Patent Application
20230209262
This invention is in the field of furniture with built-in electronic assembly (e.g., speaker) systems.
Speaker systems are widely used for home, business, social activities, entertainment and for practical, commercial, and household uses. Unfortunately, speaker systems take up a great deal of space in a home, office, or business environment, and even if small, they are often unsightly. Moreover, wiring and cabling associated with such systems is also unsightly and cumbersome.
Furniture also tends to take up a great deal of space in a home, office or business environment. When sitting on furniture, it is often desirable to listen to music, watch TV, or watch a movie in a home theater environment, or employ one or more electronic components. Improved furniture is needed with improved electronic assembly systems that can be used in association with modern furniture assemblies or devices.
The present invention relates to space-saving furniture systems with associated electrical assembly systems, including integrated, embedded internal speaker systems, internal electrical power sources, electrical devices, and other electrical components associated with furniture that can be conveniently used by individuals while sitting on the furniture.
The audio-enhanced furniture system conveniently provides furniture for comfortably sitting, as well as integrated internal speakers for convenient, space saving high-fidelity listening, and a power source for providing electrical power to the speakers and other electrically powered objects, e.g., phones, computers, lighting systems, and recharging systems for recharging such devices as a user is comfortably sitting on the furniture.
One electronic furniture system of the present invention comprises: (i) a furniture assembly comprising: (A) a base (e.g., a seat portion), (B) at least one transverse member (e.g., an armrest or backrest), and (C) a coupler for coupling the base to the transverse member; (ii) an electrical hub configured to selectively reside within the furniture assembly; and (iii) a speaker system mounted within one or more portions of the furniture assembly. The electrical hub acts as a source of electrical power for the speaker system and may be selectively positioned, for example, within a cavity in a transverse member of the furniture assembly.
In one embodiment, the speaker system includes one or more speakers mounted to a frame of the transverse member and one or more speakers mounted to a frame of the base member. Embedding the speakers within the base and transverse members saves vast amounts of space within a room while also hiding the speakers, using the same footprint of space for the combined furniture and speaker systems.
A subwoofer speaker can be mounted within the base of a furniture assembly, while transverse members coupled to the base on opposing sides of the base acting as armrests include one or more speakers each (e.g., two speakers each) embedded therein. The combined base, transverse members, and associated internal speakers form a high-fidelity surround sound experience for a user. This enables a user to use furniture and speakers in the same footprint, saving valuable space for other objects in a room while simultaneously providing a high fidelity listening experience.
The subwoofer may include an amplifier assembly comprising one or more amplifiers, an audio receiver and/or a controller for amplifying and controlling the outputs of the speakers in the transverse members and/or base.
In one embodiment, the electrical hub, which provides electrical power to the speakers, comprises: (a) an electrical outlet assembly having a housing; (b) a securement panel linked to and offset from the electrical outlet assembly such that at least one outlet of the electrical outlet assembly is spaced away from the securement panel; and (c) an installation clip mounted to the electrical outlet assembly. The offset securement panel of the electrical hub forms a protective area within which to connect one more electrical cords (e.g., electrical cords of the speakers, amplifiers, audio receiver, controller or other objects, e.g., phones, etc.) to the outlet assembly. The installation clip can be selectively moved to mount the electrical hub within a cavity of a transverse member of the furniture assembly.
An example of a furniture system of the present invention comprises: (A) a base; (B) a transverse member; and (C) a speaker system comprising at least one speaker positioned within one of the bases and the transverse members. A coupler selectively couples the base to the transverse member. The speaker system comprises one or more speakers mounted within at least one of: (i) the base; or (ii) the transverse member of the furniture assembly, the speaker system comprising at least one speaker mounted within the furniture assembly. Embedding the speakers in the modular or assemble-able furniture assembly serves to hide the speakers and associated wiring and cabling from view, and provides high quality sound without using any additional space beyond that already occupied by the footprint of the furniture assembly.
In order to provide power to the speaker system, the electrical hub is configured to be coupled to at least one of: (i) the transverse member; or (ii) the base. The hub may be selectively mounted within a cavity of the transverse member, for example. The hub may be selectively mounted adjacent the coupler within the transverse member. Other components may be connected to the hub in order to receive electrical power, such as cell phone, computers, lamps and/or an induction charger mounted within the furniture assembly for recharging other electrical devices, for example.
Another example of a furniture system according to the present invention includes an assemble-able modular furniture assembly comprising one or more bases and a plurality of transverse members, wherein at least two of the transverse members are audio-enhanced transverse members. A speaker system is positioned within the assemble-able modular furniture assembly, where the speaker system includes a front left speaker mounted within the first audio-enhanced transverse member, a front right speaker mounted within the second audio-enhanced transverse member, a left surround speaker mounted within the one of the audio-enhanced transverse members, and a right surround speaker mounted within the one of the audio-enhanced transverse members. The assembly is such that transverse members can be selectively coupled to the one or more bases in different configurations, to thereby allow a user to selectively move and re-position one or more of the front left speaker, the front right speaker, the left surround speaker or the right surround speaker relative to another of the speakers and/or relative to the base(s), in the modular furniture system.
Another example of a furniture system according to the present invention includes an assemble-able modular furniture assembly comprising a plurality of bases and at least 4 audio-enhanced transverse members including a front left speaker mounted within the first audio-enhanced transverse member, a front right speaker mounted within the second audio-enhanced transverse member, a left surround speaker mounted within the first audio-enhanced transverse member, and a right surround speaker mounted within the second audio-enhanced transverse member, an additional surround speaker mounted within the third audio-enhanced transverse member, and an additional surround speaker mounted within the fourth audio-enhanced transverse member. The assembly is such that the bases and transverse members can be selectively coupled to one another in different configurations, to thereby allow a user to selectively move and re-position one or more of the front left speaker, the front right speaker, the left surround speaker or the right surround speaker relative to another of the speakers and/or relative to the bases, in the modular furniture system.
Yet another example of a furniture system according to the present invention includes an assemble-able modular furniture assembly comprising at least one base and at least 2 audio-enhanced transverse members including a front left speaker mounted within one of the audio-enhanced transverse members, a front right speaker mounted within another of the audio-enhanced transverse members, a left surround speaker mounted within one of the audio-enhanced transverse members, and a right surround speaker mounted within one of the audio-enhanced transverse members. The assembly is such that the bases and transverse members can be selectively coupled to one another in different configurations, to thereby allow a user to selectively move and re-position at least one of the front left speaker, the front right speaker, the left surround speaker or the right surround speaker relative to another of the speakers, and/or relative to the base, in the modular furniture system.
The audio enhanced furniture system of the present invention thus conveniently provides furniture for comfortably sitting, as well as speakers for convenient listening and a power source for providing electrical power to the speakers and other electrically powered objects, e.g., phones, computers, lighting systems, and recharging systems for recharging such devices.
A major advantage of the present invention is that the speaker systems and electronic assembly systems employed in the present invention are concealed from the view of the typical user and potential consumer, avoiding some of the unsightly and cluttered images of speakers and electronics that fill many of the spaces in modern homes and businesses.
Furniture cavities, provided within the base member and the transverse member, may enhance the sound of the speakers mounted therein. Thus, the user may experience a quality sound and musical experience using the base and transverse members of the present invention. The speakers are tuned in order to compensate for the sound being emitted through the fabric which covers the speakers embedded within the bases and/or transverse members.
One major benefit of the present invention is the concealment of the speakers within the bases and transverse members of the present invention. This enables significant space saving and aesthetics within a home, business, office or other location by using the space that speakers would normally take up for furniture. The sofa of the present invention thus provides extensive space efficiencies. Speakers can be concealed behind home decorative fabric. Such fabrics may not be acoustically transparent. Given frequencies emitted by the speakers are tuned in order to compensate for the fact that the emitted sound extends through the interface of the fabric, optimizing the sound as it extends through the fabric layer.
The speaker system of the present invention can be used in a couch, in a chair, in sectional systems, and in sectional systems having a variety of different components, such as recliners, seats, footrests and a vast variety of configurations.
Various embodiment of the present invention are further shown in the following applications, which are incorporated herein by reference: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/273,773 filed Feb. 12, 2019, entitled ELECTRONIC FURNITURE SYSTEMS WITH INTEGRATED INTERNAL SPEAKERS, which application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/348,068 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,212,519), filed on Nov. 10, 2016, entitled ELECTRONIC FURNITURE SYSTEMS WITH INTEGRATED INTERNAL SPEAKERS, which:
(A) is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/270,339 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,236,643), filed on Sep. 20, 2016, entitled ELECTRICAL HUB FOR FURNITURE ASSEMBLIES, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/257,623, filed on Nov. 19, 2015, entitled FURNITURE WITH ELECTRONIC ASSEMBLIES; and
(B) also claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/417,091, filed on Nov. 3, 2016, entitled ELECTRONIC FURNITURE SYSTEMS WITH INTEGRATED INTERNAL SPEAKERS.
Each of the foregoing patent applications is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
Embodiments of the present disclosure solve various problems in the art with systems, methods, and apparatuses for acoustically correcting sound loss through various types and compositions of fabric. In particular, systems, methods and apparatuses of the present disclosure can be implemented to improve the sound quality of a speaker system having at least one speaker integrated with a furniture component and covered with an upholstery fabric. Such upholstery fabrics are typically not at all acoustically transparent, but are rather configured to provide a combination of durability and aesthetics to a seating or other furniture surface.
In particular, one or more embodiments can include an audio-enhanced furniture system including a furniture assembly; an upholstery fabric at least partially covering the furniture assembly; and a speaker system positioned within the furniture assembly, the speaker system including a speaker covered by the upholstery fabric. The speaker is configured to be tuned to compensate for sound being emitted from the speaker through the upholstery fabric by adjusting the equalization of one or more target frequencies or frequency bands emitted by the speaker. Embodiments can also include a plurality of tuning profiles corresponding to a plurality of upholstery fabrics, wherein a user may select a tuning profile from the plurality of tuning profiles.
Embodiments of a method of tuning a speaker to compensate for sound being emitted through upholstery fabric can include: selecting a desired baseline equalization (e.g., desired frequency response), configuring the speaker to emit sound at an actual equalization (e.g., frequency response) approximate to the desired baseline equalization or frequency response; covering the speaker with an upholstery fabric; measuring a resultant equalization or frequency response as the speaker emits sound through the upholstery fabric; calculating a differential equalization; and reconfiguring the audio system to emit sound through the upholstery fabric according to the desired baseline equalization or frequency response by adjusting the actual equalization or frequency response by the differential equalization. Methods can also include creating a plurality of tuning profiles corresponding to a plurality of upholstery fabrics, each tuning profile including a differential equalization calculated for each of the plurality of upholstery fabrics.
Systems of the present disclosure also include audio-enhanced modular furniture systems having: a modular furniture assembly including one or more bases, a plurality of upright members, at least two of the upright members being audio-enhanced upright members, and a speaker system positioned within the modular furniture assembly. The speaker system can include (a) at least one speaker mounted within a first audio-enhanced upright member, the at least one speaker being hidden from view by a first upholstery fabric that covers the first audio-enhanced upright member; (b) at least one speaker mounted within a second audio-enhanced upright member, the at least one speaker being hidden from view by a second upholstery fabric that covers the second audio-enhanced upright member; and (c) at least one speaker controller configured to control each speaker of the speaker system. Each speaker of the speaker system can be configured to be tuned through the at least one speaker controller to compensate for sound being emitted from the speaker through the respective first or second upholstery fabric by adjusting the equalization of one or more audio frequencies emitted by the at least one speaker.
The term “transverse member” and similar terms refers to an upright member that can be used as an armrest of a furniture assembly or, optionally, as a backrest of the furniture assembly. The terms “transverse member” and “upright member” can be used interchangeably herein to describe members of a furniture assembly that can be used as either an armrest or a backrest, depending upon a configuration selected by a user. Methods of the present disclosure can also include methods for tuning speakers in modular furniture including (a) providing an assemble-able modular furniture assembly having one or more bases, a plurality of upright members, wherein at least one of the upright members is an audio-enhanced upright member, and a speaker system including at least one speaker mounted within the first audio-enhanced upright member, the at least one speaker being hidden from view by a first upholstery fabric that covers the first audio-enhanced upright member; and (b) tuning the at least one speaker mounted within the first audio-enhanced upright member to compensate for sound being emitted from the at least one speaker through the first upholstery fabric by adjusting the decibel level of one or more audio frequencies emitted by the at least one speaker.
Embodiments of the present disclosure solve one or more of the foregoing or other problems in the art with systems, methods, and apparatuses for acoustically correcting sound loss, accommodating for sound variations based, in part, from the furniture component orientation and/or location of portions of the speaker system, and improving acoustic experience of users. In particular, systems, methods and apparatuses of the present disclosure can be implemented to improve the sound quality of a speaker system having at least one speaker integrated with a furniture component and covered with an upholstery fabric. Such upholstery fabrics are typically not at all acoustically transparent, but are rather configured to provide a combination of durability and aesthetics to a seating or other furniture surface.
In particular, one or more embodiments can include an audio-enhanced furniture system including a furniture assembly; an upholstery fabric at least partially covering the furniture assembly; and a speaker system positioned within or about the furniture assembly, the speaker system including a speaker covered by the upholstery fabric. The speaker is configured to be tuned to compensate for sound being emitted from the speaker through the upholstery fabric by adjusting the equalization of one or more target frequencies or frequency bands emitted by the speaker. Additionally, the speaker is configured to be tuned to compensate for sound variations based, in part, upon the furniture component orientation and/or location of portions of the speaker system. Embodiments can also include a plurality of tuning profiles corresponding to a plurality of upholstery fabrics, wherein a user may select a tuning profile from the plurality of tuning profiles. Such tuning profiles can also be selected based of variations in the furniture component orientation and/or location of portions of the speaker system. For instance, embodiments allow a user to layer or stack different tuning profiles so the user can selectively select tuning profiles to accommodate for one or more of (i) upholstery fabrics, (ii) variations in the furniture component orientation, and (iii) a location of portions of the speaker system, such as satellite speakers, sound bars, etc.
Embodiments of a method of tuning a speaker to compensate for sound being emitted through upholstery fabric can include: selecting a desired baseline equalization (e.g., desired frequency response), configuring the speaker to emit sound at an actual equalization (e.g., frequency response) approximate to the desired baseline equalization or frequency response; covering the speaker with an upholstery fabric; measuring a resultant equalization or frequency response as the speaker emits sound through the upholstery fabric; calculating a differential equalization; and reconfiguring the audio system to emit sound through the upholstery fabric according to the desired baseline equalization or frequency response by adjusting the actual equalization or frequency response by the differential equalization. Methods can also include creating a plurality of tuning profiles corresponding to a plurality of upholstery fabrics, each tuning profile including a differential equalization calculated for each of the plurality of upholstery fabrics. It can be understood that the method of tuning a speaker to compensate for sound being emitted through upholstery fabric can also be used to compensate for sound variations based upon the furniture component orientation and/or location of portions of the speaker system.
Systems of the present disclosure also include audio-enhanced modular furniture systems having: a modular furniture assembly including one or more bases, a plurality of upright members, at least two of the upright members being audio-enhanced upright members, and a speaker system positioned within the modular furniture assembly. The speaker system can include (a) at least one speaker mounted within a first audio-enhanced upright member, the at least one speaker being hidden from view by a first upholstery fabric that covers the first audio-enhanced upright member; (b) at least one speaker mounted within a second audio-enhanced upright member, the at least one speaker being hidden from view by a second upholstery fabric that covers the second audio-enhanced upright member; (c) at least one speaker spaced from the modular furniture assembly, and (d) at least one speaker controller configured to control each speaker of the speaker system. Each speaker of the speaker system can be configured to be tuned through the at least one speaker controller to compensate for sound being emitted from the speaker through the respective first or second upholstery fabric, for variations in sound based upon, in part, the furniture component orientation and/or location of portions of the speaker system by adjusting the equalization of one or more audio frequencies emitted by the at least one speaker.
