Abstract: An audio-visual system includes a video monitor, such as a TV, and a soundbar. The soundbar is attachable to the video monitor by displacing a biased lock along a length, width, and/or height axis of the soundbar housing. Fasteners comprising detents are attached to a bottom surface of the video monitor and are spaced apart along a width axis of the video monitor. The soundbar includes a biased lock that comprises an engagement surface of a locking member that is biased in a first direction along a first axis. The detents engage and then disengage from the engagement surface, causing the soundbar to be locked to the detent and restrained from moving relative to the video monitor along one or more of a video monitor height, width, and length axis. The soundbar also has right and left speakers connected to respective right and left channels.

Abstract: An audio visual system includes a video display, such as a TV, and a soundbar. The soundbar is snap-fittingly attachable with the video display. Thumbscrews are attached to a bottom surface of the video display and are spaced apart along a width axis of the video display. The soundbar has a top panel with elongated channels that are spaced apart from one another along a length axis of the soundbar. Spring-biased members comprising various geometric shapes are located in the channels. The soundbar is installed on the video display by aligning each of the thumbscrews with a respective channel such that the thumbscrew heads are located in the channel and beneath the upper surface of the top panel of the soundbar. To install the soundbar, the thumbscrews are positioned within a respective one of the elongated channels.

Abstract: A visual display stand is shown and described. The display stand comprises a thin aluminum member that slopes downward and away from a display to which it is attached to a horizontal base section that rests on a support surface. The horizontal base is spaced apart from the screen in a direction away from the rear of the display. A rear support member is also provided but is concealed from view when looking at the screen side of the display. As a result, when the stand is attached to display and viewed from the front, it gives a gravity defying appearance because it appears that the weight of the monitor should cause the stand to tip over. Alternatively, the second member may be removed, and the display may rest against a wall.

Abstract: Video display systems comprising a video display and a camera assembly are shown and described. In one example, video cameras may be stowed in and deployed from a compartment proximate the upper surface of the display and configured to deploy in an arc-like motion and for rotation about a center of the video camera housing itself. In other examples, video cameras may be aligned with openings in the frame of the television screen and operatively connected to shutter plates that selectively admit light to or block light from the camera. In a further example, video cameras may be provided on motorized mounts that are attached to the frame to collect multiple images for video processing tasks to enhance the video image in a variety of ways.

Abstract: A remote control with a microphone subsystem comprising a pair of internal microphones is shown and described. When connected to a remote-control base station that is itself connected to an external power source, the microphone subsystem is continuously energized by the external power source, and the pair of internal microphones operate as far field microphones that receive oral commands uttered by a user from a distance. When the remote control is removed from the base, the microphone subsystem is configured for selective connection to an internal power source by actuating a user control on the remote control. In the external power source mode, signals from both microphones are digitally processed to provide a far-field microphone array with beam forming. In the direct current mode, only one microphone's signals are digitally processed as a simple monaural signal (or they are not digitally processed).

Abstract: An audio-visual system is shown and describe. The audio-visual system comprises a soundbar and a television monitor assembly. The television monitor assembly comprises a television monitor, a first support and a second support. The first support comprises a first base member and a first vertical member, and the second support comprises a second base member and a second vertical member. The television monitor assembly has one or more free-standing configurations in which the lengths of the first and second base members are substantially perpendicular to the front and rear surfaces of the television monitor and one or more wall-mounted configurations in which the lengths of the first and second base members are substantially parallel to the front rear surfaces of the television monitor. An audio visual system may be provided by attaching a soundbar to the first and second base members in the free-standing configurations.

Abstract: A sound system with a plurality of speakers is shown and described. The orientation of a second subset of the speakers is automatically adjustable relative to the orientation of a first subset of speakers. In certain examples, the system detects whether the audio signals it receives include up-firing content and adjusts the relative orientations when such content is provided. The sound system is also configured to calculate a desired degree of rotation for the speakers in the second subset based on the geometry of the room in which the sound system is located and the location of the listener in the room.

Abstract: A visual display stand is shown and described. The display stand comprises a thin aluminum member that slopes downward and away from a display to which it is attached to a horizontal base section that rests on a support surface. The horizontal base is spaced apart from the screen in a direction away from the rear of the display. A rear support member is also provided but is concealed from view when looking at the screen side of the display. As a result, when the stand is attached to display and viewed from the front, it gives a gravity defying appearance because it appears that the weight of the monitor should cause the stand to tip over. Alternatively, the second member may be removed, and the display may rest against a wall.

Abstract: A sound system with a plurality of speakers is shown and described. The orientation of a second subset of the speakers is automatically adjustable relative to the orientation of a first subset of speakers. In certain examples, the system detects whether the audio signals it receives include up-firing content and adjusts the relative orientations when such content is provided. The sound system is also configured to calculate a desired degree of rotation for the speakers in the second subset based on the geometry of the room in which the sound system is located and the location of the listener in the room.