IP Library Granted Patent US 10,349,158
Granted Patent B2
US 10,349,158 · App. 15/786,232 · Granted Jul 9, 2019

Loudspeaker system

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,349,158
App. No.
15/786,232
Granted
Jul 9, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A loudspeaker system and method of utilizing and/or installing thereof. As a non-limiting example, various aspects of this disclosure provide a loudspeaker system that may be conveniently integrated with a power distribution network of a premises.

Claims (94)

1. A loudspeaker device comprising:

a front face;

an electrical power outlet on the front face and adapted to receive an electrical plug of a device external to the loudspeaker device;

first power circuitry operable to provide first electrical power to the electrical power outlet;

communication circuitry operable to receive an audio signal from an audio source external to the loudspeaker device;

audio circuitry operable to generate an audio output based on the received audio signal;

second power circuitry operable to provide second electrical power to at least the communication circuitry and the audio circuitry; and

an enclosure that houses at least a portion of the electrical power outlet, the first power circuitry, the communication circuitry, the audio circuitry, and the second power circuitry.

2. The loudspeaker device of claim 1 , further comprising an electrical power plug protruding from a back side of the enclosure.

3. A loudspeaker device comprising:

a front face;

an electrical power outlet on the front face and adapted to receive an electrical plug of a device external to the loudspeaker device;

first power circuitry operable to provide first electrical power to the electrical power outlet;

communication circuitry operable to receive an audio signal from an audio source external to the loudspeaker device;

audio circuitry operable to generate an audio output based on the received audio signal;

second power circuitry operable to provide second electrical power to at least the communication circuitry and the audio circuitry; and

an enclosure that comprises the front face, a back side, and lateral sides that extend between the front face and the back side, and wherein the loudspeaker device is configured such that at least a portion of the lateral sides protrude from a premises wall when the loudspeaker device is mounted.

4. The loudspeaker device of claim 1 , wherein the first power circuitry comprises electrical power wires protruding from a back side of the enclosure.

5. The loudspeaker device of claim 1 , wherein the enclosure is adapted to be mounted to a junction box of a premises-based electrical power distribution system.

6. A loudspeaker device comprising:

a front face;

an electrical power outlet on the front face and adapted to receive an electrical plug of a device external to the loudspeaker device;

first power circuitry operable to provide first electrical power to the electrical power outlet;

communication circuitry operable to receive an audio signal from an audio source external to the loudspeaker device;

audio circuitry operable to generate an audio output based on the received audio signal;

second power circuitry operable to provide second electrical power to at least the communication circuitry and the audio circuitry; and

an antenna coupled to the communication circuitry and positioned to be outside of a premises wall when the loudspeaker device is mounted.

7. The loudspeaker device of claim 1 , comprising a manual electrical power switch on the front face and adapted to switch electrical power to a device that is independent of the loudspeaker device.

8. The loudspeaker device of claim 1 , wherein the communication circuitry comprises wireless communication circuitry.

9. A loudspeaker device comprising:

a front face;

an electrical power outlet on the front face and adapted to receive an electrical plug of a device external to the loudspeaker device;

first power circuitry operable to provide first electrical power to the electrical power outlet;

communication circuitry operable to receive an audio signal from an audio source external to the loudspeaker device;

audio circuitry operable to generate an audio output based on the received audio signal; and

second power circuitry operable to provide second electrical power to at least the communication circuitry and the audio circuitry,

wherein the first power circuitry is operable to receive the first electrical power from a premises-based electrical power distribution system and directly pass the received first electrical power to the electrical power outlet.

10. The loudspeaker device of claim 9 , wherein the second power circuitry is operable to:

receive the second electrical power from the premises-based electrical power distribution system; and

convert the received second electrical power to a form compatible with the communication circuitry and the audio circuitry.

11. A loudspeaker device comprising:

a front face;

a manual electrical power switch on the front face and adapted to switch electrical power to a device that is independent of the loudspeaker device;

first power circuitry operable to provide first electrical power to the manual electrical power switch;

communication circuitry operable to receive an audio signal from an audio source external to the loudspeaker device;

audio circuitry operable to generate an audio output based on the received audio signal; and

second power circuitry operable to provide second electrical power to at least the communication circuitry and the audio circuitry; and

an antenna coupled to the communication circuitry and positioned to be outside of a premises wall when the loudspeaker device is mounted.

