Field Of Invention

The present disclosure generally relates to a device which preferably can be configured to output audio signals and which includes one or more components such as speaker driver(s) and an antenna which can be arranged based on one of the components.

Background

Pairing of two standalone electronic devices is common communication practice these days. Generally, when pairing two standalone electronic devices, there is a need to establish a communication link between the two.

Communication link can be either bidirectional or unidirectional. For example, a unidirectional communication link between the two standalone electronic devices can be established. For unidirectional communication, there is at least a need for one of the devices to include a transmitter and the other device to include a receiver .

The transmitter can be used for transmitting signals and the receiver can be used for receiving the signals. Each of the transmitter and the receiver can include an antenna. An example of an antenna can be a Near Field Communication (NFC) type antenna such as a NFC coil.

For near field type communication, there is usually a need for the transmitting device (i.e., device with the transmitter) to be located near the receiving device (i.e., device with the receiver) so as to establish a communication link. Specifically, there is usually a need for the transmitting device to be located within the receiving range of the receiving device before a successful communication link between the transmitting device and the receiving device can be established.

In this regard, a user {of the transmitting device) is required to position the transmitting device within the receiving range of the receiving device. To facilitate doing so, at least one marking will usually be provided on the casing of the receiving device to indicate the location or the approximate location of the NFC coil within the receiving device. A user will usually need to locate an NFC coil based on the marking(s) on the casing so as to effectively position the transmitting device relative to the receiving device. However, the marking(s) cannot be too visually prominent so as not to detract the aesthetic value of the receiving device. Yet, at the same time, the marking(s) cannot be too obscured. Otherwise, the purpose of locating the NFC coil based on marking(s) will be defeated.

Furthermore, such marking(s) may appear "out-of-place" and may hence detract the aesthetic value of the receiving device.

Moreover, communication link may not be established in a suitably efficient manner since the NFC coil may be located only at a limited portion of the casing and the location can only be ascertained based on the marking(s) which may not be too visually prominent. Usually, the NFC coil is located at only a limited portion of the casing owing to conventional design style where the location of the NFC is decided based on remaining space (in relation to the casing) after all other components of the receiving device have been placed/positioned.

Furthermore, depending on the amount of remaining space, the size of the NFC coil may also be unduly limited.

It is therefore desirable to provide a solution to address at least one of the foregoing problems. Summary of the Invention

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, a device is provided. The device can be configured to output audio signals. The device can be further configured to signal communicate with an electronic communication device which includes a transceiver for transmitting signals.

The device can, for example, be a speaker apparatus.

The device can include one or both of at least one speaker driver which can be configured to output audio signals and a passive radiator. The device can also include an antenna which can be arranged based on one or both of the passive radiator and a speaker driver from the one or more speaker drivers. The antenna can be configured to receive signals communicated from the electronic communication device. The antenna can be further configured to transmit signals to the electronic communication device. Preferably, the antenna can be arranged based on the speaker driver such that the antenna is positioned,, shaped and/or dimensioned based on the speaker driver.

In one embodiment, the antenna can be arranged based on the speaker driver such that the antenna is positioned based on the speaker driver. Specifically, the antenna can be positioned based on the speaker driver such that location of the antenna substantially coincides with location of the speaker driver. Preferably, the antenna and the speaker driver are either vertically spaced apart or horizontally spaced apart by approximately at least 2 millimeters. in another embodiment, the antenna can be arranged based on the speaker driver such that the antenna is shaped based on the speaker driver. Specifically, the antenna can be shaped based on the speaker driver such that the shape of the antenna substantially reflects that of the speaker driver. Preferably, the speaker driver can be associated with a physical outline such as a circular outline and the antenna can, correspondingly, correspond to a ringed structure.

In yet another embodiment, the antenna can be arranged based on the speaker driver such that the antenna is dimensioned based on the speaker driver. Specifically, size of the antenna (e.g., diameter of the ringed structure) can be based on size of the speaker driver {e.g., diameter of the circular outline). In one example, the size of the antenna can match that of the speaker driver, in another example, the size of the antenna can be smaller or larger compared to that of the speaker driver.

