Patent Publication Number: US-11381894-B2

Title: Device with linear slots for water drainage

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Some portable devices, such as remote speaker microphones (RSMs), and the like, are often exposed to water, such as rain, water spray, mist and the like, which can get into microphone and/or speaker cavities, and the like, of the portable devices, and block and/or degrade the microphones and/or speakers. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate embodiments of concepts that include the claimed invention, and explain various principles and advantages of those embodiments. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a device with linear slots for water drainage, in accordance with some examples. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1  partially disassembled to show a microphone cavity, in accordance with some examples. 
         FIG. 3  depicts an inner face of a bezel of the device of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with some examples. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a perspective view of detail of a region of the inner face of the bezel shown in  FIG. 3 , in accordance with some examples. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a planar view of detail of a region of the inner face of the bezel shown in  FIG. 3 , in accordance with some examples. 
         FIG. 6  depicts a cross-section through a line A-A of  FIG. 5 , in accordance with some examples 
     
    
    
     Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention. 
     The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Some portable devices, such as remote speaker microphones (RSMs), and the like, are often exposed to water, such as rain, water spray, mist and the like, which can get into microphone and/or speaker cavities, and the like, via microphone and/or speaker ports of the portable devices, and block and/or damage microphones and/or speakers. Such blockage and/or damage can cause the microphone and/or speakers to operate poorly, which may cause unintelligible speech either at the device (e.g. from a speaker) or in audio transmitted by the device (e.g. as received at a microphone). An ancillary issue may be wind noise which occurs due to the Helmholtz effect when wind blows across the microphone and/or speaker ports. 
     Some solutions to prevent water damage and/or wind noise include a grille, and the like, between the ports and the cavity, and/or using sneak paths between the ports and the cavity. However, such solutions may result in increased cost and/or complexity of the device, and/or in a reduced wideband response of the microphone and/or the speaker (e.g. as compared to devices which lack a grille and/or a sneak path). 
     Hence, provided herein is a device that includes a microphone and/or a speaker in a cavity, with oblique linear slots in a bezel covering the cavity (e.g. oblique relative to an upright axis of the bezel and/or the device, and/or relative to top and bottom surfaces of a housing and/or the device). The linear slots may be separated by linear slats which form sides of the linear slots. Dimensions of the linear slats, and/or dimensions of sides of the linear slots and/or dimensions of the linear slots, including a thickness thereof, are selected to promote water droplet formation at the sides of the linear slots, for example due to a capillary effect. Put another way, dimensions of the linear slots are selected to promote formation of water droplets at the sides of the linear slots and/or in the linear slots, which are of a size which overcome water surface tension and flow out of the linear slots when the bezel is exposed to one or more of mist, rain, water and humidity, for example in operation and/or during mist and/or dunk testing. The device is also provided with at least one recess at an inner face of the bezel, adjacent the linear slots, which collect water from the water droplets as they flow out of the linear slots. In some examples, the device is further provided with at least one drainage channel connected to the at least one recess to provide a path for water in the at least one recess to drain out of the device. Furthermore, the dimensions of the linear slots may be selected, in combination with a given volume of the cavity, to reduce Helmholtz resonance within a given transmission band. 
     An aspect of the specification provides a device comprising: a cavity; one or more of a microphone and a speaker mounted in the cavity; a bezel covering the cavity and the one or more of the microphone and the speaker, the bezel having an outer face and an inner face, the inner face facing the cavity; linear slots through the bezel from the outer face to the inner face, the linear slots being obliquely angled relative to an upright axis of the bezel; linear slats separating the linear slots at the bezel and forming sides thereof having dimensions selected to promote formation of water droplets thereon of a size which overcome water surface tension and flow out of the linear slots when the bezel is exposed to one or more of mist, rain, water and humidity; and one or more recesses at the inner face of the bezel, adjacent to the linear slots, the one or more recesses to collect water from the water droplets as the water flows out of the linear slots. 
     Another aspect of the specification provides portable communication device comprising: a housing having a cavity formed therein, the housing having a front surface, a back surface, a first side surface and a second side surface, and a top surface and a bottom surface; one or more of a microphone and a speaker mounted in the cavity; a bezel formed as part of the front surface of the housing, the bezel covering the cavity and the one or more of the microphone and the speaker, the bezel having an outer face, coincident with the front surface of the housing, and an inner face, the inner face facing the cavity; linear slots through the bezel from the outer face to the inner face, the linear slots being obliquely angled relative to the first side surface and the second side surface of the housing, and relative to the top surface and the bottom surface of the housing; linear slats separating the linear slots at the bezel and forming sides thereof, at least the sides providing a platform for formation of water droplets when the bezel is exposed to one or more of mist, rain, water and humidity, the linear slots providing for removal of the water droplets when a surface tension of the water droplets formed on the platform is reached; and one or more recesses at the inner face of the bezel, adjacent to the linear slots, the one or more recesses to collect water from the water droplets as the water flows out of the linear slots. 
