Patent US5818948A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5818948A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Architecture for a universal serial bus-based PC speaker controller
Assignee: GlobalFoundries Inc
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Filing: 1996-10-23
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Granted: 1998-10-06
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Expires: 2016-10-23
Abstract
Abstract There is provided a novel powered loudspeaker implemented to be compatible with the USB specification. The powered speaker includes a speaker driven by a power amplifier coupled to a power supply. Both the amplifier and the power supply, in turn, are coupled to a USB controller. The controller is configured to provide USB functionality and compatibility. In addition, provides a phase locked loop (PLL) for recovering a timer clock from the received data stream. The present invention further includes a function whereby the absence of data on the relevant channel is detected and the output to the speakers is muted in response thereto. A further circuit is provided that controls when the output to the speaker is turned on such that no clicks or pops occur at power-up or when the device or bus is not stable. In addition, tone control, including base and treble filters, volume control, and balance between left and right outputs (in a stereo version) are provided. Furthermore, power management functionality is provided. If the USB has been idle for a predetermined period of time, the system can place itself into a low power sleep mode, or the loud speaker can be placed into a sleep mode via software from the host.
Inventors
- 👤 Dale E. Gulick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 23:27
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04R; H04R3/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A powered loudspeaker for use with a personal computer comprising: a USB interface for coupling said powered loudspeaker to a Universal Serial Bus, wherein said USB provides USB data to said powered loudspeaker; an extractor circuit coupled to said USB interface configured to extract a plurality of data streams from said USB data, wherein said data streams include clock data, digital audio data, and control data; a speaker controller coupled to receive said control data and configured to provide control signals to an external power supply and amplifier; an audio data circuit coupled to receive said clock data and said audio data, said audio data circuit including a digital to analog converter for converting said audio data to an analog audio signal, wherein said audio data circuit is further configured to receive an audio control signal from said speaker controller; and an output driver coupled to provide said analog audio signal to said powered loudspeaker.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
A powered loudspeaker for use with a personal computer comprising: a USB interface for coupling said powered loudspeaker to a Universal Serial Bus, wherein said USB provides USB data to said powered loudspeaker; an extractor circuit coupled to said USB interface configured to extract a plurality of data streams from said USB data, wherein said data streams include clock data, digital audio data, and control data; a speaker controller coupled to receive said control data and configured to provide control signals to an external power supply and amplifier; an audio data circuit coupled to receive said clock data and said audio data, said audio data circuit including a digital to analog converter for converting said audio data to an analog audio signal, wherein said audio data circuit is further configured to receive an audio control signal from said speaker controller; and an output driver coupled to provide said analog audio signal to said powered loudspeaker.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The powered loudspeaker of claim 1, wherein said extractor circuit includes an isochronous timing extractor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The powered loudspeaker of claim 1, wherein said audio data circuit includes at least one of filter, tone, volume, 3D effects, and balance circuits for shaping said analog audio data signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The powered loudspeaker of claim 1, wherein said speaker control circuit includes circuitry for powering down said powered loudspeaker responsive to a predetermined condition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The powered loudspeaker of claim 4, wherein said predetermined condition is the absence of audio data on said USB.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The powered loudspeaker of claim 4, wherein said predetermined condition is the absence of valid clock data on said USB.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The powered loudspeaker of claim 4, wherein said predetermined condition is a command from said personal computer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The powered loudspeaker of claim 4, wherein said speaker control includes circuitry for muting said analog audio signal when said powered loudspeaker is powered down, and restoring said analog audio output a predetermined time after said powered loudspeaker is powered up.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The powered loudspeaker of claim 1, wherein said speaker control includes circuitry for muting said audio output signal in the absence of data.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The powered loudspeaker of claim 4, wherein said speaker control includes circuitry for powering up said powered loudspeaker responsive to a command from said PC.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The powered loudspeaker of claim 2, wherein said isochronous timing extractor is a phase locked loop.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The powered loudspeaker of claim 3, wherein at least one of said at least one filter, tone, volume, 3D effects, and balance circuits is responsive to external hardware.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-10-05 | 2002-04-06 | 2002-10-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-10-05 | 2006-04-06 | 2006-10-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-10-05 | 2010-04-06 | 2010-10-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |