Loudspeaker with optional extender for production of high-frequency audio
First Claim
1. A loudspeaker system, comprising:
- a loudspeaker comprising;
a top surface comprising a first interlocking portion that includes an electrical connector,audio signal processing logic,a low-frequency audio production apparatus, anda first high-frequency audio production apparatus; and
an extender that includes a second interlocking portion that may be optionally engaged with the first interlocking portion of the loudspeaker such that the extender is physically supported by the loudspeaker and connected thereto via the electrical connector, the extender comprising a second high-frequency audio production apparatus;
wherein the extender does not require a power source;
wherein the audio signal processing logic includes control logic that is configured to determine whether the extender is connected to the loudspeaker;
wherein the audio signal processing logic is configured to process an input audio signal to produce one or more low-frequency signal components and one or more high-frequency signal components based on a cross-over frequency and to send the one or more low-frequency signal components to the low-frequency audio production apparatus for conversion into low-frequency audio, the cross-over frequency being dynamically and automatically adjustable by the audio signal processing logic based on at least one of a microphone response signal or a current and voltage response of at least one of the loudspeaker and the extender;
wherein the audio signal processing logic is further configured to send at least one of the one or more high-frequency signal components to the first high-frequency audio production apparatus for conversion into high-frequency audio when it is determined that the extender is not connected to the loudspeaker; and
wherein the audio signal processing logic is further configured to send at least one of the one or more high-frequency signal components to the second high-frequency audio production apparatus for conversion into high-frequency audio when it is determined that the extender is connected to the loudspeaker.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A loudspeaker system is described that includes a loudspeaker and an extender. The loudspeaker can be positioned on the ground and the extender can be optionally connected thereto. When the extender is connected to the loudspeaker, the loudspeaker is capable of selectively sending high-frequency components of an input audio signal to the extender and the extender is capable of playing back such high-frequency components to produce high-frequency audio. Due to the fact that an audio-producing apparatus of the extender can be positioned at a higher elevation than the loudspeaker, the high-frequency audio (which is more directional than lower-frequency audio) can be produced at a height that is likely to match that of the ear height of a user as opposed to producing the audio at floor height.
6 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A loudspeaker system, comprising:
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a loudspeaker comprising; a top surface comprising a first interlocking portion that includes an electrical connector, audio signal processing logic, a low-frequency audio production apparatus, and a first high-frequency audio production apparatus; and an extender that includes a second interlocking portion that may be optionally engaged with the first interlocking portion of the loudspeaker such that the extender is physically supported by the loudspeaker and connected thereto via the electrical connector, the extender comprising a second high-frequency audio production apparatus; wherein the extender does not require a power source; wherein the audio signal processing logic includes control logic that is configured to determine whether the extender is connected to the loudspeaker; wherein the audio signal processing logic is configured to process an input audio signal to produce one or more low-frequency signal components and one or more high-frequency signal components based on a cross-over frequency and to send the one or more low-frequency signal components to the low-frequency audio production apparatus for conversion into low-frequency audio, the cross-over frequency being dynamically and automatically adjustable by the audio signal processing logic based on at least one of a microphone response signal or a current and voltage response of at least one of the loudspeaker and the extender; wherein the audio signal processing logic is further configured to send at least one of the one or more high-frequency signal components to the first high-frequency audio production apparatus for conversion into high-frequency audio when it is determined that the extender is not connected to the loudspeaker; and wherein the audio signal processing logic is further configured to send at least one of the one or more high-frequency signal components to the second high-frequency audio production apparatus for conversion into high-frequency audio when it is determined that the extender is connected to the loudspeaker. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 19, 20)
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7. A method performed by audio signal processing logic of a loudspeaker comprising:
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receiving an input audio signal; processing the input audio signal to produce one or more low-frequency signal components and one or more high-frequency signal components based on a cross-over frequency; sending the one or more low-frequency signal components to a low-frequency audio production apparatus of the loudspeaker for conversion into low-frequency audio; determining if an extender is connected to the loudspeaker; in response to determining that the extender is connected to the loudspeaker, sending at least one of the one or more high-frequency signal components to a high-frequency audio production apparatus of the extender for conversion into high-frequency audio; and in response to determining that the extender is not connected to the loudspeaker, sending at least one of the one or more high-frequency signal components to a high-frequency audio production apparatus of the loudspeaker for conversion into high-frequency audio; wherein the cross-over frequency is dynamically and automatically adjustable by the audio signal processing logic based on at least one of a microphone response signal or a current and voltage response of at least one of the loudspeaker and the extender; and wherein the loudspeaker comprises a top surface comprising a first interlocking portion that includes an electrical connector and wherein the extender includes a second interlocking portion that may be optionally engaged with the first interlocking portion of the loudspeaker such that the extender is physically supported by the loudspeaker and connected thereto via the electrical connector. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A computer program product comprising a computer-readable memory device having computer program logic recorded thereon that when executed by at least one processor causes the at least one processor to perform a method, the method comprising:
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receiving an input audio signal; processing the input audio signal to produce one or more low-frequency signal components and one or more high-frequency signal components based on a cross-over frequency; sending the one or more low-frequency signal components to a low-frequency audio production apparatus of a loudspeaker for conversion into low-frequency audio; determining if an extender is connected to the loudspeaker; in response to determining that the extender is connected to the loudspeaker, sending at least one of the one or more high-frequency signal components to a high-frequency audio production apparatus of the extender for conversion into high-frequency audio; and in response to determining that the extender is not connected to the loudspeaker, sending at least one of the one or more high-frequency signal components to a high-frequency audio production apparatus of the loudspeaker for conversion into high-frequency audio; wherein the cross-over frequency is dynamically and automatically adjustable by the at least one processor based on at least one of a microphone response signal or a current and voltage response of at least one of the loudspeaker and the extender; and wherein the loudspeaker comprises a top surface comprising a first interlocking portion that includes an electrical connector and wherein the extender includes a second interlocking portion that may be optionally engaged with the first interlocking portion of the loudspeaker such that the extender is physically supported by the loudspeaker and connected thereto via the electrical connector. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification