WO2015102539A1

WO2015102539A1 - A speaker apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2015102539A1
Application number: PCT/SG2014/000628
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wong Hoo Sim; Thean Kuie Christopher Chang; Kok Huan Ong; Eddy TOH
Original assignee: Creative Technology Ltd.
Priority date: 2014-01-03
Filing date: 2014-12-31
Publication date: 2015-07-09
Also published as: SG2014000897A; WO2015102537A1; TW201532451A; WO2015102538A1

Abstract

A device such as a speaker apparatus is provided. The speaker apparatus can include a casing which can be shaped and dimensioned to carry a plurality of speaker drivers. The casing can include a first face and a second face. The first and second faces can be spaced apart such that sides are defined between the first and second faces. The sides can include a first pair of opposing sides and a second pair of opposing sides.

Description

A SPEAKER APPARATUS

Field Of Invention

The present disclosure generally relates to a device such as a speaker apparatus which includes a casing which can be shaped and dimensioned to carry one or more speaker drivers. The device can include a body portion and, optionally, a display portion.

Background

In terms of product design, it is increasingly desirable for devices to be compact.

However, as devices become more and more compact, it is appreciable that device casing becomes smaller as well. The lack of casing real-estate may pose various problems such as placement and/or arrangement of device components carried by the device casing.

Where a device is for example, a speaker type device, the device components can, for example, include speaker drivers. Moreover more elaborate speaker type devices may also feature device components such as display screens.

In this regard, given limited casing size/area, arrangement of device components such as the speaker drivers and display screen can pose a challenge.

Moreover, as speaker type devices become more compact, stability of a speaker type device during operation may become an issue. The issue of stability of the speaker type device can relate to possible unintended movement of the speaker type device on the resting surface it is resting during operation.

It is therefore desirable to provide a solution to address at least one of the foregoing problems. Summary of the Invention

A device is provided. The device can, for example, be a speaker apparatus.

The speaker apparatus can include a casing which can be shaped and dimensioned to carry a plurality of speaker drivers. The casing can include a first face and a second face. The first and second faces can be spaced apart such that sides are defined between the first and second faces. The sides can include a first pair of opposing sides and a second pair of opposing sides.

Each side of the first pair of opposing sides carries at least one speaker driver and at least one side of the second pair of opposing sides carries at least one speaker driver. Additionally, the first face carries at least one speaker driver.

Each of the speaker drivers carried by the first pair of opposing sides can include a speaker driver diaphragm.

Moreover, the speaker drivers carried by the first pair of opposing sides and the first face can, for example, be low frequency type speaker drivers operable based on vibration of speaker driver diaphragm.

The casing can form an enclosure corresponding to a chamber which is shared by the low frequency type speaker drivers. Additionally, the chamber can be associated with internal pressure which can be varied based on operation of the speaker driver carried by the first face. The speaker drivers carried by the first pair of opposing sides are capable of being driven by the internal pressure as varied.

Furthermore, each of the speaker drivers carried by the first pair of opposing sides can be associated with a variable weightage parameter and low frequency characteristics of the speaker driver carried by the first face can be tuned based on the variable weightage parameter.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the disclosure are described hereinafter with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a device which includes a body portion and, optionally, a display portion, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

Fig. 2 shows a top view, looking through a face, of the device of Fig. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure; Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b show a kept view where the display portion of Fig. 1 is in, or has been moved to, a kept position, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b show a display view where the display portion of Fig. 1 is in, or has been moved to, a display position, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

Fig. 5a and Fig. 5b show how the display portion of Fig. 1 can be moved from kept position to display position, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

Fig. 6a and Fig. 6b show how the display portion of Fig. 1 can be moved from kept position to display position, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

Fig. 7a shows that the device of Fig. 1 can include a coupling portion which can couple the body portion and display portion, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

Fig. 7b shows a display view where the display portion of the device of Fig. 7a is in, or has been moved to, display position, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

Fig. 7c shows how the display portion of the device of Fig. 7a can be moved from kept position to display position, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

Fig. 7d shows that the device of Fig. 7a can include a feet portion, in accordance with an

embodiment of the disclosure; and

Fig. 8a to Fig. 8c show that the device of Fig. 1 can further include a drawer portion which can be the basis for indirect coupling between the body portion and the display portion, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

Detailed Description

Representative embodiments of the disclosure, for addressing one or more of the foregoing problems, are described.