     Another aspect of the specification provides portable communication device comprising: a housing having a cavity formed therein, the housing having a front surface, a back surface, a first side surface and a second side surface, and a top surface and a bottom surface; one or more of a microphone and a speaker mounted in the cavity; a bezel formed as part of the front surface of the housing, the bezel covering the cavity and the one or more of the microphone and the speaker, the bezel having an outer face, coincident with the front surface of the housing, and an inner face, the inner face facing the cavity; one or more linear slots through the bezel from the outer face to the inner face, the one or more linear slots being obliquely angled relative to the first side surface and the second side surface of the housing, and relative to the top surface and the bottom surface of the housing, the one or more linear slots having sides providing a platform for formation of water droplets when the bezel is exposed to one or more of mist, rain, water and humidity, the linear slots providing for removal of the water droplets when a surface tension of the water droplets formed on the platform is reached; and one or more recesses at the inner face of the bezel, adjacent to the linear slots, the one or more recesses to collect water from the water droplets as the water flows out of the linear slots. 
     Attention is directed to  FIG. 1  which depicts a perspective view of a device  100  with linear slots for water drainage, in accordance with some examples. As depicted the device  100  comprises a remote speaker microphone (and/or a radio speaker microphone), however the device  100  may comprise any suitable device and/or portable communication device with linear slots for water drainage, as described hereafter. In some examples, the device  100  may comprise a body wearable device (such as an RSM and/or another body wearable device). In particular examples, the device  100  may comprise a shoulder mountable wearable device (such as an RSM and/or another shoulder mountable wearable device). 
     However, the device  100  may include any suitable device that includes a microphone and/or speaker in a cavity that may be adapted to include linear slots for water drainage, as described hereafter, including, but not limited to, a cell phone, a radio device, a laptop computer, and the like. 
     The device  100  will next be described in more detail with reference to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 , and  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of the device  100 ,  FIG. 2  depicts a perspective view of the device  100  in a partially disassembled state, and  FIG. 3  depicts an inner face of a bezel of the device  100 . Comparing  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , it is understood that the perspective thereof differ to show various sides of a housing thereof. 
     With reference first to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the device  100  generally comprises a housing  101  having a cavity  103  formed therein, the housing  101  having a front surface  105 , a back surface  107  (e.g. not strictly visible in  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 2  but understood to oppose the front surface  107  as indicated in  FIG. 1 ), a first side surface  109  (e.g. a left side surface) and a second side surface  111  (e.g. a right side surface), and a top surface  113  and a bottom surface  115 . In general, the surfaces  105 ,  107  oppose each other, the surfaces  109 ,  111  oppose each other, and the surfaces  113 ,  115  oppose each other. Furthermore, the surfaces  109 ,  111 ,  113 ,  115  form a perimeter of the device  100  and/or the housing  101 , with the surfaces  109 ,  111  joining the surfaces  113 ,  115 , and vice versa. The surfaces  109 ,  111 ,  113 ,  115  further join the surfaces  105 ,  107 . 
     The device  100  further includes one or more of a microphone and a speaker mounted in the cavity  103 . While hereafter, the device  100  is described with respect to a microphone  117  mounted in the cavity  103 , it is understood that the microphone  117  may be replaced with a speaker and/or a speaker may be mounted in the cavity  103  with the microphone  117  and/or the microphone  117  may comprise a combined speaker/microphone. The cavity  103  may have any suitable shape (which, as depicted, may include a secondary cavity  119 ). 
     The device  100  generally includes a bezel  121  covering the cavity  103  and the microphone  117 , the bezel  121  having an outer face  123  (as best seen in  FIG. 2 ) and an inner face  125  (as best seen in  FIG. 2 ), the inner face  125  facing the cavity  103  (e.g. when the device  100  is assembled). 
     The bezel  121  may be formed as part of the front surface  105  of the housing  101  (e.g. as depicted in  FIG. 1 ), and/or the bezel  121  may be removeable from the housing  101  (e.g. as depicted in  FIG. 2 ). Hence, the bezel  121  may further be configured to mate with the housing  101  (e.g. at the front surface  105 ), for example via any suitable mating mechanism (e.g., latches, and the like) to better assemble and/or disassemble the device  100 . Indeed, as also depicted in  FIG. 2 , the housing  101  may include a top portion  127  (e.g. that includes the top surface  113 ) that may also be assembled with the remainder of the housing  101  to better assemble and/or disassemble the device  100 . However, the combination of the housing  101  and the bezel  121  may be formed in any suitable manner, and/or the bezel  121  may form the housing  101  and/or the housing  101  may form the bezel  121 , and the like. 
     In particular examples, the bezel  121  may be formed as part of the front surface  105  of the housing  101 , the bezel  121  covering the cavity  103  and the one or more of the microphone  117  and/or a speaker, the bezel  121  having the outer face  123  coincident with the front surface  105  of the housing  101 , and the inner face  125  facing the cavity  103 . 
     The device  100  may further include other components and/or features, for example, as depicted, a push-to-talk (PTT) button  129 , a cord  131  to a radio, and the like. Similarly, the bezel  121  may include other components, such as other buttons, and the like, for actuating and/or providing other functionality of the device  100  (e.g. volume buttons, headphone ports, toggle switches, and the like). However, the button  129 , and the cord  131  are merely provided to adapt the device  100  for functionality as a wired RSM. However, the device  100  may include any suitable combination of features to adapt the device  100  for a particular functionality. For example, the device  100  may be adapted to function as a wireless RSM and may not include the cord  131 . Similarly, the device  100  may be adapted to function as a wired and/or wireless microphone and/or speaker may not include the button  129  and/or the cord  131 . Similarly, the device  100  may be adapted to function as a cell phone, and the like, and may include a display screen and input devices, and the like. However, any combination of other components and/or features for adapting the device  100  for a particular functionality are within the scope of the present specification. 
