KR20250160478A - System and method for compensating sound loss through partially acoustically transparent materials - Google Patents

Abstract

An audio enhancement furniture system comprises a furniture assembly having a partially acoustically transparent material (e.g., upholstery fabric or a rigid structure perforated to be more acoustically transparent); and a speaker system disposed within the furniture assembly, the speaker system comprising a speaker covered with the partially acoustically transparent material. The speaker is configured to be tuned to compensate for sound radiating from the speaker through the perforated partially acoustically transparent material.

Description

System and method for compensating sound loss through partially acoustically transparent materials

The present disclosure generally relates to a sound system integrated into furniture.

Speaker systems are widely used in homes, businesses, public facilities, entertainment, and for practical, commercial, and domestic purposes. Unfortunately, speaker systems take up significant space in homes, offices, and business environments, and even when small, they are often unsightly. Furthermore, the wiring and cables associated with these systems are unsightly and cumbersome.

Furniture also tends to take up a significant amount of space in homes, offices, and business settings. When sitting on furniture, we often want to listen to music, watch TV, watch movies in a home theater, or use one or more electronic devices. This calls for improved furniture with advanced electronic assembly systems that can be integrated with modern furniture assemblies or devices.

The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments that address any disadvantages or operate solely in the environments described above. Rather, this background is provided merely to illustrate one exemplary technical field in which some of the embodiments described herein may be implemented.

Embodiments of the present disclosure address one or more of the above-described problems and other problems in the art by means of systems, methods, and devices for acoustically compensating for sound loss through materials of various types and compositions. In particular, the systems, methods, and devices of the present disclosure can be implemented to improve the sound quality of a speaker system incorporated into a furniture component and having at least one speaker covered with a partially acoustically transparent material, which can be, for example, (i) a partially acoustically transparent upholstery fabric, or (ii) a solid, non-drapable, rigid structure having perforations formed therein to enhance acoustic transparency. Leather, for example, perforated leather, is an example of an upholstery fabric of the present invention. Rigid, non-flexible, rigid structures, such as parts of tables, coffee tables, end tables, side tables, desks, bed frames, bed rails, headboards, footboards, etc., are generally not acoustically transparent unless they have specific perforations as described herein, but rather are constructed to provide durability and/or aesthetics to the furniture surface.

In particular, one or more embodiments include an audio-enhanced furniture system comprising (i) a furniture assembly, such as a table, having a partially acoustically transparent material in the form of a rigid, non-flexible structure, such as a table top, panel, or other furniture part having perforations in its original surface; and (ii) a speaker system positioned within the furniture assembly, the speaker system including at least one speaker covered by the perforated rigid structure and thus concealed from view. The perforated rigid structure is partially, but not fully, acoustically transparent. Accordingly, the at least one speaker is configured to be tuned to compensate for sound radiated from the at least one speaker through the perforated rigid structure (e.g., sound loss or other variations in sound radiated through the perforated structure) by adjusting equalization of one or more target frequencies or frequency bands radiated by the at least one speaker. Embodiments may also include a plurality of tuning profiles corresponding to the plurality of perforated structures, wherein a user may select any of the plurality of tuning profiles.

To provide an aesthetically pleasing rigid structure and the appearance of a smooth, uninterrupted surface, the perforations in the perforated rigid structure (e.g., a desktop or table top) are designed as microperforations that are sufficiently small to be invisible or substantially invisible to the naked eye, in the original surface of the structure (rather than as separately added grilles, etc.). Furthermore, invisible or substantially invisible microperforations are less likely to allow water or other environmental hazards to penetrate onto the speaker surface covered by each perforation than are larger holes.

Because the size of the perforations is limited, a rigid and rigid perforated structure can experience some degree of sound loss when sound is emitted through it. Tuning a speaker to compensate for this loss when sound is emitted through a perforated structure improves the acoustic quality of the sound.

Another acoustically transparent material of the present invention includes a fabric covering the speaker of the present invention (e.g., a fabric for upholstery). An embodiment of a method of tuning a loudspeaker to compensate for sound radiating through a rigid, perforated, partially acoustically transparent structure or other material (e.g., fabric) comprises the steps of: selecting a desired baseline equalization (e.g., a desired frequency response); configuring the loudspeaker to emit sound at an actual equalization (e.g., a frequency response) that approximates the desired baseline equalization or frequency response; covering the loudspeaker with a rigid, perforated, partially acoustically transparent material; measuring the resulting equalization or frequency response when the loudspeaker emits sound through the perforated, partially acoustically transparent material; calculating a differential equalization; and reconfiguring the audio system to emit sound through the perforated, partially acoustically transparent material according to the desired baseline equalization or frequency response by adjusting the actual equalization or frequency response with the differential equalization. The method may also include the step of generating a plurality of tuning profiles corresponding to the plurality of acoustically transparent materials, each tuning profile including a differential equalization calculated for each of the plurality of perforated partial acoustically transparent materials.

As described above, another partially acoustically transparent material of the present invention is a fabric, such as, for example, upholstery fabric, through which sound can be radiated and the variations thereof can be tuned. Thus, for example, the systems and methods of the present disclosure may include an audio-enhanced modular furniture system having a modular furniture assembly, the modular furniture assembly including one or more bases, a plurality of vertical members, at least two of which are audio-enhanced vertical members, and a speaker system positioned within the modular furniture assembly. The speaker system may include: (a) at least one speaker mounted within a first audio-enhanced vertical member and concealed from view by the first upholstery fabric covering the first audio-enhanced vertical member; (b) at least one speaker mounted within a second audio-enhanced vertical member and concealed from view by the second upholstery fabric covering the second audio-enhanced vertical member; and (c) at least one speaker controller configured to control each speaker of the speaker system. Each speaker of said speaker system may be configured to be tuned via said at least one speaker controller to compensate for sound emitted from said speaker through said first or second perforated partially acoustically transparent material by adjusting equalization of one or more audio frequencies emitted by said at least one speaker.

Accordingly, systems and methods for acoustically compensating for sound loss through a perforated, partially acoustically transparent material are disclosed. It will be apparent that the term "partially acoustically transparent material" as used herein does not imply that the perforated rigid structure or other material (e.g., fabric) is completely acoustically transparent, as in such a case no significant sound loss occurs and no significant compensation is required. The term "partially acoustically transparent material" as used herein refers to a material that exhibits some partial acoustic transparency or some increased acoustic transparency, such as in the case of a perforated rigid material as a result of perforations through the material. However, even with such perforations, the resulting material is not completely acoustically transparent (e.g., exhibits a sound level loss of 3 dB for one or more specific frequencies or frequency bands within the audible spectrum). This is due to the small size of the perforations, which render the relevant surface (e.g., a tabletop) aesthetically pleasing. This sound loss can be addressed through equalization, as described herein, which is the boosting of the volume of one or more frequencies or frequency bands to address the sound loss that still occurs through the perforated material.

In one example, the perforated acoustically transparent material is a rigid, inflexible, and rigid material. This rigid, inflexible, and rigid structure may comprise, for example, wood, veneer, plastic, polymer, metal, or other rigid, inflexible, and rigid materials. The perforations are formed to enhance the acoustic transparency of the structure, but are designed to be visually and aesthetically pleasing and small enough to minimize potential environmental damage (e.g., potential water damage) to the speaker covered by the rigid structure.

A furniture cavity provided within one or more portions of a furniture assembly and in which a speaker is mounted can enhance the sound of the speaker mounted therein. The speaker of the furniture assembly disclosed herein is tuned to compensate for sound emitted through a partially acoustically transparent material (e.g., fabric or perforated wood) covering the speaker embedded within the furniture assembly. A specific frequency emitted by the speaker is tuned to compensate for sound passing through the interface of the partially acoustically transparent material, thereby optimizing sound as it passes through the layer of the partially acoustically transparent material.

In one embodiment, the speaker utilized in the present invention is frequency-tuned to emit high-quality sound through a partially acoustically transparent material (e.g., fabric or perforated wood). The frequency produced by the speaker is tuned, and thus the sound emitted from the speaker is tuned to compensate for sound passing through the partially acoustically transparent material. The structure, positioning, and tuning of the speaker are strategically beneficial to the sound and fidelity of the speaker, as the speaker is covered with the partially acoustically transparent material.

The speaker of the present invention is tuned to emit high quality sound through a partially acoustically transparent material (e.g., fabric or perforated wood). For example, frequencies that are preferentially absorbed by the partially acoustically transparent material (which changes the loudness of a given frequency when passing through the partially acoustically transparent material) may be amplified to compensate for losses that occur when those frequencies pass through the partially acoustically transparent material. Relatively high frequencies are generally attenuated much more sharply when passing through such materials than relatively low frequencies, and thus the tuning may include preferentially amplifying high frequencies (as compared to having little or no amplification of low frequencies) to provide a "flat" frequency response across the frequency spectrum as heard at the other end of the partially acoustically transparent material (i.e., the listener's ear).

Accordingly, in the present invention, the speaker system is tuned by amplifying one or more selected frequencies to compensate for such frequency attenuation that occurs when sound from the speaker system is radiated through upholstery fabric, perforated wood, or other partially acoustically transparent structures.

Part of a furniture assembly, such as a desk or vertical member (or an enclosure within such a space), can be used as a speaker enclosure to create the desired resonance. The speaker is tuned to transmit its output through a partially acoustically transparent material (e.g., a fabric covering over the speaker).

For example, upholstery fabrics are generally not acoustically transparent. For example, these fabrics affect sound waves by attenuating (or amplifying) those frequencies by more than 3 dB (i.e., ±3 dB) at one or more frequencies between 20 Hz and 20 kHz. For example, these upholstery fabrics are relatively heavy fabrics, which typically attenuate particularly high sound frequencies by more than 3 dB. As a result of this attenuation by the fabric, the sound produced by any such speaker concealed behind the upholstery fabric can be tuned to increase the loudness of the attenuated frequencies to compensate for the attenuation that occurs when the sound passes through the fabric. For example, if the fabric attenuates a sound at 2 kHz by 6 dB, the tuning can increase the loudness of the sound at 2 kHz by 6 dB to compensate. In accordance with the present invention, there may generally be multiple frequencies or frequency bands that can be amplified to compensate for this fabric-induced attenuation. As another example, the relatively high frequencies produced by these speakers (e.g., above 200 Hz, above 400 Hz, above 800 Hz, above 2 kHz, above 4 kHz, etc.) are often affected by passing through these fabrics, and there may be some degree of attenuation associated with them, which may increase as the frequency increases. As a result, the speakers can be tuned by amplifying these high frequencies before they pass through the fabric, so that once the speaker sound has passed through the fabric, it is approximately the loudness that the speaker sound is intended to be heard and received by the listener (e.g., the overall tuned output is within ±3 dB of the unattenuated "target" value).

Accordingly, the speaker of the present invention is adjusted and tuned in such a way that the attenuation caused by a partially acoustically transparent material, such as a fabric or a perforated wood structure, is compensated for when emitting sound through such a material.

Each of these speakers can be tuned so that the output of a given speaker reflects the passage of sound waves through the partially acoustically transparent material before reaching the user using the associated furniture assembly. Tuning the frequency of the speaker to provide sound through such partially acoustically transparent material is a unique and novel aspect of the present invention.

Additionally, the user may control the overall sound volume, the sound volume of one or more speakers, the frequency amplification (or attenuation) of one or more frequency bands associated with any speaker, or any other control the user desires to manipulate. For example, such control components, such as a remote controller or a mobile phone app, may transmit signals or instructions via an electrical wired connection or wirelessly from a location remote from the associated furniture assembly (e.g., next to the television or elsewhere). In certain embodiments, control of any desired parameter may be provided via a mobile phone app (smart phone app) or other software application that may be provided via any desired interface. For example, on a smartphone, portable device, tablet, or other device accessible to the user, the user may make a specific selection, after which the device may wirelessly transmit a control signal to a receiver or other component, which may then implement any desired change to the parameter as instructed by the user. The receiver may be capable of receiving and/or transmitting via WiFi, Bluetooth, or other wireless systems to communicate with the app or an associated transmitter, etc.

Accordingly, the present invention comprises a speaker system tuned to compensate for sound radiated through upholstery fabric. For example, in one embodiment, the speaker system is tuned to compensate for sound radiated from the speaker and through a partially acoustically transparent material, such as upholstery fabric or perforated wood, wherein the speaker system is tuned such that the overall frequency response tuning output when heard through the partially acoustically transparent material is within ±3 dB of an undamped target value. Thus, for example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the speaker system is tuned to compensate for sound radiated from the speaker and through a partially acoustically transparent material (such as upholstery fabric or perforated wood), wherein the speaker system is tuned such that the overall tuning output of the speaker system when heard through the upholstery fabric is within ±3 dB of an undamped target value.

This brief summary is provided to simplify and introduce a selection of concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Additional features and advantages are set forth in the following description, some of which will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practicing the teachings herein. The features and advantages of the present invention may be realized and attained by means of the instruments and combinations specifically pointed out in the appended claims. The features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by practicing the invention as set forth hereinafter.

To illustrate how the aforementioned advantages and features, as well as other advantages and features, can be achieved, the subject matter briefly described above will be described in more detail with reference to specific embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is understood that these drawings illustrate only typical embodiments and should therefore not be considered limiting in scope. The accompanying drawings will be used to further illustrate the embodiments in greater detail.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a furniture system equipped with audio speakers, each audio speaker being covered with a perforated portion of an acoustically transparent material, such as a perforated table top, a perforated table front panel, and perforated side panels of the furniture system.
Figure 2a illustrates a portion of a perforated acoustically transparent material.
Figure 2b illustrates a portion of another perforated acoustically transparent material.
Figure 3a illustrates a cross-sectional view of a perforation of a perforated acoustically transparent material.
Figure 3b illustrates a cross-sectional view of a perforation of a perforated portion of an acoustically transparent material.
Figure 3c illustrates a cross-sectional view of a perforation of a perforated portion of an acoustically transparent material.
Figure 3d illustrates a cross-sectional view of a perforation of a perforated acoustically transparent material.
Figure 3e illustrates a cross-sectional view of a perforation of a perforated portion of an acoustically transparent material.
Figure 3f illustrates a cross-sectional view of a perforation of a perforated acoustically transparent material.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a modular furniture assembly equipped with audio speakers, each audio speaker being covered with upholstery fabric.
FIG. 5a illustrates a perspective view of a vertical member of a modular furniture assembly equipped with audio speakers.
Figure 5b illustrates a perspective view of the vertical member of Figure 5a with a detachable furniture decorative fabric cover applied thereto.
FIG. 5c illustrates a perspective view of another vertical member of a modular furniture assembly equipped with audio speakers.
Figure 5d illustrates a perspective view of the vertical member of Figure 5c with a detachable furniture decorative fabric cover applied thereto.
FIG. 5e illustrates a perspective view of a modular furniture assembly formed using vertical members with speakers positioned thereon, as illustrated in FIGS. 5c and 5d.
Figures 6a to 6d are perspective views of modular furniture assemblies of various configurations, each assembly equipped with an audio speaker, and each audio speaker covered with a furniture decorative fabric.
FIGS. 7A through 7C illustrate schematic diagrams of exemplary audio systems operable to tune speakers to compensate for sound loss through any of the partially acoustically transparent materials discussed herein.
FIG. 8 illustrates a flow diagram of a method of the present invention for acoustically compensating sound loss through any partially acoustically transparent material discussed herein.
FIG. 9 illustrates a flow diagram of a method of the present invention for tuning an audio enhancement modular furniture system to compensate for sound loss through any partially acoustically transparent material discussed herein.
Figure 10 illustrates an audio frequency tuning table for acoustically compensating for sound loss through any partially acoustically transparent material discussed herein.
FIG. 11a is an audio frequency tuning table for acoustically compensating sound loss through an exemplary upholstery fabric including a polyester material.
Figure 11b is an audio frequency adjustment table for acoustically compensating for sound loss through an exemplary chenille material.
Figure 11c is an audio frequency adjustment table for acoustically compensating for sound loss through an exemplary tweed material.
Figure 11d is an audio frequency adjustment table for acoustically compensating for sound loss through an exemplary linen material.
Figure 11e is an audio frequency adjustment table for acoustically compensating for sound loss through an exemplary velvet material.
FIG. 11f is an audio frequency tuning table for acoustically compensating sound loss through exemplary upholstery fabrics including leather materials.
FIG. 11g is an audio frequency tuning table for acoustically compensating sound loss through exemplary upholstery fabrics including polyester linen materials.
FIG. 11h is an audio frequency tuning table for acoustically compensating sound loss through exemplary upholstery fabrics, including faux fur.
Figure 12 illustrates a plan view of the control console of the present invention.
Figure 13 shows a plan view of the remote control device of the present invention.
FIG. 14a illustrates a plan view of a mobile device displaying a user control interface of the present invention.
FIG. 14b illustrates a plan view of a mobile device displaying additional features of the user control interface of FIG. 14a.
FIG. 15a illustrates a plan view of a mobile device displaying a user control interface of the present invention.
FIG. 15b illustrates a plan view of a mobile device displaying additional features of the user control interface of FIG. 15a.

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to devices, methods, and systems for acoustically compensating for sound loss through partially acoustically transparent materials of various types and compositions. Such devices, methods, and systems provide superior sound quality to speaker systems comprising at least one speaker covered with various materials. For example, the devices, methods, and systems may be used to improve the balance of audible frequencies emitted by a speaker: (i) through a rigid, inflexible, and perforated structure made of partially acoustically transparent material, such as a table top, desk panel, or bed frame; and/or (ii) through a fabric-incorporated furniture system, such as a chair or couch, which is partially acoustically transparent due to the nature of the fabric material, after equalization tuning to help address the attenuation of sound frequencies passing therethrough. The above devices, methods and systems may utilize various mechanical, electromechanical, electrical, hardware and/or software components, systems and modules to improve audio or speaker systems integrated into furniture, whether the furniture is a modular furniture assembly or a single integrated furniture unit having integrated speakers built into the furniture and concealed from view.

For example, "tuning" a speaker or speaker system as discussed throughout this disclosure should be understood to encompass all currently known methods for adjusting the frequency response of said speaker or speaker system. Such methods include, but are not limited to, adjusting the frequency equalization of a sound signal before transmitting it to the speaker or speaker system, adjusting a transmitted audio signal before receiving it by the speaker or speaker system, or directly modifying the speaker(s).

