GB2465039A

GB2465039A - Apparatus for producing sound in a bath through a wireless connection

Info

Publication number: GB2465039A
Application number: GB0907040A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan James Clarke
Original assignee: Ei Whirlpools & Spas Ltd
Current assignee: Ei Whirlpools & Spas Ltd
Priority date: 2008-11-04
Filing date: 2009-04-24
Publication date: 2010-05-12
Anticipated expiration: 2029-04-24
Also published as: GB0907040D0; GB0820186D0; GB2465039B

Abstract

Apparatus (101) for producing sound having one or more transducers (1071 108) suitable for attaching to a bathtub (201), and a radio module (102) for connecting the apparatus wirelessly to a mobile audio device (104).

Description

Apparatus For Producing Sound

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from United Kingdom Patent Application No. 08 20 186.5, filed 04 November 2008, the whole contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to apparatus for producing sound and a method of producing sound.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for producing sound comprising at least one transducer suitable for attaching to a bath, and wireless connection means for connecting said apparatus to a mobile audio device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of producing sound comprising: transmitting signals wirelessly from a mobile audio device to a receiving apparatus located within a bathroom; and processing received signals to generate audio electrical signals; and supplying said audio electrical signals to a transducer mounted on a surface within said bathroom, so that said transducer causes said surface to emit sound.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for producing sound comprising: a radio receiver for receiving radio signals, and processing said radio signals to generate audio signals; an amplifier for amplifying said audio signals; and at least one exciter suitable for attaching to a bath and for generating acoustic vibrations in response to receiving audio signals from said amp'ifier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows apparatus 101 embodying the present invention; Figure 2 shows a bath 201 in cross-section, with the apparatus 1 01 fitted to produce sound in the bath; and Figure 3 shows the bath 201 in a bathroom 302, with the apparatus 1 01 fitted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 Apparatus 101 embodying the present invention is shown schematically in Figure 1.

The apparatus 1 01 comprises a radio module 1 02 configured to receive radio waves via an antenna 1 03. In the present embodiment the radio module 102 is configured to provide wireless communication with a remote device 104 using Bluetooth� and therefore it provides communication over radio waves in the ultra high frequency (UHF) band. As with other Bluetooth systems, the communication takes place using a frequency hopping technique, thereby avoiding problems of interference from other similar systems, etc. Typically, the remote device 104 is a Bluetooth enabled mobile phone incorporating an MP3 player. Thus, during operation the radio module 102 typically receives radio signals defining digital audio signals, such as those transmitted by a remote device 1 04. On receiving such a signal, the radio module demodulates and decodes it to generate a digital audio signal. The digital audio signal is further processed by a digital to analogue converter 105, which provides an output to an audio amplifier 106. In the present embodiment, the apparatus provides stereo sound, and the digital to analogue converter receives two digital signals, which it processes to produce a pair of analogue audio signals for the amplifier 1 06.

It should be understood that the radio module 102 is a transceiver because, as well as receiving signals from remote devices such as device 1 04, it also transmits signals in order to establish pairing with such a device.

The apparatus 1 01 further comprises a pair of transducers 1 07 and 1 08 for generating acoustic vibrations in response to receiving audio signals. In the present embodiment the transducers are exciters of a type that is known for providing acoustic vibrations in panels to generate audible sound. In the present embodiment, the transducers are a 32mm voice coil sprung suspension based exciter, having an impedance of 4 ohms and a power rating of 1 5 watts. The transducers are each electrically connected to a respective output of the amplifier 106.

The amplifier 106 is configured to amplify the audio signals received from the digital to analogue converter and provide an amplified audio signal to each of the two exciters 107, 108.

The apparatus 101 further comprises a transformer 109 configured to receive mains electricity, i.e. 240 volts a.c. (alternating current), and provide a 1 2 volts d.c. (direct current) supply to other components of the apparatus, such as the radio module 102, digital to analogue converter 105 and amplifier 106. (In order to simplify the diagram of Figure 1, connections from the transformer 1 09 are not shown.) As it is intended that the apparatus 1 01 be located in a wet environment, such as a bathroom or shower room, the transformer is supplied via a residual current circuit device (RCCD) 110.