     Similarly, while the bezel  121  is provided as covering a substantial portion of the device  100  at the front surface  105  of the housing  101 , the bezel  121  may be of a size and shape that is generally covering the cavity  103 , with a remaining front surface  105  of the housing  101  provided as a separate component, and the like. Put another way, the bezel  121  may be of any suitable size and shape and/or may be integrated with the housing  101 , and further may, or may not, be removable. 
     As depicted, the device  100  and/or the housing  101  and/or the bezel  121  may be of a length (e.g. between the surfaces  113 ,  115 ) that is longer than a width thereof (e.g. between the surfaces  109 ,  111 ). Furthermore, the device  100  and/or the housing  101  and/or the bezel  121  may be used in an upright position in “normal” operation thereof. For example, the upright position is depicted in  FIG. 1 , with the top surface  113  being upright and/or in a top position, relative to the bottom surface  115  (and/or relative to the ground and/or a floor (e.g. of a street, a room, the earth, etc.)). Hence, as best seen in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the device  100  and/or the housing  101  and/or the bezel  121  may include an upright axis  135  that extends between, and/or through, and/or about perpendicular to, the surfaces  113 ,  115 . The axis  135  may be interchangeably referred to as a longitudinal axis as the axis  135  also extends long the length of the device  100  and/or the axis  135  is about perpendicular to the shorter width. Put another way, the bezel  121  comprises a top edge  137  (and/or a first outer edge  137 ) and an opposing bottom edge  139  (and/or a second outer edge  139 ), as best seen in  FIG. 3 , and the axis  135  may extend between the top edge  137  and the bottom edge  139  of the bezel  121  (and/or the axis  135  may be perpendicular to the top edge  137  and the bottom edge  139 ). 
     Water drainage features of the device  100  are next described in combination with features for enabling sound waves to pass between the outer face  123  of the bezel  121  and the cavity  103 . 
     In particular, the device  100  generally comprises linear slots  141 - 1 ,  141 - 2 ,  141 - 3  through the bezel  121  from the outer face  123  to the inner face  125 , the linear slots  141 - 1 ,  141 - 2 ,  141 - 3  being obliquely angled relative to the upright axis  135  of the bezel  121  (and/or the device  100  and/or the housing  101 ). The linear slots  141 - 1 ,  141 - 2 ,  141 - 3  are interchangeably referred to hereafter, collectively, as the linear slots  141  and, generically, as a linear slot  141 . This notation will be used elsewhere in the present specification. Furthermore, for simplicity only one linear slot  141  is indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     In general, the linear slots  141  comprise apertures and/or ports (e.g. microphone ports and/or speaker ports) to allow sound to pass between the outer face  123  of the bezel  121  and the cavity  103  and/or the microphone  117 . In particular, as best seen in  FIG. 2 , the device  100  includes a direct air path  142  between the linear slots  141  and the cavity  103  and/or the one or more of the microphone  117  and a speaker; for example, the direct air path  142  excludes a grille and/or a sneak path, providing for better passage of sound between the linear slots  141  and the cavity  103 , etc. (e.g. as compared to prior art devices that include a grille and/or sneak path). 
     The linear slots  141  are referred to as “linear” as they have a respective length which is longer than a respective width. As will be described hereafter, such a configuration assists with drainage of water which accumulates at the linear slots  141  and/or a capillary effect which may assist with formation of water droplets in the linear slots  141 . 
     Furthermore, the linear slots  141  are obliquely angled relative to the upright axis  135  and/or the linear slots  141  are obliquely angled relative to the first side surface  109  and the second side surface  111  of the housing  101 , and/or relative to the top surface  113  and the bottom surface  115  of the housing  101 . In general, the oblique angle of the linear slots, which may be in range of about 45° to 55° and/or any other suitable angle (e.g. in a range of about 20° to about 80°), assist with drainage water at the linear slots  141  when the device  100  is upright (e.g. with the top side surface  113  being in an upright position), upside down (e.g. with the bottom side surface  115  being in an upright position) and/or when the device  100  is sideways (e.g. with the left side surface  109  or the right side surface  111  being in an upright position). In other words, the angle of the linear slots  141 , relative to the upright axis  135  and/or the first side surface  109  and/or the second side surface  111  and/or the top surface  113  and/or the bottom surface  115 , is selected such that gravitational pull occurs on water at the linear slots  141  when the device  100  is upright, upside down or sideways. 
     Put yet another way, with reference to  FIG. 3 , the linear slots  141  may obliquely extend between respective first ends  143  and respective second ends  145 , the respective first ends  143  located adjacent an outer edge of the bezel  121 , in particular, as depicted, the respective first ends  143  are located adjacent the top edge  137  of the bezel  121 . While only one first end  143  and one second end  145  are numbered in  FIG. 3  for simplicity, it is understood that the linear slots  141  each include similar respective ends  143 ,  145 . 
