Module having a remote turn-on function for use with a powered subwoofer/speaker or other audio/visual electrical equipment

• US 8,238,580 B2
• Filed: 10/17/2005
• Issued: 08/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Richard Hofrichter
• Original Assignee: Richard Hofrichter
• Inventors: Hofrichter, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Faulk, Devona
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kim, Paul
• Application Number:
  US11/251,704
• Publication Number:
  US 20080069381A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,486 Days
• Field of Search: 381/111, 381/116, 381/55, 381/59, 381/120, 381/123, 381/300, 381/386, 381/394, 340/3.22, 340/13.32, 340/531, 340/545.4, 361/30, 361/160, 361/170, 361/622, 361/752
• US Class Current: 381/111
• 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

The present invention provides a module for a powered speaker, such as a subwoofer that may be actuated to turn the speaker on and off remotely by energizing the auxiliary AC power supply provided with an audio device or other source unit. The main power of the module is provided via a wall outlet or suitable power supply that may adequately supply the necessary power.

Claims

1. A relay module for actuating a powered speaker or other electronic audio/visual equipment, the module comprising:

a module body;

an electrical relay that is selectively actuated based on the power status of an audio/visual source unit disposed outside the module body, the relay being located within the module body and having an actuation circuit;

an actuation input in electrical communication with the actuation circuit, wherein the actuation input is connectable to an output power-line from the audio/visual source unit, the actuation circuit being energized when the audio/visual source unit is turned on and de-energized when the audio/visual source unit is turned off;

a manual switch that selectively opens and closes the electrical relay;

a continuous power input in electrical communication with an amplifier circuit, wherein the electrical relay selectively opens and closes the amplifier circuit based on the ON/OFF power status of the audio/visual source unit, the electrical relay being energized when the audio/visual source unit is turned ON and de-energized when the audio/visual source unit is turned OFF; and

a relay outlet in electrical communication with the amplifier circuit;

wherein the relay outlet is connectable to a power cord of a separate powered electrical device.

2. The relay module of claim 1, wherein the output is a standard power outlet that selectively supplies an alternating current voltage of about 110 volts to the actuation input.

3. The relay module of claim 2, further comprising a transformer for converting the alternating current voltage to a direct current voltage of about 12 volts.

4. The relay module of claim 3, further comprising an alternate actuation input that is connectable to a turn-on lead associated with the audio/visual source unit;

wherein the turn-on lead supplies a direct current voltage of about 12 volts; and

wherein the alternate actuation input is in electrical communication with the actuation circuit.

5. The relay module of claim 1, wherein the output is a turn-on lead that supplies a direct current voltage of about 12 volts to the actuation input.

6. The relay module of claim 1, wherein the separate powered electrical device is a speaker that comprises an amplifier in electrical communication with the amplifier circuit via the power cord and the relay outlet;

wherein the amplifier is also in electrical communication with an audio transducer and an audio source signal.

7. The relay module of claim 1, wherein the continuous power input is in electrical communication with an actuation bypass circuit;

wherein an electromagnet of the relay is in electrical communication with the actuation bypass circuit; and

wherein the manual switch further selectively opens and closes the actuation bypass circuit.

8. The relay module of claim 7, wherein the continuous power input is in communication with a household wall outlet that supplies an alternating current voltage of about 110 volts.

9. The relay module of claim 8, further comprising a transformer that converts the alternating current voltage supplied to the actuation bypass circuit to a direct current voltage of about 12 volts.

10. A relay module for actuating a powered speaker or other electronic audio/visual equipment, the module comprising:

a relay for turning a relay outlet on and off by selectively actuating, based on the ON/OFF power status of an audio/visual source unit disposed outside the relay module, the relay being energized when the audio/visual source unit is turned ON and de-energized when the audio/visual source unit is turned OFF;

said relay module having an output and an input;

said output provides a device power needed to energize a separate powered device when the relay is actuated via the relay output;

said input provides the actuation power to actuate the relay; and

said actuation power is provided via an auxiliary power output from the audio/visual source unit, the auxiliary power output being selected from either a 120V input or a 12V input.

11. The relay module of claim 10 wherein an electrical device is connected to the relay output.

12. The relay module of claim 10 wherein said device power is received from an AC wall outlet.

13. The relay module of claim 10 wherein said audio/visual source unit is an audio-source unit.

14. The relay module of claim 10 wherein said output further comprises an electrical plug.

15. The relay module of claim 10 wherein said input further comprises an electrical plug.

16. A relay module for actuating a powered speaker or other electrical audio/visual equipment, the module comprising

a module body;

an electrical relay that is selectively actuated based on a power status of an audio/visual source unit disposed outside the module body, the relay having an actuation circuit;

an actuation input in electrical communication with the actuation circuit, wherein the actuation input is connectable to an output power-line from the audio/visual source unit, the power-line selected from a 12V power-line or a 110V power-line;

a manual switch that selectively opens and closes the actuation circuit; and

a continuous 110V alternating current power input in electrical communication with a switched power output of the same current, switchable by the electrical relay, wherein the electrical relay selectively opens and closes the switched power output based on the ON/OFF power status of the audio/visual source unit, the electrical relay being energized by a signal when the audio/visual source unit is turned ON and de-energized when the audio/visual source unit is turned OFF, the signal being either 12V signal or a 110V signal, the signal being received through the actuation input.