Abstract:
A low profile speaker system that can be inconspicuously mounted to the back of a flat panel display and provides an acoustical arrangements to create a full home theater surround sound experience while maintaining a compact enclosure footprint. The speaker system can be supported using a stand; the stand integral to the speaker system support architecture and supporting both the speaker system and flat panel television.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/865,531 filed Aug. 13, 2014 entitled LOW PROFILE FLAT PANEL SPEAKER SYSTEM. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The field of the invention is flat panel TV speaker systems. (or low profile speakers intended for use with flat panel TVs) 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Flat panel display technology has advanced quickly in recent years. The size of the panel has increased significantly, with eighty inch screens being common place. The integration of wireless technology, gaming functions, internet access and graphical user interface has become an expectation for consumers regarding flat panel displays. Flat panel televisions and home video entertainment equipment requires sound playback means. Often, the primary use of the flat panel is for home theaters. Consumers have become accustomed to high quality audio for entertainment with 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound and other digital signal processing technologies. For movies, consumers expect a home theater surround sound experience that mimics the actual theater experience. For gamers, the directionality of auditory signals within the gaming experience is a key aspect of the quality of the game. Listeners of both applications have indicated preferences for an immersive sound field. 
         [0004]    With an emphasis on thin low profile flat panel displays, it is difficult to provide acceptable sound quality with speakers built into the chassis of the flat panel display. An adequate audio system built into the flat panel chassis require substantial space for speaker drivers, electronics, venting and mounting. Integration of the audio system into the chassis defeats the purpose of the flat panel design and requires a thicker display chassis design. Audio system designers have employed the use of remote speakers, both wired and wireless to overcome this issue and create an acceptable audio listening experience with large thin flat panel display. However, remote speakers must be mounted or place throughout the room. There are usually multiple speakers that must be arranged throughout the room taking up floor space, which may not be aesthetically desirable, may not be desired in a small room and require special tuning and placement to achieve the desired audio effect. Thus, a need exist for a speaker system that produces a high quality surround sound listening experience, while being easily configured for use with a large flat panel display, wherein the speaker system does not require multiple speaker enclosures and is inconspicuously mounted in association with a flat panel display. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In order to overcome the limitations of the prior art it is an objected of the present invention to provide a slim, low profile speaker system that can be used with a flat panel display. It is a further object to provide a means for associating the speaker system with the flat panel display that is inconspicuous or that is aesthetically appealing. It is another object of the invention, to allow the system to be configured within an enclosure having electronics and acoustical arrangements that provide a full surround sound experience for listeners while maintaining a compact enclosure footprint. It is yet another object of the invention to provide a home theater audio system mounted to the back of a flat panel display that provides for forward facing audio speakers. It is yet another object of the invention to provide a remote user interface that offers remote user control of the acoustical parameters of the system to optimize the surround sound experience for the particular acoustical environment and listener applications. 
         [0006]    The present invention provides a relatively thin low profile speaker system that can be inconspicuously mounted to the rear of a flat panel display using the original flat panel mounting bolt holes intended for use to connect a wall mounting bracket. Standard bolts are used to anchor the speaker system of the current invention to the back of the flat panel display. Bolts are simply inserted through the speaker system in holes configured for alignment with the flat panel factory bold holes and securely tightened. The flat panel display with the speaker system bolted on is then supported by a based structure. The base structure may be the standard base provided with the display. Alternatively, the speaker system can be supported using a stand; the stand is integral to the speaker system support architecture and supports both the speaker system and flat panel television when the speaker system is bolted to the rear of the panel. This is done in a similar fashion as though the panel was simply attached to a base support without the inventive speaker. The stand will have a broad enough base for setting the attached low profile speaker system on a flat surface, and include an upright extension member for firmly securing the speaker system. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram showing one half of the interior of the enclosure of the inventive speaker system; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram showing the second half of the interior of the enclosure of the inventive speaker system; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective diagram showing the coupling configuration of the inventive speaker system and a flat panel display. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3B  is a perspective diagram showing the inventive speaker system and a flat panel display coupled. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is perspective diagram showing an expanded view of the forward facing speaker of the inventive speaker system mounted to a flat panel display. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5A  is perspective diagram showing the inventive speaker system mounted to a flat panel display using the factory base to support the coupled system. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5B  is perspective diagram showing the inventive speaker system mounted to a flat panel display using the speaker system tripod style stand. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is perspective diagram showing the inventive speaker system mounted to a flat panel display using the speaker system inserted style stand. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    The invention provides for a slim, low profile speaker system that can be used with a flat panel display. The flat panel speaker system allows mounting in a manner that is inconspicuous or otherwise aesthetically appealing manner while maintaining a full surround sound experience for listeners. A remote user is provided an interface that offers control of the acoustical parameters of the system to optimize the surround sound experience for the particular acoustical environment and listener applications. 