By way of example and not limitation, improved tuning of audio or speaker systems, including speakers covered with perforated, rigid, partially acoustically transparent materials or fabric-covered speakers, can provide superior sound quality or other benefits in applications where the speakers are intended to be concealed. This creates significant opportunities for improving the aesthetic and functional design of speaker systems integrated into furniture, leading to significant advancements in technology.

Some embodiments of the perforated rigid structure of the present disclosure include various structures capable of covering audio speakers, such as panels or other portions of furniture assemblies, such as bed frames, desks, tables, sideboards, doors, coffee tables, end tables, side tables, credenzas, consoles, sideboards, cabinets, buffets, servers, hutches, bookcases, cabinetry, wardrobes, or combinations thereof. Other examples of furniture assemblies having at least a portion that is a perforated rigid structure from which sound can be radiated and tuned according to the present disclosure include, for example, mantles, fireplace mantles, television frames, television frame surrounds, nightstands, projector shrouds, shroud coverings, housings for blinds, valences, valences for blinds, valence shrouds, projectors, or combinations thereof.

Other applications may be found in audio-enhanced furniture systems employing a non-rigid, flexible fabric surface, such as, for example, a furniture assembly, a furniture upholstery fabric that at least partially covers the furniture assembly (such furniture upholstery fabric is an example of a non-rigid, drapable, partially acoustically transparent material), or an audio or speaker system positioned within the furniture assembly, wherein at least one speaker is covered and concealed from view by the furniture upholstery fabric that at least partially covers the furniture assembly. Leather, for example, perforated leather, is an example of such a furniture upholstery fabric of the present invention.

The perforated rigid partially acoustically transparent structure of the present invention is not a flexible fabric, but rather a material that would otherwise exhibit very poor sound transmission, such as wood, plastic (e.g., polymer), metal, etc. In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, each speaker covered with such a rigid structure and perforated to make the structure more partially acoustically transparent can be tuned to compensate for sound radiating from the speaker through the perforated rigid structure by adjusting the equalization or frequency response of the speaker at one or more target frequencies or frequency bands.

For perforated rigid structures, adjustment of the equalization or frequency response of the speaker may depend on at least one of the material type (e.g., wood, metal, polymer), the amount of perforations, the thickness, the size of the perforations, etc. For fabric coverings, adjustment of the equalization or frequency response of the speaker may depend on the weight of the upholstery fabric covering the furniture assembly, etc. In certain embodiments, the tuning of each speaker, or the tuning of the audio system or speaker system to change the frequency response of each speaker, may be selectable from a plurality of tuning profiles corresponding to different acoustically transparent materials, such that a user, retailer, or manufacturer may select a tuning profile configured to specifically compensate for sound loss through a particular portion of the acoustically transparent material.

For fabrics, the density and thickness of the upholstery fabric are related to its weight. For example, a denser, thicker upholstery fabric may weigh more than a lower-density, thinner upholstery fabric. Examples of weights of upholstery fabrics that can be used as covers for the furniture assembly (and its modular components/members) of the present invention include fabrics having a weight in the range of, for example, about 50 grams per square meter (GSM) to about 1500 grams per square meter (GSM), for example, about 100 GSM to about 1000 GSM, or about 190 GSM to about 800 GSM, although various other interior and exterior fabrics may be used. The speakers of the present invention are adjusted and tuned in such a way that the attenuation caused by such fabrics is compensated for when radiating sound through such fabrics.

Likewise, with respect to the rigid material, the speaker of the present invention is adjusted and tuned in such a way that damping due to such rigid material is compensated for. In one embodiment, the perforations of the present invention are finely tuned perforations formed in the original surface of the rigid structure, such that they are invisible or nearly invisible to the naked eye, thereby rendering the rigid structure visually pleasing. The type and thickness of the rigid material, along with the number and size of the perforations, are adjusted to make the rigid material more acoustically transparent and to enhance the sound quality of the sound radiated through the rigid material.

An embodiment of a tuning profile includes information used to adjust the equalization of a speaker's frequency response to compensate for sound loss through a specific material. For example, the audible frequency range emitted by a speaker may be divided into multiple frequency bands, each having a frequency response adjustment to compensate for sound loss through a specific material. A specific grouping of these frequency response adjustments, along with a specific identification of a specific material, may be an example of a tuning profile.

The total number of frequency bands varies depending on the desired level of precision in frequency response adjustment and the capabilities of the intended equipment to implement the tuning profile. For example, some audio tuning devices, such as speaker controllers, amplifiers, or audio equalizers, can only adjust the frequencies of three frequency bands, corresponding to the low frequency range (i.e., bass), mid frequency range, and high frequency range (i.e., treble), while other available tuning devices can operate to adjust up to 31 separate frequency ranges.

For example, in some embodiments discussed herein, the audible frequency range of about 20 Hz to about 21 kHz is divided into ten frequency bands for individual tuning, namely about 20 Hz to about 49 Hz, about 50 Hz to about 99 Hz, about 100 Hz to about 199 Hz, about 200 Hz to about 399 Hz, about 400 Hz to about 999 Hz, about 1 kHz to about 1.9 kHz, about 2 kHz to about 3.9 kHz, about 4 kHz to about 7.9 kHz, about 8 kHz to about 15.9 kHz, and about 16 kHz to about 21 kHz, as shown in Table 1 below.

Alternatively, multiple target frequencies within the audible frequency range may be selected for adjustment using parametric equalization or similar known methods. Parametric equalization involves adjusting one or more target frequencies by a selected amplitude, such that the frequency response curve of the tuned loudspeaker changes in a parametric or "bell" shape centered around the target frequency. Specific data associated with parametric equalization for a particular material, along with specific identification of the material, may serve as another example of a tuning profile. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that additional methods of equalization or frequency response adjustment, not discussed herein, may be used to implement the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the presently disclosed invention.

The term "equalization" is used to describe the adjustment of the output loudness of one or more frequencies within the audible spectrum of sound ("frequency response") emitted by a speaker or speaker system.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a furniture system (100) comprising (i) a speaker system comprising speakers (102), and (2) a furniture assembly (104), the speaker system comprising a plurality of audio speakers (102) built into and integrated with the furniture assembly (104). For example, the speakers (102) may be mounted in and within the furniture assembly (104), such that the furniture assembly (104) acts as a speaker cover for each speaker (104). The furniture assembly (104) may be, for example, a coffee table having a table body (106) supported by table legs, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The table body (106) of the furniture assembly (104) comprises a top panel (108a), and end panels, a front panel, and a back panel (108b-e).

Each audio speaker (102) is embedded in a table body (106) (e.g., a table body (106) made of wood, polymer, or metal), such that each speaker (102) is covered by a rigid, non-flexible rigid structure, e.g., a respective portion (104a-f) of the rigid table body (106) adjacent to each speaker. Rigid, non-flexible rigid panels (108a-e) of the table base (106) are perforated at the portions (104a-f) adjacent to each speaker, thereby making each panel (108a-e) a partially acoustically transparent structure.

Accordingly, the table body (106) of the furniture assembly (104) includes a perforated panel having a respective portion (104a-f) adjacent to each speaker (102) and covering, for example, above each speaker (102) or a side of each speaker (102) as illustrated in FIG. 1.

The table body (106) and each of its panels are made of a rigid, non-flexible material, such as wood, and are perforated, for example, by having perforations formed by drilling or otherwise forming holes. As illustrated in FIG. 1, these perforations in the panel portions (104a-f) adjacent to each speaker (102) are on the original surface of the table body (106), as opposed to a separate, aesthetically unappealing perforated grill plate or cover mounted on the table body (106) to cover each speaker, which is not part of the original surface. By providing perforations on the original surface of the body (106), as illustrated in FIG. 1, the perforations are less visible to the user, more concealed from view, and less intrusive on the original surface of the body (106), making the furniture assembly (104) more aesthetically pleasing, less intrusive, and more similar to a natural, smooth surface.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the furniture assembly (104) has the characteristics of a coffee table including a base (106) supported by legs, although it will be appreciated that the base (106) may alternatively be placed directly on the floor or other structure upon which the furniture assembly (104) is to be positioned. Although the furniture assembly (104) illustrated in FIG. 1 has a table-like form, it will be appreciated that the furniture assembly of the present invention having a rigid structure with perforated portion acoustic transparency, such as the perforated portion (104a) of the base (106), may be any of a variety of stand-alone or built-in furniture assemblies, including but not limited to a chair, a sofa, a bed frame, a coffee table, an end table, a side table, a desk, a server, a hutch, a bookcase, a cupboard, a door, a credenza, a console, a sideboard, a cabinet, a bookcase, a cabinet system, a wardrobe, or any combination thereof.

The base (106) includes a top panel (108a) having perforated portions (104a, 104b) each covering an adjacent concealed speaker mounted within the base (106), end, front and rear panels (108b-e) each having one or more perforated portions (104c, 104d, 104e, 104e) covering an adjacent concealed speaker (102) mounted within the base (106). These panels also surround or partially surround the interior of the base (106), wherein the speakers (102) are concealed from view but capable of emitting sound through the base (106), the sound transmission of which is enhanced by the perforations in the base (106).

As illustrated, in one embodiment, the perforations (117a, 117b) are in a vertically or substantially vertically oriented portion of the perforated rigid structure to increase resistance to environmental factors such as water that may spill on the top surface of the table body (106).

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the speakers (102) are covered with perforated portions (104a-f), and the speakers (102) are tuned by adjusting equalization (e.g., to adjust frequency response) of at least one speaker (102) at one or more target frequencies or frequency bands to compensate for sound radiating from each speaker (102) through a perforated rigid (e.g., wood, polymer, etc.) partially acoustically transparent base (106). Adjustment of equalization of the one or more target frequencies or frequency bands depends on at least one of the perforation type, the amount of perforation, the size of the perforation, the diameter of the perforation, the thickness of the table base (106), the type of material of the table base (106), and other structural or environmental factors.

Additionally, tuning of the speakers (102) may be implemented by one or more speaker controllers configured to communicate with and control tuning of each speaker (102). For example, the furniture assembly (104) may include, as an example of a speaker controller, a receiver/amplifier (110) configured to receive a signal (via a wired connection or wireless signal) from an audio source, such as a mobile device (112), and operable to transmit the received signal and power the speakers (102). Accordingly, tuning of the speakers (102) may be implemented by the receiver/amplifier (110) via firmware or other known methods for adjusting equalization of the output of the amplifier. Alternatively, tuning may be implemented by adjusting equalization of an audio signal transmitted by an audio source (e.g., by executing tuning software on the mobile device (112).

Additionally, tuning of the speaker (102) may be made selectable by the mobile device (112), or by any means for communicating with the receiver/amplifier (110), such as a remote controller, control console, mobile phone, or any combination, modification, or alternative thereof. Alternatively, the tuning may be implemented permanently via firmware associated with the receiver/amplifier (110). In some embodiments, a microphone (135) is also provided to enable custom tuning of the speaker (102) according to the methods disclosed herein. Alternatively, the disclosed methods may be performed by a consumer using a microphone of the mobile device (112).

Although the modular furniture assembly (104) is illustrated with the receiver/amplifier (110) mounted within the base (106), embodiments also include receivers, amplifiers, and/or speaker controllers provided virtually anywhere that permit communication with the speakers (102). For example, the receiver/amplifier (110) may be integrated into a center console or similar device and connected to the speakers (102) via a wired or wireless connection. Alternatively, each speaker (102) may have a speaker controller individually associated with it and affixed directly to or near the speaker. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the illustrated embodiments are provided as exemplary configurations and are not intended to limit the scope or spirit of the present disclosure to the specifically illustrated physical configurations.

Although a mobile device (112) is illustrated as an exemplary audio source, it will be appreciated that any of a variety of audio sources (112b) may be used with the system (e.g., but not limited to, a television (TV), a disc player such as a CD player, a DVD player, a Blu-ray player, over-the-air radio, TV, or other transmissions, etc.). Furthermore, the mobile device (112) may not only be used as an audio source, but may optionally control other audio sources, such as those described herein, thereby allowing a user to tune the speaker (102) based on signals received by other audio sources. By way of example, and not limitation, the mobile device (112) may tune the speaker (102) based on signals provided to the receiver/amplifier (110) by a television, a disc player such as a CD player, a DVD player, a Blu-ray player, over-the-air radio, TV, or other transmissions. Thus, the mobile device (112) may be another speaker controller.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3e, the perforated portion (104a-f) of the base (106) has a plurality of perforations extending therethrough. The shape, form, size, and density of the perforations (117a-b) may vary, at least in part, based on the type and thickness of the material used to form the perforated portion, the perforation size, and the amount of perforations.

For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2A, the perforated portion (104f) may have a mesh appearance in which the perforations (117a) are square or rectangular in shape. The interlaced individual elements (119) may have greater resistance to bending or deformation than the individual elements (119) alone. The size, number, shape, and orientation of the perforations (117a) associated with the interlaced individual elements (119) may vary depending on the material forming the individual elements (119), such as organic materials, polymeric materials, natural materials, composite materials, and/or combinations thereof. The specific values selected for the perforation size or quantity may vary depending on the sound correction required to achieve the desired tuning profile, acceptable aesthetics, and other factors. Additionally, the amount of perforations on the surface may vary by interlacing the multiple individual elements (119) closer or less closely together. The tuning of the speaker (102) described herein can correspond to changes in the size or density of the hole (117a).

In one embodiment, the perforations are sized so that a portion of the sound from a particular speaker is emitted through them, but the perforations themselves are small enough to be invisible or concealed from view as much as possible, resulting in a more natural surface appearance than a separate perforated plate or cover mounted on the furniture surface.

In another configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 2b, the perforations of the partially acoustically transparent structure have an overall circular shape and can be formed within the monolithic structure (e.g., the panels of the table body (106) are monolithic panels) by drilling, molding, cutting, punching, piercing, laser cutting, puncturing, and/or combinations thereof. The monolithic structure can include organic materials, polymeric materials, natural materials, composite materials, and/or combinations thereof. For example, the perforated partially acoustically transparent structure can be formed of wood (e.g., MDF, other engineered wood, or unengineered wood), optionally veneer, wherein the perforations (117b) are formed herein by drilling, cutting, punching, piercing, laser cutting, puncturing, and/or combinations thereof. In another configuration, the perforated partially acoustically transparent structure is formed of a polymer or composite panel or member in which perforations (117b) are formed by drilling, cutting, punching, piercing, laser cutting, puncturing, and/or a combination thereof. Similar to the perforated partially acoustically transparent structure of FIG. 2A, the hole density, hole size, and perforation (void) fraction can be within the ranges and values specified herein.

Accordingly, at least one speaker of the present invention is configured to be tuned by selecting from a plurality of tuning profiles corresponding to: (i) the type of material of the perforated rigid structure; (ii) the amount of perforations of the perforated rigid structure; (iii) the thickness of the perforated rigid structure; and (iv) the size of the perforations of the perforated rigid structure.

With respect to the amount of perforation, for example, in one embodiment, from about 5% to about 70% of a portion of the rigid structure (e.g., 104c) adjacent to at least one speaker (102) is perforated. In another embodiment, from about 10% to about 60% of a portion of the rigid structure (104c) adjacent to at least one speaker is perforated. In another embodiment, from about 50% to about 60% of a portion of the rigid structure (104c) adjacent to at least one speaker is perforated. In another embodiment, from about 10% to about 30% of a portion of the rigid structure (104c) adjacent to at least one speaker is perforated.

As used herein, "perforation" or similar terms mean a hole that extends from one side of the structure to the other and passes through the entire thickness of the structure, as illustrated with respect to sample perforation (120a) of FIG. 3A. A structure is "perforated" with a single perforation if such a single passage passes through it, and "perforated" with multiple perforations if multiple passages pass through it. In one embodiment, for example, 5% of a rigid structure is considered to be perforated if the area (e.g., cm ² ) of the rigid structure is comprised of 95% solid material, and (i) the remaining 5% of the area is occupied by a single perforation passing through the solid material, or (ii) multiple perforations passing through the solid material cumulatively occupy the remaining 5% of the area. Thus, in one embodiment, from about 95% to about 30% of the portion of the rigid structure adjacent to at least one speaker is non-perforated solid material, while from about 5% to about 70% of the portion of the rigid structure adjacent to at least one speaker is perforated.

With respect to thickness, in one embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of the portion (104c) of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to at least one speaker is in a range of about 0.25 mm to about 30 mm. In another embodiment, the thickness of the portion (104c) of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to at least one speaker is in a range of about 0.5 mm to about 20 mm. In another embodiment, the thickness of the portion of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to at least one speaker is in a range of about 1 mm to about 10 mm. In another embodiment, the thickness of the portion of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to at least one speaker is in a range of about 1 mm to about 2 mm.

With respect to the perforation diameter, in one embodiment, the diameter of each perforation (117b) of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to at least one speaker is in a range of 1 micromillimeter to about 10 mm. In another embodiment, the diameter of each perforation (117b) of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to at least one speaker is in a range of about 0.1 mm to about 10 mm. In another embodiment, the diameter of each perforation (117b) of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to at least one speaker is in a range of about 0.1 mm to about 5 mm. In another embodiment, the diameter of each perforation (117b) of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to at least one speaker is in a range of about 0.5 mm to about 1 mm.

Accordingly, considering the amount, thickness, and diameter of the perforations, for example, in one embodiment, from about 5% to about 70% of the portion (104c) of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to at least one speaker is perforated; the thickness of the portion (104c) of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to at least one speaker is in a range of from about 0.25 mm to about 30 mm; and the diameter of each perforation (117b) of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to at least one speaker is in a range of from 1 micromillimeter to about 10 mm. In another embodiment, from about 5% to about 70% of the portion (104c) of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to at least one speaker is perforated; the thickness of the portion (104c) of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to at least one speaker is in a range of from about 0.25 mm to about 30 mm; The diameter of each perforation (117b) of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to at least one speaker is in the range of 0.1 mm to about 10 mm. In another embodiment, about 30% to about 60% of the portion (104c) of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to at least one speaker is perforated; the thickness of the portion (104c) of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to at least one speaker is in the range of about 1 mm to about 2 mm; and the diameter of each perforation (117b) of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to at least one speaker is in the range of 0.25 mm to about 1 mm. In another embodiment, about 50% to about 60% of the portion (104c) of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to at least one speaker is perforated; the thickness of the portion (104c) of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to at least one speaker is in the range of about 1 mm to about 2 mm; The diameter of each perforation (117b) of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to at least one speaker is in the range of 0.5 mm to about 1 mm.

