Abstract:
An application for a music system with rotatable directional speakers includes a console that faces a performer and is mounted on a pedestal. A base is connected to a bottom end of the pedestal to provide support to the pedestal and console. At least one speaker is rotatably mounted on a first side of the pedestal at an angle and at least one other speaker is rotatably mounted on a second side of the pedestal at the angle. When the speakers are rotated away from the performer, a direction of sound from the speakers diverges with respect to the music system and when the speakers are rotated towards the performer, the direction of sound from the speakers converges toward the performer.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is related to a co-pending application, filed even date, Ser. No. 12/889,951, titled, “SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HOLDING A DEVICE AND CONTAINING A MICROPHONE”. This application is also related to a co-pending application, filed even date, Ser. No. 12/889,983, titled, “SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING AND PROVIDING POWER TO A MUSIC PLAYER.” 
     FIELD 
     This invention relates to the field of music devices and more particularly to a music system having rotatable speakers. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many existing musical devices such as portable stereo systems and portable karaoke systems have speakers for reproducing sound that is enjoyed by the performer, an audience or both. Such systems either have attached speakers (built-in) or detached speakers connected by a cable or wirelessly. When the music system is projecting music to an audience, there is no way to adjust the directionality of the speakers when they are attached. For example, both speakers are typically aimed directly towards the front of the music system (e.g. parallel and perpendicular to an imaginary flat front surface of the music player). This limits the dispersion of the sound and concentrates the sound on a few people preferably directly in front of the music system. When detached speakers are provided, often, the users will position the speakers at an angle towards the audience to affect the dispersion/divergence of the sound from the speakers, but this is not possible with built-in speakers. 
     When the same music system is used in a more private arrangement, it is desired that the speakers angle inwardly, directing the sound at a single person such as the karaoke performer when the music system is a karaoke system. Again, this is not possible with build-in speakers since they are positioned to direct sound in a straight line and not concentrate the sound towards the performer. In systems that have detached speakers, often the performer will angle the detached speakers inwardly toward the performer. 
     For many reasons, it is desired to have attached speakers to reduce wire clutter, keep components together, lift the speakers off from the floor, etc. It is also desired that the speakers be aimed correctly at the audience and/or performer. 
     What is needed is a music system that has attached speakers that direct sound outwardly to an audience or, when rotated towards the performer, concentrate sound towards the performer. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, a music system with rotatable directional speakers is disclosed including a console that faces a performer and is mounted on a pedestal. A base is connected to a bottom end of the pedestal to provide support to the pedestal and console. At least one speaker is rotatably mounted on a first side of the pedestal at an angle and at least one other speaker is rotatably mounted on a second side of the pedestal at the angle. When the speakers are rotated away from the performer, a direction of sound from the speakers diverges with respect to the music system and when the speakers are rotated towards the performer, the direction of sound from the speakers converges toward the performer. 
     In another embodiment, a method of using a music system is disclosed. The music system has a console that faces a performer and is mounted on and supported by a pedestal and has at least two speakers that are rotatably mounted on alternating sides of the pedestal at an angle. The method includes rotating the speakers away from the performer during a time when the performer has an audience, thereby the speakers are aimed at the audience and sound from the speaker converges towards the audience. The method also includes rotating the speakers toward the performer during a time when the performer is listening to their own performance, thereby the speakers are aimed at the performer and sound from the speaker diverge towards a point near the performer. 
     In another embodiment, a music system with rotatable directional speakers is disclosed including a console that faces a performer and is mounted atop a pedestal. The pedestal is supported by a base. The music system included at least two speakers that are rotatably mounted on opposing sides of the pedestal at an angle such that when the speakers are rotated away from the performer, a direction of sound from the speakers diverges with respect to the music system and when the speakers are rotated towards the performer, the direction of sound from the speakers converges toward the performer. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a front perspective view of a directional speaker system. 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates a top view of the directional speaker system with speakers facing an audience. 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates a top view of the directional speaker system with speakers facing a performer. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of a keyed rotating attachment system. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a cutaway view of a keyed rotating attachment system. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of an electrical interface of the rotating attachment system. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of a mating electrical interface of the rotating attachment system. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a rear perspective view of the system. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a rear perspective view of the system showing handle/microphone storage in detail. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a side perspective view of the system. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a rear perspective view of the system showing handle/microphone in use as a handle. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a rear perspective view of another exemplary system showing handle/microphone storage in detail. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a front perspective view of the second exemplary system showing a microphone in storage. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A,  2 B, perspective view of a directional speaker system is shown. For explanation purposes, a pedestal karaoke system  10  is used as an exemplary device. The elements of the disclosed invention are applicable to other portable and/or stationary devices and are not limited to a karaoke system. 
     The exemplary system  10  has a system console  24  supported by a pedestal  20 . The system console  24  typically has controls (e.g. volume, play, stop, etc), displays and indicators. In this exemplary system  10 , music or karaoke content comes from a music player  80  that is inserted into a cradle  81  (see  FIG. 8 ) and connected to audio inputs  99  of the exemplary system  10 . In this example, there are two microphones  70 / 72  in dual-purpose handle/microphone holders  90 / 92  (see  FIG. 7 ). 
     The system is supported by a base  22 , preferably wider than the pedestal  20  to reduce the probability of tipping. 
