WO2016173638A1

WO2016173638A1 - Wireless speaker system

Info

Publication number: WO2016173638A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/059264
Authority: WO
Inventors: Benoit Burette; Frederic Roskam
Original assignee: Gibson Innovations Belgium Nv
Priority date: 2015-04-29
Filing date: 2015-04-29
Publication date: 2016-11-03

Abstract

A wireless speaker system comprising: at least one wireless speaker; at least one docking cradle for receiving the wireless speaker; and a control module that sets an audio source for the wireless speaker depending on whether the wireless speaker is docked onto or undocked from the docking cradle.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

Wireless Speaker System

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to wireless speaker systems comprising one or more wireless speakers and one or more docking cradles on which the wireless speakers can be docked.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Battery-powered portable speakers are increasingly being used due to their relatively small size, flexibility of use, and often built-in connectivity with smartphones or tablets. However, one typical drawback of such portable speakers is the limited battery life. These portable speakers are also rarely used as the main sound system since the sound quality is usually somewhat limited by the size and by the lack of proper options for connectivity to other sources of content, especially the TV ecosystem. Therefore, another stand-alone stereo or multichannel system is often found within the TV ecosystem for listening to music with good quality and to enhance the listening experience while watching TV.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention provides a wireless speaker system comprising: at least one wireless speaker;

at least one docking cradle for receiving the wireless speaker; and

a control module that sets an audio source for the wireless speaker depending on whether the wireless speaker is docked onto or undocked from the docking cradle.

In one embodiment, the control module automatically connects the wireless speaker to a predetermined wireless audio source when the wireless speaker is undocked from the docking cradle.

In one embodiment, the control module continues to connect the wireless speaker to the predetermined wireless audio source when the wireless speaker is docked onto the docking cradle.

In one embodiment, the control module automatically connects the wireless speaker to a default audio source when the wireless speaker is docked onto the docking cradle. In one embodiment, the default audio source is connected to the docking cradle. In one embodiment, the wireless speaker system comprises two or more of the wireless speakers and a corresponding number of docking cradles.

In one embodiment, the wireless speakers receive a multi-channel audio input, each docking cradle is assigned to a respective one of the channels, and the control module automatically connects the respective channel assigned to a said docking cradle when any one of the wireless speakers is docked onto the said docking cradle.

In one embodiment, when a first one of the wireless speakers is undocked, runs out of power, and is subsequently docked onto one of the docking cradles, the control module configures a second one of the wireless speakers to take over playback of the audio source that was playing on the first wireless speaker when it was undocked.

In one embodiment, when a first one of the wireless speakers is undocked, and is subsequently docked onto one of the docking cradles, the control module configures the wireless speakers that are now docked to continue to play the audio source that was playing on the first wireless speaker before the first wireless speaker was subsequently docked.

In one embodiment, when a first one of the wireless speakers is undocked, and is subsequently docked onto one of the docking cradles, the control module configures the wireless speakers that are now docked to continue to play the respective audio sources that were playing on the wireless speakers that were docked before the first wireless speaker was subsequently docked.

Throughout this specification, including the claims, the words "comprise", "comprising", and other like terms are to be construed in an inclusive sense, that is, in the sense of "including, but not limited to", and not in an exclusive or exhaustive sense, unless explicitly stated otherwise or the context clearly requires otherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Preferred embodiments in accordance with the best mode of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which the same reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the figures unless otherwise specified, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a wireless speaker system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a wireless speaker system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention showing a first speaker being docked and a second speaker taking over playback of the audio source that was being played on the first speaker before being docked. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the figures, there is provided a wireless speaker system 1 comprising at least one wireless speaker 2 and at least one docking cradle 3 for receiving the wireless speaker 2. A control module sets an audio source for the wireless speaker 2 depending on whether the wireless speaker 2 is docked onto or undocked from the docking cradle 3.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the wireless speaker system 1 comprises a second wireless speaker 4 and a corresponding docking cradle 5. The speakers 2 and 4 can therefore receive left and right stereo audio input with one speaker receiving the left stereo input and the other receiving right stereo input. However, in other embodiments, each speaker can receive the same mono audio input. In further embodiments, the wireless speaker system 1 can comprise any number of wireless speakers and a corresponding number of docking cradles. The wireless speakers can therefore receive multi-channel audio inputs other than just left and right stereo, with each docking cradle assigned to a respective one of the channels, and the control module automatically connects the respective channel assigned to a said docking cradle when any one of the wireless speakers is docked onto the said docking cradle.

