LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEM

• US 20180041825A1
• Filed: 10/17/2017
• Published: 02/08/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sound United, LLC (Masimo Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sound United, LLC (Masimo Corporation)
• Inventors: Starobin, Bradley M., Lyons, Matthew, Lumsden, Stuart W., DiTullo, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 10,349,158 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/162 Interface to dedicated audio devices, e.g. audio drivers, interface to CODECs
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/026 Supports for loudspeaker casings
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/028 associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2201/021 Transducers or their casings adapted for mounting in or to a wall or ceiling
• 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 2227/005 Audio distribution systems for home, i.e. multi-room use
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2430/01 Aspects of volume control, not necessarily automatic, in sound systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 27/00 Public address systems circuits for preventing acoustic reaction H04R3/02; circuits for distributing signals to loudspeakers H04R3/12; monitoring or testing arrangements for public address systems H04R29/007; amplifiers H03F

Abstract

A loudspeaker system and method of utilizing and/or installing thereof. As a non-limiting example, various aspects of this disclosure provide a loudspeaker system that may be conveniently integrated with a power distribution network of a premises.

Claims

1-28. -28. (canceled)

29. A loudspeaker device comprising:

a front face;

an electrical power outlet on the front face and adapted to receive an electrical plug of a device external to the loudspeaker device;

first power circuitry operable to provide first electrical power to the electrical power outlet;

communication circuitry operable to receive an audio signal from an audio source external to the loudspeaker device;

audio circuitry operable to generate an audio output based on the received audio signal; and

second power circuitry operable to provide second electrical power to at least the communication circuitry and the audio circuitry.

30. The loudspeaker device of claim 29, further comprising a back side, and an electrical power plug protruding from the back side.

31. The loudspeaker device of claim 29, comprising an enclosure that comprises the front face, a back side, and lateral sides that extend between the front face and the back side, and wherein the loudspeaker device is configured such that at least a portion of the lateral sides protrude from a premises wall when the loudspeaker device is mounted.

32. The loudspeaker device of claim 29, comprising an enclosure that houses at least a portion of the electrical outlet, the first power circuitry, the communication circuitry, the audio circuitry, and the second power circuitry.

33. The loudspeaker device of claim 32, wherein the enclosure is adapted to be mounted to a junction box of a premises-based electrical power distribution system.

34. The loudspeaker device of claim 29, comprising an antenna coupled to the communication circuitry and positioned to be outside of a premises wall when the loudspeaker device is mounted.

35. The loudspeaker device of claim 29, comprising a manual power switch on the front face and adapted to switch electrical power to a device that is independent of the loudspeaker device.

36. The loudspeaker device of claim 29, wherein the communication circuitry comprises wireless communication circuitry.

37. The loudspeaker device of claim 29, wherein the first power circuitry is operable to receive the first electrical power from a premises-based electrical power distribution system and directly pass the received first electrical power to the electrical power outlet.

38. The loudspeaker device of claim 37, wherein the second power circuitry is operable to:

receive the second electrical power from the premises-based electrical power distribution system; and

convert the received second electrical power to a form compatible with the communication circuitry and the audio circuitry.

39. A loudspeaker device comprising:

a front face;

a manual electrical power switch on the front face and adapted to switch electrical power to a device that is independent of the loudspeaker device;

first power circuitry operable to provide first electrical power to the manual power switch;

communication circuitry operable to receive an audio signal from an audio source external to the loudspeaker device;

audio circuitry operable to generate an audio output based on the received audio signal; and

second power circuitry operable to provide second electrical power to at least the communication circuitry and the audio circuitry.

40. The loudspeaker device of claim 39, further comprising a back side, and an electrical power plug protruding from the back side.

41. The loudspeaker device of claim 39, comprising an enclosure that comprises the front face, a back side, and lateral sides that extend between the front face and the back side, and wherein the loudspeaker device is configured such that at least a portion of the lateral sides protrude from a premises wall when the loudspeaker device is mounted.

42. The loudspeaker device of claim 39, comprising an enclosure that houses at least a portion of the manual power switch, the first power circuitry, the communication circuitry, the audio circuitry, and the second power circuitry, and wherein the enclosure is adapted to be mounted to a junction box of a premises-based electrical power distribution system.

43. The loudspeaker device of claim 39, comprising an antenna coupled to the communication circuitry and positioned to be outside of a premises wall when the loudspeaker device is mounted.

44. The loudspeaker device of claim 39, wherein the manual power switch protrudes from the front face.

45. The loudspeaker device of claim 39, wherein the first power circuitry is operable to receive the first electrical power from a premises-based electrical power distribution system and directly pass the received first electrical power to the electrical power switch.

46. The loudspeaker device of claim 45, wherein the second power circuitry is operable to:

receive the second electrical power from the premises-based electrical power distribution system; and

convert the received second electrical power to a form compatible with the communication circuitry and the audio circuitry.

47. A loudspeaker device comprising:

an enclosure configured to be mounted to an electrical power junction box of a premises-based electrical power distribution system;

communication circuitry operable to receive an audio signal from an audio source external to the loudspeaker device;

audio circuitry operable to generate an audio output based on the received audio signal;

power circuitry operable to provide electrical power to at least the communication circuitry and the audio circuitry; and

an antenna exposed from the enclosure and positioned to be outside of a premises wall when the enclosure is mounted to the electrical power junction box.

48. The loudspeaker device of claim 47, wherein:

the enclosure comprises a front face, a back side, and a plurality of lateral sides that extend between the front face and the back side; and

the antenna is positioned on at least one of the lateral sides.

49. The loudspeaker device of claim 47, comprising an electrical outlet adapted to receive an electrical plug of a device external to the loudspeaker device.

50. The loudspeaker device of claim 47, comprising an electrical power plug protruding from a side of the enclosure and adapted to plug into a premises-based electrical power outlet.

51. The loudspeaker device of claim 50, wherein the power circuitry is operable to:

receive the electrical power from the premises-based electrical power outlet; and

convert the received electrical power to a form compatible with the communication circuitry and the audio circuitry.

52. The loudspeaker device of claim 47, wherein the enclosure comprises a front face, a back side, and lateral sides that extend between the front face and the back side, and wherein the loudspeaker device is configured such that at least a portion of the lateral sides protrude from a premises wall when the loudspeaker device is mounted.

53. The loudspeaker device of claim 47, wherein the enclosure is adapted to be mounted to an electrical power junction box of a premises-based electrical power distribution system.