Audio output device and audio output port of computing device

A computing device may include an audio output device installed in a base housing. A front volume of the audio output device may be defined in part by an inner facing surface of a housing of the computing device, with an audio output port defined by an opening in the housing. In some computing devices, the opening defining the audio output port may also accommodate a hinge assembly rotatably coupling the housing to a display. A path from the audio output device to the audio output port may be defined in part by a support pad that guides sound out through the audio output port toward the user, and may also function as a support pad supporting the computing device on a work surface when operating in a tablet mode.

FIELD

This relates, generally, to audio output ports in computing devices.

BACKGROUND

Computing devices may include, for example, laptop computers, convertible computers, tablet computers, mobile phones with smartphone capabilities, and other such devices. These types of computing devices may include various types of user interfaces providing for input and output of information, various types of interface ports, audio input and audio output components, and other such features. Some computing devices may include two housing assemblies rotatably coupled by a hinge. The housing assemblies may include, for example, a base housing rotatably coupled to a display housing by a hinge. Expansion in the field of computing devices drives a need for reduction in the size of components, and more efficient placement of components.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a computing device may include a base housing; a display housing coupled to the base housing by a hinge assembly; an audio output device installed in the base housing; and an opening formed in the base housing, a first portion of the opening defining an audio output port, and the hinge assembly being coupled to the base housing at a second portion of the opening.

In another aspect, a computing device may include a base housing including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; at least one user interface device included on the base housing; an opening formed in the first surface of the base housing, the opening defining an audio output port; and an audio output device installed in the base housing, at a position corresponding to the opening in the base housing. The audio output device may include an enclosure bracket; an audio driver coupled to the enclosure bracket; a seal positioned between a first side of the enclosure bracket and the first surface of the base housing, the first side of the enclosure bracket, the first surface of the base housing, and the seal defining a front volume of the audio output device; an enclosure plate positioned at a second side of the enclosure bracket, the enclosure plate and the second side of the enclosure bracket defining a back volume of the audio output device; and an isolation pad positioned between the second side of the enclosure plate and the second surface of the base housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A-1Dillustrate an example portable computing device, in accordance with one example implementation. The example implementation shown inFIGS. 1A-1Dillustrates a hybrid computing device100, that may operate in a laptop mode or a notebook mode as shown inFIG. 1A, in a tablet mode as shown inFIG. 1C, and in an easel mode as shown inFIG. 1D.FIG. 1Billustrates the computing device100in a closed position. The example computing device100shown inFIGS. 1A-1Dis just one example of a computing device, and the principles to be described herein may be applied to various other types of computing devices including an audio output port, or speaker port.

As shown inFIGS. 1A-1D, the computing device100may include a base housing102coupled to a display housing104. The base housing102may include a lower surface103and an upper surface101that is opposite and generally parallel to the lower surface103. Input devices, including, for example, a keyboard130, a trackpad132and other such input devices may be provided on the upper surface101of the base housing102. The base housing102may house various components of the computing device100, such as, for example, a main logic board (MLB), central processing unit (CPU), a memory, a battery, input sensors, graphics cards, cooling mechanisms, structures supporting various external connections, and the like. The display housing104may include an outer surface107and a bezel surface105, with a display112received in the display housing104and exposed for viewing by the user through an opening in the display housing104at the bezel surface105.

The base housing102and display housing104may be coupled, for example, rotatably coupled, one or more hinge assemblies106, allowing the display housing104to rotate about the hinge assemblies106and to move relative to the base housing102. This rotatable coupling of the base housing102and the display housing104of the example computing device100may allow the computing device100to transition from the laptop mode shown inFIG. 1A, to the closed position shown inFIG. 1B, and to the tablet mode shown inFIG. 1C, and to the easel mode shown inFIG. 1D. One or more opening(s)120, or port(s)120, are formed in the base housing102, at position(s) corresponding to the hinge assemblies106, for example, at a peripheral edge portion of the base housing102. In addition to accommodating the hinge assemblies106, these openings120may define an audio output port120, or speaker port120, for sound generated by an audio output device300installed in the base housing102. The example computing device100shown inFIGS. 1A-1Dincludes two hinge assemblies106, simply for ease of discussion and illustration. However, similar principles may be applied to computing devices including more, or fewer, hinge assemblies, arranged in a variety of different manners, to couple a display housing to a base housing.

The example computing device100shown inFIGS. 1A-1Dincludes hinge assemblies106coupling the display housing104to the base housing102. However, the principles to be described herein may be applied to various other types of computing devices that have an audio output device generating sound to be output through an audio output port, or speaker port, in areas other than an area corresponding to a hinge as described above, including, for example, computing devices such as a tablet computing device, having display capability included in its base housing, and without hinge assemblies coupling a separate display housing to the base housing.

As illustrated in the block diagram shown inFIG. 2, in some implementations, a computing device, such as the example computing device100shown inFIGS. 1A-1D, or other computing devices as noted above, may include, for example, a processor215, one or more input device(s)225, such as, for example, a keyboard, a trackpad, a touchscreen and the like, receiving external input to be processed by the processor215, a memory235, one or more interface device(s)245providing for communication with one or more external devices, an image input device255such as, for example, a camera, an image output device265such as, for example, a display, an audio input device275such as, for example, a microphone, and an audio output device285such as, for example, a speaker. The computing device may include more, or fewer components, and the block diagram shown inFIG. 2illustrates just some components of the example computing device.

A partial top view of a portion the base housing102of the example computing device100including the example hinge assembly106and an example audio output device300, or speaker300, is shown inFIG. 3A.FIGS. 3B and 3Dare partial cross-sectional views taken along line A-A ofFIG. 3A, in the laptop mode or the closed mode of the computing device100shown inFIGS. 1A and 1B.FIG. 3Cis a partial cross-sectional view taken along line A-A ofFIG. 3A, in the tablet mode of the computing device100shown inFIG. 1C.FIG. 4Ais a perspective view, andFIG. 4Bis an exploded view, of an example implementation of the audio output device300, or speaker300, shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B.FIG. 4Cis a perspective view, andFIG. 4Dis an exploded view, of another example implementation of the audio output device300, or speaker300, shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B.

As shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B, a body portion of the hinge assembly106may be positioned in an opening120, or port120, defined in the base housing102, for example, at a peripheral edge portion of the upper surface101of the base housing102. The hinge assembly106may include, for example, at least one hinge shaft106A received in at least one hinge housing106B. In some implementations, the hinge shaft106A may extend out through opposite ends of the hinge housing106B and into the base housing102and/or into the display housing104, allowing the hinge assembly106to rotatably couple the base housing102and the display housing104.

In some implementations, the opposite ends of the hinge shaft106A may be fixedly coupled to the base housing102, and the display housing104may be fixedly coupled the hinge housing106B, allowing the display housing104(and the hinge housing106B) to rotate about the hinge shaft106A, and the display housing104to rotate relative to the base housing102. Other coupling arrangements of the hinge shaft106A, the hinge housing106B, the base housing102and the display housing104may also provide for relative rotation of the display housing104and the base housing102.

In some implementations, the hinge assembly106may include a double barrel hinge structure, in which the hinge housing106B may include, for example, a first barrel portion and first hinge shaft coupled to a first side of the opening120in the base housing102, and a second barrel portion and second hinge shaft coupled to a first side of an opening in the display housing104. In this type of double barrel hinge structure, the hinge housing may be rotatable relative to both the base housing102and the display housing104, leaving a second side of the opening120in the base housing102and a second side of the opening in the display housing104available to route cables between the base housing102and the display housing104.