         [0016]    Example embodiments are described herein in the context of the disclosed novel speaker system. Those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the following description is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other embodiments will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure. Reference will now be made in detail to implementations of the example embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The same reference indicators will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or like items. 
         [0017]    Now with reference to the figures,  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . are schematic representation of two halves  12  and  14  of the enclosure  16  of the flat panel speaker system  10 . Each half  12  and  14  provide a housing for various system components. The shape of the enclosure  16  generally conforms to the shape of the flat panel television on which it is mounted and preferably the has a smaller perimeter dimension than that of the flat panel. This allows for concealment of the speaker system  10  when viewed from the front. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  shows the inventive speaker system  10  with the enclosure  16  with a back panel removed. The portion shown is of the flat panel mounting half  14  of the enclosure  16 . The enclosure  16  may comprise interior base or stand support  18  with bands or similar reinforcement frame structures (not shown) associated with those areas of the enclosure  16  where the speaker system is bolted to the flat panel and where the base is secured within the speaker system. This provide for additional support and strength when using a base mount stand  8  to provide support of the speaker system  10  and flat panel display when mounted. The base support  18  includes a base upright  20  that extends through the core of the enclosure  16 . The upright  20  is supported within the enclosure  16  by reinforced frame structure (not shown). It is contemplated that the reinforced frame support may be a slot where the base upright  20  may be inserted into enclosure  16  within a slot and groove configuration. 
         [0019]    In one embodiment of the current invention, at least one forward facing high frequency transducer  26  is mounted upon a adjustable sliding structure  24  that is integrated into the body of the  16  enclosure in a slot and groove configuration  22  similar to the base upright  20 . The sliding structure  24  can be raised and lowered to accommodate displays of different sizes. When the speaker system  10  is being stored or transported the structure  24  remains in an un-deployed position. When the speaker system  10  is mounted to the flat panel display the sliding structure  24  is deployed and raised such that the body of the sliding structure can be extend above the bezel edge of the flat panel display and fits optimally to a variety of display sizes. The forward facing speaker  26  provides for transmission of acoustic signals that are strongest at normal voice frequencies to optimize perception of dialog. 
         [0020]    Within the mounting half  12  of the enclosure  16 , also contained are various electrical components for operation of the audio functions of the system  10 . A power supply management module  28  provides electrical current to an amplifier  14  and an integrated circuit board  30  having a microcontroller  36 , memory  34  and signal processor  34 . A power supply management module  28 , which may be located within or be separate and connected by a wire to the enclosure  16 . As is known it the art, the system  10  is powered by any 110 volt or 220 volt standard power source and includes a power cord that may be plugged into any standard wall socket. The power management system  28  may allow users to select the preferable voltage level. Selection may be made through a switch associated with the power management module  28  or through the an on-screen display. The power management system  28  may also provide for a power socket to allow for direct plug in of the flat panel display. 
         [0021]    The power management system  28  may be associated with a heat sink  38  to provide for the dissipation or excess heat generated from the power management system  28  and electronics module  30 . It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the heat sink  38  by be configured in a variety of way or located within the enclosure  16  to maximize dissipation of heat. 
