GB2510649A

GB2510649A - Portable audio processing apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2510649A
Application number: GB201304283A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Mathew Cocksedge; Joana Albergaria Gomes Pinho
Original assignee: PAUL COCKSEDGE STUDIO Ltd
Current assignee: PAUL COCKSEDGE STUDIO Ltd
Priority date: 2013-03-11
Filing date: 2013-03-11
Publication date: 2014-08-13
Anticipated expiration: 2033-03-11
Also published as: GB201304283D0; GB2510649B

Abstract

A portable audio processing apparatus (10) has a housing (12) comprising: at least one input for receiving an audio signal from an audio source; at least one output for outputting a received audio signal; and ideally an on-board amplifier with on-board power source for amplifying the received audio signal. The output(s) is adapted to allow direct connection of the apparatus to at least an existing standalone speaker. The input(s) may include a wireless receiver. An input socket, such as a micro-USB socket (20), may be provided to allow connection of the audio source by way of an input cable (26). The output preferably comprises a cable with speaker wire terminals at one end and a 3.5mm jack (22) at the opposing end, allowing the apparatus to connect directly to the existing speaker(s). The apparatus may include attachment means, comprising a metallic disc (48) adhesively attached to a speaker and a corresponding internal magnet installed within the apparatus housing. Claims to a kit of parts and a method are also disclosed. The apparatus may provide connection between audio storage devices, such as smartphones or MP3 players, to existing speakers.

Description

Intellectual Property Office Applicathin No. GB13042533 RTN'II Dac:%OJmiuary2OI4 The following terms are registered trade marks and should he rcad as such wherever they occur in this document: Bluetooth Inlelleclual Property Office is an operaling name of the Pateni Office www.ipo.gov.uk Portable Audio Processing Apparatus The present invention relates to portable audio processing apparatus, particularly, but not exclusively, portable audio processing apparatus for directly connecting an audio storage device such as a smartphone or mp3 player to existing standalone speakers. The apparatus may also be connected to existing speakers via an amplifier of an existing audio system.

In recent years there has been a significant increase in the use of mobile devices such as mp3 players and smartphones to store audio files (often including both spoken-word and music). Existing audio systems typically allow the headphone jack of such storage devices to be plugged directly into e.g. phono connectors of the system to allow audio to be played through its amplifier and out through its existing speakers; however, this is not always convenient. For this reason, there has been an increased tendency in recent years for consumers to use integrated docking stations" which typically connect with, charge and play audio from the storage device on speakers which are integrated into the docking station.

Many such docking stations are relatively small and are designed with portability in mind; however, the quality of audio playback is often very poor due to weight, cost and dimension limitations. Higher quality docking stations are available; however, these are rarely portable and are often very expensive.

Portable wireless speakers, such as those with "Bluetooth" capability, are also widely available; however, again the quality of audio playback is often very poor due to weight, cost and dimension limitations.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided portable audio processing apparatus comprising a housing having at least an input for receiving an audio signal from an audio source, and at least an output for outputting a received audio signal, wherein the or each output is adapted to allow direct connection of the apparatus to at least an existing standalone speaker.

The apparatus preferably further comprises an on-board amplifier for amplifying said received audio signal and wherein the on-board amplifier is further provided with an on-board power source capable of providing driving power to said existing speaker by way of said on-board amplifier.

The on-board power source may comprise at least a lithium battery.

The or each input may comprise a wireless input module adapted to allow a source signal to be wirelessly received by the apparatus from an audio signal source. The wireless input module may comprise a receiver having Bluetooth capability.

Alternatively, or additionally, the or each input may comprise an input socket adapted to allow the audio source to be plugged into the apparatus by way of an input cable. The input socket may comprise a micro-USB socket. Optionally, the input cable may comprise a cable having a 3.5mm jack at one end and a micro-LJSB jack at its other end.

The output may comprise speaker wire terminals which allow the apparatus to connect directly to the or each existing speaker in order to output the received audio signal directly to the or each existing speaker. Alternatively or additionally, the output may comprise an output socket adapted to allow the apparatus to be plugged into an existing speaker and I or an amplifier of existing audio equipment by way of an output cable. Optionally, the output cable may comprise a 3.5mm output jack at one end and at least a pair of speaker terminal wires at its other end.

The apparatus may also be provided with attachment means adapted to allow the apparatus to be selectively secured to a speaker or other body. The attachment means may comprise a metallic disc provided with an adhesive backing layer such that the disc may be adhesively attached to the speaker or other body and, the housing of the apparatus may be provided with an internal magnet in order to allow the apparatus to be magnetically connected to said disc and hence said speaker or other body. The metallic disc may be provided with a resilient layer such as a protective foam layer.

