Patent Publication Number: US-2017354225-A1

Title: Consumer Good Multimedia System

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Consumer goods are tangible goods that are purchased for direct consumption to satisfy a human need or want (i.e., purchased for direct consumption). For the most part, consumer goods are designed to make household life more convenient. For instance, vacuum cleaners make it easier for people to clean embedded dirt and dust from carpets, upholstery, and drapery. Sewing machines allow people to fix and create their clothing by stitching fabric together. Hand-held, hair dryers moreover allow people to accelerate the drying of their hair after wetting it. 
     While consumer goods make certain aspects of life easier, their use can in turn be an inconvenient and monotonous chore. For instance, hand-held consumer goods tend be relatively heavy, bulky, and their operation requires a certain level of skill, all of which ends up restricting the user&#39;s focus to completing the task at hand. Users can often feel drained of energy, which often causes the user to putting off the use, or complete avoidance, of their consumer goods. In particular, one generally sacrifices operating their stereo system or smart phone while drying their hair with a hair dryer. As such, one may end up spending less time drying their hair than would be required for effectiveness or choosing to go out into public with wet, unkempt hair. 
     What is therefore needed is a system that may be installed into consumer goods so as to allow a user to simultaneously operate the consumer good and other devices to make use of the consumer good unexpectedly pleasant, synergistically effective, and adds to the good&#39;s convenience (i.e., consumer good telematics). The present invention fulfills these needs by transforming consumer goods into network nodes far multimedia purposes (i.e., as part of “the internet of things”) as well as other needs which will become apparent herein. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a multimedia system for incorporation with a consumer good. The system comprises one or more stereo speakers; a memory for the storage of one or more data files; a power supply coupled to power the one or more stereo speakers; and a switch coupled to temporarily cutoff power from the power supply to the one or more stereo speakers. 
     In certain embodiments, the system further comprises a microphone for hands free communication. The system may also further comprise a digital camera configured to encode digital images and digital videos. The system may further comprise one or more light emitting diodes to project light from at least a portion of the consumer good. The system may even further yet comprise a mobile computing device comprising a consumer-product-media-system module, the mobile computing device may be wirelessly coupled to one or more stereo speakers, wherein the one or more audio files is controlled by the consumer-product-media-system module through the remote mobile computing device so as to be played through the one or more stereo speakers. The system may even further yet comprise a low-power transceiver coupled to the stereo speakers, the transceiver may be configured to wirelessly transmit data information; and a mobile computing device comprising a consumer-product-media-system module, the mobile computing device in wireless transmission with the transceiver; and wherein the memory is located within the mobile computing device, wherein the consumer-product-media-system module is configured to wirelessly transmit the one or more audio files through the remote mobile computing device and to the transceiver so as to be played through one or more stereo speakers. 
     The switch may be a capacitive touch panel coupled to both the one or more stereo speakers and the memory, wherein the touch panel has visual capabilities and allows a user to control the one or more data files. The power supply may be a power cord configured to connect to a remote power outlet. The power supply may be a rechargeable battery. In certain instances, the system may also comprise a solar panel coupled to the rechargeable battery, for recharging the battery when the solar panel is at least partially exposed to a light source. The consumer good may be a hand-held blow dryer comprising: a casing having a handle and a barrel; a motor-powered fan operatively positioned within the casing, the fan configured to generate an airflow through the barrel; and one or more heating elements operatively positioned to heat the airflow; and wherein one or more stereo speakers is mounted at the periphery of the barrel such that the airflow passes one or more stereo speakers in a substantially uninterrupted manner. 
