprising: a housing, the housing comprising an inner volume for supporting at least one of: a power source; a circuit; and a storage area; the housing further comprising an outer surface for supporting at least one of: a grille to protect an omnidirectional high fidelity speaker; an adjustable lighting device; an actuation device for controlling the portable light and sound bar system; an electrical connector operable to either connect to an external power source, or input a wired or wireless audio signal; and an attachment interface for interfacing with attachment hardware, the housing further comprising: an access panel on the outer surface for access to at least portion of the inner volume; at least one swivel for rotably adjusting at least a portion of the housing comprising the omnidirectional high fidelity speaker and the adjustable lighting device thereon; and a machined indentation for holding and supporting at least one of: a writing device, and a paper; an omnidirectional high fidelity speaker, the omnidirectional high fidelity speaker comprising at least one of: a preamplifier; an amplifier; a driver, the driver selected from the group of: a subwoofer, a woofer, a mid-range, a tweeter, and a supertweeter; a crossover; an enclosure; an electrical connection; and one or more grille; an adjustable lighting device operatively connected to the housing, the adjustable lighting device connecting to the housing by at least one of: a ball and socket attachment, a multi-directional swivel, and a flexible arm; a power source; and an attachment hardware, the attachment hardware operable to connect to the attachment interface on the outer surface of the housing, wherein the attachment hardware is selectively removable from the attachment interface.
The accompanying figures, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate various example systems, and are used merely to illustrate various example embodiments.
Housing 102 may be of any material suitable for every day, repetitive use such as metal, polymeric material, wood, and the like. In one embodiment, housing 102 is easily mass produced using a known manufacturing technique such as stamping, injection molding, and the like. Housing 102 may be one part or an assembly of two or more parts such as a front housing and rear housing joined together using a common mechanical fastener, adhesive, ultrasonic weld, and the like.
Housing 102, grille 106, lighting device 108, actuation device 112, and other components of light and sound bar system 100 on or around outer surface 104 of housing 102 may be waterproofed to prevent an ingress of water into these components and into inner volume of housing 102. Waterproofing techniques such as rubber gaskets and o-rings, use of sealants and adhesives, and various unidirectional and semi-permeable membranes may be used to waterproof all or portions of light and sound bar system 100 to prevent liquids and other moisture from accumulating in, and corroding, overloading, or shorting any components within inner volume of housing 102, or affecting any components on or around outer surface 104 of housing 102.
Outer surface 104 of housing 102, and housing 102 in general may be machined, manufactured, and molded to provide a variety of features. In one embodiment, at least part of housing 102 is perforated with one or more hole to form grille 106. Perforations of grille 106 may allow high fidelity sound produced from one or more high fidelity speaker within inner volume of housing 102 to be transmitted externally. In another embodiment, housing 102 may be over-molded about one or more adjustable lighting device 108 to provide one or more attachment point for, or add stability to, one or more adjustable lighting device 108. In another embodiment, outer surface 104 of housing 102 may be molded to accommodate an attachment hardware 110 or one or more actuation device 112.
Referring to
Referring to
Actuation device 112 may be one or more button used to control various functionality of light and sound bar system 100. In one embodiment, a button to control power to a light and sound bar system 100, a button to control power to a left side lighting device, a button to control power to a right side lighting device, a button to increase a loudness of high fidelity speaker sound output (volume), and a button to decrease loudness of high fidelity speaker sound output (volume) are provided. In another embodiment, actuation device 112 is a switch used to control various functionality of light and sound bar system 100. In another embodiment, actuation device 112 may be a knob that, when rotated, controls power to light and sound bar system 100, and loudness of high fidelity speaker sound output (volume). In another embodiment, actuation device 112 may be a knob used to control an intensity of light output from lighting device 108 such as a dimmer switch.
With reference to
Access panel 314 may be machined, molded, or manufactured to include certain features such as a finger hold to assist a user in detaching access panel 314 from housing 102. Access panel 314 may be readily removable or attached to housing 102 with one or more mechanical fastener requiring a tool for removal. In one embodiment, access panel 314 is attached to housing 102 with a push fitting requiring some manipulation by a user to detach access panel 314. In another embodiment, access panel 314 is secured to housing 102 with one or more screw; and the screw must be removed before access panel 314 can be removed.
In another embodiment, access panel 314 is secured to housing 102 with a hinge or like hardware to allow access panel 314 to be opened without complete removal of access panel 314 from housing 102.
Attachment hardware control 313 may be used to control attachment hardware 110. In one embodiment, attachment hardware 110 is a suction device and attachment hardware control 313 interfaces with attachment hardware 110 to flatten the suction device, expelling air to create a suction seal for attaching light and sound bar system 100 to an electronic device, table, or wall. In one embodiment, attachment hardware control 313 is a dial, that when rotated, adds and removes suction to suction cup attachment hardware 110. In another embodiment, attachment hardware control 313 is a lever, that when actuated, adds and removes suction to suction cup attachment hardware 110.
With reference to
With reference to
Speaker 520 may include one or more driver 522. Driver 522 may be any one of: a subwoofer, a woofer, a mid-range, a tweeter, and a supertweeter. Filter or signal processing device 524 may be a crossover used to separate different frequencies of an audio signal to route them to appropriate driver 522. In one embodiment, filter or signal processing device 524 is one or more of: a tuner, a demodulator used to output an audio signal from a radio wave to speaker 520. In another embodiment, filter or signal processing device 524 is a decoder used to decode an electronic audio format (e.g. MP3 file) input into light and sound bar system 100 to output an audio signal to speaker 520. Amplifier or preamplifier 526 may be used to amplify an audio signal before being output to speaker 520.