For example, to cater for 5.1 multi-channel audio input, the wireless speaker system can have six wireless speakers and a corresponding six docking cradles. Each channel of the six channels of the 5.1 multi-channel audio input is assigned to a respective docking cradle and is automatically connected to a wireless speaker when the wireless speaker is docked onto the said docking cradle. One of the six wireless speakers can be different to the other five wireless speakers in that it is especially configured for the subwoofer channel of the 5.1 multi-channel audio input. In another example, again catering for 5.1 multi-channel audio input, the wireless speaker system can have five wireless speakers and a corresponding five docking cradles, and a dedicated wired subwoofer loudspeaker for the subwoofer channel. Each of the remaining five channels of the 5.1 multi-channel audio input is assigned to a respective docking cradle and is automatically connected to a wireless speaker when the wireless speaker is docked onto the said docking cradle.

The channel of a multi-channel audio input assigned to a docking cradle can be pre- assigned in the factory and/or assignable by a user. The multi-channel audio input can also be rendered into a different number of channels before being provided to a wireless speaker. For example, the multi-channel audio input can be rendered as a mono audio input which is then assigned to each docking cradle and provided to a wireless speaker when the wireless speaker is docked onto each docking cradle. As another example, a 5.1 multi-channel audio input can be rendered as a 2-channel left and right stereo audio input. The left channel can then be assigned to one or more docking cradles and the right channel can be assigned to one or more other docking cradles. The channel assigned to a docking cradle is then provided to a wireless speaker when the wireless speaker is docked onto the said docking cradle.

In a first mode, the control module automatically connects a wireless speaker 2 or 4 to a predetermined wireless audio source 6 when the wireless speaker is undocked from the docking cradle on which the wireless speaker is docked. One or both wireless speakers 2 and 4 can be assigned to the predetermined wireless audio source 6. Alternatively, each wireless speaker 2 and 4 can be assigned to a different respective predetermined wireless audio source. The predetermined wireless audio source 6 can be assigned by the user. For example, the user can assign a smartphone or a laptop as the predetermined audio source 6. As soon as the wireless speaker 2 or 4 is undocked, the control module connects the smartphone or the laptop to the wireless speaker. The wireless speaker can receive the audio source via any suitable wireless communication protocol, including but not limited to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. For example, when Bluetooth is used, a user can assign a source device in the discoverable devices list that is provided during the Bluetooth discovery process as the predetermined audio source. Subsequently, each time the wireless speaker 2 or 4 is undocked, the wireless speaker automatically plays back audio from the assigned source device. This will occur until such time as the user assigns a different source device. In other examples, the user can configure the control module to automatically assign a source device if it is the only discoverable source device, or if it is the only identified device previously paired to the wireless speaker system 1 .

In a second mode, when both wireless speakers 2 and 4 are undocked, the control module connects both wireless speakers to a predetermined wireless audio source 6 in a similar manner as in the first mode, except that the control module renders the predetermined wireless audio source 6 as a left stereo channel for connection to one of the wireless speakers 2 or 4 and a right stereo source for connection to the other of the wireless speakers 2 or 4. In embodiments with more than two wireless speakers, when a plurality of these wireless speakers are undocked, the control module can render the predetermined wireless audio source 6 into a corresponding number of audio channels, which can correspond to multi-channel audio protocols such as 5.1 multi-channel. The type of audio rendering can be pre-assigned in the factory and/or assignable by a user. Likewise, whether the control module operates in the first or second mode can be pre- assigned in the factory and/or assignable by a user.

In a third mode, the control module continues to connect the wireless speaker 2 or 4 to the predetermined wireless audio source 6 when the wireless speaker is docked onto the docking cradle 3 or 5. For example, the wireless speaker 2 has been undocked from the docking cradle 3 whilst the wireless speaker 4 remains on the docking cradle 5. In accordance with the above, the control module has automatically connected the wireless speaker 2 to a predetermined wireless audio source 6. When the wireless speaker 2 is docked back onto the docking cradle 3, the control module continues to connect the wireless speaker 2 to the predetermined wireless audio source 6.

