GB2229876A - Modular sound reproduction system - Google Patents

Abstract

A sound reproduction system comprising a series of modular units including a power unit for providing a power supply; an amplifier and control unit; at least one speaker; and at least one audio input means for taking a source of audio information and feeding the signals to the amplifier unit; in which each unit is housed in a substantially cuboid box having rectangular faces where two opposing faces have an area larger than the area of the other faces where the faces of largest cross-section of each respective unit is smaller; each unit being adapted, in use, to stand upright with its faces of largest cross-section substantially vertical so that the units may be placed in a row with adjacent vertical sides touching for storage; and with the units including means to lock them to an adjacent unit. <IMAGE>

Description

SOUND REPRODUCTION SYSTEM Field of the Invention The invention relates to a sound reproduction system which takes an input from a source of audio information and outputs sound from a speaker.

The majority of modern sound reproduction systems comprise stereophonic high fidelity systems, although the invention is equally applicable to monophonic and non-high fidelity systems.

Each sound reproduction system has to include at least one type of audio input unit which receives audio information from a source and outputs it to an amplifier unit. The audio input unit may typically comprise a record player where the source of audio information is a record, a tape player, a tuner or a compact disc player. The amplifier feeds signals to at least one loudspeaker which outputs sound.

There are two major types of sound reproduction systems. The first is the music centre where the amplifier unit, and at least one type of audio input unit, are all combined in one casing.

In some cases the speaker is also housed within the casing but in the majority of cases the speakers are separate and coupled to the music centre by wires.. Such a music centre is compact and all connections between the different units are also housed within the casing. However, this leaves no opportunity for adding further types of audio input units to the system.

The second form of sound reproduction system which is most popular at present is the rack system where each audio input unit and amplifier unit are provided in the form of modular units, each separately encased in a cuboid box having rectangular faces, where one pair of opposing faces has a much greater surface area than the other faces. The units are adapted to sit with the faces of the largest area substantially horizontal and the units are stacked in a rack system one upon the other for storage.

Again the speakers with such a system are usually arranged to sit at a position remote from the stack of units and are coupled to the rest of the units by wires.

The advantage of such a system is that the exact type of audio input unit can be chosen separately, and at any time the system can be added to by adding a further audio input unit. However, each of the audio input units and the amplifier need to be coupled to a power supply and each of the audio input units needs to be coupled to the amplifier unit. Also, where one audio input unit comprises a tape recorder and player, connections between the respective audio input units are also required. This means that before such a rack system can be used there is a lot of wiring that needs to be arranged, and these wires and jack plugs can be unsightly.

Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a sound reproduction system comprising a series of modular units including a power unit for providing a power supply; an amplifier and control unit; at least one speaker; and at least one audio input means for taking a source of audio information and feeding the signals to the amplifier unit; in which each unit is housed in a substantially cuboid box having rectangular faces where two opposing faces have an area larger than the area of the other faces where the faces of largest cross-section of each respective unit is similar, each unit being adapted, in use, to stand upright with its faces of largest cross-section substantially vertical so that the units may be placed in a row with adjacent vertical sides touching for storage.

Thus, the units of the sound reproduction system including the speakers can all be placed on a shelf in bookwise fashion where each of the units is arranged in use to stand upright. This allows for easy compact storage of the sound reproduction system. The units may include means to lock them to an adjacent unit but preferably the units are arranged such that adjacent faces of two units are interlocking so that the units can be locked together.

This may be in the form of a mortise or dovetail joint between two adjacent units. In this case preferably each unit has one male opposing face and one female opposing face, and the male opposing faces of all the units are substantially identical to one another, and the female opposing faces of each unit are substantially identical. This means that any unit may be interlocked with any other unit.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a sound reproduction system comprising a series of modular units including a power unit for providing a power supply; an amplifier and control unit; at least one speaker; and at least one audio input means for taking a source of audio information and feeding the signals to an amplifier unit; in which each unit is housed in a casing including at least two parallel opposing planar faces of substantially the same shape and size, in which those opposing planar faces of each unit are substantially identical so that, in use, the units may be arranged with their matching opposing planar faces in contact and aligned with one another; wherein each unit includes, extending from a first planar face, male connection means, and within the second planar face female connection means arranged to receive the male connection means from an adjacent unit such that when the two faces of two adjacent units are in contact the male and female connection means are operable to form a connection between the units for transfer of power and audio signals such that power may be fed from the power unit into all other units via said connection means and all audio signal transfers take place between units via said connection means with no further wiring between units being required.