In some implementations, the audio output device300, or speaker300, may be installed in the base housing102. The audio output device300may include a driver310received in an enclosure bracket320. A plate330may be positioned adjacent to the enclosure bracket320, to enclose a corresponding end portion of the enclosure bracket320, and to seal and/or define the back volume of the audio output device300. An isolation pad340may be positioned at an outer surface of the plate330, to absorb vibration generated during operation of the audio output device300. In some implementations, the isolation pad340may be coupled to the plate330by, for example, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer335, or other type of coupling mechanism. A connector315may connect the driver310to a processor/controller of the computing device100to control operation of the audio output device300.

The top portion of the driver310and the top portion of the enclosure bracket320may positioned adjacent to the top surface101of the base housing102. A seal350may be positioned on the enclosure bracket320, for example, surrounding the driver310, providing for a seal between the enclosure bracket320and the top surface101of the base housing102to define the front volume of the audio output device300. With the top surface101of the base housing102bounding the front volume of the audio output device300in this manner, the need for an additional plate (similar to the plate330) at the top of the audio output device300may be eliminated. This may allow overall stack height (for example, in a z direction in the example shown inFIGS. 3A-3D) of the audio output device300to be reduced for a driver310having a fixed height (for example, in the z direction) and a front volume having a fixed height (for example, in the z direction), thus allowing the thickness of the computing device100to be reduced, particularly in the area of the base housing102in which the audio output device300is installed.

A support pad370may be positioned in a portion of the opening120in the base housing102, along an edge portion of the enclosure bracket320that borders the opening120. A filler pad360may be positioned between an edge portion of the support pad370and a corresponding edge portion of the enclosure bracket320, as shown inFIG. 3Bto fill a gap between the support pad370and the enclosure bracket320, and maintain a desired position of the audio output device300with respect to the opening120in the base housing102of the computing device100. The sealing between the enclosure bracket320and the top surface101of the base housing102provided by the seal350(for example, at the area B shown inFIG. 3B) may define the front volume of the audio output device300, directing sound generated by the driver310out through the opening120, or audio output port120, in the base housing102as shown by the arrows S inFIG. 3B. In some implementations, the support pad370and the filler pad360may be contoured, or shaped, so as to direct sound out through the opening120, or audio output port120, in the base housing102, and toward the user.

When the computing device100is in the tablet mode shown inFIGS. 1C and 3C, the outer surface107of the display housing104may be positioned against the lower surface103of the base housing102, with the display112received in the display housing104accessible to the user inputting and receiving information, and the upper surface101of the base housing102, including the keypad130and the trackpad132, facing away from the user. In some implementations, the support pad370may extend outward from the base housing102, beyond a plane of the top surface101of the base housing102, so that, when the computing device100is in the tablet mode, the support pad370may provide for support of the computing device100on a work surface such as, for example, a table or a desk. Extension of the support pad370outward, beyond the plane of the surface101of the base housing102in this manner may provide for a gap, or clearance, between the surface101of the base housing102and the work surface, allowing sound to propagate out through the opening120, or audio output port120, in the base housing102and be directed toward the user, in the direction of the arrows S, as shown inFIG. 3C. In some implementations, the support pad370may include a rigid portion370A, made of a rigid material such as, for example, a metal material such as, for example aluminum, or another rigid material, that can provide support for the computing device100on the work surface. In some implementations, the support pad370may include a cover portion370B attached to an outer surface of the rigid portion370A. The cover portion370B may be made of a material that provides traction to prevent slipping of the computing device100on the work surface when positioned in this manner, such as, for example, a silicone rubber material and the like. The cover portion370B may be attached to the rigid portion370A of the support pad370by, for example, an over-molding process, a chemical adhesion process, or other attachment mechanism.

In some implementations, the plate330may be made of a rigid material, such as, for example, a metal material such as, for example, stainless steel. In some implementations, the isolation pad340may be made of a relatively resilient material that can provide for shock absorption such as, for example, a foam material. In some implementations, the filler pad360may be made of a relatively resilient material that can be adapted to fit within a gap between the edge portion of the support pad370and the corresponding edge portion of the enclosure bracket320, such as, for example, a foam material.