In a fourth mode, the control module, as in the third mode, continues to connect the wireless speaker 2 to the predetermined wireless audio source 6 once the wireless speaker 2 is docked back onto the docking cradle 3, but also connects the wireless speaker 4 which is already docked on the docking cradle 5 to the predetermined wireless audio source 6. In doing so, the control module can provide the predetermined wireless audio source 6 as an identical mono rendering to both wireless speakers 2 and 4, or the control module can provide the predetermined wireless audio source 6 as a left channel stereo rendering to one of the wireless speakers 2 and 4 and a right channel audio rendering to the other of the wireless speakers 2 and 4. The control module can also provide the predetermined wireless audio source 6 as further stereo channels corresponding to the number of wireless speakers, or corresponding to a multi-channel audio protocol, such as 5.1 multi-channel, provided that a sufficient number of wireless speakers corresponding to such a protocol is provided. In the embodiments where the predetermined wireless audio source 6 is rendered in stereo channels, this can be implemented with the respective channel assigned to the docking cradles as described earlier, if these are assigned. Again, the type of audio rendering can be pre-assigned in the factory and/or assignable by a user. Likewise, whether the control module operates in the third or fourth mode can be pre-assigned in the factory and/or assignable by a user.

Alternatively, in a fifth mode, the control module automatically connects the wireless speaker 2 or 4 to a default audio source 7 when the wireless speaker is docked onto the docking cradle 3 or 5. For example, the wireless speaker 2 has been undocked from the docking cradle 3 whilst the wireless speaker 4 remains on the docking cradle 5. In accordance with the above, the control module has automatically connected the wireless speaker 2 to a predetermined wireless audio source 6. When the wireless speaker 2 is docked back onto the docking cradle 3, the control module automatically connects the wireless speaker 2 to a default audio source 7.

The default audio source 7 is connected to one or more of the docking cradles 3 or 5. The connection can be a wired or wireless connection. For example, the default audio source 7 can be a television with the docking cradles 3 and 5 positioned in the vicinity of the television. In this example, the predetermined wireless audio source to which wireless speaker 2 automatically connects to when wireless speaker 2 is undocked from docking cradle 3 is a laptop. The default audio source 7 can be connected via an auxiliary audio input port on one or more of the docking cradles. When the wireless speaker 2 is docked back onto the docking cradle 3, and the control module automatically connects the wireless speaker 2 to the default audio source 7, the control module can provide the default audio source as an identical mono rendering to both wireless speakers 2 and 4, or the control module can provide the default audio source 7 as a left channel stereo rendering to one of the wireless speakers 2 and 4 and a right channel audio rendering to the other of the wireless speakers 2 and 4. As with the predetermined wireless audio source 6 described above, the control module can also provide the default audio source 7 as further stereo channels corresponding to the number of wireless speakers, or corresponding to a multi-channel audio protocol, such as 5.1 multi-channel, provided that a sufficient number of wireless speakers corresponding to such a protocol is provided. In the embodiments where the default audio source 7 is rendered in stereo channels, this can be implemented with the respective channel assigned to the docking cradles as described earlier, if these are assigned.

In the example described above where the default audio source 7 is a television, the default audio source can be provided as a stereo rendering as mentioned above with the docking cradles 3 and 5 positioned either side of the television to provide stereo sound. Again, the type of audio rendering can be pre-assigned in the factory and/or assignable by a user. Likewise, whether the control module operates in the third, fourth, or fifth mode can be pre-assigned in the factory and/or assignable by a user.

Generally speaking, and as can be appreciated from the foregoing, when a first one of the wireless speakers is undocked, and is subsequently docked onto one of the docking cradles, the control module configures the wireless speakers that are now docked to continue to play the audio source that was playing on the first wireless speaker before the first wireless speaker was subsequently docked. The audio source that was playing on the first wireless speaker before the first wireless speaker was subsequently docked can be rendered as mono inputs on the wireless speakers that are now docked or rendered as different stereo channels for respective wireless speakers that are now docked. Again, the type of audio rendering can be pre-assigned in the factory and/or assignable by a user.

Alternatively, when a first one of the wireless speakers is undocked, and is subsequently docked onto one of the docking cradles, the control module configures the wireless speakers that are now docked to continue to play the respective audio sources that were playing on the wireless speakers that were docked before the first wireless speaker was subsequently docked.

Whether the control module configures the wireless speakers that are now docked to continue to play the audio source that was playing on the first wireless speaker before the first wireless speaker was subsequently docked, or to continue to play the respective audio sources that were playing on the wireless speakers that were docked before the first wireless speaker was subsequently docked, can be pre-assigned in the factory and/or assignable by a user.

