US 12,170,864 B2
Wooden or other dielectric capacitive touch interface and loudspeaker having same
Michael J. Koss, Milwaukee, WI (US); Michael J. Pelland, Princeton, WI (US); and Nicholas Blair, Whitefish, WI (US)
Assigned to Koss Corporation, Milwaukee, WI (US)
Filed by Koss Corporation, Milwaukee, WI (US)
Filed on Apr. 18, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/639,427.
Application 18/639,427 is a continuation of application No. 17/712,278, filed on Apr. 4, 2022, granted, now 12,010,471.
Application 17/712,278 is a continuation of application No. 17/066,047, filed on Oct. 8, 2020, granted, now 11,950,033, issued on Apr. 2, 2024.
Application 17/066,047 is a continuation of application No. 16/997,004, filed on Aug. 19, 2020, granted, now 10,856,059, issued on Dec. 1, 2020.
Application 16/997,004 is a continuation of application No. 16/152,014, filed on Oct. 4, 2018, granted, now 10,785,550, issued on Sep. 22, 2020.
Application 16/152,014 is a continuation of application No. 15/468,590, filed on Mar. 24, 2017, granted, now 10,291,972, issued on May 14, 2019.
Application 15/468,590 is a continuation of application No. 14/094,277, filed on Dec. 2, 2013, granted, now 9,628,880, issued on Apr. 18, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2024/0292135 A1, Aug. 29, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G06F 3/044 (2006.01); H03G 3/02 (2006.01); H03G 5/02 (2006.01); H03K 17/96 (2006.01); H04H 20/95 (2008.01); H04M 1/02 (2006.01); H04R 1/02 (2006.01); H04R 1/10 (2006.01); H04R 3/00 (2006.01); H04R 5/033 (2006.01); H04R 5/04 (2006.01); H04W 4/80 (2018.01); H04W 48/20 (2009.01); H04L 101/668 (2022.01); H04R 25/00 (2006.01); H04W 84/12 (2009.01); H04W 84/18 (2009.01)
CPC H04R 1/02 (2013.01) [H03G 3/02 (2013.01); H03K 17/9622 (2013.01); H04H 20/95 (2013.01); H04M 1/0254 (2013.01); H04R 1/028 (2013.01); H04R 1/1041 (2013.01); H04R 1/1091 (2013.01); H04R 3/00 (2013.01); H04R 5/033 (2013.01); H04R 5/04 (2013.01); H04W 4/80 (2018.02); H04W 48/20 (2013.01); H03K 2217/960785 (2013.01); H04L 2101/668 (2022.05); H04R 25/554 (2013.01); H04R 2201/103 (2013.01); H04R 2201/107 (2013.01); H04R 2225/55 (2013.01); H04R 2420/07 (2013.01); H04W 84/12 (2013.01); H04W 84/18 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A loudspeaker comprising:
an enclosure defined by a base surface, a smooth, topmost surface, and a sidewall extending between the base surface and the smooth topmost surface, wherein:
the enclosure is free-standing when sitting on the base surface; and
the smooth topmost surface of the loudspeaker comprises a dielectric material defining a capacitive touch user interface;
one or more speakers;
a wireless communication circuit inside the enclosure, wherein the wireless communication circuit is for wirelessly receiving an audio stream, wherein the one or more speakers are for playing the audio stream; and
at least one capacitive sense electrode, wherein the at least one capacitive sense electrode forms part of the capacitive touch user interface for the loudspeaker, with the dielectric material of the smooth topmost surface serving as a dielectric layer for the capacitive touch user interface, such that the capacitive touch user interface allows a user of the loudspeaker to control at least one operation of the loudspeaker through touching the smooth topmost surface of the loudspeaker.
 
10. A system, comprising:
a first loudspeaker; and
a second loudspeaker paired to the first loudspeaker to provide surround sound, wherein the first loudspeaker comprises:
an enclosure defined by a base surface, a smooth, topmost surface, and a sidewall extending between the base surface and the smooth topmost surface, wherein:
the enclosure is free-standing when sitting on the base surface; and
the smooth topmost surface comprises a dielectric material defining a capacitive touch user interface;
one or more speakers;
a wireless communication circuit inside the enclosure, wherein the wireless communication circuit is for wirelessly receiving an audio stream, wherein the one or more speakers are for playing the audio stream; and
at least one capacitive sense electrode, wherein the at least one capacitive sense electrode forms part of the capacitive touch user interface for the first loudspeaker, with the dielectric material of the smooth topmost surface serving as a dielectric layer for the capacitive touch user interface, such that the capacitive touch user interface allows a user to control at least one operation of the first loudspeaker through touching the smooth topmost surface of the first loudspeaker.