     In another embodiment the invention may be a hand-held blow dryer incorporating multi-media functionality. The blow dryer comprises: a casing having a handle, a barrel, and a volute; a motor operatively positioned within the volute, the motor comprising a fan configured to generate an airflow which passes through the barrel; one or more heating elements operatively positioned to heat the airflow; one or more stereo speakers mounted at the periphery of the barrel end such that the airflow passes one or more stereo speakers in a substantially uninterrupted manner; a low-power transceiver coupled to one or more stereo speakers, the transceiver configured to wirelessly transmit data information with a mobile computing device; a plurality of light emitting diodes to project light from at least a portion of the periphery of the barrel end; a power supply coupled to power the motor, one or more stereo speakers, the transceiver, and the light emitting diodes; and a switch coupled to temporarily cutoff power from the power supply. 
     Additional objects, advantages and novel aspects of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and will in part become apparent to those in the practice of the invention, when considered with the attached figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a typical prior art hair dryer; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, as installed in an embodiment of a hair dryer; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention, as installed in the hair dryer of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cut-away side view of an embodiment of the present invention as taken along the line  4 , 5 - 4 , 5 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a cut-away side view of another embodiment of the present invention as taken along the fine  4 , 5 - 4 , 5 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a cut-away side view of another embodiment of the present invention as taken along the line  6 - 6 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a forward-facing view of the embodiment of the present invention as shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a forward-facing view of another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a forward-facing view of another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a forward-facing view of the embodiment of the present invention as shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a algorithmic flowchart illustrating an example of the consumer-product-media-system module of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 12  generally illustrates a block diagram generally illustrating a computing 
       environment in which at least a portion of the invention may be implemented. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Consumer goods are characteristically considered products purchased for consumption by an average consumer (i.e., being purchased for personal use). Such goods may alternatively be called “final goods” or “convenience goods”; consumer goods are the end result of production and manufacturing and are what is seen on the store shelf. Alternatively, commodities such as copper are not considered consumer goods because they have yet to be transformed into a usable product. As such, examples of consumer goods may include appliances such as, but not limited to, hand-held hair dryers, vacuum cleaners, microwave ovens, and refrigerators. Consumer good examples may further include fixtures such as, but not limited to, shower heads, chandeliers, and lighting systems. 
     Referring to the drawings in detail, and specifically to  FIG. 1 , one example of a typical conventional consumer good is a hand-held hair dryer which is generally indicated by reference numeral  10 . Hair dryer  10  includes casing  12  with a laterally extending, hollow, tubular-shaped barrel  14 , a longitudinally extending handle portion  16 , and a hollow volute  18  that connects both the barrel  14  and handle  16 . Casing  12  may moreover be defined by two unitary sub-parts and removably joined (as by screws). A heating element  20  is located between the outlet-end  22  and inlet-end  24  of barrel  14 . An electric motor  26  comprising rotatable fan blades (e.g., impeller) is located within volute  18  and adapted to draw ambient air through an air-intake port  28  so as to propel such air into the inlet-end  24  of barrel  14 . 
     Conventionally, heating element  20  is constructed of the high-resistance electrical conductor type which helically surrounds the central axis of barrel  14 , between ends  22  and  24 . Electrical power to heating element  20  and motor  26  is suppliable through an electrical power cord  30  (power supply), which is adapted to connect with a remote power outlet (not shown). Power cord  30  moreover extends into hair dryer  10  through handle  16  and can be interruptible by an electrical switch  32  positioned on the external side of handle  16 . Thus, when electrical power is supplied to the heating element  20  and the motor fan blades  26  are made to continuously rotate, ambient air is drawn through air-intake port  28  and is impelled to heating element  20  and emerges out the distal end of barrel  14  as a heated airflow suitable for drying the hair of a user maintaining directional control of the airflow with the handle  16 . In certain instances, hair dryer  10  may incorporates an ion emitter device (not shown) to allow hair dryer  10  to work by the corona effect. It should be appreciated that hair dryer  10  may also be of the ceramic and tourmaline variety. 