Electrical input 528, may be used to input signals and electricity into light and sound bar system 100. In one embodiment electrical input 528 is a standard, 3.5 mm AUX jack for inputting/outputting audio signals to and from light and sound bar system 100 via an AUX cord, headphone jack, and the like. In another embodiment, electrical input 528 is another audio jack such as an RCA jack or other phone jack, or a speaker terminal or binding post. In another embodiment, electrical input 528 is an internal or external antenna for transmitting and receiving radio waves. In another embodiment, electrical input 528 is one of: a universal serial bus (USB) plug, a micro USB plug, a IEEE 1394 (Firewire®) connection, a serial connection, and a parallel connection for inputting both data signals (including audio signals) and/or power into light and sound bar system 100, and outputting data signals from light and sound bar system 100. In another embodiment, a memory card reader such as an SD™card slot is electrical input 528 and used to input an audio signal into light and sound bar system 100. In another embodiment, electrical input 528 is a DC power jack used to connect light and sound bar system 100 to a DC transformer and the like. In another embodiment, electrical input 528 may be a retractable AUX cord connected to circuit 538 and stored in inner volume 518 that may be drawn out of inner volume 518 to connect to a sound output jack of another electrical device so as to provide a sound signal to speaker 520.
Power source 530 may include one or more electrical battery used to power light and sound bar system 100. In one embodiment, power source 530 is a primary, single-use battery that must be replaced when discharged. In another embodiment, power source 530 is a rechargeable battery of the type: nickel cadmium (NiCd), nickel metal hydride (NiMH), lithium ion (Li-ion), lithium ion polymer (Li-ion polymer), and the like. In another embodiment, power source 530 is a hardwire connection to AC line voltage or a transformer to convert AC line voltage into a DC voltage.
CPU/memory/IC 532 may be any combination of processor, memory, and one or more IC to provide additional functionality to light and sound bar 100. In one embodiment, CPU/memory/IC 532 is a memory and decoder used to store and decode a format such as an MP3 digital audio file to be output as an audio signal to speaker 520. Memory 532 may also be an electrical input 528 for light and sound bar 100 by inputting, for example, MP3 files into circuitry 538 of light and sound bar system 100. In another embodiment, CPU/memory/IC 532 may be programmed to control the functionality of light and sound bar 100. In another embodiment, CPU/memory/IC 532 may be used to process incoming sound signals before being output to speaker 520.
TX/RX 534 may be used to receive wireless sound signals to be output to speaker 520. In one embodiment, TX/RX 534 is a Bluetooth® transceiver for wirelessly receiving and transmitting signals between light and sound bar 100 and a Bluetooth® enabled electronic device. TX/RX 534 may also be an electrical input 528 for light and sound bar system 100.
Display/indicator 536 may be used to provide additional functionality to light and sound bar 100. In one embodiment display/indicator 536 is a light such as an LED to indicate functionality of light and sound bar 100. In another embodiment, display/indicator 536 is a thin-film display such as and LED or LCD with touchscreen capability to display such information such as song information, an interactive menu, and the like.
Circuit or circuitry 538 may be used to interconnect various electrical components of light and sound bar system 100. In one embodiment, circuit 538 is a wire or ribbon cable used to connect various electrical components. In another embodiment, circuit 538 is a printed circuit board (PCB) used to interconnect various electrical components of light and sound bar system 100.
With reference to
Referring to
Swivel 742 may divide light and sound bar system 100 into two distinct portions such as upper housing 743 and lower housing 745. Lower housing 745 may comprise attachment hardware control 313 to control an attachment of attachment hardware onto a surface of an auxiliary device, such as a laptop, cell phone, or tablet. Upper housing 743 may include overhang 747 for stabilizing light and sound bar on multiple planar surfaces of an auxiliary device. For example, overhang 747 may fit over an upper edge of a computer monitor such that overhang 747 supports upper housing 743 of light and sound bar on any surface in the xy-plane (e.g. top edge of a computer monitor) to mitigate the effect of gravity, while portions of upper housing 743 and lower housing 745 may rest against surfaces in the xz-plane (e.g. back surface of a computer monitor), with lower housing 745 fixedly attached to surfaces in the xz-plane via attachment hardware.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
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Unless specifically stated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification, including the attached claims, are approximations that may vary depending on the desired properties sought to be obtained according to the exemplary embodiments. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.
Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.
Furthermore, while the systems, methods, and apparatuses have been illustrated by describing example embodiments, and while the example embodiments have been described and illustrated in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict, or in any way limit, the scope of the appended claims to such detail. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the systems, methods, and apparatuses. With the benefit of this application, additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details and illustrative example and exemplary embodiments shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept. Thus, this application is intended to embrace alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims. The preceding description is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
As used in the specification and the claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural. To the extent that the term “includes” or “including” is employed in the detailed description or the claims, it is intended to be inclusive in a manner co-extensive with the term “comprising,” as that term is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “or” is employed in the claims (e.g., A or B) it is intended to mean “A or B or both.” When the applicants intend to indicate “only A or B, but not both,” then the term “only A or B but not both” will be employed. Similarly, when the applicants intend to indicate “one and only one” of A, B, or C, the applicants will employ the phrase “one and only one.” Also, to the extent that the terms “in” or “into” are used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to additionally mean “on” or “onto.” To the extent that the term “selectively” is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to refer to a condition of a component wherein a user of the apparatus may activate or deactivate the feature or function of the component as is necessary or desired in use of the apparatus. To the extent that the term “operatively connected” is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to mean that the identified components are connected in a way to perform a designated function. Finally, where the term “about” is used in conjunction with a number, it is intended to include ±10% of the number. In other words, “about 10” may mean from 9 to 11.
This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/955,202, filed on Mar. 18, 2014, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20150271584 A1 | Sep 2015 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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61955202 | Mar 2014 | US |