In a further embodiment, the antenna can be arranged based on the passive radiator in a manner analogous to the speaker driver.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the disclosure are described hereinafter with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a device configurable to output audio signais, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

Fig, 2 shows a side view, looking through a side, of the device of Fig. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure; Fig. 3 shows a side view, looking through a side, of the device of Fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

Fig. 4 shows a device configurable to output audio signals, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure; and

Fig. 5 shows other ways of positioning and/or arranging the speaker drivers and/or antenna(s) in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

Detailed Description

Representative embodiments of the disclosure, for addressing one or more of the foregoing problems, are described.

Specifically, the present disclosure relates a device which can include at least one antenna and one or more components. In general, it is preferable that the antenna is arranged based on at least one of the components of the device. In one example, the antenna can be positioned based on at least one of the components of the device, in another example, the antenna can also be one or both of shaped and dimensioned based on at least one of the components of the device. In yet another example, the antenna can be positioned, shaped and/or dimensioned based on at least one of the components of the device. The device can, for example, be configured to output audio signals.

More specifically, the device can, for example, be a speaker apparatus having one or more speaker drivers corresponding to the aforementioned one or more components, and the antenna can be a Near Field Communication (NFC) based antenna such as a NFC coil. The speaker apparatus can, as an option, further include a passive radiator corresponding to the aforementioned one or more components. In this regard, arrangement of the NFC coil can be in accordance with one or both of a speaker driver and the passive radiator of the speaker apparatus. Specifically, the NFC coil can be positioned, shaped and/or dimensioned in accordance with one or both of a speaker driver and a passive radiator of the speaker apparatus.

This will be discussed in further detail hereinafter with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 5.

Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown a device in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. The device can, for example, be configured to output audio signals. The device can, for example, be a speaker apparatus 100. The speaker apparatus 100 can be configured to signal communicate with another device such as an electronic communication device 101. The electronic communication device 101 can, for example, be a portable electronic device such as a Smartphone.

The speaker apparatus 100 can include a casing 102, at least one antenna 104 and one or more speaker drivers 106. The speaker apparatus 100 can, as an option, further include at least one passive radiator 107. The one or more speaker drivers 106 can be configured to output audio signals and the passive radiator 107 can, in general, be used for tuning. The speaker apparatus 100 can optionally include a control interface (e.g., a set of buttons) 108 to control the speaker apparatus 100.

As shown, the casing 102 can, for example, include a first face 102a, a second face 102b and sides 102c. The first face 102a and the second face 102b are opposite each other and are spaced apart such that sides 102c are defined between the first and second faces 102a/102b. Additionally, the aforementioned one or more speaker apparatus 106 can, for example, include a first speaker driver 106a, a second speaker driver 106b and a third speaker driver 106c.

The casing 102 can be shaped and dimensioned to carry the antenna 104 and the speaker drivers 106. Additionally, the casing 102 can further be shaped and dimensioned to carry the passive radiator 107 and the control interface 108.

For example, the first speaker driver 106a can be carried by the casing 102 at the first face 102a. The second and third speaker drivers 106b/106c can be carried by the casing 102 at one of the sides 102c. The passive radiator 107 can be carried by the casing 102 at one of the sides 102c.

Earlier mentioned, the antenna 104 can be arranged based on one or both of a speaker driver 106 and a passive radiator 107. For the purpose of brevity, arrangement of the antenna 104 will be discussed hereinafter with reference to the antenna 104 being based on a speaker driver 106. it is appreciable that the below discussion regarding the arrangement of the antenna 104 being based on a speaker driver 106 can analogously apply to the passive radiator 107 (i.e., arrangement of the antenna 104 being based on the passive radiator 107) and/or a combination of a speaker driver 106 and the passive radiator 107 (i.e., arrangement of the antenna 104 being based on a combination of a speaker driver 106 and the passive radiator 107). As mentioned, the antenna 104 can be arranged based on one of the speaker drivers 106. As shown, the antenna 104 can, for example, be positioned, shaped and/or dimensioned based on the first speaker driver 106a.

