Wireless audio system in a spa

• US 7,412,206 B1
• Filed: 11/27/2002
• Issued: 08/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dimension One Spas
• Original Assignee: Dimension One Spas
• Inventors: Pugliese, Angelo Vito Jr., Hutchings, Brent Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): TRINH, TAN H
• Application Number:
  US10/306,173
• Time in Patent Office: 2,085 Days
• Field of Search: 455/541.1, 455/556.1, 455/572, 455/41, 455/3.06, 455/3.03, 455/41.2, 455/420, 381/333, 381/388, 381/152, 381/2, 381/334, 381/387, 381/383
• US Class Current: 455/3.06
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/61 for local area broadcast, e.g. instore broadcast
• 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

Abstract

Systems and techniques to wirelessly provide audio in a spa. A system includes an audio system coupled with a spa, and a wireless communication system communicably coupled with the audio system and with a remote audio source, wherein the wireless communication system provides audio signals from the remote audio source to the audio system, and a volume of the audio system is controlled locally at the spa without affecting a volume indication at the remote audio source.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

an audio system coupled with a spa, wherein the audio system comprises speakers and a remote control, and wherein the speakers comprise;

a subwoofer mounted inside an enclosure within the spa between a spa shell and an exterior surface of the spa, the subwoofer to provide low-frequency, non-directional sound, and

planar speakers movably coupled with the spa to provide omni-directional sound, each of the movably coupled planar speakers having a plurality of available playing positions including at least one position that maintains a low profile for the spa; and

a wireless communication system communicably coupled with the audio system and with a remote audio source, wherein the wireless communication system provides audio signals from the remote audio source to the audio system, and a volume of the audio system is controlled locally at the spa without affecting a volume indication at the remote audio source.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication system comprises a first transceiver coupled with the remote audio source, a second transceiver coupled with the audio system, and a repeater in wireless communication with the first and second transceivers.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote audio source comprises a preamp audio source.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication system comprises a device including a transceiver and an amplifier coupled with the speakers, and the audio system further comprises the device.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the audio system further comprises an amplifier coupled with the speakers, the wireless communication system comprises a first transceiver and a second transceiver in wireless communication, the remote control communicates control information, including volume adjustment information, to the second transceiver, the second transceiver communicates the control information, excluding the volume control information, to the first transceiver, and the first transceiver wirelessly communicates the received control information to the remote audio source.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the remote control communicates secondary volume adjustment information to the second transceiver, the second transceiver communicates the secondary volume adjustment information to the first transceiver, and the first transceiver wirelessly communicates the secondary volume adjustment information to the remote audio source.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of available playing positions include at least one position that provides a proximate sound source for users of the spa while keeping the planar speakers removed from a water environment inside the spa.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein each of the movably coupled planar speakers are movable between the available playing positions without leaving a planar area proximate to the spa.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising a surface proximate to the subwoofer and defining an opening in the exterior surface to enhance sound quality.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the movably coupled planar speakers comprise planar speakers rotatably coupled to the spa.

11. A system comprising:

an audio system coupled with a spa, the audio system including a speaker coupled with an exterior surface of the spa in proximity to a location where a spa cover resides when on the spa, the speaker being useable in connection with the spa cover without interference between the spa cover and the speaker; and

a wireless communication system coupled with the audio system and with a remote audio source, wherein the wireless communication system provides audio signals from the remote audio source to the audio system;

wherein the speaker comprises a planar speaker movably coupled with the exterior surface such that the planar speaker is movable between two or more playing positions without leaving a planar area proximate to the spa.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the planar speaker is rotatably coupled with the exterior surface.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein a volume of the audio system is controlled locally at the spa without affecting a volume indication at the remote audio source.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the wireless communication system comprises a first transceiver coupled with the remote audio source, a second transceiver coupled with the audio system, and a repeater in wireless communication with the first and second transceivers.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the remote audio source comprises a preamp audio source.