Specifically, the present disclosure relates a device which can include a casing which can be shaped and dimensioned to carry one or more speaker drivers. The casing can include a first face and a second face which are spaced apart such that sides are defined between the first and second faces. The sides can include a first pair of opposing sides and a second pair of opposing sides. At least one speaker driver can be carried by each side of, for example, the first pair of opposing sides and at least one speaker driver can be carried by at least one side of, for example, the second pair of opposing sides. Moreover, at least one speaker driver can be carried by, for example, the first face. The device can, for example, be a speaker apparatus.

This will be discussed in further detail hereinafter with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 8.

Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown a device in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. The device can, for example, be configured to output sound such as audio signals. The device can, for example, be a speaker apparatus 100. The speaker apparatus 100 can be configured to signal communicate with another device such as an electronic communication device 101. The electronic communication device 101 can, for example, be a portable electronic device such as a Smartphone. This will be discussed later in further detail in the context of an exemplary application.

The speaker apparatus 100 can include a body portion 100a and, optionally, a display portion 100b. The display portion 100b can be coupled to the body portion 100a. The display portion 100b can be moved relative to the body portion 100a so that the display portion 100b is in either a display position or a kept portion. This will be discussed later in further detail with reference to Fig. 3 to Fig. 8.

The body portion 100a will be discussed in further detail hereinafter.

The body portion 100a can include a casing 102 which can be shaped and dimensioned to carry one or more speaker drivers 104. Preferably, the casing 102 is shaped and dimensioned to carry a plurality of speaker drivers 104. The speaker drivers 104 can be configured to output audio signals.

The body portion 100a can optionally include a control portion (e.g., a set of buttons) 106 to control the speaker apparatus 100 and an interface portion 108. The interface portion 108 can be configured to couple an auxiliary device 110 (e.g., a "plug and play" type device) to the speaker apparatus 100 as will be discussed later in further detail. As shown, the casing 102 can, for example, include a first face 102a, a second face 102b and sides 102c. The first face 102a and the second face 102b are opposite each other and are spaced apart such that sides 102c are defined between the first and second faces 102a/102b. Additionally, the aforementioned one or more speaker drivers 104 can, for example, include a first speaker driver 104a, a second speaker driver 104b and a third speaker driver 104c.

In one example, the first speaker driver 104a can be carried by the casing 102 at the first face 102a. The second and third speaker drivers 104b/104c can be carried by the casing 102 at one of the sides 102c. Therefore, in this example, it is appreciable that one of the speaker drivers 104 (e.g., the first speaker driver 104a) can be carried by the casing 102 at one of the faces (e.g., the first face 102a) and the remaining speaker drivers 104 (e.g., the second and third speaker drivers 104b/104c) can be carried at one or more of the sides 102c.

Fig. 2 shows a top view of the speaker apparatus 100, looking through, for example, one of the faces (e.g., the first face 102a). Additionally, in Fig. 2, only the body portion 100a is shown (i.e., the display portion 100b is omitted).

Referring to Fig. 2, the sides 102c can include a first side 202, a second side 204, a third side 206 and a fourth side 208. The first side 202 and the second side 204 can be opposite each other (i.e., the first and second sides 202/204 can be opposing sides). The third side 206 and the fourth side 208 can be opposite each other (i.e., the third and fourth sides 206/208 can be opposing sides). In this regard, the first and second sides 202/204 can form a first pair of opposing sides. Additionally, the third and fourth sides 206/208 can form a second pair of opposing sides. In this regard, the sides 102c can include a first pair of opposing sides and a second pair of opposing sides. Moreover, as shown, the third side 206 can be adjacent one end of each of the first side 202 and the second side 204. The fourth side 208 can be adjacent another end of each of the first side 202 and the second side 204. In this regard, one side (e.g., the third side 206) of the second pair of opposing sides can be adjacent to one end of the first pair of opposing sides and another side (e.g., the fourth side 208) of the second pair of opposing sides can be adjacent to another end of the first pair of opposing sides.