     While only three linear slots  141  are included at the device  100 , the device  100  may include any suitable number of linear slots  141  including as few as one linear slot  141  and/or more than three linear slots  141 . 
     Furthermore, while the linear slots  141  are depicted as being about parallel to each other, the linear slots  141  may be in any suitable arrangement. 
     As depicted, the device  100  further comprises linear slats  147 - 1 ,  147 - 2  (e.g. linear slats  147  and/or a linear slat  147 ) separating the linear slots  141  at the bezel  121  and forming sides of the linear slots  141 , described in more detail below with respect to  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 . In general, however, the dimensions of the linear slats  147  and/or the sides of the linear slots  141  (including, but not limited to, a thickness of the linear slats  147 ) are selected to have dimensions that promote formation of water droplets thereon, of a size which overcome water surface tension and flow out of the linear slots  141  when the bezel  121  is exposed to one or more of mist, rain, water and humidity. 
     Put another way, at least the sides of the linear slots  141  (e.g. formed by the linear slats  147 ) provide a platform for formation of water droplets, which may be assisted by a capillary effect, when the bezel  121  is exposed to one or more of mist, rain, water and humidity, and the linear slots  141  further provide for the removal of the water droplets when a surface tension of the water droplets formed on the platform is reached, which may be assisted by a capillary action in the linear slots  141 . In general, sides of the linear slots  141 , between the ends  143 ,  145  (e.g. along a long dimension of the linear slots  141 ), separated by the linear slats  147 , are formed by a thickness of the linear slats  147 . 
     The number of linear slats  147  generally depends on a number of the linear slots  141  which the linear slats  147  separate. For example, as depicted, as there are three linear slots  141 , the device  100  comprises two linear slats  147  (e.g. a linear slat  147 - 1  between linear slots  141 - 1 ,  141 - 2 , and a linear slat  147 - 2  between linear slots  141 - 2 ,  141 - 3 ). However, the number of linear slats  147  may be more than two or fewer than two depending on the number of linear slots  141 . 
     In examples, when the device  100  comprises one linear slot  141 , the device  100  may be absent the linear slats  147 . In these examples, sides of the one linear slot  141  are formed by a thickness between the outer face  123  and the inner face  125  of the bezel  121 , and hence the platform for the water droplets formed by the sides are formed by a thickness between the outer face  123  and the inner face  125  of the bezel  121 . 
     Put another way, the device  100  may comprise one or more linear slots  141  through the bezel  121  from the outer face  123  to the inner face  125 , the one or more linear slots  141  having sides providing a platform for formation of water droplets, which may be assisted by a capillary effect, when the bezel  121  is exposed to one or more of mist, rain, water and humidity, the linear slots  141  providing for the removal of the water droplets when a surface tension of the water droplets formed on the platform is reached. The platform may generally be provided by the sides of the one or more linear slots  141  and/or the platform may generally be provided at the sides of the one or more linear slots  141 . 
     Similarly, as depicted, the linear slots  141  include a first linear slot  141 - 1  and a last linear slot  141 - 3  (e.g. in a row of the linear slots  141 ), and respective outer sides of the first linear slot  141 - 1  and the last linear slot  141 - 3  that are not formed by the linear slats  147  (but rather are formed by formed by adjacent regions of the bezel  121 ) are one or more of a same thickness or a similar thickness as a thickness of the linear slats  147  which otherwise separate the linear slots  141 . However, in some examples, the outer sides of the first linear slot  141 - 1  and the last linear slot  141 - 3 , that are not formed by the linear slats  147 , may be of a smaller thickness than the linear slats  147 . 
     Hence, in general, sides of the linear slots  141 , between the ends  143 ,  145  along a long dimension of the linear slots  141 , have dimensions and/or a thickness selected to promote formation of water droplets thereon of a size which overcome water surface tension and flow out of the linear slots  141  when the bezel  121  is exposed to one or more of mist, rain, water and humidity. Put another way, sides of the linear slots  141 , between the ends  143 ,  145  along a long dimension of the linear slots  141 , have dimensions and/or a thickness selected to provide a platform for formation of water droplets, which may be assisted by a capillary effect, when the bezel  121  is exposed to one or more of mist, rain, water and humidity, the linear slots  141  providing for the removal of the water droplets when a surface tension of the water droplets formed on the platform is reached. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 2 , the outer face  123  of the bezel  121  may be chamfered around the linear slots  141 . However, sides of a linear slot  141 , between the ends  143 ,  145 , along a long dimension of the linear slots  141 , and which face each other in a linear slot  141  may be parallel to each other, other than at the ends  143 ,  145  where, as depicted, the sides are joined. While as depicted, at the ends  143 ,  145 , sides of a linear slot  141 , which face each other, are joined at the ends  143 ,  145  via a curve (e.g. the ends  143 ,  145  may be rounded), in other examples sides of a linear slot  141 , which face each other, are joined at the ends  143 ,  145  via any suitable shape and/or structure. 
     The linear slats  147  are generally referred to “linear” for similar reasons as the linear slots  141 , as the linear slats  147  are generally longer than they are wider, similar to the linear slots  141 . 