In addition to compensating for the sound emanating from each speaker (102) through the perforated partially acoustically transparent structure having different perforation amounts, adjustments can be made to compensate for specific perforation geometries, configurations, and orientations. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3F , the perforations of the present invention can have various orientations. While specific geometries, configurations, and orientations are illustrated, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various other geometries, configurations, and orientations are contemplated by those skilled in the art based on the teachings disclosed herein.

As illustrated in FIG. 3A, a specific example of a perforation (120a) of the present invention that can be used in any of the perforated structures discussed herein has a central axis or longitudinal axis (121) that is generally perpendicular, i.e., 90°, to at least one of the first surface (115a) and the second surface (115b). In contrast, in FIG. 3B, another example of a perforation (118b) of the present invention that can be used in any of the perforated structures discussed herein extends transversely from the first surface (115a) to the first surface (115a). That is, the central or longitudinal axis (122) of the perforation (118b) is not perpendicular to the first surface (115a). The angle of the hole axis (121) with respect to the bottom surface (115b) can be any value, such as, for example, 20° to 89°, or 25° to 85°, 30° to 80°, 35° to 75°, 40° to 70°, 45° to 65°, or 50° to 60°.

Each of the perforations of FIGS. 3A and 3B that may be used in any of the perforated structures discussed herein may have a generally uniform cross-sectional dimension along the length of the perforation. For example, the perforations (120a, 118b) may have a generally uniform circular cross-section, such that the perforations are generally cylindrical. In other configurations, the perforations may have other cross-sectional geometric shapes, configurations, and orientations, such as, but not limited to, conical cross-sections, polygonal cross-sections, ovals, elliptical cross-sections, elongated shapes along one axis of the hole, and combinations and/or variations thereof.

Referring to FIGS. 3c and 3d, the perforations (117c, 117d) that can be used in any of the perforated structures discussed herein have a tapered orientation when viewed from the side. This causes the perforations (117c, 117d) to have a truncated cone shape. In FIG. 3c, the hole (117c) tapers from the first surface (115a) to the second surface (115b) such that the opening (123a) of the first surface (115a) is smaller than the opening (123b) of the second surface (115b), and in FIG. 3d, the hole (117d) tapers away from the first surface (115b) such that the opening (123a) of the first surface (115a) is larger than the opening (123b) of the second surface (115b). It will be appreciated that the perforations of FIGS. 3c and 3d may be joined such that, when viewed from the side, they form a box-tie or bow-tie configuration, i.e., two truncated cone sections meet with their smaller ends positioned between the first surface (115a) and the second surface (115b). It will also be appreciated that one or both of the structures illustrated in FIGS. 3c and 3d may be joined with one or both of the structures of FIGS. 3a and/or 3b. Different hole shapes or sizes may be provided within the same perforated, partially acoustically transparent structure. The perforations (117c-d) may be used in any of the structures discussed herein.

Now, referring to FIGS. 3e and 3f, the surfaces forming the perforations (117e, 117f) that may be used in any of the perforated structures discussed herein may have a curved surface when viewed from the side, such that the surface (125a) may be convex (FIG. 3e) or the surface (125b) may be concave (FIG. 3f). The surfaces (125a, 125b) forming the perforations (117e, 117f) may be combined with the geometry, configuration, and orientation of the perforations (117a, 117b, 117c, 117d) illustrated, described, or otherwise contemplated in the disclosure of FIGS. 3a-3d, or vice versa. The perforations (117e-f) may be used in any of the structures discussed herein. Additionally, the perforated partially acoustically transparent structure can have perforations having the same or different geometries, configurations, and orientations throughout the perforated partially acoustically transparent structure, and can have different densities of such perforations throughout the perforated partially acoustically transparent structure, based in part on one or more of the desired sound properties or characteristics, the aesthetics of the perforated partially acoustically transparent structure, and the strength of the perforated partially acoustically transparent structure.

The speaker (102) is embedded in a rigid, sturdy base (106) and is concealed from view. As illustrated in FIG. 1, to provide more options and functionality to the user, one or more inductive charging units (121) may be mounted and embedded within the table base (106) and concealed from view for aesthetic purposes. The inductive charging units (121) that provide wireless charging to various electrical devices optionally mounted on the base (106) may be covered by and adjacent to a portion of a partially acoustically transparent material having a thickness of, for example, from about 0.25 mm to about 30 mm, or from about 0.5 mm to about 20 mm, or from about 1 mm to about 10 mm, such that the charging units are embedded in the base (106) and are concealed from view. Such chargers (121) may be embedded, for example, about 0.25 mm to about 30 mm below the surface of the base (106), about 0.5 mm to about 20 mm below the surface of the base (106), or about 1 mm to about 10 mm below the surface of the base (106), such that the charger(s) are embedded within the base (106) and conveniently concealed from view. This allows a user to conveniently wirelessly charge an electrical device by placing the device on the embedded, concealed inductive charger while conveniently listening to the speaker (102) without or without unsightly or tangled cords or wires.

Thus, a perforated furniture assembly (104) of the present invention, such as a table, coffee table, end table, side table, bed frame, cabinet, chair, or other rigid furniture assembly or portion thereof, may have built-in audio speakers and inductive charger(s) concealed from view, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, thereby allowing convenient integrated wireless charging of electrical devices via the concealed inductive charger(s), and also convenient listening to music, etc., from concealed speakers (e.g., surround sound speakers) tuned through the rigid structure.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, each speaker (102) is connected by a wire (116) to a speaker controller (118) that controls the tuning of each speaker. Alternatively, the speakers (102) may communicate wirelessly with the speaker controller (118), or individual speaker controllers may be integrated directly into each speaker (102). In one embodiment, the speaker controller (118) may include an amplifier and/or a receiver. The speakers (102) may be tuned according to the methods described herein to compensate for sound loss through various perforated, partially acoustically transparent structures (113). For example, the speaker controller (118) may include firmware operable to adjust the decibel level (loudness) of one or more target frequencies or frequency bands emitted by the speakers (102) depending on the particular perforated, partially acoustically transparent structure covering the speakers. Alternatively, the frequency response of the speaker (102) may be adjusted by altering the signal received by the speaker controller (118) and transmitted to the speaker (102). In any case, the signal transmitted to any given speaker may be altered to "boost" one or more target frequencies or frequency ranges of the audio signal before the speaker converts the signal. The amount of this "boost" depends on the particular perforated portion of the acoustically transparent material covering the speaker (102).

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a sample furniture assembly having perforations for enhancing acoustic properties. The present disclosure is also applicable to other furniture systems described herein, such as the furniture systems discussed in connection with FIGS. 4A-15B. Furthermore, the tuning and adjustment techniques, profiles, and sound compensation, equalization, and adjustment techniques discussed in connection with FIGS. 4A-15B can be applied to the furniture systems of FIGS. 1-3F, such that the sound compensation, tuning, and adjustment techniques and methods discussed in connection with FIGS. 4A-15B can also be utilized in connection with the furniture systems of FIGS. 1-3F. For example, the techniques discussed in connection with FIGS. 4A-15B can be utilized in connection with the furniture systems of FIGS. 1-3F, and further adjustments can be made by adjusting the quantity, size, and/or diameter of each perforation in the rigid structure, and/or the thickness and type of the perforated rigid material adjacent the speakers. Accordingly, the tuning, equalization, and sound compensation techniques and disclosures discussed in connection with the furniture structures of FIGS. 4a to 15b can also be applied to the furniture structures of FIGS. 1 to 3f.

FIG. 4 illustrates a modular furniture assembly (1100) having a speaker system built into the assembly, the speaker system including a plurality of audio speakers (1102) integrated therein, each audio speaker (1102) covered with a furniture upholstery fabric (1104a, 1104b). The fabric (1104a, 1104b) is an example of a partially acoustically transparent material. As illustrated, the modular furniture assembly (1100) includes a base (1106) and first and second audio enhancement vertical members (1108a, 1108b), each audio enhancement vertical member (1108a, 1108b) having two audio speakers (1102) mounted therein in the illustrated configuration. The first and second furniture upholstery fabrics (1104a, 1104b) cover the first and second audio-enhancing vertical members (1108a, 1108b), and thus also cover each speaker (1102) built into the vertical members (1108a, 1108b). The modular furniture assembly (1100) may also include various additional components, such as cushions, legs, additional bases and vertical members (whether or not audio-enhancing), and additional built-in speakers.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a speaker (1102) system covered with upholstery fabric (1104a, 1104b) is tuned to compensate for sound emitted from each speaker (1102) through the upholstery fabric (1104a, 1104b) by adjusting equalization of at least one speaker at one or more target frequencies or frequency bands (i.e., adjusting the frequency response). Adjustment of equalization of one or more target frequencies or frequency bands may vary depending on, for example, at least one of a fabric type, density, thickness, and weight of the upholstery fabric (104a, 104b).

Additionally, tuning of the speakers (1102) may be implemented by one or more speaker controllers configured to communicate with and control tuning of each speaker (1102). For example, the modular furniture assembly (1100) includes, as an example of a speaker controller, a receiver/amplifier (1110) configured to receive a signal (via a wired connection or wireless signal) from an audio source, such as a mobile device (1112), and operable to transmit the received signal and power the speakers (1102). Accordingly, tuning of the speakers (1102) may be implemented by the receiver/amplifier (1110) via firmware or other known methods for adjusting equalization of the output of the amplifier. Alternatively, tuning may be implemented by adjusting equalization of an audio signal transmitted by an audio source (e.g., by running tuning software on the mobile device (1112). Additionally, tuning of the speaker (1102) may be made selectable by the mobile device (1112), or by any means for communicating with the receiver/amplifier (1110), such as a remote controller, control console, mobile phone, or any combination, modification, or alternative thereof. Alternatively, the tuning may be implemented permanently via firmware associated with the receiver/amplifier (1110). In some embodiments, a microphone (1135) is also provided to enable customized tuning of the speaker (1102) according to the methods disclosed herein. Alternatively, the disclosed methods may be performed by a consumer using a microphone of the mobile device (1112).

Although the modular furniture assembly (1100) is illustrated with the receiver/amplifier (1110) mounted within the base (1106), embodiments also include receivers, amplifiers, and/or speaker controllers provided virtually anywhere that allows communication with the speakers (102). For example, the receiver/amplifier (1110) may be integrated into a center console or similar device and connected to the speakers (1102) via a wired or wireless connection. Alternatively, each speaker (1102) may have a speaker controller individually associated with it and affixed directly to or near the speaker. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the illustrated embodiments are provided as exemplary configurations and are not intended to limit the scope or spirit of the present disclosure to the specifically illustrated physical configurations.

While the mobile device (1112) is shown as an exemplary audio source, it will be appreciated that any of a variety of sources may be used with the system (including, but not limited to, a TV, a disc player such as a CD player, a DVD player, a Blu-ray player, over-the-air radio, a streaming service, TV, or other transmission, etc.). Furthermore, the mobile device (1112) may not only be used as an audio source, but may optionally control other audio sources as described herein, thereby allowing a user to tune the speakers (1102) based on signals received by other audio sources. By way of example, and not limitation, the mobile device (1112) may tune the speakers (1102) based on signals provided to the receiver/amplifier (1110) by a TV, a disc player such as a CD player, a DVD player, a Blu-ray player, over-the-air radio, a streaming service, TV, or other transmission. Thus, the mobile device (1112) may be another speaker controller.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate an exemplary vertical member (108a) of an assembly of modular furniture, such as the furniture assembly (1100) of FIG. 1, having an audio speaker (1102) mounted within its interior framework. A fabric cover (1104a) comprising upholstery fabric (1107) is operable to cover the vertical member (1108a) to cover and conceal the speaker (1102) from view. Thus, the fabric cover (1104a) is removable from the vertical member (1108a) for cleaning, access to and maintenance of the speaker (1102) and other components mounted within the vertical member (1108a), or replacement with another cover designed to fit the vertical member (1108a). In some embodiments, a consumer may select one or more replaceable fabric covers (1104a) from a catalog of upholstery fabrics (1107). Available upholstery fabrics include, but are not limited to, polyester, chenille, tweed, linen, polyester linen, velvet, leather, cotton, cotton blends, denim, twill, faux fur, etc. As illustrated, a coupler (1114) is provided to selectively securely attach the vertical member (108a) to a base, such as the base (1106) of FIG. 1. While the vertical member (108a) is illustrated in detail in FIGS. 5A and 5B, it will be appreciated that the vertical member (108b) may be constructed similarly to the vertical member (108a) in a mirror configuration, as evident in FIG. 1.

As illustrated in FIG. 5A, each speaker (102) of the vertical member (108a) is connected to a speaker controller (1118) by a wire (1116). Alternatively, the speakers (1102) may communicate wirelessly with the speaker controller (1118), or individual speaker controllers may be integrated directly into each speaker (1102). The speakers (1102) may be tuned, as described herein, to compensate for sound loss through various upholstery fabrics (1107). For example, the speaker controller (1118) may include firmware operable to adjust one or more target frequencies or frequency bands emitted by the speakers (1102) depending on the particular fabric covering the speakers. Alternatively, the frequency response of the speakers (1102) may be adjusted by altering a signal received by the speaker controller (1118) and transmitted to the speakers (1102). In any case, the signal transmitted to any given speaker may be modified to "amplify" one or more target frequencies or frequency ranges of the audio signal before the speaker converts the signal. The amount of this "amplification" depends on the particular fabric covering the speaker (1102), as illustrated in FIGS. 7 through 8h.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a vertical member configuration in which two speakers are mounted on the depicted audio enhancement vertical member, for example, where the front channel speaker is positioned at the front edge of the vertical member (e.g., near the top of the front edge) and the surround speaker is positioned at the top edge of the vertical member (e.g., near the rear of the top edge). FIGS. 5C and 5D illustrate an alternative speaker arrangement similar to FIGS. 5A and 5B , but where the front channel speaker (1102) is positioned on the inner surface of the vertical member (e.g., near the top front corner) and the surround speaker (1102) is positioned at the top edge of the vertical member (1108c), i.e., near the rear of the top edge of the vertical member, similar to that illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B . Thus, the configurations seen in FIGS. 5C and 5D may include a front channel speaker arrangement that directs sound toward a seating position of a chair or sofa. FIG. 5e illustrates such a chair (1120) comprising vertical members (108c, 108d) configured as illustrated in FIGS. 5c and 5d. The configurations of FIGS. 5a and 5b include a front channel speaker arrangement such that sound emitted from the front channel speakers may be reflected off a front wall, a TV, etc., and then back to a user seated in the chair or sofa. It will be apparent that many alternatives are possible for arranging and positioning the speakers within the vertical members. Any of these alternatives can benefit from the embodiments described herein in which equalization is applied to the audio signal to compensate for sound from the speakers radiating through upholstery fabric covering the speakers.

Figures 6a through 6d are perspective views of modular furniture assemblies (1122a-d) of various configurations, each assembly being equipped with a plurality of audio speakers (1102), each audio speaker (1102) covered with upholstery fabric (1104). As illustrated, various furniture configurations can be achieved by rearranging various bases (1106) and vertical members (1108) and introducing additional members. Additionally, replaceable fabric covers can be provided, allowing a consumer to select upholstery fabric (1107) for the entire assembly or for each individual member of the assembly. Embodiments of the present disclosure enable tuning of any fabric-covered speaker to compensate for sound loss through virtually any fabric.

As illustrated in FIG. 6a, a modular furniture assembly (1122a) includes two audio enhancement vertical members (1108a-b), each positioned relative to a base (1106) to act as an armrest. Each audio enhancement vertical member (1108a-b) is equipped with two speakers (1102), one facing forward and the other facing upward. Each speaker (1102) is positioned beneath a furniture upholstery fabric cover (1104a or 1104b) covering each audio enhancement vertical member (1108a or 1108b). Each speaker (1102) can be tuned such that sound emitted from the speaker compensates for sound loss through each furniture upholstery fabric cover (1104a or 1104b).

FIG. 6b illustrates a modular furniture assembly (1122b) having four audio enhancement vertical members (11'8c', 11'8d' 1108e) each equipped with a single speaker (1102). The audio enhancement vertical members (11'8c' and 11'8d') each serve as an armrest and include a speaker (1102) oriented inwardly toward the base (1106), while the audio enhancement vertical members (1108e) each serve as a backrest and include a speaker (1102) oriented upwardly and positioned behind the respective base (1106). Additionally, each audio enhancement vertical member (11'8c', 11'8d', 1108e) is covered with a furniture upholstery fabric cover (1104a-d), such that each speaker (1102) of the modular furniture assembly (1122b) is positioned beneath one of the furniture upholstery fabric covers (1104a-d). Accordingly, each speaker (1102) of the modular furniture assembly (1122b) can be tuned such that the sound radiating from the speaker compensates for sound loss through each furniture upholstery fabric cover (1104a, 1104b, 1104c, or 1104d). In one embodiment, the various covers of a given furniture assembly may be made of the same given material, or may be made of different fabric materials (e.g., one given material for the base, a different material for the vertical members, or a mix and match configuration between the various bases and/or vertical members).

As a further example, FIG. 6c illustrates a modular furniture assembly (1122c) in which six audio enhancement vertical members (11'8a', 11'8b', 1108e) are arranged around a base (1106, 1106a), with the two bases (1106a) being formed in a wedge shape to create a curved style sofa or couch. As illustrated, the audio enhancement vertical members (11'8a' and 11'8b') serve as armrests and include forward-facing mounted speakers (1102), while the other audio enhancement vertical members (1108e) serve as backrests and each include upwardly oriented speakers (1102). Vertical members 11'8c' and 11'8d' may be similar to vertical members 1108c and 1108d, except that vertical members 11'8c' and 11'8d' are each illustrated as including only a single speaker (e.g., on the inner side) without surround speakers. Vertical members 1108e may each be configured identically to each other as illustrated (e.g., with a single surround speaker positioned centrally within the top edge of the vertical member). Vertical members 11'8a' and 11'8b' may be similar to vertical members 1108a and 1108b, except that vertical members 11'8a' and 11'8b' are each illustrated as including only a single speaker (e.g., on the front edge) without surround speakers. As with the previous example, each speaker (1102) is positioned beneath one of the upholstery fabric covers (1104a-f) and can be tuned to compensate for sound loss through each of the upholstery fabric covers (1104a, 1104b, 1104c, 1104d, 1104e, or 1104f).