In one exemplary orientation of the speaker apparatus 100, the first side 202 and the second side 204 can, respectively, represent the left side and right side of the speaker apparatus 100. The third side 206 and the fourth side 208 can, respectively, represent the front side and back side of the speaker apparatus 100. Additionally, the first face 102a and the second face 102b can, respectively, represent the top face and bottom face of the speaker apparatus 100.

In one embodiment, each side of one of the first pair and second pair of opposing sides can carry at least one speaker driver 104. Additionally at least one speaker driver 104 can be carried by one of the sides of another one of the first and second pair of opposing sides. For example, each side of the first opposing pair (i.e., the first side 202 and the second side 204) can carry at least one speaker driver 104 whereas only one side (e.g., the third side 206) of the second opposing pair carries at least one speaker driver 104 (i.e., hence the fourth side 208 does not carry any speaker drivers 104). Additionally, at least one speaker driver 104 can be carried by at least one of the first face 102a and the second face 102b. As mentioned earlier, at least one speaker driver 104 (e.g., the first speaker driver 104a) can be carried by the casing 102 at, for example, the first face 102a.

In this regard, based on the above exemplary orientation, each of the left side and right side of the speaker apparatus 100 can carry at least one speaker driver 104. Additionally, each of the front side and the top face of the speaker apparatus 100 can carry at least one speaker driver 104. Therefore, it is appreciable that the aforementioned one or more speaker apparatus drivers 104 can include one or more speaker drivers in addition to the earlier mentioned first to third speaker drivers 104a/104b/104c. For example, the aforementioned one or more speaker apparatus drivers 104 can include a first speaker driver 104a, a second speaker driver 104b, a third speaker driver 104c, a fourth speaker driver 104d and a fifth speaker driver 104e.

In a more specific example, the top face of the speaker apparatus 100 can carry a speaker driver 104 (e.g., the first speaker driver 104a) which can be a subwoofer type speaker driver. Additionally, each of the left side and right side of the speaker apparatus 100 can carry a speaker driver 104 (e.g., the fourth and fifth speaker drivers 104d/104e) which can be a passive radiator type speaker driver. Moreover, the front side of the speaker apparatus 100 can carry two speaker drivers 104 (e.g., the second and third speaker drivers 104b/104c) which can be satellite type speaker drivers. One of the satellite type speaker driver (e.g., the second speaker driver 104b) can be used for outputting left channel audio signals and another satellite type speaker driver (e.g., the third speaker driver 104c) can be used for outputting right channel audio signals.

Based on the above exemplary orientation and example/ at least two passive radiator type speaker drivers can be carried at the speaker apparatus 100 at either the first pair opposing sides or the second pair of opposing sides. Specifically, at least one passive radiator type speaker can be carried at each side of either the first pair of opposing sides (e.g., the first side 202 and the second side 204) or the second pair of opposing sides (e.g., the third side 206 and the fourth side 208). If the passive radiator type speakers are carried by the first pair of opposing sides, at least one side of the second opposing pair can be used to carry the satellite type speaker drivers. Conversely, if the passive radiator type speakers are carried by the second pair of opposing sides, at least one side of the first opposing pair can be used to carry the satellite type speaker drivers. The subwoofer type speaker driver can be carried at the top face of the speaker apparatus 100.

Appreciably, each of the passive type radiator speaker(s) and the subwoofer type speaker(s) can include a speaker driver diaphragm. Moreover, passive type radiator speaker(s) and the subwoofer type speaker(s) can be considered to be low frequency type speaker driver(s) which can generally operate based on vibration of speaker driver diaphragm. Vibration of the speaker diaphragm in each of the passive type radiator speaker(s) and the subwoofer type speaker(s) may cause unintended movement to the speaker apparatus 100 if they (i.e., the passive type radiator speaker(s) and/or subwoofer type speaker(s)) are carried by the speaker apparatus 100. By arranging the passive radiator type speaker driver(s) and/or the subwoofer type speaker driver(s) in the above discussed manner (i.e., a passive type radiator speaker being carried by each side of the first pair/second pair of opposing sides, and the subwoofer type speaker driver being carried by the top face), vibration attributable to each of the passive radiator type speaker driver(s) and/or the subwoofer type speaker driver(s) can effectively be substantially canceled out. Therefore, unintended movement of the speaker apparatus 100 which may be caused by vibration during operation can be substantially reduced or eliminated.