Specifically, the antenna 104 can be positioned based on the first speaker driver 106a such that the location of the antenna 104 can substantially coincide with the location of the first speaker driver 106a.

Furthermore, the antenna 104 can be shaped based on the physical outline of the first speaker driver 106a. Therefore, the shape/outline of the antenna 104 can correspond to the shape/outline of the first speaker driver 106a. For example, where the first speaker driver 106a has a circular outline, the antenna 104 can, correspondingly, be circular. In this regard, the antenna 104 can correspond to a ringed structure.

Additionally, the antenna 104 can be dimensioned based on the first speaker driver 106a such that the size of the antenna 104 is substantially based on the size of the first speaker driver 106a. As mentioned earlier, the physical outline of the first speaker driver 106a can be circular. Hence the antenna 104 can correspond to a ringed structure {i.e., a circular antenna). In this regard, each of the first speaker driver 106a (i.e., circular outline of the first speaker driver 106a) and the antenna 104 (when it is a ringed structure) can be associated with a diameter which effectively determines the size thereof. in one embodiment, the diameter associated with the antenna 104 can be substantially the same as the diameter associated with the first speaker driver 106a. In another embodiment, the diameter associated with the antenna 104 can be lesser than the diameter associated with the first speaker driver 106a. In yet another embodiment, the diameter associated with the antenna 104 can be larger than the diameter associated with the first speaker driver 106a.

As mentioned earlier, the speaker apparatus 100 can be configured to signal communicate with the electronic communication device 101. More specifically, the speaker apparatus 100 can signal communicate with the electronic device 101 via the antenna 104.

The antenna 104 can, for example, be a NFC based antenna. Specifically, the antenna 104 can, for example, be a passive type NFC based antenna. In this regard, signal communication between the speaker apparatus 100 and the electronic communication device 101 can be unidirectional such that the direction of signal communication is from the electronic communication device 101 to the speaker apparatus 100. In this regard, the electronic communication device 101 can include a transmitter (not shown) which transmits communication signals which can be received by the antenna 104 of the speaker apparatus 100.

It is appreciable that signal communication between the speaker apparatus 100 and the electronic communication device 101 can be bidirectional {rather than unidirectional). In this regard, the electronic communication device 101 can include a transceiver (not shown). The transceiver can be configured to transmit communication signals which can be received by the antenna 104 of the speaker apparatus 100. The transceiver can also be configured to receive communication signals which can be transmitted by the antenna 104 of the speaker apparatus 100.

Earlier mentioned, arrangement of the antenna 104 (e.g., a NFC coil) can be in accordance with a speaker driver 106 (e.g., the first speaker driver 106a) of the speaker apparatus 100. Specifically, the antenna 104 (e.g., a NFC coil) can be positioned, shaped and/or dimensioned in accordance with a speaker driver (e.g., the first speaker driver 106a) of the speaker apparatus 100. This will be discussed in further detail hereinafter with reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3.

Fig. 2 shows a side view, looking through a side 102c, of the casing 102 of the speaker apparatus 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Fig. 3 shows a side view, looking through a side 102c, of the casing 102 of the speaker apparatus 100, in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure.

Particularly, Fig. 2 relates to the antenna 104 being positioned, shaped and/or dimensioned based on one speaker driver in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure whereas Fig. 3 relates to the antenna 104 being positioned, shaped and/or dimensioned based on another speaker driver (i.e., difference speaker driver with respect to that mentioned in Fig. 2) in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure.

Fig. 2 will be discussed in further detail hereinafter in the context of the antenna 104 being positioned, shaped and/or dimensioned based on, for example, the first speaker driver 106a. Fig. 3 will be discussed in further detail later in the context of the antenna 104 being positioned, shaped and/or dimensioned based on, for example, the third speaker driver 106c. Referring to Fig. 2, the first speaker driver 106a can, for example, be carried by the casing 102 at the first face 102a. The antenna 104 can, for example, be positioned, shaped and/or dimensioned based on the first speaker driver 106a.