Thus, in this case where the power unit is a battery power unit no wires are required to extend out of the compact mass of modular units, and in the case where the power unit is a mains supply unit only one connection is required from that power unit to the mains supply. This obviates the need for a mass of wires and jack plugs extending out of the casing of the units.

Preferably each unit includes means to receive signals from any other unit and feed signals and power to any second unit so that the arrangement of respective units can be varied without disturbing the operation of the sound reproduction means.

In a preferred embodiment a sound reproduction system is in accordance with both the first and second aspects of the invention where the matching opposing planar faces are substantially vertical in use.

The male connection means may comprise a series of plugs extending out of the first face of the unit where the female connection means comprises a series of sockets into which they fit merely by placing the two units together. However, the male connection means may be in the form of a rotatable or otherwise interlocking member which can rotate or move from a first position where the connection plugs do not extend out of the casing to a second position where they do extend out of the casing. In this case, the male connection means is not rotated until two adjacent units have been put into contact and then the male plugs are rotated into position. This prevents any damage to the plugs if that unit has not had a further unit placed in contact with it.

The modular units all have a similar shape but differ only in their thickness. This means that a test unit may be arranged which has one fixed end and a second slidable end which can be slid to vary the thickness of the slot into which a modular unit can be slid for test purposes.

The type of audio input means may comprise a tuner, a tape deck, a video player, compact disc, a gramophone. In most cases it is possible to arrange such units so that they, in use, stand upright. Many gramophones are arranged to sit horizontally but there are designs of gramophones where the record is played in a vertical position. Alternatively, the unit may include a pull down front so that a platen for supporting a disc may be pulled down in front of the casing to support the disc where a playing arm also folds down to play the record. After use the platen and record playing arm can be folded back into the casing and the front replaced.

Preferably the sound reproduction system also includes a number of units which generally are not included in a standard sound reproduction system. Such units may include a television; a housing for a remote control; a live music input unit; a timer unit; a graphic equalizer unit; a disco lights unit; a cassette storage unit; a compact disc storage unit; a telephone or telephone answering machine; a citizen band radio transceiver; shortwave radio; aerial module; a burglar alarm or a computer interface.

In the case where the power supply unit comprises a battery unit, the units may be arranged to be portable. In this case, preferably the sound reproduction system also includes detachable end carrying units which can be slid into position on the end unit and which each include a handle to allow portability of the system.

Clearly the system can be added to or varied at any time by the addition of further audio input units.

The units may have all the control buttons permanently visible or each unit may include a smoked black plastic hinged door to cover the buttons when not in use. Alternatively, the hinged door could be embossed with the type of unit reading down the unit so that it appears like the title of a book reading down its spine.

Brief Description of the Drawings An example of a sound reproduction system in accordance with both the first and second aspects of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the sound reproduction system; Figure 2 is a perspective view of one unit showing one form of interlocking face; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a unit showing an alternative form of interlocking face; Figure 4 is a front view of the power unit; Figure 5 is a back view of the power unit shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a front view of the amplifier and control unit; Figure 7 is the front view of a tuner; Figure 8 is a front view of a speaker; Figure 9 is a perspective view of the gramophone unit in use; Figure 10 is a front view of the gramophone unit of Figure 9; Figure 11 is a front view of a timer unit;; Figure 12 is a front view of a cassette tape player; Figure 13 is a front view of a cassette storage unit; Figure 14 is a perspective view of a test unit; Figure 15 is a front view of a compact disc player; Figure 16 is a front view of a graphic equalizer; Figure 17 is a front view of a battery power unit; Figure 18 is a front view of a housing for a remote controller; Figure 19 is a front view of a remote control unit; Figure 20 is a front view of a television unit; Figure 21 is a front view of a video recorder and player; Figure 22 is a front view of a live music input unit; Figure 23 is a front view of a disco lights unit; Figure 24 is a front view of an end carrying unit; Figure 25 is a perspective view of the unit shown in Figure 24; Figure 26 is a schematic perspective view of a unit including a front cover; and, Figure 27 is a detailed view of part of Figure 26.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments A sound reproduction system 1 comprising a set of modular units 3 which include a power unit 5, an amplifier unit 7, two speakers 9 and a number of audio input units 11 for taking a source of audio information and supplying a signal to the amplifier unit 7. Each units 3 is encased in a substantially cuboid box having two opposing substantially planar faces of largest cross-section and each unit is arranged to sit in use with the planar side of greater cross-section substantially vertical. In use the units are placed with the faces of largest area touching. In this way the units are arranged bookwise on a shelf as shown in Figure 1.

