Audio speaker system for personal computer
Patent No. US6381335 (titled "Audio speaker system for personal computer") on Aug 25, 1999. The application was issued on Apr 30, 2002.
What is this patent about?
’335 is related to the field of high-fidelity audio reproduction systems specifically optimized for desktop computing environments. It addresses the technical challenge of integrating multi-channel surround sound, such as the Dolby 5.1 format, into the limited spatial footprint of a personal computer workstation. Traditional setups often rely on simple stereo pairs, failing to capture the immersive directional audio data provided by modern digital media and gaming platforms.
The underlying idea behind ’335 is the consolidation of a multi-channel speaker array and its associated power electronics into a single, load-bearing structural enclosure designed to sit directly beneath a computer monitor. By utilizing a wide, shallow cabinet that spans the desk's width, the system provides the necessary physical separation for front-channel imaging while serving as a functional riser. This architecture eliminates the cable clutter typically associated with discrete multi-speaker setups by housing the amplification and front-stage drivers within a unified chassis.
The claims of ’335 focus on a multi-channel speaker system comprising a primary cabinet with a top surface capable of supporting a monitor and a bottom surface for desktop placement. The system integrates at least three front-facing speakers and one or more subwoofers within this main cabinet, while two additional speakers are positioned remotely to handle rear-channel audio. A multi-channel amplifier is embedded in the cabinet to drive the internal speakers, featuring a specific signal path that splits low-frequency data across multiple amplification stages to power the subwoofers.
In practice, the invention utilizes a dual vented bandpass enclosure design within the main cabinet to maximize bass response from a compact volume. A longitudinal baffle divides the interior into front and rear chambers, allowing the subwoofers to radiate into tuned ports rather than directly into the room. This configuration acts as a natural acoustic filter, attenuating high-frequency noise and extending the low-end reach beyond what a standard direct-radiating driver of similar size could achieve on a desktop.
The system differentiates itself from prior art through its dual-input architecture, featuring a by-pass inlet signal conductor that allows it to interface with both unamplified computer sources and pre-amplified home theater receivers. When connected to a standard receiver, the system intelligently routes amplified signals directly to the satellite drivers while still utilizing its internal power to drive the subwoofers. This flexibility, combined with the monitor-supporting structural cabinet, provides a high-performance audio solution that respects the ergonomic constraints of a workspace.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical Landscape
In the late 1990s when ’335 was filed, desktop computing environments were typically implemented using discrete peripheral components where audio reproduction commonly relied on basic two-channel stereo speaker pairs rather than integrated multi-channel arrays. At a time when digital media formats began providing high-fidelity multi-channel data to the desktop, hardware constraints made the deployment of full surround sound systems non-trivial due to the limited physical footprint of standard workstations and the lack of integrated amplification for low-frequency effects. Systems of this era were generally bifurcated between consumer electronics for home theaters and simplified audio peripherals for personal computers, leaving a gap in hardware capable of supporting complex spatial audio within a localized desktop architecture.
Prosecution Position
The disclosed invention represents a technical advancement through the architectural integration of a multi-channel speaker array into a load-bearing cabinet designed to function as a structural base for a computer monitor. This configuration overcomes the spatial constraints of desktop environments by housing the front-channel speakers and sub-woofers within a single enclosure that optimizes the acoustic path toward the user while supporting the weight of the display. The system achieves a novel technical capability by incorporating a multi-channel amplifier and a bypass signal path, allowing the unit to function either as a primary powered speaker system for computer-generated audio or as a slave amplification unit for external high-fidelity receivers. This dual-path architecture enables the reproduction of full 5.1 surround sound within a compact desktop footprint, bridging the gap between high-fidelity home theater standards and personal computing hardware.
Claims
The patent contains a total of 0 claims, with no independent claims identified to establish the scope of the invention. Consequently, there are no independent claims to define a specific technological focus, and no dependent claims exist to provide additional limitations or specific embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.
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US6381335
- Application Number
- US09383715A
- Filing Date
- Aug 25, 1999
- Publication Date
- Apr 30, 2002
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO , Google Patents