RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation in part of US patent application serial number

15/902/446 filed February 22, 2018 by at least one common inventor. FIELD OF ART

[0002] The present invention relates to a system for recording patterns found on ceilings at installation points for the small speaker systems of US patent application serial number

15/902/446. The present invention particularly relates to a smart phone with an application for electronically photographing a section of a patterned ceiling and a color and grayscale calibration template, storing the image, uploading the image to a computer that has color correction software, correcting the color of the image, and printing the image on a ring and a disc for magnetic attachment to a diffuser of the small speaker system of US patent application 15/902/446.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Ceiling-mounted speakers are frequently used in office complexes and schools. While a variety of audio systems above the ceiling have been developed, the appearance of ceiling speakers has not changed in decades. While size may vary, typical ceiling speakers still look, from the point of view of people in the room below the ceiling, the same as they have for decades: a frame surrounding a speaker grill. This monotony limits the options of architects and interior designers in creating comfortable spaces. Applicant has filed patent applications for a number of aspects of a "strategically hidden speaker system" (hereinafter "SHS") and recognizes a need for a system for reliably recording a ceiling pattern despite varying color influences from various types of illumination at a worksite.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] To solve that problem, applicant discloses a smart phone with an application for electronically photographing a section of a patterned ceiling along with a releasably adhered color and grayscale calibration template surrounding the small speaker installation site, storing the image, uploading the image to a computer that has color correction software, correcting the color of the image using the calibration template, and printing the image on a steel ring and a steel disc for magnetic attachment to a diffuser of a small ceiling speaker system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the apparatus of the pattern recorder for a strategically hidden speaker system, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the exemplary embodiment of the method of use of the pattern recorder for a strategically hidden speaker system of FIG. 1, accordingto a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front diagrammatic view illustrating the exemplary embodiment of a first smart phone screen of the pattern recorder for a strategically hidden speaker system of FIG. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front diagrammatic view illustrating the exemplary embodiment of a second smart phone screen of the pattern recorder for a strategically hidden speaker system of FIG. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a front diagrammatic view illustrating the exemplary embodiment of a third smart phone screen of the pattern recorder for a strategically hidden speaker system of FIG. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the exemplary embodiment of exemplary data paths of the pattern recorder for a strategically hidden speaker system of FIG. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view illustrating the exemplary embodiment of an exemplary color and greyscale calibration template of the pattern recorder for a strategically hidden speaker system of FIG. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view illustrating the exemplary embodiment of the exemplary color and greyscale calibration template pattern recorder for a strategically hidden speaker system of FIG. 1 installed on a ceiling, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a recording step of the pattern recorder for a strategically hidden speaker system of FIG. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating an exemplary photograph produced by the exemplary

embodiment of the pattern recorder for a strategically hidden speaker system of FIG. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 A is a bottom plan view illustrating an exemplary printed steel disc of the exemplary embodiment of the pattern recorder for a strategically hidden speaker system of FIG. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1 IB is a bottom plan view illustrating an exemplary printed steel ring of the exemplary embodiment of the pattern recorder for a strategically hidden speaker system of FIG. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective diagrammatic view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the printing and assembly process of the exemplary embodiment of the pattern recorder for a strategically hidden speaker system of FIG. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is an exploded bottom perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a