In this regard, the first face 102a of the casing 102 can be shaped and dimensioned in a manner so as to carry at least a portion of each of the antenna 104 and the first speaker driver 106a. Furthermore, as shown, another speaker driver 106 (e.g., the third speaker driver 106c) can, for example, be carried by the casing 102 at one of the sides 102c.

The first face 102a of the casing 102 can include a first side 202a and a second side 202b. The first side 202a is opposite the second side 202b. Additionally, the first and the second sides 202a/202b are spaced apart and a gap can be defined in between.

At least a portion of the antenna 104 and the first speaker driver 106a can be accommodated within the gap defined between the first and second sides 202a/202b.

As shown, the antenna 104 can be positioned adjacent to the first side 202a (i.e., nearer to the first side 202a) and the first speaker driver 106a can be positioned adjacent to the second side 202b (i.e., nearer to the second side 202b).

In an exemplary scenario where the electronic communication device 101 communicates with the speaker apparatus 100, the orientation of the speaker apparatus 100 relative to the electronic communication device 101 should be such that the first face 102a faces the electronic communication device 101, More specifically, the first side 202a of the first face 102a should face the electronic communication device 101 and the second side 202b of the first face 102a should face away from the electronic communication device 101 (i.e., the second side 202b of the first face 102a should face the internal of the speaker apparatus 100).

In such an orientation, as discussed in the above exemplary scenario, the antenna 104 can be considered to be positioned above the first speaker driver 106a. Moreover, the antenna 104 and the first speaker driver 106a are spaced apart. Preferably, the antenna 104 and the first speaker driver 106a are spaced apart by at least 2 millimeters (i.e., 2mm or more). As the antenna 104 can be considered to be positioned above the first speaker driver 106a, it is appreciable that the antenna 104 and the first speaker driver 106a can be considered to be vertically spaced apart (e.g., by 2mm or more). in this manner, the antenna 104 (e.g., a NFC coil) can be positioned in accordance with a speaker driver (e.g., the first speaker driver 106a) of the speaker apparatus 100. Preferably, the antenna 104 (e.g., a NFC coil) can be positioned in accordance with a speaker driver (e.g., the first speaker driver 106a) of the speaker apparatus 100 in a manner such that the location of the antenna 104 can be considered to substantially coincide with the location of the speaker driver (e.g., the first speaker driver 106a).

Specifically, from the perspective of the eiectronic communication device 101 (i.e., looking from/through the first face 102a of the casing 102), the antenna 104 and the first speaker driver 106a should appear to be sharing the same location between the first and second sides 202a/2O2b of the first face 102a. Although the antenna 104 and the first speaker driver 106a may appear to be sharing the same location looking through the first face 102a of the casing 102, they are in actuality {when viewed through a side 102c of the casing 102, as shown in Fig. 2) spaced apart by, for example, at least 2mm. Therefore, from the perspective of the electronic communication device 101 (i.e., looking from/through the first face 102a of the casing 102), the first speaker driver 106a is positioned behind the antenna 104.

Thus, the location of the antenna 104 being considered to be substantially coinciding with the location of the speaker driver 106 {e.g., the first speaker driver 106a) refers to the antenna 104 and the speaker driver 106 having the appearance of sharing the same location (e.g., from the perspective of the electronic communication device 101 looking from/through the first face 102a of the casing 102) but are in actuality spaced apart (e.g., vertically spaced apart).

Additionally, earlier mentioned, the antenna 104 can, for example, be shaped based on a speaker driver (e.g., the first speaker driver 106a).

