Patent Abstract:
An illuminating speaker assembly for use in the passenger compartment of a vehicle includes a flat panel speaker for converting electrical audio signals into sound waves. The flat panel speaker utilizes a light-permeable, sound-producing panel. A light source is positioned within the flat panel speaker for generating light that passes through the light-permeable, sound-producing panel.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates generally to audio/illumination systems, and more particularly to an illuminating speaker assembly for use in the passenger compartment of a vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is well known that automotive vehicles are commonly equipped with audio entertainment systems. In some cases, the audio system is simple in nature comprising, for example, an AM/FM radio and one or more speakers. However, late model vehicles including automobiles, SUVs, pickup trucks, and the like, more often than not are equipped with complex and elaborate audio entertainment systems which include, for example, an AM/FM radio, cassette tape player, compact disk player, and a plurality of loudspeakers mounted throughout the vehicle&#39;s passenger compartment in, for example, the dashboard, the headliner, the vehicle&#39;s doors, the vehicle&#39;s rear deck, etc. 
     In the past, such speaker systems utilized conventional loudspeakers of the type wherein pistonic motion of a diaphragm (i.e., a generally conical diaphragm moves as a rigid whole) is achieved by some method of transduction, e.g., electromagnetic, electrostatic, piezoelectric, etc. Such speakers are sometimes bulky, thus requiring that additional space be provided to accommodate their placement. In the case of door-mounted speakers, this could result in the necessity for doors thicker than would otherwise be required. Furthermore, the mounting of such speakers in the rear deck could result in a reduction of available trunk space. Finally, not only do traditional loudspeakers display variation in directivity with frequency, but also their sound performance is further degraded as a result of mounting them in undesirable locations such as the doors of a vehicle&#39;s passenger compartment. 
     In the early 1990s, it was discovered that panels acted as efficient sound radiators. This discovery found application in loudspeakers, which are now referred to as flat panel, distributed-mode loudspeakers (DML). The diaphragm or panel of a DML vibrates in a complex pattern over its entire surface. Close to the diaphragm, the sound field created by this complex pattern of vibration is likewise complex; however, at a short distance away, it takes on the far-field characteristics of DML radiation which closely approximates the directivity of a true point source, i.e., approaching omni directional. New Tranducers Ltd., now known simply as NXT, was a leader in developing distributed-mode loudspeakers. 
     It is also well known that vehicular passenger compartments are provided with interior illumination systems which may be manually turned on by a passenger when needed or which are automatically energized under certain conditions, for example, when one of the vehicle&#39;s passenger compartment doors is opened in a low ambient light environment. In this manner, a driver/passenger is provided sufficient light at night to enter a vehicle, get settled, and start the vehicle. Exemplary is the traditional dome light commonly mounted in an upper region of the passenger compartment&#39;s interior headliner. Such lights may also be positioned throughout the passenger compartment such as in other regions of the headliner, doors, sun visors, seats, etc. 
     While generally adequate for its intended purpose, the traditional dome light is simply a light. No means are generally provided for altering its color and intensity in order to create a desired atmosphere or ambiance. In addition, the need to provide interior lighting within the vehicle&#39;s passenger compartment presents automotive designers with a problem similar to one associated with providing interior speakers. That is, both interior speakers and interior lighting fixtures consume space, which in turn contributes to the overall size and weight of the vehicle. 
     In view of the foregoing, it should be appreciated that it would be desirable to provide an illuminating speaker assembly which eliminates the need for separate speaker and lighting fixtures within a vehicle&#39;s passenger compartment while at the same time improving and enhancing audio and lighting performance. Additional desirable features will become apparent to one skilled in the art from the foregoing background of the invention taken in conjunction with the following detailed description of a preferred exemplary embodiment and the appended claims. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, there is provided an illuminating speaker assembly for use in the passenger compartment of a vehicle which includes a flat panel speaker for converting electrical audio signals into sound waves. The flat panel speaker utilizes a light-permeable, sound-producing panel. A light source is positioned within the flat panel speaker for generating light, which passes through the light-permeable, sound-producing panel. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will hereinafter be described- in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements, and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a bottom view of an illuminating speaker assembly in accordance with a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the illuminating speaker assembly shown in FIG. 1 taken along line A—A; 
     FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary illuminating apparatus for use in the inventive illuminating speaker assembly shown in FIG.  1  and FIG. 2; and 
     FIG. 4 is a graphical representation of the inventive illuminating speaker assembly shown in FIG.  1  and FIG. 2 deployed as a dome light in a conventional motor vehicle. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The following detailed description of a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention is exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or its application or use. 
     Referring to FIG.  1  and FIG. 2, there is shown an illuminating speaker assembly  12  in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The illuminating speaker assembly includes a housing  14  which may be manufactured from any material that provides the necessary rigidity, e.g., metal, plastic, etc. Housing  14  is provided with an integral flange  18  around its periphery to which is coupled a mounting frame  20  manufactured from metal, plastic or any other material which provides appropriate support. 