diffuser and printed steel of the exemplary embodiment of the pattern recorder for a strategically hidden speaker system of FIG. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the installation process of the patterned diffuser of the exemplary embodiment of the pattern recorder for a strategically hidden speaker system of FIG. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the installed patterned diffuser produced by the exemplary embodiment of the pattern recorder for a strategically hidden speaker system of FIG. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] As used and defined herein directional words such as "down," "downward," "up", "upper," "top", "bottom", etc. are referenced to the operational orientation of the invention, as shown in FIG. 14. As used and defined herein, "printed", and its derivative words, refers to a physical layer of one or more colorants on at least a portion of a surface.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the apparatus 100 of the pattern recorder for an SHS 120, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The smart phone 102 is modified to have a photographic software application 606 (see FIG. 6), including a camera 602 (see FIG. 6), and will be discussed in greater detail below. Any phone smart enough to take 206 preferably twelve-megapixel photographs or better, run applications, and which can transfer data over the internet, is smart enough to be smart phone 102. In particular embodiments, a camera 602 that takes photographs 206 of less than twelve megapixels may suffice. The color and greyscale calibration template 104 is releasably attached to the ceiling 802 and surrounds the ceiling area 808 (see FIG. 8) designated for the SHS 120 installation as will be discussed in detail in regard to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. The electronic photographic image 106 includes the color and greyscale calibration template 104 and the ceiling area within boundary 902 (see FIG. 9), and the ceiling area 808 (see FIG. 8) surrounded by the color and greyscale calibration template 104, as will be discussed in more detail in regard to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9. The computer 108, with a color-correction software 616 (see FIG. 6), may be any computer 108 capable of receiving uploaded electronic photographic image 106 and storing in permanent memory the color-correction software 616. The computer 108 converts the received digital image 106 into a color-corrected digital image 110. The color-corrected digital image 110 of the installation area is stored in the computer 108 until it is sent to the printer 112 which is specially adapted for printing on steel. A steel disc 122 having the diameter of the diffuser element 1202 (see FIG. 12) is provided to the printer, as is an annular steel ring 124 having an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of rim 1304 (see FIG. 13) on acoustic channel interface 1208 (see FIG. 12) and an outer diameter equal to the diameter of flange 1312 on acoustic channel interface 1208. The result of the printing is a printed steel disc 114 and a printed steel ring 115, each having an appropriate portion of the color-corrected digital image 110. The printed steel disc 114 and the printed steel ring 115 are magnetically attached to diffuser 116 and installed on a small ceiling speaker 118 to form an SHS 120. [0008] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the exemplary embodiment of the method 200 of use of the pattern recorder for the SHS 120 of FIG. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In step 202, the position for the placement of the SHS 120 is determined, usually as part of a larger facility acoustic plan. Once the installation position has been determined, an adhesively-backed color and greyscale calibration template 104 is releasably adhered to the ceiling 802 (see FIG. 8) in step 204. In step 206, the color and greyscale calibration template 104, the ceiling area 808 (see FIG. 8) surrounded by the color and greyscale calibration template 104, and the ceiling 802 proximate the color and greyscale calibration template 104 is electronically (digitally) photographed. The digital photograph 106 is uploaded to a computer 108, which has color-correction software 616, and the colors are corrected in step 208. In step 210, the corrected digital image, including only the image of the ceiling area 808 surrounded by the color and greyscale calibration template 104, is printed on steel disc 122 to make printed steel disc 114 and the corrected image is printed on steel ring 124 to make printed steel ring 115. In step 212, the small ceiling speaker system 118 is installed in ceiling 802 (see FIGS. 2, 8, 14, and 15). In step 214 the printed steel ring 115 is magnetically attached to the bottom surface 1302 (see FIG. 13) using magnets 1210 that are preferably flush mounted in annular flange 1204. In step 216, the diffuser element 1202 (see FIG. 12) is installed in acoustic interface 1208 and adjusted to a predetermined acoustic port size, according to the facility acoustic plan. Printed steel ring 115 is rotated into alignment with the ceiling pattern 804 (see FIG. 8) in step 218. In step 220, printed steel disc 114 is magnetically attached to the bottom of diffuser element 1202 (see FIG. 12) using magnets 1212 (see FIG. 12). In step 222, printed steel disc 114 is rotated to align with the pattern on printed steel ring 115. [0009] FIG. 3 is a front diagrammatic view illustrating the exemplary embodiment of a first smart phone screen 304 of the pattern recorder for the SHS 120 of FIG. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. First smart phone screen 304 presents a plurality of various icons 308 (one of sixteen labeled) and an icon 306 for initiating photographic recording of a ceiling pattern 804 (see FIG. 8) and a color and greyscale calibration template 104. When icon 306 is selected, smart phone screen 404 (see FIG. 4) is displayed by

photographic software application 606 (see FIG. 6).