12. The loudspeaker device of claim 11 , further comprising a back side, and an electrical power plug protruding from the back side.

13. A loudspeaker device comprising:

a front face;

a manual electrical power switch on the front face and adapted to switch electrical power to a device that is independent of the loudspeaker device;

first power circuitry operable to provide first electrical power to the manual electrical power switch;

communication circuitry operable to receive an audio signal from an audio source external to the loudspeaker device;

audio circuitry operable to generate an audio output based on the received audio signal;

second power circuitry operable to provide second electrical power to at least the communication circuitry and the audio circuitry; and

an enclosure that comprises the front face, a back side, and lateral sides that extend between the front face and the back side, and wherein the loudspeaker device is configured such that at least a portion of the lateral sides protrude from a premises wall when the loudspeaker device is mounted.

14. A loudspeaker device comprising:

a front face;

a manual electrical power switch on the front face and adapted to switch electrical power to a device that is independent of the loudspeaker device;

first power circuitry operable to provide first electrical power to the manual electrical power switch;

communication circuitry operable to receive an audio signal from an audio source external to the loudspeaker device;

audio circuitry operable to generate an audio output based on the received audio signal;

second power circuitry operable to provide second electrical power to at least the communication circuitry and the audio circuitry; and

an enclosure that houses at least a portion of the manual electrical power switch, the first power circuitry, the communication circuitry, the audio circuitry, and the second power circuitry, and wherein the enclosure is adapted to be mounted to a junction box of a premises-based electrical power distribution system.

15. The loudspeaker device of claim 11 , wherein the antenna comprises a strip that is internal to the enclosure.

16. The loudspeaker device of claim 11 , wherein the manual electrical power switch protrudes from the front face.

17. A loudspeaker device comprising:

a front face;

a manual electrical power switch on the front face and adapted to switch electrical power to a device that is independent of the loudspeaker device;

first power circuitry operable to provide first electrical power to the manual electrical power switch;

communication circuitry operable to receive an audio signal from an audio source external to the loudspeaker device;

audio circuitry operable to generate an audio output based on the received audio signal; and

second power circuitry operable to provide second electrical power to at least the communication circuitry and the audio circuitry;

wherein the first power circuitry is operable to receive the first electrical power from a premises-based electrical power distribution system and directly pass the received first electrical power to the electrical power switch.

18. The loudspeaker device of claim 17 , wherein the second power circuitry is operable to:

receive the second electrical power from the premises-based electrical power distribution system; and

convert the received second electrical power to a form compatible with the communication circuitry and the audio circuitry.

19. A loudspeaker device comprising:

an enclosure configured to be mounted to an electrical power junction box of a premises-based electrical power distribution system;

communication circuitry operable to receive an audio signal from an audio source external to the loudspeaker device;

audio circuitry operable to generate an audio output based on the received audio signal;

power circuitry operable to provide electrical power to at least the communication circuitry and the audio circuitry; and

an antenna exposed from the enclosure and positioned to be outside of a premises wall when the enclosure is mounted to the electrical power junction box.

20. The loudspeaker device of claim 19 , wherein:

the enclosure comprises a front face, a back side, and a plurality of lateral sides that extend between the front face and the back side; and

the antenna is positioned on at least one of the lateral sides.

21. The loudspeaker device of claim 19 , comprising an electrical outlet adapted to receive an electrical plug of a device external to the loudspeaker device.

22. The loudspeaker device of claim 19 , comprising an electrical power plug protruding from a side of the enclosure and adapted to plug into a premises-based electrical power outlet.

23. The loudspeaker device of claim 22 , wherein the power circuitry is operable to:

receive the electrical power from the premises-based electrical power outlet; and

convert the received electrical power to a form compatible with the communication circuitry and the audio circuitry.

24. The loudspeaker device of claim 19 , wherein the enclosure comprises a front face, a back side, and lateral sides that extend between the front face and the back side, and wherein the loudspeaker device is configured such that at least a portion of the lateral sides protrude from a premises wall when the loudspeaker device is mounted.

