Power adapter having a speaker for an electronic device

• US 6,233,343 B1
• Filed: 09/26/1997
• Issued: 05/15/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Hickman, Scott N, Muranami, Masahiko
• Primary Examiner(s): Isen, Forester W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PENDLETON, BRIAN T
• Application Number:
  US08/938,264
• Time in Patent Office: 1,327 Days
• Field of Search: 381/96, 381/391, 361/685, 361/686, 361/683, 361/679, 320/111
• US Class Current: 381/96
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/028 associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles
• 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

Abstract

A power adapter for an electronic device, such as a notebook computer, includes a speaker to generate low audio frequencies, such as below 150 Hz. The speaker can be mounted in a variety of arrangements, i.e. closed-box, bass-reflex, or a more intricate shape which adds resonance (poles and zeros) to the acoustic filtering properties of the enclosure. An exemplary bass-reflex mounting includes a driver with resonance at 140 Hz, a chamber size of 7.74 in³ and a port determined by Thiele-Small equations. This gives a low frequency response beginning at 70 Hz. This low frequency component is combined in free space with the higher frequency components emanating from the portable electronic device'"'"'s internal speaker(s). The audio signal connection can be made when the AC adapter is connected to the notebook computer by using two additional wires in the power cord. Since users generally carry their AC adapters with them, they can enjoy full harmonic sound without taking anything extra along. Alternatively, the AC adapter and electronic device can contain additional circuitry to provide wireless paths for either the power distribution path or audio interface or both.

Claims

1. An electronic system with enhanced audio, comprising:

an electronic device, comprising;

a power inlet for receiving and delivering power to said electronic device;

an incoming power signal from an external power source coupled to said power inlet;

an audio signal generated by said electronic device;

a delta-sigma modulator having said audio signal as an input and outputting a modulated signal;

means for superimposing said modulated signal onto said incoming power signal;

a power adapter external to said electronic device, comprising;

a mains receptacle;

a power outlet coupled to supply power to said power inlet;

means for converting energy from said mains receptacle and delivering it to said power outlet;

a high pass filter receiving from said power outlet, said superimposed signal as an input and outputting a filtered digital signal;

a discriminator receiving said filtered digital signal and outputting a recovered modulated signal;

a low pass filter receiving said recovered modulated signal and outputting a low pass filtered recovered audio signal to a speaker.

2. The electronic system of claim 1, wherein said power adapter further comprises:

a cavity that encloses said speakers to form a resonant chamber.

3. The electronic system of claim 2, wherein said power adapter further comprises:

a vented port in said cavity.