In some implementations, a gap G between the support pad370and a corresponding edge of the opening120in the base housing102may define a port through which sound generated by the audio output device300may be directed out of the base housing102and toward the user. In some implementations, the gap G may be, for example, less than or equal to approximately 1.0 mm. In some implementations, the gap G may be greater than approximately 1.0 mm. In some implementations, a mesh plate380, or screen380, or other type of cover, may be positioned across the gap G, as shown inFIG. 3D.

In a computing device including an audio output device, in accordance with implementations described herein, a front volume of the audio output device may be defined in part by an inner facing surface of a housing of the computing device, eliminating the need for a separate enclosure plate, and reducing an overall thickness of the audio output device. In some implementations, an audio output port may be defined by an opening in the housing, at a position corresponding to the audio output device, further reducing the overall thickness of the audio output device. A path from the audio output device to the audio output port may be defined in part by a support pad that may guide sound generated by the audio output device out through the audio output port in a direction toward the user, and may also function as a support pad supporting the computing device on a work surface when operating in a tablet mode. In some implementations, placement of an isolation pad adjacent to an enclosure plate enclosing a back volume of the audio output device may reduce or substantially eliminate rub and buzz at the back volume, thus improving sound quality output by the audio output device.

FIG. 5shows an example of a computer device2000and a mobile computer device2050, which may be used with the techniques described here. Computing device2000includes a processor2002, memory2004, a storage device2006, a high-speed interface2008connecting to memory2004and high-speed expansion ports2010, and a low speed interface2012connecting to low speed bus2014and storage device2006. Each of the components2002,2004,2006,2008,2010, and2012, are interconnected using various busses, and may be mounted on a common motherboard or in other manners as appropriate. The processor2002can process instructions for execution within the computing device2000, including instructions stored in the memory2004or on the storage device2006to display graphical information for a GUI on an external input/output device, such as display2016coupled to high speed interface2008. In other implementations, multiple processors and/or multiple buses may be used, as appropriate, along with multiple memories and types of memory. Also, multiple computing devices2000may be connected, with each device providing portions of the necessary operations (e.g., as a server bank, a group of blade servers, or a multi-processor system).

The memory2004stores information within the computing device2000. In one implementation, the memory2004is a volatile memory unit or units. In another implementation, the memory2004is a non-volatile memory unit or units. The memory2004may also be another form of computer-readable medium, such as a magnetic or optical disk.

The high speed controller2008manages bandwidth-intensive operations for the computing device2000, while the low speed controller2012manages lower bandwidth-intensive operations. Such allocation of functions is exemplary only. In one implementation, the high-speed controller2008is coupled to memory2004, display2016(e.g., through a graphics processor or accelerator), and to high-speed expansion ports2010, which may accept various expansion cards (not shown). In the implementation, low-speed controller2012is coupled to storage device2006and low-speed expansion port2014. The low-speed expansion port, which may include various communication ports (e.g., USB, Bluetooth, Ethernet, wireless Ethernet) may be coupled to one or more input/output devices, such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a scanner, or a networking device such as a switch or router, e.g., through a network adapter.

The computing device2000may be implemented in a number of different forms, as shown in the figure. For example, it may be implemented as a standard server2020, or multiple times in a group of such servers. It may also be implemented as part of a rack server system2024. In addition, it may be implemented in a personal computer such as a laptop computer2022. Alternatively, components from computing device2000may be combined with other components in a mobile device (not shown), such as device2050. Each of such devices may contain one or more of computing device2000,2050, and an entire system may be made up of multiple computing devices2000,2050communicating with each other.

