Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to the field of speakers, and more specifically to providing speakers that utilize their environment. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Speakers have been known and used for over 100 years and such speakers have used similar techniques of vibrating air to create sound waves that are picked up by a user&#39;s ear. A speaker&#39;s diaphragm is used in the “excitation” or vibration of the air and this is the primary method in creating sound waves. 
     A need exists for a more practical sound speaker. A need also exists for a more practical speaker that is easier to use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides methods to manufacture surface sound speakers and implementations of a surface sound speaker. Embodiments of the invention can be implemented in numerous ways. Two aspects of the invention are described below. 
     A first aspect of the invention is directed to a method to make a sound speaker. The method includes placing a speaker ring in a bottom enclosure of a speaker; attaching an exciter to the speaker ring in the bottom enclosure of a speaker; placing an exciter enclosure over the exciter and attaching the exciter enclosure to the exciter; placing one or more buttons and one or more LED diffuser rings near the top enclosure hole of the exciter enclosure; attaching an electronics substrate to the top of the exciter enclosure; installing at least one connector to the sound speaker to make an electrical coupling between electronics of the sound speaker to at least one source of electrical energy that can supply electricity to the electronics of the sound speaker; and attaching all the parts of the sound speaker together to make a complete unit. 
     A second aspect of the invention is directed to a sound speaker. The sound speaker includes at least one button to activate the sound speaker; a top enclosure providing user access to the button; a bottom enclosure to hold a screen and exciter and a plurality of batteries; an exciter enclosure; an electronics substrate and a source of electrical energy; a box for the exciter to produce sound vibrations. 
     A third aspect of the invention is directed to a method of making a sound speaker. The method of making a sound speaker includes placing a speaker ring in a bottom enclosure of a speaker; removing an adhesive sticker on an exciter to expose an adhesive surface on the exciter and attach it to the speaker ring in the bottom enclosure of a speaker; placing an exciter enclosure over the exciter and attaching the exciter enclosure to the exciter; placing one or more buttons and one or more LED diffuser rings near the top enclosure hole of the exciter enclosure; attaching an electronics substrate to the top of the exciter enclosure; and attaching all the parts of the sound speaker together to make a complete unit. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the following figures or drawings. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an isometric view of a sound speaker, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a top view of a top enclosure of a sound speaker, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates bottom view of a top enclosure of a sound speaker, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a bottom view of a bottom enclosure of a sound speaker, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a top view of a bottom enclosure of a sound speaker, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a top view of an exciter enclosure of a sound speaker, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a bottom view of an exciter enclosure of a sound speaker, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a top view of a box and sound speaker, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a bottom view of a box and sound speaker, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a top view of a top enclosure of a sound speaker, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a side view of a sound speaker, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a sectional view of a sound speaker, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates an exploded view of a sound speaker, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a flowchart to make a sound speaker, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a flowchart to make a sound speaker, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 16  illustrates an isometric view of a sound speaker, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 17  illustrates an isometric view of a sound speaker, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 18  illustrates an isometric view of a sound speaker, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of the inventions can be constructed from off-the-shelf components. In all of the embodiments disclosed below, different materials could be used for the sound speaker, including but not exclusively: various plastics, resins, papers, fabrics, plant fibers, ceramics, and metals. In the embodiments disclosed below, additional different materials could be used for the sound speaker, such as rayon, nylon, polyester, silk, cotton, wool, and other fabrics. The metal pieces would typically be made from a metal or some metal alloy, but could alternatively be made from other resilient materials, such as plastics, and other equivalent manmade materials. One embodiment of the invention can be also be used in addition to any personal electronics, including a MP3 player, an iPod Shuffle, a radio receiver, an optical disc player, a magnetic disc player, a cellphone, or an equivalent device. 
     One embodiment of the invention provides a sound speaker. A sound speaker is used to excite the surface it rests upon, instead of the air around it. The figures below will illustrate this surface sound technology by showing how the exciter creates sound waves from basic surfaces. Embodiments of this speaker can be packaged into small portable devices that are compatible with any smartphone or tablet with an audio port. One embodiment of the invention holds its own lithium battery supply for more portability and incorporates a simple on/off interface with corresponding LED&#39;s for display of power/charge status. 
     Various embodiments of the invention can utilize an exciter that is commercially available from the following manufacturer—HiWave, with corporate headquarters in Cambridge, UK, and the following US supplier—Parts Express, with corporate headquarters in Springboro, Ohio. 
     In various embodiments of any type of a sound speaker shown below, a display can be implemented by liquid crystal display (LCD), organic light emitting diode (OLED), light emitting diode (LED), or an equivalent display technology. In various embodiments, the display can display one or more of the following: battery charge level, estimated remaining battery life, sound intensity, clock time, and/or equivalent parameters. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a sound speaker, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 1  shows a LED diffuser  101 , a button  102  used to activate entire unit, a top enclosure  200 , a lip overhang  204 , a bottom enclosure  300 , and a circular cut-out  301 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a top view of a top enclosure of a sound speaker, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 2  shows a top hole  201  where a button (shown in  FIG. 1 ) and LED diffuser (shown in  FIG. 1 ) will be protruding, a cutout  203  where an audio jack (not shown) will protrude, and a lip overhang  204 . 
