Abstract:
The invention relates to a sound output device which comprises a first and a second sound element, where the first sound output element comprises a space which receives an electrical connection to the second sound output element and a protrusion which engages a recess in the second output element which thereby forms a fastening connection. The first and second output units can be connected to form an integral unit where the integral unit can receive an electrical cord which can be wound around the fastening connection.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to the field of portable speakers and, in particularly, to portable stereo speakers for mobile communication devices. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    In recent years the sound quality produced when playing back music and sound in mobile communication devices has improved dramatically. Recent mobile communication devices offer essentially the same quality and functionality present in a stand-alone portable music player, such as an MP3-player. 
         [0000]    The implementation of more advanced sound playback circuits in mobile communication devices has also impacted the development of portable loudspeakers which can be connected to the mobile communication device. In this fashion, a user of the mobile communication device may enjoy music or sound output in a similar fashion as from stereo equipment.
 
Such portable loudspeakers have to fulfill a number of criteria of which the most important are portability, small size, light weight, ease of use, and good sound quality. While these problems have been solved in different ways by portable loudspeakers of known technology there is still a need to make an easier solution which protects the loudspeakers during transport and at the same time reduce the packaging of the portable loudspeakers.
 
At the same time it would also be desirable to provide better and easier handling of the loudspeaker cord for connecting the portable loudspeakers when not in use. One other characteristic which may be desirable would be to provide a premium appearance of the portable loudspeakers to the end-user as an additional selling argument.
 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    With the above and following description in mind, then, an aspect of the present invention is to provide, which seeks to mitigate, alleviate, or eliminate one or more of the above-identified deficiencies in the art and disadvantages singly or in any combination. 
         [0004]    An first aspect of the present invention relates to a sound output device comprising a first and a second sound output element where the first sound output element comprise a space for receiving an electrical connector to the second sound output element, a protrusion for engaging a recess in the second sound output element, thereby forming a fastening connection, the first and the second sound output elements being connectable such as to form an integral unit, the integral unit comprise a portion surrounding the fastening connection, the portion being adapted for receiving an electrical cord wherein the electrical cord is being woundable around the fastening connection. 
         [0005]    The protrusions may be separable from the first sound output element. 
         [0006]    The portion of the sound output device may also comprise a volume around the fastening connection for receiving the electrical cord. 
         [0007]    The volume of the sound output device may also be an inner volume. 
         [0008]    At least one of the first or second sound output elements in the sound output device may comprise a rigid and an elastic portion, the elastic portion being adapted for being deformed by the electrical cord when wound around the fastening connection. 
         [0009]    The portion of the sound output device may also comprise at least a part of the elastic portion. 
         [0010]    The portion of the sound output device may also comprise a groove, the electrical cord being woundable around the fastening connection through the groove. 
         [0011]    The elastic portion of the sound output device may comprise an opening through which at least a part of the electrical cord can be unwound. 
         [0012]    The integral unit of the sound output device may essentially be elongated in shape. 
         [0013]    The integral unit of the sound output device may also comprise that the first and the second sound elements may be connected to each other at an angle. 
         [0014]    The electrical cord may also comprise an electrical connector, the electrical connector being adapted to fit into said space, wherein said space is located within the portion surrounding the fastening connection. 
         [0015]    The electrical cord may also comprise an electrical connector, the electrical connector adapted to fit into said space, wherein said space is located within a symmetrical protruding structure in the second sound output element. 
         [0016]    A second aspect of the present invention relates to a sound output element comprising a protrusion for engaging a recess such as to form a fastening connection and a volume, the volume being adapted for receiving the electrical cord to be wound around the fastening connection. 
         [0017]    The volume of the sound output element may also be an inner volume adapted for containing the electrical cord. 
         [0018]    The sound output element may further comprise a support structure located essentially opposite a sound output unit, the support structure being arranged to allow the sound output element to rest on an essentially flat ground surface. 
