Devices and methods for testing the operability of audio speakers

• US 8,270,623 B2
• Filed: 06/09/2008
• Issued: 09/18/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Incorporated (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Incorporated (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Hamilton, Lance E., McGuire, Andrew I., Allen, Troy L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Paul, Disler
• Application Number:
  US12/135,718
• Publication Number:
  US 20090304193A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,562 Days
• Field of Search: 381 56- 60, 381322-324, 381/67
• US Class Current: 381/59
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2499/13 Acoustic transducers and sound field adaptation in vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 29/001 for loudspeakers H04R29/007 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 29/008 Visual indication of individual signal levels visual indication of stereophonic sound image H04S7/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/00 Circuits for transducers , loudspeakers or microphones

Abstract

A device for testing the operability of an audio speaker includes a housing, a unidirectional microphone and a display. The underside of the housing comprises a recessed area. The unidirectional microphone is positioned and oriented in the recessed area such that the unidirectional microphone is recessed from the underside of the housing. The display is positioned on the housing such that the display is visible when the testing device is placed proximate an audio speaker with the underside of the housing facing the audio speaker. The display may include at least one visual indicator operatively coupled to the unidirectional microphone such that, when the unidirectional microphone is receiving an acoustic signal, the at least one visual indicator is illuminated.

Claims

1. A testing device for testing the operability of an audio speaker, the testing device comprising a housing, a unidirectional microphone and a display wherein:

the housing comprises a planar top, a planar underside, and an isolation member, wherein the underside of the housing comprises a recessed area and the isolation member comprises a raised rib extending from the planar underside of the housing;

the unidirectional microphone is located on the planar underside of the housing and positioned in the recessed area with the raised rib extending circumferentially around and directly adjacent to the unidirectional microphone such that, when the testing device is placed proximate the audio speaker with the underside of the testing device facing the audio speaker, the unidirectional microphone is recessed from the planar underside of the housing and oriented towards the audio speaker;

the display is positioned on the housing such that the display is visible when the testing device is placed proximate the audio speaker with the planar underside of the housing facing the audio speaker; and

the display comprises at least one visual indicator and is operatively coupled to the unidirectional microphone such that, when the unidirectional microphone is receiving an acoustic signal, the at least one visual indicator is activated.

2. The testing device of claim 1 wherein the at least one visual indicator comprises a plurality of visual indicators and the number of visual indicators illuminated when the unidirectional microphone is receiving an acoustic signal is proportional to a level or intensity of acoustic signal received by the unidirectional microphone.

3. The testing device of claim 1 wherein the housing comprises a coating such that, when the housing is positioned on a speaker cover, the testing device does not scratch or damage the speaker cover.

4. The testing device of claim 3 wherein the coating comprises a rubber case enclosing the housing, the rubber case comprising an opening proximate the unidirectional microphone.

5. The testing device of claim 4 wherein the rubber case is integrally formed with the isolation member.

6. The testing device of claim 1 wherein the isolation member is integrally formed with the housing.

7. The testing device of claim 1 wherein the isolation member comprises a sound dampening material affixed to the underside of the housing.

8. A testing device for testing the operability of an audio speaker, the testing device comprising a housing, a circuit contained within the housing, a microphone and a display wherein:

the housing comprises a planar top and a planar underside, wherein the planar underside of the housing comprises a recessed area and a raised rib extending around the recessed area;

the circuit comprises a power source, a power switch, and a power on indicator;

the microphone is operative coupled to the circuit and is located on the planar underside of the housing and positioned in the recessed area such that, when the testing device is placed proximate the audio speaker with the planar underside of the testing device facing the audio speaker, the microphone is recessed from the planar underside of the housing and oriented towards the audio speaker;

the display is operatively coupled to the circuit and is positioned on the housing such that the display is visible when the testing device is placed proximate the audio speaker with the planar underside of the housing facing the audio speaker; and

the display comprises at least one LED operatively coupled to the microphone such that, when the microphone is receiving an acoustic signal, the at least one LED is illuminated.

9. The testing device of claim 8 wherein the raised rib comprises a sound dampening material affixed to the underside of the housing.

10. The testing device of claim 8 wherein the raised rib is integrally formed with the housing.

11. The testing device of claim 8 wherein the number of the LEDs illuminated when an acoustic signal is received from the microphone is proportional to the level and/or intensity of the acoustic signal received by the microphone.

12. The testing device of claim 8 wherein the housing in enclosed in a rubber case, the rubber case having an opening proximate the recessed portion such that at least the microphone is exposed through the opening.

13. The testing device of claim 8 wherein the microphone is a unidirectional microphone.