       FIG. 2  is representative of hair dryer  10  having installed a multimedia system that includes number of functional components, each of which being in communication with other components within the system via wire coupling or wireless signal transmissions. As shown, one these system components is a pair of micro-sized loudspeakers  34  embedded into casing  12 , at the distal end periphery of barrel  14 , to generate stereo sound. Casing  12  may thus include sockets  36  ( FIG. 4 ) suitable for the installation of these loudspeakers. Such an implantation allows loudspeakers  34  to be remote from the hottest portions of barrel  14 . Baffles may also be installed in barrel  14  to direct the airflow away from loudspeakers  34 . The internal facing end of each socket  36  is open to allow its respective speaker  34  to be electrically coupled to power cord  30  via a respective wire of an internal wiring network  38  ( FIG. 4 ). Situating loudspeakers  34  in this manner allows the airflow to pass out of the distal end of barrel  14  in a substantially uninterrupted manner. 
     Each loudspeaker  34 , in particular, has a compact size, light weight and uses low amounts of power (with impedances typically ranging in between 4 Ohms -16 Ohms). The loudspeakers  34  should moreover be of a full range with a wide and balanced frequency response sad very good low range reproduction, suitable for music and speech reproduction. The loudspeaker may also include a neodymium driver, paper cone or plastic diaphragm, and/or plastic basket. In certain instances, loudspeakers  34  are parametric speakers designed to focus the generated sound at a high intensity into a relatively small area. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , positioned next to the loudspeaker  34 , installed on the lower half of barrel  14  may be a bulk-in, front facing microphone  40  that allows for hands free communication when hair dryer  10  is operatively paired with a suitable computing device (discussed below). Similar to loudspeakers  34 , discussed above, this implantation allows microphone  40  to be remote from the hottest portions of barrel  14 . It should be appreciated that microphone  40  may be of the super-cardioid or hypercardiod polar pattern variety so as to ensure any noise from the generated airflow does not substantially effect the communications from the user of hairdryer  10 . Microphone  40  may further be configured to eliminate a proximity effect. 
     Positioned next to the loudspeaker  34 , installed on the upper half of barrel  14 , may be a digital camera  42  configured to encode digital images and digital videos when hair dryer  10  is operatively paired with a suitable computing device (discussed below). Similar to loudspeakers  34 , discussed above, this implantation allows camera  42  to be remote from the hottest portions of barrel  14 . It should be appreciated camera  42  may capture 8-megapixels of a 1.5 μm pixel size. Camera  42  may also include a five-element lens having a sapphire crystal lens cover, high-wattage, light emitting diode (LED) variety flash. 
     A series of LEDs  44  may also be embedded into casing  12 , at the distal end periphery of barrel  14 . As can be seen, each of the LEDs  44  is positioned to encircle the circumference of the barrel, opening in such a manner which avoids interference with loudspeakers  34  and microphone  40 . The LEDs  44  are typically embedded into casing via sockets that only allow for an end portion of the LEDs  44  to be exposed to the surrounding environment. The LEDs  44  are thus configured to project light outwardly and directly in front of the distal end of barrel  14 . This therefore allows a user to have better visibility of the surface in which barrel  14  is directing the airflow. It should be appreciated that positioning the LEDs  44  in this manner (as well as the loudspeakers, camera, and microphone) allows for a diffuser or concentrator (not shown) to be releasably attached to barrel  14  with ease. 
     The series of LEDs  44  may also be configured to switch on and off to generate random, aesthetic patterns. In certain instances, hair dryer  10  may incorporate an integrated circuit chip (not shown) configured to process the stereo sound emanating from loudspeakers  34 , through microphone  40 , and in turn cause LEDs  44  to switch on and off in such a manner that generates an overall visual display to conceptually mimic the corresponding sound pattern (i.e., patterns moving with the beat of music). In other instances, software code (e.g., a pre-programmed algorithm) may be incorporated into a consumer-product-media-system module (discussed below) to similarly allow LEDs  44  to switch on and off in a variety of pre-configured aesthetic patterns. It should be appreciated that the series of LEDs  44  may be of a uniform color (e.g., white) or may be of multiple colors (e.g., blue, red, green, etc.). 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , an internally housed, low-power transceiver  46  is positioned within handle  16 . Transceiver  46  is coupled to and communicates with loudspeakers  34 , microphone  40 , camera  42 , and LEDs  44  via wiring network  38 . In a similar manner, transceiver  46  is coupled to power cord  30  to receive electric power. 
