Portable audio system having waveguide structure

• US 8,503,709 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2011
• Issued: 08/06/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bose Corporation
• Original Assignee: Bose Corporation
• Inventors: Parker, Robert Preston, Litovsky, Roman N., Chan, Jacky Chi-Hung, Brown, Todd Charter, Pucci, Lino A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ensey, Brian
• Application Number:
  US13/033,893
• Publication Number:
  US 20110150259A1
• Time in Patent Office: 894 Days
• Field of Search: 381/334, 381337-339, 381/345, 381/386, 181/198, 181/199, 455344-350, 455/556.1, 455/569.1, 455/569.2, 361/679.23, 361/379.27
• US Class Current: 381/338
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 3/02 Manually-operated control H03G3/001 and H03G3/002 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/02 Casings; Cabinets ; Supports therefor; Mountings therein H04R1/28 takes precedence ; attachments for microphones H04R1/08; mounting of transducers in earpieces H04R1/1075
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/2857 for loudspeaker transducers
• 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 2430/01 Aspects of volume control, not necessarily automatic, in sound systems

Abstract

An apparatus includes a housing. A waveguide is located within the housing. The waveguide includes a first subsection that bends around a first axis and has a first cross-sectional area with an aspect ratio that is substantially different from unity. A second subsection bends around a second axis that is non-parallel to the first axis and includes a second cross-sectional area with an aspect ratio that is substantially different from unity. A third subsection acoustically couples the first subsection to the second subsection. The third subsection includes a third cross-sectional area with an aspect ratio that varies between the first aspect ratio and the second aspect ratio.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a housing;

an electronic audio circuit coupled to the housing;

an acoustic exit that exits the housing the acoustic exit having a shape that facilitates the grasping of the housing with a plurality of fingers from a single human hand; and

a textured grille applied to a front surface of the housing through which acoustic energy from drivers inside the housing radiates;

wherein the acoustic exit is located next to an exterior surface of the housing such that the shape of the exit together with the exterior surface facilitates grasping of the housing with a plurality of fingers and the thumb from the single human hand;

wherein the acoustic exit exits a back surface of the housing such that the plurality of fingers can be inserted into the exit while the thumb of the same hand can rest on at least one of the top surface and the front surface of the housing.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the acoustic exit is the exit to a waveguide.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the acoustic exit is the exit of a port.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the acoustic exit comprises a flared end.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein an inside surface of the acoustic exit comprises a textured surface.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the textured surface facilitates gripping the inside surface of the acoustic exit with the plurality of fingers from the human hand.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housing substantially encases a portable audio system.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a docking cradle mechanically coupled to the housing such that the docking cradle is capable of being rotated horizontally between an open position and a closed position.