Although in the above discussion, the examples of passive radiator type speaker driver(s) and subwoofer type speaker driver(s) are used, it is appreciable that the above discussed arrangement (i.e., passive type radiator speakers being carried by the first pair/second pair of opposing sides and the subwoofer type speaker driver being carried by the top face) can also be applied to other speaker driver types which, in operation, can generate substantial vibration (i.e., enough to cause unintended movement of the speaker apparatus 100).

Moreover, the casing 102 can form an enclosure corresponding to a chamber shared by the passive radiator type speaker drivers and the subwoofer type driver. The chamber can be associated with internal pressure which can be varied based on the subwoofer type driver. Therefore, the passive radiator type speaker drivers can be driven by internal pressure (i.e., within the chamber) which can be varied by operation of the subwoofer type driver. Additionally, the passive radiator type speaker drivers can each be associated with a weightage parameter which can be based on physical thickness of the passive radiator type speaker. By varying the weightage parameter (i.e., the thickness), bass characteristics of the subwoofer type speaker driver can be tuned/adjusted. Hence, based on the aforementioned sharing of a chamber and variance in thickness of the passive radiator type speakers, tuning/adjustment of bass characteristics (i.e., low frequency characteristics) of the speaker apparatus 100 can effectively be facilitated. Bass characteristics can also be referred to as low frequency characteristics.

Although the above discussion is based on an embodiment where each side of the an opposing pair (e.g., the first opposing pair - the first side 202 and the second side 204) can carry at least one speaker driver 104 whereas only one side (e.g., the third side 206) of another opposing pair (e.g., the second opposing pair - the third side 206 and the fourth side 208) carries at least one speaker driver 104 (i.e., hence the fourth side 208 does not carry any speaker drivers 104), it is appreciable that other arrangements can be possible.

For example, in another embodiment, each side in both the first pair and second pair of opposing sides can carry at least one speaker driver 104. Therefore each of the first, second, third and fourth sides 202/204/206/208 can carry at least one speaker driver 104. Additionally, at least one speaker driver 104 can be carried by at least one of the first face 102a and the second face 102b. As mentioned earlier, at least one speaker driver 104 (e.g., the first speaker driver 104a) can be carried by the casing 102 at, for example, the first face 102a.

Earlier mentioned, the speaker apparatus 100 can include a body portion 100a and, optionally, a display portion 100b. The display portion 100b can be coupled to the body portion 100a. Preferably, the display portion 100b can be moved relative to the body portion 100a so that the display portion 100b is in either a display position or a kept portion. More preferably, in either the display position or the kept position, the one or more speaker drivers 104 carried by the body portion 100a can output sound and, at the same time, is/are not obscured/blocked by the display portion 100b so as not to impede emission of sound from the one or more speaker drivers 104. This will be discussed in further detail with reference to Fig. 3 to Fig. 8 hereinafter. Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b show a kept view 300 where the display portion 100b is in, or has been moved to, a kept position, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Fig. 3a shows a perspective view of the speaker apparatus 100 when the display portion 100b is in a kept position and Fig. 3b shows a side view of the speaker apparatus 100 when the display portion 100b is in a kept position. As shown, when in kept position, the display portion 100b is substantially flush against the body portion 100a. Additionally, when in kept position, the display portion 100b can substantially cover one of the faces of the body portion 100a or one of the sides 102c of the body portion 100a as will be discussed later in further detail.

Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b show a display view 400 where the display portion 100b is in, or has been moved to, a display position, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Fig. 4a shows a perspective view of the speaker apparatus 100 when the display portion 100b is in a display position and Fig. 4b shows a side view of the apparatus 100 when the display portion 100b is in a display position. As shown, the display portion 100b can include a screen 402 which can be exposed to view when the display portion 100b is in display position (as opposed to the screen 402 being obscured from view when the display portion 100b is in kept position and the display portion 100b is substantially flush against the body portion 100a).

