Patent Application
20140079276
In today's world, portable speakers are becoming increasingly popular for enhancing the listening experience associated with other portable electronic devices such as cell phones and smart phones. Unfortunately, speakers intended for use with such portable electronic devices often support only a single orientation, and this single orientation may not suit the particular needs or desires of a user as those needs change from location to location or from use to use. For example, in one location or use, it may desirable to position the speaker so that the sounds it produces are aimed in a first direction, while, in another location or use, it may desirable to position the speaker so that the sounds it produces are aimed in a second, different direction.
In addition to having control over the directions in which sounds produced by the speaker are aimed, it may also be desirable to have control over other aspects of the sounds that are produced. For example, in one speaker orientation, such as an orientation wherein sounds are projected in a substantially horizontal direction, it may be desirable to project the sounds within a narrower angle, while, in another orientation, such as an orientation wherein sounds are projected in a substantially vertical direction, it may be desirable to project the sounds within a wider angle.
Accordingly, it is desirable to have a free-standing, portable speaker that provides multiple orientations from which the sounds may be projected. It is also desirable to have a freestanding portable speaker that can automatically accommodate different listening modes based on the selected orientation.
For a more complete understanding of this disclosure, reference is now made to the following brief description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed description, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts.
It should be understood at the outset that although illustrative implementations of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure are provided below, the disclosed systems and/or methods may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or in existence. The disclosure should in no way be limited to the illustrative implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below, including the exemplary designs and implementations illustrated and described herein, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.
As shown in
It should be appreciated that the terms configured for and configured to refer to a condition wherein the element or feature that is so configured is capable of performing the designated function even if the element or feature does not necessarily perform the designated function at all times. For example, it should be appreciated from the foregoing description of the actuator 110, that the actuator 110 is capable of causing the sound generating member 108 to vibrate, and to thereby generate sound waves, as instructed by a controller 112. Moreover, it should be appreciated that the actuator 110 is capable of causing the sound generating member 108 to vibrate, and to thereby generate sound waves, as instructed by a controller 112 even if the actuator 110 does not necessarily do so at all times. Thus, the actuator 110, the sound generating member 108, and the controller 112 are coupled (i.e., electrically, mechanically, magnetically, pneumatically, hydraulically) to one another, and configured for (i.e., capable of) cooperation with one another, such that the sound generating member 108 produces sound waves substantially as instructed by the controller 112.
In an exemplary embodiment, the housing 104 is substantially rigid and impervious to infiltration of foreign matter so as to provide a protected environment for a plurality of components (e.g., the actuator 110, the sound generating member 108, the controller 112, and the power storage device 170) disposed within the internal cavity 106. The housing 104 includes a front panel 114, a first side 116, a second side 118, and a third side 120. It should be appreciated that, as shown in
In an exemplary embodiment, the first side 116, second side 118, and third side 120 each define a respective planar surface that may serve as a base 130 upon which the speaker 102 is supported in a desired orientation. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the portable speaker 102 has a center of mass 128 (
With particular reference to
To provide a number of free-standing speaker orientations from which the sounds may be projected in a corresponding number of selectable directions, the first side 116 of the housing 104 is disposed at a first angle 134 relative to the front panel 114, while the second side 118 is disposed at a second angle 136 relative to the front panel 114, with the second angle 136 differing from (e.g., being less than) the first angle 134. As shown in
As shown in
As further illustrated in
To provide yet another orientation from which the sounds may be projected, the third side 120 of the housing 104 is disposed at a third angle 138 relative to the front panel 114, with the third angle 138 differing from (e.g., being less than) the second angle 136. To facilitate use of the third side 120 as a base without requiring a kickstand or other support-providing member(s), the controller 112 and the actuator 110 are arranged and positioned so that the center of mass 128 of the speaker 102 is positioned along a third axis 148 that extends from, and is perpendicular to, the third side 120. Accordingly, when the speaker 102 is supported on the third side 120, the center of mass 128 is positioned above the third side 120.
To provide yet another orientation from which the sounds may be projected, the fourth side 122 of the housing 104 is disposed at an angle relative to the front panel 114, with the angle of the fourth side differing from (e.g., being less than) the third angle 138. To facilitate use of the fourth side 122 as a base side 130 without requiring a kickstand or other support-providing member(s), the controller 112 and the actuator 110 are arranged and positioned so that the center of mass 128 of the speaker 102 is positioned along an axis (not shown) that extends from, and is perpendicular to, the fourth side 122. Accordingly, when the speaker 102 is supported on the fourth side 122, the center of mass 128 is positioned above the fourth side 122.
To provide yet another orientation from which the sounds may be projected, the fifth side 124 of the housing 104 is disposed at an angle relative to the front panel 114, with the angle of the fifth side differing from the angles of the other sides. To facilitate use of the fifth side 124 as a base side 130 without requiring a kickstand or other support-providing member(s), the controller 112 and the actuator 110 are arranged and positioned so that the center of mass 128 of the speaker 102 is positioned along an axis (not shown) that extends from, and is perpendicular to, the fifth side 124. Accordingly, when the speaker 102 is supported on the fifth side 124, the center of mass 128 is positioned above the fifth side 124.
