PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11579024-B2
Application Number: US-201816040290-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Speaker integrated environmental sensors

Abstract:
Aspects of the subject technology relate to electronic devices having sensors such as pressure sensors. A pressure sensor may be integrated into an audio component of an electronic device such that the pressure sensor is fluidly coupled to an environment external to a device housing via at least a portion of an internal cavity of the audio component housing. The audio component housing may include an opening. The pressure sensor may be mounted adjacent to or within the opening. The opening may be sealed to prevent passage of gas or liquid through the opening. The pressure sensor may be integrally formed with an inner wall of the audio component housing. The audio component may be a speaker or a microphone.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A portable electronic device, comprising:
 a device housing including a main cavity having an opening; 
 an audio component having an audio component housing surrounded by the main cavity and disposed within the device housing, the audio component housing having a sensor opening and a port, the port being disposed within the opening in the device housing to allow flow of air and sound between an internal cavity of the audio component housing and an environment outside the device housing through the opening via the port; 
 a pressure sensor disposed in the main cavity of the device housing, wherein the pressure sensor is attached to a flexible circuit within the main cavity and the attachment and the pressure sensor are sealed with an encapsulation layer that is configured to seal the main cavity from the port of the audio component housing; 
 an audio component membrane disposed entirely within the internal cavity of the audio component housing, wherein the audio component membrane is configured to be operated by a processing circuit to clear a liquid from within the port and to protect the pressure sensor against the liquid, 
 wherein the port is at least partially covered with a mesh structure that is permeable to sound and air. 
 
     
     
       2. The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the main cavity is sealed to prevent ingress of liquid into the main cavity. 
     
     
       3. The portable electronic device of  claim 2 , wherein the audio component housing is disposed within the main cavity of the device housing. 
     
     
       4. The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the encapsulation layer is configured to prevent ingress of liquid into the main cavity of the device housing through the sensor opening. 
     
     
       5. The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure sensor is mounted onto an external surface of the audio component housing adjacent the sensor opening. 
     
     
       6. The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the pressure sensor is disposed within the sensor opening. 
     
     
       7. The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the internal cavity of the audio component housing comprises a first chamber adjacent the port, a second chamber having the audio component membrane disposed therein, and a third chamber disposed on an opposing side of the second chamber from the first chamber. 
     
     
       8. The portable electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein the sensor opening in the audio component housing is formed in a wall of the first chamber. 
     
     
       9. The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the audio component is a speaker. 
     
     
       10. The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the audio component is a microphone. 
     
     
       11. A portable electronic device, comprising:
 a device housing having an opening; 
 a pressure sensor disposed in a main cavity of the device housing; and 
 an audio component having an audio component housing that is disposed within the device housing, the audio component housing having a port and an internal cavity defined by an inner wall of the audio component housing, wherein the port is disposed adjacent to the opening in the device housing to allow flow of air and sound between the internal cavity of the audio component housing and an environment outside the device housing through the opening via the port, and wherein the audio component includes a membrane that is configured to be operated by a processing circuit to clear a liquid from within the port, 
 wherein the pressure sensor is attached to a flexible circuit within the main cavity and the attachment and the pressure sensor are sealed with an encapsulation layer that is configured to seal the main cavity from the port of the audio component housing, and 
 wherein the port is at least partially covered with a mesh structure that is permeable to sound and air. 
 
     
     
       12. The portable electronic device of  claim 11 , wherein the pressure sensor comprises a pressure sensing element mounted in a recess in the inner wall. 
     
     
       13. The portable electronic device of  claim 11 , further comprising at least one contact on the audio component housing for communication with the pressure sensor, and at least one contact on the audio component housing for communication with control circuitry for an audio component membrane disposed entirely within the audio component housing. 
     
     
       14. The portable electronic device of  claim 11 , further comprising a sealing member between the port of the audio component housing and the device housing. 
     