Fig. 5a and Fig. 5b show how the display portion 100b can be moved from the kept position to the display position in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. In one embodiment, the speaker apparatus 100 can, for example, include a sliding mechanism 502 coupling the body portion 100a and the display portion 100b. As shown in Fig. 5a, the display portion 100b can be moved relative to the body portion 100a by manner of sliding in one direction 504. In this regard, the display portion 100b can be slid between a kept position and a display position so that the screen 402 can be hidden from view and exposed to view respectively. Fig. 5b shows a side view of the how the display portion 100b can be moved from the kept position 510 to partial display position 520 to the display position 530.

Fig. 6a and Fig. 6b show how the display portion 100b can be moved from the kept position to the display position in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. In one embodiment, the speaker apparatus 100 can, for example, include a sliding mechanism (not shown) coupling the body portion 100a and the display portion 100b. The display portion 100b can be moved in a first direction relative to the body portion 100a (e.g., by manner of sliding in one direction 504 as discussed in Fig. 5). The speaker apparatus 100 can, for example, further include a hinge/roller mechanism (not shown) to allow movement in a second direction so that the body portion 100a can be visually perceived to be propped against the display portion 100b while exposing the screen 402 to view. In this regard, when in display position, the display portion 100b can be positioned relative to the body portion 100a so as to act as a prop for supporting the body portion 100a. Additionally, the display portion 100b can be moved relative to the body portion 100a in a first direction followed by a second direction so as to move the display portion 100b from the kept position to the display position. Fig. 6b shows a side view of the how the display portion 100b can be moved from the kept position 610 to an intermediate position 620 to the display position 630.

Appreciably, as discussed with reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the display portion 100a can be considered to be directly coupled to the body portion 100b by one or both of the aforementioned sliding mechanism and hinge/roller mechanism.

As mentioned earlier, it is preferable that in either the display position or the kept position, the one or more speaker drivers 104 carried by the body portion 100a is/are not obscured/blocked by the display portion 100b so as not to impede emission of sound from the one or more speaker drivers 104.

Furthermore, as discussed earlier, the body portion 100a can include a casing 102 carrying at least one speaker driver 104 at the first face 102a and one or more of the sides 102c (i.e., the first side 202, the second side 204, the third side 206 and/or the fourth side 208) in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

In one example, the first face 102a can carry at least one speaker driver 104 and at least one speaker driver 104 can be carried by each of the sides 102c (e.g., the first side 202, the second side 204, the third side 206 and the fourth side 208). In this regard, the display portion 100b can be coupled to the body portion 100a at the second face 102b. Furthermore, the display portion 100b can be moved between a kept position and a display position per discussion with regard to Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. In this manner, it is appreciable that in either the kept position or the display position, the display portion 100b does not obscure/block any of the speaker driver(s) 104 carried at the body portion 100a. Thus emission of sound from the one or more speaker drivers 104 remains substantially unimpeded regardless of position (i.e., kept position or display position) of the display portion 100b. Moreover, earlier mentioned, when in kept position, the display portion 100b can substantially cover one of the faces of the body portion 100a.^' Specifically, when in kept position, the display portion 100b can substantially cover the face of the body portion 100a which is not carrying any speaker drivers 104. Therefore, in the context of this example, the display portion 100b can substantially cover the second face 102b when in kept position.

In another example, the first face 102a can carry at least one speaker driver 104 and at least one speaker driver 104 can be carried by some of the sides 102c (e.g., carried by the first side 202, the second side 204 and the third side 206, but not the fourth side 208). In this regard, the display portion 100b can be coupled to the body portion 100a at the second face 102b. Furthermore, the display portion 100b can be moved between a kept position and a display position per discussion with regard to Fig. 3, and Fig. 6. In this regard, referring to Fig. 6, the display portion 100b, when in display position, can be positioned relative to the body portion 100a so as to act as a prop for supporting the body portion 100a at the side (e.g., the fourth side 208) which is not carrying any speaker drivers 104. In this manner, it is appreciable that in either the kept position or the display position, the display portion 100b does not obscure/block any of the speaker driver(s) 104 carried at the body portion 100a. Thus emission of sound from the one or more speaker drivers 104 remains substantially unimpeded regardless of position (i.e., kept position or display position) of the display portion 100b. Moreover, earlier mentioned, when in kept position, the display portion 100b can substantially cover one of the faces or one of the sides of the body portion 100a. Specifically, when in kept position, the display portion 100b can substantially cover the face of the body portion 100a or the side of the body portion 100a which is not carrying any speaker drivers 104. Therefore, in the context of this example, the display portion 100b can substantially cover the second face 102b when in kept position. Appreciably, in the context of this example, it is also a possibility that the display portion 100b can substantially cover one of the sides not carrying any speaker drivers 104 (i.e., instead of the second face 102b) when in kept position.