The first speaker driver 106a can be associated with a physical outline such as a circular outline. The antenna 104 can be shaped according to the outline of the first speaker driver 106a. For example, where the first speaker driver 106a is associated with a circular outline, the antenna 104 can be shaped such that it corresponds to a ringed structure. Specifically, the antenna 104 can be shaped such that its outline substantially matches the outline of the first speaker driver 106a. More specifically, the antenna 104 can be shaped to match the shape of the first speaker driver 106a.

In this manner, the antenna 104 can be considered to be shaped based on a speaker driver.

Moreover, also earlier mentioned, the antenna 104 can, for example, be dimensioned based on a speaker driver (e.g., the first speaker driver 106a).

For example, the first speaker driver 106a is associated with a circular outline. Hence, the first speaker driver 106a can be associated with a diameter which determines the size of the circular outline. The antenna 104 can correspond to a ringed structure which has a diameter which substantially matches the diameter of the circular outline of the first speaker driver 106a.

In this manner, the antenna 104 can be considered to be dimensioned based on a speaker driver.

As discussed in earlier, positioning, shaping and/or dimensioning of the antenna 104 can be based on the first speaker driver 106a which can be carried by the casing 102 at the first face 102a, The antenna 104 can be positioned, shaped and/or dimensioned based on another speaker driver which is not carried by the casing 102 at the first face 102a.

Appreciably, the antenna 104 can be arranged based on a speaker driver which is carried by the casing 102 at one of its sides 102c. For example, the antenna 104 can be positioned, shaped and/or dimensioned based on the third speaker driver 106c which is carried by the casing 102 at one of its sides 102c. This will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter with reference to Fig. 3.

Referring to Fig. 3, the side 102c of the casing 102 carrying the third speaker driver 106c and the antenna 104 can include a first side 302a and a second side 302b, The first side 302a is opposite the second side 302b. Additionally, the first and the second sides 302a/302b are spaced apart and a gap can be defined in between.

Furthermore, as with the first face 106a, as discussed in Fig. 2, the side 102c of the casing 102 can be shaped and dimensioned in a manner so as to carry at least a portion of each of the antenna 104 and the third speaker driver 106c. As shown, another speaker driver 106 (e.g., the first speaker driver 106a) can, for example, be carried by the casing 102 at the first face 102a. Therefore, at least a portion of the antenna 104 and the third speaker driver 106c can be accommodated within the gap defined between the first and second sides 302a/302b.

As shown, the antenna 104 can be positioned adjacent to the first side 302a (i.e., nearer to the first side 302a) and the first speaker driver 106a can be positioned adjacent to the second side 302b (i.e., nearer to the second side 302b).

It is appreciable that positioning, shaping and/or dimensioning the antenna 104 based on the third speaker driver 106c can be analogous to positioning, shaping and/or dimensioning the antenna 104 based on the first speaker 106a. In this regard, the exemplary scenario discussed in Fig. 2 can analogously apply in Fig. 3.

Specifically, the discussion in regard to the exemplary scenario in Fig. 2 can analogously apply to Fig. 3 where appropriate. The notable difference between Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 would be the orientation.

More specifically, in Fig. 2, the antenna 104 can be considered to be positioned above the first speaker driver 106a. Hence the antenna 104 and the first speaker driver 106a can be considered to be vertically spaced apart (e.g., by 2mm or more). In Fig. 3, it would be more appropriate to consider the antenna 104 to be positioned in front of the third speaker driver 106c. Hence the antenna 104 and the third speaker driver 106c can be considered to be horizontally spaced apart (e.g., by 2mm or more),

Aside the above notable difference, the antenna 104 in Fig. 3 can be positioned, shaped and/or dimensioned based on the third speaker driver 106c in an analogous manner to how the antenna 104 in Fig. 2 can be positioned, shaped and/or dimensioned based on the first speaker driver 106a (i.e., as discussed in regard to the exemplary scenario in Fig. 2). in general, it is notable, as discussed in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, that the antenna 104 is to be spaced apart (i.e., vertically/horizontally by, for example, at least 2mm) from the speaker driver 106 (e.g., first speaker driver 106a or the third speaker driver 106c). Simply laterally extending the antenna 104 from the sides (i.e., outline) of a speaker driver 106 may impede useful communication via the antenna 104. Specifically, if the antenna 104 (i.e., when it is a ringed structure) is simply extended laterally relative to, for example, the outline of the first speaker driver 106a, and the antenna 104 surrounds the first speaker driver 106a, interference from the first speaker driver 106a may cause the antenna 104 to not function properly.