As another example, FIG. 6d illustrates a modular furniture assembly (1122d) forming a U-shaped sofa or couch comprising four audio enhancement vertical members (11'8c', 11'8d', 1108e), six bases (1106), and a plurality of non-audio enhancement vertical members (1109). As illustrated, the audio enhancement vertical members (11'8c' and 11'8d') provide armrests and each include an inwardly oriented speaker (1102), while the audio enhancement vertical member (108e) provides a backrest and each includes an upwardly oriented speaker (1102). As with the other examples provided, the speakers (1102) of each audio enhancement vertical member (11'8c', 11'8d', 1108e) are positioned beneath each of the upholstery fabric covers (1104a-d) and can be tuned to compensate for sound loss through each of the upholstery fabric covers (1104a, 1104b, 1104c, 1104d).

While FIGS. 4 through 6d illustrate specific combinations of specifically configured vertical members and various bases, it will be appreciated that any of the vertical members and bases described may be used in any combination to provide a variety of furniture configurations, with any desired speaker placement, size, or orientation within the vertical members, and with any desired arrangement of the vertical members relative to the bases.

Because the speakers are positioned within the modular furniture assembly components, whether the assembly is user-configurable, custom-built to the user's request, or otherwise provided, this provides the user with great flexibility regarding where the speakers can be positioned within the assembled furniture assembly. Furthermore, the use of interchangeable covers for each modular furniture assembly component allows the user to change the upholstery fabric of the furniture as desired. Thus, embodiments of the present disclosure also allow the user to selectively tune the speakers of the audio-enhanced furniture assembly to compensate for sound loss through the fabric selected by the user, as further discussed herein.

Referring now to FIGS. 7a-7c , schematic diagrams of exemplary audio systems operable to tune speakers to compensate for sound loss through a partially acoustically transparent material (e.g., fabric or a perforated rigid structure) are illustrated. As illustrated, each audio system (129) includes a speaker system (130) having a first speaker (132a), a second speaker (132b), and any number of additional speakers. Each audio system (129) also includes an audio source (134) configured to transmit an audio signal emitted by the speaker system (130), and a user input device (144) operable to control various aspects of the audio system (129), such as adjusting the output of the audio source (134) or modifying one or more settings of a controller or amplifier (136). The user input device (144) may be a separate component of the audio system (129), such as a console, remote controller, or mobile device, or may be an integrated component of the audio source (134), such as a user interface of an audio receiver. It should be understood that the provided exemplary audio system (129) is provided for illustrative purposes and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 7A, the controller or amplifier (136) includes a tuning module (138) operable to adjust one or more frequencies or frequency bands of a received audio signal when transmitted by the amplifier (136) to the speaker system (130). The tuning module (138) may be implemented, for example, as firmware directly integrated with the amplifier (136). In some embodiments, a tuning profile (140) is selectable from among a plurality of tuning profiles (140) stored in storage (142) associated with the controller or amplifier (136). For example, the tuning module (138) may integrate a tuning profile associated with a particular partial acoustically transparent material in response to a user selecting a tuning profile from the tuning profiles (140) via a user input device (144). The controller or amplifier (136) may be operable to tune the speaker system (130) as a whole, to tune individual speakers (132) separately, or to perform both. By integrating the tuning module into the amplifier (136), the speaker system (130) can be tuned regardless of the audio source (134).

Alternatively, the exemplary audio system (129) of FIG. 7B depicts an audio source (134) having a tuning module (138) operable to select a tuning profile (140) from a storage device (142) of the audio source (134) to tune the speaker system (130) to compensate for sound loss through the partially acoustically transparent material. Thus, the user input device (144) may be used to select a tuning profile (140) corresponding to a particular partially acoustically transparent material, and the tuning module (138) may apply the selected tuning profile (140) to adjust the equalization or frequency response of the speaker system (130) at one or more target frequencies or frequency bands. By incorporating the tuning module (138) within the audio source (134), an existing speaker system (130) may be tuned without the need for a specialized amplifier or controller.

As illustrated in FIG. 7c, another alternative exemplary audio system (129) includes a speaker system (130), wherein first and second preamplifiers (136a, 136b) are associated with each of the first and second speakers (132a, 132b) to independently tune each speaker (132a, 132b) for sound loss through a partially acoustically transparent material, such that each speaker can be tuned to a tuning profile specific to that partially acoustically transparent material even if the speaker is covered with a different partially acoustically transparent material. Accordingly, each preamplifier (136a, 136b) includes a respective storage device (142a, 142b) capable of selecting a tuning profile from a plurality of tuning profiles (140a, 140b). Accordingly, a user can select a tuning profile for each individual speaker (132) using a user input device (144), thereby adjusting the equalization of the audio signal received from the audio source (134) by each preamplifier (136a, 136b) prior to transmission to each speaker (132a, 132b). In one embodiment, all speakers in the system (e.g., 132a, 132b, etc.) may have the same tuning profile (140) applied to them (e.g., all speakers are tuned to compensate for sound emission through a given partially acoustically transparent material). Alternatively, if different partially acoustically transparent materials cover each speaker, different individual tuning profiles (140) may be applied to each speaker.

Embodiments also include methods and systems that enable a user to configure a speaker system (130) without a predefined tuning profile to compensate for sound loss through any fabric covering the speakers (132a, 132b) of the speaker system (130) (e.g., a method that allows a user to create a new tuning profile that corresponds to an actual fabric covering the speakers (132a, 132b, etc.)). For example, FIGS. 7A-7C each illustrate a microphone (135) configured to receive and measure sound emitted by the speaker system (130). As illustrated, the microphone (135) communicates with at least one (or both) of a user input device (144) or a network (149). The microphone (135) is positioned external to a partially acoustically transparent material associated with each speaker, such that the microphone (135) is configured to receive and measure sound heard when passing through the partially acoustically transparent material.

This automatic tuning embodiment further includes using a user input device (144) as a computer system operable to apply the methods disclosed herein. The user input device (144) communicates with a network (149) and includes hardware and software necessary to implement the disclosed methods. Alternatively, a separate personal computer, mobile device, or the like may communicate with the microphone (135) via the network (149) or directly. Thus, for example, the user input device (144) communicates with the microphone (135) to receive audio measurements from the microphone (135) when the speaker system (130) emits a preset sequence of audio tones that are stored in storage (142), stored in a remote computer system in communication with the speaker system (130), or otherwise transmitted to the speaker system (130) via an audio source (134). The microphone (135) is operable to measure the tones emitted by the speaker system (130) through a partially acoustically transparent material. After receiving the above measurements from the microphone (135), the user input device (144) may generate a new tuning profile (140) by calculating adjustments to the equalization of the speaker system (130) according to the methods disclosed herein, communicate with the tuning module (138) to store the new tuning profile (140) in storage (142), and implement the tuning profile to adjust the equalization of each speaker (132a, 132b, etc.) of the speaker system (130). It will be appreciated that a separate computer system (145) may apply the methods disclosed herein, including automatic tuning using the microphone (135).

The schematic diagrams of portions of the audio system described herein may be considered representations of functional modules or components that perform specific operations on any of the furniture materials discussed herein. Generally, the operating modules, controllers, systems, etc. described herein may refer to software objects or routines that run on special-purpose processing devices to perform specific functions or groups of functions. In at least some cases, a hardware processor is provided that is operable to perform executable instructions for performing methods or processes, such as the methods and processes disclosed herein. It is contemplated that implementations using hardware or a combination of software and hardware are possible. For example, the controllers, modules, systems, etc. described herein may involve the use of computer hardware or software modules. Such hardware and software modules or structures may include a processor and a computer storage medium storing instructions that are executed by the processor or are caused to be executed by the processor to perform one or more of the methods or portions of the methods disclosed herein. By way of example and not limitation, such computer storage media can include hardware storage such as solid state disks/devices (SSDs), RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROMs, flash memory, phase change memory ("PCM") or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage, or any other hardware storage that can be used to store program code in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures, which can be accessed and executed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer system to implement the disclosed functionality. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer storage media. Such media are also examples of non-transitory storage media, and non-transitory storage media also include cloud-based storage systems and structures, although the scope of the present invention is not limited to such examples of non-transitory storage media.

The functions and operations of the controllers/amplifiers, user input devices, audio sources, speaker systems, audio systems, and other structures and components described herein may be performed, at least in part, by one or more hardware logic components. By way of example, and not limitation, exemplary types of hardware logic components/processors that may be used include field programmable gate arrays ("FPGAs"), programmable or application-specific integrated circuits ("ASICs"), programmable standard products ("ASSPs"), system-on-a-chip systems ("SOCs"), complex programmable logic devices ("CPLDs"), central processing units ("CPUs"), graphics processing units ("GPUs"), or other types of programmable hardware.

Optionally, although the user input device (144) and audio source (134) are shown as communicating directly with the controller/amplifier (136) and/or speaker system (130) as illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7C, any of the structures described herein may communicate and transmit signals between or to other structures via a network (149). A “network,” such as the network (149), is defined as one or more data links and/or data switches that enable the transfer of electronic data between computer systems, modules, and/or other electronic devices. When information is transferred or provided to a computer via a network (whether wired, wireless, or a combination of wired and wireless), the computer properly considers the connection to be a transmission medium. The controller/amplifier (136), the user device (144), the audio source (134), the microphone (135), the speaker system (130), and the computer system (145) may include one or more communication channels used to communicate with the network (149). Transmission media include networks that can be used to convey data or desired program code in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures. Furthermore, these computer-executable instructions can be accessed by general-purpose or special-purpose computers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

Figure 8 illustrates a flowchart of a method (146) of the present invention for acoustically compensating for sound loss through any of the furniture materials discussed herein. More specifically, the method (146) comprises various steps for generating a tuning profile operable to tune a speaker to compensate for sound loss through a selected partially acoustically transparent material. For example, and without limitation, such a method may be performed by a manufacturer or other provider of a system such as that described herein. The method may be performed, for example, by any of the audio systems illustrated in Figures 7A-7C.

The method (146) begins with step (146a) selecting a baseline equalization for one or more audio frequencies for a speaker of an audio system, such as the audio system illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7C . This baseline equalization may correspond to a desired frequency response curve, or alternatively, may correspond to an unaltered frequency response of a given speaker system at a selected loudness level. Embodiments may include virtually any baseline equalization that allows for measuring the loudness of each target frequency or frequency band when the speaker emits sound through the fabric or other material to which the speaker is tuned. In other words, the loudness of each target frequency within the selected baseline equalization must be sufficiently high to allow the method steps to be performed accurately.

In connection with the furniture systems discussed herein, as non-limiting examples, the baseline decibel level for each target frequency or frequency band of baseline equalization may be about 40 decibels or less, 60 decibels or less, 70 decibels or less, 90 decibels or less, 100 decibels or less, 120 decibels or less, or 130 decibels or less. Stated another way, the baseline equalization may be based on a baseline decibel level of about 40 decibels to about 130 decibels, about 60 decibels to about 120 decibels, or about 70 decibels to about 100 decibels. Additionally, the baseline decibel level for each target frequency or frequency band may be adjusted if a previously selected decibel level is determined to be too low to be heard or detected by a microphone (e.g., microphone (135)) when sound passes through the selected partial acoustically transparent material. Additionally, the method disclosed herein may be performed at various baseline decibel levels to determine the correct adjustment for baseline equalization at each selected decibel level.

In step (146b), the audio system is configured to emit one or more target frequencies or frequency bands from the speakers at actual loudness levels according to the selected baseline equalization. For example, for a frequency range of about 20 Hz to about 21 kHz, the frequency range may include at most 3, at most 5, at most 10, at most 31 target frequencies, or at most 1 target frequency for each frequency in the range, such that there may be 21,000 target frequencies for the range of 0 Hz to about 21 kHz. In other words, the entire frequency range can be adjusted at each frequency in a manner characterized by a continuity equation, or can be adjusted via a step function that forms the bands. A particular frequency range can be divided into several frequency bands, such as about 1 to about 21000 target frequency bands, about 1 to about 31 target frequency bands, about 2 to about 20 target frequency bands, about 3 to about 15 target frequency bands, or about 5 to about 10 target frequency bands. More specifically, and by way of example only, the following ten target frequencies can be selected for adjustment: about 32 Hz, about 63 Hz, about 125 Hz, about 250 Hz, about 500 Hz, about 1 kHz, about 2 kHz, about 4 kHz, about 8 kHz, and about 16 kHz. The target frequency may also be implemented as a frequency band such as, for example, the following ten frequency bands as provided in Table 1: about 20 Hz to about 49 Hz, about 50 Hz to about 99 Hz, about 100 Hz to about 199 Hz, about 200 Hz to about 399 Hz, about 400 Hz to about 999 Hz, about 1 kHz to about 1.9 kHz, about 2 kHz to about 3.9 kHz, about 4 kHz to about 7.9 kHz, about 8 kHz to about 15.9 kHz, and about 16 kHz to about 21 kHz. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that adjustment of the target frequency or frequency band may be implemented by various currently available devices, such as parametric equalizers, graphic equalizers, semi-graphic equalizers, custom designed equalizers, etc.

After configuring the audio system according to the selected baseline configuration, step (146c) includes covering the speaker with a selected partially acoustically transparent material. Preferably, the selected partially acoustically transparent material is a partially acoustically transparent material that is identical or substantially similar in type, density, thickness, weight, hole density, hole area, material, etc., to a partially acoustically transparent material intended for use in covering a speaker system product, such as a furniture assembly, during use.

With the speaker covered with the selected partially acoustically transparent material, step (146d) includes activating the audio system and measuring the resulting loudness of each of the one or more target frequencies when the speaker emits sound through the selected partially acoustically transparent material. The resulting loudness of the one or more target frequencies will vary depending on the fabric or other material used to cover the speaker, and the resulting frequency response will vary depending on, for example, at least one of the type, density, thickness, hole density, hole area, or weight of the partially acoustically transparent material. For example, certain fabrics may significantly affect certain frequencies while nominally or substantially not affecting other frequencies, and alternative partially acoustically transparent materials may affect different frequencies to varying degrees, as further described herein.

In step (146e), a differential volume (e.g., in dB) is calculated between the actual loudness of each of the one or more target frequencies in step (146b) and the resulting loudness of each of the one or more target frequencies measured in step (146d). This differential volume can be calculated for any number of audio frequencies, preferably at least for each audio frequency or frequency band adjustable by the audio system. When the audio system, in one exemplary configuration, emits a target frequency in the range of about 20 Hz to about 21 kHz, wherein the baseline is in the range of about 70 dB to about 100 dB over the range of about 20 Hz to about 21 kHz, the compensation value may be at most about 25 dB for each of the tuned one or more frequency bands, wherein the tuned frequency bands have a bandwidth of about 1 Hz to about 4000 Hz, about 2 Hz to about 2000 Hz, about 3 Hz to about 1000 Hz, about 4 Hz to about 500 Hz, about 5 Hz to about 200 Hz, about 5 Hz to about 100 Hz, about 5 Hz to about 50 Hz, combinations and/or modifications thereof, or other bandwidths for the selected target frequency or target frequency bands. In other words, when compensation of a particular frequency band occurs for a particular partial acoustically transparent material during tuning, the compensation value may be in the range of about 1 dB to about 25 dB. Alternatively, the compensation value may range from about 1 dB to about 30 dB, from about 2 dB to about 21 dB, from about 3 dB to about 16 dB, from about 1 dB to about 21 dB, or from about 1 dB to about 16 dB.

In another example, the differential loudness may be at most about 2 dB, about 4 dB, or about 5 dB for a target frequency of about 32 Hz or a frequency band of about 20 Hz to about 49 Hz, as provided in Table 2; at most about 1 dB, about 4 dB, or about 5 dB for a target frequency of about 63 Hz or a frequency band of about 50 Hz to about 99 Hz; at most about 3 dB, about 4 dB, or about 5 dB for a target frequency of about 125 Hz or a frequency band of about 100 Hz to about 199 Hz; at most about 1 dB, about 4 dB, or about 5 dB for a target frequency of about 250 Hz or a frequency band of about 199 Hz to about 399 Hz; at most about 1 dB, about 4 dB, or about 5 dB for a target frequency of about 500 Hz or a frequency band of about 400 Hz to about 999 Hz; At most about 3 dB, about 5 dB, or about 7 dB for a target frequency of about 1 kHz or a frequency band of about 1 kHz to about 1.9 kHz; At most about 8 dB, about 10 dB, or about 12 dB for a target frequency of about 2 kHz or a frequency band of about 2 kHz to about 3.9 kHz; At most about 11 dB, about 14 dB, or about 16 dB for a target frequency of about 4 kHz or a frequency band of about 4 kHz to about 7.9 kHz; At most about 15 dB, about 18 dB, or about 20 dB for a target frequency of about 8 kHz or a frequency band of about 8 kHz to about 15.9 kHz; and At most about 16 dB, about 21 dB, or about 25 dB for a target frequency of about 16 kHz or a frequency band of about 16 kHz to about 21 kHz. It should be understood that the above volume adjustments include lower magnitude adjustments below the suggested upper limit, for example, increasing the volume of each target frequency or frequency band expressed above by a magnitude from about 1 decibel up to the suggested maximum number of decibels.

The above adjustments are provided by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. For example, while each of Embodiments 1 through 3 provides a specific differential volume, it will be appreciated that any differential volume of any of the embodiments may be combined together. For example, any differential volume of Embodiment 1 may be combined with any differential volume of either or both Embodiments 2 and 3. Furthermore, any differential volume of Embodiment 2 may be combined with any differential volume of either or both Embodiments 1 and 3. Furthermore, any differential volume of Embodiment 3 may be combined with any differential volume of either or both Embodiments 1 and 2.