         [0019]    A third aspect of the present invention relates to a sound output element comprising a recess for engaging a protrusion such as to form a fastening connection and a volume, the volume being adapted for receiving an electrical cord to be wound around the fastening connection. 
         [0020]    The volume of the sound output element may also be an inner volume adapted for containing the electrical cord. 
         [0021]    The sound output element may further comprising a support structure located essentially opposite a sound output unit, the support structure being arranged to allow the sound output element to rest on an essentially flat ground surface. 
         [0022]    Any of the features in the first, second, or third aspect of the present invention above may be combined in any way possible. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]    Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will appear from the following detailed description of some embodiments of the invention, wherein some embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  shows a mobile communication device, in this case a mobile phone, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  shows a pair of prior art loudspeakers for a mobile communication device; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  shows two sound output elements fitted together into a single unit according to the present invention; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  shows another configuration of how the two sound output elements may be fitted together into a single unit according to the present invention; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  shows two sound output elements separated and in a listening position, placed on the table, according to the present invention; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  shows the fastening means on the two sound output elements, according to the present invention; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  shows fastening means, comprising movable magnets, on the two sound output elements, according to the present invention; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  shows how the speaker contact may be placed or secured in the fastening means on the two sound output elements, according to the present invention; and 
           [0032]      FIG. 9  shows fastening means, comprising protrusions, on the two sound output elements, according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0033]    Embodiments of the present invention relate, in general, to the field of loudspeakers for mobile communication devices. A preferred embodiment relates to a portable stereo loudspeaker for mobile phones. However, it should be appreciated that the invention is as such equally applicable to electronic devices which do not include any radio communication capabilities. However, for the sake of clarity and simplicity, most embodiments outlined in this specification are related to mobile phones. 
         [0034]    Embodiments of the present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like reference signs refer to like elements throughout. 
         [0035]      FIG. 1  show a mobile communication device  100  comprising a casing  101 , a display area  102  and means  104  for navigating among items (not shown) displayed in the display area. The display area  102  may comprise a status indication area  114  and one or more softkey bars  116 . The status indication area  114  may for example include symbols for indicating battery status, reception quality, loudspeaker on/off, present mode, time and date, etc. The status indication section is not in any way limited to include the symbols and the functions presented herein. The softkey bar  116  is operable using the navigation means  104  or, if using a touch sensitive screen, by tapping the softkey directly with a pen-like object, a finger, or other body part. The functions of the softkeys are not limited by the functions indicated in the figure. Neither are the placements of the softkey bar  116  and the status indication area  114  limited to be placed at the bottom and the top of the screen, as shown in the example. The navigation means  104  can be a set of buttons, a rotating input, a joystick, a touch pad, a multidirectional button, but can also be implemented using a touch sensitive display, wherein the displayed items directly can be tapped by a user for selection, or be voice activated via a headset or a built-in microphone. The mobile communication device  100  can also comprise other elements normally present in such a device, such as a keypad  106 , a internal speaker  108 , a microphone  110 , a camera  112 , a processor (not shown), a memory (not shown), one or more accelerometers (not shown), a vibration device (not shown), an AM/FM radio transmitter and receiver (not shown), a digital audio broadcast transmitter and receiver (not shown), etc. Several types of accessories may be connected to the mobile communication device  100  such as for instance one or more external speakers or sound output elements as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 2  illustrates an ordinary pair of sound output elements  200 , or loudspeakers. The electrical cord  205 , supplying the individual sound output elements (or loudspeakers)  201 ,  203  with an audio signal to be converted into an audible sound in the sound output elements, is often bundled together or wired around the two sound output elements. This way of storing, and making the speakers portable, will in many cases result in a tangled mess comprising the electrical cord  205  and the two sound output elements  201 ,  203 , which may be difficult and cumbersome to sort out when the sound output elements is going to be used, thus reducing the usability of the speaker system considerably. Also, when transporting the sound output elements it is in many cases necessary to package them in some kind of bulky transport container, which often gets misplaced, to protect the sound output elements from being damage. 