Methods of the present disclosure can also include methods for tuning speakers in modular furniture including (a) providing an assemble-able modular furniture assembly having one or more bases, a plurality of upright members, wherein at least one of the upright members is an audio-enhanced upright member, and a speaker system including at least one speaker mounted within the first audio-enhanced upright member and at least one speaker spaced from the modular furniture assembly, the at least one speaker within the first audio-enhanced upright member being hidden from view by a first upholstery fabric that covers the first audio-enhanced upright member; (b) tuning the at least one speaker mounted within the first audio-enhanced upright member to compensate for sound being emitted from the at least one speaker through the first upholstery fabric by adjusting the decibel level of one or more audio frequencies emitted by the at least one speaker; and (c) selectively tuning the at least one speaker mounted within the first audio-enhanced upright member and/or the at least one speaker spaced from the modular furniture assembly to compensate for variations in sound quality based upon the furniture component orientation and/or location of the at least one speaker spaced from the modular furniture assembly.
Accordingly, systems and methods for acoustically correcting sound loss, such as through fabric, accommodating for sound variations based, in part, from the furniture component orientation or configuration footprint shape, and/or location of portions of a speaker system associated with the furniture, and improving acoustic experience of users are disclosed. As further embodiments of the present invention, this application incorporates by reference, in their entirety, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/696,696 filed Nov. 26, 2019, entitled MODULAR FURNITURE SPEAKER ASSEMBLY WITH RECONFIGURABLE TRANSVERSE MEMBERS; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/273,773 filed Feb. 12, 2019, entitled ELECTRONIC FURNITURE SYSTEMS WITH INTEGRATED INTERNAL SPEAKERS; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/348,068 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,212,519), filed on Nov. 10, 2016, entitled ELECTRONIC FURNITURE SYSTEMS WITH INTEGRATED INTERNAL SPEAKERS; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/270,339 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,236,643), filed on Sep. 20, 2016, entitled ELECTRICAL HUB FOR FURNITURE ASSEMBLIES; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/257,623, filed on Nov. 19, 2015, entitled FURNITURE WITH ELECTRONIC ASSEMBLIES; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/417,091, filed on Nov. 3, 2016, entitled ELECTRONIC FURNITURE SYSTEMS WITH INTEGRATED INTERNAL SPEAKERS, each of which are incorporated herein by reference.
These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.
To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only illustrated embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
As shown in
Audio-enhanced, modular furniture system 200 advantageously includes one or more speakers positioned therein and as shown in
In the embodiment of
As illustrated in
Instead, the use of the speakers mounted within the furniture system 200 efficiently uses furniture and provides a high quality, high-fidelity listening experience to the user. The speakers are hidden within certain discrete portions of the transverse members 14a and within the base 12a, thereby enabling efficient use of space.
In the illustrated embodiment of
The subwoofer assembly within base 12a is hidden inside the frame of base 12a and is therefore underneath the seat cushion 18.
Audio-enhanced modular furniture system 200 has bases 12a and transverse members 14a that are similar to base 12 and transverse member 14 of
Additional details of each of the components reflected in
The coupling together of components of the modular furniture assembly of the present invention and the electrical power system within the modular furniture assembly will now be discussed with detailed reference to
In one embodiment, neither base 12 nor transverse member 14 of
As shown in
Further discussion and disclosure relating to the modular furniture assemblies 10 and their connection to each other and to the transverse members 14 are shown and discussed in the following patents and patent applications, each of which are incorporated herein by reference: (i) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/332,705, filed Jul. 16, 2014, entitled MOUNTING PLATFORM FOR MODULAR FURNITURE ASSEMBLY, (ii) U.S. Pat. No. 8,783,778, entitled MOUNTING PLATFORM FOR MODULAR FURNITURE ASSEMBLY, (iii) U.S. Pat. No. 7,963,612 entitled MODULAR FURNITURE ASSEMBLY, (iv) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/449,074, filed Jun. 8, 2006, entitled MODULAR FURNITURE ASSEMBLY, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,547,073, (v) U.S. Pat. No. 7,213,885 entitled MODULAR FURNITURE ASSEMBLY, (vi) U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/354,426 filed Jun. 24, 2016 entitled MODULAR FURNITURE ASSEMBLY CORNER SEATING SYSTEM; (vii) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/257,623, filed on Nov. 19, 2015, entitled FURNITURE WITH ELECTRONIC ASSEMBLIES; (viii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/270,339, filed on Sep. 20, 2016, entitled ELECTRICAL HUB FOR FURNITURE ASSEMBLIES; (ix) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/276,524, filed Sep. 26, 2016, entitled Modular Furniture Assembly Corner Seating System; and (x) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/342,800, filed Nov. 3, 2016, entitled Furniture System with Recliner Assembly, each of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The bases and transverse members of the present invention can include one or more covers (e.g., an inner cover and an outer cover). Such covers have various advantages, such as that the outer covers are conveniently removable so that the user can remove the covers, wash them, and swap them with other covers as desired. In one embodiment, the speakers used in the present invention are frequency tuned so that there is a high quality sound emitted through the inner and/or the outer removable covers.
Hub 100 of
Each transverse member 14 has a cavity 26 in a middle, lower portion thereof. A U-shaped coupler 15, selectively couples an upper portion of a base 12 to a middle, lower portion of a transverse member 14. Foot couplers 34 selectively couple respective feet of base 12 to respective feet of the transverse members 14. Foot couplers 34 have apertures therein that receive the feet of respective adjacent bases and transverse members, coupling them to each other.
In one embodiment, a foot coupler such as coupler 34 can be placed under a foot of a base that is not adjacent a transverse member or other base, for aesthetic continuity and/or to provide a level surface of all four corners of the base. Furniture assembly 10 is a modular furniture assembly that can be assembled as illustrated in
As illustrated in
Base 12 is used as a seat member and/or for receiving a cushion 18 to be used as a seat member while transverse member 14 can be used as a backrest and/or armrest. Various combinations of bases, transverse members, and U-shaped couplers and foot couplers can be used in varying numbers to create a variety of different furniture assemblies of the present invention, as discussed and illustrated in the patents and patent applications that are incorporated herein by reference.
Electrical hub 100 is also shown in an exploded view in
When cushion 18 of
An electronic furniture assembly of
The electrical hub 100 comprises one or more electrical outlets. Hub 100 is configured to be selectively integrated into furniture assembly 10. One or more electrical hubs 100 is configured to be selectively integrated into a variety of other furniture assemblies, having one or multiple transverse members 14, such as the furniture assemblies disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,783,778, entitled MOUNTING PLATFORM FOR MODULAR FURNITURE ASSEMBLY and (vii) Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/257,623, filed on Nov. 19, 2015, entitled “Furniture with Electronic Assemblies,” each of which are incorporated herein by reference. The electrical hubs 100 described herein are compatible to communicate with the transverse member cavities disclosed in the aforementioned patents and applications.
Hub 100 can be conveniently used within the transverse members of the furniture assemblies disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,213,885 entitled MODULAR FURNITURE ASSEMBLY, wherein the furniture assemblies have a configuration such that the length X of the base and the length X′ of the transverse member are equal to each other and wherein the length X of the base is equal to the width of the base and the width of the transverse member, such that X=Y+Z and X=X′ as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,213,885 entitled MODULAR FURNITURE ASSEMBLY, which is incorporated herein by reference.
The drawings provided herein show hub 100 in use in connection with modular furniture. However, hub 100 is conveniently used in connection with various types of furniture, including: (i) fixed, non-configurable furniture; (ii) furniture that is assembled by a consumer (known as “assemble-able furniture); and furniture that can be configured into a variety of different configurations (known as “modular furniture”). Assemble-able furniture includes (i) modular furniture that can be configured into a variety of different configurations and (ii) furniture that can only be assembled into a single configuration. Hub 100 is conveniently used in connection with various types of furniture, including (i) fixed-nonconfigurable, (ii) assembleable-modular and (iii) assembleable-non-modular furniture.
Although
As shown in
The free end of the installation clip 106 is movable with respect to the assembly and is configured to be normally in the extended position absent any other force, and is selectively moved by a user from the extended position to the compressed position in order to mount the electrical hub 100 within the furniture assembly 10. Clip 106 is further configured to be selectively moved by a user from the extended position to the compressed position in order to remove the electrical hub 100 from the furniture assembly. Hub 100 is configured to be selectively mounted within a furniture assembly 100 in order to provide a source of electrical power for one or more electrical devices 20, 22, 24 adjacent the furniture assembly, as illustrated in
Additional information regarding hub 100 is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/270,339, filed on Sep. 20, 2016, entitled “Electrical Hub for Furniture Assemblies,” which is incorporated herein by reference.
Various electronic devices can be electrically coupled to the outlets of the electrical outlet assembly 102 or to the interior outlet 140′ shown in
In addition, one or more additional transverse members with a hub 100, a speaker 170, and a charger 172 can also be provided in order to provide stereo and surround sound and in order to provide a conveniently wired electrical furniture assembly.
Using induction charger 172 mounted within a transverse member 14, a user seated on a furniture assembly 10 can conveniently recharge an electrical device, such as a cellular phone, while seated on the modular furniture assembly.
Wireless qi charging, e.g., via induction charger 172 embedded within the transverse member or other devices is used to charge mobile devices, such as cellular phones, computers, lighting systems, lamps, or other electronic devices. As shown in
The induction charger charges though layers of fabric when desired. The induction charger may be placed in a variety of locations such as within the transverse member or the base.
Other embedded devices that may be employed in transverse member 14 or in a base 12, include ambience lights, heating systems, cooling systems and motion sensors, for example.
An electrical device such as lamp 150 has a cord 160 thereof conveniently connected to floor resting cord outlet 140a as shown in
Cord elbow 120 extending about electrical cord 110 is also illustrated. The cord elbow 120 is a rigid or semi-rigid component (comprised, e.g., of a hard plastic) positioned about cord 110 in a bending, elbow shape along the length of the hub electrical cord 110. The cord elbow 120 is positioned about the hub electrical cord 110 so as to facilitate a convenient permanent bending of the hub electrical cord 110 while simultaneously protecting the bent portion of cord 110. In one embodiment, the cord elbow 120 bends the hub electrical cord 110 at a position where the hub electrical cord 110 reaches the floor or other surface when extending between the electrical outlet assembly 102 and a power source, such as a wall outlet 19.
Elbows such as cord elbow 120 provide a protected, smooth transition from a vertical orientation to a horizontal orientation, and may be comprised of a variety of different materials, such as a hard plastic, or a rubber, neoprene, silicone or other material that can be wrapped around an electrical cord and form a rigid or semi-rigid tubular member wrapped around the cord.
Elbows such as cord elbow 120 extending about cord thus protect the electrical cord from breaking or fraying while bending, minimize the amount of electrical cord seen, and in some instances hides the electrical cord from view.
Also as shown in
Induction charger 172 can be mounted under the fabric within a transverse member 14, for example for conveniently, wirelessly charging electronic devices wireless, e.g., a phone and/or computer placed by a user on a transverse member 14.
One or more tabs 120a-b extend from the panel 104 of the hub 100 and are configured to reside between the transverse member 14 and the base member 12 when transverse member 14 and base member 12 are coupled together. In this way, the tabs 120a-b are press fitted between the transverse member 14 and base member 12 so as to help secure the hub 100 at least partially within the cavity 26 in transverse member 14.
Coupler 15 and similar couplers and hub 100 and similar hubs can be employed to provide coupling and electrical power in conjunction with speaker-containing bases 12a and transverse members 14a and/or in conjunction with non-speaker containing bases and transverse members.
Subwoofer speaker 210a is comprised of a subwoofer speaker driver 211a, including electronics and other structure typically associated with such a speaker driver, such as its magnet. Speaker driver 211a is coupled to a speaker housing 228 on which driver 211a is mounted. Speaker housing 228 provides a given, desired internal volume associated with subwoofer speaker 210a. In the illustrated embodiment, housing 228 is separately defined from the cavity 226 within frame assembly 216.
The configuration of speaker housing 228 enables speaker 210a to be removed from the cavity 226 of base member 12a so as to allow a user to remove subwoofer assembly 210a from a given base member 12a and install it into another base member 12, for example, which may not have previously included a subwoofer speaker 210a therein. Subwoofer assembly 210a is thus entirely self-contained. Enclosure 228 may be sealed or ported, as desired.
Subwoofer speaker 210a further includes elongate attachment arms 230a and 230b mounted on opposing sides of speaker housing 228. Arms 230a and 230b are attached to the enclosure 228 and couple enclosure 228 to frame assembly 216 of base 12a.
In the illustrated embodiment, arms 230a and 230b each include an angled terminal extension 232 at each end thereof and a mounting hole 232a associated therewith. The positioning and orientation of holes 232a are configured to allow subwoofer speaker 210a to be received within cavity 226 of frame assembly 216 in a manner that holes 232a align with the holes for mounting feet 20a of base member 12a.
Each of the arms 230a-b are comprised of an L-shaped shaft body having an approximately 90 degree angled L-shaped cross section, each shaft body having terminating extensions 232 extending from the shaft body. The terminating extensions 232 are angled to extend laterally outward from the shaft body as shown in
Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, the speaker system comprises one or more arms configured to couple one or more speakers to a frame of a portion of the furniture assembly, the one or more arms comprised of an L-shaped shaft body having an angled L-shaped cross section, the shaft body having terminating extensions extending from the shaft body, the terminating extensions being are angled to extend laterally outward from the shaft body, the terminating extensions extending in the same plane as one of the legs of the L-shaped shaft body.
This relationship is further shown in
As further shown in
In other words, the cone of driver 211a associated with subwoofer 210a is shown as directing sound downward towards the floor or other support surface when assembled within base 12a.
Other configurations are possible. For example, the driver 211a can alternatively be flipped over so that the cone of driver 211a associated with subwoofer speaker 210a is oriented upwardly within base 12a, in other words, toward the seated user.
Each of these different configurations provides a different sound-enhanced experience for the user. For example, when driver 211a is pointed downward towards the floor, sound is reflected off the floor, the reflected sound potentially having the advantages of reflected sound, which may, in some embodiments, include improving the sound quality.
When driver 211a is pointed upwardly toward the user sitting on the base 12a, it may be possible for the user to feel and experience an increased amount of reverberation, improving the fourth dimensional experience for the user who can, in some embodiments, feel the sound of the speaker more intensely.
The illustrated configuration provides a high degree of protection for the driver 211a of subwoofer speaker 210a, while also providing excellent sound quality. In some embodiments, as frequencies of 120 Hz or less, or 80 Hz or less are largely omni-directional, a user seated on couch 200 cannot readily tell from which direction such sounds are coming.
Providing a full enclosure housing 228 for subwoofer speaker 210a, in addition to using an enclosure associated with frame assembly 216 of base 12a, provides additional protection to the driver 211a of subwoofer speaker 210a.
For example, the top side of enclosure 228 is spaced apart from the springs 263 coupled to the top of frame assembly 216 on which the cushion is positioned. The space thus provided between the top of enclosure 228 and the springs 263 coupled to the top of frame assembly 216, so that when a user sits on a cushion 18 positioned on the springs 263 coupled to the top of frame assembly 216 (or on fabric cover 266 or other cover over the springs 263), there is little risk of damage to driver 211a of subwoofer speaker 210a.
For example, such a space or clearance between the springs 263 and the housing 228 may be at least about 2 inches to about 5 inches, for example.
As shown in
In the embodiment of
As shown in
Even in the unlikely event that a user were able to depress springs 263 and/or webbing 265 to a top surface of housing 228, the rigid enclosure housing 228 will still protect subwoofer driver 211a from any damage. Thus, the configuration of housing 228 and the space between housing 228 and springs 263 provides dual layers of protection for subwoofer driver 211a.
As further illustrated in
As shown in
Holes 274, 276 are formed through the frame 270 and cushioning material 272 through which the sound of respective speakers 212a, 214a is emitted. A layer of polyurethane or other foam is typically present around the top, sides and front and back faces of frame 270 of transverse member 14a. Holes 274, 276 extend through such foam and frame 270 through which respective speakers 212a, 214a adjacent the respective holes 274, 276 emit sound.
An inner fabric cover 241 extends over the foam 272 and frame 270 of transverse member 14 and connects on the bottom of frame 270, as illustrated in
In another embodiment, a fabric inner cover may be mounted within the holes of the polyurethane or other foam material and/or the plywood frame member, after which the speakers are secured to the frame member. The outer upholstery fabric cover then extends over the transverse member, including the speakers 212a, 214a, hiding the speakers from view.
Rear surround speaker 214a can be mounted in the same or similar manner as speaker 212a, or in a different manner. For example, speaker 214a can be secured to a plywood or other frame member of transverse member 14a and mounted adjacent a hole in the frame member. A hole is also provided through the polyurethane or other foam around the top surface of transverse member 14a through which surround speaker 214a is mounted. Inner and outer fabric covers similarly extend over and/or about rear surround speaker 214a.