Each unit includes on opposing planar faces co-operating interlocking means so that the units can be locked together. In Figure 2 one form of interlocking surface is shown where one face includes a wedge-shaped projection 13 and the opposing face includes a dovetail socket 15 into which the wedge can be slid to lock the two opposing units together.

An alternative form of interlocking mechanism is shown in Figure 3 which comprises a mortise projection and socket 17 and 19.

Projecting from one of the faces of greatest area is male connection means 21 and on the opposing faces are matching sockets (not shown). In use a unit is placed adjacent a second unit with the male connection means 21 lying flush with the surface 23 as shown in Figure 2. Once the two units have been locked together screw 25 is rotated so that male connection means 21 enters the female connection socket to form a connection through which power and audio information may be fed. Each unit 3 includes means to extract the power required from power unit 5 and to feed appropriate information to amplifier 7.

Many different units may be placed into the system but each must have the appropriate male and female connection means so that power and audio information may be fed through the units to the speakers 9.

The system shown in Figure 1 shows a number of different types of audio input units 11. It includes a tuner 27 shown in more detail in Figure 7, a gramophone 29 shown in more detail in Figures 9 and 10 and a cassette/tape player 31 shown in more detail in Figure 12.

An additional unit 33 can be used to control all the audio input units and comprises a timer which is shown in more detail in Figure 11. A cassette storage unit 35 is shown in Figure 13 which does not need to receive or transmit any audio information. However, it includes male and female connectors so that information can be transferred via unit 35 from the cassette/tape player 31 to speaker 9. Two end units 37 protect the ends of the speakers 9.

Each of the units shown in Figure 1 will now be described in further detail.

Power Unit 5 The unit takes a power input and separates it into the channels required. A manual selection panel (Figure 4) shows the power input in use. Screw connections in the back (Figure 5) behind a facia panel allow connections to be made. A 13amp socket is included for easy connection as well as 110v, 12v and 24v sockets.

Cut outs will be incorporated to stop the incorrect connection from destroying the unit.

The mains unit will step down the power or step up to the required level for running the unit.

Amplifier and Control Unit 7 This incorporates: Power switch - used to power amplifier and audio input devices if connected.

Input selector switch - to ensure only one audio input enters amplifier, extra switch will be needed if live inputs are to be selected alongside other input modes.

Speaker selection switch - to select speakers A/B.

On line input display - this display to show which unit is selected as an input.

Controls - for volume, base, treble and balance. Normal base, treble etc to be routed via graphic equalizer when it is connected in.

L E D's - a) Timer - if the timer unit 33 is installed, this shows when the alarm or 'record' feature is selected.

b) Battery - battery unit is overruled by mains unit - if no mains - this light is on.

c) Fault - fault analysis in microprocessors is a common function and can be incorporated in this system to test all on line units.

d) Video - if TV is selected with video this light will come on.

e) Monitor - to monitor recording levels.

f) Remote - if remote controller is in use.

Fault tester - this sends pre-selected signals via dedicated signal routes to all units installed to detect faults.

Monitor switch - to monitor recording levels.

Diagnostic panel - to show up which unit has a fault by dedicated signals.

Remote panel - remote signal receiver - described later.

Headphones - jack plug for two headphones.

Tuner Unit 27 This radio is digital with two display panels. The unit incorporates: Wavelength display - green backed or grey backed digital display showing selected station. An option to clock revert can be incorporated. If a clock is incorporated a rechargeable battery can be built into the circuitry.

Waveband selectors - these buttons have two functions. Firstly press then punch in the required wavelength followed by an 'execute' button (possibly dual function of seek). Also these are used t6 select pre-select stations - 36 available, 9 or 10 for each waveband. An L E D shows each selected band.

Preset stations - as above, fixed into memory by dual function buttons (not shown which ones here).

Seek selectors - press to seek next station. Stops on strong signals for 3 seconds.

Scan selectors - to scan up and down or just to move up and down dial.

Directory - located behind a hinged panel, up to 200 stations can be input and stored in a directory of station wavelengths.

Front door is press to open and press to close.

The wavelengths available are from 150 KHZ up to 110 on the FM scale.

The directory has a facility for preset memory from itself directly.

The remote lamp shows when the remote unit is changing the stations. The remote overrides the manual functions.

