Supporting audio element with voice recognition for a furniture item
An exemplary supporting audio element for a furniture item may include a control circuit positioned within a body portion, a supporting leg, and a loudspeaker. The supporting audio element may be mounted to a furniture item, for supporting the furniture item, and configured for one or more of, without limitation, communicating with an external audio device, playing audio, controlling a function of the furniture item, voice recognition, and voice control. An exemplary supporting audio element may include a microphone connected to a phonetic recognition module, for receiving and recognizing voice commands and relaying the voice commands to the control circuit for controlling a function of the supporting audio leg and the furniture item. A furniture item may include an exemplary supporting audio element for incorporating the features thereof.
1. A supporting audio leg, comprising:
a body portion including a body portion housing, wherein the body portion housing includes a first surface configured to attach to a bottom surface of the furniture item body, a second surface opposite the first surface and configured to face downward towards a ground surface, and a speaker opening, and the body portion housing defines an interior area of the body portion;
a supporting post connected to and extending away from the body portion housing; and
a loudspeaker positioned within the interior area of the body portion; and
a control circuit positioned within the interior area of the body portion, wherein:
the control circuit includes a phonetic recognition module and an audio processing and controlling module electrically connected to the phonetic recognition module,
the phonetic recognition module is configured to receive a speech signal from a microphone,
the phonetic recognition module is configured for recognizing a voice command in the speech signal and relaying the voice command to the audio processing and controlling module, and
the audio processing and controlling module is configured for controlling a function responsive to the voice command;
wherein:
the supporting audio leg is configured to support and elevate a furniture item body above the ground surface,
the speaker opening is disposed on the second surface of the body portion housing and configured to be oriented downward towards the ground surface, the supporting post extends from the second surface, and the loudspeaker faces the speaker opening.
2. The supporting audio leg of claim 1 , further comprising a controller and a USB connection, wherein:
the controller is configured to operate the loudspeaker,
the USB connection is configured to communicate with the controller,
the controller is disposed in the interior area of body portion, and
the USB connection is located on the body portion housing of the supporting audio leg.
3. The supporting audio leg of claim 1 , further comprising a controller, wherein:
the controller is configured to operate the loudspeaker and a light source,
the controller is disposed in the interior area of body portion, and
the light source is disposed on the body portion housing, the supporting post, or the furniture item body.
4. The supporting audio leg of claim 1 , wherein the function is one of playing audio through the loudspeaker, adjusting a position of a component of the furniture item body, activating a heater or a cooler in the furniture item body, turning on a light source, and activating a massager.
5. The supporting audio leg of claim 1 , further comprising a microphone configured for receiving the speech signal and relaying the speech signal to the phonetic recognition module, wherein the microphone is disposed in or on the body portion housing.
6. The supporting audio leg of claim 5 , wherein the microphone is disposed in the interior area of the body portion, the body portion housing comprises a microphone opening, the microphone faces the microphone opening, and the microphone opening is configured to be hidden.
7. A supporting leg, comprising:
a body portion including a body portion housing, wherein the body portion housing defines an interior area of the body portion;
a supporting post connected to and extending away from the body portion housing;
a speaker opening disposed on the body portion housing, wherein the speaker opening is offset from the supporting post and configured to face downwards towards the ground surface;
a control circuit positioned within the interior area of the body portion, wherein:
the control circuit includes a phonetic recognition module and an audio processing and controlling module electrically connected to the phonetic recognition module,
the phonetic recognition module is configured to receive a speech signal from a microphone,
the phonetic recognition module is configured for recognizing a voice command in the speech signal and relaying the voice command to the audio processing and controlling module,
the audio processing and controlling module is configured for controlling a function responsive to the voice command, and
the supporting leg is configured to support and elevate a furniture item body above a ground surface; and
a loudspeaker disposed in the interior area of the body portion, wherein:
the body portion housing comprises a first surface configured to attach to a bottom surface of the furniture item body, a second surface opposite the first surface and configured to face downward towards the ground surface, wherein the speaker opening is disposed on the second surface and the supporting post extends from the second surface.
