Portable audio reproduction system

• US 7,095,867 B2
• Filed: 04/30/2004
• Issued: 08/22/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Altec Lansing LLC (Infinity Group Holding Co. LLC)
• Original Assignee: Altec Lansing Technologies Inc (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Langberg, Eric Aaron, Burke, David, Schul, Eran
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Vivian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kurr, Jason
• Application Number:
  US10/836,113
• Publication Number:
  US 20050244025A1
• Time in Patent Office: 844 Days
• Field of Search: 381/334, 381/386, 381/333, D14/204, 181/198, 181/199
• US Class Current: 381/334
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2205/021 Aspects relating to docking-station type assemblies to obtain an acoustical effect, e.g. the type of connection to external loudspeakers or housings, frequency improvement
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2499/11 Transducers incorporated or for use in hand-held devices, e.g. mobile phones, PDA's, camera's
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/02 Spatial or constructional arrangements of loudspeakers

Abstract

A portable system capable of receiving audio signals from one or more sources and reproducing the signals via speakers contained therein. The portable audio reproduction system can include a docking station or similar means for communicatively coupling an audio device to the portable audio reproduction system, thereby reducing desktop clutter and simplifying connecting the portable audio reproduction system with the audio device. The speakers of the portable audio reproduction system can preferably be received within a base portion of the system, thereby protecting the speakers during transport and reducing the overall size of the system for improved portability. External connections may also be provided, thereby enabling the portable audio reproduction system to receive audio signals from additional sources, and a mixer allows the system to reproduce signals from a portable audio device and an auxiliary source, such as a computer.

Claims

1. A portable audio reproduction system, comprising:

first and second speaker housings, each comprising at least one speaker driver for reproducing sound;

a deck for providing a protective surface, the deck being connected to the speaker housings by at least one hinge;

the deck being rotatable about the hinge between first and second positions, the first position providing an open mode in which the speaker drivers are exposed and the second position providing a closed mode in which the speaker drivers are covered by the protective surface of the deck;

at least one audio adapter, operatively connected to the speaker drivers, for interfacing with an external electronic audio device so as to receive audio signals from the audio device for reproduction by the speaker drivers; and

,

at least one second surface between the first and second speaker housings, the at least one second surface preventing closing the portable audio reproduction system when an audio device is operatively connected to the at least one audio adapter.

2. The portable audio reproduction system of claim 1, wherein the hinge articulates through approximately 285 degrees as the portable audio reproduction system is transformed from the open mode to the closed mode.

3. The portable audio reproduction system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of detents, through which the angle of the speakers with respect to the protective surface can be controlled.

4. The portable audio reproduction system of claim 1, wherein the at least one hinge is a barrel hinge.

5. The portable audio reproduction system of claim 4, further comprising a rubber grommet around the barrel hinge.

6. The portable audio reproduction system of claim 1, wherein the hinge allows the portable audio reproduction system to be opened and closed in a clamshell-like manner.

7. The portable audio reproduction system of claim 1, wherein the protective surface completely covers the plurality of speaker drivers when the portable audio reproduction system is closed.

8. The portable audio reproduction system of claim 1, further comprising an amplifier, communicatively coupled between the audio adapter and the speaker drivers.

9. The portable audio reproduction system of claim 8, wherein the amplifier is a Class D amplifier.

10. The portable audio reproduction system of claim 8, further comprising at least one power source, for powering the amplifier.

11. The portable audio reproduction system of claim 10, wherein the at least one power source is at least one battery.

12. The portable audio reproduction system of claim 11, wherein the at least one battery is rechargeable.

13. The portable audio reproduction system of claim 10, wherein the at least one power source is a DC power source.

14. The portable audio reproduction system of claim 10, wherein the at least one power source is an AC power source.

15. The portable audio reproduction system of claim 10, wherein the at least one power source further provides power to the audio device.

16. The portable audio reproduction system of claim 15, wherein the at least one power source provides power to the audio device regardless of whether the portable audio reproduction system is open or closed.

17. The portable audio reproduction system of claim 10, wherein the portable audio reproduction system automatically powers down when closed.

18. The portable audio reproduction system of claim 1, further comprising a volume control.

19. The portable audio reproduction system of claim 1, further comprising a cable port.

20. The portable audio reproduction system of claim 19, wherein the cable port allows the portable audio reproduction system to be connected to at least one external device.

21. The portable audio reproduction system of claim 20, wherein the external device is a subwoofer.

22. The portable audio reproduction system of claim 20, wherein the external device is a computer.

23. The portable audio reproduction system of claim 19, wherein the cable port is at the bottom of the portable audio reproduction system, thereby allowing the portable audio reproductions system to dock with external equipment.

24. The portable audio reproduction system of claim 1, further comprising a headset jack.

25. The portable audio reproduction system of claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary input jack.

26. The portable audio reproduction system of claim 25, further comprising a Class D amplifier.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the Class D amplifier combines audio signals from the auxiliary input jack and the at least one audio adapter to create the audio signal to be reproduced by the system.

28. The portable audio reproduction system of claim 27, further comprising a headset jack, wherein the audio signal to be reproduced by the system is also sent to the headset jack.

29. The portable audio reproduction system of claim 1, wherein the incline of the speaker housings when the system is in the open mode is selected so as to provide optimum sound when the speaker housings are at an arm'"'"'s length distance from a user'"'"'s ears.

30. The portable audio reproduction system of claim 1, wherein the second surface engages the audio device to prevent closing of the portable audio reproduction system.

31. A portable audio reproduction system, comprising:

first and second speaker housings, each comprising at least one speaker driver for reproducing sound;

a deck for providing a protective surface, the deck being connected to the speaker housing by at least one hinge;

the deck being rotatable about the binge between first and second positions, the first position providing an open mode in which the speaker drivers are exposed and the second position providing a closed mode in which the speaker drivers are covered by the protective surface of the deck;

at least one audio adapter, operatively connected to the speaker drivers, for interfacing with an external electronic audio device so as to receive audio signals from the audio device for reproduction by the speaker drivers;

a cradle for receiving said external audio device; and

,

at least one second surface between the first and second speaker housings, the at least one second surface preventing closing the portable audio reproduction system when an audio device is cradled with said cradle.

32. A portable audio reproduction system, comprising:

at least one speaker housing comprising at least one speaker driver for reproducing sound;

a deck for providing a protective surface, the deck being connected to the speaker housing by at least one hinge;

the deck being rotatable about the hinge between first and second positions, the first position providing an open mode in which the speaker driver is exposed and the second position providing a closed mode in which the speaker driver is covered by the protective surface of the deck;

at least one audio adapter, operatively connected to the speaker driver, for interfacing with an external electronic audio device so as to receive audio signals from the audio device for reproduction by the speaker driver; and

,

at least one second surface operatively connected to the speaker housing, the at least one second surface preventing closing the portable audio reproduction system when an audio device is operatively connected to the at least one audio adapter.