Speakers 9 The speakers are necessarily smaller than normal stereo speakers but excellent quality can be obtained from this size speaker.

Two sizes of speaker can be used, the single being just a treble or a base unit, and the double a composite speaker system.

An L E D automatically comes on when the amplifier is on, and the speakers A or B are selected.

It is possible to include a second set of speakers (not shown) which can be selected as speakers B on the amplifier. These speakers are for use in a position remote from the rest of the system on the shelf and can either be hardwired to the rest of the system. Alternatively, signals may be sent to the speakers by a radio link.

Gramophone 29 A handle 37 is used to pull down the front 39 which provides a platen on which a record 41 may be supported and rotated.

The record 41 is rotated by a motor housed within the unit.

The playing arm 43 comes down onto the record from above.

A second playing arm (not shown) may be located below to play the reverse side when required and selected.

The unit incorporates: Power ON/OFF Switch - optional, as power comes from controller unit.

33/45 - speed selectors.

Playing arm - as discussed above.

Stroboscope - to set correct speed with thumbdial 45.

Timer 33 The timer unit 33 will have the ability to switch on any other unit as and when required. The edge connectors between each unit will include separate power lines for each unit, so in this case the timer must sit next to the mains unit and works by the selector switch sending power to the relevant module unit.

The unit incorporates: Digital clock - showing 12 or 24 hours as well as AM and PM.

Three time mode switches - to set the current time and the two possible alarm times.

Time and date control - press time 'once' then press 'mins' at the same time as the increment button. Same procedure for alarm 1 and 2. The date is a multi-function button, Selector - to select whether you wish to have the buzz, radio, compact disc etc to come on at a certain time.

Recording selectors (mode switches) - these buttons are pressed in conjunction with the time controls. A second function should be included to switch off a recording device. The date can also be included in the timing of recordings if required.

Automatic recording functions - to select what will be recorded and from which source.

Cassette Tape Player 31 The tape unit includes: The power switch is optional as all power comes from the control amplifier and unit 7, a lit up button shows status.

Play, record, fast forward, reverse, stop, eject and pause are incorporated.

Auto reverse function to play other side of tape when switched.

Search for next pause on tape.

Tape counter to be digital for precision.

Remote overrides manual functions.

The tape deck will also incorporate high speed dubbing from second tape. The timer has function to switch on tape for alarm or recording.

Cassette Storage Unit 35 This is a storage for 20 cassettes. A push button operates the 'open' and 'close' of both drawers. The signals from other modules will be transferred from one side to another, without being used, to give signal continuity.

Test Unit (Figure 14) Because the cross-section of the units are identical the units may be tested in a single test unit as shown in Figure 14. The unit includes a fixed part 47 and a sliding unit 49 so that the distance between the edges 47 and 49 may be varied. The modular unit can be slid between edges 47 and 49 for testing. The type of unit (number) is then input to the controls and a full diagnostic test takes place. Faulty units can be replaced off the shelf.

Further units which can be added on to the system are shown in Figures 15 to 23. These will now be described in further detail.

Compact Disc Player (Figure 15) This comprises: Power ON/OFF - optional as power will be supplied by the amplifier and control unit 7.

Open and close - to insert or remove the disc motorized door opening.

Sequencing - to choose the order of play or not to play tracks.

Fix - select number of track and fix.

Play/stop/pause - usual controls.

Skip - to move to next track or disc.

Timer - the timing unit will have input to switch on and off compact disc player as required for alarm purposes.

Remote - the remote overrides manual controls.

The unit has electronics like small compact disc players available on the market today.

Graphic Equalizer (Figure 16) This has a standard form apart from the male and female connection means.

Alternative Power Unit - Battery Unit (Figure 17) A pack of rechargeable batteries to enable the unit to be portable or for use in power outages.

This unit incorporates: Charged L E D - the unit will be automatically charged from the mains unit. Automatically selecting the charging rate for the amount of power used. This L E D shows full charge.

Charging L E D - during charge this L E D lights.

Battery levels - when disconnected, the red, yellow, green L E D's indicate battery power levels.

Remote Control Unit and Housing (Figures 18 and 19) The unit comprises a housing having mounted within a battery charger, and a pull-out table remote unit. The remote unit will have powerful controls to override all manual controls. It will be capable of controlling the controller sound controls; the tuner; the cassette player; the compact disc player; the gramophone; the video; the television; the disco lights and a computer interface.

It is not envisaged that the controller will be able to control the timer unit, the graphic equalizer or a shortwave radio transceiver.