In one embodiment, the transverse member frame 270 is surrounded entirely by cushioning material 272, except possibly on the bottom surface of frame 270 and possibly within the cavity 26 where the coupler 15 and hub 100 are mounted.
The front speaker 212a and rear surround speaker 214a of
The speakers 212a, 214a of
The holes in the outer foam covering may be covered by an inner cover 241 (
The drivers of transverse members 14a may optionally be covered by a metal or plastic mesh or caging material mounted within the holes within the cushioning material and/or frame, for additional protection beyond that provided by the fabric covers.
The front-facing speaker 212a of
The structure and positioning and tuning of speakers 212a, 214a is strategically useful to the sound and fidelity of the speakers as the speakers are covered by one or more covers 241, 243.
Such placement is advantageous as it positions speaker 212a, 214a well above the floor on which the couch assembly 200 is placed, while also positioning rear surround speaker 214a near to, and perhaps behind the ears of a user seated on couch 200. Such positioning is also advantageous as it helps to protect speakers 212a and 214a from damage that might otherwise occur if the speakers were near the floor.
For example, positioning speakers 212a, 214a closer to the floor surface might result in a user inadvertently kicking the speaker, thereby damaging it. Positioning of surround speaker 214a at or near a rear end of the upper surface 236 of transverse member 14 is also advantageous as a user is less likely to spill a drink at this location or even position an arm or hand over the speaker, damaging the speaker and/or muffling sound generated thereby.
The interior furniture cavities of the base and transverse members of the present invention are utilized to potentially enhance the audio quality by resonance and positioning. The volume of the transverse member itself (or an enclosure within such space) may be used as the speaker enclosure, creating the desired resonance. Speakers are tuned for speaker output through the fabric covers covering the frames of the speakers, which is highly useful.
Removable, outer cover 243 may selectively be mounted on transverse member frame 270 (and the at least partially surrounding foam 272) and/or on interior cover 241 through the use of a two part attachment assembly, such as VELCRO, or other two part attachment assembly.
The inner and outer covers 241, 243 may be comprised of a variety of different upholstery fabrics, such fabrics comprising fibers, such as polyester fibers, or other fibers. The fabric of covers 241, 243 may be woven or non-woven. Typically, such fabrics are not acoustically transparent, e.g., they affect sound waves at one or more frequencies from 20 Hz to 20 kHz by attenuating (or boosting) any such frequency more than 3 dB (i.e., ± more than 3 dB). For example, such upholstery fabrics are relatively heavy fabrics, which may typically attenuate particularly the higher sound frequencies at more than 3 dB. As a result of such attenuation by the fabric, the sound generated at any such speaker hidden behind the upholstery fabric may be tuned to increase the volume of the attenuated frequencies to compensate for the attenuation that occurs as the sound passes through the fabric. For example, if the fabric attenuates sounds at 2 kHz by 6 dB, the tuning may increase the volume of sounds at 2 kHz by 6 dB to compensate. There may typically be several frequencies which may be boosted to compensate for such fabric induced attenuation.
Examples of the upholstery materials for the inner and/or outer cover 243 include polyester, chenille, tweed, linen, velvet, leather, polyester linen, cotton, cotton blend, denim, twill, faux fur, leather, and the like, for example. Such materials can also be used for outer covers for base member 12a, and all of which are examples of upholstery fabrics, although a variety of different fabrics may be employed.
Examples of weights of upholstery fabrics that can be used as interior covers and/or outer covers for the bases and/or transverse members of the present invention include, for example: fabrics having weights in a range of approximately 50 grams per square meter (GSM) to approximately 1500 grams per square meter (GSM), for example, such as approximately 100 GSM to approximately 1000 GSM, or such as approximately 190 GSM to approximately 800 GSM, although a variety of different interior and exterior fabrics may be employed. The speakers of the present invention are adjusted and tuned in order to emit sound through such fabrics in a manner that attenuation due to such fabric is compensated for.
In one embodiment, the inner cover of base 12a and/or the inner cover of transverse member 14a are comprised of a thin cover comprising an approximately 90 percent polyester and approximately 10 percent cotton blend, for example.
In one embodiment, with respect to tuning the speakers through the upholstery fabric of covers 241, 243 through which the sound is emitted, the upholstery fabric used in transverse member 14a is in one embodiment not an acoustically transparent fabric, but rather is upholstery fabric configured to be employed in upholstery, chairs, couches and other furniture.
For this reason, the front speakers and the surround speakers can be tuned to accommodate for the dynamic that the sound generated from such speakers is required to pass through the upholstery fabric.
For example, relatively higher frequencies (e.g., 200 Hz or more, 400 Hz or more, 800 Hz or more, 2 kHz or more, 4 kHz or more, etc.) generated from such speakers are often affected by passage through such fabric, and may have some degree of attenuation associated therewith, which attenuation may increase with increasing frequency. As a result of this, the speaker can be tuned by boosting such higher frequencies before they pass through the fabric so that once the speaker sound passes through the fabric, it is approximately at a volume as it is intended to be heard and received by a listener (e.g., so that the overall tuned output is within ±3 dB of the un-attenuated “target” value).
As mentioned, examples of the upholstery materials for the inner and/or outer cover 243 include chenille, tweed, linen, velvets, leather, polyester linen, cotton, cotton blend, denim and others used in furniture upholstery, for example. Tuning of the frequencies of the speakers to provide the sound through such upholstery fabrics is a unique and novel aspect of the present invention.
In addition to tuning by adjusting the frequency response of the speaker to adjust for the particular upholstery material through which the sound is emitted (e.g., by boosting particular frequencies, etc.), tuning can also refer to other adjustments configured to improve the sound quality, e.g., by adjusting a sound delay setting, phase, or other parameter of the sound, to accommodate placement of the speaker within the room, e.g., when the components of a modular furniture system are uncoupled from one another, and reassembled, in a different configuration (e.g., such as any of the various configurations shown in
Such positioning hides speakers 212a and 214a within transverse member 14 so as to not be readily seen by a user or other person, but also allows a high quality sound from the speakers.
Such hiding of the speakers is particularly advantageous in at least some embodiments. For example, many users dislike the appearance of speakers within a room in locations such as a bookshelf, or on stands located some distance from a couch, which is often typical.
The present configurations are advantageous in that they allow complete hiding of the speakers, sometimes even all of the speakers associated with a surround sound system.
Each of speakers 212a and/or 214a may be mounted within transverse member 14 in any manner desired. For example, they may each include a dedicated housing enclosure similar to that described above, with respect to the subwoofer assembly. Such a housing enclosure could be attached to the frame assembly within transverse member 14a. In another embodiment, the speaker driver associated with speakers 212a and/or 214a can simply be mounted to frame members internally disposed within transverse member 14a, employing the cavity associated with transverse member 14a for one or both of speakers 212a and/or 214a.
With regard to
As shown in
For example, it will be appreciated that a first section of such wiring or cabling may extend from a base member 12a and amplifier 217 to a location of the base member 12a that is near or adjacent to the coupler 15 and/or hub 100.
This first section of wiring or cabling could be terminated at this location with an appropriate RCA, BNC or other type coupling jack. The transverse member 14a may similarly include another section of wiring 218a which extends from speaker 212a through transverse member 14 to another jack coupling at or near hub 100. Once the modular furniture assembly 200 has been assembled with transverse member 14a positioned adjacent to and coupled to base member 12a, a coupling or cabling can be extended between two such jacks (bridging wiring within transverse member 14a and base 12a), providing an effective, wired connection from amplifier 217 to speaker 212a.
A similar multi-section wiring or cabling configuration can similarly be provided between rear, surround speaker 214a and a jack at or near the hub 100 and from the amplifier 217 to a location at or near the hub 100, with a bridging coupling or wiring between wiring in base 12a with wiring in the transverse member 14a.
In another configuration, such internal wiring spanning the base members and the transverse members may not necessarily be required. For example, signals could be transmitted to the speakers from receiver 217 (e.g., an audio or home theater receiver) and/or transmitter 224 through wireless transmission.
In such embodiments, the signal may be transmitted wirelessly to speaker 212a and/or speaker 214a. In such embodiments, it may still be necessary to provide power to speaker 212a and/or 214a, e.g., through use of hub 100. Such wireless transmission of signals may eliminate the need for any wiring or electrical coupling for power or signals from base 12a to transverse member 14a, at least for speakers 212a and 214a.
Where jumper connections are desired for power and/or signal transmission, such may be achieved through any suitable configuration. For example, quick connect ports (e.g., RCA, BNC, banana plugs, or other) for such speaker wire or cable may be located on a bottom side of transverse member 14a (
In one embodiment, an induction charger 172 (such as that in
Induction charger 172 can be mounted in an upper middle portion 278 of transverse member frame 270, for example, between the speakers 212a-214a and above the electrical hub 100. Charger 172 may be in the same top surface 236 as surround speaker 214a, positioned forwardly relative to speaker 214a, e.g., behind speaker 212a positioned in the front surface 234 of transverse member 14a.
An induction charger 172 shown in
An induction charger 172 is mounted on the upper portion of the frame of transverse member 14c in
The speakers of
It will thus be appreciated from
Front speakers 212a-b and rear, upwardly facing surround speakers 214a-b are each mounted in respective transverse members 14a. As shown in
Each of transverse member speakers 212a, 212b, 214a, 214b are positioned underneath the upholstery fabric of the covers 241, 243 (
Positioning of speakers 212a, 212b, 214a, and 214b is also advantageous as the speakers are positioned in transverse members 14a in a manner such that a user seated on sofa 300 typically will not obstruct sound emanating from any of these speakers.
The particular positioning and orientation of the speakers shown in
The speakers embedded in base member 12a and/or transverse member 14a can be switched or swapped as a user wishes to reconfigure the modular furniture assembly of sofa 300. For example, if a user wished to reconfigure sofa 300 so as to include more or less base members and/or more or less transverse members 14a, the user can simply disassemble that part of sofa 300 and include additional base members 12a and/or transverse members 14a (or remove such), as desired. Such reconfigured and/or more complex arrangements are shown in
Because the speakers are positioned within such modular furniture assembly components, this provides great flexibility to a user in where the speakers can be positioned within a built furniture assembly. For example, any of the furniture assemblies shown in any of the applications already incorporated by reference can be modified to swap out any of the bases or transverse members with bases 12a including a subwoofer, or transverse members 14a including speakers, or any combination thereof. Such modularity of the furniture system thus allows the user extreme flexibility in where the speakers are provided, hidden within the furniture assembly. The modularity of the subwoofer assembly in base 12a can also allow a user to remove the assembly from one base, and install it in another base, if desired.
For example, the modularity of the system allows a user to place base members 12a and transverse members 14a in any place desired. Some base members 12 and some transverse members 14 may be provided which do not include any speakers positioned therein, allowing the user to use these component pieces in configuring any desired modular furniture assembly configuration they desire.
In order for an end user to set up sofa 300 (or system 200 or system 350), no tools are required because the speakers are already mounted within respective base members and transverse members, and wiring can be connected without the use of complicated tools. Therefore, the sofa 300 with its electronic assembly members is highly advantageous, efficient and useful.
By way of further examples,
As shown in
One advantage of the present systems is the extreme modularity provided by the system, whereby any and all of the configurations seen in
The audio-enhanced transverse members 14a″ shown in
The second audio-enhanced transverse member 14g includes the right front speaker 212a and the right surround speaker 214a. Right surround speaker 214a is upwardly oriented, mounted in the top side of the transverse member, firing towards the ceiling. Right front speaker 212a is illustrated inwardly oriented, firing towards the seating position(s), mounted in the same face of generally rectangular transverse member 14g as the coupling cavity 26, which allows coupling of the transverse member 14g to any of the bases. For example, speaker 212a can be in the upper left corner of the interior face of the generally rectangular transverse member (as viewed from the base to which it is coupled). Transverse members 14, with the same shape and footprint as the audio-enhanced transverse members (just without such embedded audio components) can provide the backrest portions of the assembly 300a, as shown. As further shown in
The user can have the ability to change the “channel” signal that is sent to any given speaker, e.g., particularly signals sent to such “A” or “B” type transverse members, although channel swapping can also occur with any of the other speakers 214a, 214b, 212a, or 212b, as well. In the configuration shown in
In addition to the ability to make such adjustments within the app or other control interface, such app or control interface can also allow the user to designate what their particular furniture assembly looks like geometrically, including where the audio-enhanced transverse members (and/or audio-enhanced bases) are located in such assembly, and what covers the particular user has installed (e.g., chenille, tweed, linen, velvet, leather, polyester linen, cotton, cotton blend, polyester, denim, twill, faux fur, leather, or other, for example) through which the sound is being emitted, to automatically provide tuning of the sound output to compensate for attenuation that occurs as a result of the speakers being hidden behind such covers. For example, particular frequencies may be boosted, to compensate for such attenuation, upon selection of the cover material in the app.
The app or other control interface can allow or automatically make adjustments to time delay (e.g., based on distance from seat to speaker), based on a desired seating position, e.g., based on the geometric arrangement of the modular furniture component bases and transverse members. In an embodiment, the app allows a user to designate the seating location that the sound is to be optimized to, such as the X in
In any case, in each such configuration, the speakers are advantageously hidden behind the upholstery fabric or other cover material of the transverse members.
It will be apparent that the present speaker systems can be implemented in a wide variety of furniture assemblies, including e.g., modular furniture assemblies (e.g., including one or more bases, and one or more transverse members, coupleable to one another to form such modular furniture assemblies, for example where the components can be reconfigured to provide differently configured furniture assemblies). The systems can also be implemented in furniture systems (e.g., couches, other leisure seating, etc.) where the furniture may not necessarily be modular, but where the speaker system still provides benefits of invisibility to the eye and touch, where the sound output is tuned (adjusted) as described herein. The integrated speaker systems can be implemented in various furniture systems that can include removable covers (e.g., removable upholstery covers) that can be selected by the user, e.g., swapped out etc., where the speaker system is hidden (e.g., to eye, feel and/or touch) under the removable cover(s). In another embodiment, the systems can be implanted in any of various upholstered furniture systems, e.g., where the speaker system is hidden (to eye, feel and/or touch) underneath the upholstery, whether such upholstery cover is removable or not. Such furniture systems can extend not only to leisure seating (e.g., couches, chairs, etc.) but also to beds, etc., that can similarly include cushioning, upholstery, etc.).
Tuning as used herein refers to how the sound output is tuned specifically for being delivered from inside the furniture component, through the upholstery or other cover material, as described herein (e.g., boosting select frequencies to compensate for attenuation of such frequencies by the fabric cover). Such “tuning” also refers to the ability to tune the speaker output (e.g., by adjusting sound delay, phase, or other sound parameters) differently, to accommodate differences in placement of the audio-enhanced furniture components (e.g., transverse members), within various different furniture configurations, e.g., such as those shown in
It will be apparent that such reconfiguration of the components to assemble a different furniture assembly can position various speakers farther or closer to a given seating position, such that it would be advantageous for a user to be able to adjust such settings (delay, phase, channel identity, etc.) after such rearrangement. Control of such adjustments can be made in an app or other control interface, accessible by the user, e.g., as described in application Ser. No. 15/786,922, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Power for such lights may be provided through any of the hubs 100 associated with transverse members 14a as described herein. Such a configuration may provide a night light system which may illuminate an area around sofa 350 in an otherwise dark room, aiding a user in navigating through the room at night or otherwise.
Such lighting may also be desired in other environments where a user is using sofa 350, for example, while watching a movie or other program on a television or other display in a dimly lit room.
Modular furniture assembly 350 is highly useful in a variety of different settings and includes electronic devices embedded in leisure seating such as in upholstery couches, modular seating, sectionals and the furniture known as SACTIONALS. While illustrated with audio components in the furniture assembly in addition to the motion activated night light system, it will be appreciated that a furniture system without audio components could include the motion activated night light system.
While no dedicated center channel speaker is illustrated in
As shown, sofa 350 includes speakers or other audio components embedded in leisure seating which includes upholstery couches, modular seating, etc. Sofa 350 provides excellent stereo or surround quality sound and provides a high fidelity surround sound experience.
The speakers are hidden from the view of the user and customers within the wooden framing portions of the base 12a and/or transverse member 14a and can be hidden under covers surrounding the wooden framing.