     
       15. The portable electronic device of  claim 11 , further comprising electrical routing within the internal cavity or embedded within the audio component housing for routing pressure signals from the pressure sensor. 
     
     
       16. A smart phone, comprising:
 a device housing defining a sealed internal cavity, the device housing having an opening; 
 processing circuitry disposed within the sealed internal cavity; 
 a pressure sensor disposed in a main cavity of the device housing; and 
 a speaker having a speaker housing disposed within the sealed internal cavity, wherein the speaker housing includes a port sealingly coupled to the opening in the device housing, a first chamber adjacent the port, a second chamber adjacent the first chamber, and a speaker membrane in the second chamber, and wherein the speaker membrane is configured to be operated by the processing circuitry to clear a liquid from within the port and to protect the pressure sensor against the liquid, 
 wherein the pressure sensor is attached to a flexible circuit within the main cavity and the attachment and the pressure sensor are sealed with an encapsulation layer that is configured to seal the main cavity from the port of the speaker housing, and 
 wherein the port is at least partially covered with a mesh structure that is permeable to sound and air. 
 
     
     
       17. The smart phone of  claim 16 , wherein the speaker housing comprises a third chamber that forms a back volume for the speaker. 
     
     
       18. The smart phone of  claim 16 , wherein the speaker housing comprises an opening and an external surface and wherein the pressure sensor is located adjacent the opening in the speaker housing and includes at least a portion in contact with the external surface. 
     
     
       19. The smart phone of  claim 16 , wherein the speaker housing comprises an opening and wherein the pressure sensor is located at least partially within the opening. 
     
