Waterproof Audio and Storage System

• US 20140341413A1
• Filed: 04/17/2014
• Published: 11/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: C-Level Technology, LLC
• Original Assignee: C-Level Technology, LLC
• Inventors: McKeough, Aeron
• Granted Patent: US 9,307,315 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/334
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/00 Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/025 Arrangements for fixing loudspeaker transducers, e.g. in a box, furniture
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/44 Special adaptations for subaqueous use, e.g. for hydrophone
• 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 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones

Abstract

A portable and waterproof audio reproduction device is provided, comprising a case having a base and a lid defining an internal volume, and further including a seal between the base and the lid sufficient to prevent water from entering the internal volume when the lid is closed onto the base. The case includes control electronics within the internal volume, wherein the control electronics are adapted to receive an audio signal from an audio device located either inside the case or outside the case. The case also includes a battery, electrically connected to the control electronics. Surface transducers are electrically connected to the control electronics and operatively attached to an internal surface of the case, wherein the surface transducers are capable of receiving the audio signal from the audio device and causing vibration of the internal surface in response to the audio signal. The control electronics comprise a printed circuit board having additional electronic features which are desirable to the operation of the device, such as a line-in input for receiving an audio signal, a charging input for charging the battery from an external power source, a power switch, a switch to activate an on-board wireless networking protocol such as Bluetooth®, an amplifier for amplifying the audio signal, and magnetically responsive switches for controlling playback and volume.

Claims

1. A waterproof audio reproduction device, comprising:

(a) a case having a base and a lid defining an internal volume, and further including a seal between the base and the lid sufficient to prevent water from entering the internal volume when the lid is closed onto the base;

(b) control electronics within the internal volume, wherein the control electronics are adapted to receive an audio signal from an audio device;

(c) an energy storage device electrically connected to the control electronics;

(d) at least one surface transducer electrically connected to the control electronics and operatively attached to an internal surface of the case, wherein the surface transducer is capable of receiving the audio signal from the audio device and causing vibration of the internal surface in response to the audio signal.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the control electronics comprise a printed circuit board.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the control electronics include a power supply.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the control electronics include an audio signal amplifier.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the control electronics include a wireless networking device capable of receiving the audio signal.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the control electronics include a charging port adapted to receive power from an external source sufficient to charge the energy storage device.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the energy storage device is a battery.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the control electronics include magnetic control switches, and wherein the magnetic control switches are responsive to a magnetized stylus external to the case.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the magnetic control switches include controls for playback and volume control, and wherein the case includes external icons corresponding to playback and volume control.

10. The device of claim 8, further including a magnetic stylus holder mounted to an external surface of the case.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the surface transducer is adhesively attached to the internal surface of the case.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the case further includes a bottom tray positioned in the base, and wherein the bottom tray covers the control electronics.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the case further includes a lid tray positioned in the lid, and wherein the lid tray covers the surface transducer.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the internal volume of the case includes at least one storage volume adapted to store selected items.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the storage volume includes foam elements adapted to protect the selected items.

16. The device of claim 12, wherein the bottom tray includes a compartment for containment of the energy storage device, and further including a removable cover for the compartment.

17. The device of claim 12, wherein the bottom tray includes one or more buttons for interfacing with one or more switches on the control electronics.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein the control electronics includes an input port for receiving the audio signal.