Computing device2050includes a processor2052, memory2064, an input/output device such as a display2054, a communication interface2066, and a transceiver2068, among other components. The device2050may also be provided with a storage device, such as a microdrive or other device, to provide additional storage. Each of the components2050,2052,2064,2054,2066, and2068, are interconnected using various buses, and several of the components may be mounted on a common motherboard or in other manners as appropriate.

The processor2052can execute instructions within the computing device2050, including instructions stored in the memory2064. The processor may be implemented as a chipset of chips that include separate and multiple analog and digital processors. The processor may provide, for example, for coordination of the other components of the device2050, such as control of user interfaces, applications run by device2050, and wireless communication by device2050.

Processor2052may communicate with a user through control interface2058and display interface2056coupled to a display2054. The display2054may be, for example, a TFT LCD (Thin-Film-Transistor Liquid Crystal Display) or an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display, or other appropriate display technology. The display interface2056may comprise appropriate circuitry for driving the display2054to present graphical and other information to a user. The control interface2058may receive commands from a user and convert them for submission to the processor2052. In addition, an external interface2062may be provided in communication with processor2052, so as to enable near area communication of device2050with other devices. External interface2062may provide, for example, for wired communication in some implementations, or for wireless communication in other implementations, and multiple interfaces may also be used.

The memory2064stores information within the computing device2050. The memory2064can be implemented as one or more of a computer-readable medium or media, a volatile memory unit or units, or a non-volatile memory unit or units. Expansion memory2074may also be provided and connected to device2050through expansion interface2072, which may include, for example, a SIMM (Single In Line Memory Module) card interface. Such expansion memory2074may provide extra storage space for device2050, or may also store applications or other information for device2050. Specifically, expansion memory2074may include instructions to carry out or supplement the processes described above, and may include secure information also. Thus, for example, expansion memory2074may be provided as a security module for device2050, and may be programmed with instructions that permit secure use of device2050. In addition, secure applications may be provided via the SIMM cards, along with additional information, such as placing identifying information on the SIMM card in a non-hackable manner.

The memory may include, for example, flash memory and/or NVRAM memory, as discussed below. In one implementation, a computer program product is tangibly embodied in an information carrier. The computer program product contains instructions that, when executed, perform one or more methods, such as those described above. The information carrier is a computer- or machine-readable medium, such as the memory2064, expansion memory2074, or memory on processor2052, that may be received, for example, over transceiver2068or external interface2062.

Device2050may communicate wirelessly through communication interface2066, which may include digital signal processing circuitry where necessary. Communication interface2066may provide for communications under various modes or protocols, such as GSM voice calls, SMS, EMS, or MMS messaging, CDMA, TDMA, PDC, WCDMA, CDMA2000, or GPRS, among others. Such communication may occur, for example, through radio-frequency transceiver2068. In addition, short-range communication may occur, such as using a Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or other such transceiver (not shown). In addition, GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver module2070may provide additional navigation- and location-related wireless data to device2050, which may be used as appropriate by applications running on device2050.

Device2050may also communicate audibly using audio codec2060, which may receive spoken information from a user and convert it to usable digital information. Audio codec2060may likewise generate audible sound for a user, such as through a speaker, e.g., in a handset of device2050. Such sound may include sound from voice telephone calls, may include recorded sound (e.g., voice messages, music files, etc.) and may also include sound generated by applications operating on device2050.

The computing device2050may be implemented in a number of different forms, as shown in the figure. For example, it may be implemented as a cellular telephone2080. It may also be implemented as part of a smart phone2082, personal digital assistant, or other similar mobile device.