In the illustrated configuration, amplifier 217 is disposed within base member 12a. Amplifier 217 may be a multi-channel amplifier and/or an audio receiver including such an amplifier and is illustrated as being disposed within base member 12a, for example, adjacent to subwoofer 210a, e.g., mounted on or within housing 228.
As further shown in
In an alternative configuration, a signal may be sent from an audio receiver 217 to front right and front left speakers 212a and 212b in an unamplified configuration where amplification occurs at the speaker 212a or 212b. Unamplified signals can be sent through a wired or wireless connection, as desired.
In one embodiment, amplifier 217 amplifies at least the subwoofer speaker. In another embodiment, amplifier 217 amplifies the subwoofer speaker and the other speakers, e.g., the transverse member speakers. In another embodiment, the subwoofer may include its own internal amplifier, and amplifier 217 may amplify the other speakers (e.g., speakers 212a, 212b, 214a, 214b) in the furniture assembly. In yet another embodiment, amplifier 217 amplifies the subwoofer speaker and each of transverse member speakers has its own amplifier associated with that speaker.
As shown in
In one embodiment, a transmitter 224 is provided at the TV 222, such as a wireless controller transmitting signals for audio through a wireless transmitter to the speaker system of sofa 300 or 350.
For example, as further shown in
In one embodiment, a wired connection can be provided between a transmitter component 224, and amplifier or audio receiver 217, although wireless transmission as illustrated may be advantageous as no wire or cord is thus required between the location of transmitter 224 and amplifier or audio receiver 217 disposed within sofa 300 or 350.
The hubs 100 provide power to the electronic furniture assembly system of sofa 300 or 350, as well as all of the speakers, components and electronic devices associated with sofa 300 or 350.
As a result of the configuration of sofa 300 or 350, the various transverse members, bases and their associated speakers and electronic components can be removed and upgraded as other speaker systems or electronic components are available.
In one embodiment, the furniture system of the present invention also includes an audio receiver/sound bar and a bridge electrically coupled to the television in order to communicate sound to the speakers of the sofa 300 or 350.
The speakers mounted within the base and transverse member, in addition to providing invisibility from a user/customer, also provides an opportunity for high quality sound. The base and transverse member each provide a large enclosure volume within which the speaker sound can resonate to provide high quality sound while using no additional footprint other than that of the sofa itself
As shown in
For example, a user may control overall sound volume, sound volume of one or more of the speakers, frequency boosting (or attenuation) of one of more frequency bands associated with any of the speakers, or other controls that a user may desire to manipulate. Such a control component 240 may transmit signals or instructions through an electrical wired connection or wirelessly from a location that is remote from sofa 300 or 350, for example, adjacent television 222 or elsewhere.
A user may be able to pick up and move such a control component 240 anywhere desired. For example, they may pick it up and take it over to the couch where it may be left, if desired, so as to allow control at that point.
In other embodiments, control of any of the desired parameters may be provided through a cellular phone app (smart phone app) or other software application that can be provided in any desired interface. For example, in the smartphone portable device, tablet, or other device accessible to the user which may wirelessly transmit control signals to the receiver 217 or other component, then implement any desired changes to parameters as instructed by a user. Receiver 217 may be capable of receiving and/or transmitting through WiFi, Blue-tooth, or other wireless system, so as to communicate with such an app, to communicate with transmitter 222, etc.
In some embodiments, the audio receiver and/or amplifier 217, which may be positioned within the base member 212a, may include some knobs and/or buttons for controlling any desired parameters thereon. For example, volume controls for each of the speakers could be provided thereon.
Such controls may allow a user to manipulate levels of the different speakers within the surround sound speaker system. For example, where a user wants to calibrate speaker levels of a given surround sound speaker or a given front speaker, or a given subwoofer, controls for increasing or decreasing the sound volume associated with any given individual speaker may thus be provided, allowing a user to make such calibrations or changes.
For example, depending upon the furniture configuration built by the user, a user may wish to boost or attenuate a right front speaker, a left front speaker, a right surround speaker, or a left surround speaker, as numerous furniture assembly possibilities are possible with the modular furniture assemblies.
For example, where a surround speaker or a front speaker may be further away from a given seating position as compared to another surround speaker or another front speaker, a user may wish to boost or decrease volume output from one or more such speakers to even out or calibrate sound volumes from the pair of front speakers, the pair of surround speakers, or across all speakers at a given seating location. Controls as described herein may allow the user to do such.
The speakers and other electronic components of the present invention can be controlled through a variety of different control mechanisms, such as control mechanisms embedded within the sofa, e.g., within the base and/or transverse members or through a controller connected by an electrical cord to the base and/or transverse members or through a remote or wireless setting, such as through the use of a personal cellular phone (e.g., smart phone or tablet). The speakers and other electronics can thus be controlled wirelessly, e.g., through Blue-tooth, WiFi, through internet connections or other wireless connection means. In one embodiment of the present invention, there is no delay through the WISA. For example, sound and video may be correlated to ensure no lip synch problems between produced sound and images (e.g., sound and/or video may be intentionally delayed ensuring proper synchronization).
In one embodiment, a central transmitter such as controller 240 is employed, having a volume knob, wireless communication, ability to select and employ stereo, 4.1, 5.1 etc. with various input capabilities, including an auxiliary port in the jack.
Remote control for the speakers or other audio components or electronic components may be embedded within the furniture system 300 or 350, e.g., within the transverse member 14a or base 12a. Examples of control include wireless control and tethered control. Parameters that can be controlled include volume for the 2.0 system, 2.1 system, the 4.1 system, volume for the 5.1 system, etc., mute, volume level and intensity control.
As mentioned, in one embodiment, a software application is employed to control the electronic devices such as the speakers and other electronic components within sofa 300 or 350 or other devices in the present invention. The software application may be designed to control within the speakers and other electronic components (e.g., television, lamps, etc.) the volume, power, mute, balance, bass/treble, or other features of the system. The software application can also be used for the lights within the sofa, e.g., the tract lighting or LEDs or other lighting features, e.g., lighting power off and on, and can provide sound performance tracking, recliner settings, temperature settings, dimming/controlling lighting fixtures, television channels, and other user preferences.
In another embodiment, a software application may be used to control the speakers and other electrical components. Such software application may have a variety of different features and settings. In on embodiment, the software application controls speaker volume, TV volume, powers the speakers, power for the TV, mute, balance, bass/treble, lights on/off, sound performance tracking, recliner settings, temperature, diming/controlling of lamps and other lighting, TV channels, etc.
In another embodiment, transmitter 224, including a built-in channel speaker, can be configured to be wall mounted. For example, it may include mounting structure for such wall mounting.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the furniture assembly can be used as a bed having speakers and other electrical components embedded therein. For example, in one embodiment, base 12a can be used as a bed having speakers integrally mounted therein. Base 12a can be sized large enough to serve as a bed. For example, base 12a can be a stand-alone bed and/or can serve a box spring on which a cushion, such as cushion 18 can be mounted, the combination of base 12a and cushion 18 serving as a bed, wherein the base 12a and cushion 18 are configured to be large enough to serve as bed. A bed of the present invention having one or more speakers therein can thus be comprised of base 12a and/or base 12a and cushion 18. In another embodiment, multiple speakers can be placed within the bed. The present invention thus relates to a variety of different types of furniture having electronic components such as speakers, rechargers, power systems and other electrical components embedded therein.
One or more embodiments of the present disclosure may generally relate to apparatuses, methods, and systems for acoustically correcting sound loss through various types and compositions of fabric. The apparatuses, methods, and systems provide superior sound quality to speaker systems that include at least one speaker covered with fabric. The apparatuses, methods, and systems are used to improve the balance of audible frequencies emitted by a speaker through a fabric covering. The apparatuses, methods, and systems can use various mechanical, electromechanical, electrical, hardware and/or software components, systems, and modules to improve audio or speaker systems integrated within furniture, whether it be a modular furniture assembly or a single integral furniture unit having integrated speakers.
While the present disclosure will describe particular implementations of apparatuses, methods, and systems, it should be understood that the apparatuses, methods, and systems described herein may be applicable to other uses. Additionally, elements described in relation to any embodiments depicted and/or described herein may be combinable with elements described in relation to any other embodiment depicted and/or described herein.
For instance, “tuning” of a speaker or system of speakers, as discussed throughout the present disclosure, is to be understood to encompass all methods currently known for adjusting the frequency response of the subject speaker or system of speakers. Such methods include but are not limited to adjustment of the equalization of frequencies of a sound signal prior to transmission to the speaker or speaker system, adjustment of a transmitted audio signal prior to its receipt by the speaker or speaker system, or direct modification of the speaker(s).
The disclosed embodiments bring about substantial benefits, improvements, and practical implementations to the technical field. By way of example and not limitation, the improved tuning of audio or speaker systems having speakers covered with fabric provides superior sound quality in applications where it is desired to have a speaker concealed from view. This leads to substantial opportunities for improved aesthetic and functional designs of speaker systems integrated with furniture, thereby leading to substantial improvements in the technical field. These and numerous other benefits will now be discussed in more detail with regard to the Figures presented by this disclosure.
The following section outlines some example improvements and practical applications provided by the disclosed embodiments. It will be appreciated, however, that these are just examples only and that the embodiments are not limited to only these improvements. Generally, now referring to the drawings in detail wherein like reference numerals are used to designate like elements, there is shown one or more embodiments of the present disclosure that provides apparatuses, methods, and systems.
Embodiments of the present disclosure are applicable to a variety of applications wherein audio speakers are covered with fabric not only to improve the aesthetic design of an audio system, but to provide desired aesthetics and durability in a furniture system (e.g., a chair, sofa or other furniture providing seating, or a bed). One such application can be found in audio-enhanced furniture systems including a furniture assembly, an upholstery fabric at least partially covering the furniture assembly, and an audio or speaker system positioned within the furniture assembly, wherein at least one of the speakers is covered and hidden from view by the upholstery fabric that at least partially covers the furniture assembly. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, each speaker that is covered by an upholstery fabric can be tuned to compensate for sound being emitted from the speaker through the upholstery fabric by an adjustment to an equalization or frequency response of the speaker at one or more target frequencies or frequency bands. In particular, adjustment of the equalization or frequency response of the speaker may depend on at least one of a fabric type, a density, a thickness, and a weight of the upholstery fabric covering the furniture assembly. In some embodiments, the tuning of each speaker, or tuning of the audio system or speaker system to change the frequency response of each speaker, is selectable from a plurality of tuning profiles corresponding to a variety of upholstery fabrics, such that a user, retailer, or manufacturer is able to select a tuning profile configured to specifically compensate for sound loss through a particular upholstery fabric.
The density and thickness of the upholstery fabric relate to the weight of the upholstery fabric. For instance, a higher density and thicker upholstery fabric can have a higher weight than a lower density and less thick upholstery fabric. Examples of weights of upholstery fabrics that can be used as covers for the furniture assemblies (and modular components/members thereof) of the present invention include, for example: fabrics having weights in a range of approximately 50 grams per square meter (GSM) to approximately 1500 grams per square meter (GSM), for example, such as approximately 100 GSM to approximately 1000 GSM, or such as approximately 190 GSM to approximately 800 GSM, although a variety of different interior and exterior fabrics may be employed. The speakers of the present invention are adjusted and tuned in order to emit sound through such fabrics in a manner that attenuation due to such fabric is compensated for.
Embodiments of a tuning profile include the information used to adjust the equalization of frequency response of a speaker to compensate for sound loss through a particular upholstery fabric. For example, a range of audible frequencies emitted by a speaker can be divided into a plurality of frequency bands, with each of those frequency bands having a frequency response adjustment to compensate for sound loss through a particular upholstery fabric. The particular grouping of those frequency response adjustments, with a particular identification for the particular upholstery fabric can be an example of a tuning profile.
The total quantity of frequency bands depends on the desired level of accuracy in adjustment of the frequency response, as well as the capability of the intended equipment for implementing the tuning profile. For example, some audio tuning devices, such as speaker controllers, amplifiers, or audio equalizers, are only capable of adjusting frequencies in the three frequency bands corresponding to low frequency ranges (i.e., bass), middle frequency ranges, and high frequency ranges (i.e., treble), whereas other tuning devices available are operable to adjust up to 31 separate frequency ranges.
Some of the embodiments discussed herein, for example, divide the audible frequencies ranging from about 20 Hz to about 21 kHz into the 10 frequency bands for individual adjustment as illustrated in Table 1 below: about 20 Hz to about 49 Hz, about 50 Hz to about 99 Hz, about 100 Hz to about 199 Hz, about 200 Hz to about 399 Hz, about 400 Hz to about 999 Hz, about 1 kHz to about 1.9 kHz, about 2 kHz to about 3.9 kHz, about 4 kHz to about 7.9 kHz, about 8 kHz to about 15.9 kHz, and about 16 kHz to about 21 kHz.
Alternatively, a plurality of target frequencies within the audible frequency range can be selected for adjustment by parametric equalization or similar known methods. Parametric equalization includes adjustment of one or more target frequencies by a selected amplitude, such the frequency response curve of the tuned speaker is altered by a parametric or “bell” shape centered at the target frequency. The particular data associated with the parametric equalization for one particular upholstery fabric, with a particular identification for the particular upholstery fabric can be another example of a tuning profile. One skilled in the art should appreciate that additional methods of adjusting equalization or frequency response not discussed herein can be used to implement the disclosed embodiments within the scope and spirit of the disclosed invention.
The terms “equalization” and “frequency response” are used interchangeably herein to describe adjustments to the output volumes of one or more frequencies within the audible spectrum of sound emitted by a speaker or speaker system.
Referring now to the drawings,
According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the system of speakers 402 covered by upholstery fabric 404a, 404b, are tuned to compensate for sound being emitted from each speaker 402 through upholstery fabric 404a, 404b by an adjustment to an equalization (i.e., adjustment of the frequency response) of the at least one speaker at one or more target frequencies or frequency bands. Adjustment of the equalization of one or more target frequencies or frequency bands depends on at least one of a fabric type, a density, a thickness, and a weight of upholstery fabric 404a, 404b.
Further, the tuning of speakers 402 can be implemented by one or more speaker controllers in communication with and configured to control the tuning of each speaker 402. For example, modular furniture assembly 400 includes a receiver/amplifier 410, such being an example of a speaker controller, configured to receive signals from an audio source, such as mobile device 412 (via wired connection or wireless signal) and operable to transmit the received signals and provide power to speakers 402. In other configurations, the center channel speaker 223 (
While modular furniture assembly 400 is depicted with receiver/amplifier 410 mounted within base 406, embodiments also include receivers, amplifiers, and/or speaker controllers provided at virtually any location that allows for communication with speakers 402. For example, receiver/amplifier 410 can be integral with a center console or similar device, and can be connected to speakers 402 via wired or wireless connections. Alternatively, each speaker 402 can have a speaker controller individually associated therewith and secured directly or proximate thereto. One skilled in the art should appreciate that the illustrated embodiments are provided as exemplary configurations and do not limit the scope or spirit of the present disclosure to the physical configuration specifically illustrated.
While mobile device 412 is illustrated as an exemplary audio source, it will be appreciated that any of a wide variety of sources may be used with the present systems (e.g., including, but not limited to TV, disc player such as a CD player, DVD player, Blu-ray player, over-the air radio, TV or other transmissions, etc.). Additionally, the mobile device 412 can be used not only as an audio source, but can optionally control other audio sources, such as those described herein, and so allow a user to tune the speakers 402 based upon the signals received by other audio sources. For instance, and not by way of limitation, the mobile device 412 can tune the speakers 402 based upon a TV, disc player such as a CD player, DVD player, Blu-ray player, over-the air radio, TV or other transmissions, etc. providing a signal to the receiver/amplifier 410. The mobile device 412 can, therefore, be another speaker controller.
As shown in
As shown in
By way of an additional example,
As yet another example,
Although
Because the speakers are positioned within the modular furniture assembly components, this provides great flexibility to a user in where the speakers can be positioned within the assembled furniture assembly, whether the assembly is modifiable by the user, custom built according to the user's request, or otherwise provided. Further, the use of interchangeable covers for each of the modular furniture assembly components enables the user to change upholstery fabrics at will. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure also enable a user to selectively tune the speakers of an audio-enhanced furniture assembly to compensate for sound loss through the fabric selected by the user, as discussed further herein.
