# US 12,170,864 B2 · Wooden or other dielectric capacitive touch interface and loudspeaker having same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,170,864 B2 - Document ID: US12170864B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/639,427 - Filed: 2024-04-18 - Published: 2024-08-29 - Granted: 2024-12-17 - Earliest claimed: 2013-12-02 - Assignees: Koss Corporation - Applicants: Koss Corporation - Inventors: Michael J. Koss; Michael J. Pelland; Nicholas Blair - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12170864B2 ## CPC - 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}) - H03G 3/02: Manually-operated control {(H03G3/001 and H03G3/002 take precedence)} - H03K 17/9622: {using a plurality of detectors, e.g. keyboard} - H04H 20/95: characterised by a specific format, e.g. an encoded audio stream - H04M 1/0254: {comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules} - H04R 1/028: {associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles} - H04R 1/1041: {Mechanical or electronic switches, or control elements (switches in general H01H)} - H04R 1/1091: {Details not provided for in groups H04R1/1008 - H04R1/1083} - H04R 3/00: Circuits for transducers (arrangements for producing a reverberation or echo sound G10K15/08; amplifiers H03F) - H04R 5/033: Headphones for stereophonic communication {(details thereof, e.g. relating to batteries, cables or control elements H04R1/10)} - H04R 5/04: Circuit arrangements, {e.g. for selective connection of amplifier inputs/outputs to loudspeakers, for loudspeaker detection, or for adaptation of settings to personal preferences or hearing impairments (combinations of amplifiers H03F3/68; stereophonic systems H04S)} - H04W 4/80: Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication - H04W 48/20: Selecting an access point - G06F 3/0443: {using a single layer of sensing electrodes} - H03K 2217/960785: with illumination - H04L 2101/668: Internet protocol [IP] address subnets - H04R 25/554: {using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils} - H04R 2201/103: Combination of monophonic or stereophonic headphones with audio players, e.g. integrated in the headphone - H04R 2201/107: Monophonic and stereophonic headphones with microphone for two-way hands free communication - H04R 2225/55: Communication between hearing aids and external devices via a network for data exchange - H04R 2420/07: Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones - H04W 84/12: WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks] - H04W 84/18: Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks - H04R: LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (producing sounds with frequency not determined by supply frequency G10K) - H03G: CONTROL OF AMPLIFICATION - H03K: PULSE TECHNIQUE (measuring pulse characteristics G01R; modulating sinusoidal oscillations with pulses H03C; transmission of digital information H04L; discriminator circuits detecting phase difference between two signals by counting or integrating cycles of oscillation H03D3/04; automatic control, starting, synchronisation or stabilisation of generators of electronic oscillations or pulses where the type of generator is irrelevant or unspecified H03L; coding, decoding or code conversion, in general H03M) - H04H: BROADCAST COMMUNICATION (multiplex communication H04J; pictorial communication aspects of broadcast systems H04N) - H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08) - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) ## Abstract Wireless-enabled loudspeaker includes a capacitive touch user interface. The loudspeaker may comprise at least one electroacoustic transducer, a processor in communication with the at least one electroacoustic transducer, and an exterior surface comprising a capacitive touch user interface that allows a user to control operation of the loudspeaker. The exterior surface acts a dielectric for the capacitive touch user interface. The loudspeaker may comprise a wireless transceiver circuit for receiving and transmitting wireless communication signals via a wireless network. The wireless transceiver circuit may receive wirelessly audio content from streaming audio content servers that are connected to the Internet. The capacitive touch user interface comprises a plurality of capacitive sense electrodes. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A loudspeaker comprising: an enclosure defined by a base surface, a smooth, topmost surface, and a sidewall extending between the base surface and the smooth topmost surface, wherein: the enclosure is free-standing when sitting on the base surface; and the smooth topmost surface of the loudspeaker comprises a dielectric material defining a capacitive touch user interface; one or more speakers; a wireless communication circuit inside the enclosure, wherein the wireless communication circuit is for wirelessly receiving an audio stream, wherein the one or more speakers are for playing the audio stream; and at least one capacitive sense electrode, wherein the at least one capacitive sense electrode forms part of the capacitive touch user interface for the loudspeaker, with the dielectric material of the smooth topmost surface serving as a dielectric layer for the capacitive touch user interface, such that the capacitive touch user interface allows a user of the loudspeaker to control at least one operation of the loudspeaker through touching the smooth topmost surface of the loudspeaker. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The loudspeaker of claim 1, wherein the smooth topmost surface of the enclosure comprises at least one symbol icon aligned with the at least one capacitive sense electrode to indicate to a user of the loudspeaker where to touch the smooth topmost surface of the loudspeaker to control the at least one operation of the loudspeaker. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The loudspeaker of claim 2, wherein a user touching the smooth topmost surface at the at least one symbol icon activates the at least one capacitive sense electrode to control the at least one operation of the loudspeaker. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The loudspeaker of claim 3, wherein a user touching the smooth topmost surface in close proximity to the at least one symbol icon activates the at least one capacitive sense electrode to control the at least one operation of the loudspeaker. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The loudspeaker of claim 4, wherein the at least one symbol icon is associated with: an LED indicator at the smooth topmost surface; and an LED driver connected to the LED indicator. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The loudspeaker of claim 5, wherein the LED indicator emits light upon activation of the at least one capacitive sense electrode. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The loudspeaker of claim 1, wherein a mobile device configured to access a web site hosted by a remote server is used by a user to configure or set-up the loudspeaker. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The loudspeaker of claim 1, wherein the loudspeaker is configured to be paired with one or more than one additional loudspeaker to create a surround sound system. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The loudspeaker of claim 1, further comprising a digital audio processor. ### Claim 10 A system, comprising: a first loudspeaker; and a second loudspeaker paired to the first loudspeaker to provide surround sound, wherein the first loudspeaker comprises: an enclosure defined by a base surface, a smooth, topmost surface, and a sidewall extending between the base surface and the smooth topmost surface, wherein: the enclosure is free-standing when sitting on the base surface; and the smooth topmost surface comprises a dielectric material defining a capacitive touch user interface; one or more speakers; a wireless communication circuit inside the enclosure, wherein the wireless communication circuit is for wirelessly receiving an audio stream, wherein the one or more speakers are for playing the audio stream; and at least one capacitive sense electrode, wherein the at least one capacitive sense electrode forms part of the capacitive touch user interface for the first loudspeaker, with the dielectric material of the smooth topmost surface serving as a dielectric layer for the capacitive touch user interface, such that the capacitive touch user interface allows a user to control at least one operation of the first loudspeaker through touching the smooth topmost surface of the first loudspeaker. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the smooth topmost surface of the enclosure comprises at least one symbol icon aligned with the at least one capacitive sense electrode to indicate to a user where to touch the smooth topmost surface to control the at least one operation. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein a user touching the smooth topmost surface at the at least one symbol icon activates the at least one capacitive sense electrode to control the at least one operation. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein a user touching the smooth topmost surface in close proximity to the at least one symbol icon activates the at least one capacitive sense electrode to control the at least one operation. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one symbol icon is associated with: an LED indicator at the smooth topmost surface; and an LED driver connected to the LED indicator. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the LED indicator emits light upon activation of the at least one capacitive sense electrode. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein a mobile device configured to access a web site hosted by a remote server is used by a user to configure or set-up the first loudspeaker. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the first loudspeaker comprises a digital audio processor.