     Transceiver  46  is generally comprised of Bluetooth (e.g., v3.0+A2DP) and allows the user to wirelessly transmit data information (i.e., stream data) with a corresponding transceiver device incorporated into a remotely located mobile computing device  48  (e.g., smart phone MP3 player, smart television, digital media console, etc.). As such, when mobile computing device  48  stores audio data files (e.g., MP3 files) within one or more of its internal memory storage devices  50  (e.g., hard drive), transceiver  46  allows the user to send (i.e., stream) their audio data file sounds (i.e., music, podcasts, television programs, etc.) to loudspeakers  34 . Such functionality allows users with the ease of remotely sending commands between their connected computing device  48  and loudspeakers  34  and vice versa. Moreover, whereas before, users were forced to listen to the humdrum, white noise of the typical airflow, they now have the ability to enjoy listening to their own selected music, podcasts, audio books, television programs, or any other equivalent audio file. This functionality helps to generally ensure the task of hair drying does not feel as much like a chore for the user as well as transforms hair dryer  10  into an embodiment of a telematics device. 
     It should be appreciated when mobile computing device  48  is embodied as a television set having the capability to communicate with transceiver  46  (e.g., television, smart television, television connected with a digital media console), sounds from programs played through the television may be played directly or indirectly through loudspeakers  34 . For example, the user may only be able to listen to their television program through loudspeakers  34  or the user (and other viewers) may be able to listen to the program though the television as well as loudspeakers  34 . It should be understood that a digital media console, typically for use with a television, could be embodied as a data streaming device such as, but not limited to, Apple TV™ and Roku™ or the device could be embodied as a video game console such as, but not limited to, Xbox™, Nintendo Wii™, or Sony Playstation™. A skilled artisan will see that a television and/or digital media console may comprise their own independent internal/external memory storage device  50  or may act as a node which relays (i.e., streams) at least a portion of data from a remote memory storage device  50  located, for example, in an internet cloud. 
     Incorporation of microphone  40  further allows the user to send voice commands to mobile computing device  48 . For instance, when a voice recognition software module (e.g., SIRI™) is configured to be compatible with the consumer-product-media-system module  60 , the user may voice command mobile computing device  48  to switch to a new audio file. In other instances, when mobile computing device  48  is embodied as a smart phone, simultaneous use of loudspeakers  34  and microphone  40  transforms hair dryer  10  into an extension of the device&#39;s telephonic functionality. 
     Incorporation of camera  24  further yet allows the user to send digital images to mobile computing device  48 . As such, hair dryer  10  may incorporate a button/trigger  49  which acts to command dryer  10  to capture each digital image. For instance, the user may press the trigger while drying hair to capture an image of their facial profile. In other instances, when mobile computing device  48  is embodied as a smart phone, simultaneous use of loudspeakers  34 , microphone  40 , and camera  24  enables hair dryer  10  to communicate with certain video chat modules such as, for example, SKYPE™ or FACETIME™, via mobile computing device  48 . 
