Loudspeaker device

Abstract

The invention provides a speaker device. The speaker device includes: a device body having: a top surface; a reflective surface extending at least partially downward from an outer edge of the top surface; at least one wall at least partially overlapping the reflective surface; an aperture defined between the outer edge of the top surface and a top edge of the at least one wall; a light source disposed inside the device body; and a light guide disposed in the interior of the device body, the light guide extending at least partially between the light source and the aperture; and the reflective surface, the light source, the light guide, and the at least one wall are arranged such that light emitted by the light source: travels through the light guide to be incident on the reflective surface; the light is reflected from the reflecting surface; and leaves the speaker device through the aperture.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference

[0002] This application claims priority to Russian Patent Application No. 2024123126, filed on August 12, 2024, entitled “SPEAKER DEVICE,” the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present technology relates generally to loudspeakers, and more particularly to loudspeakers implemented as smart speakers and their light indicators. BACKGROUND

[0004] Broadly speaking, a loudspeaker (also referred to herein as a “speaker device”) is a device that includes a housing and a drive unit capable of converting an electrical audio signal into a corresponding sound.

[0005] For example, a speaker device can be implemented as a voice-activated personal assistant (also referred to as a “smart speaker,” such as Amazon TM Alexa TM , Google TM Home TM , Yandex TM Alisa TM , etc.), which is configured to execute voice commands of a user after a certain wake-up word (e.g., “Alexa,” “OK, Google,” and “Privet, Alisa,” respectively). For example, such commands can include, but are not limited to: (i) inquiries on the Internet for information related to, for example, weather forecasts, stock prices, best places to visit in Spain; or (ii) launching a certain application on other electronic devices associated with a given user (e.g., a smart phone, for example), and performing certain requests related to such an application. For example, a given user can submit a request saying “Hey Google, play some lounge music,” and the speaker device can be configured to activate an audio streaming application in order to execute the request. Moreover, in cases where a given device is part of a smart home system, user voice commands can include commands related to turning on / off home appliances, lighting, closing / opening bindings, etc.

[0006] Typically, such speaker devices can include various light indicators, e.g., light emitting diode (LED) based light indicators. For example, these indicators can indicate the current status of the speaker device, e.g., “active”, “standby” or “error”. In another example, these indicators can be configured to visualize the sound generated by the speaker device, e.g., the device generated answer to a user query by the speaker device or the music played back by the speaker device. In yet another example, such light indicators can additionally be used for the master lighting system of the space in which the speaker device is located, e.g., for aesthetic purposes, e.g., to create a specific light atmosphere or light color tone in the space.

[0007] One of the challenges associated with the light indicators of these speaker devices can be that the light emitted thereby can not be sufficiently noticeable to a user from different viewing angles. In other words, at certain angles, the light indicators of the speaker device can falsely appear to not emit any light to the user of the speaker device when turned on. In another example, the light emitted by the light indicators can appear not bright enough to the user, which can make it challenging to notice this light from a distance.

[0008] Therefore, this can cause a certain discomfort to the user interacting with the speaker device. For example, if the user does not notice that the speaker device has received a given command or an indication that the current status of the device is “error”, they can therefore continue to submit the same voice command to the speaker device. This can greatly affect the user experience of the user interacting with the speaker device and with other products and services associated therewith.

[0009] Certain methods have been proposed in the prior art to address the above identified problems.

[0010] The Chinese Utility Model Application Publication No. 205,017,495-U, assigned to Shenzhen Grandsun Electronics Co Ltd and entitled “BLUE TEETH SOUND BOX”, published on February 3, 2016, discloses a Bluetooth sound box including a housing and a light indication group of concentric LEDs mounted therein along the periphery of the Bluetooth sound box. The side wall of the housing can be equipped with a ring of LEDs. Light from the LEDs mounted on the printed circuit board can be guided from a light guide to a light guide ring to increase the scattering angle of the light source.

[0011] U.S. Patent No. 11,693,488-B2, issued July 4, 2023, assigned to Apple Inc., and entitled “VOICE-CONTROLLED ELECTRONIC DEVICE” discloses a voice-controlled electronic device that includes a device housing having a longitudinal axis bisecting opposing top and bottom surfaces and a side surface extending between the top and bottom surfaces. The device can further include one or more microphones disposed within the device housing and distributed radially about the longitudinal axis, a processor configured to execute computer instructions stored in a computer-readable memory for interacting with a user and processing voice commands received by the one or more microphones and a first transducer and a second transducer configured to generate sound waves within different frequency ranges. SUMMARY

[0012] It is among the objects of the present technology to improve at least some of the inconveniences present in the prior art.

[0013] Non-limiting embodiments of the present technology relate to a particular configuration of an exit aperture of a light indicator of a speaker device. More specifically, developers have learned that a particular ratio between a depth and a height of the exit aperture can help direct emitted light to outside of the device at a wider angle, which in turn can make the light emission of the light source more noticeable and visible to a user.