[0010] FIG. 4 is a front diagrammatic view illustrating the exemplary embodiment of a second smart phone screen 404 of the pattern recorder for the SHS 120 of FIG. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Responsive control icons 402 and 406 give the user the option of proceeding with obtaining a photograph 206 or reviewing previous images to see if one is appropriate. When responsive control icon 402 is selected, screen 505 (see FIG. 5) is displayed by photographic software application 606 (see FIG. 6). When responsive control icon 406 is selected, stored digital images are displayed by photographic software application 606 (see FIG. 6) and may be individually selected. Title 408 heads the first screen 404 of

photographic software application 606 (see FIG. 6). Responsive control icons 402 and 406 present instructions 410 and 412, respectively, for users.

[0011] FIG. 5 is a front diagrammatic view illustrating the exemplary embodiment of a third smart phone screen 504 of the pattern recorder for the SHS 120 of FIG. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Responsive control icons 502 and 506 give the user the option of proceeding with making a new photograph 206 or uploading previous images to computer 108 for processing. When icon 502 is selected, fourth screen 810 (see FIG. 8) is displayed by photographic software application 606 (see FIG. 6) and a digital photograph may be taken 206. When icon 506 is selected, stored digital images are displayed by photographic software application 606 (see FIG. 6) and may be individually selected and thereby uploaded to computer 108. Responsive control icons 502 and 506 present instructions 510 and 512,

respectively, for users.

[0012] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the exemplary embodiment of exemplary data paths 618, 620, 622 of the pattern recorder for the SHS 120 of FIG. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The smart phone 102, by definition, has an integral camera 602; photo storage 604 that receives data via data path 620 from the camera 602; a transceiver 614 for transmitting and receiving data via data communication path 622, such as electronic images 106 of the color and greyscale calibration template 104 and the ceiling surrounding 802 (see FIG. 8) the color and greyscale calibration template 104 and the ceiling area 808 surrounded by the color and greyscale calibration template 104. Uniquely, smart phone 102 has a photographic software application 606 with a user interface 608 that includes step-by-step instructions 610 (see FIGS. 3-5 and 8) for the pattern recording process and receives user input through responsive controls 612 (see FIGS. 3-5 and 8). One responsive control data path 618 is to click the shutter on the camera 602. Transceiver 614 receives data from photo storage 604, responsive to responsive control icon 506 being activated. Electronic images 106 are uploaded via data communication path 622 to computer 108, are processed by the color-correction software 616, and color-corrected digital images 110 are communicated via data communication path 624 to the printer 112.

[0013] FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view illustrating the exemplary embodiment of an exemplary color and greyscale calibration template 104 of the pattern recorder for the SHS 120 of FIG. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Color and greyscale calibration template 104 is generally square with rounded corners and has a circular opening 702 through which ceiling area 808 (see FIG. 8) may be seen and photographed in step 206. Greyscale references 704 (one of five labeled) enable greyscale correction. Red, green, blue (RGB) references 708 (one of three labeled) provide an additive color scheme for correcting colors. Cyan, magenta, yellow, and black (CMYK) provides a subtractive color scheme for correcting colors, which is preferred for printing. The color and greyscale calibration template 104 also acts to capture the photo at the correct scale, the circular opening 702 and squared lines 710 (one of eight labeled) aid in cropping the image at a 1 : 1 size so it prints correctly. Color and greyscale calibration template 104 preferably has a releasable adhesive on its back surface.

[0014] FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view illustrating the exemplary embodiment of a fourth screen 810 of the photographic software application 606 showing the exemplary color and greyscale calibration template 104 of the pattern recorder for the SHS 120 of FIG. 1 installed on a ceiling 802 and being photographed, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The color and greyscale calibration template 104 is shown trough camera 602 releasably adhered to ceiling 802 with an interior ceiling area 808, an inner circular portion of which will be cut out to install the small ceiling speaker system 118. Ceiling 802 has a ceiling pattern 804 and a ceiling pattern portion 806 of that ceiling pattern 804 is within circular opening 702. The rectangular grid lines 812 in the illustration do not represent ceiling tile boundaries, but are optical guides 812 created by photographic software application 606 that may distort when the camera 602 is not directly facing the ceiling 802. Header 814 on fourth screen 810 presents a user instruction 816.

[0015] FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a recording step 206 of the pattern recorder for the SHS 120 of FIG. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Smart phone 102 with photographic software application 606 is used to photograph the color and greyscale calibration template 104 and ceiling 802 within boundary 902.