8. The supporting leg of claim 7 , wherein the function comprises playing audio through the loudspeaker.
9. The supporting leg of claim 8 , wherein the loudspeaker faces the speaker opening.
10. The supporting leg of claim 7 , further comprising a microphone disposed in or on the body portion housing or the supporting post, wherein the microphone is configured for receiving the speech signal and relaying the speech signal to the phonetic recognition module.
11. The supporting leg of claim 10 , wherein the microphone is disposed in the interior area of the body portion, the body portion housing comprises a microphone opening, the microphone faces the microphone opening, and the microphone opening is located away from an exterior side of the furniture item body.
12. The supporting leg of claim 7 , further comprising a USB connection, wherein:
the USB connection is configured to electrically communicate with the control circuit, and
the USB connection is located on the body portion housing.
13. The supporting leg of claim 7 , further comprising a light source, wherein:
the control circuit is configured to operate the light source, and
the light source is disposed on the body portion housing or the supporting post.
14. The supporting leg of claim 7 , further comprising a microphone disposed in the interior area of the body portion and configured for receiving the speech signal and relaying the speech signal to the phonetic recognition module, wherein the body housing further comprises a third surface extending between the first surface and the second surface, a microphone opening is disposed on the third surface, and the microphone faces the microphone opening.
15. The supporting leg of claim 14 , wherein the third surface of the body housing has a first side configured to be proximate to and approximately parallel to a first exterior side surface of the furniture item body, a second side configured to be proximate to and approximately parallel to a second exterior side surface of the furniture item body, and a third side on which is disposed the microphone opening.
16. A furniture item, comprising:
a furniture item body including a bottom surface;
a main supporting audio leg including a body portion configured to be attached to the bottom surface of the furniture item body at a first location and a leg portion connected to and extending away from the body portion, wherein the body portion includes a body portion housing defining an interior area of the body portion, a first speaker opening disposed on the body portion housing, and a main loudspeaker positioned within the interior area of the body portion of the main supporting audio leg;
wherein the first speaker opening is offset from the leg portion and configured to face downwards towards the ground surface,
wherein the main supporting audio leg further comprises a control circuit positioned within the interior area of the body portion of the main supporting audio leg, wherein:
the control circuit includes a phonetic recognition module and an audio processing and controlling module electrically connected to the phonetic recognition module, the phonetic recognition module is configured to receive a speech signal from a microphone,
the phonetic recognition module is configured for recognizing a voice command in the speech signal and relaying the voice command to the audio processing and controlling module, and
the audio processing and controlling module is configured for controlling a function responsive to the voice command, and
wherein the main supporting audio leg is configured to support the furniture item body and to extend from the bottom surface of the furniture item body to elevate the furniture item body above a ground surface; and
a secondary supporting audio leg including a body portion mounted to the bottom surface of the furniture item body at a second location and a leg portion connected to and extending away from the body portion of the secondary supporting audio leg, wherein:
the body portion of the secondary supporting audio leg includes a body portion housing defining an interior area of the body portion,
a secondary loudspeaker is positioned within the interior area of the body portion of the secondary supporting audio leg and configured to receive an audio signal from the control circuit, and
the secondary supporting audio leg is configured to support the furniture item body and to extend from the bottom surface of the furniture item body to elevate the furniture item body above a ground surface.
17. The furniture item of claim 16 , further comprising a microphone disposed in the interior area of the body portion of the main supporting audio leg and configured for receiving the speech signal and relaying the speech signal to the phonetic recognition module, wherein:
the main loudspeaker faces the first speaker opening,
the body portion housing of the secondary supporting audio leg comprises a second speaker opening,
the secondary loudspeaker faces the second speaker opening, and
the second speaker opening is configured to face downwards towards the ground surface.