     
       20. The smart phone of  claim 16 , wherein the pressure sensor is formed on an inner wall of the first chamber.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/535,208, entitled “SPEAKER INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL SENSORS” filed on Jul. 20, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present description relates generally to electronic devices, and more particularly, but not exclusively, electronic devices having environmental sensors. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electronic devices such as computers, media players, cellular telephones, and other electronic equipment are often provided with sensors such as accelerometers, temperatures sensors, light sensors, or pressure sensors. It can be challenging to integrate sensors into electronic devices, particularly in compact devices such as portable electronic devices. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Certain features of the subject technology are set forth in the appended claims. However, for purpose of explanation, several embodiments of the subject technology are set forth in the following figures. 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a perspective view of an example electronic device having a sensor in accordance with various aspects of the subject technology. 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a perspective view of another example electronic device having a sensor in accordance with various aspects of the subject technology. 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a portion of an example electronic device having a speaker-integrated sensor in accordance with various aspects of the subject technology. 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a portion of another example speaker-integrated sensor in accordance with various aspects of the subject technology. 
         FIG.  5    illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a portion of another example speaker-integrated sensor in accordance with various aspects of the subject technology. 
         FIG.  6    illustrates a top perspective view of a speaker housing in accordance with various aspects of the subject technology. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of various configurations of the subject technology and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the subject technology may be practiced. The appended drawings are incorporated herein and constitute a part of the detailed description. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the subject technology. However, it will be clear and apparent to those skilled in the art that the subject technology is not limited to the specific details set forth herein and may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the subject technology. 
     Portable electronic devices such as a mobile phones, portable music players, smart watches, tablet computers, and laptop computers often include a pressure sensor for sensing environmental pressure. The pressure sensor is sometimes used for barometric pressure measurements and/or can be combined with other sensors such as temperature sensors, humidity sensors, and gas concentration sensors, to monitor the environment surrounding the device. 
     Pressure sensors are often disposed within the housing of the electronic device and are able to sense the environmental pressure outside the housing due to airflow from outside the housing into the housing at various openings or ports. However, it is also desirable to increase water resistance for portable electronic devices to prevent internal water damage in moist or wet environments or when the device is dropped or otherwise dipped or submerged into a liquid. 
     In accordance with various aspects of the subject disclosure, a portable electronic device such as a smart phone, a tablet, or a smart watch includes an audio component such as a speaker or a microphone. The audio component is disposed within a portion of a housing of the portable electronic device near a port that allows sound to pass into and/or out of the housing. The port may be an open port or may be covered or partially covered with a membrane or a mesh structure that is permeable to sound and air. The audio component includes an audio component housing that is disposed within the electronic device housing. The audio component housing is at least partially disposed within a main cavity that is defined by the housing and that is sealed against liquid ingress. The audio component housing may form at least a portion of a barrier against the liquid ingress into the main cavity. Electronic components for the device such as one or more processors, batteries, memory circuits, application-specific integrated circuits, communications components, display circuitry, and/or other electronic components are housed in the main cavity. 
     The portable electronic device includes one or more environmental sensors such as a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor may be disposed entirely within the audio component housing or may include a portion disposed within the main cavity of the housing that is sealed against liquid ingress. The pressure sensor may receive an environmental pressure through an opening in the audio component housing or the pressure sensor may be formed partially within the opening, or within or integral with the audio component housing. For example, the pressure sensor may have a sensor housing with a sensor port that is aligned within the opening in the speaker housing. The opening in the speaker housing may be fluidly coupled to the ambient environment by the port in the electronic device housing. 
     In some implementations, the pressure sensor may be mounted to an exterior surface of the speaker housing such that a pressure sensor element is aligned over the opening in the speaker housing. In other implementations, the pressure sensor element may be located at least partially within the opening in the speaker housing. In other implementations, the pressure sensor element may be integrated into the audio component housing. 
     In implementations in which the pressure sensor is mounted to the exterior surface of the audio component housing or mounted at least partially within the opening in the audio component housing, a sealing membrane or a sealing material may be disposed over the pressure sensor to prevent liquid or gas from passing through the opening in the audio component housing into the main cavity of the device housing. 
     Because a speaker includes a moving membrane that can be electronically controlled by the processing circuitry of the device, the speaker can be operated to clear liquid such as water from within the speaker port. In this way, negative effects of liquid in the vicinity of the pressure sensor can also be reduced or eliminated. 