[0016] FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating an exemplary digital photograph 106 produced by the exemplary embodiment of the pattern recorder for the SHS 120 of FIG. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The digital photograph 106 has captured an image 1004 of the ceiling pattern 804 together with an image 1002 of the surrounded ceiling area 808 and an image 1006 of the color and greyscale calibration template 104. The color correction software 616 operates by modifying the colors or greyscales in the digital image 106 to match the calibration colors 706 and 708 or the calibration greyscales 704. For example, the red content of the digital image 106 may be off color due to environmental lighting conditions. The red content is adjusted until the red calibration patch of RGB references 708 is true red, resulting in the red levels in the remainder of the digital image being also correct. The process is repeated for each color or grayscale to produce a color corrected or greyscale image 110.

[0017] FIG. 11 A is a bottom plan view illustrating an exemplary printed steel disc 114 of the exemplary embodiment of the pattern recorder for the SHS 120 of FIG. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The entire bottom surface 1104 and a portion 1106 of the surrounded ceiling area 808 of printed steel disc 114 is printed, including a portion 1102 of the ceiling pattern area 806 and a portion 1106 of the surrounded ceiling area 808.

Printed steel disc 114 has a larger diameter than opening 1110 (see FIG. 11B) in printed steel ring 115.

[0018] FIG. 1 IB is a bottom plan view illustrating an exemplary printed steel ring 115 of the exemplary embodiment of the pattern recorder for the SHS 120 of FIG. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The entire bottom surface 1108 of printed steel ring 115 is printed, including a portion 1114 of the ceiling pattern area 806 and a portion 1112 of the surrounded ceiling area 808.

[0019] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective diagrammatic view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the printing and assembly process of the exemplary embodiment of the pattern recorder for the SHS 120 of FIG. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Printer 112 is specially adapted for printing on steel discs 122 and steel rings 124. Printer 112 prints the color-corrected digital image on the steel ring 124 and the steel disc 122. While steel is a preferred material for printed steel rings 115 and printed discs 114, various other magnetically attracted materials may be used in respective various embodiments. Small ceiling speaker system 118, shown upside down, has an acoustic channel shell 1404 extending through a bottom opening 1206 to slidingly engage and threadingly retain diffuser 116. Small speaker system 118 has an acoustic channel shell 1404 extend through bottom opening 1206 to slidingly engage and threadingly secure diffuser 116 on acoustic channel shell 1404. Acoustic channel interface 1208 has an annular flange 1204 that supports flush-mounted magnets 1210 (one of three labeled) for releasably attaching printed steel ring 115 to annular flange 1204. Diffuser element 1202 adjustably attaches to acoustic channel interface 1208 and supports three magnets 1212 for releasably attaching printed steel disc 114 to diffuser element 1202.

[0020] FIG. 13 is an exploded bottom perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a diffuser and printed steel of the exemplary embodiment of the pattern recorder for an SHS 120 of FIG. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Printed steel ring 115 must be installed on the annular flange 1204 of the acoustic channel interface 1208 before of diffuser element 1202 is attached to the acoustic channel interface 1208. Annular bottom flange 1204 has a bottom surface 1302 in which three magnets 1210 (one of three labeled) are flush mounted and may magnetically attach printed steel ring 115. Diffuser element 1202 supports three magnets 1212 to magnetically attach printed steel disc 114.

[0021] FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the installation process of the patterned diffuser 116 of the exemplary embodiment of the pattern recorder for the SHS 120 of FIG. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Small ceiling speaker system 118 is shown above ceiling 802 with acoustic channel shell 1404 extended to fit through ceiling hole 1402 and receive acoustic channel interface 1208 of diffuser 116. Printed steel ring 115 is aligned to attach to annular flange 1204 of acoustic channel interface 1208. Diffuser element 1202 is positioned to attach to acoustic channel interface 1208.

[0022] FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the installed SHS 120 produced by the exemplary embodiment of the pattern recorder for the SHS 120 of FIG. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The SHS 120 blends in with the ceiling pattern 804 of the ceiling 802. Ceiling pattern 804 is simplified for purposes of illustration. SHS 120 works on very complex patterns, such as murals and frescos.