         [0037]    One way of solving, or at least mitigate, the problems discussed above, is further described in the following embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0038]      FIG. 3  shows an embodiment of the present invention where a loudspeaker system comprising of two sound output elements  303 ,  305  fastened together, forming a single integral unit  301  of an essentially elongated shape. The sound output elements  303 ,  305  comprise a rigid  307  and an elastic portion  309 . In this embodiment the two elastic portions  309  faces each other forming an elastic portion with a slit  311 . In this way the electric cord from the two sound output elements may be pressed down onto and through the elastic portion into the interior volume formed by the integral unit, which in this embodiment also has an internal cavity  615 ,  701 ,  801 ,  916 , that the connector end of the cord is attached into for storage and transport. The rigid portion  307  may be made of metal, an alloy, plastic, wood, rubber, glass, or any combination thereof which produces a rigid or semi-rigid material. The elastic portion  309  may be made of silicon, rubber, plastic, metal, an alloy, or any combination thereof which produces an elastic material. In this embodiment the sound output units, or speaker elements, are placed on either end, behind a perforated piece  313 , of the integral unit  301  as shown in the figure. In this way the sound output units  313  are protected from unintentional shocks and bumps and still are able to let audible sound pass through. The perforated piece  313  may be made of metal, an alloy, plastic, wood, rubber, glass, or any combination thereof which produces a rigid, semi-rigid material, or shock absorbent material. The elastic portion  309  may in one embodiment surround the integral unit  301 , as shown in the figure, while in another embodiment only surround part of the integral unit. The surrounding elastic portion may either be located 90 degrees in relation to the rigid portion, or it may be located in a different angle, such as a 45 degree angle as shown in  FIG. 3 . In this embodiment a circular rubber cap, hiding a signal socket  315 , is placed on the rigid portion  305  of the integral unit  301 . In this way an external sound source, such as a mobile phone as in  FIG. 1  or a audio receiver, may be connected, using for instance a 3.5 mm audio jack connector, to the integral unit making use of the sound output elements. The integral unit  301  may also take other shapes such as being in the form of a cube, triangle, quadratic, spherical, or an abstract shape. In another embodiment the signal socket  315  may not be present. 
         [0039]    The two sound output elements  401  may also be fastened together in an angle.  FIG. 4  shows an embodiment where the two sound output elements  401  are fastened together in 90 degree angle to each other. The different fastening position, as shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , may give different advantages in the form of better acoustic properties/performance, or to rest more safely on the surface they are placed on. If a piece of the electrical cord  403  is pulled out through the elastic portion  405  via the slit  409  from within the integral unit  407 , the integral unit may be hanged from this piece of cord. The two sound output elements  401  may not necessary be fastened together in a 90 degree angle. In other embodiments The two sound output elements  401  may be fastened together in another angle in space (x, y, z-planes). 
