US 5,668,882 A · Notebook computer speakers

Abstract

A loudspeaker configuration for a notebook computer includes one or more high frequency "upper" speakers and a low frequency "lower" speaker. The upper speakers are mounted within a display housing and emit sounds over a range including directional sounds having wavelengths less than one-third the upper speaker diameter. The "lower" speaker is mounted within a keyboard housing. The lower speaker is oriented downward onto the desktop or other support surface and displaces a larger volume of air than the upper speaker. Open space between a processor board and a lower housing base surface define an internal speaker-box chamber for the lower speaker. The housing base surface and a support surface for the computer defining an external speaker box for the lower speaker. The internal speaker box and external speaker box define a band pass acoustic filter for sound waves emitted from the second speaker. The sound waves passing through the band pass filter occur to a listener as non-directional sound. The directional high frequency sounds emitted from the upper speaker(s) are enriched with the non-directional sounds of the upper and lower speakers, resulting in improved sound quality.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A portable computer comprising:

an upper housing, a lower housing, a display screen, a processor board, a keyboard, a first electro-magnetic speaker and a second electro-magnetic speaker;
and
wherein the display screen and first speaker reside in the upper housing, and the processor board, keyboard and second speaker reside in the lower housing;
and
wherein the lower housing defines a speaker-grill at a base surface of the portable computer, the second speaker being mounted in proximity to the speaker-grill and being oriented downward to project sound waves through the speaker-grill;
an internal speaker-box for the second speaker defined by the base surface and adjacent surfaces within the lower housing, the internal speaker box defining a high pass acoustic filter for the second speaker;
and
wherein an external speaker box is defined by the base surface and a support surface upon which the portable computer base surface rests, the external speaker box defining a low pass acoustic filter for the second speaker, the internal speaker box and external speaker box defining a bandpass acoustic filter for the second speaker.

5 more elements

A portable computer comprising:

an upper housing, a lower housing, a display screen, a processor board, a keyboard, a first electro-magnetic speaker and a second electro-magnetic speaker;
wherein the display screen and first speaker reside in the upper housing, and the processor board, keyboard and second speaker reside in the lower housing;
and
wherein the lower housing defines a speaker-grill at a base surface of the portable computer, the second speaker being mounted in proximity to the speaker-grill and being oriented downward to project sound waves through the speaker-grill;
an internal speaker-box for the second speaker defined by the base surface and adjacent surfaces within the lower housing, the internal speaker box defining a high pass acoustic filter for the second speaker;
and
wherein an external speaker box is defined by the base surface and a support surface upon which the portable computer base surface rests, the external speaker box defining a low pass acoustic filter for the second speaker, the internal speaker box and external speaker box defining a bandpass acoustic filter for the second speaker;
and
wherein the first speaker emits a range of sounds, the range comprising directional sounds having wavelengths less than one-third of a diameter of the first speaker, the first speaker directional sounds enhanced by non-directional sounds emitted from the first speaker and second speaker;
and
wherein the low pass acoustic filter attenuate sound waves at directional frequencies of the second speaker.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Notebook computer speakers

Life of this patent

Notebook computer speakers

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13