[0014] Furthermore, developers have designed a light guide for directing light from a light source to an exit aperture having a particular laterally extending protrusion configured to diffuse light passing therethrough. This can allow for a more uniform intensity distribution of emitted light, which in turn can make the output light of the speaker device equally noticeable to a user from different viewing angles.

[0015] More specifically, according to one broad aspect of the present technology, a speaker device is provided. The speaker device comprises a device body. The device body has a top surface, a reflective surface extending at least partially downward from an outer edge of the top surface, at least one wall at least partially overlapping the reflective surface, an aperture defined between the outer edge of the top surface and a top edge of the at least one wall, a light source disposed inside the device body, and a light guide disposed inside the device body, the light guide being in optical communication with the light source, the light guide extending at least partially between the light source and the aperture; and the reflective surface, the light source, the light guide, and the at least one wall are arranged such that light emitted by the light source: travels through the light guide to be incident on the reflective surface; reflects from the reflective surface; and exits the speaker device through the aperture. The aperture has a height and a depth defining an aspect ratio, the aspect ratio being in a range from about 0.96 to about 1.53.

[0016] In some embodiments, the aspect ratio of the aperture is about 1.24.

[0017] In some embodiments, the aspect ratio of the aperture is about 1.19.

[0018] In some embodiments, the height of the aperture is in a range from about 4.35 mm to about 5.35 mm.

[0019] In some embodiments, the depth of the aperture is in a range from about 3.5 mm to about 4.5 mm.

[0020] In some embodiments, the height of the aperture is in a range from about 4.35 mm to about 5.35 mm; and the depth of the aperture is in a range from about 3.5 mm to about 4.5 mm.

[0021] In some embodiments, a portion of the device body that bounds the reflective surface is at least partially translucent to light emitted by the light source; a first portion of light emitted by the light source propagates through the light guide and is reflected by the reflective surface; and a second portion of light emitted by the light source is transmitted through the portion of the device body that bounds the reflective surface.

[0022] In some embodiments, the second portion is transmitted through a sidewall of the light guide prior to being transmitted through the portion of the device body that bounds the reflective surface.

[0023] In some embodiments, the sidewall of the light guide bounds at least one laterally extending protrusion configured for diffusing light that passes therethrough; and the second portion propagates through the at least one laterally extending protrusion prior to being transmitted through the portion of the device body that bounds the reflective surface.

[0024] In some embodiments, the light source comprises at least one light emitting diode (LED).

[0025] In some embodiments, a cross-section of a portion of the device body that bounds the reflective surface is defined by a spline curve that intercepts the height and the depth of the aperture.

[0026] In some embodiments, a maximum curvature of a portion of the device body that bounds the reflective surface is about 0.46 mm -1 .

[0027] According to another broad aspect of the present technology, there is provided a speaker device. The speaker device includes a device body. The device body has a control panel having an outer face and an inner face, a reflective surface extending at least partially laterally from an outer edge of the inner face of the control panel, at least one wall at least partially overlapping the reflective surface, an aperture defined between the outer edge of the inner face and a proximal longitudinal edge of the at least one wall, a light source disposed within an interior of the device body, and a light guide disposed within the interior of the device body, the light guide being in optical communication with the light source, the light guide extending at least partially between the light source and the aperture. The reflective surface, the light source, the light guide, and the at least one wall are arranged such that light emitted by the light source: travels through the light guide to be incident on the reflective surface, reflects from the reflective surface, and exits the speaker device through the aperture. The aperture has a height and a depth defining an aspect ratio, the aspect ratio being in a range from about 0.96 to about 1.53.

[0028] As used herein, the term "about" in the context of a given value or range means a value or range that is within 10% of the given value or range, preferably within 5% and more preferably within 1%.

[0029] For the purposes of this application, terms related to spatial orientation (e.g., forward, rearward, upward, downward, left, right, etc.) are as would be generally understood by a user or user of a device. When describing or referring to components or sub-assemblies of a device that are separate from the device, terms related to spatial orientation are to be understood as would be understood when those components or sub-assemblies are mounted to the device.

[0030] Furthermore, it should be expressly understood that terms related to spatial orientation as listed above are to be interpreted in the context of the present specification, as depicted in the provided drawings.