       FIG. 2  has various advantages. Using a three-legged shape, the enclosure is able to house three separate batteries (shown in  FIG. 13  as  702 ) instead of one large battery. In this way, the enclosure has a lower profile and incorporates more milli-ampere hours than similar portable resonator speakers. The symmetry of the enclosure also adds to the look and feel of the device while also providing a balanced weight that will sit on the exciter in order to minimize movement of the speaker on a surface due to excessive vibration. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates bottom view of a top enclosure of a sound speaker, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 3  shows a top hole  201 , a cutout  203 , posts  205  where fasteners will attach, posts  206  where small fasteners will attach, protruding sections  207  to prevent an LED diffuser (not shown) from rotating. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a bottom view of a bottom enclosure of a sound speaker, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 4  shows a bottom enclosure  300 , circular cut-outs  301 , a hole  302  cut out where an exciter (not shown) will protrude, a cutout  303  to allow an audio jack (not shown) to be exposed, and bottom feet  304 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a top view of a bottom enclosure of a sound speaker, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 5  shows a hole  302  cut out where an exciter (not shown) will protrude, a cutout  303  to allow an audio jack (not shown) to be exposed, posts  305  to secure the position of an enclosure (not shown) for the exciter (not shown), binding posts  306  with holes for attachment to fasteners (not shown), a lip  307  to keep an exciter (not shown) at an optimum height, an increased volume  308  for holding weights (not shown) for optimum weighting for sound amplitude and clarity, and a circular slot  309  for a screen ring (not shown) to be inserted into the bottom surface. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a top view of an exciter enclosure of a sound speaker, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 6  shows an exciter enclosure  400 , holes  401  for fasteners (not shown), a hole  402  for an exciter (not shown), and an arch  403 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a bottom view of an exciter enclosure of a sound speaker, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 7  shows an exciter enclosure  400 , holes  401  for fasteners (not shown), a hole  402  for an exciter (not shown), and a ring  404 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a top view of a box and sound speaker, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 8  shows an entire speaker component  600  and a box  800  used a speaker for an exciter (not shown). 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a bottom view of a box and sound speaker, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 9  shows an entire speaker component  600 , an exciter  704 , and a box  800  used a speaker for the exciter  704 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a top view of a top enclosure of a sound speaker, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 10  shows a LED diffuser  101 , a button  102  used to activate entire unit, and a top enclosure  200 . 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a side view of a sound speaker, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 11  shows a top enclosure  200 , a bottom enclosure  300  and an exciter  704 . 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a sectional view of a sound speaker, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 12  shows a LED diffuser  101 , a button  102  used to activate entire unit, an exciter enclosure  400 , an electronics substrate  701 , batteries  702 , an exciter  704 , an optional screen ring  705 , and an optional screen  706  used to keep dirt out of the component. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates an exploded view of a sound speaker, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 13  shows (starting from the top) a top enclosure  200 , a LED diffuser  101 , a button  102  used to activate entire unit, an electronics substrate  701 , small fasteners  703  to attach the electronics substrate  701  to the top enclosure  200 , batteries  702 , an exciter enclosure  400 , and exciter  704 , a screen ring  705 , a screen  706  held by the screen ring  705 , and a bottom enclosure  300  with a cut-out  303  for an audio jack (not shown), and large fasteners  707  to attach the bottom enclosure  300  to the top enclosure  200 . 
     One embodiment of the invention would incorporate the components of  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 13 . The components are tabulated below.
       600 —Entire speaker component.     101 —LED diffuser used to allow LEDs on printed circuit board  701  to emit light through and give off a glowing ring on top surface  200 .     102 —Button used to activate entire unit.     200 —Top enclosure where button  102 , LED diffuser  101 , printed circuit board  701  are secured to by fasteners  703 .     201 —Top hole where button  102  and LED Diffuser  101  will be protruding through.     203 —Cutout where audio jack on printed circuit board  701  will be protruding through.     204 —Lip overhang to resemble the front end of a car.     205 —Posts where large fasteners  707  will be attached.     206 —Posts where small fasteners  703  will be attached.     207 —Protruding sections to prevent LED diffuser  101  from rotating.     300 —Bottom enclosure used to hold screen screen  706 , screen ring  705 , exciter  704 , exciter enclosure  400 , and batteries  702 .     301 —Circular cut-outs to fit fasteners  707  and secure bottom enclosure  300  to top enclosure  200 .     302 —Hole cut out where an exciter  704  will protrude.     303 —Cutout on bottom enclosure  300  to allow an audio jack on an electronics substrate  701  to be exposed.     304 —Bottom feet on bottom enclosure  300  to allow for a slight elevation.     305 —Posts used to secure the position of an exciter enclosure  400 .     306 —Binding posts and holes used to allow fasteners  707  to attach an electronics substrate  701  and attach a bottom enclosure  300  to a top enclosure  200 .     307 —Lip used to keep exciter  704  at an optimum height for sound clarity.     308 —Increased volume in bottom surface  300  to attain an optimum weight for sound amplitude and clarity.     309 —Circular slot for screen ring  705  to be inserted into bottom surface  300       400 —Exciter enclosure used to house an exciter  704  and attach a bottom enclosure  300 .     401 —Holes in the exciter enclosure.     402 —Hole in the exciter enclosure.     403 —Arch in the exciter enclosure.     404 —Ring in the exciter enclosure.     701 —Printed circuit board     702 —Batteries     703 —Small fasteners used to secure printed circuit board  701  on to posts  206  on top surface  200 .     704 —Exciter used to resonate surface it comes into contact with.     705 —Screen ring used to hold screen  706 .     706 —Screen used keep dirt out of component.     707 —Large fasteners used to secure bottom enclosure  300  onto posts  205  on top enclosure  200 .     800 —box or surface used as speaker to exciter.   

