Pillow Speaker Device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a novel pillow speaker device. The device is a unique, comfortable pillow with a Bluetooth speaker that can be interchangeable by the user. The device comprises a pillow with a Bluetooth speaker. The speaker is paired with a mobile application or software that allows a user to control the device. Users can play music or desired sounds from the speaker to help him or her fall asleep comfortably.

Claims

1. A pillow speaker device that plays music or desired sounds from a Bluetooth speaker to help a user fall asleep, the pillow speaker device comprising: a pillow; and at least one Bluetooth speaker; wherein the at least one Bluetooth speaker is interchangeable by the user; wherein an inner chamber of the pillow comprises a plurality of large interconnected, continuous sound channeling voids through which sound waves from the at least one Bluetooth speaker can travel; and further wherein a plurality of sound communication openings are provided through the inner chamber so that sound waves, can travel from the plurality of large interconnected, continuous sound channeling voids through the inner chamber thereby reaching a head of the user.

2. The pillow speaker device of claim 1, wherein the pillow is substantially rectangle in shape.

3. The pillow speaker device of claim 1, wherein the pillow is a memory foam orthopedic pillow.

4. The pillow speaker device of claim 1, wherein the pillow is a travel pillow.

5. The pillow speaker device of claim 1, wherein the pillow comprises an outer casing, a main body portion, a first end portion, and a second end portion.

6. The pillow speaker device of claim 5, wherein the outer casing defines the inner chamber which is partially filled with a fill material.

7. The pillow speaker device of claim 1, wherein the at least one Bluetooth speaker comprises an exterior face and an opposing rear face for emitting sound waves.

8. The pillow speaker device of claim 1, wherein the at least one Bluetooth speaker is operated by a control panel disposed on the pillow.

9. The pillow speaker device of claim 1, wherein the at least one Bluetooth speaker comprises a wireless communications module that is configured to pair with a mobile application on a smart device.

10. The pillow speaker device of claim 1, wherein at least one pouch is disposed within the inner chamber for retaining the at least one Bluetooth speaker.

11. The pillow speaker device of claim 1, wherein the pillow comprises a pillowcase including an opening and zipper for securing the pillowcase on the pillow.

12. The pillow speaker device of claim 1 further comprising an alarm system disposed within the inner chamber for generating a sound to wake a user.

13. The pillow speaker device of claim 12, wherein the alarm system comprises a vibrating motor in communication with the at least one Bluetooth speaker, allowing the pillow to vibrate, silently waking the user.

14. The pillow speaker device of claim 13, wherein the alarm system and the at least one Bluetooth speaker are battery operated via rechargeable batteries.

15. A pillow speaker device that plays music or desired sounds from a Bluetooth speaker to help a user fall asleep, the pillow speaker device comprising: a pillow comprising an outer casing, having a main body portion, a first end portion, and a second end portion, wherein the outer casing defines an inner chamber which is partially filled with a fill material; and at least one Bluetooth speaker comprising an exterior face and an opposing rear face for emitting sound waves; wherein the at least one Bluetooth speaker includes a wireless communications module which would allow the pillow speaker device to pair with a mobile application on a smart device; wherein the inner chamber of the pillow comprises a plurality of large interconnected, continuous sound channeling voids through which sound waves from the at least one Bluetooth speaker can travel; and wherein a plurality of sound communication openings are provided through the inner chamber so that sound waves, can travel from the plurality of large interconnected, continuous sound channeling voids through the inner chamber thereby reaching a user's head; and further wherein the at least one Bluetooth speaker is battery operated via rechargeable batteries.

16. The pillow speaker device of claim 15 further comprising a plurality of indicia.

17. The pillow speaker device of claim 15 further comprising an alarm system disposed within the inner chamber for generating a sound to wake a user.

18. The pillow speaker device of claim 15, wherein at least one pouch is disposed within the inner chamber for retaining the at least one Bluetooth speaker.

19. The pillow speaker device of claim 15, wherein the at least one Bluetooth speaker is operated by a control panel disposed on the pillow.