Referring now to
In the example illustrated by
Alternatively, the exemplary audio system 429 of
As illustrated in
Embodiments also include methods and systems for enabling speaker system 430 to be configured by a user to account for sound loss through any fabric covering speakers 432a, 432b, etc. of speaker system 430 without a predetermined tuning profile (i.e., methods allowing a user to create a new tuning profile corresponding to the actual fabric covering speakers 432a, 432b, etc.). For instance,
Such auto-tuning embodiments further includes using the user input device 444 as a computer system that is operable to apply the methods disclosed herein. The user input device 444 is in communication with network 449 and includes a necessary hardware and software for implementing the disclosed methods. Alternatively, a separate personal computer, a mobile device, and so forth could communicate with the microphone 435, either directly or via the network 449. As such, the user input device 444, for instance, is in communication with microphone 435 to receive audio measurements therefrom as speaker system 430 emits a preset sequence of audio tones stored within storage 442, or within a remote computer system communicating with the speaker system 430, or otherwise transmitted to speaker system 430 via audio source 434. Microphone 435 is operable to measure the tones emitted by speaker system 430 through the fabric. Having received the measurements from microphone 435, the user input device 444 is able to calculate adjustments to the equalization of speaker system 430 according to the methods disclosed herein to create a new tuning profile 440 and communicate with tuning module 438 to store the new tuning profile 140 within storage 442 and to implement the tuning profile to adjust the equalization of each speaker 432a, 432b, etc. of speaker system 430. It will be understood that a separate computer system 445 could apply the methods disclosed herein, including the auto-tuning using the microphone 435.
The schematic illustration of portions of the audio systems described here can be considered as representations of functional modules or components to perform particular operations. Generally, the operation modules, controllers, systems, etc. described herein may refer to software objects or routines that execute on a special purpose processing device to perform a certain function or group of functions. In at least some instances, a hardware processor is provided that is operable to carry out executable instructions for performing a method or process, such as the methods and processes disclosed herein. It is contemplated that implementations in hardware or a combination of software and hardware are possible. For instance, the controllers, modules, systems, etc. described herein may include the use of computer hardware or software modules. Such hardware and software modules or structures may include a processor and computer storage media carrying instructions that, when executed by the processor and/or caused to be executed by the processor, perform any one or more of the methods disclosed herein, or any part(s) of any method disclosed. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer storage media may comprise hardware storage such as solid state di sk/device (SSD), RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM, flash memory, phase-change memory (“PCM”), or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other hardware storage devices which may be used to store program code in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures, which may be accessed and executed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer system to implement the disclosed functionality of the invention. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer storage media. Such media are also examples of non-transitory storage media, and non-transitory storage media also embraces cloud-based storage systems and structures, although the scope of the invention is not limited to these examples of non-transitory storage media.
The functionality and operation of the controller/amplifier, user input device, audio source, speaker system, audio system, and other structures and components described herein can be performed, at least in part, by one or more hardware logic components. For example, and without limitation, illustrative types of hardware logic components/processors that can be used include Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (“FPGA”), Program-Specific or Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (“ASIC”), Program-Specific Standard Products (“ASSP”), System-On-A-Chip Systems (“SOC”), Complex Programmable Logic Devices (“CPLD”), Central Processing Units (“CPU”), Graphical Processing Units (“GPU”), or any other type of programmable hardware.
Optionally, while the user input device 444 and audio source 434 are illustrated as communicating directly with the controller/amplifier 136 and/or the speaker system 430 as illustrated in
Method 446 begins with act 446a of selecting a baseline equalization of one or more audio frequencies for a speaker of an audio system, such as the audio systems illustrated in
As a non-limiting example, baseline decibel levels for each target frequency or frequency band of a baseline equalization can be between about 40 decibels or less, 60 decibels or less, 70 decibels or less, 90 decibels or less, 100 decibels or less, 120 decibels or less, or 130 decibels or less. Stated another way, the baseline equalization can be based upon baseline decibel levels from about 40 decibels to about 130 decibels, from about 60 decibels to about 120 decibels, or from about 70 decibels to about 100 decibels. Further, the baseline decibel levels of each target frequency or frequency band can be adjusted if it is found that the previously selected decibel level is too low to be heard or detected by a microphone, such as microphone 435, as the sound passes through the selected fabric. Further still, methods as disclosed herein may be performed at a variety of baseline decibel levels to determine accurate adjustments to the baseline equalization at each selected decibel level.
In act 446b, the audio system is configured to emit each of the one or more target frequencies or frequency bands from the speaker at an actual volume according to the selected baseline equalization. For example, for a frequency range of about 20 Hz to about 21 kHz, the frequency range can include up to 3, up to 5, up to 10, up to 31 target frequencies, or up to one target frequency for each frequency of the range so that for a range from 0 Hz to about 21 kHz there can be 21,000 target frequencies. Stated another way, the full frequency range could be adjusted at each frequency as would be characterized by a continuous equation, or through a step function as would result in bands. A particular frequency range can be divided into a number of frequency bands, such as about 1 to about 21000 target frequency bands, about 1 to about 31 target frequency bands, about 2 to about 20 target frequency bands, about 3 to about 15 target frequency bands, or from about 5 to about 10 target frequency bands. More specifically, as an example only, the following 10 target frequencies can be selected for adjustment: about 32 Hz, about 63 Hz, about 125 Hz, about 250 Hz, about 500 Hz, about 1 kHz, about 2 kHz, about 4 kHz, about 8 kHz, and about 16 kHz. The target frequencies can also be implemented as frequency bands, such as, for example, the following 10 frequency bands, as provided in Table 1: about 20 Hz to about 49 Hz, about 50 Hz to about 99 Hz, about 100 Hz to about 199 Hz, about 200 Hz to about 399 Hz, about 400 Hz to about 999 Hz, about 1 kHz to about 1.9 kHz, about 2 kHz to about 3.9 kHz, about 4 kHz to about 7.9 kHz, about 8 kHz to about 15.9 kHz, and about 16 kHz to about 21 kHz. One skilled in the art should appreciated that adjustment of target frequencies or frequency bands can be implemented by a variety of devices currently available, such as a parametric equalizer, a graphical equalizer, a semi-graphical equalizer, a custom designed equalizer, and so forth.
After the audio system has been configured according to the selected baseline configuration, act 146c includes covering the speaker with a selected upholstery fabric. Preferably, the selected upholstery fabric is either the same upholstery fabric as or substantially similar in fabric type, density, thickness, and a weight to an upholstery fabric intended to be used to cover a speaker system product, such as an audio-enhanced furniture assembly, during use.
With the speaker covered by the selected upholstery fabric, act 146d includes activating the audio system and measuring a resultant volume of each of the one or more target frequencies as the speaker emits sound through the selected upholstery fabric. The resultant volume of the one or more target frequencies will differ based on the fabrics used to cover the speaker, with the resulting frequency response affected differently, depending at least one of, for example, fabric type, density, thickness, or weight. For example, one fabric may significantly affect certain frequencies while having only a nominal or substantially no effect on others, and an alternative fabric may affect different frequencies by varying amounts, as discussed further herein.
At act 446e, a differential volume is calculated between the actual volume of each of the one or more target frequencies from act 446b and the resultant volume of each of the one or more target frequencies measured in act 446d. These differential volumes can be calculated for any number of audio frequencies, preferably at least for each audio frequency or frequency band that is adjustable by the audio system. When the audio system emits target frequencies, in one example configuration, ranging from about 20 Hz to about 21 kHz, with a baseline ranging from about 70 dB to about 100 dB over the range of about 20 Hz to about 21 kHz, the compensation values can be up to about 25 dB for each of the one or more adjusted frequency bands, with the adjusted frequency bands having a band width of about 1 Hz to about 4000 Hz, from about 2 Hz to about 2000 Hz, from about 3 Hz to about 1000 Hz, from about 4 Hz to about 500 Hz, from about 5 Hz to about 200 Hz, from about 5 Hz to about 100 Hz, from about 5 Hz to about 50 Hz, combinations and/or modification thereof, or some other band width for the selected target frequency or target frequency band. Stated another way, the compensation values can range from about 1 dB to about 25 dB when compensation of a particular frequency band occurs for a particular fabric during tuning. Alternatively, the compensation values can range from about 1 dB to about 30 dB, from about 2 dB to about 21 dB, from about 3 dB to about 16 dB, from about 1 dB to about 21 dB, or from about 1 dB to about 16 dB.
In other examples, the differential volumes can be, as provided in Table 2, up to about 2 dB, about 4 dB, or about 5 dB for a target frequency of about 32 Hz or a frequency band of about 20 Hz to about 49 Hz; up to about 1 dB, about 4 dB, or about 5 dB for a target frequency of about 63 Hz or a frequency band of about 50 Hz to about 99 Hz; up to about 3 dB, about 4 dB, or about 5 dB for a target frequency of about 125 Hz or a frequency band of about 100 Hz to about 199 Hz; up to about 1 dB, about 4 dB, or about 5 dB for a target frequency of about 250 Hz or a frequency band of about 199 Hz to about 399 Hz; up to about 1 dB, about 4 dB, or about 5 dB for a target frequency of about 500 Hz or a frequency band of about 400 Hz to about 999 Hz; up to about 3 dB, about 5 dB, or about 7 dB for a target frequency of about 1 kHz or a frequency band of about 1 kHz to about 1.9 kHz; up to about 8 dB, about 10 dB, or about 12 dB for a target frequency of about 2 kHz or a frequency band of about 2 kHz to about 3.9 kHz; up to about 11 dB, about 14 dB, or about 16 dB for a target frequency of about 4 kHz or a frequency band of about 4 kHz to about 7.9 kHz; up to about 15 dB, about 18 dB, or about 20 dB for a target frequency of about 8 kHz or a frequency band of about 8 kHz to about 15.9 kHz; and up to about 16 dB, about 21 dB, or about 25 dB for a target frequency of about 16 kHz or a frequency band of about 16 kHz to about 21 kHz. It is to be understood that the foregoing volume adjustments include lower magnitude adjustments below the presented upper limit, such as, for example, increasing the volume of each target frequency or frequency band expressed above by a magnitude from about 1 decibel to the presented maximum number of decibels.
The foregoing adjustments are provided as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. For instance, while certain differential volumes are provided in each of Examples 1-3, it will be understood that any differential volumes from any examples can be combined together. For instance, any differential volumes of Example 1 can be combined with any differential volumes of either or both of Example 2 and 3. Additionally, any differential volumes of Example 2 can be combined with any differential volumes of either or both of Example 1 and 3. Additionally, any differential volumes of Example 3 can be combined with any differential volumes of either or both of Example 1 and 2.
Finally, in act 446f, the audio system is reconfigured to compensate for sound loss through the selected upholstery fabric by adjusting the actual volume of each of the one or more target frequencies or frequency bands emitted by the speaker and adjustable by the audio system by the corresponding calculated differential volume. As illustrated in Table 2, some embodiments include adjustments to higher frequencies (e.g., frequencies around 1 kHz or higher) that are greater in magnitude than adjustments made to lower frequencies. The exact magnitude of adjustment to each target frequency or frequency range depends on the magnitude of volume that is attenuated (i.e., reduced) by the particular fabric covering the speaker.
Method 446 may also include creation of a tuning profile corresponding to the selected upholstery fabric, such that the tuning profile may be implemented to tune any speaker covered by a fabric identical or similar to the selected upholstery fabric to compensate for sound loss through the upholstery fabric. The tuning profile created may include a fabric identifier and the calculated differential volume of each of the one or more target frequencies or frequency bands as obtained by methods of the present disclosure. Alternatively, the tuning profile may include a fabric identifier and ratios of the differential volume and the baseline volume to allow for linear adjustment of equalization as the overall volume level of the speaker is altered by a user. Also, differential volumes and/or ratios may be calculated at varying levels of overall volume by repeating method 146 for each of the various levels of overall volume, thus creating a stepwise volume adjustment profile. The calculated differential volumes or volume ratios of a tuning profile can thus be used to tune a speaker or speaker system by adjusting the actual volume of the one or more frequencies for which a calculated differential volume is provided.
Additional tuning profiles can also be created using methods of the present disclosure, each tuning profile corresponding to an additional upholstery fabric. For instance, during act 446c of method 446, the selected upholstery fabric may be replaced with each additional upholstery fabric in turn, then the remaining acts carried out for each additional upholstery fabric to create a corresponding tuning profile.
Accordingly, a speaker mounted within a furniture assembly can be tuned according to any of the tuning profiles, such as tuning profiles 440, 440a, 440b (
The assemble-able modular furniture assembly, for example, can include one or more bases, a plurality of upright members configured to attach to the one or more bases, and a speaker system, wherein at least one of upright members is an audio-enhanced upright member, such as the modular furniture assemblies illustrated in
According to act 448b, a plurality of predetermined tuning profiles is presented, each corresponding to an upholstery fabric and each operable by the speaker controller to adjust a volume of one or more target frequencies or frequency bands emitted by the at least one fabric-covered speaker to compensate for sound being emitted from the at least one speaker through the upholstery fabric.
In response to selection of a tuning profile, act 448c includes tuning the at least one fabric-covered speaker via the speaker controller to adjust an actual volume of one or more target frequencies or frequency bands by a magnitude approximately equal to a calculated differential volume included in the selected tuning profile. The calculated differential volume of each of the one or more audio frequencies is equal to the difference between: (i) a baseline volume corresponding to sound emitted from the at least one speaker or a similar speaker, and (ii) a resultant volume corresponding to sound emitted from the at least one speaker or similar speaker when covered with the first upholstery fabric or a similar fabric. Tuning of the at least one speaker can be accomplished by any known means of adjusting the equalization of audio frequencies of a speaker or speaker system, such as but not limited to the means discussed in connection with
One skilled in the art should appreciate that the disclosed methods can be performed under various circumstances. For instance, tuning profiles can be predetermined for one or more selected fabrics during design or development of an audio system, such as an audio-enhanced furniture assembly. Also, the plurality of tuning profiles can be presented and selectable via a user interface on a mobile device, a remote-control device, or a dedicated console associated with the speaker system. Alternatively, the furniture assembly can be provided to the consumer with a tuning profile already selected based on the upholstery fabric selected by the user when ordering the furniture. In at least one embodiment, the disclosed methods can be applied to an existing speaker, audio system, or speaker system having speakers at least partially covered in fabric to improve the sound quality of the existing system. As discussed herein, a user may be provided with means, such as a microphone or software capable of operating a microphone of a mobile device, for measuring the actual volume emitted through the fabric covering one or more speakers to determine a resultant volume of one or more target frequencies, calculate a differential volume for each target frequency, and reconfigure the existing system to adjust the actual volume of each target frequency, or corresponding frequency band, as emitted by each speaker to compensate for sound loss through the fabric.
Additionally, some embodiments include an assemble-able modular furniture assembly with a plurality of speakers, each speaker being separately tunable by separate selection of one of the pluralities of tuning profiles. In some embodiments, a user can select a tuning profile from the plurality of tuning profiles via a dedicated console, a remote controller, or a user interface of a mobile device or computer system, for the speaker system as a whole or for each individual speaker, depending on the placement of fabrics relative to the speakers included with the assemble-able modular furniture assembly.
Referring now to
These frequencies F1-Fn can include, for example, 32 Hz, 63 Hz, 125 Hz, 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz, 4 kHz, 6 kHz, and 16 kHz. These frequencies F1-Fn can include, for example, any frequencies ranging from about 20 Hz to about 21 kHz, with one or more adjustable frequencies from 20 Hz to 49 Hz, with one or more adjustable frequencies from 50 Hz to 99 Hz, with one or more adjustable frequencies from 100 Hz to 199 Hz, with one or more frequencies from 200 Hz to 399 Hz, with one or more frequencies from 400 Hz to 399 Hz, with one or more frequencies from 1 kHz to 1.999 kHz, with one or more frequencies from 2 kHz to 3.999 kHz, with one or more frequencies from 4 kHz to 7.999 kHz, with one or more frequencies from 8 kHz to 15.999 kHz, and with one or more frequencies from 16 kHz to 21 kHz. Alternatively, one or more of the foregoing frequency ranges can be targeted for adjustment using, for example, a graphical equalizer or similar device. Also, one skilled in the art should appreciate that the total range of frequencies selected for adjustment is not limited to between 20 Hz and 21 kHz but can be expanded to include any lower or higher frequencies if so desired.