Finally, in step (146f), the audio system is reconfigured to compensate for sound loss through the selected partial acoustically transparent material by adjusting the actual loudness of each of one or more target frequencies or frequency bands emitted by the speaker and adjustable by the audio system by the corresponding calculated differential loudness. As shown in Table 2, some embodiments include a greater adjustment for high frequencies (e.g., frequencies above 1 kHz) than for low frequencies. The precise magnitude of the adjustment for each target frequency or frequency range depends on how much sound is attenuated (i.e., reduced) by the particular partial acoustically transparent material covering the speaker.

The method (146) may also include generating a tuning profile corresponding to the selected partially acoustically transparent material, wherein the tuning profile can be implemented to tune any speaker covered with a partially acoustically transparent material identical or similar to the selected partially acoustically transparent material to compensate for sound loss through the partially acoustically transparent material. The generated tuning profile may include a partially acoustically transparent material identifier and a calculated differential loudness for each of one or more target frequencies or frequency bands obtained by the method of the present disclosure. Alternatively, the tuning profile may include a ratio of the differential loudness to the baseline loudness and a fabric (or other material) identifier to allow for linear adjustment of equalization when the overall loudness level of the speaker is changed by the user. Furthermore, the differential loudness and/or ratio can be calculated at various levels of overall loudness by repeating the method (146) for each of the various levels of overall loudness, thereby generating a stepwise loudness adjustment profile. Therefore, the calculated differential loudness or loudness ratio of the tuning profile can be used to tune a speaker or speaker system by adjusting the actual loudness of one or more frequencies for which the calculated differential loudness is provided.

The method of the present disclosure can also be used to generate additional tuning profiles, each of which corresponds to an additional partially acoustically transparent material. For example, during step (146c) of method (146), the selected partially acoustically transparent material can be replaced with each additional partially acoustically transparent material, and the remaining steps can then be performed for each additional partially acoustically transparent material to generate a corresponding tuning profile.

Accordingly, a speaker mounted within a furniture assembly can be tuned according to any tuning profile, such as a tuning profile (140, 140a, 140b, FIGS. 7A-7C) stored in storage (142, 142a, 142b) by selecting a tuning profile corresponding to a particular partial acoustically transparent material covering the mounted speaker, as illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7C. Application of the tuning profile can be accomplished, for example, via a speaker controller (136) configured to control one or more speakers of the furniture assembly or by adjusting the output of an audio source (134). The speaker controller can include any known means for tuning the audio output of a speaker or speaker system, such as, but not limited to, a center console associated with a speaker system, individual preamplifiers associated with each speaker, a programmable audio output source, etc.

FIG. 9 illustrates a flowchart of a method (148) for tuning a furniture system, such as but not limited to those illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6d, by incorporating a tuning profile, such as that obtained by method (146), to compensate for sound loss through a partially acoustically transparent material. This method may be performed, for example, by an end user, a manufacturer, or other furniture provider. Step (148a) of method (148) comprises providing a furniture assembly having at least one speaker covered with a partially acoustically transparent material, controlled by a speaker controller, such as a dedicated console or amplifier, a preamplifier or controller dedicated to the speaker covered with at least one partially acoustically transparent material, or an audio source configured to control the frequency response of the speaker covered with at least one partially acoustically transparent material.

For example, a furniture assembly may include one or more bases, a plurality of vertical members configured to be attached to the one or more bases, and a speaker system, at least one of the vertical members being an audio enhancement vertical member, such as the modular furniture assembly illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6D. The speaker system may include at least one speaker mounted within a first audio enhancement vertical member or another portion of the furniture assembly, the at least one speaker being concealed from view by a first portion of an acoustically transparent material covering the first audio enhancement vertical member.

According to step (148b), a plurality of predetermined tuning profiles are presented, each tuning profile corresponding to a partially acoustically transparent material, and operable by the speaker controller to adjust the loudness of one or more target frequencies or frequency bands emitted from a speaker covered with at least one partially acoustically transparent material, thereby correcting sound emitted from said at least one speaker through said partially acoustically transparent material.

In response to selection of a tuning profile, step (148c) includes tuning the speaker covered with at least one partially acoustically transparent material via the speaker controller to adjust the actual loudness of one or more target frequencies or frequency bands by approximately the same amount as a computed differential loudness included in the selected tuning profile. The computed differential loudness of each of the one or more audio frequencies is equal to the difference between (i) a baseline loudness corresponding to sound emitted from the at least one speaker or similar speaker, and (ii) a resulting loudness corresponding to sound emitted from the at least one speaker or similar speaker when covered with the first partially acoustically transparent material or similar acoustically transparent material. The tuning of the at least one speaker can be accomplished by any known means for adjusting equalization of audio frequencies of a speaker or speaker system, such as, but not limited to, the means discussed herein with respect to FIGS. 7A-7C.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the disclosed method can be implemented in a variety of situations. For example, during the design or development of an audio system, such as a furniture assembly, tuning profiles may be predetermined for one or more selected partially acoustically transparent materials. Furthermore, multiple tuning profiles may be presented and selected via a user interface on a mobile device, remote control, or dedicated console associated with the speaker system. Alternatively, a furniture assembly may be provided to a consumer with a tuning profile already selected based on the partially acoustically transparent material selected by the user when ordering the furniture. In at least one embodiment, the disclosed method may be applied to existing speakers, audio systems, or speaker systems in which the speakers are at least partially covered with a partially acoustically transparent material to improve the sound quality of an existing system. As discussed herein, a user may be provided with a means, such as software, that can operate a microphone or a microphone of a mobile device to measure the actual loudness radiated through a partially acoustically transparent material covering one or more speakers, thereby determining the resulting loudness of one or more target frequencies, calculating a differential loudness for each target frequency, and reconfiguring an existing system to compensate for sound loss through the partially acoustically transparent material by adjusting the actual loudness of each target frequency or corresponding frequency band as radiated from each speaker.

Additionally, some embodiments include a furniture assembly having multiple speakers, each of which can be individually tuned by selecting one of multiple tuning profiles. In some embodiments, a user can select a tuning profile for the entire speaker system or for each individual speaker through a dedicated console, remote controller, or user interface of a mobile device or computer system, depending on the placement of a partial acoustically transparent material for the speakers included in the furniture assembly.

Referring now to FIG. 10, an exemplary table of audio frequency adjustments for acoustically compensating for sound loss through a partially acoustically transparent material according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided. The illustrated table may be generated for any partially acoustically transparent material using the methods described herein, e.g., the method (146) discussed in connection with FIG. 8. Any number of target audio frequencies (F1-Fn) may be selected for adjustment, such as those typically adjustable via the equalizer function of currently available equalization systems.

These frequencies (F1-Fn) may include, for example, 32 Hz, 63 Hz, 125 Hz, 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz, 4 kHz, 6 kHz and 16 kHz. These frequencies (F1-Fn) may include, for example, any frequencies in the range of about 20 Hz to about 21 kHz, wherein one or more adjustable frequencies from 20 Hz to 49 Hz, one or more adjustable frequencies from 50 Hz to 99 Hz, one or more adjustable frequencies from 100 Hz to 199 Hz, one or more frequencies from 200 Hz to 399 Hz, one or more frequencies from 400 Hz to 399 Hz, one or more frequencies from 1 kHz to 1.999 kHz, one or more frequencies from 2 kHz to 3.999 kHz, one or more frequencies from 4 kHz to 7.999 kHz, one or more frequencies from 8 kHz to 15.999 kHz, one or more frequencies from 16 kHz to 21 kHz may be included. Alternatively, one or more of the above frequency ranges may be targeted for adjustment using, for example, a graphic equalizer or similar device. Additionally, one skilled in the art should understand that the overall range of frequencies selected for tuning is not limited to between 20 Hz and 21 kHz, but can be extended to include any lower or higher frequencies if desired.

Next, a baseline equalization for the selected audio frequencies (F1-Fn) may be selected, wherein the baseline equalization comprises an actual desired loudness (V1-Vn) corresponding to the selected audio frequencies (F1-Fn) (e.g., a desired frequency response curve for the speaker). The embodiment may comprise virtually any baseline equalization that allows the loudness of each target frequency or frequency band to be measured when the speaker emits sound through the partial acoustically transparent material to which the speaker is to be tuned. In other words, the loudness of each target frequency within the selected baseline equalization must be sufficiently high so that the method steps can be performed accurately.

Once the baseline equalization frequency (F1-Fn) and the actual desired loudness (V1-Vn) are determined, the resulting loudness V1_acoustic-transparent-material1-Vn corresponding to the sound emitted from the speaker through the first partial acoustically transparent material (acoustic-transparent-material1) can be determined according to the method of the present disclosure, and the corresponding differential loudness ( V1- Vn) can be calculated and stored as a tuning profile corresponding to the first partial acoustically transparent material, so that the calculated differential loudness ( V1- Vn) can be used to adjust the equalization (frequency response of the speaker) of the speaker covered with the first partially acoustically transparent material or a similar partially acoustically transparent material to compensate for sound loss through the partially acoustically transparent material. The disclosed method can be performed for any number of partially acoustically transparent materials to generate corresponding tuning profiles in this way. Differential loudness ( V1- Vn) depends on the specific audio frequency (F1-Fn) under test. As an alternative to adjusting individual target frequencies (F1-Fn) (e.g. by parametric equalization at each target frequency (F1-Fn)), the differential loudness ( V1- Vn) can be applied to each frequency band containing the target frequency (F1-Fn) (e.g., by graphic equalization in each frequency band).

Adjustments to the equalization or frequency response of the speakers may alternatively be implemented as a ratio of the calculated differential loudness to the respective baseline loudness, such that the equalization adjustment varies depending on the loudness level of the speakers selected by the user.

For example, as shown in Table 3, each audio frequency is set to about 1.03, about 1.06, or about 1.07 for a target frequency of about 32 Hz or a frequency band of about 20 Hz to about 49 Hz; to about 1.01, about 1.05, or about 1.06 for a target frequency of about 63 Hz or a frequency band of about 50 Hz to about 99 Hz; to about 1.03, about 1.04, or about 1.05 for a target frequency of about 125 Hz or a frequency band of about 100 Hz to about 199 Hz; to about 1.01, about 1.04, or about 1.05 for a target frequency of about 250 Hz or a frequency band of about 199 Hz to about 399 Hz; For a target frequency of about 500 Hz or a frequency band of about 400 Hz to about 999 Hz, up to about 1.01, about 1.04, or about 1.06; For a target frequency of about 1 kHz or a frequency band of about 1 kHz to about 1.9 kHz, up to about 1.03, about 1.06, or about 1.08; For a target frequency of about 2 kHz or a frequency band of about 2 kHz to about 3.9 kHz, up to about 1.09, about 1.11, or about 1.13; For a target frequency of about 4 kHz or a frequency band of about 4 kHz to about 7.9 kHz, up to about 1.12, about 1.16, or about 1.18; For a target frequency of about 8 kHz or a frequency band of about 8 kHz to about 15.9 kHz, up to about 1.17, about 1.21, or about 1.23; And may be adjusted by a multiplication factor or ratio of up to about 1.19, about 1.25, or about 1.30 for a target frequency of about 16 kHz or a frequency band from about 16 kHz to about 21 kHz. It should be understood that the above volume adjustment includes a low magnitude adjustment below the presented upper limit, for example, multiplying the volume of each target frequency or frequency band expressed above by a factor from about 1 to the presented maximum multiplication factor. Furthermore, the above adjustment ratios are provided by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

For example, while specific multiplication factors or ratios are provided for each of Embodiments 1 through 3, it will be appreciated that any multiplication factors or ratios of any of the embodiments may be combined with each other. For example, any multiplication factor or ratio of Embodiment 1 may be combined with any multiplication factor or ratio of either or both of Embodiments 2 and 3. Furthermore, any multiplication factor or ratio of Embodiment 2 may be combined with any multiplication factor or ratio of either or both of Embodiments 1 and 3. Furthermore, any multiplication factor or ratio of Embodiment 3 may be combined with any multiplication factor or ratio of either or both of Embodiments 1 and 2.

Figures 11A through 11K illustrate target audio frequency tuning tables for acoustically compensating for sound loss through various exemplary partially acoustically transparent materials. Specifically, Figures 11A through 11K include target audio frequency tunings corresponding to upholstery fabrics including polyester (Figure 11A), chenille (Figure 11B), tweed (Figure 11C), linen (Figure 11D), velvet (Figure 11E), leather (Figure 11F), polyester linen (Figure 11G), and faux fur (Figure 11H). More specifically, the "EQ compensation" values provided in each table can be implemented by adjusting the actual loudness of each target frequency (or a frequency band including the target frequency) when emitted from a speaker covered with a partially acoustically transparent material corresponding to each table or tuning profile. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the amplification of audio frequencies provided herein corresponds specifically to exemplary partially acoustically transparent materials having particular compositions, densities, thicknesses, weights, pore densities, pore areas, etc., and to particular baseline equalizations, and that audio frequencies corresponding to virtually any material and/or baseline equalization can be calculated by the methods and systems described herein.

As illustrated in FIGS. 11A through 11E, the “EQ compensation” value below about 1000 Hz can range from about 1 dB to about 5 dB, from about 1 dB to about 4 dB, from about 1 dB to about 3 dB, or from about 1 dB to about 2 dB relative to a baseline equalization of about 70 dB to about 100 dB. More generally, the “EQ compensation” value can range from about 1 dB to about 8 dB, from about 1 dB to about 7 dB, from about 1 dB to about 6 dB, from about 1 dB to about 5 dB, from about 2 dB to about 7 dB, from about 2 dB to about 6 dB, from about 2 dB to about 5 dB, from about 2 dB to about 4 dB, or from about 2 dB to about 3 dB.

Alternatively, speaker tuning can be achieved by multiplying one or more audio frequencies by a predetermined ratio or multiplication factor. For example, each audio frequency can be adjusted by a multiplication factor of about 1 to 1.235 for a leather-covered speaker, about 1 to 1.115 for a polyester-covered speaker, about 1 to 1.063 for a chenille or velvet-covered speaker, and about 1 to 1.037 for a tweed or linen-covered speaker. Those skilled in the art should understand that the above values are provided as examples and are specific to exemplary materials having specific compositions, densities, thicknesses, pore weights, pore areas, etc. As disclosed herein, to ensure optimal sound quality when sound is emitted through a selected partially acoustically transparent material, it is preferred that specific adjustment values be individually calculated for each partially acoustically transparent material used to cover the speaker or speaker system.

Referring now to FIG. 12 , an embodiment may include a dedicated control console for a speaker system configured to allow a user to select a tuning profile from among a plurality of tuning profiles according to the present disclosure. The control console may be a component of the user input device (144), the audio source (134), and/or the computer system (135) of FIGS. 7A-7C . As illustrated, the control console (150) includes a series of buttons (152) and a display (154) that provide a means for the user to select a tuning profile stored in a storage device of the audio system and implemented by a tuning module, as illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7C . For example, the user may select a menu button (156) and use the navigation buttons (158 and 160) to select a tuning profile corresponding to any partially acoustically transparent material for which a tuning profile is provided.

The display (154) may comprise a liquid crystal display (LCD), but alternative displays may be implemented, including but not limited to a series of light emitting diodes (LEDs) corresponding to each available tuning profile. Alternatively, the user may be provided with instructions for selecting, deselecting, and/or changing tuning profiles through a series of button selections, thus eliminating the need for an LCD or other display on the control console (150).

FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of a remote control device (170). The remote control device (170) may be a component of the user input device (144) or audio source (134) of FIGS. 7A-7C. The remote control device (170) may be operable to interact with a controller of the audio system using menu buttons (172) and navigation buttons (174). For example, the remote control device (170) may be operable to interact with a control console (150) via a wired or wireless connection to assist a user in selecting a tuning profile for the audio system and adjusting other system settings. Alternatively, the remote control device (170) may be operable to interact with an interface programmed to be displayed on a television screen or other display via a computer system included in the control console (150).

Figures 14A-15B illustrate an exemplary mobile device (180) displaying an embodiment of a user control interface. The mobile device (180) may be a component of the user input device (144), audio source (134), and/or computer system (145) of Figures 7A-7C. Embodiments of the mobile device application may be operable to control various functions of the audio system, such as input/output, volume, user-adjustable equalization, and tuning profile selection based on partially acoustically transparent materials. The mobile device (180) may be configured to connect to the system controller via direct wireless communication with the controller, via a network connection, or via a wired connection. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the user interface is not limited to a mobile device and may be implemented on any system or device having a user interface, such as a computer console, a television, and the like.

As illustrated, the mobile device (180) is programmed to present a user with various selectable options, including selection of a tuning profile based on a partially acoustically transparent material for the entire speaker system (182), and selection of a tuning profile based on a partially acoustically transparent material for each individual speaker (188a-d) of the speaker system (184). Thus, selection (184) allows for the use of different partially acoustically transparent materials for different components of the speaker system, such as covering different audio reinforcement members (e.g., vertical members and/or bases) of a modular furniture assembly with different fabric covers. An exemplary list (186) from which to select a partially acoustically transparent material is displayed, which allows the user to select a tuning profile corresponding to the listed partially acoustically transparent material. It is also possible to include sub-lists or sub-menus from one or more of the partially acoustically transparent materials listed in the drop-down list. For example, if a user selects a partially acoustically transparent material, the interface presented on the mobile device (180) may display various materials as illustrated in FIGS. 15A and 15B.

When the user makes a selection (182) for tuning the entire system, a drop-down list (186) of partially acoustically transparent materials is displayed for the user to select. For example, if the user selects perforated wood (see FIG. 14a) as the partially acoustically transparent material, as shown in FIG. 1, the mobile device implements a tuning profile specifically configured to compensate for sound loss through the perforated wood by transmitting a signal to a receiver, amplifier, or other appropriate component of the audio system, as shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, when the user makes a selection (184) for tuning each individual speaker (188a-d), a drop-down list (186) becomes available for each speaker (188a-d), allowing the user to select one of the partially acoustically transparent materials listed for each speaker (188a-d). For example, if a user selects perforated wood (e.g., see FIG. 1) for a speaker (188a) (see FIG. 14b), the mobile device transmits a signal to a receiver, amplifier, or other appropriate component of the audio system to implement a tuning profile specifically configured to compensate for sound loss through the perforated wood for only the speaker (188a). FIGS. 15a and 15b illustrate the interface of the mobile device (180) when the user selects a partially acoustically transparent material for the entire system or for an individual speaker.

