Portable audio system with changeable functionality
OwnerJohn A. Wearinginventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A portable audio system includes a housing, battery, wiring harness, speakers, and two or more audio controllers, each including at least one audio functionality different from at least one other. The functionality of the portable audio system may be reconfigured as desired by removing one audio controller and installing a different audio controller. A quick-detach connector on the wiring harness facilitates the swapping of audio controllers, which are preferably automotive audio controllers. The portable audio system includes external power and speaker connectors, with the internal power and speakers being switchably disconnectable. Thus, the portable audio system may also be used as a fixed, or home, audio system.
Claims18
A portable audio system having alterable functionality, comprising:
- a portable, transparent or translucent housing containing a battery connected to a wiring harness, the wiring harness at least partially visible through the housing;
- a first controller having a first audio/video functionality, removably mounted in said housing;
- a second controller including at least one audio/video function not included in said first controller and removably mountable in said housing;
- and
- a connector attached to said wiring harness and operative to connect to either said first or second controller, whereby said audio system functionality may be altered by mounting either said first or second controller in said housing and connecting it to said connector.
A configurable audio system for fixed or portable operation, comprising:
- a portable, transparent or translucent housing containing a battery switchably connected to a wiring harness, the wiring harness at least partially visible through the housing;
- a first pair of speakers disposed in said housing and switchably connected to said wiring harness;
- a second pair of speakers external to said housing, connectable to said housing and switchably connectable to said wiring harness;
- a first controller, having a first audio/video functionality, removably mounted in said housing;
- a second controller, including at least one audio/video function not included in said first controller, and removably mountable in said housing;
- and
- a connector attached to said wiring harness and operative to connect to ether said first or second controller, whereby said audio system functionality may be altered by mounting either said first or second controller in said housing and connecting it to said connector;
- whereby said audio system is configurable between fixed operation by connecting said second pair of speakers to said housing and switchably connecting said second pair of speakers to said wiring harness, and portable operation by switchably connecting said first pair of speakers to said wiring harness and disconnecting second pair of speakers from said housing.
A method of altering the audio/video functionality of a portable audio system including a first controller, having a first audio/video functionality, removably mounted in a housing and connected to a wiring harness via a connector, comprising:
- removing said first controller from said housing and disconnecting said first controller from said wiring harness;
- removably mounting a second controller having at least one audio/video function not included in said first controller in said housing and connecting said second controller to said wiring harness via said connector;
- and
- operating said portable audio system to access said at least one audio/video function not included in said first controller.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.