The controls will be as shown in Figure 18.

Selectors - to select which input device the remote controller is to send signals to.

Video and tape - six controls for the normal tape functions.

Tape and compact disc - two controls dedicated to skip and search on these two units only.

Television - three controls for TV and are 'push' to increment channel selection.

All units - no selection required, volume for all units is from selector module - -as is balance. The tone controls are for base and treble increase and decrease.

Tuner - select and change stations not using pre-selects. A digital readout at present station is incorporated.

Vol levels - digital readouts for volume level of main amplifier.

Eight of the control switches on the remote control panel, namely the up/down controls are rocker switches (normal central position on release). All controls are slightly recessed to avoid damage when re-inserting the remote controller into its housing charger.

No computer interface controls are shown.

A low battery L E D visible when unit is in charger is also incorporated.

Television Unit (Figure 20) This unit comprises all the main controls on a standard TV set.

The unit can be tied into the timer and video for recording purposes.

An alternative form for the television would be to mount all controls in a unit for mounting on the shelf with a separate screen unit for mounting at a position remote from the rest of the system.

Video Recorder and Player (Figure 21) A basic video unit with all visual controls of a modern player.

The units can be VHS, Beta or umatic depending on requirement.

If three different units are included in one system, only one video can be input at one time. The unit contains no timing devices as the timing unit acts on its behalf.

Live Music Input Unit (Figure 22) This unit enables three separate live music inputs to be played via the amplifier. The output decibels will be low due to the compact size of the unit.

It comprises: Input jacks - the three input jacks can be used with microphones or direct from a musical instrument.

Controls for sound - normal turnbutton controls for the sound effects.

Parallel selectors - to enable a person to play along to music from another input source parallel selectors are incorporated.

Power switch ON/OFF Disco Lights Input (Figure 23) The disco lights are essentially music co-ordinated red, yellow, green and blue bulbs behind a hazy glass facia panel. They are purely for effect creating disco lights for a party or whatever.

The co-ordination electronics are in this unit, not from the selector module.

A dimmer switch may be incorporated.

The unit comprises: Glass panel - really a toughened plastic facia panel with faceted mouldings to spread light around.

Synchro L E D - to show that electronics are synchronized with music.

Remote L E D - shows when remote is being used.

Power switch ON/OFF - a requirement of this module to switch on and off An end/carrying unit is shown in Figures 24 and 25. This avoids unsightly ends with exposed connectors and protects the inner units. Each end unit includes a slot into which a handle may be fitted to allow portability of the system. Here there needs to be no connection to allow transfer of power or audio signals.

Figures 26 and 27 illustrate a variation of the units. In the figure a tuner is illustrated, although the variation is applicable to the other units. Here a door is attached to the front of the unit by a spring hinge. This door protects the buttons of the unit and can be decorated to give any desired effect. The doors could be a plain smoked glass or may have the name of the unit written on it so that the units have an appearance similar to books on a bookshelf.

Claims (10)

1. A sound reproduction system comprising a series of modular units including a power unit for providing a power supply; an amplifier and control unit; at least one speaker; and at least one audio input means for taking a source of audio information and feeding the signals to the amplifier unit; in which each unit is housed in a substantially cuboid box having rectangular faces where two opposing faces have an area larger than the area of the other faces where the faces of largest cross-section of each respective unit is similar; each unit being adapted, in use, to stand upright with its faces of largest cross-section substantially vertical so that the units may be placed in a row with adjacent vertical sides touching for storage; and with the units including means to lock them to an adjacent unit.

2. A system according to Claim 1 and in which the units are arranged such that adjacent faces of 2 units mortise or dovetail together.

3. A system according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 and in which the units incorporate means which, when the units are fitted together, act as power and/or signal transferring means from one unit to another.

4. A unit according to any of the preceding claims and in which the locking means and/or the power/signal transferring means take the form of rotatable male-female connections.

5. A system according to any of the preceding claims and characterized by the inclusion of a burglar alarm.

6. A system according to any of the preceding claims and characterized by the features that the system is portable and includes a carrying handle which -fits detachably onto one or more of the units of the system.

7. A sound reproduction system substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

8. A sound reproduction system substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.

9. A system according to Claim 7 or Claim 8 incorporating a handle substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 24 and 25 of the accompanying drawings.

10. A system according to any of Claims 7, 8 and 9 incorporating a cover substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 26 and Figure 27 of the accompanying drawings.