It is appreciated that the wireless speaker system 1 operates as described above with any number of wireless speakers. In particular, in a wireless speaker system with only one wireless speaker, the control module can operate in the first mode described above where the control module automatically connects the single wireless speaker to a predetermined wireless audio source 6 when the wireless speaker is undocked from the docking cradle on which the wireless speaker is docked. The control module of the single wireless speaker system can also operate in the third and fifth modes described above, whereby the wireless speaker is connected to a predetermined wireless audio source 6 or a default audio source 7 respectively.

In a seventh mode, when a first one of the wireless speakers is undocked, runs out of power, and is subsequently docked onto one of the docking cradles, the control module configures a second one of the wireless speakers to take over playback of the audio source that was playing on the first wireless speaker when it was undocked. This allows a user to swap an out-of-battery wireless speaker with another wireless speaker that still contains battery power from being charged whilst on a docking cradle. This mode can be pre-assigned in the factory and/or assignable by a user so that the control module invokes this mode automatically when an out-of-battery wireless speaker is returned to a docking cradle.

From the foregoing detailed description, it is appreciated that the control module sets an audio source for one or more wireless speakers depending on whether one of the wireless speakers is docked onto or undocked from a docking cradle. In particular, one or more wireless speakers when undocked from respective docking cradles can connect automatically to a predetermined wireless audio source. The predetermined wireless audio source can be rendered as multi-channel audio if there are a plurality of undocked wireless speakers. The predetermined wireless audio source and how it is rendered can be configured by a user. When the one or more wireless speakers are docked back onto respective docking cradles, the one or more wireless speakers that are now docked can continue to be connected to either the predetermined wireless audio source or a default audio source. If there are now a plurality of docked wireless speakers, the audio source, whether the predetermined wireless audio source or the default audio source, can be rendered as multi-channel audio. The audio source can be configured by a user to be the predetermined wireless audio source or the default audio source. The user can also configure how the audio source is to be rendered. There is also an out-of-battery functionality where an undocked and out-of-battery wireless speaker can be docked back onto a docking cradle and swapped with a wireless speaker already on another docking cradle and containing at least some battery charge.

It is appreciated that the aforesaid embodiments are only exemplary embodiments adopted to describe the principles of the present invention, and the present invention is not merely limited thereto. Various variants and modifications can be made by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and essence of the present invention, and these variants and modifications are also covered within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it is appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention can be embodied in many other forms. It is also appreciated by those skilled in the art that the features of the various examples described can be combined in other combinations.

Claims

1 . A wireless speaker system comprising:

at least one wireless speaker;

at least one docking cradle for receiving the wireless speaker; and

2. A wireless speaker system according to claim 1 wherein the control module automatically connects the wireless speaker to a predetermined wireless audio source when the wireless speaker is undocked from the docking cradle.

3. A wireless speaker system according to claim 2 wherein the control module continues to connect the wireless speaker to the predetermined wireless audio source when the wireless speaker is docked onto the docking cradle.

4. A wireless speaker system according to any one of claims 1 to 2 wherein the control module automatically connects the wireless speaker to a default audio source when the wireless speaker is docked onto the docking cradle.

5. A wireless speaker system according to claim 4 wherein the default audio source is connected to the docking cradle.

6. A wireless speaker system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 comprising two or more of the wireless speakers and a corresponding number of docking cradles.

7. A wireless speaker system according to claim 6 wherein the wireless speakers receive a multi-channel audio input, each docking cradle is assigned to a respective one of the channels, and the control module automatically connects the respective channel assigned to a said docking cradle when any one of the wireless speakers is docked onto the said docking cradle.

8. A wireless speaker system according to any one of claims 6 to 7 wherein when a first one of the wireless speakers is undocked, runs out of power, and is subsequently docked onto one of the docking cradles, the control module configures a second one of the wireless speakers to take over playback of the audio source that was playing on the first wireless speaker when it was undocked.

9. A wireless speaker system according to any one of claims 6 to 7 wherein when a first one of the wireless speakers is undocked, and is subsequently docked onto one of the docking cradles, the control module configures the wireless speakers that are now docked to continue to play the audio source that was playing on the first wireless speaker before the first wireless speaker was subsequently docked.

10. A wireless speaker system according to any one of claims 6 to 7 wherein when a first one of the wireless speakers is undocked, and is subsequently docked onto one of the docking cradles, the control module configures the wireless speakers that are now docked to continue to play the respective audio sources that were playing on the wireless speakers that were docked before the first wireless speaker was subsequently docked.