Antenna configurations for wireless speakers

• US 9,871,285 B2
• Filed: 04/11/2016
• Issued: 01/16/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Inventors: Ben-Yaacov, Victoria, Chen, Shao-Hon
• Primary Examiner(s): Etesam, Amir
• Application Number:
  US15/095,994
• Publication Number:
  US 20160226129A1
• Time in Patent Office: 645 Days
• Field of Search: 381391, 381311, 381315
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/22 by structural association with other equipment or articles
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2291 used in bluetooth or WI-FI devices of Wireless Local Area Networks [WLAN] H01Q1/241 takes precedence; WLAN in general H04W
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/24 with receiving set
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/10 Resonant slot antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/0087 Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing antenna arrays manufacturing waveguides H01P11/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/28 Combinations of substantially independent non-interacting antenna units or systems multiple beam H01Q25/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 25/00 Antennas or antenna systems providing at least two radiating patterns arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern H01Q3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/16 with feed intermediate between the extremities of the antenna, e.g. centre-fed dipole H01Q9/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/023 Screens for loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2227/005 Audio distribution systems for home, i.e. multi-room use
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/554 using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils
• 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

Abstract

Antenna configurations for wireless speakers are disclosed. An example playback device includes a housing having a first base on which the playback device rests when oriented in a first direction, a second base on which the playback device rests when oriented in a second direction, and a side of the playback device. A first antenna may be affixed to the side of the playback device, oriented perpendicular to the second base, and arranged to produce a first electric field in a first direction extending through the first base of the playback device. A second antenna of a second type may be positioned above the second base and below a speaker of the playback device when the playback device is oriented in the second direction. The second antenna may produce a second electric field in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction.

Claims

1. A playback device comprising:

a housing comprising;

a first base on which the housing is configured to rest when the housing is in a first orientation;

a second base on which the housing is configured to rest when the housing is in a second orientation;

a first side surface comprising a metallic material and a plurality of apertures; and

a second side surface opposite to lithe first base and substantially perpendicular to the second base;

one or more transducers carried by the housing, wherein at least one of the one or more transducers is configured to radiate sound through the first side surface in a first direction with respect to the housing;

a first antenna of a first type positioned within the housing and affixed to the second side surface, wherein the first antenna is oriented perpendicular to the second base, and wherein the first antenna is configured to produce a first electric field in a second direction extending through the first base; and

a second antenna of a second type positioned above the second base when the housing in the second orientation, wherein the second antenna is configured to produce a second electric field in a third direction substantially aligned with the first direction in both the first orientation and the second orientation.

2. The playback device of claim 1, wherein the first side surface comprises a logo of an entity associated with the playback device.

3. The playback device of claim 1, further comprising an attachment mechanism to attach the first side surface cover to the housing.

4. The playback device of claim 1, wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are of a same type.

5. The playback device of claim 1, wherein the first antenna and second antenna comprise respective dipoles.

6. The playback device of claim 1, wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are of a different type.

7. The playback device of claim 1, wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are configured to transmit and receive WiFi signals.

8. An apparatus comprising:

an enclosure comprising;

a first base on which the enclosure is configured to rest when the enclosure is in a first orientation;

a second base on which the enclosure is configured to rest when the enclosure is in a second orientation;

a first side portion comprising a metallic material and a plurality of apertures; and

a second side portion opposite the first base and substantially perpendicular to the second base;

a transducer positioned within the enclosure, wherein the transducer is configured to radiate sound through the first side portion in a first direction with respect to the enclosure;

a first antenna of a first type positioned within the enclosure and affixed to the second side portion, wherein the first antenna is oriented perpendicular to the second base, and wherein the first antenna is configured to produce a first electric field in a second direction extending through the first base; and

a second antenna of a second type positioned proximate the second base and the transducer, wherein the second antenna is configured to produce a second electric field in a third direction substantially aligned with the first direction in both the first orientation and the second orientation.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the enclosure comprises a plastic material.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first side portion comprises a logo of an entity associated with the apparatus.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising an attachment mechanism to attach the first side portion to the enclosure.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are of a same type.

13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first antenna and second antenna comprise respective dipoles.

14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are configured transmit and receive WiFi signals.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising affixing a logo of an entity associated with the playback device to the first side surface.

15. A method of producing a playback device, the method comprising:

forming a housing, the housing comprising;

a first base on which the housing is configured to rest when the housing is in a first orientation;

a second base on which the housing is configured to rest when the housing is in a second orientation;

a first side surface comprising a metallic material and a plurality of apertures; and

a second side surface opposite atoll the first base and substantially perpendicular to the second base;

positioning one or more transducers within the housing, wherein at least one of the one or more transducers is configured to radiate sound through the first side surface in a first direction with respect to the housing;

positioning a first antenna of a first type within the housing, wherein the first antenna is affixed to the second side surface, wherein the first antenna is oriented perpendicular to the second base, and wherein the first antenna is configured to produce a first electric field in a second direction extending through the first base; and

positioning a second antenna of a second type within the housing, wherein the second antenna is above the second base when the housing is in the second orientation, wherein the second antenna is configured to produce a second electric field in a third direction substantially aligned with the first direction in both the first orientation and the second orientation.