FIGS. 14A and 14B illustrate that the tuning and adjustment techniques, profiles, and sound compensation, equalization, and adjustment techniques discussed in connection with FIGS. 4A through 15B can be applied to the furniture systems of FIGS. 1 through 3F, and thus the sound compensation, tuning, and adjustment techniques and methods discussed in connection with FIGS. 4A through 15B can also be utilized in connection with the furniture systems of FIGS. 1 through 3F. Accordingly, the tuning, equalization, and sound compensation techniques and disclosures discussed in connection with the furniture structures of FIGS. 4A through 15B can also be applied to the furniture structures of FIGS. 1 through 3F.

Embodiments of a tuning profile may include information used to adjust the equalization or frequency response of a speaker to which the tuning profile is applied, thereby compensating for sound loss through a corresponding partial acoustically transparent material. For example, each tuning profile may include a partial acoustically transparent material name or identification number, and a plurality of target frequency or frequency band adjustments, such as the "EQ compensation" decibel values disclosed in FIGS. 11A-11K . Alternatively, the adjustments may be included in various forms, including but not limited to ratios or multiplication factors. Additionally, the tuning profile may include adjustment values, ratios, or coefficients corresponding to various baseline loudness levels, thereby varying the magnitude of the adjustment when a user adjusts the output volume of the audio system.

Thus, a fabric (e.g., a furniture upholstery fabric) and a perforated rigid structure (e.g., a perforated wooden table surface) are each examples of partially acoustically transparent materials of the present invention that can cover a speaker system positioned within a furniture assembly, wherein the speaker system comprises at least one speaker covered with the acoustically transparent material, wherein the speaker is concealed from view, and wherein the at least one speaker is configured to be tuned to compensate for sound loss when sound is radiated from the speaker through the perforated structure.

Perforated leather is another example of a partially acoustically transparent material of the present invention that can cover a speaker system located within a furniture assembly, said speaker system comprising at least one speaker covered with an acoustically transparent material, said speaker being concealed from view, and said at least one speaker being configured to be tuned to compensate for sound loss when sound is radiated from said speaker through the perforated leather.

In one embodiment, for example, from about 5% to about 70% of the portion of the leather material adjacent to at least one speaker is perforated; the thickness of the portion of the perforated leather material adjacent to at least one speaker is in a range of from about 0.25 mm to about 30 mm; and the diameter of each perforation of the perforated leather material adjacent to at least one speaker is in a range of from 1 micromillimeter to about 10 mm.

In another embodiment, for example, about 5% to about 70% of the portion of the leather material adjacent to at least one speaker is perforated; the thickness of the portion of the perforated leather material adjacent to at least one speaker is in a range of about 0.25 mm to about 30 mm; and the diameter of each perforation of the perforated leather material adjacent to at least one speaker is in a range of about 0.1 mm to about 10 mm.

In another embodiment, about 30% to about 60% of the portion of the leather material adjacent to at least one speaker is perforated; the thickness of the portion of the perforated leather material adjacent to at least one speaker is in a range of about 1 mm to about 2 mm; and the diameter of each perforation of the perforated leather material adjacent to at least one speaker is in a range of about 0.25 mm to about 1 mm.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to limit the present invention. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Furthermore, it is to be understood that terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted to have meanings consistent with their meanings in the context of furniture assembly and audio systems.

The singular forms and expressions "said" and "above" are intended to mean one or more of the elements in the preceding description. The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Furthermore, reference to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" of the present disclosure should not be construed as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that incorporate the recited features. Any number, percentage, ratio, or other value set forth herein is intended to include that value and also other values that are "about" or "approximately" the stated value, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art encompassed by the embodiments of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the stated value should be interpreted broadly enough to include values that are at least sufficiently close to the stated value to perform the desired function or achieve the desired result. The stated value includes at least the expected variation in any suitable manufacturing or production process and may include values that are within 5%, within 1%, within 0.1%, or within 0.01% of the stated value.

Those skilled in the art should recognize that, in light of the present disclosure, various changes, substitutions, and modifications can be made to the embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that equivalent constructions, including functional "means-plus-function" clauses, are intended to encompass structures described herein that perform the recited function, including structural equivalents that operate in the same manner and equivalent structures that provide the same functionality. It is the express intent of the applicants not to assert means-plus-function or any other functional claim in any claim except where the words "means for" appear with the relevant function. Each addition, deletion, and modification to the embodiments disclosed herein that falls within the spirit and scope of the claims is intended to be encompassed by the claims.

As used herein, terms such as "approximately," "about," and "substantially" still indicate an amount that approximates the stated amount, yet still performs the desired function or achieves the desired result. For example, the terms "approximately," "about," and "substantially" may refer to an amount that is within 5%, 1%, 0.1%, or 0.01% of the stated amount. It should also be understood that the directions or frames of reference described above are merely relative directions or movements. For example, any references to "upper" and "lower" or "upper" and "lower" merely describe the relative positions or movements of the relevant elements.

Certain ranges may be disclosed herein. Additional ranges may be defined between any of the values disclosed herein as examples of specific parameters, and include the endpoints of the disclosed ranges. All such ranges are contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure.

The following are some additional embodiments of the present invention. These are presented for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. Furthermore, any of the exemplary embodiments may be combined with one or more of the other exemplary embodiments.

Embodiment 1: An audio-enhanced furniture system, comprising: a furniture assembly having a partially acoustically transparent material; and a speaker system positioned within the furniture assembly, the speaker system comprising at least one speaker covered by the partially acoustically transparent material, the at least one speaker being concealed from view, and the at least one speaker being tuned to compensate for sound radiating from the at least one speaker through the partially acoustically transparent material.

Example 2: An audio enhancement furniture system according to Example 1, wherein the partially acoustically transparent material is at least one of a fabric material or a perforated leather material.

Embodiment 3: An audio-enhanced furniture system, comprising: a furniture assembly having a partially acoustically transparent material; and a speaker system positioned within the furniture assembly, the speaker system comprising at least one speaker covered by the partially acoustically transparent material, the at least one speaker being concealed from view, the at least one speaker being configured to be tuned to compensate for sound radiating from the at least one speaker through the partially acoustically transparent material, and wherein the partially acoustically transparent material is a perforated, non-flexible, rigid structure.

Example 4: An audio-enhanced furniture system according to Example 3, wherein the perforated non-flexible rigid structure comprises at least one of wood, veneer, plastic, polymer, or metal.

Example 5: An audio-enhanced furniture system according to Example 3 or 4, wherein the perforations of the perforated rigid structure are finely tuned perforations on the original surface of the rigid structure, so that the rigid structure is visually and aesthetically pleasing.

Embodiment 6: An audio enhancement furniture system according to any one of Embodiments 3 to 5, wherein the speaker system is tuned by amplifying one or more selected frequencies to compensate for attenuation of one or more selected frequencies that occurs when sound from the speaker system is emitted through the perforated rigid structure.

Example 7: An audio reinforcement furniture system according to any one of Examples 3 to 6, wherein the perforations are arranged in a vertically oriented or substantially vertically oriented portion of the perforated rigid structure to increase resistance to environmental factors.

Embodiment 8: An audio-enhanced furniture system according to any one of Embodiments 3 to 7, further comprising at least one speaker controller configured to communicate with the at least one speaker and control tuning of the at least one speaker, wherein the at least one speaker controller is selectively controlled by at least one of a mobile device, a remote controller, or a console controller.

Example 9: An audio-enhanced furniture system according to any one of Examples 3 to 8, wherein the furniture assembly having the perforated rigid structure comprises a table, a coffee table, an end table, a side table, a cupboard, a door, a credenza, a console, a sideboard, a cabinet, a bookshelf, a desk, a door, a bed frame, or a combination thereof.

Embodiment 10: An audio-enhanced furniture system according to any one of Embodiments 3 to 9, wherein the at least one speaker is configured to be tuned by selection from a plurality of tuning profiles corresponding to (i) a material type of the perforated rigid structure, (ii) an amount of perforations of the perforated rigid structure, and (iii) a thickness of the perforated rigid structure.

Embodiment 11: An audio-enhanced furniture system according to any one of Embodiments 3 to 10, wherein the at least one speaker is configured to be tuned by selection from a plurality of tuning profiles corresponding to (i) a material type of the perforated rigid structure, (ii) an amount of perforations of the perforated rigid structure, (iii) a thickness of the perforated rigid structure, and (iv) a perforation size of the perforations of the perforated rigid structure.

Example 12: An audio reinforcement furniture system according to any one of Examples 3 to 11, wherein about 5% to about 70% of a portion of the rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is perforated.

Example 13: An audio reinforcement furniture system according to any one of Examples 3 to 12, wherein about 10% to about 60% of a portion of the rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is perforated.

Example 14: An audio reinforcement furniture system according to any one of Examples 3 to 13, wherein about 50% to about 60% of a portion of the rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is perforated.

Example 15: An audio reinforcement furniture system according to any one of Examples 3 to 14, wherein about 10% to about 30% of a portion of the rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is perforated.

Example 16: An audio reinforcement furniture system according to any one of Examples 3 to 15, wherein the thickness of the portion of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is in a range of about 0.25 mm to about 30 mm.

Example 17: An audio reinforcement furniture system according to any one of Examples 3 to 16, wherein the thickness of the portion of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is in a range of about 0.5 mm to about 20 mm.

Example 18: An audio-enhanced furniture system according to any one of Examples 3 to 17, wherein the thickness of the portion of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is in a range of about 1 mm to about 10 mm.

Example 19: An audio reinforcement furniture system according to any one of Examples 3 to 18, wherein the thickness of the portion of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is in a range of about 1 mm to about 2 mm.

Example 20: An audio-enhanced furniture system according to any one of Examples 3 to 19, wherein each of the perforations of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker has a diameter in the range of 1 micromillimeter to about 10 mm.

Example 21: An audio reinforcement furniture system according to any one of Examples 3 to 20, wherein each of the perforations of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker has a diameter in a range of about 0.1 mm to about 10 mm.

Example 22: An audio reinforcement furniture system according to any one of Examples 3 to 21, wherein each diameter of the perforations of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is in a range of about 0.1 mm to about 5 mm.

Example 23: An audio reinforcement furniture system according to any one of Examples 3 to 22, wherein each of the perforations of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker has a diameter in a range of about 0.5 mm to about 1 mm.

Embodiment 24: An audio enhancement furniture system according to any one of Embodiments 3 to 23, wherein about 5% to about 70% of the portion of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is perforated, and about 95% to about 30% of the portion of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is of a solid, non-perforated material; the thickness of the portion of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is in a range of about 0.25 mm to about 30 mm; and the diameter of each perforation of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is in a range of 1 micromillimeter to about 10 mm.

Embodiment 25: An audio reinforcement furniture system according to any one of Embodiments 3 to 24, wherein from about 5% to about 70% of a portion of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is perforated; a thickness of the portion of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is in a range of from about 0.25 mm to about 30 mm; and a diameter of each perforation of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is in a range of from 0.1 mm to about 10 mm.

Embodiment 26: An audio reinforcement furniture system according to any one of Embodiments 3 to 25, wherein about 30% to about 60% of a portion of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is perforated; a thickness of the portion of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is in a range of about 1 mm to about 2 mm; and a diameter of each perforation of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is in a range of 0.25 mm to about 1 mm.

Embodiment 27: An audio reinforcement furniture system according to any one of Embodiments 3 to 26, wherein about 50% to about 60% of a portion of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is perforated; a thickness of the portion of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is in a range of about 1 mm to about 2 mm; and a diameter of each perforation of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is in a range of 0.5 mm to about 1 mm.

Embodiment 28: An audio enhancement furniture system according to any one of Embodiments 3 to 27, wherein the at least one speaker is configured to be tuned to compensate for variations in sound caused by sound emitted from the speaker through the partially acoustically transparent material by adjusting equalization of one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands emitted by the at least one speaker.

Example 29: In any one of Examples 3 to 28, tuning at least one speaker comprises:

Reconfiguring the audio system associated with the at least one speaker to adjust the actual loudness of each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands by approximately the same amount as a calculated differential loudness of each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands, wherein the calculated differential loudness of each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands is equal to the difference between (i) a baseline loudness corresponding to sound emitted from the speaker, and (ii) a resulting loudness corresponding to sound emitted from the speaker when covered with the perforated partially acoustically transparent structure, and wherein the system is configured to present to the user a plurality of tuning profiles corresponding to a plurality of different perforated rigid structures, wherein the reconfiguring,

An audio enhancement furniture system comprising: in response to a user selecting one of the plurality of tuning profiles, tuning the speaker to compensate for sound radiated from the speaker through the perforated rigid structure corresponding to the selected tuning profile; wherein the speaker is separately tunable by separate selection of one of the plurality of tuning profiles.

Example 30: An audio enhancement furniture system according to any one of Examples 3 to 29, wherein tuning the speaker comprises adjusting a signal transmitted from an audio source to the speaker.

Embodiment 31: An audio-enhanced furniture system according to any one of Embodiments 3 to 30, further comprising a speaker controller directly associated with the speaker, wherein the speaker controller is configured to tune the speaker regardless of a signal transmitted to the speaker by an audio source.

Embodiment 32: An audio enhancement furniture system according to any one of Embodiments 3 to 31, wherein the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands are adjusted by increasing the actual loudness of each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands by a maximum of about 25 decibels.

Example 33: An audio enhancement furniture system according to any one of Examples 3 to 32, wherein each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands is adjusted by a magnitude of about 1 decibel to about 25 decibels.

Example 34: An audio enhancement furniture system according to any one of Examples 3 to 33, wherein at least one of the target audio frequencies or frequency bands is less than 1000 Hz and is adjusted by a magnitude of about 1 decibel to about 8 decibels.

Embodiment 35: An audio enhancement furniture system according to any one of Embodiments 3 to 34, wherein the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands are adjusted by multiplying the actual loudness of each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands by a coefficient of about 1 to about 1.3.

Example 36: An audio enhancement furniture system according to any one of Examples 3 to 35, wherein the one or more target frequencies or frequency bands include at least four target frequencies or frequency bands.

Embodiment 37: An audio enhancement furniture system according to any one of Embodiments 3 to 36, wherein the at least one target frequency or frequency band comprises at least four target frequencies or frequency bands, wherein at least two of the at least four target frequencies or frequency bands are less than 1000 Hz and are each adjusted to increase the actual sound volume by a magnitude of about 1 decibel to about 8 decibels, and wherein at least two of the at least four target frequencies or frequency bands are greater than 1000 Hz and are each adjusted to increase the actual sound volume by a magnitude of about 1 decibel to about 25 decibels.

Example 38: An audio enhancement furniture system according to any one of Examples 3 to 37, wherein the amount of adjustment of equalization of one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands is dependent on a selected volume of the speaker system.

Example 39: An audio-enhanced furniture system according to any one of Examples 3 to 38, wherein the rigid structure comprises a veneer covering the at least one speaker.

Example 40: An audio-enhanced furniture system according to any one of Examples 3 to 39, wherein the at least one speaker is mounted on the rigid structure.

Example 41: An audio-enhanced furniture system according to any one of Examples 3 to 40, wherein the rigid structure is a rigid structure having perforations formed therein, and the perforations of the rigid structure are finely tuned perforations in the original surface of the rigid structure that are invisible or substantially invisible to the naked eye.

Example 42: An audio-enhanced furniture system according to any one of Examples 3 to 41, further comprising an inductive charger built into the furniture system.

Example 43: An audio-enhanced furniture system according to any one of Examples 3 to 42, further comprising an inductive charger built into the furniture system, wherein the inductive charger is adjacent to and covered with a partially acoustically transparent material having a thickness of about 0.25 mm to about 30 mm.

Example 44: In an audio enhancement furniture system, a furniture assembly comprising a rigid, non-flexible, rigid structure having perforations formed therein to be partially acoustically transparent; and a speaker system positioned within said furniture assembly, said speaker system comprising at least one speaker covered by said rigid structure, said at least one speaker being concealed from view, said at least one speaker being configured to be tuned to compensate for variations in sound caused by sound radiating from said speaker through said partially acoustically transparent material by adjusting equalization of one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands emitted by said at least one speaker, said adjusting comprising adjusting the loudness of one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands emitted by said at least one speaker, said perforated rigid structure comprising wood, veneer, plastic, polymer or metal, said perforations of said perforated rigid structure being finely tuned perforations in an original surface of said rigid structure such that said rigid structure is visually and aesthetically pleasing, said perforations being in a vertically oriented portion of said rigid structure, said perforations being in a vertically oriented or substantially vertically oriented portion of said perforated rigid structure such that said at least one An audio reinforcement furniture system, wherein about 5% to about 70% of a portion of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the speaker is perforated, the thickness of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is in a range of about 0.25 mm to about 30 mm, and the diameter of each perforation of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is in a range of 1 micromillimeter to about 10 mm.

Embodiment 45: An audio enhancement furniture system according to Embodiment 44, wherein about 50% to about 60% of a portion of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is perforated; a thickness of the portion of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is in a range of about 1 mm to about 2 mm; and a diameter of each perforation of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is in a range of 0.5 mm to about 1 mm.

Example 46: In an audio enhancement furniture system, a furniture assembly comprising a furniture body comprising one or more perforated rigid, non-flexible, rigid structures configured to be partially acoustically transparent; and a speaker system positioned within the furniture assembly, the speaker system comprising at least one speaker mounted within the furniture body and concealed from view by the one or more perforated rigid and inflexible rigid structures, and at least one speaker controller configured to control each speaker of the plurality of speakers, wherein each speaker of the plurality of speakers is configured to be tuned through the at least one speaker controller to compensate for variations in sound caused by sound radiating from the speaker through the perforated rigid structure by adjusting equalization of one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands emitted by the at least one speaker, wherein the adjusting comprises adjusting the loudness of one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands emitted by the at least one speaker, wherein the perforated rigid structure comprises at least one of wood, veneer, plastic, polymer, or metal, wherein the perforations of the perforated rigid structure are finely tuned perforations in the original surface of the rigid structure such that the rigid structure is visually and aesthetically pleasing, and the perforations are configured to be more resistant to environmental factors. An audio reinforcement furniture system, wherein a vertically oriented portion of a perforated rigid structure, from about 5% to about 70% of a portion of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker, is perforated, a thickness of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is in a range of from about 0.25 mm to about 30 mm, and a diameter of each of the perforations of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is in a range of from about 0.1 mm to about 10 mm.