         [0040]      FIG. 5  shows another embodiment of the present invention where the two sound output elements  501  are separated from each other and placed, with the sound output units  503  facing up, on a surface. In one embodiment the sound output units  503  may face up into the air (away from the surface), and in another embodiment the sound output elements  503  face down (towards the surface), and in yet another embodiment the sound output elements may face any angle there in between. In yet another embodiment the sound output elements  501  are adjustable to face any angle and direction in comparison to the surface it is placed onto. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5  the sound output elements rests on a portion of the elastic portions  505 . One or more cuts may be made in the elastic portions so that the electrical cord  507  or cords may stick out from within the sound output elements  501  without affecting the resting stability of the sound output elements  501 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 6  shows the fastening means  601 ,  603  of the sound output elements  602 ,  604  according to an embodiment of the present invention. It can be seen from the figure that the fastening means  601 ,  603  are located on a side opposite the sound output units (not shown) or speaker elements. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , these fastening means  601 ,  603  comprise recesses  605  which are arranged as two recess pairs in a symmetrical structure  609  protruding from a ground surface  607  in the left sound output element  603 . In the right sound output element  604  the fastening means  603  comprises corresponding protrusions  613  arranged in two protrusions pairs in a symmetrical protruding structure  611 . Now the two sound output elements  602 ,  604  are connected together by placing the two sound output elements  602 ,  604  on top of each other and applying a downward force. This will result in a fastening of the speakers through the engaging of the protrusions  613  in the right sound output element  604  into the recesses  605  in the left sound output element  602 . Also seen in  FIG. 6  is that the protruding structure in the right sound output element  604  comprises a space  615  in the form of a step-shaped recess for connecting an electrical cord connector (not shown) which is electrically connecting the two sound output elements  602 ,  604  together. This space  615  may comprise a loudspeaker, connector which may have any shape, used when electrically connecting a pair of loudspeakers to each other. Moreover, the sound output elements  602 ,  604  comprise openings  617 ,  618  in the support surface  607  through which the electrical cord (not shown) connecting the two sound output elements  602 ,  604  may be drawn. Furthermore, the sound output elements comprise a rigid and an elastic portion  619  and  621 , which in this embodiment have an ellipse like shaped circumference. Their circumference may however have any other shape, such as a circular, squared, rectangular, triangular or another shape. Both sound output elements  602 ,  604  additionally comprise a support structure comprising the elastic portion  621 ,  622  and legs  623  protruding from the elastic portion  621 ,  622 . It may be mentioned here that the rigid portion  619  may be made of plastic, metal, wood or any other rigid material, while the elastic portion may be made of any type of elastic material, such as an elastic type of plastic, rubber, resin or materials with similar properties. The main task of the support structure is to enable the sound output elements  602 ,  604  to stand or rest, using the elastic portion  621  and the legs  623 , on an essentially flat surface, such as a table, glass or any other flat surface. Additionally, the legs  623  may prevent the sound output elements  602 ,  604  from slipping on the surface. In another embodiment the cord coming from an opening  618  may pass through an opening  620  in the elastic portion  622  thus eliminating the need for the legs  623 , and in yet another embodiment the elastic portion may be made of a rigid material. 
         [0042]    In  FIG. 7 , fastening means  701 ,  702  according to another embodiment of the present invention are illustrated. While very similar to the embodiment described in  FIG. 6 , the protruding structures  705 ,  706  in the left and right sound output elements  703 ,  704  corresponding to the protruding structures  609  and  611  in  FIG. 6  additionally comprise a pair of recesses housing a pair of magnets  707 ,  708 . The magnets  707 ,  708  bring the additional advantage of being able to prevent the accidental separation of the sound output elements  703 ,  704  when forming the single unit position as described in  FIG. 3  due to for example a shearing or tearing force applied from the outside. In one embodiment the magnets  707 ,  708  may be fixed, an in another embodiment some of the magnets may be fixed while others may be movable, and in yet another embodiment all magnets may be movable. By movable we mean that the magnets may be able to move up a bit so that they protrude from their recesses, and back down into the recesses. Additionally, the sound output elements  703 ,  704  comprise an edge  710  rising somewhat from the support surface  712  described in  FIG. 6 . In this fashion, a larger volume for winding the electric cord connecting the two sound output elements  703 ,  704  is provided. This is especially practical, when the sound output elements  703 ,  704  are already connected together and the electrical cord is to be wound around the fastening connection. Also, the elastic portion  709  of the sound output elements  703 ,  704  may comprise an opening  714  through which the electric cord (not shown) connecting the two sound output elements  703 ,  704  may be unwound. The unwound portion of the electric cord may also be used as a transporting means for the sound output elements  703 ,  704  when connected into an integral unit according to  FIG. 3 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 8  illustrates how the speaker contact  801  may be placed in the fastening means  803  in the right sound output element  805 . It may however be possible to arrange the speaker contact outside of the fastening means, if necessary. The main point is that there should be enough space around the fastening connection  803  for the electric cord  809  to be wound around the fastening connection  803  and inside the elastic portion when the two sound output elements  805 , 807  are connected into one unit. 