     Comparing  FIG. 3  with  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , in the depicted example, the outer surface  123  of the bezel further includes additional ornamental regions  150  which externally “look” like the slots  141 , but are provided merely for aesthetic purposes; for example, such ornamental regions  150  are not visible at the inner surface  125  depicted in  FIG. 3 . 
     As best seen in  FIG. 3 , the device  100  further comprises one or more recesses  151 - 1 ,  151 - 2 ,  151 - 3 ,  151 - 4  (e.g. the recesses  151  and/or a recess  151 ) at the inner face  125  of the bezel  121 , adjacent to the linear slots  141 , the one or more recesses  151  to collect water from the water droplets as the water flows out of the linear slots  141 . 
     For example, as depicted, the one or more recesses  151  include: at least one recess  151 - 1  adjacent the respective second ends  145  to collect the water from the water droplets as it flow outs of the linear slots  141  when the device  100  is in an upright position. Indeed, the recess  151 - 1  may be a primary recess  151  as the device  100  may “normally” be operated in the upright position, and hence the recess  151 - 1  may collect the most water as compared to the other recesses  151 . 
     However, as depicted, the one or more recesses  151  include: at least one recess  151 - 2  located between the respective first ends  143  and the outer edge  137  of the bezel  121 , at least one recess  151 - 2  extending along the outer edge  137  in an elongated shape, at least as compared to the at least one recess  151 - 1 . The at least one recess  151 - 2  is to collect the water from the water droplets as it flow outs of the linear slots  141  when the device  100  is in an upside down position. Hence, when the device  100  is inverted from the upright position, water may flow from the linear slots  141  to the at least one recess  151 - 2 . 
     As depicted, the one or more recesses  151  include one or more recesses  151 - 3 ,  151 - 4  located adjacent one or more of: the first linear slot  141 - 1  and the last linear slot  141 - 2  to collect the water from the water droplets as it flow outs of the linear slots  141  when the device  100  is in a sideways position. Hence, when the device  100  is rotated about 90° from the upright position, for example also rotating the axis  135  (e.g. which is different from rotating around the device  100  around the axis  135 ), water may flow from the linear slots  141  to the recess  151 - 3 , or the recess  151 - 4  depending on a direction of rotation. 
     Put another way, a recess  151 , which is in a downwards-most position, generally receives water from the linear slots  141 . 
     In general, a volume of the one or more recesses  151  is selected to accumulate water from the water droplets as the water flows and/or drains out of the linear slots  141 . The respective volumes of the recesses  151  may be similar and/or the same, and/or respective volumes of the recesses  151  may be different from one another. 
     Furthermore a shape and/or depth of the recesses  151  may depend on a position thereof at the inner face  125  and/or dimensions of the inner face  125  and/or features of the inner face  125 . For example, the recess  151 - 1 , which is depicted in cross-section in  FIG. 6 , may generally be rectangular in cross-section and/or box-shaped and have a depth into the inner face  125  that is deeper than the other recesses  151 - 2 ,  151 - 3 ,  151 - 4 . Furthermore, while one recess  151 - 1  is depicted, the recess  151 - 1  may be provided as a plurality of recesses (e.g. for each of the linear slots  141  and/or a recess  151  for two of the linear slots  141  but not all of the linear slots). 
     The shape of the recess  151 - 2  is further elongated along the top edge  137  of the bezel  121  for example, to encompass a volume similar to the volume of the recess  151 - 1 . In other words, as at the top edge  137  the bezel  121  includes other features such as a lip and/or rim, there may be less room in which to fit a volume of the recess  151 - 2 , and hence the recess  151 - 2  collects water in a main space adjacent the linear slots  141 , and the water may flow into the elongated space along the top edge  137 . 
     In contrast to the recesses  151 - 1 ,  151 - 2 , the recesses  151 - 3 ,  151 - 4  are generally flat and/or have a smaller depth, and area of the recesses  151 - 3 ,  151 - 4  is larger than respective area of the recesses  151 - 1 ,  151 - 2 , for example to provide a respective volume of the recesses  151 - 3 ,  151 - 4  that is similar to a respective volume of the recesses  151 - 1 ,  151 - 2 . 
     As also best seen in  FIG. 3 , the device  100  may further comprise at least one drainage channel  153 - 1 ,  153 - 2 ,  153 - 3 ,  153 - 4 ,  153 - 5 ,  153 - 6  (e.g. channels  153  and/or a channel  153 ) out of the one or more recesses  151  to enable water in the one or more recesses to drain out of the device  100  (e.g. from the one or more recesses  151 ). 
     For example, as depicted, the channel  153 - 1  comprises a slit and/or an aperture through the bezel  121 , between the recess  151 - 1  (and/or adjacent the recess  151 - 1 ) at the inner face  125  and the outer face  123 . The remaining channels  153 - 2 ,  153 - 3 ,  153 - 4 ,  153 - 5 ,  153 - 6  comprise paths and/or grooves, and the like, at the inner face  125  from a recess  151  to edges of the bezel  121 . The various channels  153 - 2 ,  153 - 3 ,  153 - 4 ,  153 - 5 ,  153 - 6  are to “left” and/or “right” edges (e.g. relative to the top edge  137  as depicted in  FIG. 3 ) of the bezel  121  and/or the top edge  137  of the bezel  121 , for example to allow water to drain out of the recesses  151  when the device  100  is upright, upside down or sideways. 