A baseline equalization of the selected audio frequencies F1-Fn can then be selected, the baseline equalization including actual desired volumes V1-Vn corresponding to the selected audio frequencies F1-Fn (e.g., a desired frequency response curve for the speaker). Embodiments may include virtually any baseline equalization that enables measurement of the volume of each target frequency or frequency band as the speaker emits sound through the fabric for which the speaker is to be tuned. In other words, the volume of each target frequency within the selected baseline equalization needs to be sufficiently high to enable the proceeding method steps to be performed accurately.
Once the baseline equalization frequencies F1-Fn and the actual desired volumes V1-Vn are determined, resultant volumes V1_fabric1-Vn_fabric1 corresponding to sound emitted from a speaker through a first fabric (fabric1) can be determined according to methods of the present disclosure, and corresponding differential volumes ÄV1-ÄVn can be calculated and stored as a tuning profile corresponding to the first fabric, such that the calculated differential volumes ÄV1-ÄVn may be used to adjust the equalization of a speaker (the speaker's frequency response) covered by the first fabric, or a fabric similar thereto, to compensate for sound loss through the fabric. The disclosed methods can be performed for any number of fabrics to create corresponding tuning profiles in this manner. The differential volumes ÄV1-ÄVn vary based upon the particular audio frequencies F1-Fn being tested. As an alternative to adjusting discrete target frequencies F1-Fn (e.g., by parametric equalization at each target frequency F1-Fn), the differential volumes ÄV1-ÄVn can be applied to frequency bands that respectively include target frequencies F1-Fn (e.g., by graphical equalization at each respective frequency band).
Adjustments to the equalization or frequency response of a speaker can alternatively be implemented as a ratio of the calculated differential volume and the respective baseline volume, such that the equalization adjustment depends on the volume level of the speaker as selected by a user.
For example, and as illustrated in Table 3, each audio frequency can be adjusted by a multiplication factor or ratio up to about 1.03, about 1.06, or about 1.07 for a target frequency of about 32 Hz or a frequency band of about 20 Hz to about 49 Hz; up to about 1.01, about 1.05, or about 1.06 for a target frequency of about 63 Hz or a frequency band of about 50 Hz to about 99 Hz; up to about 1.03, about 1.04, or about 1.05 for a target frequency of about 125 Hz or a frequency band of about 100 Hz to about 199 Hz; up to about 1.01, about 1.04, or about 1.05 for a target frequency of about 250 Hz or a frequency band of about 199 Hz to about 399 Hz; up to about 1.01, about 1.04, or about 1.06 for a target frequency of about 500 Hz or a frequency band of about 400 Hz to about 999 Hz; up to about 1.03, about 1.06, or about 1.08 for a target frequency of about 1 kHz or a frequency band of about 1 kHz to about 1.9 kHz; up to about 1.09, about 1.11, or about 1.13 for a target frequency of about 2 kHz or a frequency band of about 2 kHz to about 3.9 kHz; up to about 1.12, about 1.16, or about 1.18 for a target frequency of about 4 kHz or a frequency band of about 4 kHz to about 7.9 kHz; up to about 1.17, about 1.21, or about 1.23 for a target frequency of about 8 kHz or a frequency band of about 8 kHz to about 15.9 kHz; and up to about 1.19, about 1.25, or about 1.30 for a target frequency of about 16 kHz or a frequency band of about 16 kHz to about 21 kHz. It is to be understood that the foregoing volume adjustments include lower magnitude adjustments below the presented upper limit, such as, for example, multiplying the volume of each target frequency or frequency band expressed above by a factor from about 1 to the presented maximum multiplication factor. Also, the foregoing adjustments ratios are provided as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
For instance, while certain multiplication factors or ratios are provided in each of Examples 1-3, it will be understood that any multiplication factors or ratios from any examples can be combined together. For instance, any multiplication factor or ratio of Example 1 can be combined with any multiplication factor or ratio of either or both of Example 2 and 3. Additionally, any multiplication factor or ratio of Example 2 can be combined with any multiplication factor or ratio of either or both of Example 1 and 3. Additionally, any multiplication factor or ratio of Example 3 can be combined with any multiplication factor or ratio of either or both of Example 1 and 2.
Audio frequency adjustments for acoustically correcting sound loss through a variety of exemplary upholstery fabrics are discussed herein. Specifically,
As illustrated in
Alternatively, speaker tuning can be accomplished by multiplication of one or more audio frequencies by a predetermined ratio or multiplication factor. For instance, each audio frequency can be adjusted by a multiplication factor ranging between about 1 and about 1.235 for speakers covered by leather, between about 1 and about 1.115 for speakers covered by polyester, between about 1 and about 1.063 for speakers covered by chenille or velvet, and between about 1 and about 1.037 for speakers covered by tweed or linen. One skilled in the art should appreciate that the foregoing values are provided as an example and are specific to example materials having a particular composition, density, thickness, and weight. As disclosed herein, specific adjustment values are preferably calculated on an individual basis for each upholstery fabric intended to cover a speaker or speaker system to ensure optimal sound quality as the sound is emitted though the selected upholstery fabric.
Referring now to
While display 454 can be configured as a liquid crystal display (LCD), alternative displays can be implemented, such as but not limited to a series of light-emitting diodes (LED) corresponding to each available tuning profile. Alternatively, the user can be provided with instructions for selecting, deselecting, and/or changing the tuning profile via a series of button selections, thus foregoing the need for an LCD or other display on control console 450.
As illustrated, mobile device 480 has been programmed to display various selectable options to a user through a graphical user interface 481, including selection 482 of a tuning profile based on upholstery fabric for a whole speaker system, and selection 484 of a tuning profile based on upholstery fabric for each individual speaker 488a-d of a speaker system. Selection 484 thus allows for use of different upholstery fabrics on different components of the speaker system, such as by covering different audio-enhanced members (e.g., upright members and/or bases) of a modular furniture assembly with different fabric covers. An exemplary list 486 of selectable upholstery fabrics is shown, allowing the user to select a tuning profile corresponding to any upholstery fabric listed.
When a user makes selection 482 for tuning of the whole system, a single drop down list 486 of fabrics are displayed for user selection. If the user selects the fabric leather (as shown in
Embodiments of a tuning profile can include the information used to adjust the equalization or frequency response of the speaker to which the tuning profile is applied to compensate for sound loss through the upholstery fabric to which the tuning profile corresponds. For example, each tuning profile can include a fabric name or identification number and a plurality of target frequency or frequency band adjustments, such as the “EQ Compensation” decibel values disclosed in
In addition to tuning by adjusting the frequency response of the speaker to adjust for the particular upholstery material through which the sound is emitted (e.g., by boosting particular frequencies, etc.), tuning can also refer to other adjustments configured to improve the sound quality, e.g., by adjusting a sound delay setting, phase, or other parameter of the sound, to accommodate placement of the speaker within the room, e.g., when the components of a modular furniture system are uncoupled from one another, and reassembled, in a different configuration with a different configuration footprint shape (e.g., such as any of the various configurations shown in
As illustrated, mobile device 480 has been programmed to display various selectable options to a user, including those discussed in reference to
When a user makes selection 492 for tuning based upon a configuration of the modular furniture assembly, a single drop down list 500 of an orientation or configuration footprint shape of the modular furniture assembly is displayed for user selection. If the user selects the U-shaped (as shown in
When a user makes selection 494 for tuning based upon a location or position of the center console 223 (
Embodiments of a tuning profile can include the information used to adjust the equalization or frequency response of the speaker to which the tuning profile is applied to compensate for sound loss through the upholstery fabric to which the tuning profile corresponds. For example, each tuning profile can include a fabric name or identification number and a plurality of target frequency or frequency band adjustments, such as the “EQ Compensation” decibel values disclosed in
Turing to
The assemble-able modular furniture assembly, for example, can include one or more bases, a plurality of upright members configured to attach to the one or more bases, and a speaker system, wherein at least one of upright members is an audio-enhanced upright member, such as the modular furniture assemblies illustrated herein. The speaker system can include at least one speaker mounted within an audio-enhanced upright member, the at least one speaker being hidden from view by a first upholstery fabric that covers the first audio-enhanced upright member.
A user is presented with a plurality of predetermined tuning profiles corresponding to an upholstery fabric (514). Each tuning profile is operable to adjust or control a volume of one or more target frequencies or frequency bands emitted by the at least one fabric-covered speaker to compensate for sound being emitted from the at least one speaker through the upholstery fabric, and optionally the center channel speaker or other remote speakers.
A user is presented with a plurality of predetermined tuning profiles corresponding to an orientation or configuration footprint shape of the modular furniture assembly (516). Each tuning profile is operable to adjust or control a volume of one or more target frequencies or frequency bands emitted by the at least one fabric-covered speaker, and optionally the center channel speaker or other remote speakers, to compensate for sound being emitted from the at least one speaker. This can include allowing the user to select tuning profiles based upon a configuration footprint shape of the modular furniture assembly and/or a number of seats associated with a particular row of the modular furniture assembly.
A user is presented with a plurality of predetermined tuning profiles corresponding a location or position of the center console or other speaker (518). Each tuning profile is operable to adjust or control a volume of one or more target frequencies or frequency bands emitted by the at least one fabric-covered speaker to compensate for sound being emitted from the at least one speaker based upon the location of the or position of the center console or other speaker.
In response to selection of a tuning profile, the method includes tuning the at least one fabric-covered speaker, the center console, and other speakers via the speaker controller to adjust an actual volume of one or more target frequencies or frequency bands by a magnitude approximately equal to a calculated differential volume included in the selected tuning profile. With respect to the fabric covered speakers, the calculated differential volume of each of the one or more audio frequencies is equal to the difference between: (i) a baseline volume corresponding to sound emitted from the at least one speaker or a similar speaker, and (ii) a resultant volume corresponding to sound emitted from the at least one speaker or similar speaker when covered with the first upholstery fabric or a similar fabric. The calculated differential volume can also include differences between the baseline volume corresponding to sound emitted from the at least one speaker or a similar speaker and resultant volume corresponding to sound emitted from the at least one speaker or similar speaker based upon the configuration or shape of the modular furniture assembly and/or the location or position of the center channel speaker or other speaker. Tuning of the at least one speaker can be accomplished by any known means of adjusting the equalization of audio frequencies of a speaker or speaker system.
The tuning profiles selected through the mobile device 480, for instance, can be stacked or combined together to create a combined tuning profile for the specific setup for the audio-enhanced modular furniture assembly. For instance, the tuning profile used to control the audio system associated with the audio-enhanced modular furniture assembly can include a summation of the profiles from one or more of selections 482, 484, 490, 492, and 494. This allows the user to selectively choose which profiles to combine to achieve the desired sound quality for their particular audio-enhanced modular furniture assembly and room, home, office or another environment within which it is located.
One skilled in the art should appreciate that the disclosed methods can be performed under various circumstances. For instance, tuning profiles can be predetermined for one or more selected fabrics, audio-enhanced furniture assembly orientation or configuration footprint shape, and/or center channel speaker or speaker location or position during design or development of an audio system, such as an audio-enhanced furniture assembly. Also, the plurality of tuning profiles can be presented and selectable via a user interface on a mobile device, a remote-control device, or a dedicated console associated with the speaker system. Alternatively, the furniture assembly can be provided to the consumer with a tuning profile already selected based on a combination or one or more of the upholstery fabrics selected by the user when ordering the furniture, the pieces selected to form the furniture assembly, and/or purchase of the center channel speaker and other remote speakers. In at least one embodiment, the disclosed methods can be applied to an existing speaker, audio system, or speaker system having speakers at least partially covered in fabric to improve the sound quality of the existing system. As discussed herein, a user may be provided with means, such as a microphone or software capable of operating a microphone of a mobile device, for measuring the actual volume emitted through the fabric covering one or more speakers to determine a resultant volume of one or more target frequencies, calculate a differential volume for each target frequency, and reconfigure the existing system to adjust the actual volume of each target frequency, or corresponding frequency band, as emitted by each speaker to compensate for sound loss through the fabric, the orientation or configuration footprint shape of the modular furniture assembly, and/or the location or position of the center channel speaker.
Additionally, some embodiments include an assemble-able modular furniture assembly with a plurality of speakers, each speaker being separately tunable by separate selection of one of the pluralities of tuning profiles. In some embodiments, a user can select a tuning profile from the plurality of tuning profiles via a dedicated console, a remote controller, or a user interface of a mobile device or computer system, for the speaker system as a whole or for each individual speaker, depending on the placement of fabrics relative to the speakers included with the assemble-able modular furniture assembly, the orientation or configuration footprint shape of the modular furniture assembly, and/or the location or position of the center channel speaker.
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Once the center channel speaker is appropriately positioned, it can be connected to the television through use or appropriate cables, such as an HDMI, an optical cable, or other cables. Once the center channel speaker or controller is connected to the television, it can be powered on by plugging a power cable into an outlet or other power source and subsequent turned on, as illustrated and described with respect to (
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In use, in one configuration, the subwoofer 210a can be mounted into a base using various brackets or mounts following pairing of the remote control with the center channel speaker or controller. When the subwoofer 210a is mounted in the based and cables and power supply are connected to it and other speakers, including additional subwoofers or satellite subwoofer for audio-enhanced modular furniture having two or more subwoofers, the subwoofers can be powered on and paired to the center channel speaker or controller.
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As mentioned before, the central console or controller includes LEDs to identify a status of the central console or controller. Illustrated in
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As mentioned above, the mobile device 480 can be used to tune the audio-enhanced furniture. While the applications and drop down lists have been illustrated in
The mode device 480′ includes selections 550-560 that allow the user to select different orientations, configuration footprint shapes, and/or configuration footprint shape sizes that approximates the user's current or anticipated modular furniture assembly orientation configuration footprint shape. By selecting button 550, for instance the user can access a graphical depiction of the modular furniture assembly having a straight configuration in which the bases are aligned in a straight line or orientation, such as illustrated in
By selecting button 552, for instance the user can access a graphical depiction of the modular furniture assembly having a left “L” configuration in which the bases and uprights or transverse members generally form a left “L” configuration footprint shape when viewed from above. When the user selects the button 552 of the graphical user interface 481′, the mobile device 480′ can illustrate the view 552a from
By selecting button 554, for instance the user can access a graphical depiction of the modular furniture assembly having a right “L” configuration in which the bases and uprights or transverse members generally form a right “L” configuration footprint shape when viewed from above. When the user selects the button 554 on the graphical user interface 481′, the mobile device 480′ can illustrate the view 554a from
By selecting button 556, for instance the user can access a graphical depiction of the modular furniture assembly having a left “L” configuration with the television on an angle in which the bases and uprights or transverse members generally form a left “L” configuration footprint shape when viewed from above. When the user selects the button 556 on the graphical user interface 481′, the mobile device 480′ can illustrate the view 556a from
By selecting button 558, for instance the user can access a graphical depiction of the modular furniture assembly having a “U” configuration in which the bases and uprights or transverse members generally form a “U” configuration footprint shape when viewed from above. When the user selects the button 558 on the graphical user interface 481′, the mobile device 480′ can illustrate the view 558a from
By selecting button 560, for instance the user can access a graphical depiction of the modular furniture assembly having an “M” configuration in which the bases and uprights or transverse members generally form a left “L” configuration footprint shape when viewed from above. When the user selects the button 560 on the graphical user interface 481′, the mobile device 480′ can illustrate the view 560a from
By selecting button 562, for instance the user can access a graphical depiction of the modular furniture assembly having optional “L” and “U” configurations in which the bases and uprights or transverse members generally form an “L” and “U” configuration footprint shape when viewed from above. When the user selects the button 556 through the graphical user interface 481′, the mobile device 480′ can illustrate the view 562a from
The particular representation of the furniture configurations, shapes, sizes, footprints, etc. is selectable by the user through the mobile device to select an associated tuning profile for that particular furniture configuration, shape, footprint, etc. Other furniture configurations, shapes, footprints, etc., selectable through the mobile device 480′ are possible. Additionally, the particular shape, orientation, and placement of buttons 550-562 as viewed on the mobile device 480′, which associated graphical user interface, can be varied.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant work of furniture assemblies and audio systems.
The articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements in the preceding descriptions. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, it should be understood that references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Numbers, percentages, ratios, or other values stated herein are intended to include that value, and also other values that are “about” or “approximately” the stated value, as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art encompassed by embodiments of the present disclosure. A stated value should therefore be interpreted broadly enough to encompass values that are at least close enough to the stated value to perform a desired function or achieve a desired result. The stated values include at least the variation to be expected in a suitable manufacturing or production process, and may include values that are within 5%, within 1%, within 0.1%, or within 0.01% of a stated value.