20. A method of utilizing a pillow speaker device comprising the steps of: providing a pillow speaker device comprising a comfortable pillow with a Bluetooth speaker; positioning the pillow in a desired position, such that a user can easily sleep on the pillow device; turning on the Bluetooth speaker via a mobile device; and listening to music or desired sounds from the Bluetooth speaker to help a user fall asleep comfortably.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

[0035] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the pillow speaker device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0036] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the pillow speaker device of the present invention wherein the pillows are varying sizes in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0037] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the pillow speaker device of the present invention wherein the pillow is a memory foam orthopedic pillow in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0038] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the pillow speaker device of the present invention wherein the pillow is a travel pillow in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0039] FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of the wireless communication module in communication with a smart device and the pillow speaker device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

[0040] FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart showing the method of utilizing a pillow speaker device in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0041] The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

[0042] As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for a pillow speaker device that provides users with an improved pillow featuring an interchangeable Bluetooth speaker. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a pillow speaker device that allows users to play music or ambient sounds from a smart phone application directly through the pillow. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a pillow speaker device that includes several different shapes, sizes, and configurations of the pillow to accommodate a user's needs and preferences. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that helps users get a good, peaceful night's rest to improve their overall health. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a pillow speaker device that comprises a speaker paired with a mobile application or software. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a pillow speaker device that comprises an interchangeable Bluetooth speaker.

[0043] The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel pillow speaker device. The device is a unique, comfortable pillow with a Bluetooth speaker that can be interchangeable by the user. The speaker is paired with a mobile application or software that allows a user to control the device. Users can play music or desired sounds from the speaker to help him or her fall asleep comfortably. The pillow speaker device is available in several different sizes and configurations including, but not limited to, therapeutic and travel pillows. The present invention also includes a novel method of utilizing a pillow speaker device. The method includes the steps of providing a pillow speaker device comprising a comfortable pillow with a Bluetooth speaker. The method also comprises positioning the pillow in a desired position, such that a user can easily sleep on the pillow device. Further, the method comprises turning on the Bluetooth speaker via a mobile device. Finally, listening to music or desired sounds from the Bluetooth speaker to help a user fall asleep comfortably.

[0044] Referring initially to the drawings, FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a perspective view of one embodiment of the pillow speaker device 100 of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the pillow speaker device 100 is an improved pillow speaker device that plays music or desired sounds from the Bluetooth speaker to help a user fall asleep. The device 100 is especially designed to allow any suitable user as is known in the art, to easily and comfortably fall asleep. More specifically, the device 100 comprises a unique, comfortable pillow 102 with a Bluetooth speaker 104 that can be interchangeable by the user.

[0045] In one embodiment, the pillow 102 of the pillow speaker device 100 is a soft, comfortable surface on which the user may rest his or her head (not shown). The pillow 102 is preferably substantially rectangular (as shown in FIG. 1) but may have any of a variety of shapes and configurations (as shown in FIG. 2) including, but not limited to, therapeutic or memory foam orthopedic pillows (as shown in FIG. 3) and travel pillows (as shown in FIG. 4). Additionally, the pillow 102 is preferably composed of memory foam, but may be composed of other soft materials including cotton, polyester, or down, etc.

[0046] In one embodiment, it should be appreciated that the pillow 102 is shown as having a cylindrical profile (as shown in FIG. 2), however, the pillow 102 may have any other suitable profile, such as a U-shaped profile (as shown in FIG. 4) or a more common rectangular profile (as shown in FIG. 1). Further, the pillow 102 includes an outer casing 106, having a main body portion 108, a first end portion 110 and a second end portion 112. The outer casing 106 may be made of any suitable stretchable or non-stretchable material, such as, for example, cotton, polyester, leather, or fabric, etc. The outer casing 106 defines an inner chamber 114, which is partially filled with a fill material 116 to provide the pillow 102 with shape and fluffiness. The fill material 116 may be, for example, poly-fil, cotton, down or foam, etc., and may be in any suitable form, such as, for example, beads or pellets, etc.

[0047] Furthermore, the device 100 comprises at least one speaker 104. If multiple speakers 104 are used, the speakers 104 are identical in construction: each including an exterior face 118 for projecting sound outward from the speaker 104, and an opposing rear face 120 for projecting sound into the inner chamber 114. Importantly, in one embodiment, the inner chamber 114 of the pillow 102 comprises a plurality of large interconnected, continuous sound channeling voids 122 through which sound waves from the speakers 104 can travel.