     Furthermore, as also depicted in  FIG. 3 , the device  100  may comprise a ridge  160  which may reside against a complimentary inner portion  161  of the device  100  (e.g. as depicted in  FIG. 2 ) which may be around an aperture  162  in the inner portion under the bezel  121  that provides access to an interior of the device  100  when the bezel  121  is removed, the ridge  160  to prevent water that may leak out of the one or more recesses  151  from entering the interior of the device  100 . As depicted the ridge  160 , and the inner portion  161  of the device  100  against which the ridge  160  resides and/or mates and/or interfaces (e.g. when the device  100  is assembled), are circular (e.g. as is the aperture  162 ), however the ridge  160  and the inner portion  161  (e.g. and/or the aperture  162 ) may be any suitable respective shapes. 
     Attention is next directed to  FIG. 4  which depicts a perspective view of detail of a region  399  of the inner face  125  of the bezel  121  (e.g. the region  399  indicated in  FIG. 3 ), the region  399  including the linear slots  141  and the linear slats  147 . 
     Furthermore, the perspective shown in  FIG. 4  shows a thickness of the linear slats  147  and/or sides  401  of the linear slots  141  formed by the linear slats  147 , as well as a thickness of outer sides  403  of the linear slots  141 - 1 ,  141 - 3  that are not formed by the linear slats  147 . 
     For example, as depicted, the sides  401  of the linear slots  141  formed by the linear slats  147  have a thickness  411 , and outer sides  403  of the linear slots  141 - 1 ,  141 - 3  that are not formed by the linear slats  147  have a thickness  413 . 
     In general, the thicknesses  411 ,  413  (e.g. including a thickness of the linear slats  147 ) are selected to form water droplets of a size which overcome water surface tension and flow out of the linear slots  141  (e.g. into at least one recess  151 ) due at least in part to gravitational pull on the water droplets, as described in more detail below. 
     Put another way, the thicknesses  411 ,  413  (e.g. including a thickness dimension of the linear slats  147 ) are selected to form water droplets of a size which overcome water surface tension and flow out of the linear slots  141 , which may be due, at least in part, to inducing a capillary action on the water droplets. 
     In some examples, as depicted, the thickness  413  of the respective outer sides  403  of the first linear slot  141 - 1  and the last linear slot  143 - 3  are one or more of a same thickness dimension or a similar thickness dimension as the thickness  411  of sides  401  of the linear slats  147 . 
     While dimensions of the thicknesses  411 ,  413  may vary, the dimensions may also be constant and/or about constant (e.g. as depicted). 
     In some examples, the thicknesses  411 ,  413  (e.g. including a thickness dimension of the linear slats  147 ) may be in a range of about 1.0 mm to about 2.5 mm. In a particular example, the thicknesses  411 ,  413  may be about 1.8 mm. 
     However the dimensions of the thicknesses  411 ,  413  may be further selected in combination with selection of a width  495  of the linear slots  141  such that water droplets form at, and/or between, the sides  401 ,  403 . For example, a capillary effect in a space may depend on a cross-sectional area of a space hence the thicknesses  411 ,  413  and the width  495  of the linear slots  141  may be selected such that an area of the linear slots (e.g. about the value of a thickness  411 ,  413  multiplied by a respective value for the width  495  of the linear slots  141 ) induces formation of water droplets, for example from side  401  to side  401  (and/or from side  401  to side  403 ) across a linear slot  141 , the capillary effect holding the water droplets in place until a weight thereof breaks the water surface tension and water from the water droplets flow into a recess  151  (e.g. due to gravitational pull and/or capillary action which may also be affected by the thicknesses  411 ,  413  and/or the width  495 ). Such formation of water droplets and/or flow of water (e.g. due to gravitational pull and/or capillary action) may further be affected by a material that forms the sides  401 ,  403  (e.g. and the bezel  121 ) hence, the thicknesses  411 ,  413  may be further selected in combination with selection of a width  495  of the linear slots  141  a given surface energy of the material of the material that forms the sides  401 ,  403  (e.g. and the bezel  121 ). For example, the bezel  121  may be formed from a polycarbonate material (and/or any other suitable material), with the thicknesses  411 ,  413  and the width  495  of the linear slots  141  selected accordingly. 
     In the particular example where the thicknesses  411 ,  413  may be about 1.8 mm, the linear slots  141  may be about 0.9 mm wide and/or at least 0.9 mm wide (e.g. between a first side  401  to an opposing second side  401 , and/or between an inner side  401  to an opposing outer side  403 ), for example when the bezel  121  is formed from polycarbonate material. However, in general, the linear slots  141  may be less than about 2 mm wide, and/or width  495  of the slots  141  may be in a range of about 0.9 to about 2 mm, and which may also depend on the material of the bezel  121 . 
     It is further understood, however, that the thicknesses  411 ,  413  and the width  495  of the linear slots  141  may be determined heuristically and/or through trial and error. 
