Speaker embedded with oral setup tutorial

• US 6,934,396 B1
• Filed: 09/28/2001
• Issued: 08/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gateway Incorporated (Acer, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Gateway Incorporated (Acer, Inc.)
• Inventors: Leapman, Scott D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Isen, Forester W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Faulk, Devona E.
• Application Number:
  US09/967,813
• Time in Patent Office: 1,425 Days
• Field of Search: 381/59, 381/58, 345/978, 700/94
• US Class Current: 381/59
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/05 Detection of connection of loudspeakers or headphones to amplifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 29/001 for loudspeakers H04R29/007 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/04 Circuit arrangements, e.g. for selective connection of amplifier inputs/outputs to loudspeakers, for loudspeaker detection, or for adaptation of settings to personal preferences or hearing impairments combinations of amplifiers H03F3/68; stereophonic systems H04S

Abstract

Oral instructions for setting up a system of speakers are provided in a setup speaker. The setup speaker audibly plays the instructions and is powered by a battery or external power source. Oral indications of successful connections and completion of the setup are provided. The language of the instructions is also selectable.

Claims

1. A setup speaker comprising:

a processor;

a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory contains oral instructions for setting up a plurality of other speakers;

the processor detecting connections; and

a battery that provides power to the setup speaker for playing the audio instructions prior to any connection.

2. The setup speaker of claim 1 wherein the speaker provides an oral indication each time a connection is made.

3. The setup speaker of claim 2 wherein the speaker provides an oral indication that the connection is proper when properly connected.

4. The setup speaker of claim 2 wherein the speaker provides an oral indication of an improper connection.

5. The setup speaker of claim 2 wherein the speaker provides further oral instructions when a proper connection is not detected.

6. The setup speaker of claim 1 and further comprising an amplifier that provides audio signals.

7. The setup speaker of claim 1 and further comprising a computer system that provides audio signals.

24. The setup speaker of claim 1 wherein the processor detects connections automatically without user intervention.

25. The setup speaker of claim 1 wherein the processor detects the presence or absence of connections.

26. The setup speaker of claim 1 wherein the battery is configured to provide power prior to making any connection to the setup speaker.

27. The setup speaker of claim 1 wherein the memory comprises a memory chip.

8. A setup speaker comprising:

a programmed processor;

a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory contains oral instructions for setting up a plurality of other speakers;

means for detecting if proper connections have been made to at least one of the other speakers; and

wherein the processor provides an oral indication when proper connections have been made.

9. A setup speaker system comprising:

a setup speaker;

a processor;

a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory contains oral instructions for setting up a plurality of other speakers;

means for automatically detecting if connections have been made to at least one of the other speakers; and

a battery that provides power to the setup speaker for playing the oral instructions describing a connection to be made during set up.

28. The setup speaker system of claim 9 additionally comprising an enclosure, the speaker, the processor, the memory, and the battery being positioned within the enclosure such that the setup speaker is capable of playing the oral instructions without making any external connections to the enclosure.

10. A method of providing audio instructions via a setup speaker, the method comprising:

receiving an indication from a user to begin providing oral instructions;

providing a next oral instruction;

detecting proper connection;

repeating the provision of a next oral instruction and detection of a proper connection until all connections are made; and

providing an oral indication of successful completion of the set up.

11. The method of claim 10 and further comprising providing an oral indication each time a proper connection is made.

12. The method of claim 11 and further comprising detecting improper connections.

13. The method of claim 12 and further comprising providing an oral indication regarding an improper connection.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the oral indication of improper connection comprises information regarding how the connection is improper.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the oral indication of improper connection comprises a repeat of the corresponding oral instruction with further information than originally provided in the oral indication of the corresponding instruction.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the indication from a user to begin providing oral instructions includes a language selection indication.

17. A method of providing audio instructions via a setup speaker, the method comprising:

receiving an indication from a user to begin providing oral instructions;

providing a next oral instruction;

detecting proper connection;

repeating the provision of a next oral instruction and detection of a proper connection until all connections are made;

providing an oral indication of successful completion of the setup;

providing an oral indication each time a proper connection is made;

detecting improper connections;

providing an oral indication regarding an improper connection; and

wherein a proper connection is detected by requesting an ID from the newly connected speaker, and comparing the ID to an expected ID.

18. A computer readable medium having instructions for causing a processor to perform a method of providing oral instructions via a setup speaker, the method comprising:

receiving an indication from a user to begin providing oral instructions;

providing a next instruction;

detecting proper connection;

repeating the provision of a next instruction and detection of a proper connection until all connections are made; and

providing an oral indication of successful completion of the setup.

19. A method of providing oral instructions to set up a system of speakers via a setup speaker, the method comprising:

a) receiving an indication from a user to begin providing oral instructions;

b) providing a next instruction;

c) detecting a connection;

d) providing feedback regarding the connection;

e) determining if more connections need to be made to properly set up the system of speakers;

f) if another connection needs to be made, repeating b, c, d and e;

g) provide positive feedback regarding successful completion of setup.

20. The method of claim 19 and further comprising:

h) providing audible test signals through the speakers in the system of speakers.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein the feedback, d, comprises positive feedback regarding a proper connection, and additional instructions regarding an improper connection.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein detection of an improper connection, c, results in waiting for a new connection to be made in response to the additional instructions.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein the additional instructions include information regarding why the connection was improper.