[0031] Embodiments of the present technology each have at least one of the above mentioned aspects, but do not necessarily have all of them. It is understood that some aspects of the present technology which are

[0032] Additional and / or alternative features, aspects, and advantages of embodiments of the present technology will become apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0033] For a better understanding of the present technology, and to show how it can be put into effect, reference will be made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0034] Figure 1is a top, side perspective view of a speaker device according to certain non-limiting embodiments of the present technology;

[0035] Figure 2 is a partial vertical cross-section of a speaker device according to certain non-limiting embodiments of the present technology including a first embodiment of a light indicator; Figure 1 is a partial vertical cross-section of a speaker device according to certain non-limiting embodiments of the present technology including a first embodiment of a light indicator;

[0036] Figure 3 is a partial vertical cross-section of a speaker device according to certain non-limiting embodiments of the present technology including a second embodiment of a light indicator. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Reference is first made to Figure 1 depicts a perspective view of a speaker device 100 according to certain non-limiting embodiments of the present technology. For example, the speaker device 100 can be positioned by its user on a planar support surface, such as, for example, a table (not depicted). Broadly speaking, in some non-limiting embodiments of the present technology, the speaker device 100 can be configured to convert electrical signals into corresponding sounds within a predetermined audio spectrum, such as sounds corresponding to a range perceivable by a human ear. For example, the speaker device 100 can be configured to reproduce a song and / or other audio feed that a user of the speaker device 100 wishes to listen to.

[0038] In additional non-limiting embodiments of the present technology, the speaker device 100 can be configured to reproduce a corresponding response in response to a predetermined spoken utterance and / or haptic interaction in the vicinity of the speaker device 100 by a user of the speaker device 100. More specifically, in these embodiments, the speaker device 100 can be implemented as a smart speaker that executes a virtual assistant application. For example, the virtual assistant application can be implemented as ALISA TM , a virtual assistant application provided by Yandex LLC, 16 Lev Tolstoy Street, Moscow, 119021, Russia. It is also contemplated to use other commercial or proprietary virtual assistant applications that can be pre-installed on the speaker device 100.

[0039] The speaker device 100 includes a device body 102 that houses a plurality of hardware components of the speaker device 100, which are described below. The device body 102 includes a top surface 104 and a sidewall 106 that extends substantially perpendicularly (that is, downward in the orientation of Figure 1 depicted) from the top surface 104. As depicted from Figure 2 and 3It will be better appreciated that, in some non-limiting embodiments of the technology, the top surface 104 can be coupled to the sidewall 106 such that a portion of the top surface 104 overhangs the sidewall 106. The device body 102 also includes a bottom surface (not shown) that is attached to the sidewall 106 from a side thereof that is opposite the location at which the top surface 104 is attached. In various non-limiting embodiments of the technology, the bottom surface can correspond to the shape of the top surface 104 or have any different shape.

[0040] As Figure 1 depicted in the illustrated embodiment, the device body 102 of the illustrated embodiment has a generally square shape with rounded corners along a substantial vertical extent of the device body 102. However, other configurations of the horizontal form of the device body 102 are also contemplated, and can include, without limitation, shapes bounded by a square, a rectangle, or any other convex, concave, regular or irregular polygon with or without rounded corners, as well as shapes bounded by a smooth closed curve, such as, for example, a circle or an ellipse.

[0041] In some non-limiting embodiments of the technology, the top surface 104 can be implemented as a control panel of the speaker device 100. In this regard, the top surface 104 can be configured to house certain control or branding elements of the speaker device 100. For example, the top surface 104 can be configured to receive (or otherwise bound) an actuator for controlling the volume of sound output by the speaker device 100. In another example, the top surface 104 can be configured to receive or include a power actuator of the speaker device 100 for turning the speaker device 100 on and off. In the illustrated embodiment, the top surface 104 is configured to house a signboard (not separately labeled) that includes, for example, one or more trademarks associated with the speaker device 100.

[0042] The sidewall 106 bounds a speaker grill that is configured to transmit sound produced by a speaker 114 (shown schematically) of the speaker device 100 to an external environment thereof. In some embodiments, in order to achieve desired characteristics of the output sound, a sound-transmissive fabric (not depicted) can be applied to an inner surface of the sidewall 106.

[0043] The device body 102, or portions thereof, can be made of various materials, including, without limitation, metals, plastics, fiberglass, wood, and others, as well as various combinations thereof.

[0044] In some embodiments, portions of the device body 102 can be integrally formed, such as by 3D printing. In other non-limiting embodiments of the technology, at least one of (i) the top surface 104 and (ii) the sidewall 106 of the device body 102 can be separately manufactured, such as by molding or casting, for example.

[0045] The speaker device 100 includes a plurality of hardware components housed in the device body 102. It should be noted that some of the plurality of hardware components have been omitted from the figures for the sake of clarity and simplicity.

[0046] The plurality of hardware components of the speaker device 100 includes a processor (not depicted). When the speaker device 100 is assembled, the processor can be communicatively coupled with other internal components of the plurality of hardware components, e.g., via respective wired communication links.