     Also depicted in  FIG. 4  is a thickness  415  of the linear slats  147  adjacent reigns of the inner face  125  of the bezel  121  that do not form the sides  401  (e.g. at ends  417  of the linear slats  147 ). The depicted thickness  415 , for example, is at the recess  151 - 1 . From  FIG. 4 , it is understood that the linear slats  147  may be raised relative to adjacent regions of the inner face  125  of the bezel  121 . Water droplets may also form at a ridge formed by the thickness  415 . It is understood that the thickness  415  may represent an increase in thickness of the sides  401  (e.g. and the sides  403 ) over prior art devices where sides are not as thick as the sides  401 ,  403  of the device  100 ; put another way, prior art devices may have slots where sides have thicknesses are reduced by at least the thickness  415 . Hence, the increased thickness  415  assists with water droplet formation, described in more detail below. For example, the thickness  415  may be about 0.8 mm thick, however the thickness  415  may be any suitable value and/or in any suitable range (e.g. selected in combination with the thicknesses  411 ,  413 , the width  495  of the linear slots  141 , a given surface energy of the material of the material that forms the sides  401 ,  403 , and the like). 
     Furthermore, as depicted, the ends  417  may be rounded and/or partially rounded, to promote flow of water from water droplets at the sides  401  into a recess  151 . However, the ends  417  may be any suitable shape. Similarly, portions  419  of the sides  403  may be rounded to promote flow of water from water droplets at the sides  403  into a recess  151 . 
     While a length  497  of the linear slots  141  (e.g. between the ends  143 ,  145 ) may be less critical to formation of water droplets, the length  497  of the linear slots  141 , in combination with the width  495  of the linear slots  141 , may be selected to reduce to reduce Helmholtz resonance within a given transmission band. For example, Helmholtz resonance may be induced at the linear slots  141  and the cavity  103  due to wind blowing across the linear slots  141 , according to the following Equation (1):
 
 F=v /( 2 π)*( A /( Vt )) 0.5   Equation (1)
 
     In Equation (1), F is a resonance frequency, v is the velocity of sound, Vis a volume of the cavity  103 , A is an area of a linear slot  141  (e.g. about length  497  of a linear slot  141  multiplied by a width  495  of a linear slot  141 ), and t is a thickness  411 ,  413  of a side  401 ,  403 . As such, the thicknesses  411 ,  413 , and the widths  495  of the linear slots  141  may be selected to promote formation of water droplets at the sides  401 ,  403 , while the length  497  of the linear slots  141  may be selected to induce a particular resonance frequency F. However, the thicknesses  411 ,  413 , and the areas of the linear slots  141  (including both the width  495  and length  497  of the linear slots  141 ) may be selected both to promote formation of water droplets at the sides  401 ,  403  and to induce a particular resonance frequency F and/or heuristically, etc. 
     Hence, for example, when the cavity  103  has a given volume, V, a thickness  411 ,  413  of the linear slats  147  and an area of the linear slots  141  may be further selected (e.g. in addition to selection thereof to promote formation of water droplets) to reduce Helmholtz resonance within a given transmission band, in combination with the given volume V. In some examples, the thickness  411 ,  413  of the linear slats  147  and an area of the linear slots  141  may be selected to reduce Helmholtz resonance below about 10000 Hz (e.g. at an upper end of frequency range of audio transmissions of the microphone  117  and/or a speaker) and/or such that the frequency F in Equation (1) is above about 6000 Hz, and/or above about 3000 Hz. 
     In particular examples, a width  495  of the linear slots  141  may be about 0.9 mm, and the length  497  of the linear slots  141  (e.g. between the ends  143 ,  145 ) may be in a range of about 8 mm to about 9 mm (e.g. in a particular example about 8.3 mm) and/or any other suitable length compatible, for example, with Equation (1) and/or a volume and/or size of the cavity  103 . 
     A width  499  of the linear slats  147  is also seen in  FIG. 4  (e.g. a distance between sides  401  of adjacent linear slots  141 ). In some examples, as depicted, the width  499  of the linear slats  147  may be at least a respective width  495  of the linear slots  141 , however the width  499  of the linear slats  147  may smaller or larger than the respective width  495  of the linear slots  141 . 
     Also depicted in  FIG. 4  are details of the channel  153 - 4  at the top edge  137 . As depicted, the channel  153 - 4  comprises an aperture through the top edge  137  connected to the recesses  151 - 2 ,  151 - 3 , to drain water from the recesses  151 - 2 ,  151 - 3 . 
     Water droplet formation at the sides  401 ,  403  is next described with reference to  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 5  depicts a planar view of the region  399 , while  FIG. 6  depicts a cross-sectional view of the region  399  through the line A-A depicted in  FIG. 5 . 
     In particular, in  FIG. 5 , the device  100  and/or the bezel  121  may have been subjected to mist, rain, water and humidity, in a test environment and/or in a real world environment. For example, when testing devices for water drainage, devices may be subjected to a mist test, a water dunk test, and the like. 
     Regardless, in  FIG. 5 , water droplets  501  have formed across each of the linear slots  141  (e.g. from side  401  to side  403  at the linear slots  141 - 1 ,  141 - 3 , and from side  401  to side  403  at the linear slot  141 - 2 ). The water droplets  501  form at the sides  401 ,  403 , and promotion formation of the water droplets  501  at the sides  401 ,  403  may occur at least in part due to the thickness  411 ,  413  (e.g. increased by the thickness  415  as compared to prior art devices) of the sides  401 ,  403 , and may hold their shape due to surface tension of water (and surface energy of a material of the sides  401 ,  403 ), and a size of the water droplets at the sides  401 ,  403 . 