An activity indicator may be provided in order to communicate the status of the apparatus to a user. The activity indicator may comprise a Light Emitting Diode.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit of parts comprising a portable audio processing apparatus of the first aspect, at least an input cable adapted to connect an input of the apparatus with the audio source, and at least an output cable adapted to connect an output of the apparatus with at least an existing standalone speaker.

The kit of parts may further comprise a selection of cables having different formats of connectors on either end thereof.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of transmitting audio from an audio source to at least an existing standalone speaker, the method comprising providing a portable audio processing apparatus according to the first aspect and directly connecting the output of the apparatus to at least an existing standalone speaker.

Further features and advantages of the first, second and third aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams, in which:-Fig. 1 is a front view of portable audio processing apparatus according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a rear view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3A is an illustration of an optional input cable utilised to connect the apparatus to an audio source; Fig. 3B is an illustration of an example output cable utilised to connect the apparatus to a speaker; Fig. 4A is an illustration of a first configuration where an output jack at the rear of the apparatus is connected to speaker terminals at the rear of an existing standalone speaker; Fig. 4B is an illustration of a second configuration where speaker cable clamps at the rear of the apparatus are connected to a fixed speaker cable that is permanently attached to the rear of an existing standalone speaker; Fig. 5A is an illustration of an attachment disc used to magnetically attach the apparatus to an existing speaker; Fig. 5B is an illustration of the apparatus attached to the side of an existing speaker; and Fig. 6 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a layout of the various components of the apparatus.

As shown in Fig. 1, audio processing apparatus 10 has an outer housing 12 in the form of a cube having one of its corners removed therefrom in order to provide a stable base 14 such that the apparatus 10 is able to securely stand on a flat surface in the orientation illustrated. An activity indicator in the form of a Light Emitting Diode (LED) 16 is provided at the centre of the housing 12 in order to communicate the status of the apparatus 10 to a user; the LED 16 may alternate between a solid illumination state, a blinking state and / or illuminate with a variety of different colours in order to communicate different status indications to the user.

As shown in Fig. 2, the rear of the apparatus lOis provided with an on/off switch 18, an input socket in the form of a micro-LJSB socket 20 and an output socket in the form of a 3.5mm jack socket 22. Further outputs in the form of speaker cable clamp connectors 24 are also provided.

Referring to Fig. 3A, the apparatus 10 is also typically supplied with an input cable 26 having a micro-USB connector 28 at one end and a dual 3.5mm jack 30 and standard USB connecter 32 at its other end. When in use, the micro-USB

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connector 28 is plugged into the corresponding micro-USB socket 20 at the rear of the apparatus 10 and either the 3.5mm jack 30 or USB connector 32 is plugged into an audio source (not shown) such as an mp3 or other audio storage device.

Alternatively, rather than connecting the audio source to the apparatus 10 by way of the input cable 26, the audio source can be "paired" with the apparatus 10 by way of a wireless connection such as a wireless connection utilising "Bluetooth" technology.

Referring to Fig. 3B, the apparatus 10 is also typically supplied with an output cable 34 having a pair of (positive and negative) bare speaker wires 36 at one end and a 3.5mm jack 38 at its other end. When in use, and with reference to Fig. 4A, the bare speaker wires 36 can be attached to speaker terminals 40 at the rear of an existing standalone speaker 42 and the jack 38 plugged into the output socket 22 at the rear of the apparatus 10 to provide a direct connection between the apparatus 10 and the speaker 42. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 4B, where an existing standalone speaker 42 is provided with an integrated speaker wire 46 having bare speaker wires 44, these can be plugged directly into the speaker cable clamp connectors 24 at the rear of the apparatus 10. In this regard, the term "existing standalone speaker" means a speaker which is not connected to any other existing audio equipment. In other words it includes any speaker that does not have an amplifier or power source connected thereto. Furthermore, the term "direct connection" refers to the ability of the apparatus to connect directly with such a standalone speaker without any further audio equipment (such as an amplifier or power source) being required in order to play audio from the standalone speaker.

The skilled reader will appreciate that the apparatus may be provided with several cables having a variety of differently shaped connectors to allow connection to different speaker! audio devices as required.

The invention therefore allows the user to connect the apparatus 10 to virtually any set of existing speakers 42 without any intermediate amplifier or power unit being required.

As shown in Fig. 5A and SB the apparatus 10 may also be provided with a metal disc 48 having an adhesive backing layer which allows the disc 48 to be adhesively attached to a vertical surface such as the side of an existing speaker 42. A corresponding internal magnet (not shown) is provided in the housing of the apparatus 10. This allows the base 14 of the apparatus 10 to be magnetically attached to the disc 48 and hence the side wall of the existing speaker 42. A thin protective foam layer may also be provided on the disc 48 in order to soften the impact of magnetic attraction between the base 14 and disc 48 during mating connection thereof.