25. The loudspeaker device of claim 19 , wherein the antenna comprises a strip.

Assignments (7)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT COLLATERAL (REEL/FRAME 056193/0207) Recorded Apr 12, 2022
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: POLK AUDIO, LLC; DEI SALES, INC.; DEI HOLDINGS, INC.; SOUND UNITED, LLC; DEFINITIVE TECHNOLOGY, LLC; D&M HOLDINGS U.S. INC.; THE SPEAKER COMPANY; DENEN ELECTRONICS (USA), LLC; MARANTZ AMERICA, LLC; D & M SALES & MARKETING AMERICAS LLC; D&M DIRECT, INC.; BOSTON ACOUSTICS, INC.; D&M PREMIUM SOUD SOLUTIONS, LLC; EQUITY INTERNATIONAL LLC
Reel/Frame 059988/0637 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT COLLATERAL (REEL/FRAME 056193/0230) Recorded Apr 12, 2022
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DEI SALES, INC.; DEI HOLDINGS, INC.; SOUND UNITED, LLC; POLK AUDIO, LLC; DEFINITIVE TECHNOLOGY, LLC; D&M HOLDINGS U.S. INC.; THE SPEAKER COMPANY; DENEN ELECTRONICS (USA), LLC; MARANTZ AMERICA, LLC; D & M SALES & MARKETING AMERICAS LLC; D&M DIRECT, INC.; BOSTON ACOUSTICS, INC.; D&M PREMIUM SOUD SOLUTIONS, LLC; EQUITY INTERNATIONAL LLC
Reel/Frame 060003/0212 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Recorded Feb 14, 2022
From: CERBERUS BUSINESS FINANCE, LLC, AS AGENT
To: POLK AUDIO, LLC; DIRECTED, LLC; DEFINITIVE TECHNOLOGY, LLC; BOSTON ACOUSTICS, INC.; D&M EUROPE B.V.; B & W GROUP LTD; SOUND UNITED, LLC; B & W LOUDSPEAKERS LTD; D&M HOLDINGS INC.
Reel/Frame 059127/0278 →
FIRST LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 10, 2021
From: BOSTON ACOUSTICS, INC.; DEI SALES, INC.; DEI HOLDINGS, INC.; SOUND UNITED, LLC; POLK AUDIO, LLC; DEFINITIVE TECHNOLOGY, LLC; D&M HOLDINGS U.S. INC.; THE SPEAKER COMPANY; DENON ELECTRONICS (USA), LLC; MARANTZ AMERICA LLC; D & M SALES & MARKETING AMERICAS LLC; D&M DIRECT, INC.; D&M PREMIUM SOUND SOLUTIONS, LLC; EQUITY INTERNATIONAL LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 056193/0230 →
ABL PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 10, 2021
From: BOSTON ACOUSTICS, INC.; DEI SALES, INC.; DEI HOLDINGS, INC.; SOUND UNITED, LLC; POLK AUDIO, LLC; DEFINITIVE TECHNOLOGY, LLC; D&M HOLDINGS U.S. INC.; THE SPEAKER COMPANY; DENON ELECTRONICS (USA), LLC; MARANTZ AMERICA LLC; D & M SALES & MARKETING AMERICAS LLC; D&M DIRECT, INC.; D&M PREMIUM SOUND SOLUTIONS, LLC; EQUITY INTERNATIONAL LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 056193/0207 →
NOTICE OF SECURITY INTEREST - PATENTS Recorded Oct 9, 2020
From: DEI SALES, INC.; D&M HOLDINGS U.S. INC.; BOSTON ACOUSTICS, INC.; D&M EUROPE B.V.; POLK AUDIO, LLC; DEFINITIVE TECHNOLOGY, LLC; B & W GROUP LTD
To: CERBERUS BUSINESS FINANCE, LLC, AS THE COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 054300/0611 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 17, 2017
From: STAROBIN, BRADLEY M.; LYONS, MATTHEW; LUMSDEN, STUART W.; DITULLO, MICHAEL
To: SOUND UNITED, LLC
Reel/Frame 043886/0330 →