     As the water droplets  501  are subjected to more mist, rain, water and humidity, and the like, a size of the water droplets  501  grow and generally reach a size that bridges a width  495  of the linear slots  141  (e.g. as depicted); the capillary effect may hold the water droplets  501  in the linear slots  141 . As the water droplets  501  continue to grow, the water droplets  501  reach a size where gravitational pull on the water droplets  501  cause the water droplets  501  to overcome water surface tension and “break” flowing down a linear slot  141  into a recess  151 ; for example, as depicted in  FIG. 4 , water from the water droplets  501  may flow into the recess  151 - 1 , via a respective linear slot  141 , as represented the arrows  503 . Such flow may also be due to an induced capillary action and/or capillary flow of water in the linear slots  141 . For the example, the slots  141  may “wick” water from the water droplets  501  out of the linear slots  141  due to capillary action. While a meniscus of the water droplets  501  is depicted as a convex meniscus in the linear slots  141 , in other examples the water droplets  501  may have a concave meniscus in the linear slots  141 , depending on a surface energy of the material of the sides  401 ,  403 . 
     The water may collect in the recess  151 - 1  until further gravitational pull on the water causes the water to flow out of the channel  153 - 1 . A similar action occurs when the device  100  is upside down, though water from the water droplets  501  may flow into the recess  151 - 2  and out the channel  153 - 4 . A similar action occurs when the device  100  is sideways, though water from the water droplets  501  may flow into the recess  151 - 3  or the recess  151 - 4  and out the channels  153 - 2 ,  153 - 3 ,  153 - 5 ,  153 - 6 . 
     In some examples, the water droplets  501  may “break” before bridging the width  495  of the linear slots  141 , depending, for example, on the width  495  of the slots  141 , a dimension of the thicknesses  411 ,  413 , and the like. 
     Attention is next directed to  FIG. 6  which depicts the cross-section through the line A-A of  FIG. 5 . In particular, a cross-section of the linear slot  141 - 3 , the recess  151 - 1  and the recess  151 - 2  are depicted, as well as a side  401  of the linear slot  141 - 3 . 
       FIG. 6  shows that the recess  151 - 1  is rectangular in cross-section, though the recess  151 - 1  may be any suitable shape. 
     In particular,  FIG. 6  shows regions  601 ,  611  at which water that forms the water droplets  501  may collect. The region  601  indicates surfaces at which water collects without increased thickness  415  of the side  401  (e.g. as described above), which also includes a chamfered portion of the outer face  123  of the bezel  121 . In contrast, the region  611  indicates the additional surfaces of the side  401  due to the thickness  415  (e.g. added to the region  601 ) at which water collects, which both increases surface area on which the water droplets  501  form (e.g. relative to the region  601 ) and increases the cross-sectional area of the linear slots  141  (e.g. to which can lead to an increased capillary effect (e.g. relative to when only the surfaces of the region  601  are present, as in prior art devices)). Indeed,  FIG. 6  further illustrates that while examples of the capillary effect and Helmholtz resonance have been described above only with reference to the thicknesses  411 ,  413 , and the width  495  of the linear slots  141 , capillary effect and Helmholtz resonance may also be influenced by the chamfered portion of the outer face  123  of the bezel  121 . 
     In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present teachings. 
     The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued. 
     In this document, language of “at least one of X, Y, and Z” and “one or more of X, Y and Z” may be construed as X only, Y only, Z only, or any combination of two or more items X, Y, and Z (e.g., XYZ, XY, YZ, XZ, and the like). Similar logic may be applied for two or more items in any occurrence of “at least one . . . ” and “one or more . . . ” language. 
     Moreover, in this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “has”, “having,” “includes”, “including,” “contains”, “containing” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a”, “has . . . a”, “includes . . . a”, “contains . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains the element. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. The terms “substantially”, “essentially”, “approximately”, “about” or any other version thereof, are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and in one non-limiting embodiment the term is defined to be within 10%, in another embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1% and in another embodiment within 0.5%. The term “coupled” as used herein is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is “configured” in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed. 
     It will be appreciated that some embodiments may be comprised of one or more generic or specialized processors (or “processing devices”) such as microprocessors, digital signal processors, customized processors and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and unique stored program instructions (including both software and firmware) that control the one or more processors to implement, in conjunction with certain non-processor circuits, some, most, or all of the functions of the method and/or apparatus described herein. Alternatively, some or all functions could be implemented by a state machine that has no stored program instructions, or in one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), in which each function or some combinations of certain of the functions are implemented as custom logic. Of course, a combination of the two approaches could be used. 
     Moreover, an embodiment may be implemented as a computer-readable storage medium having computer readable code stored thereon for programming a computer (e.g., comprising a processor) to perform a method as described and claimed herein. Examples of such computer-readable storage mediums include, but are not limited to, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) and a Flash memory. Further, it is expected that one of ordinary skill, notwithstanding possibly significant effort and many design choices motivated by, for example, available time, current technology, and economic considerations, when guided by the concepts and principles disclosed herein will be readily capable of generating such software instructions and programs and ICs with minimal experimentation. 
     The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it may be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.