Although earlier examples are discussed in the context of the first face 102a carrying at least one speaker driver 104 and the display portion 100b being directly coupled to the body portion 100a at, for example, the second face 102b, it is appreciable that other arrangements may be possible.

In one example, as will be discussed with reference to Fig. 7, the display portion 100b can be coupled to the body portion 100a at, for example, one of the sides 102c or the first face 102a rather than the second face 102b. In another example, as will be discussed with reference to Fig. 8, rather than direct coupling between the display portion 100b and the body portion 100a as discussed earlier with reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, indirect coupling is also possible. Referring to Fig. 7, the second face 102b can carry at least one speaker driver 104 and the display portion 100b can be coupled to the body portion 100a at the first face 102a. Specifically, Fig. 7a shows a kept view 700a where the display portion 100b has been moved to/is in a kept position, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Fig. 7b shows a display view 700b where the display portion 100b has been moved to/is in a display position, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Fig. 7c shows how the display portion 100b can be moved from the kept position to the display position in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Fig. 7d shows a view illustrating that the second face 102b can carry at least one speaker driver 104 if the display portion 100b is coupled to the body portion 100a at the first face 102a.

As shown in Fig. 7a, the apparatus 100 can include a . coupling portion 710 which couples the body portion 100a and the display portion 100b. The coupling portion 710 allows the display portion 100b to be movable relative to the body portion 100b in at least a first direction and, optionally, a second direction. As shown in Fig. 7c, the display portion 100b can be moved in a first direction relative to the body portion 100a (e.g., by manner of flipping as indicated by arrows 720 and 730 in Fig. 7c). Movement of the display portion 100b in a second direction (e.g., by manner of swiveling as indicated by arrows 740 and 750) can be possible after the display portion 100b has been moved in the first direction. Earlier mentioned, Fig. 7d shows a view illustrating that the second face 102b can carry at least one speaker driver 104 if the display portion 100b is coupled to the body portion 100a at the first face 102a. If the second face 102b carries at least one speaker driver 104 and the display portion 100b is coupled to the body portion 100a at the first face 102a, it is appreciable that when the speaker apparatus 100 is placed on a resting surface (e.g., a tabletop), the second face 102b may be flush against the resting surface, resulting in the speaker driver 104 at the second face 102b being flush against the resting surface. Therefore, sound emission from the speaker driver 104 at the second face 102b may be impeded. In this regard, the speaker apparatus 100 can include a feet portion 760 coupled to the second face 102b. The feet portion 760 can be shaped and dimensioned to elevate the speaker apparatus 100 in a manner such that the speaker driver 104 at the second face 102b is not flush against the resting surface when the speaker apparatus 100 is placed on a resting surface. Specifically, the feet portion 760 can effectively separate the speaker driver 104 at the second face 102b from the resting surface on which the speaker apparatus 100 may be placed. Therefore, by virtue of the feet portion 760, sound emission from the speaker driver 104 at the second face 102b will not be impeded by the resting surface when the speaker apparatus 100 is placed on the resting surface and the second face 102b is facing the resting surface. Earlier mentioned, rather than direct coupling between the display portion 100b and the body portion 100a as discussed earlier with reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, indirect coupling is also possible. This will be discussed in further detail with reference to Fig. 8 hereinafter.

Referring to Fig. 8, the speaker apparatus 100 can further include a drawer portion 800 (also referable as "a tray portion"). The drawer portion 800 can be coupled to the body portion 100a. Specifically, the drawer portion 800 can be coupled to the body portion 100a at, for example, the second face 102b. The drawer portion 800 can be shaped and dimensioned to carry the display portion 100b. Preferably, the drawer portion 800 allows the display portion 100b to be either drawn out or retracted. In this regard, the drawer portion 800 can be considered to be a basis for indirect coupling between the body portion 100a and the display portion 100b. Specifically, the display portion 100b can be indirectly coupled to the body portion 100a via the drawer portion 800.