With reference to Fig. 6the electronic architecture of the apparatus 10 will now be described.

A wireless receiver module (such as a receiver having "Bluetooth" capability) 50 connects to an on-board amplifier module 52 which has an on/off switch 54 and a line-in socket 56 (electrically connected to the micro-USB socket 20 at the rear of the apparatus 10). In the present embodiment the on-board amplifier module 52 comprises a 4 watt digital audio amplifier. An on-board power source in the form of a battery module 58 is attached to the amplifier module 52 and, in the present embodiment, comprises a 3.7 volt lithium polymer rechargeable battery pack. The output of the on-board amplifier module 52 leads to a speaker cable connector module 60 (electrically connected to the speaker cable clamp connectors 24 at the rear of the apparatus 10) and a speaker jack connecter 62 (electrically connected to the 3.5mm output socket 22 at the rear of the apparatus).

The invention therefore provides portable audio processing apparatus which allows a digital audio source to be connected directly to a pair of existing standalone speakers and which does not require any external power source to provide driving power to said existing speakers. The on-board amplifier and power source also have the effect of making the existing standalone speakers themselves portable since the existing standalone speakers can therefore be used in conjunction with the apparatus to play audio without any further external equipment. In addition to this capability, the apparatus can also be connected to further existing audio equipment to provide Bluetooth capability thereto; for example, the apparatus can be plugged into an amplifier of an existing hi-fi system if desired. In this way, the apparatus can be used to provide audio from both passive and active existing speaker systems.

Furthermore, the ability of the apparatus to connect to existing speakers of existing audio equipment makes use of existing (often high quality) speakers found in a user's home, hotel room etc. In addition, the apparatus can be used to provide wireless capability to e.g. computer speakers.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been disclosed herein in detail, this has been done by way of example and for the purposes of illustration only. The aforementioned embodiments are not intended to be limiting with respect

to the scope of the statements of invention.

It is contemplated by the inventors that various substitutions, alterations, and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the statements of invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Portable audio processing apparatus comprising a housing having at least an input for receiving an audio signal from an audio source, and at least an output for outputting a received audio signal, wherein the or each output is adapted to allow direct connection of the apparatus to at least an existing standalone speaker.
2. Portable audio processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an on-board amplifier for amplifying said received audio signal and wherein the on-board amplifier is further provided with an on-board power source capable of providing driving power to said existing speaker by way of said on-board amplifier.
3. Portable audio processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the on-board C') power source comprises at least a lithium battery.
4. Portable audio processing apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein 0 the or each input comprises a wireless input module adapted to allow a source signal to be wirelessly received by the apparatus from an audio signal source.
5. Portable audio processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the wireless input module comprises a receiver having Bluetooth capability.
6. Portable audio processing apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each input comprises an input socket adapted to allow the audio source to be plugged into the apparatus by way of an input cable.
7. Portable audio processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the input socket comprises a micro-USB socket.
8. Portable audio processing apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the output comprises speaker wire terminals which allow the apparatus to connect directly to the or each existing speaker in order to output the received audio signal directly to the or each existing speaker.
9. Portable audio processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the output comprises an output socket adapted to allow the apparatus to be plugged into an existing speaker and I or an amplifier of existing audio equipment by way of an output cable.
10. Portable audio processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the output cable comprises a 3.5mm output jack at one end and at least a pair of speaker terminal wires at its other end.
11. Portable audio processing apparatus according to any preceding claim, further C') comprising attachment means adapted to allow the apparatus to be selectively secured to a speaker or other body.

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12. Portable audio processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the attachment means comprises a metallic disc provided with an adhesive backing layer such that the disc may be adhesively attached to the speaker or other body and wherein the housing of the apparatus is provided with an internal magnet in order to allow the apparatus to be magnetically connected to said disc and hence said speaker or other body.
13. Portable audio processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the metallic disc comprises a resilient protective layer.
14. A kit of parts comprising a portable audio processing apparatus according to claim 1, at least an input cable adapted to connect an input of the apparatus with the audio source, and at least an output cable adapted to connect an output of the apparatus with at least an existing standalone speaker.
15. A kit of parts according to claim 14, further comprising a selection of cables having different formats of connectors on either end thereof.
16. A method of transmitting audio from an audio source to at least an existing standalone speaker, the method comprising providing a portable audio processing apparatus according to claim 1 and directly connecting the output of the apparatus to at least an existing standalone speaker. C')