Modular quick-connect A/V system and methods thereof

• US 9,351,060 B2
• Filed: 02/17/2015
• Issued: 05/24/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sonic Blocks, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sonic Blocks, Inc.
• Inventors: Wilker, Scott D., Wilker, Jordan D.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TUAN DUC
• Application Number:
  US14/623,941
• Publication Number:
  US 20150237424A1
• Time in Patent Office: 462 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/22 Procedures used during a speech recognition process, e.g. man-machine dialogue
• 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 1/026 Supports for loudspeaker casings
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/028 associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/08 Mouthpieces; Microphones; Attachments therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/2803 for loudspeaker transducers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/323 for loudspeakers H04R1/34 and H04R1/40 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/403 loud-speakers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2201/028 Structural combinations of loudspeakers with built-in power amplifiers, e.g. in the same acoustic enclosure H04R2499/10 takes precedence; Single (sub)woofer with two or more satellite loudspeakers for mid- and high-frequency band reproduction driven via the (sub)woofer H04R2205/026
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2227/003 Digital PA systems using, e.g. LAN or internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/09 Applications of special connectors, e.g. USB, XLR, in loudspeakers, microphones or headphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2499/15 Transducers incorporated in visual displaying devices, e.g. televisions, computer displays, laptops
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 27/00 Public address systems circuits for preventing acoustic reaction H04R3/02; circuits for distributing signals to loudspeakers H04R3/12; monitoring or testing arrangements for public address systems H04R29/007; amplifiers H03F
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/04 for correcting frequency response

Abstract

A modular speaker system, comprising an exoskeleton, configured to mechanically support and quick attach and release at least one functional panel and an electrical interface provided within the exoskeleton, configured to mate with a corresponding electrical connector of the functional panel. An optional endoskeleton is provided to support internal components. The system preferably provides a digital electronic controller, and the electrical interface is a digital data and power bus, with multiplexed communications between the elements of the system. The elements of the system preferably include at least one speaker, and other audiovisual and communications components. Multiple modules may be interconnected, communicating through the electrical interface. A base module may be provided to provide power and typical control, user and audiovisual interface connectors.

Claims

1. A method for operating a modular speaker system having interchangeable acoustic speaker elements, each having respectively different acoustic emission properties selected from the group consisting of frequency equalization and directionality characteristics, comprising:

attaching at least one interchangeable acoustic speaker element to a base, the at least one interchangeable acoustic speaker element having a memory storing information representing at least one of a profile of characteristics of the respective interchangeable acoustic speaker element, and information locating a profile of characteristics of the respective interchangeable acoustic speaker element, and an interface providing a signal from the base to the at least one interchangeable acoustic speaker element providing a respective interchangeable acoustic speaker element control signal;

reading information from the memory of each respective at least one interchangeable acoustic speaker element through the interface; and

determining the profile of characteristics of each respective interchangeable acoustic speaker element by at least one automated digital processor; and

selectively generating a set of respective interchangeable acoustic speaker element control signals by the at least one automated digital processor, selectively in dependence on the profile of characteristics of each respective interchangeable acoustic speaker element and acoustic source data.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one interchangeable acoustic speaker element comprises at least two interchangeable acoustic speaker elements having differing frequency response, and wherein the at least one automated digital processor selectively controls generation of the set of respective interchangeable acoustic speaker element control signals to provide an equalized composite frequency response.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one interchangeable acoustic speaker element comprises at least two interchangeable acoustic speaker elements having differing directional acoustic emissions, and wherein the at least one automated digital processor selectively controls generation of the set of respective interchangeable acoustic speaker element control signals to provide an optimized composite acoustic emission.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the signal from the base to the at least one interchangeable acoustic speaker element comprises an analog signal.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the signal from the base to the at least one interchangeable acoustic speaker element comprises digital packet data network communication signal.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

installing a non-speaker interchangeable element having a second memory to the base, using a quick-connect mechanical connector, wherein the non-speaker interchangeable element provides an electrical connection to the interface;

communicating information from the second memory through the interface from the non-speaker interchangeable element to the base; and

controlling, by the base, the non-speaker interchangeable element in dependence on the communicated information from the second memory.

