Powered subwoofer/speaker remote turn-on function

• US 20080069392A1
• Filed: 10/17/2005
• Published: 03/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Richard Hofrichter
• Original Assignee: Richard Hofrichter
• Inventors: Hofrichter, Richard
• Granted Patent: US 8,238,581 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/394
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2201/028 Structural combinations of loudspeakers with built-in power amplifiers, e.g. in the same acoustic enclosure H04R2499/10 takes precedence; Single (sub)woofer with two or more satellite loudspeakers for mid- and high-frequency band reproduction driven via the (sub)woofer H04R2205/026
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/00 Circuits for transducers , loudspeakers or microphones

Abstract

The present invention provides a powered speaker, such as a subwoofer that may be turned on and off remotely by energizing the auxiliary AC power supply provided with an audio device or other source unit. The main power of the powered subwoofer is provided via a wall outlet or suitable power supply that may adequately supply the necessary power.

Claims

1. A powered speaker comprising:

a speaker body;

an electrical relay located within the speaker body and having an electromagnet in electrical communication with an actuation circuit;

an actuation input in electrical communication with the actuation circuit, wherein the actuation input is connectable to a switched output that is associated with an audio source unit;

a manual switch that selectively opens and closes the actuation circuit;

a continuous power input in electrical communication with an amplifier circuit, wherein the relay selectively opens and closes the amplifier circuit; and

an integral audio transducer in electrical communication with the amplifier circuit.

2. The powered speaker of claim 1, wherein the switched output is a standard power outlet that selectively supplies an alternating current voltage of about 110 volts to the actuation input.

3. The powered speaker of claim 2, further comprising a transformer for converting the alternating current voltage to a direct current voltage of about 12 volts.

4. The powered speaker of claim 3, further comprising an alternate actuation input that is connectable to a turn-on lead associated with a source unit;

wherein the turn-on lead supplies a direct current voltage of about 12 volts; and

wherein the alternate actuation input is in electrical communication with the actuation circuit.

5. The powered speaker of claim 1, wherein the switched output is a turn-on lead that supplies a direct current voltage of about 12 volts to the actuation input.

6. The powered speaker of claim 1, further comprising an amplifier in electrical communication with the amplifier circuit, the audio transducer, and an audio source signal.

7. The powered speaker of claim 1, wherein the continuous power input is in is in electrical communication with an actuation bypass circuit;

wherein the electromagnet of the relay is in electrical communication with the actuation bypass circuit; and

wherein the manual switch further selectively opens and closes the actuation bypass circuit.

8. The powered speaker of claim 7, wherein the continuous power input is in communication with a household wall outlet that supplies an alternating current voltage of about 110 volts.

9. The powered speaker of claim 8, further comprising a transformer that converts the alternating current voltage supplied to the actuation bypass circuit to a direct current voltage of about 12 volts.

10. A powered speaker comprising:

an integral relay for turning the powered speaker on and off;

said integral relay device having a first input and a second input;

said first input provides a device power needed to energize the speaker;

said second input provides the actuation power to actuate the relay; and

said actuation power is provided via an auxiliary power output from a source unit.

11. The powered speaker of claim 10 wherein said relay device is integral with said powered speaker.

12. The powered device of claim 10 wherein said device power is received from an AC wall outlet.

13. The powered device of claim 10 wherein said source unit comprises an audio source unit.

14. The powered device of claim 10 wherein said first input further comprises an electrical plug.

15. The powered device of claim 10 wherein said second input further comprises an electrical plug.