[0047] In some embodiments of the present technology, the processor can include one or more processors and / or one or more microcontrollers configured to execute instructions and carry out operations associated with the operation of the speaker device 100, including but not limited to instructions that cause execution of a virtual assistant application, instructions associated with receiving commands from a user of the speaker device 100, instructions associated with generating indications in response to receipt thereof, and the like. In various non-limiting embodiments of the present technology, the processor can be implemented as a single-chip, multi-chip, and / or other electrical components including one or more integrated circuits and printed circuit boards. The processor can optionally contain a cache memory unit for temporary local storage of instructions, data, or additional computer information. For example, the processor can include one or more processors or one or more controllers dedicated to certain processing tasks of the speaker device 100, or a single multi-functional processor or controller.

[0048] Furthermore, explicit use of the term “processor” or “controller” should not be construed to refer exclusively to hardware capable of executing software, and can implicitly include, without limitation, digital signal processor (DSP) hardware, network processor, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field

[0049] Furthermore, in accordance with some non-limiting embodiments of the present technology, the plurality of hardware components of the speaker device 100 can include a communication module (not depicted). This communication module can be configured for implementing one of the communication protocols (both wireless and wired) that enable the processor to connect with other electronic devices or remote servers. Various examples of how the communication module can be implemented include, but are not limited to, Bluetooth TM Communication module, UART TM Communication module, Wi-Fi TM Communication module, LTE TM Communication module, etc.

[0050] According to non-limiting embodiments of the present technology, communication between the processor and other of the plurality of internal hardware components (e.g., the communication module), as well as between one another, can be implemented through one or more internal and / or external buses (e.g., a PCI bus, a Universal Serial Bus, an IEEE 1394 "Firewire" bus, a SCSI bus, a Serial ATA bus, etc.), to which respective ones of the plurality of hardware components of the speaker device 100 are electronically coupled.

[0051] Further, the plurality of hardware components of the speaker device 100 installed within the device body 102 includes a speaker 114 (also referred to herein as a "speaker driver" or "driver unit") configured for reproducing a given sound within a predetermined audio spectrum. Generally, the given sound is a combination of sound waves having various audio frequencies. For example, in those embodiments in which the predetermined audio spectrum corresponds to a range that is perceivable by a human ear, the speaker 114 can be configured to generate sound waves within the following ranges: (1) a low range (also referred to herein as a "low frequency range") from about 100 Hz to about 320 Hz; (2) a mid frequency range (also referred to herein as a "mid frequency range") from about 320 Hz to about 1280 Hz; and (3) a high range (also referred to herein as a "high frequency range") from about 1280 Hz to about 20400 Hz.

[0052] Broadly speaking, the speaker 114 generally includes a concave diaphragm (also referred to herein as a "speaker cone") configured to convert respective electrical audio signals receivable by the processor of the speaker device 100 into, for example, the given sound. The concave diaphragm can be made of a thin material (e.g., polypropylene, polyether ether ketone, polycarbonate, biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate (BoPET), etc.) for providing a desired level of sensitivity to the speaker 114.

[0053] Other hardware components that can be housed within the device body 102 will be apparent to those of skill in the art and can include, but are not limited to: a power source for powering the speaker device 100; and external ports, such as an audio jack or a Universal Serial Bus (USB TM ) port for transmitting electrical audio signals representative of various sounds to be reproduced by the speaker 114.

[0054] It should be noted that, although also not depicted, in order to securely house each of the plurality of hardware components of the speaker device 100 within the device body 102, the inner surface thereof can define and / or include all necessary mounting features.

[0055] According to the present technology, the speaker device 100 comprises a light indicator 108. Broadly, the light indicator 108 is configured to emit an output light 112 from the speaker device 100 in response to predetermined indication instructions from a processor of the speaker device 100.

[0056] For example, according to some non-limiting embodiments of the present technology, the predetermined indication instructions can be used to indicate a current status of the speaker device 100, with for example one of the following values: "ready", "standby" or "error".

[0057] In another example, the predetermined indication instructions can be used to visualize, by the light indicator 108, an output sound produced by the speaker device 100, for example a machine-generated answer to a user request or a played-back music. In other words, in these embodiments, the processor of the speaker device 100 can be configured to cause the light indicator 108 to change at least one of a color, an intensity or a flashing pattern of the output light 112 in real-time according to a sound parameter, for example a frequency or an amplitude, of the output sound produced by the speaker 114 of the speaker device 100.

[0058] By doing so, the light indicator 108 can feasibly maintain a visual communication between the speaker device 100 and its user. Therefore, for a better user experience from the user interacting with the speaker device 100, it is desirable that the output light 112 emitted by the light indicator 108 is visible to the user for different values of the vertical extension light output range 110 of the light indicator 108. A horizontal extension light output range (not separately labeled) of the output light 112 is defined by the light indicator 108 along a horizontal extension of the side wall 106.