     A memory device  50  may also be internally housed within handle  16  or the memory may be embedded in transceiver  46 . Memory  50  enables hair dryer  10  to, at least temporarily, store data files (e.g., audio or image) before or after being transmitted via transceiver  46 . It is also envisioned that memory  50  may include enough storage capacity to store and access a number of data files without requiring transmission with mobile computing device  48 . As such, a user may command retrieval of each data file via microphone  40 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , a universal serial bus (USB) port  52  may be positioned in handle  16  and may protrude through a portion of casing  12 . Port  52  enables mobile computing device  48  to be coupled to and communicate with hair dryer  10  via a USB cord. Furthermore, when embodiments of hair dryer  10  incorporates an internal memory device  50 , the user may upload their data files to memory  50  from mobile computing device  48  via the USB cord prior to accessing the files during use of hair dryer  10 . It should be appreciated that port  52  may also be embodied as a micro USB 2.0 port, USB On-the-Go Port (e.g., 1.2), 3.5 mm gold plated AV connector, and/or as SIM card dock. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 3 , a capacitive touch panel  54  (touchscreen) may be mounted to casing  12 . Within hair dryer  10 , touch panel  54  may be coupled to both stereo speakers and the transceiver  46 . Touch panel  54  is operated through known tactile control methods and has visual capabilities that allow the user to control one or more data files in the mobile computing device via the transceiver, internal memory, or a media device releasably connected to USB port. In certain instances, the user can use touch panel  54  to react to what is displayed and to control how it is displayed; for example, zooming to increase the text size. In particular, touch panel  54  typically consists of an insulator component, such as glass, coated with a transparent conductor component, such as indium tin oxide (InSnO). As the user is also an electrical conductor, touching the surface of the screen results in a distortion of the screen&#39;s electrostatic field, measurable as a change in capacitance. 
     With reference to both  FIGS. 3 and 6 , the system may comprise a power supply that is a rechargeable battery pack  56 . Battery pack  56  may be embodied as a light weight lithium ion battery based on compositions such as, but not limited to, lithium cobalt oxide, lithium iron phosphate, lithium ion manganese oxide, lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide, lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide, lithium titanate, and lithium sulphur. In certain instances, a solar panel  58  may also be coupled to both battery pack  56  and casing  12 , to allow for recharging of battery pack  56 , when solar panel  56  is at least partially exposed to a light source such as the sun. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , a forward-facing display of hair dryer  10  shows each speaker  34  is situated closely to a screen covering outlet-end  22  of barrel  14 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , a forward-facing display of hair dryer  10  shows another embodiment of the multimedia system in which each speaker  34  is situated within barrel  14 , near the outlet-end  22  and covered by the screen. As shown in  FIG. 9 , a forward-facing display of hair dryer  10  shows another embodiment of the multimedia system in which speaker  34  has a circular shape that surrounds outlet-end  22  of barrel  14 . In this embodiment speaker  34  could comprise a series of cones configured to surround outlet-end  22 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , a forward-facing display of hair dryer  10  shows another embodiment of the multimedia system in which each speaker  34 , a series of LEDs  44 , microphone  40 , and camera  42  are each situated closely to the screen covering outlet-end  22  of barrel  14 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 4 , as mentioned above, the consumer-product-media-system module  60  may be incorporated into the memory storage devices  50  of remotely located mobile computing device  48 . Each of the stored audio files may be controlled by mobile computing device  48  through module  60 , so as to be played through speakers  34 . It should also be appreciated that each of the audio files may also be remotely controlled by hair dryer  10  through the remote mobile computing device (i.e., via microphone  40 ). 
     Module  60  may also be configured to act as a node which connects a remote television set (not shown) directly to transceiver  46 . Such functionality would allow the user to watch a program on the television set while also being able to listen to the program through speakers  36 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 11 , exemplary steps for an algorithmic method, depicting the consumer-product-media-system module  60 , can be seen. In step  62 , the module generates and ensures a wireless connection is created between the mobile computing device (via a communication device) and transceiver  46 . As discussed above, this connection is generally embodied as a Bluetooth wireless connection. In step  64 , the module allows a user to select an audio file stored within memory  60  of the mobile computing device. This may be conducted through a user-interface-selection device of the mobile computing device. In step  66 , the module transmits the selected audio file to transceiver  46 , such that the audio file may be played through speakers  36 . In step  68 , the module may receive a digital image file from transceiver  46 . The picture file may be generated through camera  42 , as discussed above. In step  70 , the user may manipulate, modify, save, and/or delete the picture file, sent from transceiver  46 , on mobile computing device  48 . File manipulation and modification, includes, but is not limited to, cropping, filtering, and adjusting the size and/or orientation of a picture. File saving is understood to be the temporary storage of the data tile in the memory  50 . 
