US 9,883,265 B2Granted

Wireless speaker and system

AssigneeBraven, Lc

InventorsJohn Craig Cheney, Andy Fathollahi, Bryan Richard Berrett

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Abstract

A wireless audio speaker system that includes a speaker main unit and multiple functions provided by exchangeable accessories is disclosed. The speaker main unit includes a top sleeve and a bottom sleeve that covers the external surface of a more internal enclosure that houses the main unit electronics and circuitry. External electrical and mechanical connectors are configured to be positioned on speaker unit and are adapted to being connected to the accessories. One external connector is positioned on the top sleeve for passing power and audio signals between the speaker main unit and an accessory component that is mounted to the top sleeve. A second connector is configured to be positioned on the bottom sleeve for passing audio signals between the speaker main unit and a second speaker that is stacked to the bottom sleeve via stacking plate. Multiple exchangeable accessory components are described to seamlessly supplement functionality and enhance user experience.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A wireless battery powered audio speaker system comprising:

a first wireless battery powered audio speaker comprising:
a housing;
a mechanical interface connected to the housing and adapted to mechanically connect with an accessory component;
a system controller positioned within the housing;
a wireless module positioned within the housing and electrically connected to the system controller, the wireless module being configured to receive wireless signals from an external electronic device;
an audio speaker mounted into the housing and electrically connected to the system controller;
a first rechargeable battery positioned within the housing and electrically connected to the system controller;
an input port mounted to the housing and electrically connected to the system controller, the input port being configured to receive power from an external source;
a battery charging circuit positioned within the housing and electrically connected to the system controller and the first rechargeable battery, the battery charging circuit being configured to charge the first rechargeable battery when power is received through the input port;
a first electrical interface separate from the mechanical interface, the first electrical interface connected to the housing and being adapted to electrically couple with the accessory component;
and
a second electrical interface separate from the mechanical interface and the first electrical interface, the second electrical interface connected to the housing and being adapted to communicate audio to an external device.

9 more elements

A wireless battery powered audio speaker system comprising:

first and second battery powered audio speakers, each separately comprising:
a housing;
a mechanical interface connected to the housing and adapted to mechanically connect with an accessory component;
a system controller positioned within the housing;
a wireless module positioned within the housing and electrically connected to the system controller, the wireless module being configured to receive wireless signals from an external electronic device;
an audio speaker mounted into the housing and electrically connected to the system controller;
a first rechargeable battery positioned within the housing and electrically connected to the system controller;
an input port mounted to the housing and electrically connected to the system controller, the input port being configured to receive power from an external source;
a battery charging circuit positioned within the housing and electrically connected to the system controller and the first rechargeable battery, the battery charging circuit being configured to charge the first rechargeable battery when power is received through the input port;
a first electrical interface separate from the mechanical interface, the first electrical interface connected to the housing and being comprised of a first quantity of female contact pads, the first electrical interface being adapted to electrically couple with the accessory component;
and
a second electrical interface separate from the mechanical interface and the first electrical interface, the second electrical interface connected to the housing and being comprised of a second quantity of female contact pads, the second quantity being fewer than the first quantity, the second electrical interface being adapted to communicate audio to an external device;
an attachment accessory comprising:
a first attachment electrical interface comprised of male connector pins, the first attachment electrical interface being adapted to electrically couple with the second electrical interface of the first wireless battery powered audio speaker;
a second attachment electrical interface comprised of male connector pins, the second attachment electrical interface being adapted to electrically couple with the first electrical interface of the second wireless battery powered audio speaker;
and
wherein the attachment accessory is configured to mechanically engage with both the mechanical interface of the first wireless battery powered audio speaker and the mechanical interface of the second wireless battery powered audio speaker.

14 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 14/987,731Filed 4 Jan 2016 · continuation
Priority: 5 Jan 2015
Published: US 2016/0198247 A17 Jul 2016
Granted: 30 Jan 2018
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification13 codes

H04R 1/02
Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones: casings; Cabinets ; Supports therefor; Mountings therein
H04R 31/00
Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of transducers or diaphragms
H04R 31/006
Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of transducers or diaphragms therefor: interconnection of transducer parts
H04R 1/26
For obtaining desired frequency characteristic only: spatial arrangements of separate transducers responsive to two or more frequency ranges

Family

Application62/100,043Us provisional application · filed 5 Jan 2015
Application29/522,866Parent of this continuation · filed 2 Apr 2015
Application62/142,429Us provisional application · filed 2 Apr 2015
US 2016/0198247 A1Pre-grant publication · published 7 Jul 2016
US D807,324 S1Related patent
US 9,883,265 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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