     In one embodiment, the sound signal is carried by one wire, and the electrical ground is carried by two wires. In another embodiment, simply two wires (one wire for the sound signal and one wire for ground) are used. In alternative embodiments more signal wires can be used. In one embodiment, there is a controller module that has an on-off switch and a charger port for charging a plurality of internal batteries. 
     One embodiment of the invention receives a sound from any device (e.g., such as the iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad, Android, a PC, or an equivalent). Many apps created by third parties are available to utilize these signals. Various embodiments of the invention can utilize compelling interfaces and fun, useful apps for people to interface their sound signals to technology. 
     The energy source in various embodiments can be one or more batteries, a photovoltaic electrical module, an electrical recharger, or some other equivalent electrical energy source with a capacity for supplying an appropriate amount of voltage and current. One embodiment of the invention uses one or more electrochemical batteries (e.g., lithium ion batteries, typically rated at 3.6 volts under normal conditions and 4.2 volts when fully charged, or other equivalent electrochemical batteries, either single charge or rechargeable, or other equivalent power sources). Most of the electrical power provided by such batteries will be used for supply power to operate the electronics. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates a flowchart to make sound speaker, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The method starts in operation  1402 . Operation  1406  is next and includes placing a speaker ring in a bottom enclosure of a speaker. Operation  1408  is next and includes attaching an exciter to the speaker ring in the bottom enclosure of a speaker. Operation  1410  is next and includes placing an exciter enclosure over the exciter and attaching the exciter enclosure to the exciter. Operation  1412  is next and includes placing one or more buttons and one or more LED diffuser rings near the top enclosure hole of the exciter enclosure. Operation  1414  is next and includes attaching an electronics substrate to the top of the exciter enclosure. In one embodiment, the electronics substrate also has one or more displays to display estimated remaining battery life, sound intensity, clock time, and/or other equivalent parameters. Operation  1416  is next and includes installing at least one connector to the sound speaker to make an electrical coupling between the electronics of the sound speaker to at least one source of electrical energy that can supply electricity to the electronics of the sound speaker. The source of electricity would be a plurality of batteries in one embodiment of the invention. Operation  1418  is next and includes attaching all the parts of the sound speaker together to make a complete unit. The method ends in operation  1420 . In an alternative embodiment, an additional operation precedes operation  1406 . Operation  1404  includes attaching a speaker screen material to a speaker ring. 
       FIG. 15  illustrates a flowchart to make sound speaker, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The method starts in operation  1502 . Operation  1508  is next and includes placing a speaker ring in a bottom enclosure of a speaker. Operation  1510  is next and includes removing an adhesive sticker on an exciter to expose an adhesive surface on the exciter and attach it to the speaker ring in the bottom enclosure of a speaker. Operation  1512  is next and includes placing an exciter enclosure over the exciter and attaching the exciter enclosure to the exciter. Operation  1514  is next and includes placing one or more buttons and one or more LED diffuser rings near the top enclosure hole of the exciter enclosure. Operation  1516  is next and includes attaching an electronics substrate to the top of the exciter enclosure. In one embodiment, the electronics substrate also has one or more displays to display estimated remaining battery life, sound intensity, clock time, and/or other equivalent parameters. Operation  1518  is next and includes attaching all the parts of the sound speaker together to make a complete unit. The method ends in operation  1520 . In an alternative embodiment, this method includes two additional operations before operation  1508 . Operation  1504  follows operation  1502  and includes cutting out a circular screen from speaker screen material. Operation  1506  is next and includes attaching the speaker screen material to a speaker ring. 
       FIG. 16  illustrates an isometric view of a sound speaker, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 16  shows an entire speaker component  600 . 
       FIG. 17  illustrates an isometric view of a sound speaker, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 17  shows an entire speaker component  600 . 
       FIG. 18  illustrates an isometric view of a sound speaker, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 18  shows an entire speaker component  600 . 
     Other embodiments of the invention are possible. For example, the sound speaker could be composed of several laminations of various materials for different applications. Another embodiment of the invention could provide multiple adjustable connectors to accommodate different sizes and lengths of electronics, energy sources, and cords. 
     The exemplary embodiments described herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting. Therefore, those skilled in the art will recognize that other embodiments could be practiced without departing from the scope and spirit of the claims set forth below.

Technology Category: 5