Example 47: An audio enhancement furniture system according to Example 46, wherein each speaker among the plurality of speakers is configured to be tuned according to a tuning profile that includes at least one adjustment for at least one target audio frequency or frequency band emitted by the speaker.

Example 48: An audio enhancement furniture system according to any one of Examples 46 and 47, wherein the tuning profile of each speaker of the speaker system is selectable from a plurality of tuning profiles corresponding to various perforated partial acoustically transparent structures.

Embodiment 49: An audio-enhanced furniture system according to any one of Embodiments 46 to 48, wherein the tuning profile of each speaker is selectable via a user interface on a mobile device, wherein the mobile device selectively communicates with the at least one speaker controller, or wherein the tuning profile of each speaker is selectable via a dedicated control console, wherein the control console selectively communicates with the at least one speaker controller, or wherein the tuning profile of each speaker is selectable via a dedicated remote controller, wherein the remote controller selectively communicates with the at least one speaker controller.

Embodiment 50: An audio-enhanced furniture system according to any one of Embodiments 46 to 49, wherein the at least one speaker controller comprises a plurality of dedicated speaker controllers, each dedicated speaker controller being dedicated to an individual speaker of the speaker system, wherein the tuning profile for each speaker is separately selectable via a user interface on a mobile device, wherein the mobile device selectively communicates with the dedicated speaker controller for each speaker, or wherein the tuning profile for each speaker is selectable via a dedicated control console, wherein the control console selectively communicates with the dedicated speaker controller for each speaker, or wherein the tuning profile for each speaker is selectable via a dedicated remote controller, wherein the remote controller selectively communicates with the dedicated speaker controller for each speaker.

Example 51: A method of tuning a speaker to compensate for sound radiated through a partially acoustically transparent material, comprising: selecting a baseline equalization for a speaker in an audio system, the baseline equalization comprising one or more target audio frequencies, each audio frequency having a selected baseline loudness; configuring the audio system such that the speaker emits sound at an actual loudness substantially equal to the selected baseline loudness of each of the one or more target audio frequencies; covering the speaker with the selected partially acoustically transparent material; measuring the resulting loudness of each of the one or more target audio frequencies when the speaker emits sound through the selected partially acoustically transparent material; calculating a differential loudness defined as the difference between the selected baseline loudness and the resulting loudness of each of the one or more target audio frequencies; A method comprising the step of reconfiguring the audio system so that the speaker emits sound through the selected partial acoustically transparent material according to the selected baseline equalization by adjusting the actual loudness of each of the one or more target audio frequencies by approximately the same amount as the differential loudness of each target audio frequency.

Example 52: A method according to Example 51, further comprising the step of generating a tuning profile corresponding to the selected partial acoustically transparent material, wherein the tuning profile includes a respective differential loudness calculated for each of the one or more target audio frequencies.

Example 53: A method according to any one of Examples 51 to 52, further comprising the step of generating at least one additional tuning profile corresponding to at least one additional partially acoustically transparent material by repeating each step of the method while replacing the selected partially acoustically transparent material with at least one additional partially acoustically transparent material.

Embodiment 54: A method according to any one of Embodiments 51 to 53, further comprising the step of tuning a furniture-integrated speaker according to the tuning profile, wherein the furniture-integrated speaker is mounted within a furniture assembly and is covered with a partially acoustically transparent material identical to or substantially similar to the selected partially acoustically transparent material.

Embodiment 55: A method according to any one of Embodiments 51 to 54, further comprising at least one speaker controller configured to control the at least one speaker, wherein the step of reconfiguring the audio system further comprises the step of tuning the speaker via the at least one speaker controller associated with the modular furniture assembly.

Example 56: A method according to any one of Examples 51 to 55, wherein the at least one speaker controller comprises a dedicated center console configured to control the audio system.

Embodiment 57: A method according to any one of Embodiments 51 to 56, further comprising the step of uploading the tuning profile to an audio source, such that an audio output signal of the audio source to a speaker system connected to the audio source is adjusted according to the tuning profile.

Example 58: An audio-enhanced furniture system according to any one of Examples 51 to 57, wherein the partially acoustically transparent material is at least one of a fabric material, a perforated leather material, or a perforated rigid, non-flexible, rigid structure.

Embodiment 59: In any one of Embodiments 51 to 57, wherein the partially acoustically transparent material is a perforated rigid, inflexible rigid structure, and a speaker system is positioned within the furniture assembly, the speaker system comprising at least one speaker covered and concealed from view by the rigid structure, the at least one speaker configured to be tuned to compensate for variations in sound caused by sound radiating from the speaker through the partially acoustically transparent material by adjusting equalization of one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands emitted by the at least one speaker, wherein the adjusting comprises adjusting the loudness of one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands emitted by the at least one speaker, and wherein the perforated rigid structure comprises wood, veneer, plastic, polymer, or metal, and the perforations of the perforated rigid structure are finely tuned perforations in the original surface of the rigid structure that are not or are substantially invisible to the naked eye in a visually aesthetically pleasing manner, the perforations being perforations in a vertically oriented portion of the rigid structure. An audio enhancement furniture system, wherein the perforations are in a vertically oriented portion of the perforated rigid structure to be more resistant to environmental factors, and between about 5% and about 70% of a portion of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is perforated, and a thickness of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is in a range of about 0.25 mm to about 30 mm, and a diameter of each of the perforations of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is in a range of 1 micromillimeter to about 10 mm.

Example 60: A method of tuning a speaker to compensate for loss of sound emitted through a partially acoustically transparent material, comprising: providing a furniture assembly comprising a furniture body, a speaker supported by the furniture body, and a partially acoustically transparent material covering the speaker; and tuning the speaker mounted within the furniture body to compensate for sound emitted from the speaker through the perforated partially acoustically transparent structure by adjusting one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands emitted by the speaker.

Example 61: The method of Example 60, wherein the step of tuning the speaker comprises reconfiguring an audio system associated with the speaker to adjust an actual loudness of each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands by approximately the same amount as a calculated differential loudness of each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands.

Example 62: The method of Example 60 or 61, wherein the calculated differential loudness of each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands is equal to the difference between (i) a baseline loudness corresponding to sound emitted from the speaker, and (ii) a resulting loudness corresponding to sound emitted from the speaker when covered with the partially acoustically transparent material.

Example 63: A method according to any one of Examples 60 to 62, further comprising: presenting to a user a plurality of tuning profiles corresponding to a plurality of different partially acoustically transparent materials, one of which is the partially acoustically transparent material; and, in response to the user selecting one of the plurality of tuning profiles, tuning the speaker to compensate for sound emitted from the speaker through the partially acoustically transparent material corresponding to the selected tuning profile.

Example 64: A method according to any one of Examples 60 to 63, wherein the speaker is separately tunable by separate selection of one of the plurality of tuning profiles.

Example 65: A method according to any one of Examples 60 to 64, wherein the plurality of tuning profiles are presented and selectable through a user interface on a mobile device.

Example 66: A method according to any one of Examples 60 to 65, wherein the plurality of tuning profiles are presented and selectable through a dedicated console associated with the speaker system.

Example 67: A method according to any one of Examples 60 to 66, wherein the step of tuning the speaker comprises adjusting a signal transmitted from an audio source to the speaker.

Embodiment 68: A method according to any one of Embodiments 60 to 67, further comprising a speaker controller directly associated with the speaker, wherein the speaker controller is configured to tune the speaker regardless of a signal transmitted to the speaker by an audio source.

Example 69: A method according to any one of Examples 60 to 68, wherein the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands are adjusted by increasing the actual loudness of each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands by a maximum of about 25 decibels.

Example 70: A method according to any one of Examples 60 to 69, wherein each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands is adjusted by a magnitude of about 1 decibel to about 25 decibels.

Example 71: A method according to any one of Examples 60 to 70, wherein the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands are adjusted by increasing the actual loudness of each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands by a maximum of about 21 decibels.

Example 72: A method according to any one of Examples 60 to 71, wherein each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands is adjusted by a magnitude of about 1 decibel to about 21 decibels.

Example 73: A method according to any one of Examples 60 to 72, wherein the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands are adjusted by increasing the actual loudness of each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands by a maximum of about 16 decibels.

Example 74: A method according to any one of Examples 60 to 73, wherein each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands is adjusted by a magnitude of about 1 decibel to about 16 decibels.

Example 75: A method according to any one of Examples 60 to 74, wherein at least one of the target audio frequencies or frequency bands is less than 1000 Hz and is adjusted by a magnitude of about 1 decibel to about 8 decibels.

Example 76: A method according to any one of Examples 60 to 75, wherein at least one target audio frequency or frequency band below 1000 Hz is adjusted by a magnitude of about 1 decibel to about 7 decibels.

Example 77: A method according to any one of Examples 60 to 76, wherein at least one target audio frequency or frequency band below 1000 Hz is adjusted by a magnitude of about 1 decibel to about 6 decibels.

Example 78: A method according to any one of Examples 60 to 77, wherein at least one target audio frequency in a frequency band below 1000 Hz is adjusted by a magnitude of about 1 decibel to about 5 decibels.

Example 79: A method according to any one of Examples 60 to 78, wherein at least one target audio frequency in a frequency band below 1000 Hz is adjusted by a magnitude of about 1 decibel to about 4 decibels.

Example 80: A method according to any one of Examples 60 to 79, wherein at least one target audio frequency in a frequency band below 1000 Hz is adjusted by a magnitude of about 1 decibel to about 3 decibels.

Example 81: A method according to any one of Examples 60 to 80, wherein at least one target audio frequency in a frequency band below 1000 Hz is adjusted by a magnitude of about 1 decibel to about 2 decibels.

Embodiment 82: A method according to any one of Embodiments 60 to 81, wherein the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands are adjusted by multiplying the actual loudness of each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands by a coefficient of about 1 to about 1.3.

Embodiment 83: A method according to any one of Embodiments 60 to 82, wherein the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands are adjusted by multiplying the actual loudness of each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands by a coefficient of about 1 to about 1.25.

Embodiment 84: A method according to any one of Embodiments 60 to 83, wherein the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands are adjusted by multiplying the actual loudness of each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands by a coefficient of about 1 to about 1.2.

Example 85: A method according to any one of Examples 60 to 84, wherein the one or more target frequencies or frequency bands comprise at least four target frequencies or frequency bands.

Example 86: A method according to any one of Examples 60 to 85, wherein at least two of the at least four target frequencies or frequency bands are less than 1000 Hz and are adjusted to increase their actual sound volume by a magnitude of about 1 decibel to about 8 decibels.

Example 87: A method according to any one of Examples 60 to 86, wherein at least two of the at least four target frequencies or frequency bands are greater than 1000 Hz and are adjusted to increase their actual sound volume by a magnitude of about 1 decibel to about 25 decibels.

Example 88: A method according to any one of Examples 60 to 87, wherein the amount of adjustment of equalization of one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands is dependent on a selected loudness of the speaker system.

Example 89: An audio-enhanced furniture system according to any one of Examples 60 to 88, wherein the partially acoustically transparent material is at least one of a fabric material, a perforated leather material, or a perforated rigid, non-flexible, rigid structure.

Embodiment 90: An audio-enhanced furniture system as recited in any one of Embodiments 60 to 89, wherein the partially acoustically transparent material is a perforated rigid, inflexible rigid structure, and a speaker system is positioned within the furniture assembly, the speaker system comprising at least one speaker covered and concealed from view by the rigid structure, the at least one speaker being configured to be tuned to compensate for variations in sound caused by sound radiating from the speaker through the partially acoustically transparent material by adjusting equalization of one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands emitted by the at least one speaker, the adjusting comprising adjusting the loudness of one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands emitted by the at least one speaker, the perforated rigid structure comprising wood, veneer, plastic, polymer or metal, the perforations of the perforated rigid structure being finely tuned perforations in the original surface of the rigid structure that are not or are substantially invisible to the naked eye in a visually aesthetically pleasing manner, the perforations being perforations of the rigid structure. An audio enhancement furniture system, wherein the perforations are in a vertically oriented portion of the perforated rigid structure, the perforations being more resistant to environmental factors, and wherein from about 5% to about 70% of the portion of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is perforated, and the thickness of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is in a range of from about 0.25 mm to about 30 mm, and the diameter of each of the perforations of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is in a range of from 1 micromillimeter to about 10 mm.

Example 91: An audio-enhanced furniture system as described in any one of claims 3 to 42, 44, 45, 46 to 50, 51 to 59 or 60 to 88, wherein the furniture assembly having a perforated rigid structure comprises a mantle, a fireplace mantle, a television frame, a television frame surround, a nightstand, a projector shroud, a shroud covering, a housing for blinds, a decorative cover, a decorative cover for blinds, a decorative cover shroud, a projector or a combination thereof.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or character. The embodiments described above are to be considered in all respects merely illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is determined by the appended claims, not the above description. All changes that come within the meaning and equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced within their scope.

Claims (91)