[0059] It should be explicitly understood that, although in the example of Figure 1 the light indicator 108 extends along all the side wall 106 substantially parallel to the outer edge of the top surface 104, this can not be the case in every embodiment of the present technology. For example, in some non-limiting embodiments of the present technology, the light indicator 108 can extend along only one or two of the side walls 106. In other non-limiting embodiments of the present technology, the light indicator 108 can extend along only a portion of a single one of the side walls 106. It is also contemplated that the light indicator 108 and the side wall 106 can be differently arranged, including such that the light indicator 108 is arranged at different angles with respect to the top surface 104.

[0060] The configuration and implementation of the light indicator 108 according to some non-limiting embodiments of the present technology will now be described.

[0061] With reference to Figure 2 , depicting a partial vertical cross-section of a speaker device 100 according to some non-limiting embodiments of the present technology, which exhibits a first non-limiting embodiment of a light indicator 108.

[0062] The light indicator 108 includes: (1) a light source 202 configured to generate light to be output by the light indicator 108; (2) a light guide 204 configured to guide the light generated by the light source 202 toward the external environment of the speaker device 100; (3) a vertically extending wall 205 including an outer surface 206 configured to reflect light incident thereon from the light guide 204 toward the external environment of the speaker device 100, and thus referred to herein as a reflective surface 206; and (4) an exit aperture 208 defined between the top surface 104 and the sidewall 106 arranged to allow light from the reflective surface 206 to exit to the external environment of the speaker device 100. As should be appreciated, the vertically extending angular range over which the output light 112 propagates from the speaker device 100 defines a vertically extending light output range 110 of the light indicator 108.

[0063] Each of the above-listed components of the light indicator 108 will now be described in greater detail.

[0064] Light Source

[0065] The light source 202 is disposed within the device body 102 in optical communication with the light guide 204 such that at least a portion of the light generated by the light source 202 enters the light guide 204. For example, in the embodiment depicted in Figure 2 the light source 202 is directed downward toward the light guide 204, thereby enabling a first light portion 211 of the light emitted by the light source 202 to (i) enter the light guide 204, (ii) travel therethrough to be incident on the reflective surface 206 of the vertically extending wall 205; (iii) reflect from the reflective surface 206; and (iv) exit the speaker device 100 through the exit aperture 208, thereby forming the output light 112 of the light indicator 108.

[0066] In some non-limiting embodiments of the present technology, the output light 112 can be formed solely from the first light portion 211 reflected from the reflective surface 206. In other non-limiting embodiments of the present technology, as will become apparent from the description provided below, the output light 112 of the light indicator 108 can also be formed from a second light portion 212 of the light emitted by the light source 202 that is transmitted through the vertically extending wall 205 without entering the light guide 204, and can further be combined with the first light portion 211.

[0067] Further, in accordance with certain non-limiting embodiments of the present technology, light source 202 is configured to emit one or more wavelengths of the visible spectrum, generally considered to be light from about 380 nm to about 750 nm. In some embodiments, light source 202 can be configured to emit light within a given range of wavelengths of the visible spectrum, such as, but not limited to, at least one of: (1) from about 380 nm to about 450 nm; (2) from about 450 nm to about 485 nm; (3) from about 485 nm to about 500 nm; (4) from about 500 nm to about 565 nm; (5) from about 565 nm to about 590 nm; (6) from about 590 nm to about 625 nm; or (7) from about 625 nm to about 750 nm. For example, a given range of wavelengths can be selected to correspond to a selected color of the emitted light. In another example, however, a given range of wavelengths can be selected to correspond to more than one color of the emitted light.

[0068] Further, there is no limitation as to how light source 202 can be implemented. Light source 202 can be implemented as various types of light sources, such as one of: at least one incandescent lamp and at least one discharge lamp (e.g., such as a neon, argon, or xenon lamp). In the illustrated embodiment, light source 202 is implemented as an electroluminescent light source, such as a light emitting diode (LED).

[0069] In accordance with certain non-limiting embodiments of the present technology, in embodiments in which light source 202 is implemented as one or more LEDs, the LEDs include, depending on the desired range of wavelengths, one or more of, such as but not limited to: (1) indium gallium nitride (InGaN) LEDs configured to emit light between about 395 nm and about 530 nm; (2) aluminum indium gallium phosphide (AlInGaP) LEDs configured to emit light between about 565 nm and about 645 nm; and (3) aluminum gallium arsenide (AlGaAs) LEDs configured to emit light between about 660 nm and 900 nm.

[0070] In a particular non-limiting example, light source 202 can have dominant wavelengths of about 615 nm, 522 nm, and 463 nm for red, green, and blue, respectively. In this regard, light source 202 can be a YLS1615 / 2R1G3B / 21 / 06-6-C available from Y. LIN ELECTRONICS CO., LTD. of No. 6, Xin Guang Road, 3rd Phase, Jinhe Industrial Zone, Zhangmutou Town, Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, People’s Republic of China. In this example, light source 202 has a forward voltage of from about 1.7 V to about 2.4 V and a reverse current of about 10 μΑ. It should be expressly understood that light source 202 can be implemented in any other suitable device.

