IHome

= **iHome[|(iHomeaudio.com)]** = Jreck12toc

jdavis13

**Purpose**
// What is the fundamental purpose of the device? // ([|howstuffworks.com]) An ihome is a great way to play music that is stored on an ipod, iphone, or Zune. It also charges you while it's on the ihome, playing music. Most ihomes come with an alarm clock and a radio built in them.

**Energy**
// What energy transformations are seen in its operation? // The transformer that is plugged in to the wall takes in 120 V of alternating current and puts out 15V of direct current. That energy is then used to carry the electrical file stored on an ipods motherboard to the speaker[|(howstuffworks.com)] where sound waves are made. So, electrical energy is converted to sound wave.

**Controls**
// What sensors/controls are designed into the device? //

top view:



1) The “volume” control. Turning it to the right will increase the wave’s amplitude by adjusting the spider which controls how much the voice coil in the speaker moves, and make the sound louder. By turning the knob to the left, the turner does the opposite, making the amplitude of the wave smaller and the sound quieter. 2) The tuning device (labeled “set +/-“ on an iH8). The purpose of this control is to isolate the radio wave you want to hear from all the waves that the antenna picked up. Tuners operate on the principal of resonance. It can also be used with the EQ button (8) is will adjust the level of bass, treble, or balance of the sound wave.

3) The Dock. This is where the iPod is placed in order for the music to be heard and charges. It isn’t really a control, since it is a place and the charging happens automatically. See control 6 for controls that play or pause the iPod.

4) Snooze/dimmer button. The snooze button will trigger the alarm to go off later than the original alarm was set for. The dimmer button controls how bright or dim the LCD display screen on the iHome is.

5) Pre-Programmed radio stations button (labeled 1-4 on iH8 to differentiate the stations). When the button is pressed, the tuner will quickly tune to the station that corresponds to buttoned pressed.

6) “iPod” button. Push the button to play the iPod when it is paused, and pause the iPod when playing. It also plays the iPod instead of the radio when pushed and radio is on.

7) “Radio” button. This button will tune in to the radio when pressed. Pressing it once will turn it on. After it is on, pressing it will change the type of radio that is listened to, either am, fm1, or fm2. FM Radio

8) “EQ” Button. When pressed, it allows the pusher to manipulate the levels of bass, treble, and balance, in a wave. It is used in conjunction with the set button (see 2). Guitar Wah-Wah Pedal

9) “Sleep” button. The sleep button enables the user to fall asleep to the music by gradually lowering the volume, adjusting the amplitude of the wave, in a certain amount of time.

10) “Alm. On/off” button. This button turns on the alarm if it is off, and visa versa.

11) “Alarm 1” button. Once the Alarm is on, pushing “alarm 1” will cause a docked iPod to play at a certain time. An alarm will sound if the iPod isn’t docked.

12) “Alarm 2” button. Once the alarm is on, pushing “alarm 2” will cause the radio to play whatever station it was programmed to last at the designated time, hopefully waking up the sleeper.

13) “alm. reset” button. Pressing this button will cause the alarm to stop and reset for the following day. It will also turn off the iHome and iPod in use if pressed.

back view:

There are only 3 controls on the back of an iH8. The rest of the holes are just places to connect antennas, wires, and jacks, and two holes in the back of the speakers.

1) "clock adj" button. When pressed, the presser has the ability to adjust the clock. Using the "set +/-" button actually adjusts the clock.

2) " time zone" button. This button allows a user to adjust the time zone. Hold the button until the display flashes then use the "set +/-" to select the time zone.

3) The day light savings time button. The purpose of this control is to easily adjust the clock when day light savings time occurs. There is a sliding knob in the back and two labels, "-1" and "+1". When fall daylight savings time occurs, the owner can slide the button to the "-1" side to subtract one hour from the clock and the same with the "+1" side in the spring.

[[image:ihome_inside.jpg]]
As you can see the inside of an ihome has four sets of wires connected to the bottom plate. If you take off three of the wire & the fourth witch is the longest should give you enough to set it on a table.

Next you have the inside without the top part. you remove all screw, but try to remember where they go.



If you pull the circuit board slightly you can get to the four screw that hold the connector. Unscrew the screws & unconnect the connector from the white connector.

**Materials**
// What material(s) are essential to the device? // Metal is a necessary for the conduction of energy. A speaker is how the music is heard. Necessary parts of a speaker include electromagnets, copper coils, surround, basket, spider, and dome.

**Science**
// What is scientific principle is central to its operation? // Electromagnets[|(howstuffworks.com)]Electromagnetism are the reason that electrical signals can be heard.

**Design**
// What does a typical device look like? // The overall look of an iHome can vary greatly. The iH8 is a rectangular cube, and the iH2Go has a thick rectangular base where the dock is and hinged speakers. Other iHomes look like Juke boxes while one of the latest models is computer speakers with a dock. Another common design is a base where the dock and display are and a speaker located to the right with a larger vertical height than horizontal height. That iHome is gravity sensitive and can be flipped so the speaker is on the bottom, and ipod docked on its side.

**Evolution**
// What changes have there been (or could there be) in this device? // Early models of iHomes were only compatible with iPods. Later and current models are compatible with iPhones, Zune players, and other audio devices.

**Competitors**
// What other devices serve a similar purpose? // Competitors include speakers, radios, headphones, and guitar amplifier.

**Partners**
// What other devices work in conjunction with this device? // iHomes partners include any audio devices like CD players, iPods, iPhones, and Zune players.

**Siblings**
//What other devices use the same scientific principle?//

Microphone (Condenser), Guitar Amplifiers, and Headphones.