A person having ordinary skill in the art should realize in view of the present disclosure that equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that various changes, substitutions, and alterations may be made to embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Equivalent constructions, including functional “means-plus-function” clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function, including both structural equivalents that operate in the same manner, and equivalent structures that provide the same function. It is the express intention of the applicant not to invoke means-plus-function or other functional claiming for any claim except for those in which the words ‘means for’ appear together with an associated function. Each addition, deletion, and modification to the embodiments that falls within the meaning and scope of the claims is to be embraced by the claims.
The terms “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” as used herein represent an amount close to the stated amount that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, within less than 0.1% of, and within less than 0.01% of a stated amount. Further, it should be understood that any directions or reference frames in the preceding description are merely relative directions or movements. For example, any references to “up” and “down” or “above” or “below” are merely descriptive of the relative position or movement of the related elements.
Following are some further example embodiments of the present invention. These are presented only by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. Further, any example embodiment can be combined with one or more of the example embodiments.
Embodiment 1. An audio-enhanced furniture system, comprising: a furniture assembly; an upholstery fabric at least partially covering the furniture assembly; and a speaker system positioned within the furniture assembly, the speaker system comprising at least one speaker covered by the upholstery fabric, such that the at least one speaker is hidden from view, wherein the at least one speaker is configured to be tuned to compensate for sound being emitted from the speaker through the upholstery fabric by an adjustment to an equalization of one or more target audio frequencies emitted by the at least one speaker.
Embodiment 2. The audio-enhanced furniture system of embodiment 1, wherein the adjustment of the equalization of one or more target audio frequencies depends on at least one of a fabric type or a weight of the upholstery fabric.
Embodiment 3. The audio-enhanced furniture system of any of embodiments 1-2, further comprising a removable cover comprised of the upholstery fabric.
Embodiment 4. The audio-enhanced furniture system of any of embodiments 1-3, wherein the removeable cover is interchangeable with one or more alternative covers, each alternative cover comprising an alternative upholstery fabric.
Embodiment 5. The audio-enhanced furniture system of any of embodiments 1-4, wherein the at least one speaker is configured to be tuned via a mobile device.
Embodiment 6. The audio-enhanced furniture system of any of embodiments 1-5, wherein the at least one speaker is configured to be tuned via a control console associated with the furniture assembly.
Embodiment 7. The audio-enhanced furniture system of any of embodiments 1-6, further comprising at least one speaker controller in communication with the at least one speaker, the speaker controller being configured to control tuning of the at least one speaker.
Embodiment 8. The audio-enhanced furniture system of any of embodiments 1-7, wherein the at least one speaker controller is selectively controlled by at least one of a mobile device, a remote controller, or a console controller.
Embodiment 9. The audio-enhanced furniture system of any of embodiments 1-8, wherein the at least one speaker comprises a plurality of speakers, each speaker being configured to be tuned and controlled by the speaker controller.
Embodiment 10. The audio-enhanced furniture system of any of embodiments 1-9, wherein the one or more target audio frequencies comprises a plurality of target audio frequencies between about 20 Hz and 20 kHz.
Embodiment 11. The audio enhanced furniture system of any of embodiments 1-10, wherein at least one of the plurality of target audio frequencies is adjusted by at least 3 dB.
Embodiment 12. An audio-enhanced modular furniture system, comprising: (i) a modular furniture assembly comprising: (a) one or more bases; (b) a plurality of upright members, wherein at least two of the upright members are audio-enhanced upright members; and (ii) a speaker system positioned within the modular furniture assembly, the speaker system comprising: (a) at least one speaker mounted within a first audio-enhanced upright member, the at least one speaker being hidden from view by a first upholstery fabric that covers the first audio-enhanced upright member; (b) at least one speaker mounted within a second audio-enhanced upright member, the at least one speaker being hidden from view by a second upholstery fabric that covers the second audio-enhanced upright member; and (c) at least one speaker controller configured to control each speaker of the speaker system; wherein each speaker of the speaker system is configured to be tuned through the at least one speaker controller to compensate for sound being emitted from the speaker through the respective first or second upholstery fabric by adjusting one or more target audio frequencies emitted by the at least one speaker.
Embodiment 13. The audio-enhanced modular furniture assembly of embodiment 12, wherein the plurality of upright members can be selectively coupled to the one or more bases to form various furniture assembly configurations.
Embodiment 14. The audio-enhanced modular furniture system of any of embodiments 12-13, wherein at least one of the one or more bases is an audio-enhanced base, and wherein the speaker system further comprises at least one speaker mounted within the audio-enhanced base.
Embodiment 15. The audio-enhanced modular furniture system of any of embodiments 12-14, further comprising first and second removable covers, the first removable cover being comprised of the first upholstery fabric and the second removable cover being comprised of the second upholstery fabric.
Embodiment 16. The audio-enhanced modular furniture system of any of embodiments 12-15, wherein the adjustment of the equalization of one or more target audio frequencies depends on at least one of a fabric type or a weight of the upholstery fabric.
Embodiment 17. The audio-enhanced modular furniture system of any of embodiments 12-16, wherein the first upholstery fabric and the second upholstery fabric each comprise a different fabric type or weight, each speaker being tuned to specifically compensate for sound emitted through the corresponding first or second upholstery fabric.
Embodiment 18. The audio-enhanced furniture system of any of embodiments 12-17, wherein the fabric-specific tuning of each speaker is selectable via a dedicated control console, the control console selectively communicating with at least one speaker controller.
Embodiment 19. The audio-enhanced furniture system of any of embodiments 12-18, wherein the fabric-specific tuning of each speaker is selectable via a dedicated remote controller, the remote controller selectively communicating with at least one speaker controller.
Embodiment 20. The audio-enhanced furniture system of any of embodiments 12-19, wherein the fabric-specific tuning of each speaker is selectable via a mobile device, the mobile device selectively and wirelessly communicating with at least one speaker controller.
Embodiment 21. A method of tuning a speaker to compensate for loss of sound being emitted through upholstery fabric, the method comprising: providing an assemble-able modular furniture assembly comprising: (a) one or more bases; (b) a plurality of upright members, wherein at least one of the upright members is a first audio-enhanced upright member; and (c) a speaker system comprising: (i) at least one speaker mounted within the first audio-enhanced upright member, the at least one speaker being hidden from view by a first upholstery fabric that covers the first audio-enhanced upright member; and tuning the at least one speaker mounted within the first audio-enhanced upright member to compensate for sound being emitted from the at least one speaker through the first upholstery fabric by adjusting the equalization of one or more target audio frequencies emitted by the at least one speaker.
Embodiment 22. The method of embodiment 21, wherein the at least one speaker comprises a plurality of speakers, each speaker being separately tunable to compensate for sound being emitted from through fabric.
Embodiment 23. The method of any of embodiments 21-22, wherein tuning the at least one speaker comprises adjusting a signal transmitted from an audio source to the at least one speaker.
Embodiment 24. The method of any of embodiments 21-23, wherein tuning of the at least one speaker is provided through a software application on a mobile device.
Embodiment 25. The method of any of embodiments 21-24, wherein tuning of the at least one speaker is provided through a dedicated center console associated with the speaker system.
Embodiment 26. The method of any of embodiments 21-25, wherein the one or more target audio frequencies comprises a plurality of target audio frequencies between about 20 Hz and 20 kHz.
Embodiment 27. The method of any of embodiments 21-26, wherein at least one of the plurality of target audio frequencies is adjusted by at least 3 dB.
Embodiment 28. The method of any of embodiments 21-27, wherein each of the adjusted target audio frequencies is above 800 Hz.
Embodiment 29. The method of any of embodiments 21-28, wherein each of the adjusted target audio frequencies is above 2 kHz.
Embodiment 30. The method of any of embodiments 21-29, wherein each of the adjusted target audio frequencies is above 4 kHz.
Embodiment 31. An audio-enhanced furniture system, comprising: a furniture assembly; an upholstery fabric at least partially covering the furniture assembly; and a speaker system positioned within the furniture assembly, the speaker system comprising at least one speaker covered by the upholstery fabric, such that the at least one speaker is hidden from view, wherein the at least one speaker is configured to be tuned to compensate for sound being emitted from the speaker through the upholstery fabric by an adjustment to an equalization of one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands emitted by the at least one speaker.
Embodiment 32. The audio-enhanced furniture system of embodiment 31, wherein the adjustment of the equalization of one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands depends on at least one of a fabric type or a weight of the upholstery fabric.
Embodiment 33. The audio-enhanced furniture system of any of embodiments 31-32, further comprising a removable cover comprised of the upholstery fabric.
Embodiment 34. The audio-enhanced furniture system of any of embodiments 31-33, wherein the removeable cover is interchangeable with one or more alternative covers, each alternative cover comprising an alternative upholstery fabric.
Embodiment 35. The audio-enhanced furniture system of any of embodiments 31-34, wherein the at least one speaker is configured to be tuned by selection from a plurality of tuning profiles corresponding to a variety of upholstery fabrics.
Embodiment 36. The audio-enhanced furniture system of claim 35, wherein the plurality of tuning profiles includes tuning profiles corresponding to one or more of the following upholstery fabrics: polyester, chenille, tweed, linen, polyester linen, velvet, leather, cotton, cotton blend, denim, twill, or faux fur.
Embodiment 37. The audio-enhanced furniture system of any of embodiments 31-36, further comprising at least one speaker controller in communication with the at least one speaker, the speaker controller being configured to control tuning of the at least one speaker.
Embodiment 38. The audio-enhanced furniture system of any of embodiments 31-37, wherein the at least one speaker controller is selectively controlled by at least one of a mobile device, a remote controller, or a console controller.
Embodiment 39. The audio-enhanced furniture system of any of embodiments 31-38, wherein the at least one speaker comprises a plurality of speakers, each speaker being configured to be tuned and controlled by the speaker controller.
Embodiment 40. The audio-enhanced furniture system of any of embodiments 31-39, wherein the at least one speaker comprises a plurality of speakers, and wherein the at least one speaker controller comprises a plurality of dedicated speaker controllers, each dedicated speaker controller being dedicated to an individual speaker of the plurality of speakers.
Embodiment 41. An audio-enhanced modular furniture system, comprising: (i) a modular furniture assembly comprising: (a) one or more bases; (b) a plurality of upright members, wherein at least two of the upright members are audio-enhanced upright members; and (ii) a speaker system positioned within the modular furniture assembly, the speaker system comprising: (a) at least one speaker mounted within a first audio-enhanced upright member, the at least one speaker being hidden from view by a first upholstery fabric that covers the first audio-enhanced upright member; (b) at least one speaker mounted within a second audio-enhanced upright member, the at least one speaker being hidden from view by a second upholstery fabric that covers the second audio-enhanced upright member; and (c) at least one speaker controller configured to control each speaker of the speaker system; wherein each speaker of the speaker system is configured to be tuned through the at least one speaker controller to compensate for sound being emitted from the speaker through the respective first or second upholstery fabric by adjusting one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands emitted by the at least one speaker.
Embodiment 42. The audio-enhanced modular furniture assembly of embodiment 41, wherein the plurality of upright members can be selectively coupled to the one or more bases to form various furniture assembly configurations.
Embodiment 43. The audio-enhanced modular furniture system of any of embodiments 41-42, further comprising first and second removable covers, the first removable cover being comprised of the first upholstery fabric and the second removable cover being comprised of the second upholstery fabric.
Embodiment 44. The audio-enhanced modular furniture system of any of embodiments 41-43, wherein at least one of the one or more bases is an audio-enhanced base, and wherein the speaker system further comprises at least one speaker mounted within the audio-enhanced base.
Embodiment 45. The audio-enhanced modular furniture system of any of embodiments 41-44, wherein each speaker of the speaker system is configured to be tuned according to a tuning profile comprised of at least one adjustment to at least one target audio frequency or frequency band emitted by the speaker, wherein the at least one adjustment depends on one or more characteristics of the respective first or second upholstery fabric through which the speaker emits sound.
Embodiment 46. The audio-enhanced modular furniture system of any of embodiments 41-45, wherein the tuning profile of each speaker of the speaker system is selectable from a plurality of tuning profiles corresponding to a variety of upholstery fabrics.
Embodiment 47. The audio-enhanced modular furniture system of any of embodiments 41-46, wherein the tuning profile of each speaker is selectable via a user interface on a mobile device, the mobile device selectively communicating with the at least one speaker controller.
Embodiment 48. The audio-enhanced modular furniture system of any of embodiments 41-47, wherein the tuning profile of each speaker is selectable via a dedicated control console, the control console selectively communicating with at least one speaker controller.
Embodiment 49. The audio-enhanced modular furniture system of any of embodiments 41-48, wherein the tuning profile of each speaker is selectable via a dedicated remote controller, the remote controller selectively communicating with at least one speaker controller.
Embodiment 50. The audio-enhanced modular furniture system of any of embodiments 41-49, wherein the at least one speaker controller comprises a plurality of dedicated speaker controllers, each dedicated speaker controller dedicated to an individual speaker of the speaker system.
Embodiment 51. The audio-enhanced modular furniture system of any of embodiments 41-50, wherein the tuning profile of each speaker is separately selectable via a user interface on a mobile device, the mobile device selectively communicating with the dedicated speaker controller of each speaker.
Embodiment 52. The audio-enhanced modular furniture system of any of embodiments 41-51, wherein the tuning profile of each speaker is selectable via a dedicated control console, the control console selectively communicating with the dedicated speaker controller of each speaker.
Embodiment 53. The audio-enhanced modular furniture system of any of embodiments 41-52, wherein the tuning profile of each speaker is selectable via a dedicated remote controller, the remote controller selectively communicating with the dedicated speaker controller of each speaker.
Embodiment 54. A method of tuning a speaker to compensate for sound being emitted through upholstery fabric, the method comprising: selecting a baseline equalization for a speaker within an audio system, the baseline equalization comprising one or more target audio frequencies, each audio frequency having a selected baseline volume; configuring the audio system such that the speaker emits sound at an actual volume approximately equal to the selected baseline volume of each of the one or more target audio frequencies; covering the speaker with a selected upholstery fabric;
measuring a resultant volume of each of the one or more target audio frequencies as the speaker emits sound through the selected upholstery fabric; calculating a differential volume defined by the difference between the resultant volume and the selected baseline volume of each of the one or more target audio frequencies; and reconfiguring the audio system such that the speaker emits sound through the selected upholstery fabric according to the selected baseline equalization by adjusting the actual volume of each of the one or more target audio frequencies by a magnitude approximately equal to the differential volume of each respective target audio frequency.
Embodiment 55. The method of embodiment 54, further comprising: creating a tuning profile corresponding to the selected upholstery fabric, the tuning profile including each differential volume calculated for each of the one or more target audio frequencies.
Embodiment 56. The method of any of embodiments 54-55, further comprising: creating at least one additional tuning profile corresponding to at least one additional upholstery fabric by repeating each step of the recited method with the selected upholstery fabric being replaced by the at least one additional upholstery fabric.
Embodiment 57. The method of any of embodiments 54-56, further comprising: tuning a furniture-integrated speaker according to the tuning profile, wherein the furniture-integrated speaker is mounted within a furniture assembly and covered by an upholstery fabric that is identical or substantially similar to the selected upholstery fabric.
Embodiment 58. The method of any of embodiments 54-57, further comprising at least one speaker controller configured to control the at least one speaker, wherein reconfiguring the audio system further comprises tuning the speaker through at least one speaker controller associated with a modular furniture assembly.
Embodiment 59. The method of any of embodiments 54-58, wherein the at least one speaker controller comprises a dedicated center console configured to control the audio system.
Embodiment 60. The method of any of embodiments 54-59, further comprising: uploading the tuning profile to an audio source, such that the audio output signal of the audio source to a speaker system connected thereto is adjusted according to the tuning profile.
Embodiment 61. A method of tuning a speaker to compensate for loss of sound being emitted through upholstery fabric, the method comprising: providing an assemble-able modular furniture assembly comprising: (a) one or more bases; (b) a plurality of upright members, wherein at least one of the upright members is a first audio-enhanced upright member; and (c) a speaker system comprising: (i) at least one speaker mounted within the first audio-enhanced upright member, the at least one speaker being hidden from view by a first upholstery fabric that covers the first audio-enhanced upright member; and tuning the at least one speaker mounted within the first audio-enhanced upright member to compensate for sound being emitted from the at least one speaker through the first upholstery fabric by adjusting the equalization of one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands emitted by the at least one speaker.