[0071] In some non-limiting embodiments of the present technology, the light source 202 can be configured to emit light substantially in a given predetermined direction. For example, in Figure 2 the propagation direction of the first light portion 211 is generally downward, substantially perpendicular to the top surface 104 of the device body 102. In other non-limiting embodiments of the present technology, the light source 202 can be configured to emit light in multiple directions, for example, by scattering the emitted light around its perimeter.

[0072] Light guide

[0073] Broadly speaking, the light guide 204 is shaped and arranged such that light passing therethrough experiences total internal reflection until it exits the light guide 204.

[0074] According to non-limiting embodiments of the present technology, by way of example, the light guide 204 can be implemented as a transparent dielectric light guide made of plastic or glass. Various implementations of the light guide 204 can further include, but are not limited to, light guides having different geometrical shapes (e.g., planar or strip-shaped light guides), light guides having different refractive index profiles (e.g., step or gradient-index light guides), and light guides made of different materials (e.g., glass, polymer, or composite materials). Moreover, it should be noted that in some embodiments, the light guide 204 can also be implemented as a fiber-optic light guide, without departing from the scope of the present technology.

[0075] As shown in Figure 2 It will be appreciated that the body of the light guide 204 extends at least partially between the light source 202 and the exit aperture 208 to guide light emitted by the light source 202 to the outside of the reflective surface 206 (relative to the interior of the device body 102).

[0076] As schematically depicted in Figure 2 the light guide 204 defines an optical path 214 extending through its body, enabling light emitted by the light source 202 to travel therefrom to the reflective surface 206 of the vertically extending wall 205.

[0077] Reference is made to Figure 3 depicting a partial vertical cross-section of a speaker device 100', exhibiting a second non-limiting embodiment of the light indicator 108'. The speaker device 100' differs from the speaker device 100 only in that the former includes another light guide 204', instead of the light guide 204. Elements of the speaker device 100' that are analogous to elements of the speaker device 100 are left with the same reference numerals, and will not be described in detail.

[0078] The speaker device 100' includes one or more protrusions 302 (two protrusions in the illustrated example) extending generally outwardly from the body of the light guide 204'. In Figure 3In terms of orientation, one or more protrusions 302 extend upward from another light guide 204' substantially perpendicular to the top surface 104. As illustrated, one or more protrusions 302 are integrally formed with the other light guide 204'. Upon careful consideration, in some embodiments, one or more protrusions 302 may be formed differently.

[0079] Therefore, in Figure 3 In the embodiments depicted, another light guide 204', together with optical path 214, defines an additional optical path 314 corresponding to one or more protrusions 302 propagating from the other light guide 204'. The one or more protrusions 302 are shaped and arranged to diffuse light passing through them for further transmission to the inner surface of the vertical extension wall 205 (i.e., the surface facing the interior of the device body 102). In some non-limiting embodiments of the present technology, the outer surface of the light guide 204' may be configured to diffuse light incident thereon. For this purpose, the outer surface of the light guide 204' may be treated with a matte finish. Thus, in these embodiments, the one or more protrusions 302 are configured to not only diffuse light passing through them but also diffuse it. In some non-limiting embodiments of the present technology, the matte finish may be a German Association of Engineers (VDI) surface finish.

[0080] Therefore, as will be explained in more detail below, in embodiments in which one or more protrusions 302 include a single protrusion, the output light 112 of the light indicator 108 may include: (i) a first internal light portion 311 that travels along an optical path 214 to the reflective surface 206 of the vertical extension wall 205; and (ii) a second internal light portion 312 that travels along an additional optical path 314 to the inside of the vertical extension wall 205.

[0081] Therefore, in some non-limiting embodiments, when there is only one protrusion 302, the second internal light portion 312 is light that has passed through this single protrusion 302. However, as Figure 3 As depicted, in the presence of two or more protrusions 302, the second internal light portion 312 contains light that has passed through one or more protrusions 302, because light from one protrusion 302 can be further diffused by subsequent protrusions along an additional optical path 314.

[0082] Reflective surface

[0083] The reflective surface 206 of the vertically extending wall 205 extends downward from at least part of the outer edge of the top surface 104. (As from...) Figure 2 and 3 It should be understood that the reflective surface 206 may partially overlap with the side wall 106 of the device body 102.

[0084] According to non-limiting embodiments of the present technology, the reflective surface 206 is configured to reflect light incident thereon. To this end, the reflective surface 206 is treated with a reflective material such as one of: anodized aluminum; a reflective thermoplastic, such as BoPET; aluminum foil; an acrylic mirror; and the like.