         [0022]    The electronics module  30  may be an integrated circuit board and include a microcontroller  36 , memory  34  and digital signal processor  34 . The electronics module  30  is associated with I/O connectors  40  that provide for audio inputs from of various know audio and video inputs and outputs that allow for the receipt and transmission of various know audio and video signals formats. The acoustic signal may be any analog or digital signal received from an independent audio source. Digital audio signal received from through the connectors  40  may be processed within a signal processor  32 . The digital signal processing subsystem  32  provides for processing acoustic signals to allow for a full sound stage imaging experience by acoustic and electronic manipulation using digital signal processing and applied psychoacoustic principles. 
         [0023]    The digital signal processing module  32  uses a number of known methods, including those discussed in U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/702,728 for processing acoustic signals intended for playback in a single speaker multi-drive surround sound system to allow for a full sound stage imaging and spatial acoustic experience of the listener when listening to the playback of recorded music or when listening to digital movie sound tracks. These methods include signal manipulation associated with Head Related Transfer Functions (HRTFs), Inter Aural Crosstalk (IAC) Cancellation, direct/unprocessed signal, and center channel level. The speaker system  10  is further comprised of an electronics module that is comprised of various know audio and video inputs and outputs that allow for the receipt and transmission of various know audio and video signals formats. The electronic module is further comprised of a digital signal processing subsystem for processing acoustic signals to allow for a full sound stage imaging experience by acoustic and electronic manipulation using digital signal processing and applied psychoacoustic principles. The acoustic signal may be any analog or digital signal received from an independent audio source. Many methods of digital signal processing and applied psychoacoustic principles are known. Many of these processes and principles are discussed in detail in U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/702,728 entitled Acoustic Surround Immersion Control System and Method, which is fully incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0024]    The electronics module  30  may include a transceiver and may be selectably be wired or in wireless communication with the flat panel display or other wireless devices, allowing the user to set preferred acoustic parameters such as the volume between the different frequency speakers or audio channels or use the system  10  as an audio output for other electronic devices. Any wireless standard may be used. The speaker system  10  controls may be represented as an on-screen display sound parameter scales. The user accesses the scales using a remote controller and the flat panel&#39;s on-screen display. The scales are presented to the user via the on-screen display when the user enters the configuration mode. The user adjusts the configurations of the various sub parameters using a single scale that runs from ‘−10’ to ‘+10’. The scale settings are set by the listener and adjusted for listener taste and the listening environment. The amount of processing required to achieve the desired audio effect varies greatly depending on room acoustics, audio media (music, gaming, movies), and listener preferences. 
         [0025]    In an alternative embodiment, the scale controls are embodied in a smart phone application. Current smart phones incorporate a Bluetooth® wireless function that allows for short range pairing and radio frequency communications of electronic devices. In the smart phone embodiment of the current invention, an application is downloaded to the phone. The application essentially allows the user to replace the flat panel&#39;s remote control with the smart phone to control the functionality of the speaker system. The speaker includes a Bluetooth® or other short range radio frequency capability and is paired to the Smartphone. 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  show the outer portion  44  of the enclosure  16 . The outer portion  44  may be secured to the inner mounting portion  12  using bolts, clips, or other know means. The outer portion  44  include a number of acoustic transducers and is configured to provide acoustic output that enhance acoustic sound stage imaging and the surround sound experience. 
         [0027]    The outer portion  44  of the enclosure  16  comprises a woofer enclosure  46  that allows for internal mounting of a low frequency woofer speaker  50 . The woofer  50  is generally configured within the enclosure  16  to face outward in a position normal to the longest edge of the plane of the mounted flat panel and is covered by a grate of strong mesh  48  to protect the woofer  50 . Directionality of the woofer  50  output is not of primary concern because the human ear is less discerning of the origin location of low frequency sounds. There are a number of flat low frequency speaker configurations which are known in the art that may be utilized to keep the profile of the speaker system  10  thin. 