More specifically, if the antenna 104 is simply extended laterally relative to, for example, the outline of the first speaker driver 106a, the antenna 104 and the first speaker driver 106a will appear to be on the same plane relative to the first face 102a of the casing 102. Owing to such an arrangement, interference (e.g., Electromagnetic) from the first speaker driver 106a may impede proper signal communication via the antenna 104. Therefore, placement of antennas (e.g., the antenna 104) near speaker drivers (e.g., the first speaker driver 106a) has traditionally been avoided because it has traditionally been perceived that interference from the speaker drivers will disrupt proper communication via the antennas.

By the aforementioned spaced apart (e.g., vertically or horizontally) arrangement(s), as discussed in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, it is possible to arrange the antenna 104 such that its location substantially coincides with the location of the speaker driver 106 (e.g., the first speaker driver 106a/the third speaker driver 106c) without interference from the speaker driver 106 disrupting proper communication via the antenna 104.

Specifically, by spacing the antenna 104 and the speaker driver 106 (e.g., the first speaker driver 106a/the third speaker driver 106c) apart (i.e., vertically/horizontally spaced apart) by a predetermined distance (e.g., at least 2mm), it is possible to arrange the antenna 104 such that its location substantially coincides with the location of the speaker driver 106 (e.g., the first speaker driver 106a/the third speaker driver 106c) and, at the same time, preventing interference (e.g., electromagnetic interference from the speaker driver 106) from impairing proper communication via the antenna 104.

Appreciably, the aforementioned vertical and horizontal spacing apart of the antenna 104 and the speaker driver 106 (e.g., the first speaker driver 106a) can be distinguished from the aforementioned lateral extension in that when vertically/horizontally spaced apart, although the antenna 104 and the first speaker driver 106a can be considered to be carried by the casing 102 at the first face 102a, they do not appear to be arranged to be on the same plane relative to the first face 102a. In particular, as shown in Fig. 2, the antenna 104 can be arranged to be atop the first speaker driver 106a and spaced apart by, for example, at least 2mm {and hence vertically spaced apart) whereas in the case of lateral extension, the antenna 104 and the first speaker driver 106a are not spaced apart and appear to be on the same plane relative to the first face 102a of the casing 102.

Arranging the antenna 104 such that its location substantially coincides with the location of the speaker driver 106 {e.g., the first speaker driver 106a/the third speaker driver 106c) is useful in that there is no need to specially provision a space (outside of the space provisioned for the speaker driver 106) to carry the antenna 104. Hence space (in relation to the casing 102) can be optimized.

For example, where a portion of the first face 102a/a side 102c has been allocated for carrying a speaker driver 106 (e.g., first speaker driver 106a/third speaker driver 106c), that (same) portion which has been allocated for carrying the speaker driver 106 can also be used for carrying the antenna 104 provided the antenna 104 and the speaker driver 106 are vertically or horizontally spaced apart as discussed in Fig. 2/Fig. 3. Therefore, there is no need to allocate another portion for carrying the antenna 104. The remaining space on the first face 102a/side(s) 102c can be used for placement of other components/more space can be available on the first face 102a/stde(s) 102c for placement of other components. In this manner, space can be optimized.

Moreover, given that placement of the antenna 104 can be such that the location of the antenna 104 substantially coincides with the location of the speaker driver 106 (e.g., the first speaker driver 106a), it is appreciable that the antenna 104 can be located by a user more easily since it is possible to identify the location of the antenna 104 based on the location of that speaker driver 106 (e.g., the first speaker driver 106a) which is more visible.