[0085] As mentioned above, the reflective surface 206 is formed on the exterior of the vertically extending wall 205, which is at least partially translucent to allow transmission of light (such as the second light portion 212 and / or the second internal light portion 312 mentioned above) incident thereon from the interior of the device body 102. By so doing, light incident on the interior surface of the vertically extending wall 205 can pass through the reflective surface 206 toward the exit aperture 208 to form at least a portion of the output light 112 of the light indicator 108. To this end, the vertically extending wall 205 is made of a transparent or translucent material, such as glass, a thermoplastic (such as acrylic), or the like. In a particular example, the vertically extending wall 205 can be implemented as a semi-transparent mirror, the interior surface of which is configured to pass light incident thereon through the vertically extending wall 205, and the exterior side of which is configured to reflect light incident thereon. It is contemplated with due consideration that the vertically extending wall 205 on which the reflective surface 206 is defined can be formed of a non-transparent (opaque) material. In such embodiments, there will typically be no second internal light portion 212 and no second internal light portion 312.

[0086] To more evenly distribute light reflected from and / or passing through the reflective surface 206 along the height 216 of the exit aperture 208, the reflective surface 206 has a curvature. For example, in some non-limiting embodiments of the present technology, the cross-section of the reflective surface 206 can be defined by a circular or elliptical arc that intercepts the height 216 and the depth 218 of the exit aperture 208 of the light indicator 108. In other non-limiting embodiments of the present technology, the cross-section of the reflective surface 206 can be defined by a spline curve that intercepts the height 216 and the depth 218 of the exit aperture 208. It is to be expressly understood that other curves can also be used to define the cross-section of the reflective surface 206, including but not limited to Bezier curves, B-splines, Hermite splines, and the like.

[0087] Furthermore, in some non-limiting embodiments of the present technology, the value of the curvature of the reflective surface 206 can be constant along the height 216 of the exit aperture 208. In other non-limiting embodiments, the value of the curvature of the reflective surface 206 can vary along the height 216 of the exit aperture 208. According to certain non-limiting embodiments of the present technology, the maximum value of the curvature of the reflective surface 206 can be 0.46 mm -1 (that is, the minimum radius of curvature is 2.17 mm). Other values of the curvature of the reflective surface 206 are also contemplated.

[0088] exit aperture

[0089] With continued reference to Figure 2 and 3 , the exit aperture 208 of the light indicator 108 is defined between the outer edge of the top surface 104 and the closest longitudinal edge of the sidewall 106 (that is, its top edge in the orientation of Figure 2 .

[0090] As best seen in Figure 2 , the exit aperture 208 has (1) a height 216 defined by the distance between the outer edge of the top surface 104 and the top edge of the sidewall 106; and (2) a depth 218 defined by the maximum distance between the top edge of the sidewall 106 and the reflective surface 206. The height and depth 216, 218 of the exit aperture 208 define an aspect ratio. In some non-limiting embodiments of the technology, the aspect ratio can be in a range of between about 0.96 and about 1.53. In one particular example, the aspect ratio can be about 1.24. In another particular example, the aspect ratio can be about 1.19.

[0091] The developers of the present technology have appreciated that these values of the aspect ratio between the height and depth 216, 218 in combination with the curvature of the reflective surface 206 can allow the vertically extended light output range 110 of the light indicator 108 to be widened to 45 degrees, which further allows the output light 112 to be more visible to a user of the speaker device 100 and 100’.

[0092] Accordingly, in accordance with certain non-limiting embodiments of the technology, particular values of the height and depth 216, 218 of the exit aperture 208 can be selected such that the given values of the aspect ratio provided above are satisfied. For example, in some non-limiting embodiments of the technology, the height 216 of the exit aperture 208 can be in a range of between about 4.35 mm and 5.35 mm; and the depth 218 of the exit aperture can be in a range of between about 3.50 mm and 4.50 mm. Other values of the height and depth 216, 218 of the exit aperture 208 are also contemplated that satisfy the given values of the aspect ratio therebetween provided above without being exhaustive.

[0093] In summary, in some non-limiting embodiments of the technology, in relation to the speaker device 100 having the light indicator 108 including the light guide 204 described above with reference to Figure 2 , the light source 202, the light guide 204, and the reflective surface 206 can be arranged within the speaker device 100 such that: the first light portion 211 emitted by the light source 202: (i) enters the light guide 204; (ii) propagates along the optical path 214 of the light guide 204 therethrough to the reflective surface 206; (iii) reflects from the reflective surface 206, thereby forming the output light 112 that exits the speaker device 100 through the exit aperture 208 within the vertically extended light output range 110.

[0094] The developers of the present technology have appreciated that in these embodiments, the configuration of the exit aperture 208 described above allows for widening the vertically extending light output range 110 of the light indicator 108 to 45 degrees. This can allow for the output light 112 to be more noticeable to a user of the speaker device 100, and thus improve their user experience with the speaker device 100.