To provide yet another orientation from which the sounds may be projected, the sixth side 126 of the housing 104 is disposed at an angle relative to the front panel 114, with the angle of the sixth side differing from the angles of the other sides relative to the front panel 114. To facilitate use of the sixth side 126 as a base side 130 without requiring a kickstand or other support-providing member(s), the controller 112 and the actuator 110 are arranged and positioned so that the center of mass 128 of the speaker 102 is positioned along an axis (not shown) that extends from, and is perpendicular to, the sixth side 126. Accordingly, when the speaker 102 is supported on the sixth side 126, the center of mass 128 is positioned above the sixth side 126.
In an exemplary embodiment, each of the sides 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126 is oriented at a unique angle relative to the front panel 114 of the housing 104. For example, the first angle 134 may be between approximately 95 degrees and 85 degrees, while the angles at which each of the other sides are disposed relative to the front panel 114 cover a range of angles between approximately 85 degrees and zero degrees, providing a range of possible orientations for the front panel 114 of the speaker 102 from approximately vertical to approximately horizontal. It should be appreciated that any one of the sides 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126 may be disposed at any desirable angle, as made possible by the arrangement of components within the housing 104 and the resulting positioning of the center of mass 128. For example, the first angle 134 may be between approximately 85 degrees and 75 degrees. Alternatively, the first angle 134 may be between approximately 75 degrees and 65 degrees. Alternatively, the first angle 134 may be between approximately 65 degrees and 55 degrees. Alternatively, the first angle 134 may be between approximately 55 degrees and 45 degrees. Alternatively, the first angle 134 may be between approximately 45 degrees and 35 degrees.
As shown in
With further reference to
The controller 112 may also be in communication with one or more sensor 168 configured for detecting (i.e., capable of detecting) an orientation of the speaker 102 and for sending a signal from the sensor 168 to the controller 112 indicative of the detected orientation. Based on the detected orientation (e.g., an angle of the front panel 114), the controller 112 may process the information received according to appropriate logic stored in a memory storage device 166 so as to produce sound waves configured according to the detected orientation of the speaker 102. Thus, the controller 112 may be configured for affecting (i.e., may be capable of affecting) the sound waves generated by the sound generating member 108 based at least in part on the orientation of the speaker 102.
Still further, the controller 112 may be configured for affecting (i.e., may be capable of affecting) the sound waves generated by the sound generating member 108 based at least in part on a preference defined by an user. Accordingly, the controller 112 may be configured to receive (i.e., may be capable of receiving) the preference from the user, to store the preference in a the memory storage device 166, and to retrieve the preference so as to apply it in determining how affect the sound waves generated by the sound generating member 108.
The speaker 102 may include a plurality of electrical connectors 176, 178, 180, each being disposed on the front panel 114 or on a respective side 116, 118, 120 of the speaker 102 and each being exposed for interfacing with a mating electrical connector (not shown) when its respective side 116, 118, 120 is not in use as a base 130 upon which the speaker 102 is being supported. Thus, in an exemplary embodiment, a first electrical connector 176 is disposed at first side 116, a second electrical connector 178 is disposed at second side 118, and a third electrical connector is disposed at third side 120.
In an exemplary embodiment, each electrical connector 176, 176, 180 is configured for mating (i.e., capable of mating) with a standard micro USB connector and may be configured for providing (i.e., may be capable of providing) transmission of information between the speaker 102 and another external component and/or for providing a supply of electrical power for driving the actuator 110 or for storage within a power storage device 170 of the speaker 102. Thus, each electrical connector 176, 178, 180 is configured for coupling (i.e., capable of coupling) an external source (not shown) of electrical power and/or information to the speaker 102.
In an exemplary embodiment, the receiver 162 is configured for receiving (i.e., capable of receiving) information from an external source via any one of the electrical connectors 176, 178, 180. To facilitate the incorporation of multiple electrical connectors 176, 178, 180 (and/or to prevent conflicts from occurring between signals or power received or sent between two or more of the electrical connectors 176, 178, 180), the controller 112 may be configured to control (i.e., capable of controlling) the processing of power and/or information received from the individual electrical connectors 176, 178, 180. For example, where a signal from the sensor 168 to the controller 112 indicates that a particular side 116, 118, 120 is in use as a base 130, the controller 112 may be configured to deactivate (i.e., capable of deactivating) that particular electrical connector 176, 178, 180. exist power and/or signal/information connections exist
Further, where connections exist between external sources of power and/or information (i.e., signals) and two or more electrical connectors 176, 178, 180, the controller 112 may be configured to transmit (i.e., may be capable of transmitting) power and/or to process signals from only one of the electrical connectors 176, 178, 180 at a time. The controller 112 may determine which electrical connector 176, 178, 180 to use at a particular time based on a user-prescribed preference or based on logic. An indication of whether an electrical connector 176, 178, 180 is active or inactive may be provided, such as via an external display or an illuminated LED (e.g., a green LED indicating an active connector/connection and a red LED indicating an inactive connector/connection).
While several embodiments have been provided in the present disclosure, it should be understood that the disclosed systems and methods may be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. The present examples are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the intention is not to be limited to the details given herein. For example, the various elements or components may be combined or integrated in another system or certain features may be omitted, or not implemented.
Also, techniques, systems, subsystems and methods described and illustrated in the various embodiments as discrete or separate may be combined or integrated with other systems, modules, techniques, or methods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Other items shown or discussed as coupled or directly coupled or communicating with each other may be indirectly coupled or communicating through some interface, device, or intermediate component, whether electrically, mechanically, or otherwise. Other examples of changes, substitutions, and alterations are ascertainable by one skilled in the art and could be made without departing from the spirit and scope disclosed herein.
