Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-17
2001-11-27
Picard, Leo P. (Department: 2835)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S689000, C361S689000, C381S324000, C381S303000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06324052
ABSTRACT:
DESCRIPTION
1. Technical Field
The invention relates to personal computing devices and more particularly to lap-top and the like portable personal computers, e.g. so-called note-book computers and portable personal telephones incorporating loudspeakers.
2. Background Art
Embodiments of the present invention use members of nature, structure and configuration achievable generally and/or specifically by implementing teachings of our U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/707,012. Such members thus have capability to sustain and propagate input vibrational energy by bending waves in operative area (s) extending transversely of thickness of ten but not necessarily to edges of the member(s); are configured with or without anisotropy of bending stiffness to have resonant mode vibration components distributed over said area(s) beneficially for acoustic coupling with ambient air; and have predetermined preferential locations or sites within said area for exciter means, particularly operationally active or moving part(s) thereof effective in relation to acoustic vibrational activity in said area(s) and signals, usually electrical, corresponding to acoustic content or such vibrational activity.
Members as above are herein called distributed mode acoustic radiators and are intended to be characterised as in the above U.S. parent application Ser. No. 08/707,012 and/or otherwise as specifically provided herein.
U.S. parent application Ser. No. 09/029,059 describes a laptop computer having an opposed pair of distributed mode loudspeakers attached to either side of the display screen.
EP 700 210 describes a television set with acoustic waveguides to channel the output of conventional left and right loudspeakers to the front of the television set.
WO 96/20574 describes a sound reproducing apparatus having an acoustic horn in the side of the apparatus.
This invention is particularly concerned with acoustic devices in the form of loudspeakers for personal computing devices, and with personal computing devices incorporating such loudspeakers.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
According to the invention, there is provided a personal computing device having a body comprising a keyboard and a lid comprising a display screen hinged to the body to cover the keyboard, and a resonant panel loudspeaker in or attached to the lid, characterised by an acoustic waveguide or horn to direct acoustic output from the loudspeaker, wherein the waveguide or horn comprises a member mounted on the lid, the member being movable on the lid from a closed or retracted position to an advanced or open position.
The acoustic waveguide or horn may direct an acoustic output from the loudspeaker in a desired direction. The desired direction will normally be towards the user of the portable computing device.
An opposed pair of the waveguides or horns may be provided, e.g. to provide multi-channel acoustic output. The waveguide(s) or horn(s) may comprise a plate-like ember hinged to the lid.
The lid may be provided with one or more acoustically transparent apertures in its outer surface.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5805708 (1998-09-01), Freadman
patent: 5821471 (1998-10-01), McCuller
patent: 5930376 (1999-07-01), Markow et al.
patent: 6137890 (2000-10-01), Markow
patent: 6151206 (2000-11-01), Kato et al.
patent: 6151401 (2000-11-01), Annaratone
patent: 6175489 (2001-01-01), Markow et al.
patent: 0 700 210 (1996-03-01), None
patent: 2 310 559 (1997-08-01), None
patent: WO 96/20576 (1996-07-01), None
patent: WO 97/09854 (1997-03-01), None
Azima Henry
Colloms Martin
Crocker Norman
Roberts Martin
Foley & Lardner
Foster David
New Transducers Limited
Picard Leo P.
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