Fig. 8a shows a kept view 810 when the display portion 100b is in a kept position (analogous to the kept position as discussed earlier with reference to Fig. 3) where the display portion 100b can be considered to be substantially flush against the body portion 100a (e.g., at the second face 102b). Fig. 8b shows a first display view 820 when the display portion 100b has been moved to a first display position (analogous to the display position as discussed earlier with reference to Fig. 4). Fig. 8c shows a second display view 830 when the display portion 100b has been moved to a second display position.

When the display portion 100b is in kept position, the drawer portion 800 allows the display portion 100b to be drawn out so that the display portion 100b can be in a display position (i.e., either the first display position as shown in Fig. 8b or the second display position as shown in Fig. 8c). In this regard, when the display portion 100b is drawn out, the screen 402 (as shown in Fig. 4, but not shown in Fig. 8) of the display portion 100b can be exposed to view.

More specifically, the speaker apparatus 100 can include a sliding mechanism (not shown) and a hinge/roller mechanism (not shown) to facilitate movement in a first direction 802 and movement in a second direction 804.

Yet more specifically, referring to Fig. 8b, the drawer portion 800 can be moved in the first direction 802 relative to the body portion 100a (e.g., by manner of sliding in one direction 504 as discussed in Fig. 5). After the drawer portion 800 has been moved in the first direction 802, the display portion 100b can be considered to be drawn out and the screen 402 of the display portion 100b can be exposed to view. However, appreciably, the display portion 100b is still accommodated with the drawer portion 800 (i.e., the display portion 100b can be considered to be still kept within the drawer portion 800 although the display portion 100b can be considered to be drawn out and the screen 402 is exposed to view). Therefore, movement in the first direction 802 can be associated with the first display position. Moreover, referring to Fig. 8c, the display portion 100b can be moved in the second direction 804, from the first display position to the second display position so that the display portion 100b can be visually perceived to be propped at an angle 806 relative to the drawer portion 800. Movement in the second direction 804 can, for example, be by manner of flipping up of the display portion 100b from rest position (e.g., in a manner analogous to the manner of flipping as indicated by arrows 720 and 730 as discussed earlier with reference to Fig. 7c). The display portion 100b can be considered to be in rest position when in the first display position (i.e., still kept within the drawer portion 800 although the display portion 100b can be considered to be drawn out and the screen 402 is exposed to view).

When the display portion 100b is in display position (either the first display position or the second display position), the drawer portion 800 allows the display portion 100b to be retracted so that the display portion 100b can be in a kept position. Specifically, when in the first display position, the drawer portion 800 can be moved in a direction opposite of the first direction 802 so that the display portion 100b can be retracted to the kept position (from the first display position). Additionally, when in the second display position, the display portion 100b can be moved in a direction opposite the second direction 804 followed by moving the drawer portion 800 in a direction opposite of the first direction 802 so that the display portion 100b can be retracted to the kept position (from the second display position). In this regard, when retracted after the display portion 100b has initially been drawn out (i.e., to either the first display position or the second display position), the screen 402 of the display portion 100b can be obscured from view.

Therefore, the display portion 100b can be considered to be in kept position and in display position when retracted and drawn out respectively.

Moreover, in either the first display position or the second display position, it is appreciable that the display portion 100b does not impede emission of sound from the one or more speaker drivers 104. Particularly, in the first display position as shown in Fig. 8b, the display portion 100b can be considered to be in rest position (i.e., the display portion 100b is kept within the drawer portion 800 although its screen 402 is exposed to view) and, hence, does not obscure/block the one or more speaker drivers 104 (e.g., the second and third speaker drivers 104b/104c) carried by the body portion 100a. Furthermore, in the second display portion as shown in Fig. 8c, although the display portion 100b can be visually perceived to be propped at an angle 806 relative to the drawer portion 800, the display portion 100b is at a distance (as indicated by label "X" in Fig. 8c) from the speaker drivers 104 (e.g., the second and third speaker drivers 104b/104c) carried by the body portion 100a. By virtue of the separation distance (as indicated by label "X" in Fig. 8c) between the propped up display portion 100b and the speaker drivers 104 (e.g., the second and third speaker drivers 104b/104c), emission of sound from the one or more speaker drivers 104 (e.g., the second and third speaker drivers 104b/104c) can be considered not to be impeded by the display portion 100b.