     The pedestal  20  has side walls  17 . Preferably, the side walls  17  of the pedestal  20  are not parallel and purposely angle towards each other getting closer towards the front of the pedestal  15 , where the user typically stands. Two speakers  50 / 52  are rotatably mounted to the side walls  17  of the pedestal  20 . The speakers  50 / 52  are rotated to face away from the user (performer) as shown in  FIG. 2A  when the user (performer) is using the system  10  with other people (e.g. an audience). Since the speakers  50 / 52  are angled outwardly due to the angle of the side walls  17 , sound from the speakers  50 / 52  diverge and produce sound that is better distributed to multiple listeners (e.g. the audience). The speakers  50 / 52  are rotated to face the user (performer) as shown in  FIG. 2  when the user (performer) is not concerned with other people hearing the performance. Since the speakers  50 / 52  are angled inwardly due to the angle of the side walls  17 , sound from the speakers  50 / 52  converge to a point near the user (performer) and produce sound that is concentrated for the enjoyment of the user (performer). 
     Note that other mechanisms are anticipated that provide the same feature in which the speakers are directed outwardly (sound is aimed away from straight ahead) when facing away from the performer and in which the speakers are directed inwardly (sound is aimed to a focal point near the performer) when facing the performer. For example, in some embodiments, the sides of the pedestal  20  are parallel, but the rotating posts that support the speakers  50 / 52  are at an angle with respect to the side walls of the pedestal  20 . In some embodiments, more than two rotatable speakers  50 / 52  are anticipated (not shown). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3-6 , views of a keyed rotating attachment system is shown. In  FIG. 3 , only one speaker  50  is shown (more than one speaker is anticipated). The speaker  50  has a rotating support post  54  that has one or more key posts  51 , In some embodiments, a speaker electrical interface  56  is provided to connect the speaker  50 / 52  to the audio outputs of the system  10  (details shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). The key posts  51  slide into slots  27  of a cavity  26  of the system  10  when the speaker  50 / 52  is, for example, horizontal (90 degrees rotated from the position shown in  FIG. 1 ). Once inserted, the speakers  50 / 52  are rotated toward the audience (diverging) or toward the performer (converging), thereby locking the key posts  51  into the slots  27 . Any other way of a rotatable connection is anticipated, permanent or removable. 
     In some embodiments, electrical connections are provided to connect the speakers  50 / 52  to the audio outputs of the system  10 . There are many ways known to electrically connect a rotating device (e.g. a wind generator is rotatably mounted to a tower and electricity passes through the rotatable interface from the generator to the electrical connections at the ground). The example shown has two sets of connectors  58 / 60  on the speaker support post  54  that connect to contacts  28  and  29  in the cavity  26 . 
     Alternately, in some embodiments, the speakers  50 / 52  are electrically connected to the system  10  by wires (not shown) instead of through electrical connections associated with the rotating connection. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7-10 , perspective views of the system showing the combined handle/microphone feature will be described. In some embodiments, a music player  80  provides content (e.g. music, karaoke content, video, etc). In such, the music player  80  sits in a cradle  81 . For convenience, a power port (e.g. USB port)  21  is provided, into which the power cable plug  82  (e.g. USB plug) is connected to provide power to the music player  80 . Although not shown, audio from the music player is connected to the audio input jacks  99  of the system  10 . 
     In some embodiments, the system  10  includes a base speaker  19  (e.g. a sub-woofer), preferably mounted in the pedestal  20 . 
     Handles  71 / 73  of the microphones  70 / 72  are inserted into microphone holders  90 / 92  that double as handles  90 / 92 . A convex surface  91 / 93  of the microphone holders  90 / 92  that double as handles  90 / 92  keeps the microphone handles  71 / 73  from falling out while providing enough of an opening for a persons fingers  98  (see  FIG. 10 ) when using the microphone holders  90 / 92  that double as handles  90 / 92  as handles as shown in  FIG. 10 . The sides of the system console  24  has a handle opening  95  through which the user&#39;s fingers  98  fit, wrapping through and out of the microphone holders  90 / 92  that double as handles  90 / 92 . The shape of the handle  90 / 91 / 92 / 93 / 95  is preferably, though not required, shaped to comfortably interface with a typical hand and fingers  98  of a person who carries the system  10 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , perspective view of another exemplary system  110  showing handle/microphone storage  100 / 102  in detail will be described. For storage, the handles  71 / 73  of the microphones  70 / 72  (only one microphone  70  is shown) are inserted into microphone holders  100 / 102  that double as handles  100 / 102 . A convex surface  101 / 103  of the microphone holders  100 / 102  that double as handles  100 / 102  keeps the microphone handles  71 / 73  from falling out while providing enough of an opening for a persons fingers when using the microphone holders  100 / 102  that double as handles  100 / 102  as handles as shown in  FIG. 11 . The sides of the exemplary system  110  has a handle opening  105 / 107  through which the user&#39;s fingers  98  fit, wrapping through and out of the microphone holders  100 / 102  that double as handles  100 / 102 . The shape of the handle  100 / 101 / 102 / 103 / 105 / 107  is preferably, though not required, shaped to comfortably interface with a typical hand and fingers  98  of a person who carries the system  110 . 
     Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result. 
     It is believed that the system and method as described and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.