In audio-enhanced furniture systems,
A furniture assembly having a partially acoustically transparent material; and
Speaker system located within the above furniture assembly
, wherein the speaker system comprises at least one speaker covered by the partially acoustically transparent material, wherein the at least one speaker is concealed from view;
An audio enhancement furniture system, wherein said at least one speaker is configured to be tuned to compensate for sound radiated from said at least one speaker through said partially acoustically transparent material. An audio-enhanced furniture system, wherein the partial acoustically transparent material in the first paragraph is a fabric material. In audio-enhanced furniture systems,
A furniture assembly having a partially acoustically transparent material; and
Speaker system located within the above furniture assembly
, wherein the speaker system comprises at least one speaker covered by the partially acoustically transparent material, wherein the at least one speaker is concealed from view;
wherein said at least one speaker is configured to be tuned to compensate for sound radiated from said at least one speaker through said partially acoustically transparent material;
An audio-enhanced furniture system wherein the above-mentioned partial acoustically transparent material is a perforated, nondrapable, rigid structure. An audio-enhanced furniture system, wherein the perforated rigid structure comprises at least one of wood, veneer, plastic, polymer and metal. An audio reinforcement furniture system, wherein, in the third paragraph, the perforations of the perforated rigid structure are finely tuned perforations on the original surface of the rigid structure, so that the rigid structure is visually and aesthetically pleasing. An audio enhancement furniture system, wherein the speaker system in claim 3 is tuned by boosting one or more selected frequencies to compensate for attenuation of one or more selected frequencies that occurs when sound from the speaker system is emitted through the perforated rigid structure. An audio reinforcement furniture system, wherein the perforation is arranged in a vertically oriented or substantially vertically oriented portion of the perforated rigid structure to increase resistance to environmental factors. In the third paragraph,
At least one speaker controller configured to communicate with said at least one speaker and control tuning of said at least one speaker.
An audio-enhanced furniture system, further comprising at least one speaker controller, wherein the at least one speaker controller is selectively controlled by at least one of a mobile device, a remote controller and a console controller. In the third paragraph, the furniture assembly having the perforated rigid structure includes a table, a coffee table, an end table, a side table, a cupboard, a door, a credenza, a console, a sideboard, a cabinet, a bookshelf, a desk, a door, a bed frame, or a combination thereof, an audio-enhanced furniture system. An audio-enhanced furniture system, wherein in the third aspect, the at least one speaker is configured to be tuned by selection from a plurality of tuning profiles corresponding to (i) a material type of the perforated rigid structure, (ii) an amount of perforations of the perforated rigid structure, and (iii) a thickness of the perforated rigid structure. An audio-enhanced furniture system, wherein the at least one speaker is configured to be tuned by selection from a plurality of tuning profiles corresponding to (i) a material type of the perforated rigid structure, (ii) a perforation amount of the perforated rigid structure, (iii) a thickness of the perforated rigid structure, and (iv) a perforation size of the perforation of the perforated rigid structure. An audio reinforcement furniture system, wherein in the third aspect, about 5% to about 70% of a portion of the rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is perforated. An audio reinforcement furniture system, wherein in the third aspect, about 10% to about 60% of a portion of the rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is perforated. An audio reinforcement furniture system, wherein in the third aspect, about 50% to about 60% of a portion of the rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is perforated. An audio reinforcement furniture system, wherein in the third aspect, about 10% to about 30% of a portion of the rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is perforated. An audio reinforcement furniture system, wherein the thickness of the portion of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is in a range of about 0.25 mm to about 30 mm. An audio reinforcement furniture system, wherein the thickness of the portion of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is in a range of about 0.5 mm to about 20 mm. An audio reinforcement furniture system, wherein the thickness of the portion of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is in a range of about 1 mm to about 10 mm. An audio reinforcement furniture system, wherein the thickness of the portion of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is in a range of about 1 mm to about 2 mm. An audio reinforcement furniture system, wherein in the third paragraph, each diameter of the perforations of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is in the range of 1 micromillimeter to about 10 mm. An audio reinforcement furniture system, wherein in the third paragraph, each diameter of the perforations of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is in a range of about 0.1 mm to about 10 mm. An audio reinforcement furniture system, wherein in the third paragraph, each diameter of the perforations of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is in a range of about 0.1 mm to about 5 mm. An audio reinforcement furniture system, wherein in the third paragraph, each diameter of the perforations of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is in a range of about 0.5 mm to about 1 mm. In the third aspect, about 5% to about 70% of the portion of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is perforated, and about 95% to about 30% of the portion of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is a solid, non-perforated material;
The thickness of the portion of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is in the range of about 0.25 mm to about 30 mm;
An audio reinforcement furniture system, wherein each of the perforations of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker has a diameter in the range of 1 micromillimeter to about 10 mm. In the third aspect, about 5% to about 70% of the portion of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is perforated;
The thickness of the portion of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is in the range of about 0.25 mm to about 30 mm;
An audio reinforcement furniture system, wherein each of the perforations of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker has a diameter in a range of about 0.1 mm to about 10 mm. In the third aspect, about 30% to about 60% of the portion of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is perforated;
The thickness of the portion of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is in the range of about 1 mm to about 2 mm;
An audio reinforcement furniture system, wherein each of the perforations of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker has a diameter in a range of about 0.25 mm to about 1 mm. In the third aspect, about 50% to about 60% of the portion of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is perforated;
The thickness of the portion of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is in the range of about 1 mm to about 2 mm;
An audio reinforcement furniture system, wherein each of the perforations of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker has a diameter in the range of about 0.5 mm to about 1 mm. An audio enhancement furniture system, wherein the at least one speaker is configured to be tuned to compensate for variations in sound caused by sound emitted from the speaker through the partially acoustically transparent material by adjusting equalization of one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands emitted by the at least one speaker. In the 28th paragraph, tuning at least one speaker,
Reconfigure the audio system associated with the at least one speaker to adjust the actual loudness of each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands by approximately the same amount as a calculated differential loudness of each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands, wherein the calculated differential loudness of each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands is equal to the difference between (i) a baseline loudness corresponding to sound emitted from the speaker, and (ii) a resulting loudness corresponding to sound emitted from the speaker when covered by the perforated partially acoustically transparent structure, and wherein the system is configured to present to the user a plurality of tuning profiles corresponding to a plurality of different perforated rigid structures;
In response to the user selecting one of the plurality of tuning profiles, the speaker is tuned to compensate for sound emitted from the speaker through the perforated rigid structure corresponding to the selected tuning profile, wherein the speaker is separately tunable by separate selection of one of the plurality of tuning profiles.
An audio-enhanced furniture system comprising: An audio enhancement furniture system, wherein tuning the speaker in claim 28 comprises adjusting a signal transmitted from an audio source to the speaker. An audio-enhanced furniture system, further comprising a speaker controller directly associated with the speaker, wherein the speaker controller is configured to tune the speaker regardless of a signal transmitted to the speaker by an audio source. An audio enhancement furniture system in claim 28, wherein the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands are adjusted by increasing the actual loudness of each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands by a maximum of about 25 decibels. An audio enhancement furniture system, wherein each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands is adjusted by a magnitude of about 1 decibel to about 25 decibels in accordance with claim 28. An audio enhancement furniture system, wherein at least one of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands is less than 1000 Hz and is adjusted by a magnitude of about 1 decibel to about 8 decibels. An audio enhancement furniture system, wherein in claim 28, the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands are adjusted by multiplying the actual loudness of each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands by a coefficient of about 1 to about 1.3. An audio enhancement furniture system according to claim 28, wherein the one or more target frequencies or frequency bands include at least four target frequencies or frequency bands. In claim 36, the one or more target frequencies or frequency bands include at least four target frequencies or frequency bands;
wherein at least two of the above four target frequencies or frequency bands are less than 1000 Hz and are adjusted to increase their actual sound volume by a magnitude of about 1 to about 8 decibels;
An audio enhancement furniture system, wherein at least two of the above four target frequencies or frequency bands are greater than 1000 Hz and are adjusted to increase their actual loudness by a magnitude of about 1 decibel to about 25 decibels. An audio enhancement furniture system, wherein the amount of adjustment of equalization of one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands in accordance with a selected volume of the speaker system, in claim 28. An audio-enhanced furniture system, wherein the rigid structure comprises a veneer covering the at least one speaker. An audio-enhanced furniture system, wherein in the third paragraph, at least one speaker is mounted on the rigid structure. An audio reinforcement furniture system, wherein in the third paragraph, the rigid structure is a solid structure having perforations formed therein, and the perforations of the rigid structure are perforations finely tuned to the original surface of the rigid structure, which are invisible to the naked eye or substantially invisible to the naked eye. In any one of the first to third paragraphs,
Inductive charger built into the above furniture system
Audio-enhanced furniture system that includes: An audio-enhanced furniture system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an inductive charger built into the furniture system, wherein the inductive charger is covered with a partially acoustically transparent material adjacent to a partially acoustically transparent material having a thickness of about 0.25 mm to about 30 mm. In audio-enhanced furniture systems,
A furniture assembly comprising a rigid, non-flexible, rigid structure having perforations formed therein to be partially acoustically transparent; and
Speaker system located within the above furniture assembly
, wherein the speaker system comprises at least one speaker covered by the rigid structure, wherein the at least one speaker is concealed from view,
wherein said at least one speaker is configured to be tuned to compensate for variations in sound caused by sound radiating from said speaker through said partially acoustically transparent material by adjusting equalization of one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands emitted by said at least one speaker, said adjusting comprising adjusting a loudness of one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands emitted by said at least one speaker;
The perforated rigid structure comprises wood, veneer, plastic, polymer or metal,
The perforations of the above-mentioned perforated rigid structure are perforations that are finely tuned on the original surface of the rigid structure so that the rigid structure is visually and aesthetically pleasing.
The above perforation is in the vertically oriented portion of the above rigid structure,
The perforations are in vertically oriented or substantially vertically oriented portions of the perforated rigid structure to make it more resistant to environmental factors,
From about 5% to about 70% of the portion of said perforated rigid structure adjacent to said at least one speaker is perforated;
The thickness of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is in the range of about 0.25 mm to about 30 mm,
An audio reinforcement furniture system, wherein each of the perforations of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker has a diameter in the range of 1 micromillimeter to about 10 mm. In claim 44, about 50% to about 60% of the portion of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is perforated;
The thickness of the portion of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is in the range of about 1 mm to about 2 mm;
An audio reinforcement furniture system, wherein each of the perforations of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker has a diameter in the range of about 0.5 mm to about 1 mm. In audio-enhanced furniture systems,
A furniture assembly comprising a furniture body comprising one or more perforated rigid, non-flexible, rigid structures configured to be partially acoustically transparent; and
Speaker system located within the above furniture assembly
, and the speaker system comprises:
A plurality of speakers mounted within the furniture body and concealed from view by the one or more perforated rigid and inflexible rigid structures; and
At least one speaker controller configured to control each speaker of the plurality of speakers
Including,
Each speaker of said plurality of speakers is configured to be tuned via said at least one speaker controller to compensate for variations in sound caused by sound emitted from said speaker through said perforated rigid structure by adjusting equalization of one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands emitted by said at least one speaker, said adjusting including adjusting a loudness of one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands emitted by said at least one speaker;
The perforated rigid structure comprises at least one of wood, veneer, plastic, polymer and metal;
The perforations of the above-mentioned perforated rigid structure are perforations that are finely tuned on the original surface of the rigid structure so that the rigid structure is visually and aesthetically pleasing.
The perforations are located in the vertically oriented portion of the perforated rigid structure to make it more resistant to environmental factors;
About 5% to about 70% of the portion of said perforated rigid structure adjacent to said at least one speaker is perforated;
The thickness of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is in the range of about 0.25 mm to about 30 mm;
An audio reinforcement furniture system, wherein each of the perforations of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker has a diameter in a range of about 0.1 mm to about 10 mm. An audio-enhanced modular furniture system, wherein each speaker of the plurality of speakers is configured to be tuned according to a tuning profile that includes at least one adjustment for at least one target audio frequency or frequency band emitted by the speaker. An audio-enhanced modular furniture system, wherein the tuning profile of each speaker of the speaker system is selectable from a plurality of tuning profiles corresponding to various perforated partial acoustically transparent structures. In Article 46,
The tuning profile of each speaker is selectable via a user interface on a mobile device, wherein the mobile device optionally communicates with at least one speaker controller, or
The tuning profile of each speaker is selectable via a dedicated control console, which optionally communicates with at least one speaker controller, or
An audio-enhanced modular furniture system, wherein the tuning profile of each speaker is selectable via a dedicated remote controller, wherein the remote controller selectively communicates with at least one speaker controller. In claim 46, wherein said at least one speaker controller comprises a plurality of dedicated speaker controllers, each dedicated speaker controller being dedicated to an individual speaker of said speaker system,
The above tuning profile for each speaker is separately selectable via a user interface on the mobile device, and the mobile device optionally communicates with the dedicated speaker controller for each speaker, or
The above tuning profile for each speaker is selectable via a dedicated control console, which optionally communicates with the dedicated speaker controller for each speaker, or
An audio-enhanced modular furniture system, wherein the tuning profile of each speaker is selectable via a dedicated remote controller, and wherein the remote controller selectively communicates with the dedicated speaker controller of each speaker. A method of tuning a speaker to compensate for sound emitted through a partially acoustically transparent material,
A step of selecting a baseline equalization for a speaker within an audio system, wherein the baseline equalization comprises one or more target audio frequencies, each audio frequency having a selected baseline volume;
A step of configuring the audio system such that the speaker emits sound at an actual volume substantially equal to the selected baseline volume of each of the one or more target audio frequencies;
A step of covering said speaker with a selected portion of an acoustically transparent material;
Measuring the resulting loudness of each of the one or more target audio frequencies as the speaker emits sound through the selected portion of the acoustically transparent material;
calculating a differential loudness defined as the difference between the selected baseline loudness and the resulting loudness of each of the one or more target audio frequencies; and
A step of reconfiguring the audio system so that the speaker emits sound through the selected partial acoustically transparent material according to the selected baseline equalization by adjusting the actual loudness of each of the one or more target audio frequencies by approximately the same amount as the differential loudness of each corresponding target audio frequency.
A method comprising: In Article 51,
A step of generating a tuning profile corresponding to the selected partial acoustically transparent material.
A method further comprising: wherein the tuning profile comprises a respective differential loudness calculated for each of the one or more target audio frequencies. In paragraph 52,
A method further comprising the step of generating at least one additional tuning profile corresponding to the at least one additional partially acoustically transparent material by repeating each step of the method while replacing the selected partially acoustically transparent material with at least one additional partially acoustically transparent material. In Article 53,
Steps for tuning the furniture-integrated speaker according to the above tuning profile
A method further comprising: wherein the furniture-integrated speaker is mounted within the furniture assembly and is covered with a partial acoustically transparent material identical to or substantially similar to the selected partial acoustically transparent material. In Article 51,
At least one speaker controller configured to control at least one speaker
A method further comprising: reconfiguring the audio system, wherein the step of reconfiguring the audio system further comprises tuning the speakers via at least one speaker controller associated with the modular furniture assembly. A method according to claim 55, wherein said at least one speaker controller comprises a dedicated center console configured to control said audio system. In paragraph 52,
A step of uploading the above tuning profile to an audio source so that the audio output signal of the audio source to a speaker system connected to the audio source is adjusted according to the tuning profile.
How to include more. An audio-enhanced furniture system according to any one of claims 51 to 57, wherein the partially acoustically transparent material is at least one of a fabric material, a perforated leather material, and a perforated rigid, non-flexible, rigid structure. In any one of claims 51 to 57, the partially acoustically transparent material is a perforated, rigid, non-flexible rigid structure;
A speaker system positioned within the furniture assembly comprises at least one speaker covered by the rigid structure, wherein the at least one speaker is concealed from view;
wherein said at least one speaker is configured to be tuned to compensate for variations in sound caused by sound radiating from said speaker through said partially acoustically transparent material by adjusting equalization of one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands emitted by said at least one speaker, said adjusting comprising adjusting a loudness of one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands emitted by said at least one speaker;
The perforated rigid structure comprises wood, veneer, plastic, polymer or metal,
The perforations of the perforated rigid structure are finely tuned perforations on the original surface of the rigid structure, which are invisible or substantially invisible to the naked eye, so that the rigid structure is visually and aesthetically pleasing.
The above perforation is in the vertically oriented portion of the above rigid structure,
The perforations are located in the vertically oriented portion of the perforated rigid structure to make it more resistant to environmental factors,
From about 5% to about 70% of the portion of said perforated rigid structure adjacent to said at least one speaker is perforated;
The thickness of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is in the range of about 0.25 mm to about 30 mm,
An audio reinforcement furniture system, wherein the diameter of the perforations of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is in the range of 1 micromillimeter to about 10 mm. A method of tuning a speaker to compensate for loss of sound emitted through a partially acoustically transparent material,
A step of providing a furniture assembly including a furniture body, a speaker supported by the furniture body, and a partial acoustically transparent material covering the speaker; and
A step of tuning said speaker mounted within said furniture body to compensate for sound emitted from said speaker through said perforated partially acoustically transparent structure by adjusting the volume of one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands emitted by said speaker.
A method comprising: A method according to claim 60, wherein the step of tuning the speaker comprises the step of reconfiguring an audio system associated with the speaker to adjust the actual loudness of each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands by approximately the same amount as the calculated differential loudness of each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands. A method according to claim 61, wherein the calculated differential loudness of each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands is equal to the difference between (i) a baseline loudness corresponding to sound emitted from the speaker, and (ii) a resulting loudness corresponding to sound emitted from the speaker when covered with the partially acoustically transparent material. In Article 60,
A step of presenting to a user a plurality of tuning profiles corresponding to a plurality of different partially acoustically transparent materials, wherein one of the plurality of different partially acoustically transparent materials is said partially acoustically transparent material; and
In response to the user selecting one of the plurality of tuning profiles, tuning the speaker to compensate for sound emitted from the speaker through a partially acoustically transparent material corresponding to the selected tuning profile.
How to include more. A method according to claim 63, wherein the speaker is separately tunable by separate selection of one of the plurality of tuning profiles. A method according to claim 63, wherein the plurality of tuning profiles are presented and selectable through a user interface on a mobile device. A method according to claim 63, wherein the plurality of tuning profiles are presented and selectable through a dedicated console associated with the speaker system. A method according to claim 60, wherein the step of tuning the speaker comprises the step of adjusting a signal transmitted from an audio source to the speaker. In Article 60,
Speaker controller directly associated with the above speaker
A method further comprising: wherein the speaker controller is configured to tune the speaker regardless of a signal transmitted to the speaker by an audio source. A method according to claim 60, wherein the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands are adjusted by increasing the actual loudness of each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands by a maximum of about 25 decibels. A method according to claim 60, wherein each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands is adjusted by a magnitude of about 1 decibel to about 25 decibels. A method according to claim 60, wherein the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands are adjusted by increasing the actual loudness of each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands by a maximum of about 21 decibels. A method according to claim 60, wherein each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands is adjusted by a magnitude of about 1 decibel to about 21 decibels. A method according to claim 60, wherein the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands are adjusted by increasing the actual loudness of each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands by a maximum of about 16 decibels. A method according to claim 60, wherein each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands is adjusted by a magnitude of about 1 decibel to about 16 decibels. A method according to claim 60, wherein at least one of the target audio frequencies or frequency bands is less than 1000 Hz and is adjusted by a magnitude of about 1 decibel to about 8 decibels. A method according to claim 75, wherein at least one target audio frequency or frequency band below 1000 Hz is adjusted by a magnitude of about 1 decibel to about 7 decibels. A method according to claim 75, wherein at least one target audio frequency or frequency band below 1000 Hz is adjusted by a magnitude of about 1 decibel to about 6 decibels. A method according to claim 75, wherein at least one target audio frequency in a frequency band less than 1000 Hz is adjusted by a magnitude of about 1 decibel to about 5 decibels. A method according to claim 75, wherein at least one target audio frequency in a frequency band less than 1000 Hz is adjusted by a magnitude of about 1 decibel to about 4 decibels. A method according to claim 75, wherein at least one target audio frequency in a frequency band less than 1000 Hz is adjusted by a magnitude of about 1 decibel to about 3 decibels. A method according to claim 75, wherein at least one target audio frequency in a frequency band less than 1000 Hz is adjusted by a magnitude of about 1 decibel to about 2 decibels. A method according to claim 60, wherein the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands are adjusted by multiplying the actual loudness of each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands by a coefficient of about 1 to about 1.3. A method according to claim 60, wherein the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands are adjusted by multiplying the actual loudness of each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands by a coefficient of about 1 to about 1.25. A method according to claim 60, wherein the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands are adjusted by multiplying the actual loudness of each of the one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands by a coefficient of about 1 to about 1.2. A method according to claim 60, wherein the one or more target frequencies or frequency bands include at least four target frequencies or frequency bands. A method according to claim 85, wherein at least two of the at least four target frequencies or frequency bands are less than 1000 Hz and are adjusted to increase their actual sound volume by a magnitude of about 1 decibel to about 8 decibels. A method according to claim 85, wherein at least two of the at least four target frequencies or frequency bands are greater than 1000 Hz and are adjusted to increase their actual sound volume by a magnitude of about 1 decibel to about 25 decibels. A method according to claim 60, wherein the amount of adjustment of the equalization of one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands is dependent on a selected loudness of the speaker system. An audio-enhanced furniture system according to any one of claims 60 to 88, wherein the partially acoustically transparent material is at least one of a fabric material, a perforated leather material, and a perforated rigid, non-flexible, rigid structure. In any one of claims 60 to 88, the partially acoustically transparent material is a perforated, rigid, non-flexible, rigid structure;
A speaker system positioned within the furniture assembly comprises at least one speaker covered by the rigid structure, wherein the at least one speaker is concealed from view;
wherein said at least one speaker is configured to be tuned to compensate for variations in sound caused by sound radiating from said speaker through said partially acoustically transparent material by adjusting equalization of one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands emitted by said at least one speaker, said adjusting comprising adjusting a loudness of one or more target audio frequencies or frequency bands emitted by said at least one speaker;
The perforated rigid structure comprises wood, veneer, plastic, polymer or metal,
The perforations of the perforated rigid structure are finely tuned perforations on the original surface of the rigid structure that are not visible to the naked eye or are substantially invisible to the naked eye so that the rigid structure is visually pleasing in appearance.
The above perforation is in the vertically oriented portion of the above rigid structure,
The perforations are located in the vertically oriented portion of the perforated rigid structure to make it more resistant to environmental factors,
From about 5% to about 70% of the portion of said perforated rigid structure adjacent to said at least one speaker is perforated;
The thickness of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is in the range of about 0.25 mm to about 30 mm,
An audio reinforcement furniture system, wherein the diameter of the perforations of the perforated rigid structure adjacent to the at least one speaker is in the range of 1 micromillimeter to about 10 mm. An audio-enhanced furniture system according to any one of claims 3, 44, 46, 51 and 60, wherein the furniture assembly having the perforated rigid structure comprises a mantle, a fireplace mantle, a television frame, a television frame surround, a nightstand, a projector shroud, a shroud covering, a housing for blinds, a decorative cover, a decorative cover for blinds, a decorative cover shroud, a projector or a combination thereof.