Patent ID: 6563254
Filing Date: 2003-05-13
Classification: B06B,G08B,H04R

Abstract:
A vibratable device housing for covering and protecting an electronic interior assembly of a device, and for signaling a user of the device, the housing comprising:a module having a module stiffness, and including an electrically actuable member, and a first layer of conductive material contacting at least a portion of the electrically actuable member, so that the first layer of conductive material is in electrical communication with the electrically actuable member; and an enclosing surface which at least partially covers the electronic interior assembly, the enclosing surface having a first side facing the electronic interior assembly, a second side opposite the first side, and a stiffness less than the module stiffness; a damping means acting to modify vibration of the enclosing surface caused by vibration of the module; wherein an electrical signal from the first layer of conductive material causes the electrically actuable member to actuate so as to generate a vibration of the module at least one predetermined frequency, and wherein the module is mechanically coupled to the first side of said interior covering surface so that, when the electrical signal from the first layer of conductive material causes the electrically actuable member to actuate, the module vibrate the enclosing surface, thereby signaling the user of the device.