In some implementations, the computing devices depicted inFIG. 5can include sensors that interface with a virtual reality (VR headset/HMD device2090). For example, one or more sensors included on a computing device2050or other computing device depicted inFIG. 5, can provide input to VR headset2090or in general, provide input to a VR space. The sensors can include, but are not limited to, a touchscreen, accelerometers, gyroscopes, pressure sensors, biometric sensors, temperature sensors, humidity sensors, and ambient light sensors. The computing device2050can use the sensors to determine an absolute position and/or a detected rotation of the computing device in the VR space that can then be used as input to the VR space. For example, the computing device2050may be incorporated into the VR space as a virtual object, such as a controller, a laser pointer, a keyboard, a weapon, etc. Positioning of the computing device/virtual object by the user when incorporated into the VR space can allow the user to position the computing device so as to view the virtual object in certain manners in the VR space. For example, if the virtual object represents a laser pointer, the user can manipulate the computing device as if it were an actual laser pointer. The user can move the computing device left and right, up and down, in a circle, etc., and use the device in a similar fashion to using a laser pointer.

In some implementations, one or more input devices included on, or connect to, the computing device2050can be used as input to the VR space. The input devices can include, but are not limited to, a touchscreen, a keyboard, one or more buttons, a trackpad, a touchpad, a pointing device, a mouse, a trackball, a joystick, a camera, a microphone, earphones or buds with input functionality, a gaming controller, or other connectable input device. A user interacting with an input device included on the computing device2050when the computing device is incorporated into the VR space can cause a particular action to occur in the VR space.

In some implementations, a touchscreen of the computing device2050can be rendered as a touchpad in VR space. A user can interact with the touchscreen of the computing device2050. The interactions are rendered, in VR headset2090for example, as movements on the rendered touchpad in the VR space. The rendered movements can control virtual objects in the VR space.

In some implementations, one or more output devices included on the computing device2050can provide output and/or feedback to a user of the VR headset2090in the VR space. The output and feedback can be visual, tactical, or audio. The output and/or feedback can include, but is not limited to, vibrations, turning on and off or blinking and/or flashing of one or more lights or strobes, sounding an alarm, playing a chime, playing a song, and playing of an audio file. The output devices can include, but are not limited to, vibration motors, vibration coils, piezoelectric devices, electrostatic devices, light emitting diodes (LEDs), strobes, and speakers.

In some implementations, the computing device2050may appear as another object in a computer-generated, 3D environment. Interactions by the user with the computing device2050(e.g., rotating, shaking, touching a touchscreen, swiping a finger across a touch screen) can be interpreted as interactions with the object in the VR space. In the example of the laser pointer in a VR space, the computing device2050appears as a virtual laser pointer in the computer-generated, 3D environment. As the user manipulates the computing device2050, the user in the VR space sees movement of the laser pointer. The user receives feedback from interactions with the computing device2050in the VR environment on the computing device2050or on the VR headset2090.

In some implementations, a computing device2050may include a touchscreen. For example, a user can interact with the touchscreen in a particular manner that can mimic what happens on the touchscreen with what happens in the VR space. For example, a user may use a pinching-type motion to zoom content displayed on the touchscreen. This pinching-type motion on the touchscreen can cause information provided in the VR space to be zoomed. In another example, the computing device may be rendered as a virtual book in a computer-generated, 3D environment. In the VR space, the pages of the book can be displayed in the VR space and the swiping of a finger of the user across the touchscreen can be interpreted as turning/flipping a page of the virtual book. As each page is turned/flipped, in addition to seeing the page contents change, the user may be provided with audio feedback, such as the sound of the turning of a page in a book.

In some implementations, one or more input devices in addition to the computing device (e.g., a mouse, a keyboard) can be rendered in a computer-generated, 3D environment. The rendered input devices (e.g., the rendered mouse, the rendered keyboard) can be used as rendered in the VR space to control objects in the VR space.

Computing device2000is intended to represent various forms of digital computers and devices, including, but not limited to laptops, desktops, workstations, personal digital assistants, servers, blade servers, mainframes, and other appropriate computers. Computing device2050is intended to represent various forms of mobile devices, such as personal digital assistants, cellular telephones, smart phones, and other similar computing devices. The components shown here, their connections and relationships, and their functions, are meant to be exemplary only, and are not meant to limit implementations of the inventions described and/or claimed in this document.