Embodiment 62. The method of claim 61, wherein tuning the at least one speaker comprises reconfiguring an audio system associated with the at least one speaker to adjust an actual volume of each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands by a magnitude approximately equal to a calculated differential volume of each of the one or more audio target frequencies or frequency bands.
Embodiment 63. The method of claim 62, wherein the calculated differential volume of each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands is equal to the difference between: (i) a baseline volume corresponding to sound emitted from the at least one speaker or a similar speaker, and (ii) a resultant volume corresponding to sound emitted from the at least one speaker or similar speaker when covered with the first upholstery fabric or a similar fabric.
Embodiment 64. The method of any of embodiments 54-63, further comprising: presenting a user with a plurality of tuning profiles corresponding to a plurality of upholstery fabrics; and in response to selection of one of the plurality of tuning profiles by the user, tuning the at least one speaker to compensate for sound being emitted from the speaker through the upholstery fabric to which the selected tuning profile corresponds.
Embodiment 65. The method of any of embodiments 54-64, wherein the at least one speaker comprises a plurality of speakers, each speaker being separately tunable by separate selection of one of the plurality of tuning profiles.
Embodiment 66. The method of any of embodiments 54-65, wherein the plurality of tuning profiles is presented and selectable via a user interface on a mobile device.
Embodiment 67. The method of any of embodiments 54-66, wherein the plurality of tuning profiles is presented and selectable via a dedicated console associated with the speaker system.
Embodiment 68. The method of any of embodiments 54-67, wherein tuning the at least one speaker comprises adjusting a signal transmitted from an audio source to the at least one speaker.
Embodiment 69. The method of any of embodiments 54-68, further comprising at least one speaker controller directly associated with the at least one speaker, the at least one speaker controller configured to tune the at least one speaker independent of signals transmitted to the speaker by an audio source.
Embodiment 70. The method of any of embodiments 54-69, wherein the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands are adjusted by increasing an actual volume of each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands by a magnitude up to about 25 decibels.
Embodiment 71. The method of any of embodiments 54-70, wherein each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands are adjusted by a magnitude between about 1 decibel and about 25 decibels.
Embodiment 72. The method of any of embodiments 54-71, wherein the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands are adjusted by increasing an actual volume of each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands by a magnitude up to about 21 decibels.
Embodiment 73. The method of any of embodiments 54-72, wherein each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands are adjusted by a magnitude between about 1 decibel and about 21 decibels.
Embodiment 74. The method of any of embodiments 54-73, wherein the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands are adjusted by increasing an actual volume of each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands by a magnitude up to about 16 decibels.
Embodiment 75. The method of any of embodiments 54-74, wherein each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands are adjusted by a magnitude between about 1 decibel and about 16 decibels.
Embodiment 76. The method of any of embodiments 54-75, wherein at least one of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands is below 1000 Hz and is adjusted by a magnitude between about 1 decibel and about 8 decibels.
Embodiment 77. The method of any of embodiments 54-76, wherein the at least one target audio frequency or frequency band below 1000 Hz is adjusted by a magnitude between about 1 decibel and about 7 decibels.
Embodiment 78. The method of any of embodiments 54-77, wherein the at least one target audio frequency of frequency band below 1000 Hz is adjusted by a magnitude between about 1 decibel and about 6 decibels.
Embodiment 79. The method of any of embodiments 54-78, wherein the at least one target audio frequency of frequency band below 1000 Hz is adjusted by a magnitude between about 1 decibel and about 5 decibels.
Embodiment 80. The method of any of embodiments 54-79, wherein the at least one target audio frequency of frequency band below 1000 Hz is adjusted by a magnitude between about 1 decibel and about 4 decibels.
Embodiment 81. The method of any of embodiments 54-80, wherein the at least one target audio frequency of frequency band below 1000 Hz is adjusted by a magnitude between about 1 decibel and about 3 decibels.
Embodiment 82. The method of any of embodiments 54-81, wherein the at least one target audio frequency of frequency band below 1000 Hz is adjusted by a magnitude between about 1 decibel and about 2 decibels.
Embodiment 83. The method of any of embodiments 54-82, wherein the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands are adjusted by multiplying an actual volume of each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands by a factor from about 1 to about 1.3.
Embodiment 84. The method of any of embodiments 54-83, wherein the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands are adjusted by multiplying an actual volume of each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands by a factor from about 1 to about 1.25.
Embodiment 85. The method of any of embodiments 54-84, wherein the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands are adjusted by multiplying an actual volume of each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands by a factor from about 1 to about 1.2.
Embodiment 86. The method of any of embodiments 54-85, wherein the one or more target frequencies or frequency bands comprises at least four target frequencies or frequency bands.
Embodiment 87. The method of any of embodiments 54-86, wherein two or more of the at least four target frequencies or frequency bands are below 1000 Hz and are each adjusted by increasing an actual volume thereof by a magnitude from about 1 decibel to about 8 decibels.
Embodiment 88. The method of any of embodiments 54-87, wherein two or more of the at least four target frequencies or frequency bands are above 1000 Hz and are each adjusted by increasing an actual volume thereof by a magnitude from about 1 decibel to about 25 decibels.
Embodiment 89. The method of any of embodiments 54-88, wherein a magnitude of the adjustment of the equalization of one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands depends on a selected volume of the speaker system.
Embodiment 90. An audio-enhanced furniture system comprising a reconfigurable furniture assembly comprising; one or more base(s) providing a seating surface; one or more upright member(s) having a height that is greater than that of the base; a speaker system comprising one or more speakers in the base, the upright member or both; and a controller for tuning the speaker system, the controller tuning the speaker system based on a configuration footprint shape of the furniture assembly.
Embodiment 91. The audio-enhanced furniture system of Embodiment 90, wherein the controller is configured to tune the speaker system by selection from a plurality of tuning profiles corresponding to a variety of configuration footprint shapes that the base(s) and the upright member(s) of the furniture assembly can be positioned in.
Embodiment 92. The audio-enhanced furniture system of any of the Embodiments 90-91, wherein the plurality of tuning profiles includes tuning profiles corresponding to one or more of the following configuration footprint shapes: a chair, a loveseat, a sofa, a right L corner sectional, a left L corner sectional, a U-shaped sectional, or an M-shaped sectional.
Embodiment 93. The audio-enhanced furniture system of any of the Embodiments 90-92, wherein the controller allows selection between two or more configuration footprint shapes selected from: a chair, a loveseat, a sofa, a right L corner sectional, a left L corner sectional, a U-shaped sectional, or an M-shaped sectional.
Embodiment 94. The audio-enhanced furniture system of any of the Embodiments 90-93, wherein the controller allows selection between two or more upholstery fabrics that cover the furniture assembly, any speakers in the base or upright member being covered by the upholstery fabric, the controller allowing selection between two or more upholstery fabrics selected from: polyester, chenille, tweed, linen, polyester linen, velvet, leather, cotton, cotton blend, denim, twill, or faux fur.
Embodiment 95. The audio-enhanced furniture system of any of the Embodiments 90-94, wherein the configuration footprint shapes include 1 seat, 2 seats, 3 seats, 4 seats or 5 seats on a backrow of the configuration footprint shape.
Embodiment 96. The audio-enhanced furniture system of any of the Embodiments 90-95, wherein the controller comprises a user interface on at least one of a mobile device, a remote controller, or a console controller that allows a user to make selections to tune the speaker system based on the configuration footprint shape of the furniture assembly.
Embodiment 97. The audio-enhanced furniture system of any of the Embodiments 90-96, wherein the user interface queries the user as to (i) the configuration footprint shape of the furniture assembly; (ii) what fabric covers the furniture assembly is covered with, and (iii) a location of a center channel speaker of the speaker system.
Embodiment 98. The audio-enhanced furniture system of any of the Embodiments 90-97, wherein the user interface queries the user as to whether the center channel speaker of the speaker system is table mounted or wall mounted.
Embodiment 99. The audio-enhanced furniture system of any of the Embodiments 90-98, wherein the user interface further queries the user as to how many seats are in the configuration.
Embodiment 100. The audio-enhanced furniture system of any of the Embodiments 90-99, wherein the controller tunes the speaker system by an adjustment to an equalization of one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands emitted by the speaker being tuned, the adjustment of the equalization of one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands being dependent on the configuration footprint shape of the furniture assembly.
Embodiment 101. The audio-enhanced furniture system of any of the Embodiments 90-100, wherein the speaker system includes at least 2 speakers embedded in the furniture assembly and a center channel speaker not embedded in the furniture assembly.
Embodiment 102. The audio-enhanced furniture system of any of the Embodiments 90-101, wherein the speaker system includes at least 5 speakers embedded in the furniture assembly and a center channel speaker not embedded in the furniture assembly.
Embodiment 103. The audio-enhanced furniture system of any of the Embodiments 90-102, wherein the 5 speakers include a front right and right surround speaker embedded in one of the upright members, a front left and left surround speaker embedded in another of the upright members, and a subwoofer embedded in the base.
Embodiment 104. The audio-enhanced furniture system of any of the Embodiments 90-103, further comprising a satellite surround speaker embedded in another upright member, the upright member including the satellite surround speaker being configured so that the satellite surround speaker is the only speaker embedded therein.
Embodiment 105. The audio-enhanced furniture system of any of the Embodiments 90-104, further comprising a satellite subwoofer embedded in another base, so that the furniture assembly includes at least two subwoofers in separate bases.
Embodiment 106. The audio-enhanced furniture system of any of the Embodiments 90-105, wherein configuration footprint shape includes accounting for size of the furniture assembly, as to how many seats are included therein.
Embodiment 107. The audio-enhanced furniture system of any of the Embodiments 90-106, wherein the upright member provides a backrest or an armrest, the upright member being directly connected to the base.
Embodiment 108. The audio-enhanced furniture system of any of the Embodiments 90-107, wherein the furniture assembly further comprises a coupler, wherein the upright member provides a backrest or an armrest, the upright member being indirectly coupled to the base by the coupler.
Embodiment 109. A method for tuning speakers of an audio-enhanced furniture system comprising: providing a reconfigurable furniture assembly comprising; one or more base(s) providing a seating surface; one or more upright member(s) having a height that is greater than that of the base; a speaker system comprising one or more speakers in the base, the upright member or both; and a controller for tuning the speaker system, the controller tuning the speaker system based on a configuration footprint shape of the furniture assembly; presenting a user with predetermined tuning profiles corresponding to a plurality of configuration footprint shapes in which the furniture assembly can be assembled; and in response to a user selection of a given configuration footprint shape, tuning the speaker system according to the tuning profile selected by the user.
Embodiment 110. The method of Embodiment 109, wherein the furniture assembly further comprises a coupler for selectively coupling the base to the transverse member.
Embodiment 111. The method of any of the Embodiments 109-110, wherein the predetermined tuning profiles include tuning profiles corresponding to one or more of the following configuration footprint shapes: a chair, a loveseat, a sofa, a right L corner sectional, a left L corner sectional, a U-shaped sectional, or an M-shaped sectional.
Embodiment 112. The method of any of the Embodiments 109-111, wherein the user selects between two or more configuration footprint shapes selected from: a chair, a loveseat, a sofa, a right L corner sectional, a left L corner sectional, a U-shaped sectional, or an M-shaped sectional.
Embodiment 113. The method of any of the Embodiments 109-112, wherein the controller further prompts the user to select between two or more upholstery fabrics that cover the furniture assembly, any speakers in the base or upright member being covered by the upholstery fabric, the controller allowing selection between two or more upholstery fabrics selected from: polyester, chenille, tweed, linen, polyester linen, velvet, leather, cotton, cotton blend, denim, twill, or faux fur.
Embodiment 114. The method of any of the Embodiments 109-113, wherein the configuration footprint shapes include 1 seat, 2 seats, 3 seats, 4 seats or 5 seats on a backrow of the configuration footprint shape.
Embodiment 115. The method of any of the Embodiments 109-114, wherein the controller comprises a user interface on at least one of a mobile device, a remote controller, or a console controller that allows a user to make selections to tune the speaker system based on the configuration footprint shape of the furniture assembly.
Embodiment 116. The method of any of the Embodiments 109-115, wherein the user interface queries the user as to (i) the configuration footprint shape of the furniture assembly; (ii) what fabric covers the furniture assembly is covered with, and (iii) a location of a center channel speaker of the speaker system.
Embodiment 117. The method of any of the Embodiments 109-116, wherein the user interface queries the user as to whether the center channel speaker of the speaker system is table mounted or wall mounted.
Embodiment 118. The method of any of the Embodiments 109-117, wherein the user interface further queries the user as to how many seats are in the configuration..
Embodiment 119. The method of any of the Embodiments 109-118, wherein the controller tunes the speaker system by an adjustment to an equalization of one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands emitted by the speaker being tuned, the adjustment of the equalization of one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands being dependent on the configuration footprint shape of the furniture assembly selected by the user.
Embodiment 120. The method of any of the Embodiments 109-119, wherein the speaker system includes at least 2 speakers embedded in the furniture assembly and a center channel speaker not embedded in the furniture assembly.
Embodiment 121. The method of any of the Embodiments 109-120, wherein the speaker system includes at least 5 speakers embedded in the furniture assembly and a center channel speaker not embedded in the furniture assembly.
Embodiment 122. The method of any of the Embodiments 109-121, wherein the 5 speakers include a front right and right surround speaker embedded in one of the upright members, a front left and left surround speaker embedded in another of the upright members, and a subwoofer embedded in the base.
Embodiment 123. The method of any of the Embodiments 109-122, further comprising a satellite surround speaker embedded in another upright member, the upright member including the satellite surround speaker being configured so that the satellite surround speaker is the only speaker embedded therein.
Embodiment 124. The method of any of the Embodiments 109-123, further comprising a satellite subwoofer embedded in another base, so that the furniture assembly includes at least two subwoofers in separate bases.
Embodiment 125. The method of any of the Embodiments 109-124, wherein the upright member provides a backrest or an armrest, the upright member being directly connected to the base.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/491,858 filed Oct. 1, 2021, entitled SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TUNING BASED ON FURNITURE CONFIGURATION, which application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/696,696 filed Nov. 26, 2019, entitled MODULAR FURNITURE SPEAKER ASSEMBLY WITH RECONFIGURABLE TRANSVERSE MEMBERS, which application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/273,773 filed Feb. 12, 2019, entitled ELECTRONIC FURNITURE SYSTEMS WITH INTEGRATED INTERNAL SPEAKERS, which application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/348,068 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,212,519), filed on Nov. 10, 2016, entitled ELECTRONIC FURNITURE SYSTEMS WITH INTEGRATED INTERNAL SPEAKERS, which: (A) is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/270,339 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,236,643), filed on Sep. 20, 2016, entitled ELECTRICAL HUB FOR FURNITURE ASSEMBLIES, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/257,623, filed on Nov. 19, 2015, entitled FURNITURE WITH ELECTRONIC ASSEMBLIES; and (B) also claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/417,091, filed on Nov. 3, 2016, entitled ELECTRONIC FURNITURE SYSTEMS WITH INTEGRATED INTERNAL SPEAKERS. This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/348,088, filed Jun. 15, 2021, entitled TUNING CALIBRATION TECHNOLOGY FOR SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ACOUSTICALLY CORRECTING SOUND LOSS THROUGH FABRIC, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/173,899, filed Apr. 12, 2021, entitled TUNING CALIBRATION TECHNOLOGY FOR SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ACOUSTICALLY CORRECTING SOUND LOSS THROUGH FABRIC. Each of the foregoing patent applications is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62417091 | Nov 2016 | US | |
| 62257623 | Nov 2015 | US | |
| 63173899 | Apr 2021 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17491858 | Oct 2021 | US |
| Child | 18178304 | US | |
| Parent | 15348068 | Nov 2016 | US |
| Child | 16273773 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16696696 | Nov 2019 | US |
| Child | 17491858 | US | |
| Parent | 16273773 | Feb 2019 | US |
| Child | 16696696 | US | |
| Parent | 15270339 | Sep 2016 | US |
| Child | 15348068 | US | |
| Parent | 17348088 | Jun 2021 | US |
| Child | 15270339 | US |