[0048] In another embodiment, a plurality of sound communication openings 124 are provided through the inner chamber 114 so that sounds, i.e., sound waves, can travel from the sound channeling voids 122 through the inner chamber 114 thereby reaching the user's head. A portion of the inner chamber 114 extends downward to the sound baffles 126 such that the sound channeling voids 122 form the sound communication openings 124 for the successful transmission of the sounds. However, such sound communication openings 124 could be formed in other ways. For example, holes or ducts (not shown) could be formed to extend between the inner chamber 114 and the sound channeling voids 122.

[0049] In one embodiment, the speaker 104 is of a type that is commonly available: wherein each speaker 104 is of the type of construction that employs a cone which vibrates responsive to electromagnetic signals. With this type of construction, sound waves are emitted in front of the speaker 104, i.e., its exterior face 118, as well as to the rear through its rear face 120.

[0050] Importantly, a speaker 104 disposed as noted above will produce sound waves that project rearward into the pillow 102 as well as outward toward the user's head. In this way, sound from the speakers 104 is directed toward and into the sound channeling voids 122 wherein the sound waves travel through the sound channeling voids 122 and through the communication openings 124 to reach the user's head. In this way, sound waves reach the user's head from multiple directions. Accordingly, the quality of sound that is eventually heard by the user is enhanced.

[0051] In one embodiment, the speaker 104 is operated by a control panel 128 disposed on the pillow 102. The buttons 130 associated with the control panel 128 are functionally connected to the circuitry. The circuitry is configured to communicate as necessary through an interface in order to execute user commands received through the buttons 130 associated with the control panel 128.

[0052] In yet another embodiment, at least one pouch 132 is disposed within the inner chamber 114 adjacent to the first end portion 110 of the pillow 102, adjacent to the second end portion 112 of the pillow 102 or disposed between the first and second end portions 110, 112. The pouch 132 is made of any suitable material and is preferably made of the same material as that of the outer casing 106. The at least one pouch 132 may be sewn on or otherwise attached to the inner chamber 114. As explained in further detail below, the at least one pouch 132 provides pockets within the inner chamber 114 that are not filled with the filler material 116.

[0053] Further, at least one speaker 104 is disposed within the at least one pouch 132. The speaker 104 includes a sound-transmitting surface 134 preferably facing the inner chamber 114 of the pillow 102.

[0054] In still further embodiments, the pillow 102 may be constructed without pouches 132, so that the speaker 104 is simply housed within the inner chamber 114. The speaker 104 may be located at any location within the inner chamber 114. In this embodiment, the speaker 104 is retained within the inner chamber 114 of the pillow 102 via an adhesive, hook and loop fasteners, or any other suitable securing means as is known in the art, depending on the needs and/or wants of a user.

[0055] In one embodiment, a pillowcase 136 is illustrated. The pillowcase 136 includes an opening 138 encircled by a zipper 140. Accordingly, a speaker 104 can be received into the pillowcase 136 for protection, wherein the zipper 140 can be employed to totally enclose the speaker 104. Further, it should be noted that the reinforced opening 138 could be constructed using any commonly available plastic or metal grommet (not shown). As an alternative, the pillowcase 136 is provided with an upper edge fastened with a typical hook and loop fastener 142, i.e., Velcro.

[0056] In one embodiment, the pillow speaker device 100 further comprises an alarm system 144 disposed within the inner chamber 114 thereof. The alarm system 144 of the present invention comprises an alarm capable of generating a sound, a vibrating motor 146, and one or more speakers 104 that are preferably positioned internally within said body of said pillow 102, wherein the components are operably connected by a control circuit (not shown). The speakers 104 are positioned internally so that the speakers 104 can be easily heard by a user having his or her head positioned on the pillow 102, but so that others in the vicinity of the user cannot easily hear the alarm. This helps to prevent the user from disturbing others when the alarm of the present invention sounds. Similarly, the vibrating motor 146 is adapted to cause the body of the pillow 102 to vibrate, silently waking the user without disturbing others in the nearby area.