         [0028]    The enclosure  16  may also include one or more ported chambers  54  where low frequency sounds resonate and are reverberated to escape through the port  54  at the exterior portion of the enclosure  16 , providing a deeper richer low frequency timbre without the need for an external subwoofer. The amplifier  14  may be associated with the woofer  50  to provide additional power to the woofer  50 . 
         [0029]    The enclosure  16  may further be divided into sub-enclosures  52  (in accordance with a number of main and surround channels) that act as acoustic volumes of space  56  for midrange transducers which are placed to allow their output to reach the listeners by first reflecting off of rear, side or ceiling surfaces of the listening room. In this manner, the digital signal processing methods discussed above are used to create a realistic surround sound experience. 
         [0030]    The transducers  42  are mounted in the enclosure  16  such that direction of audio transmission from the transducer is generally normal to the surface of the display Multiple transducers  42  might be used in an array to form a more wider sound field. transducers  42  may also be tilted to allowing for high frequency audio signals to be directed or reflected towards the listeners when viewing the display. Phase and amplitude management among the array elements may be used to create a more even or directed sound field. In some embodiments, speaker drivers  42  may be advantageous placed at the outer perimeter edge of the enclosure  16 , which may be beveled and may allow speaker mounting at various angles. The slope of the angles might vary to allow sound waves to be directed or to reflect off of the rear walls behind or the ceiling above the flat panel and otherwise direct the acoustic waveform to provide the listener with a more convincing and immersive sound image corresponding to a video image when viewing the flat panel display. Additional speaker placement design techniques may be use to enhance the directionality of specific speaker  42  frequencies. The enclosure  16 , sub-enclosures  52  and ports  54  may be vented along the beveled edge of the enclosure  16  or the rear panel to provide sound transmission to the exterior environment. 
         [0031]    The system  10  may also further comprise indicators such as LED lights of different colors, each color representing a different use state such as on, off, or configuration mode or wireless pairing modes. The system  10  may include a wireless communications means such as an infrared sensor for communication with a handheld remote control. It is contemplated that the forward facing high frequency transducers  26 , the LED indicators and infrared sensor might alternatively be placed in a small module outside the slide-able structure or may be separately configured to mount in any convenient manner. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  demonstrate the attachment of the speaker system  60  to the flat panel display  62 . In the embodiment shown, the flat panel  62  and speaker system  60  are supported by the stand  63  provided with the flat panel  62 . The flat panel  62  also incorporates bolt holes  67  intended to support wall mounting of the flat panel  62 . The speaker system  60  is mounted to the back side of the flat panel  62  by securing bolts  61  through the mounting holes  66  through the speaker system  60  and threaded into the flat panel bolt holes  67 . When mounted the forward facing speaker  64  is raised by means of the adjustable sliding arm  65  to fit over the edge of the flat panel  62 .  FIG. 4  shows the front side of the flat panel display  62  with an expanded view  70  of the forward facing speaker  64 . 
         [0033]    Now with reference to  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B and  6 , shown are various embodiments of the support system configurations of the flat panel.  FIGS. 5A and 5B  shows the speaker system  60  mounted to the flat panel display  62 . The conjoined system is supported using the factory flat panel supports  63 .  FIG. 5B  shows addition support provided by a retractable support member  74  that can be retracted from the speaker system  60  and lock at a preferred length by locking mechanism (not shown).  FIG. 6  shows yet a third embodiment for supporting the conjoined flat panel  62  speaker system  60 . The speaker system  60  includes a slot (not visible) whereby a base  76  is inserted to provide support. The base support  76  includes a base upright  78  that extends through the core of the speaker system  60 . The upright  78  is supported within the speaker system  60  by reinforced frame structure (not shown). It is contemplated that the reinforced frame support may be a slot where the base upright  78  may be inserted into speaker system  60  within a slot and groove configuration. The length of the upright  78  may be adjusted by any well know locking mechanism  80 . 
         [0034]    While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use the invention, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention. The present invention thus can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiment is to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description.