Therefore, in either the display position or the kept position, the one or more speaker drivers 104 carried by the body portion 100a can output sound and, at the same time, is/are not obscured/blocked by the display portion 100b so as not to impede emission of sound from the one or more speaker drivers 104.

Appreciably, the display portion 100b can be considered to be indirectly coupled to the body portion 100a by virtue of the drawer portion 800.

Earlier mentioned, the speaker apparatus 100 can be configured to signal communicate with another device such as an electronic communication device 101. This will be discussed hereinafter in further detail in the context of an exemplary application.

In one exemplary application, the electronic communication device 101 can be configured to communicate video signals to the speaker apparatus 100 (e.g., video can be streamed from the electronic communication device 101 to the speaker apparatus 100). Therefore, video streamed from the electronic communication device 101 can be displayed via the display portion 100b (specifically, the screen 402) of the speaker apparatus 100 when the display portion 100b is in display position. Additionally, it is appreciable that the video can be viewed at both the electronic communication device 101 and the speaker apparatus 100 (i.e., when the video is streamed). In this regard, the speaker apparatus 100 can include a transceiver (not shown) capable of facilitating communication between the speaker apparatus 100 and the electronic communication device 101. The content of the streamed video can, for example, include a fitness video with instructions to perform one or more fitness exercises. A user of the speaker apparatus 100 can view the streamed video and attempt to follow the instructions. The display portion 100b can include an image capturing portion (not shown) which can be configured to capture images based on, for example, the user attempting to follow the instructions. The captured images can, for example, be based on still images and/or moving images. Preferably, the captured images can be shown via the screen 402 of the display portion 100b alongside the streamed video so that a comparison can be made to ascertain whether the user is following the instructions correctly (movement of the user and/or posture etc.).

Moreover, earlier mentioned, the speaker apparatus 100 can include an interface portion 108 which can be configured to couple an auxiliary device 110 (e.g., a "plug and play" type device). The auxiliary device 110 can, for example, correspond to a portable projector which can project the streamed video and/or captured images visually perceivable via the screen 402 of the display portion 100b. Preferably, the speaker apparatus 100 includes a power source (not shown) capable of supplying power to the speaker apparatus 100 and/or the auxiliary device 110.

In the foregoing manner, various embodiments of the disclosure are described for addressing at least one of the foregoing disadvantages. Such embodiments are intended to be encompassed by the following claims, and are not to be limited to specific forms or arrangements of parts so described and it will be apparent to one skilled in the art in view of this disclosure that numerous changes and/or modification can be made, which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

For example, in addition to/instead of displaying streamed video, the display portion 100b can be configured to display a graphics user interface (GUI) which can be used/operated to control the speaker apparatus 100.

Claims

1. A speaker apparatus comprising:

a casing shaped and dimensioned to carry a plurality of speaker drivers, the casing comprising:

a first face and a second face, the first and second faces being spaced apart such that sides are defined between the first and second faces, the sides comprising: a first pair of opposing sides and a second pair of opposing sides, wherein each side of the first pair of opposing sides carries at least one speaker driver and at least one side of the second pair of opposing sides carries at least one speaker driver, and

wherein the first face carries at least one speaker driver.

2. The speaker apparatus of claim 1, wherein the speaker drivers carried by the first pair of opposing sides and the first face are low frequency type speaker drivers operable based on vibration of speaker driver diaphragm.

3. The speaker apparatus of claim 2,

wherein the casing forms an enclosure corresponding to a chamber which is shared by the low frequency type speaker drivers,

wherein the chamber is associated with internal pressure which is variable based on operation of the speaker driver carried by the first face, and

wherein the speaker drivers carried by the first pair of opposing sides are capable of being driven by the internal pressure as varied.

4. The speaker apparatus of claim 3,

wherein each of the speaker drivers carried by the first pair of opposing sides is associable with a variable weightage parameter, and

wherein low frequency characteristics of the speaker driver carried by the first face can be tuned based on the variable weightage parameter.