[0057] The alarm system 144, as well as the speakers 104 are battery operated and can be powered using one or more disposable or rechargeable batteries 146. The batteries 146 can be inserted and removed from the pillow 102 by means of a hinged lid 148 disposed on the rear surface of the pillow 102 that provides access to a battery compartment 150. In some embodiments, the hinged lid 148 comprises a layer of padding or cushioning thereon, so that the user of the pillow 102 does not feel the hinged lid 148 on the exterior of the pillow 102.

[0058] In one embodiment, the alarm system 144 is operated by a control panel 128 disposed on the pillow 102. In such embodiments, the control panel 128 comprises a display screen 152 and one or more controls, such as switches or buttons 130, to set the time and the type of alarm. The control panel 128 allows a user to input a specific time for the alarm to sound or allows the user to set a timer, such that the alarm sounds after a preset period of time. For example, the user can set the alarm to produce an alert after twenty minutes. This helps the user to nap for a particular period of time, which may be preferable to selecting the time at which the user will wake up. Further, the user can select the alert type and can choose to be woken by a beep, r tone, music, vibrations, or a combination of these alerts. In this way, the control panel 128 is attached to the pillow 102 and allows a user to set an alarm and turn off the alarm once the user has woken up.

[0059] In yet another embodiment, the pillow speaker device 100 comprises a plurality of indicia 154. The pillow speaker device 100 may include advertising, a trademark, or other letters, designs, or characters, printed, painted, stamped, or integrated into the speakers 104, or any other indicia 154 as is known in the art. Specifically, any suitable indicia 154 as is known in the art can be included, such as, but not limited to, patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc., that may or may not be sleep or pillow/brand related.

[0060] FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of the wireless communication module 500 in communication with a smart device 502 and the pillow speaker device 100 of the present invention. The pillow speaker device 100 includes a wireless communications module 500 and additional sensors which would allow the device 100 to pair with a mobile application on a smart device 502. Once paired, a user could control the pillow speaker device 100 via the mobile application. In this embodiment, the user can operate the speakers 104 using an associated external electronic device 502, including but not limited to, a smartphone, a tablet computer, or a laptop, etc., or any other suitable electronic devices as is known in the art.

[0061] The present disclosure connects to the user's smartphone 502 via BLE (Bluetooth low energy) and allows the user to control the speakers 104 via their smartphone 502. When the mobile application is launched on the smartphone 502, the user has to select the device 100 that they want to connect to (in case they have multiple speakers 104) and pair to it. After the phone 502 pairs, the user can control the speakers 104 via buttons on the mobile application. When one of the buttons is pressed in the mobile application, a command is sent to a controller which causes the speakers 104 to activate.

[0062] In one embodiment, the wireless interface 500 is also configured to receive signals (i.e., infrared signals) such that information can be transferred through the interface 500 to the wireless circuitry in order to support programming functionality.

[0063] Furthermore, by using a software application, the user can easily control the speakers 104 and/or alarm system 144 on the pillow 102 of the present invention using his or her smartphone or similar device 502. Thus, in embodiments of the present invention having a wireless chip 500, the alarm system 144 of the pillow 102 can be remotely operated, obviating the need for a control panel 128 to be disposed directly on the body of the pillow 102.

[0064] In another embodiment, the circuitry includes electronic means to control the transmit power of the wireless transmitter 500 (i.e., an IR diode associated with interface) to prevent problems if there are two of the same devices 100 in a room.

[0065] FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of the method of utilizing a pillow speaker device. The method includes the steps of at 600, providing a pillow speaker device comprising a comfortable pillow with a Bluetooth speaker. The method also comprises at 602, positioning the pillow in a desired position, such that a user can easily sleep on the pillow device. Further, the method comprises at 604, turning on the Bluetooth speaker via a mobile device, wherein the speaker is paired to the mobile device. The speaker is paired to the mobile device via a wireless communication module, as well as a mobile application. Finally, at 606, listening to music or desired sounds from the Bluetooth speaker to help a user fall asleep comfortably. A user is able to control the speaker via the mobile device.

[0066] Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different users may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein pillow speaker device, pillow device, and device are interchangeable and refer to the pillow speaker device 100 of the present invention.

[0067] Notwithstanding the foregoing, the pillow speaker device 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the pillow speaker device 100 as shown in FIGS. 1-6 are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the pillow speaker device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the pillow speaker device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the pillow speaker device 100 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

[0068] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

[0069] What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term includes is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term comprising as comprising is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.