     A light-permeable, flexible panel  22  (manufactured from, for example, acrylic, foam, or the like) is coupled to mounting frame  20  as, for example, by a cushioning coupler  24  which extends around the periphery of panel  22  and is attached thereto at  26 . Coupler  24  may be made of any material suitable for such purpose such as foam, rubber, plastic, etc. An opposite region of coupler  24  is similarly attached to mounting frame  20  at  28 . Thus, the structural cooperation of housing  14 , flexible panel  22 , mounting frame  20 , and coupler  24  form the enclosure  29  of a flat panel, distributed-mode loudspeaker. Positioned within enclosure  29  is an LED lighting system represented by light-permeable tubes  21 ,  23 , and  25 , each of which contains a plurality of LEDs  27 . This lighting system is more fully described hereinbelow in connection with FIG.  3 . 
     To complete the flat panel, distributed mode loudspeaker, an exciter assembly  31  having input terminals  33  is coupled to panel  22  by means of conic coupler  35  and drive rod  37 . While a variety of exciter technologies are available for energizing panel  22 , including piezoelectric transducers, a moving coil motor exciter is preferred. Flat panel, distributed panel loudspeakers are available from New Transducers Ltd, now known simply as NXT. 
     Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a simple block diagram representative of a Light-Emitting-Diode (LED) lighting system. It is well known that combining the light of one color with the light of another color will result in the creation of a third color. It is also well known that the primary colors—red, blue, and green—can be combined in different proportions to create many colors in the visible spectrum. To that end, FIG. 3 comprises an LED tube  30  that is electrically coupled to controller  32 . Tube  30  contains a plurality of red, blue, and green diodes positioned in a repeating pattern. That is, LEDs  34  are red, LEDs  36  are blue, and LEDs  38  are green. Tube  30  may contain, for example, thirty LEDs, ten of each color. The red LEDs  34  are activated to emit red light when an appropriate signal appears on output line  40  of controller  32 . In a similar fashion, blue LEDs  36  are energized over line  42 , and green LEDs  38  are energized over line  44 . 
     As already alluded to, controller  32  generates electrical signals over output lines  40 ,  42 , and  44 , which in turn control the intensity of light generated by the red, blue, and green LED groups, respectively. Controller  32  could simply include three potentiometers, each one for controlling the voltage on lines  40 ,  42 , and  44  and thus the intensity of the red, blue, and green light components to produce a desired composite color. By varying the voltages on lines  40 ,  42 , and  44 , the composite color emanating from tube  30  can be altered. Of course, three individual potentiometers could be incorporated into a single control device such as a track ball or joystick so as to permit the resultant color generated by LED tube  30  to be altered with a single adjustment. Finally, controller  32  may include a microprocessor thus resulting in a high-performance, computer-controlled, multicolored LED lighting system. 
     Multicolored LED lighting systems of the type shown and described in conjunction with FIG. 3 are known. One such system is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,016,038 entitled “Multicolored LED Lighting Method and Apparatus” issued Jan. 18, 2000 and assigned to Color Kinetics, Inc., the teachings of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     The resulting illuminating speaker assembly is particularly suitable for use within the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle as a replacement for the traditional audio speakers and dome light as is shown in FIG.  4 . As can be seen, an illuminating speaker assembly  46  is mounted in an upper portion or headliner region  48  of a motor vehicle&#39;s passenger compartment. While only a single illuminating speaker is shown, it should be clear that a plurality of illuminating speakers may be deployed as, for example, in the four corner regions of the headliner or in other places where audio speakers or interior lights are traditionally deployed. 
     From the foregoing description, it should be appreciated that there has been provided an illuminating speaker assembly which can replace the traditional automotive dome light and audio speakers. One or more of the illuminating speakers may be mounted within the passenger compartment at convenient locations; for example, in the headliner. Each speaker assembly includes a light-permeable panel that is backlit with groups of red, blue, and green LEDs. The intensity of each group may be manually or automatically controlled to vary the color of the resultant or composite light passing through the light-permeable panel into the passenger compartment; i.e., the user will be able to customize the color of the light to produce a desired effect. The light intensity may be modulated with the same audio signals which drive the speaker to produce a light pattern that follows the beat of the music. 
     While a preferred exemplary embodiment has been shown and described, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. For example, the shape of the illuminating speaker may be modified so as to be accommodated at its location of deployment. Additionally, while the preferred exemplary embodiment has been described as utilizing three LED tubes containing red, blue and green LEDs, it should be appreciated that any light source may be employed (e.g., LEDs of only two colors or even monochromatic light) without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     Thus, the above description is given by way of example only. One skilled in the art may make changes in form and details without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1