Specifically, as mentioned earlier, a user will usually need to locate an NFC coil based on marking(s) on the casing of a device (e.g., the aforementioned receiving device). However, the marklng(s) cannot be too visually prominent so as not to detract the aesthetic value of the device. Yet, at the same time, the marking(s) cannot be too obscured. Otherwise, the purpose of locating the NFC coil based on marking(s) will be defeated. Appreciably, by coinciding the location of the antenna 104 and the location of the speaker driver 106, there is no need to rely on marking(s) for locating the antenna 104 per se. The speaker driver 106 can itself serve as a visual indicator for indicating the location/approximate location of the antenna 104. Additionally, earlier mentioned,, marking(s) will be required to indicate the location/approximate location of an NFC coil. Appreciably, such marking(s) may appear "out-of-place" and hence detract the aesthetic value of the device. By coinciding the location of the antenna 104 and the location of the speaker driver 106, it will be feasible to provide the marking(s) along the periphery of the speaker driver 106. As such, marking(s) for indicating the location/approximate location of the antenna 104 can be provided in a manner (i.e., along the periphery of the speaker driver 106) such that the marking(s) can blend in. Appreciably, this will provide guidance to a user as to where the antenna 104 is located/approximately located without necessarily having to provide "out-of-place" marking(s) which may detract the aesthetic value of the speaker apparatus 100.

Furthermore, size of the antenna 104 (e.g., diameter of the ringed structure) can be based on the outline of the speaker driver 106 (e.g., diameter of the circular outline). This facilitates easier detection (i.e., of the antenna 104 by the electronic communication device 101 so as to establish a communication link between the speaker apparatus 100 and the electronic communication device 101) in the sense that the detection area can be larger as opposed to having to restrict the size of the antenna 104 in consideration of remaining space (in relation to the casing 102) after all other components (speaker drivers 106, control interface 108 etc.) of the speaker apparatus 100 have been placed/positioned.

Preferably, as mentioned earlier, the antenna 104 can be one or both of shaped and dimensioned based on the speaker driver 106. Specifically, the shape of the antenna 104 can substantially reflect that of the speaker driver 106. For example, where the speaker driver 106 has a circular outline, the antenna 104 can, correspondingly, be a ringed structure. Additionally, the size of the antenna 104 can match that of the speaker driver 106. For example, the diameter associated with the antenna 104 can be substantially the same as the diameter associated with the speaker driver 106.

It is appreciable that other alternatives are possible. In one example, the size of the antenna 104 can be smaller or larger compared to that of the speaker driver 106. In a more specific example, the diameter associated with the antenna 104 can be smaller or larger compared to that associated with the speaker driver 106.

In the foregoing manner, various embodiments of the disclosure are described for addressing at least one of the foregoing disadvantages. Such embodiments are intended to be encompassed by the following claims, and are not to be limited to specific forms or arrangements of parts so described and it will be apparent to one skilled in the art in view of this disclosure that numerous changes and/or modification can be made, which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

For example, as shown in Fig. 4, the speaker apparatus 100 can include a plurality of antennas. The plurality of antennas can, for example, include a first antenna 402 and a second antenna 404. Each of the first and second antennas 402/404 can be analogous to the aforementioned discussed antenna 104. The first antenna 402 can be arranged based on one speaker driver (e.g., the first speaker driver 106a) and the second antenna 404 can be arranged based on another speaker driver (e.g., the second speaker driver 106b). In this regard, each of the plurality of antennas can be correspondingly arranged based on each of the plurality of speaker drivers.

Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 5, there are different ways of positioning and/or arranging the speaker drivers and the antenna/plurality of antenna (e.g., NFC type antenna(s)).

Additionally, also shown in Fig. 5, the antenna 104 can be arranged based on the passive radiator 07, instead of a speaker driver 106, in a manner analogous to the speaker driver 106.

Moreover, also shown in Fig. 5, the antenna 104 can be arranged based on both the speaker 06 and passive radiator 107.