7. The method according to claim 1, having a plurality of interchangeable acoustic speaker elements, each having respectively different acoustic emission properties selected from the group consisting of frequency equalization and directionality characteristics,

wherein said selectively generating a set of respective interchangeable acoustic speaker element control signals comprises selectively generating a control signal for each respective interchangeable acoustic speaker element dependent at least on the profile of characteristics of both the respective interchangeable acoustic speaker element and a profile of characteristics of at least one other interchangeable acoustic speaker element.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the base comprises an exoskeleton having a rectangular prismatic form factor, configured to support at least four interchangeable acoustic speaker elements, further comprising providing a power supply and supplying power for each respective interchangeable acoustic speaker element through the interface.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising providing at least one microphone for receiving acoustic emissions from each respective interchangeable acoustic speaker element, and employing the profile of characteristics of each respective interchangeable acoustic speaker element and information received by the at least one microphone, to control reproduction of the acoustic source data by the at least one automated digital processor.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the base is connected to at least one display device through a respective interface, and the display device presents a visual display to a user by communicating signals through the respective interface.

11. A method of operating a modular speaker system, comprising:

an exoskeleton, configured to mechanically support and quick attach and release at least one functional panel;

a corresponding interface provided within the exoskeleton for each respective functional panel, configured to;

automatically transfer electrical power to a corresponding connector of each respective functional panel as a direct result of a quick attachment of the at least one functional panel to the exoskeleton,

communicate information representing at least one of an identifier and a characteristic of the respective at least one functional panel through the corresponding interface, and

selectively provide a signal for controlling the respective at least one functional panel in dependence on the at least one of the identifier and the characteristic; and

an electrical bus electrically connected to the interface, configured to communicate signals through the interface from each corresponding electrical to at least one of a signal source and a signal sink;

the method comprising;

reading the information through the corresponding interface;

determining, based on said reading, a type of each respective at least one functional panel; and

automatically controlling each of the at least one functional panels, selectively in dependence on a respective determined type and external source data.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising attaching the at least one functional panel to the exoskeleton, wherein the at least one functional module comprises an acoustic speaker, and driving the acoustic speaker with an audio signal from an audio amplifier through the interface.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising providing at least one microphone for receiving acoustic emissions from each respective acoustic speaker, wherein the at least one functional panel comprises a digital memory storing at least one of an audio profile and an identifier associated with an audio profile accessible through the interface, further comprising at least one automated digital processor configured to read the digital memory, and produce a control signal for the at least one functional module selectively dependent on the audio profile and information received by the at least one microphone.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the exoskeleton has a rectangular prismatic form factor, and is configured to support at least four functional panels, and being configured to interface with a power supply through the electrical interface.

15. A method of operating a modular audio system, comprising:

providing an exoskeleton, configured to mechanically support and quick attach and release a plurality of functional panels, the plurality of functional panels each having at least one audio transducer and a memory storing information representing at least one of a profile of characteristics of the respective functional panel, and information locating a profile of characteristics of the respective functional panel, and a respective interface adapted for communicating respective functional panel control signals from the exoskeleton to each respective functional panel;

attaching the plurality of functional panels to the exoskeleton through a quick-connect electrical and mechanical connector;

communicating through the respective interface for each respective functional panel with an electrical communication bus provided within the exoskeleton;

determining the profile of characteristics of each respective functional panel by at least one automated digital processor by reading each respective memory;

selectively generating a set of respective control signals by the at least one automated digital processor, selectively in dependence on the determined profiles of characteristics of each respective functional panel; and

communicating the set of respective control signals through the communication bus, and through each respective interface to each respective functional panel.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the electrical interface provides regulated electrical power to operate the at least one functional panel.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the electrical interface communicates power, and both a digital signal and a corresponding analog signal.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein the electrical interface communicates a digital packet data network communication signal.

19. The method according to claim 15, further comprising providing at least one microphone for receiving acoustic emissions from each respective audio transducer, and employing the profile of characteristics of each respective audio transducer and information received by the at least one microphone, to control an output of each respective audio transducer by the at least one automated digital processor.

20. The method according to claim 15, wherein the exoskeleton has a rectangular prismatic form factor, and is configured to support at least four functional panels, further comprising supplying power from the exoskeleton to the at least four functional panels through the interface.