         [0044]    In  FIG. 9 , fastening means  908 ,  909  according to another embodiment of the present invention are illustrated. While very similar to the embodiments described in  FIG. 6  and in  FIG. 7 , the protruding structures  911 ,  910  in the left and right sound output elements  901 ,  902 , corresponding to the protruding structures  609  and  611  in  FIG. 6  and to the protruding structures  705  and  706  in  FIG. 7 , additionally comprise a pair of pockets  903 ,  904 . At least one, preferably two pockets  903 ,  904  (out of the total four pockets), may house a protruding part  906 . The protruding part  906  may be made of a rigid material such plastic, metal, magnet, wood or any other rigid material, or of an elastic type of material such as plastic, rubber, resin or materials with similar properties. The shape of the protruding part  906  and the corresponding pocket  904  in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9  is rectangular. However, the shape of the protruding part  906  and the corresponding pocket  904  may also be circular, squared, triangular, star, elliptic, or any another type of shape. The protruding part  906  may either be separable from the pocket  904  or not. If more than one protruding part is used, the material of the additional protruding parts may be of the same material or of different materials. The two sound output elements  901 ,  902  are connected together by placing the two sound output elements on top of each other and applying a downward force. This will result in a fastening of the loudspeakers through the engaging of the protrusions  906  in the right sound output element  902  into the pockets  903  in the left sound output element  901 . 
         [0045]    In an embodiment the protruding part  906  is made of a magnetic material having a rectangular shape, as shown in  FIG. 9 . In this embodiment the pockets  904  in the right sound output elements  902  house protruding parts made of a magnetic material, while the bottom part of the pockets  903  in the left sound output elements  901  may house a material, such as iron, with magnetic properties. In this way the protruding magnetic material  906  will lock with the material having magnetic properties in the pockets  903  when connected forming the single unit position as described in  FIG. 3 . The magnets bring the additional advantage of being able to prevent the accidental separation of the sound output elements  901 ,  902 . 
         [0046]    In yet another embodiment the protruding part  906  may be movable from a drawn back position, where the protruding part  906  resides completely or partially inside the pocket  904 , to a protruding position where a part of the protruding part  906  is protruding out of the pocket  904 . When the two sound output elements  901 ,  902  are connected together the protruding part  906 , in an embodiment, being made of a magnetic material may slide out from its pocket  904  and into the pocket  903  on the corresponding connecting sound output elements  901 , locking with a magnetic material inside the corresponding pocket  903 , and thus securely locking the two sound output elements  901 ,  902  firmly together. 
         [0047]    Also, seen in  FIG. 9 , the protruding structures  910 ,  911  in the sound output elements  901 ,  902  comprise spaces  905 ,  916  for connecting an electrical cord connector (not shown in  FIG. 9  but similar to the one shown in  FIG. 8 ) which is electrically connecting the two sound output elements  901 ,  902  together. These spaces  905 ,  916  may house a loudspeaker connector, which may have any shape, used when electrically connecting the loudspeakers to each other and to the mobile phone. 
         [0048]    Additionally, the sound output elements  901 ,  902  comprise an edge  913  rising somewhat from the support surface  912  described in  FIG. 9 . In this fashion, a larger volume for winding the electric cord connecting the two sound output elements  901 ,  902  is provided. This is especially practical, when the sound output elements are already connected together and the electrical cord is to be wound around the fastening connection. Also, the elastic portion  914  of the sound output elements may comprise an opening  916  through which the electric cord (not shown) connecting the two sound output elements  901 ,  902  may be unwound. The unwound portion of the electric cord may also be used as a transporting means for the sound output elements when connected into an integral unit according to  FIG. 3 . 
         [0049]    The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
         [0050]    Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
         [0051]    The foregoing has described the principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the present invention. However, the invention should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive, and not as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed above. The different features of the various embodiments of the invention can be combined in other combinations than those explicitly described. It should therefore be appreciated that variations may be made in those embodiments by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.