[0095] In other non-limiting embodiments of the present technology (e.g., when the light source 202 is configured to scatter emitted light around it), the output light 112 of the light indicator 108 can also be formed by a second light portion 212. More specifically, in these embodiments, the second light portion 212 is transmitted through the reflective surface 206 from the inner surface of the vertically extending wall 205, and combines with the first light portion 211 reflected from the reflective surface 206, thereby forming the output light 112.

[0096] The second light portion 212 that passes through the reflective surface 206 can thus allow for an increased and / or more uniform distribution of intensity of the output light 112 along the height 216 of the exit aperture 208, which can further allow for more consistent visibility of the output light 112 to a user of the speaker device 100.

[0097] In some non-limiting embodiments of the present technology, involving a speaker device 100’ that includes a light indicator 108’ described above with reference to Figure 3 Another light guide 204’ described above with reference to Figure 2 In these embodiments, similar to the first light portion 211 described above with reference to

[0098] It is also contemplated that in the embodiments depicted in Figure 3 in addition to the second internal light portion 312, light that propagates from the light source 202 and passes through the reflective surface 206 without passing through the light guide 204 can also contribute to the output light 112.

[0099] According to the developers of the present technology, the one or more protrusions 302 can allow for the divergence (and thus removal) of so-called light spots within the vertical cross-section of the output light 112, thereby providing an even more uniform intensity along the height 216 of the exit aperture 208.

[0100] Modifications and improvements to the above-described embodiments of the present technology can become apparent to those skilled in the art. The foregoing description is intended to be exemplary rather than limiting. The scope of the present technology should be determined by the scope of the following claims, and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A loudspeaker device comprising: The main body of the device has: Top surface, A reflective surface that extends at least partially downward from the outer edge of the top surface. At least one wall, which at least partially overlaps the reflective surface. A pore, defined between the outer edge of the top surface and the top edge of the at least one wall. The light source, which is located inside the main body of the device, and A light guide, disposed inside the main body of the device, is optically connected to the light source, and at least partially extends between the light source and the aperture; and The reflective surface, the light source, the light guide, and the at least one wall are arranged such that the light emitted by the light source: The light travels through the light guide to be incident on the reflective surface; Reflected from the reflective surface; and It exits the speaker device through the aperture. The pores have a height and depth that define an aspect ratio in the range of about 0.96 to about 1.

53.

2. The loudspeaker device according to claim 1, wherein the aspect ratio of the aperture is about 1.

24.

3. The loudspeaker device according to claim 1, wherein the aspect ratio of the aperture is about 1.

19.

4. The loudspeaker device of claim 1, wherein the height of the aperture is in the range of about 4.35 mm to about 5.35 mm.

5. The loudspeaker device of claim 1, wherein the depth of the aperture is in the range of about 3.5 mm to about 4.5 mm.

6. The loudspeaker device according to claim 1, wherein: The height of the pore is in the range of approximately 4.35 mm to approximately 5.35 mm; and The depth of the pores is in the range of about 3.5 mm to about 4.5 mm.

7. The loudspeaker device according to claim 1, wherein: The main body of the device defines a portion of the reflective surface that is at least partially translucent to light emitted by the light source; A first portion of the light emitted by the light source propagates through the light guide and is reflected by the reflective surface; and A second portion of the light emitted by the light source is transmitted through the portion of the device body that defines the reflective surface.

8. The loudspeaker device according to claim 7, wherein: The second portion passes through the sidewall of the light guide before it passes through the portion defining the reflective surface of the device body.

9. The loudspeaker device according to claim 8, wherein: The sidewalls of the light guide define at least one laterally extending protrusion configured to diffuse light passing through it; and The second portion propagates through the at least one laterally extending protrusion before the portion defining the reflective surface that transmits through the body of the device.

10. The loudspeaker device of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises at least one light-emitting diode (LED).

11. The loudspeaker device of claim 1, wherein a cross section of the device body defining a portion of the reflective surface is defined by a spline curve truncating the height and depth of the aperture.

12. The loudspeaker device of claim 1, wherein the maximum curvature of the portion defining the reflective surface of the device body is approximately 0.46 mm. -1 .

13. A loudspeaker device comprising: The main body of the device has: The control panel has an exterior and an interior. A reflective surface that extends at least partially laterally from the outer edge of the inner surface of the control panel. At least one wall, which at least partially overlaps the reflective surface. A pore, defined between the outer edge of the inner surface and the nearest longitudinal edge of the at least one wall. The light source, which is located inside the main body of the device, and A light guide, disposed inside the main body of the device, is optically connected to the light source, and at least partially extends between the light source and the aperture. The reflective surface, the light source, the light guide, and the at least one wall are arranged such that the light emitted by the light source: The light travels through the light guide to be incident on the reflective surface; Reflected from the reflective surface; and It exits the speaker device through the aperture; and The pores have a height and depth that define an aspect ratio in the range of about 0.96 to about 1.53.

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