Shushiie audio device

Abstract

An audio device comprising a monolithic housing 1, a transceiver (12, figure 3), loudspeaker (14, figure 3) and a plurality of audio output controls 4, wherein each control relates to an audio stream

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an audio device, in particular a device for playing audio; more particularly a device for playing audio to soothe an infant. Background Many people in many societies struggle to get infants to sleep in an increasingly noisy and disturbed world. Often infants may be soothed by familiar sounds, and often the infant may find a repetitive or low register sound comforting. Not all infants are soothed by the same sounds however, and not all sounds work on every occasion. Often therefore, infant comforters that play tunes, sounds or other audio, may become less effective over time, or may not be particularly well-targeted even initially. Prior Art US 6 359 549 (LAU et al) discloses an electronic system for generating sound on a first sound channel and on a second sound channel, comprising: a memory bank storing user-selectable recorded sounds; means for quasi-randomly time-delaying at least one of said recorded sounds; means for automatically selecting a second sound associated with a user-selected sound; means for combining at least one user-selected recorded sound. US 7 749 155 (ANDERSON et al) discloses a digital sound relaxation and sleepinducing machine, comprising: a housing; at least one speaker for reproducing sounds; a digital memory storing samples to be replayed of sounds previously recorded at a record rate that each contain start and end sounds that are acoustically seamless and that last a certain duration at said record rate; at least one selector switch (1) to replay the sound sample selected repetitively for a first time interval greater than the sample duration at the record rate the whole number of times that the sample duration is contained within the first time interval, and (2) to replay the sound sample for a second time interval that consists of a certain number of third time intervals during which, for every third time interval less than said second time interval, the sound sample is replayed at another, slower rate the whole number of times that the selected sample duration, factored by the ratio of said record and each another slower rate, is contained within each said third time interval. EP 0 922 327 (VAN DEN Bl LT et al) discloses a digital sound relaxation system having a sound card receiving port and a collectable sound card which are cooperative to play pre-recorded natural or other sounds by depressing one of a plurality of sound selector switches and a sound card selector switch. The new sounds of each collectable sound card customize the library of available sounds to individual taste.. The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices. Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided an audio device comprising a monolithic housing, a transceiver, a loudspeaker, and a plurality of audio output controls, wherein each of the audio output controls relates to an audio stream, such that a user is enabled to select more than one such audio stream to play simultaneously through the loudspeaker. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a structure attachment means for the housing. The structure may be envisaged to be an infant’s cot, bed, or a bedside table for example. In this way it may be ensured that the device is enabled to be kept close to an infant at all times, and is not liable to be dislodged or damaged by the infant. The structure attachment means may be permanent or semi-permanent or temporary, and may comprise ferromagnetism, hook and loop portions such as Velcro (RTM), screw fixings, and / or resiliently deformable clip mechanisms. In some embodiments of the device the structure attachment means for the housing is comprised by a bracket. In this way the bracket may be attached permanently or semi-permanently onto or into the structure and the housing attached thereto, so as to make a semi-permanent or temporary attachment thereto. The bracket and housing may attach through ferromagnetic parts, hook and loop portions such as Velcro (RTM) or resiliently deformable clip mechanisms. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a Bluetooth (RTM) transceiver for local intermachine operability. In this way the device may be rendered capable of easy control, updates, or downloads, for example with a Bluetooth (RTM) enabled smartphone or similar easy to access and frequently used digital device. It may be envisaged that such a digital device may allow for installation or downloads of new audio streams onto the device of the present invention. In this way a user may be able to record audio, for example soothing words from a carer, so as to tailor the audio more particularly for an infant, for example using a mother singing a lullaby or similar effective audio options. In some embodiments of the device the output controls provide individual adjustment to output levels This may enable a user to mix the relative levels of the simultaneous audio streams. The adjustment may be envisaged to allow for an audio output to be lower in a mix, and may be envisaged to be controlled remotely. In some embodiments of the device there are provided local control dials. These may allow for analogue or incremental adjustments at the device, for example in reaction to local conditions or the infant. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a timer control. The timer control may be individually operable, or may be in relation to the device. For example in some such embodiments it may be envisaged that each audio stream may controlled by a timer, so as to allow an audio stream to become gradually louder, or quieter as a period of time passes. In other embodiments it may be envisaged that the timer control may be arranged to simply cease or activate audio from the device at a pre-programmed time or after a pre-programmed interval. In some such embodiments of the device such timer control comprises a local switch. For example such a switch may have a simple timer interval arrangement, enabling a user to select cessation after 1 hour for example. In some embodiments of the device there is included a rechargeable battery. This may enable the user to place the device anywhere, away from an electrical outlet, and / or permit travel usage also. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which: Brief Description of Figures Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1. Figure 5 shows a diagrammatic isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; and Figure 6 shows a sketch of an isometric view of a second embodiment of the device according to the present invention. Detailed Description of Figures With reference to the Figure 1 there is shown embodiment of a wirelessly enabled loudspeaker device 99 comprising a plurality of output controls 4, wherein each of the controls relates to an audio stream, such that a user is enabled to play more than one such audio stream simultaneously. The pictured embodiment of the device may thereby be envisaged to be used to calm or soothe a user, or infant. The device as pictured comprises a monolithic unit, having a housing 1 with a flat base 10 and an arcuate top edge 11. The front face 3 has arcuate slots 2 cut into a cover 18 over a mesh 17 and perforated loudspeaker protector 16. The front face 3 and rear face 15 are flat, and orthogonal the base. The rear face includes the audio controls, namely three output controls 4. The output controls each individually control audio output streams. The device internally comprises a rechargeable lithium ion battery 13, loudspeaker 14, and a board 12 with a microprocessor, potentiometer, and data storage means so as to allow for audio stream storage and playback. These parts are all held in place by a central divider section extending upwards from the base 10. The device comprises a transceiver so that the audio streams stored on the data storage means may be updated or replaced, for example remotely. It may be envisaged that the transceiver may enable wireless communications with independently provided equipment, such as a smartphone or similar digital device equipped with a microphone. For example in this way a user may record soothing vocal audio streams for use with the device. The audio stream controls may be provided by depressable buttons 4, locally situated on the housing. These may each allow for playback of a single audio stream, whereby the user may press a plurality at any one time, and the audio streams will be played simultaneously. In addition or the alternative remote controls may be envisaged to control audio outputs, for example as operated by an independently available wirelessly enabled device such as a smartphone or personal computer. In the first pictured embodiment the audio output controls further comprise adjustability, in particular in the pictured embodiment each audio output is provided with an analogue adjustment dial locally, so as to fade up or down each audio output simultaneously playing through the loudspeaker. In this way a user can mix their preferred audio output as required. The embodiment further comprises a universal serial bus (USB-c) socket 8 for recharging the internal battery 13, a slider switch 5 for activating a time limit on the playback, a Bluetooth (RTM) pairing button 6, and an activation button 7. It may be envisaged that the audio streams may comprise recordings such as streams, waterfalls, birdsong, whalesong, seaside, violins, or other commonly recognised soothing sounds. The user is enabled to increase or decrease the relative volume of the different sounds so as to provide a soothing combination of audio, in line with what appears to be effective for the infant. In the second pictured embodiment 199 as shown in Figure 6, there are provided four buttons for audio streams 4, on the front face of the embodiment, as well as the other controls and a USB-c socket covered with a tethered silicone plug, as well as local volume controls 77 for the overall audio. The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. An audio device comprising a monolithic housing, a transceiver, a loudspeaker, and a plurality of audio output controls, wherein each of the audio output controls relates to an audio stream, such that a user is enabled to select more than one such audio stream to play simultaneously through the loudspeaker.

2. An audio device according to claim 1 comprising a structure attachment means for the housing.

3. An audio device according to claim 2 wherein the structure attachment means comprises a bracket.

4. An audio device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 comprising a Bluetooth (RTM) transceiver for local intermachine operability.

5. An audio device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the transceiver enables downloading of new audio streams.

6. An audio device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the audio output controls provide adjustment to output levels.

7. An audio device according to any of the preceding claims comprising local control dials which provide the audio output controls.

8. An audio device according to any of the preceding claims comprising a timer control.

9. An audio device according to claim 8 wherein the timer control is enabled for individual audio output controls.

10. An audio device according to claim 8 wherein the timer control is enabled for individual audio streams.

11. An audio device according to claim 8, 9 or 10 wherein the timer control comprises a local switch.

12. An audio device according to any preceding claim comprising a rechargeable battery.

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