Wooden or other dielectric capacitive touch interface and loudspeaker having same

A wireless-enabled loudspeaker comprising:

• a means for enclosing internal components comprising:
• a smooth, topmost surface comprising a dielectric material, wherein the dielectric material comprises a thermoplastic;
• a bottom surface;
• and
• a side surface positioned between the smooth, topmost surface and the bottom surface, wherein at least a portion of the side surface comprises a sound emanating means;
• a wireless communication circuit positioned within the means for enclosing internal components, wherein the wireless communication circuit is configured to receive streaming audio from a streaming audio source, and wherein the wireless communication circuit is further configured to pair the wireless-enabled loudspeaker to a second wireless-enabled loudspeaker;
• a plurality of electroacoustic transducers positioned within the means for enclosing internal components and behind the sound emanating means, wherein the plurality of electroacoustic transducers is configured to output the streaming audio through the sound emanating means, and wherein the plurality of electroacoustic transducers comprise a mid-range speaker and a tweeter;
• and
• a capacitive touch user interface comprising at least one capacitive sense electrode, wherein the dielectric material of the smooth, topmost surface serves as a dielectric layer by which a user can interact with the at least one capacitive sense electrode, wherein interacting with the at least one capacitive sense electrode controls an operation of the loudspeaker.

A wireless-enabled loudspeaker comprising:

• an enclosure comprising:
• a smooth, topmost surface comprising a dielectric material, wherein the dielectric material comprises a thermoplastic;
• a bottom surface;
• and
• a side surface positioned between the smooth, topmost surface and the bottom surface, wherein at least a portion of the side surface comprises an acoustical grate;
• a wireless communication means positioned within the enclosure, wherein the wireless communication means is configured to receive streaming audio from a streaming audio source, and wherein the wireless communication means is further configured to pair the wireless-enabled loudspeaker to a second wireless-enabled loudspeaker;
• a plurality of electroacoustic transducers positioned within the enclosure and behind the acoustical grate, wherein the plurality of electroacoustic transducers is configured to output the streaming audio through the acoustical grate, and wherein the plurality of electroacoustic transducers comprise a mid-range speaker and a tweeter;
• and
• a capacitive touch user interface comprising at least one capacitive sense electrode, wherein the dielectric material of the smooth, topmost surface serves as a dielectric layer by which a user can interact with the at least one capacitive sense electrode, wherein interacting with the at least one capacitive sense electrode controls an operation of the loudspeaker.

A wireless-enabled loudspeaker comprising:

• an enclosure comprising:
• a smooth, topmost surface comprising a dielectric material, wherein the dielectric material comprises a thermoplastic;
• a bottom surface;
• and
• a side surface positioned between the smooth, topmost surface and the bottom surface, wherein at least a portion of the side surface comprises an acoustical grate;
• a wireless communication circuit positioned within the enclosure, wherein the wireless communication circuit is configured to receive streaming audio from a streaming audio source, and wherein the wireless communication circuit is further configured to pair the wireless-enabled loudspeaker to a second wireless-enabled loudspeaker;
• an acoustic output means positioned within the enclosure and behind the acoustical grate, wherein the acoustic output means is configured to output the streaming audio through the acoustical grate, and wherein the acoustic output means comprises a mid-range speaker and a tweeter;
• and
• a capacitive touch user interface comprising at least one capacitive sense electrode, wherein the dielectric material of the smooth, topmost surface serves as a dielectric layer by which a user can interact with the at least one capacitive sense electrode, wherein interacting with the at least one capacitive sense electrode controls an operation of the loudspeaker.

A wireless-enabled loudspeaker comprising:

• an enclosure comprising:
• a smooth, topmost surface comprising a dielectric material, wherein the dielectric material comprises a thermoplastic;
• a bottom surface;
• and
• a side surface positioned between the smooth, topmost surface and the bottom surface, wherein at least a portion of the side surface comprises an acoustical grate;
• a wireless communication circuit positioned within the enclosure, wherein the wireless communication circuit is configured to receive streaming audio from a streaming audio source, and wherein the wireless communication circuit is further configured to pair the wireless-enabled loudspeaker to a second wireless-enabled loudspeaker;
• a plurality of electroacoustic transducers positioned within the enclosure and behind the acoustical grate, wherein the plurality of electroacoustic transducers is configured to output the streaming audio through the acoustical grate, and wherein the plurality of electroacoustic transducers comprise a mid-range speaker and a tweeter;
• and
• a user interface means comprising at least one capacitive sense electrode, wherein the dielectric material of the smooth, topmost surface serves as a dielectric layer by which a user can interact with the at least one capacitive sense electrode, wherein interacting with the at least one capacitive sense electrode controls an operation of the loudspeaker.

A wireless-enabled loudspeaker comprising:

• an enclosure comprising a smooth, outer surface comprising a dielectric material;
• a wireless communication circuit positioned within the enclosure, wherein the wireless communication circuit is configured to receive streaming audio from a streaming audio source, and wherein the wireless communication circuit is further configured to pair the wireless-enabled loudspeaker to a second wireless-enabled loudspeaker;
• a plurality of electroacoustic transducers positioned within the enclosure, wherein the plurality of electroacoustic transducers are configured to output the streaming audio, and wherein the plurality of electroacoustic transducers comprises a mid-range speaker and a tweeter;
• and
• a capacitive touch user interface comprising at least one capacitive sense electrode, wherein the dielectric material of the smooth, outer surface serves as a dielectric layer by which a user can interact with the at least one capacitive sense electrode, wherein interacting with the at least one capacitive sense electrode controls an operation of the loudspeaker.