The apparatus 1 01 further comprises a controller 111, comprising a microcontroller, for controlling operations of the apparatus 1 01, and a control panel 11 2 electrically connected to the controller 111. The controller 111, transformer 109, radio module 102, digital to analogue converter 1 05 and amplifier 1 05 are all located within a waterproof control box 11 3. The control panel 11 2 also has a waterproof outer casing, and includes an array of electrical devices 114.

In the present embodiment, the electrical devices 114 of the control panel 11 2 include and on/off button 11 5 to enable a user to manually switch off and on the apparatus 1 01. The control panel 11 2 also has volume control buttons 11 6 and 11 7 enabling a user to manually increase and decrease the volume of sound produced by the apparatus 1 01. An indicator light 11 8 is provided on the control panel 11 2, which illuminates to indicate when the radio module has formed a pairing with a device such as device 1 04.

It is envisaged that the apparatus 101 may form a part of an apparatus that also powers and controls electrical equipment associated water-flow in a whirlpool bath. Consequently, the control panel 11 2 also has a function-switching button 11 9 that allows the volume control buttons 11 6 and 11 7 to also be used for controlling water flow rates.

Components relating to the control of water flows in a bath are not shown in Figure 1, but advantageously they may share the waterproof box 11 3 and also operate under power received from the transformer 109.

Figure 2 A bath 201 is shown in cross-section in Figure 2, with the apparatus 101 fitted to produce sound in the bath. The bath in the present example is formed of acrylic, but other plastic or glass reinforced plastic (GRP) baths may successfully be used.

The control box 113 is located below the bath 201 and is hidden from users of the bath by a bath panel 202 fitted to the side of the bath. The control panel 11 2 is fixed to the bath panel 202, and a hole drilled in the panel allows electrical cable 203 to connect the control panel 11 2 to the box 11 3.

The exciters 1 07 and 1 08 are located on the outside surface of the bath on its left side and right side respectively. The exciters are located on the upper half of the sides of the bath, and preferably about % of the way up the sides from the bottom of the bath.

The exciters 1 07 and 1 08 are not attached directly to the bath but instead they are fixed to pads 204 and 205 that are themselves attached to the bath. The pads are formed of a plastics material. In the present embodiment, the pads are moulded in. ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) but in an alternative embodiment they are turned from nylon. The pads are provided with a suitable thread for connection with the exciters.

Thus, to mount the exciters on the bath, the pads 204 and 205 are attached to the bath by a suitable adhesive, such as a silicone rubber compound. The exciters 1 07 and 1 08 are then attached to the pads 204 and 205 by means of the co-operating screw threads provided on the exciters and pads.

As an alternative to using the pads 204 and 205 it is also possible to attach the exciters to the bath by hook and loop fasteners (such as Velcro). Thus, a patch of material defining hooks may be fixed to the bath and a patch of material defining loops may be fixed to the exciter. The exciter is then stuck on the bath by means of the hook and loop connection.

It has been found that the use of the pads or hook and loop connector between the exciters and the bath prevents unwanted vibrations between the exciter and bath from being produced, that occur when the exciters are applied directly to the bath.

Figure 3 The bath 201, with the apparatus 1 01 fitted, is shown in a bathroom 302 in Figure 3. As shown in Figure 3, the only part of the apparatus 1 01 that is visible in ordinary use is the control panel 11 2 that is mounted on the bath panel 202.

A user 301 of the apparatus 1 01 is shown operating the remote device, i.e. mobile phone, 104 in a room 303 adjacent to the bathroom. As the mobile phone 1 04 is sufficiently close to the radio module 1 02 of the apparatus 1 01, the two devices (1 04 and 103) are able to communicate by Bluetooth, without the phone 104 being brought into the bathroom. Thus, the mobile phone 1 04 may be kept in the relatively dry conditions of room 303.

As with other known Bluetooth arrangements, the device 1 04 must pair with the apparatus lOt to form a Bluetooth connection.

Typically, on first use of the system, the user 301 provides inputs to her device 1 04 firstly to ensure its Bluetooth connectivity is activated, and then to search for audio devices, i.e. the apparatus 1 01.

When the apparatus 101 is detected, the remote device 104 prompts the user 301 to provide a predefined code number, or passkey, of the apparatus 1 01. The user manually inputs the code number into the device 104 using its keypad and the code number is transmitted to apparatus 1 01. On receipt of the correct code number, the apparatus 101 allows and a personal area network is established.

