Devices and Methods for Testing the Operability of Audio Speakers

• US 20090304193A1
• Filed: 06/09/2008
• Published: 12/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Incorporated (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Incorporated (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Allen, Troy L., McGuire, Andrew I., Hamilton, Lance E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,270,623 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/59
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2499/13 Acoustic transducers and sound field adaptation in vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 29/001 for loudspeakers H04R29/007 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 29/008 Visual indication of individual signal levels visual indication of stereophonic sound image H04S7/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/00 Circuits for transducers , loudspeakers or microphones

Abstract

A device for testing the operability of an audio speaker includes a housing, a unidirectional microphone and a display. The underside of the housing comprises a recessed area. The unidirectional microphone is positioned and oriented in the recessed area such that the unidirectional microphone is recessed from the underside of the housing. The display is positioned on the housing such that the display is visible when the testing device is placed proximate an audio speaker with the underside of the housing facing the audio speaker. The display may include at least one visual indicator operatively coupled to the unidirectional microphone such that, when the unidirectional microphone is receiving an acoustic signal, the at least one visual indicator is illuminated.

Claims

1. A testing device for testing the operability of an audio speaker, the testing device comprising a housing, a unidirectional microphone and a display wherein:

the housing comprises a top and an underside, wherein the underside of the housing comprises a recessed area;

the unidirectional microphone is located on the underside of the housing and positioned in the recessed area such that, when the testing device is placed proximate the audio speaker with the underside of the testing device facing the audio speaker, the unidirectional microphone is recessed from the underside of the housing and oriented towards the audio speaker;

the display is positioned on the housing such that the display is visible when the testing device is placed proximate the audio speaker with the underside of the housing facing the audio speaker; and

the display comprises at least one visual indicator and is operatively coupled to the unidirectional microphone such that, when the unidirectional microphone is receiving an acoustic signal, the at least one visual indicator is activated.

2. The testing device of claim 1 wherein the at least one visual indicator comprises a plurality of visual indicators and the number of visual indicators illuminated when the unidirectional microphone is receiving an acoustic signal is proportional to a level or intensity of acoustic signal received by the unidirectional microphone.

3. The testing device of claim 1 wherein the housing comprises a coating such that, when the housing is positioned on a speaker cover, the testing device does not scratch or damage the speaker cover.

4. The testing device of claim 3 wherein the coating comprises a rubber case enclosing the housing, the rubber case comprising an opening proximate the unidirectional microphone.

5. The testing device of claim 4 wherein the rubber case is integrally formed with an isolation member such that, when the housing is enclosed in the rubber case, the isolation member extends circumferentially around the recessed area and unidirectional microphone.

6. The testing device of claim 1 further comprising an isolation member extending circumferentially around the recessed area.

7. The testing device of claim 6 wherein the isolation member is directly adjacent the recessed area.

8. The testing device of claim 6 wherein the isolation member is integrally formed with the housing.

9. The testing device of claim 6 wherein the isolation member comprises a sound dampening material affixed to the underside of the housing.

10. A testing device for testing the operability of an audio speaker, the testing device comprising a housing, a microphone and a display wherein:

the housing comprises a top and an underside, wherein the underside of the housing comprises a recessed area and a raised rib extending around the recessed area;

the microphone is located on the underside of the housing and positioned in the recessed area such that, when the testing device is placed proximate the audio speaker with the underside of the testing device facing the audio speaker, the microphone is recessed from the underside of the housing and oriented towards the audio speaker;

the display is positioned on the housing such that the display is visible when the testing device is placed proximate the audio speaker with the underside of the housing facing the audio speaker; and

the display comprises at least one LED operatively coupled to the microphone such that, when the unidirectional microphone is receiving an acoustic signal, the at least one LED is illuminated.

11. The testing device of claim 10 wherein the raised rib comprises a sound dampening material affixed to the underside of the housing.

12. The testing device of claim 10 wherein the raised rib is integrally formed with the housing.

13. The testing device of claim 10 wherein the number of the LEDs illuminated when an acoustic signal is received from the microphone is proportional to the level and/or intensity of the acoustic signal received by the microphone.

14. The testing device of claim 10 wherein the housing in enclosed in a rubber case, the rubber case having an opening proximate the recessed portion such that at least the microphone is exposed through the opening.

15. The testing device of claim 10 wherein the microphone is a unidirectional microphone.

16. A method for testing the operability of an audio speaker located in a vehicle during the assembly of the vehicle, the method comprising:

positioning a testing device comprising a housing, a unidirectional microphone and a plurality of LEDs directly against a speaker cover oriented over the audio speaker wherein;

the housing of the testing device comprises a top and an underside and the underside comprises a recessed area;

the unidirectional microphone is located on the underside of the housing and positioned and oriented in the recessed area such that, when the testing device is placed against the speaker cover with the underside of the testing device facing the audio speaker, the unidirectional microphone is recessed from the underside of the housing and directed towards the audio speaker;

the plurality of LEDs are operatively coupled to the unidirectional microphone such that, when the unidirectional microphone is receiving an acoustic signal, at least one LED is illuminated;

the housing is enclosed in a rubber case, the rubber case comprising an opening proximate the recessed area; and

the testing device is positioned against the speaker cover such that the underside of the housing is facing the speaker cover, the rubber case is in direct contact with the speaker cover thereby preventing the testing device from damaging the speaker cover and the unidirectional microphone is directed towards the audio speaker such that any acoustic signal received by the unidirectional microphone is substantially from the audio speaker;

turning on an audio head unit operatively associated with the audio speaker such that, if the audio speaker and the audio head unit are properly connected and operable, an acoustic signal will emanate from the audio speaker; and

observing the LEDs on the testing device to determine if an acoustic signal is emanating from the audio speaker.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the testing device further comprises an isolation member comprising sound dampening material surrounding the recessed area such that, when the testing device is positioned directly against the speaker cover, the isolation member is in direct contact with the speaker cover substantially preventing any ambient sound from being received by the unidirectional microphone.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the isolation member is integrally formed with the rubber case.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the isolation member is integrally formed with the housing.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein the testing device is calibrated such that a predetermined number of LEDs are illuminated for a given level and/or intensity of the acoustic signal received by the unidirectional microphone.