     While an exemplary algorithmic method has been described above and with reference to  FIG. 11 , it will be understood that certain exemplary embodiments may change the order of steps of the method or may even eliminate or modify certain steps. Furthermore, each of the steps in the method described above and with reference to  FIG. 11  may be embodied as computer software stored in the computer-readable storage medium for execution by a computing device (e.g., mobile device  108 ). 
     Having described the exemplary system and exemplary algorithms of the present invention, an exemplary computer environment for implementing the described mobile computing device and its execution is presented next. 
       FIG. 12  shows the components of an exemplary computing device  112  that may be used to implement any of the processing thus far described. Computing device  112  may include one or more embodiments (i.e., all embodiments of mobile computing device  48  discussed above) comprising a system bus  121  which couples each of a video interface  126 , network interface  128 , a user-input interlace  134 , computer-readable storage medium (shown as a system memory  136 ), and Central Processing Unit (CPU)  138 . A display  140  (shown as a monitor and stand) may be connected to video interface  126  and provides the user with graphical user interface (GUI) capabilities. As a result, display  140  allows the user to view commands and information which have been entered into computing device  112  via a user-interface-selection device  143  (shown as a keyboard). Selection device  143  may be permanently or releasably connected to user-input interface  134 . Display  140  and selection device  143  may also be used in combination so as to form the GUI that allows the user to implement at least a portion of the present invention. In certain embodiments, display  140  and selection device  143  may be a single structure (e.g., touch screen). 
     Peripheral devices may be connected to the computing device  112  through universal serial bus (USB) port (not shown), to transfer information with computing device  112 . Computing device  112  may also include USB port for reading from and writing to external memory devices (e.g., compact flash, memory stick/PRO and DUO, SD card, multimedia card, smart media xD card, portable hard drives, etc.). 
     System memory  136  is also connected to bus  124  and may comprise read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), an operating system (e.g., Microsoft Windows/Apple OS), a basic input/output system (BIOS), application programs, and program data (e.g., PDB). In certain instances, computing device  112  may also include a battery (not shown) for the rechargeable storing of the electrical energy to power computing device  112  (e.g., lithium-ion battery). Computing device  112  may further include a Global Positioning System (GPS) device for communicating with a remote satellite system to provide certain coordinate information (e.g., location and time information) to the operating system and various application programs. Computing device  112  may further yet include an accelerometer for measuring the proper acceleration of computing device  112 . It should be understood that computing device  112  may include other components not currently shown, such as, but not limited to, one or more biometric sensors, environmental and temperature sensors, magnetometers, microphones, proximity sensors, and luxmeters. 
     Computing device  112  may operate in a networked environment using logical connections with network  102 . As discussed above, computing device includes a transmitter device  130  for exchanging data over short-distances (e.g., Bluetooth) with other computing devices (e.g., multimedia system). However, network interface  128  provides another communication path between bus  124  and network  102 , which could also allow, for example, a data file to be communicated to the multimedia system when beyond the range of transmitter device  130 . Network interface may be connected to an antenna (not shown) to create the communication path. But it will be appreciated that this network connection is merely exemplary, and it is within the scope of the present invention to use other types of network connections between computing device  112  and network  102 , including both wired and wireless connections. 
     The constructions described above and illustrated in the drawings are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the concepts and principles of the present invention. As used herein, the terms “having”, “comprising”, and/or “including” and other terms of inclusion are terms indicative of inclusion rather than requirements. It should also be understood the system presented herein is not required to be in the configuration in which it is presented. It is further understood that when a feature is referred to as being “on”, “connected to/with”, or “coupled to/with” another feature, the feature can be directly on, connected to/with or coupled to/with the other feature or an intervening feature may be present. 
     While the multimedia system has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for features, limitations, and/or components thereof to adapt to particular situations without departing from the scope of the inventive system. Therefore, it is intended that the system not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out the multimedia system, but that the system will include all embodiments falling within the scope and spirit of the following claims.