The user is then able to play MP3 files stored on her device 104 by transmitting audio data via the Bluetooth connection to the apparatus 101.

The transmitted audio is subsequently received by the radio module 102 and processed as described above, resulting in the exciters 107 and 1 08 being driven by the amplifier 1 06. Thus, the bath 201 itself is caused to emit sound and effectively become a speaker for the mobile phone 104.

Having established the Bluetooth connection the user may leave the remote device 104 in the relatively dry room 303 and it never becomes necessary to bring it into the bathroom where it may become damaged by moisture. The user is then free to enter the bathroom, possibly have a bath and listen to the sound emitted from the bath. If the volume of the sound requires adjustment, or if the sound is no longer desired and is to be turned off, this may be done using control panel 11 2. The volume of sound emitted by the bath is also controllable by providing user inputs to the remote device 104. This facility is useful when the user is not using the bath but still wishes to play music.

As it is necessary for a user to know the predefined code number of the apparatus 101, in order to pair their device with the apparatus, use of the apparatus 101 may be restricted. Thus, for example, it is envisaged that the apparatus 101 may be located in a bathroom of a hotel room, and access to the use of the apparatus may be provided to an occupant of the room by providing them with the code number.

In the above described example, the apparatus 101 is fitted to a bath, but it should be understood that the exciters may be attached to other types of panel that may be made to vibrate and emit sound. As the apparatus 101 is made for use in wet environments, such as a bathroom, it is envisaged that it will be used in shower rooms, saunas, wet rooms and so on.

In the described example, the remote device 1 04 transmits signals to the apparatus 101 derived from stored MP3 files. However, audio data generated by other means may be transmitted to the apparatus 1 01. For example, where the remote device 1 04 has a built in FM radio receiver, the audio signals derived from the FM radio signal may be suitably coded and retransmitted to the apparatus 101 by the UHF (Bluetooth) wireless connection.

In the present embodiment, the apparatus 101 has a pair of exciters 1 07, 1 08, but a simpler embodiment is also envisaged that only has one exciter and produces a mono sound.

Claims

Claims 1. Apparatus for producing sound comprising at least one transducer suitable for attaching to a bath, and wireless connection means for connecting said apparatus to a mobile audio device.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wireless connection means is configured to receive radio signals defining digital audio signals.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said radio signals are transmitted over a band of frequencies using a frequency-hopping technique.
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein said radio signals are transmitted within an ultra high frequency radio band.
5. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said apparatus comprises an amplifier configured to amplify a signal received from said wireless connection means, and provide said amplified signal to said at least one exciter.
6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said apparatus comprises a controller configured to power-up said amplifier when said wireless connection means connects said apparatus to a mobile audio device.
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein said apparatus comprises a control panel, that is separate to said mobile audio device, for controlling said amplifier.
8. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said transducer is attached to a bath.
9. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said apparatus is configured such that connection to said apparatus is established by the exchange of a code number or passkey.
1 0. A method of producing sound comprising: transmitting signals wirelessly from a mobile audio device to a receiving apparatus located within a bathroom; and processing received signals to generate audio electrical signals; and supplying said audio electrical signals to a transducer mounted on a surface within said bathroom, so that said transducer causes said surface to emit sound.
11. A method of producing sound as claimed in claim 1 0, wherein said transmitted signals comprise radio signals defining digital audio signals.
1 2. A method of producing sound as claimed in claim 11, wherein said radio signals are transmitted over a band of frequencies using a frequency-hopping technique.
13. A method of producing sound as claimed in claim 11 or claim 1 2, wherein said radio signals are transmitted within a ultra high frequency radio band.
1 4. Apparatus for producing sound comprising: a radio receiver for receiving radio signals, and processing said radio signals to generate audio signals; an amplifier for amplifying said audio signals; and at least one exciter suitable for attaching to a bath and for generating acoustic vibrations in response to receiving audio signals from said amplifier.
1 5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 4, wherein said radio signals are transmitted over a band of frequencies using a frequency-hopping technique.
1 6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 4 or claim 1 5, wherein said radio signals are transmitted within an ultra high frequency radio band.
1 7. Apparatus for producing sound substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying Figures.
18. A method of producing sound substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying Figures.