     An illustrative electronic device including a sensor and an audio component is shown in  FIG.  1   . In the example of  FIG.  1   , device  100  has been implemented using a housing that is sufficiently small to be portable and carried by a user (e.g., device  100  of  FIG.  1    may be a handheld electronic device such as a tablet computer or a cellular telephone or smart phone). As shown in  FIG.  1   , device  100  includes a display such as display  110  mounted on the front of housing  106 . Device  100  includes one or more input/output devices such as a touch screen incorporated into display  110 , a button or switch such as button  104  and/or other input output components disposed on or behind display  110  or on or behind other portions of housing  106 . Display  110  and/or housing  106  include one or more openings to accommodate button  104 , a speaker, a light source, or a camera. 
     In the example of  FIG.  1   , housing  106  includes two openings  108  on a bottom sidewall of housing. One or more of openings  108  forms a port for an audio component. For example, one of openings  108  may form a speaker port for a speaker disposed within housing  106  and another one of openings  108  may form a microphone port for a microphone disposed within housing  106 . Openings  108  may be open ports or may be completely or partially covered with a permeable membrane or a mesh structure that allows air and sound to pass through the openings. Although two openings  108  are shown in  FIG.  1   , this is merely illustrative. One opening  108 , two openings  108 , or more than two openings  108  may be provided on the bottom sidewall (as shown) on another sidewall (e.g., a top, left, or right sidewall), on a rear surface of housing  106  and/or a front surface of housing  106  or display  110 . In some implementations, one or more groups of openings  108  in housing  106  may be aligned with a single port of an audio component within housing  106 . 
     Housing  106 , which may sometimes be referred to as a case, may be formed of plastic, glass, ceramics, fiber composites, metal (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, etc.), other suitable materials, or a combination of any two or more of these materials. 
     The configuration of electronic device  100  of  FIG.  1    is merely illustrative. In other implementations, electronic device  100  may be a computer such as a computer that is integrated into a display such as a computer monitor, a laptop computer, a somewhat smaller portable device such as a smart watch, a pendant device, or other wearable or miniature device, a media player, a gaming device, a navigation device, a computer monitor, a television, a headphone, or other electronic equipment. 
     For example, in some implementations, housing  106  may be formed using a unibody configuration in which some or all of housing  106  is machined or molded as a single structure or may be formed using multiple structures (e.g., an internal frame structure, one or more structures that form exterior housing surfaces, etc.). Although housing  106  of  FIG.  1    is shown as a single structure, housing  106  may have multiple parts. For example, housing  106  may have upper portion and lower portion coupled to the upper portion using a hinge that allows the upper portion to rotate about a rotational axis relative to the lower portion. A keyboard such as a QWERTY keyboard and a touch pad may be mounted in the lower housing portion, in some implementations. 
     In some implementations, electronic device  100  may be provided in the form of a computer integrated into a computer monitor. Display  110  may be mounted on a front surface of housing  106  and a stand may be provided to support housing (e.g., on a desktop). 
     In some implementations, electronic device  100  may be provided in the form of a wearable device such as a smart watch.  FIG.  2    shows an example of electronic device  100  implemented in the form of a smart watch. As shown in  FIG.  2   , in some implementations, housing  106  may include one or more interfaces  202  for mechanically coupling housing  106  to a strap  200  or other structure for securing housing  106  to a wearer. For example, strap  200  may be a wristband that secures housing  106  to a wearer&#39;s wrist such that display  110  is visible in the form of a watch face. In the implementation shown in  FIG.  2   , housing  106  includes an opening  108  in a sidewall of housing  106 . It should be appreciated that, although device  100  one opening in the example of  FIG.  2   , device  100  may include one, two, three, four, or more than four openings. Device  100  may include one, two, three, or more than three audio components each mounted adjacent to one or more of openings  108 . 
     A speaker disposed within housing  106  transmits sound through at least one associated opening  108 . A microphone may also be provided within housing  106  that receives sound through at least one associated opening in the housing. An audio component membrane such as a speaker membrane or microphone membrane is located in a portion of housing  106  that receives a flow of air from an exterior or ambient environment. That portion of the housing is separate from a main cavity of the housing in which electronic components (e.g., one or more processors, one or more electronic storage media, one or more batteries, a display, one or more integrated circuits, sensors or other components for operation of the device) are located. The main cavity of the housing may be a waterproof or a water-resistant portion that is separate from the portion in which the audio component membrane is disposed. The separate portion in which the audio component membrane is disposed may be an interior cavity of a housing for the audio component, the audio component housing providing at least a part of a barrier between the ambient air and the main cavity of the device housing. 
       FIG.  3    shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of device  100  in which an audio component is mounted. In the example of  FIG.  3   , device  100  includes speaker  300 . Speaker  300  includes speaker housing  302  mounted adjacent at least one opening  108  in device housing  106 . Speaker housing may be formed form one or more materials such as plastic or metal. In some implementations, speaker housing  302  is a monolithic of multi-part structure formed, for example, from molded plastic. In other implementations, speaker housing  302  may include a molded plastic structure having a planar metal portion disposed in an opening in the molded plastic housing (e.g., a planar metal member formed over a speaker membrane of the speaker). Speaker housing  302  includes a port  308  that is aligned with opening  108  so that sound generated by speaker membrane  309  (e.g., responsive to control signals received by speaker circuitry  311 ) within speaker housing  302  can be transmitted through port  308  and opening  108  to the external environment. Port  308  may be an open port or may include a cover  310  such as a membrane or a mesh structure that discourages entry of liquid into speaker housing  302 , but that is permeable to sound and air. Cover  310  may discourage entry of liquid into speaker housing  302  but may be insufficient to prevent entry of all liquid, particularly in high moisture environments such as prolonged exposure to high humidity or in the event of a spill of liquid onto device  100  or a drop or a deliberate submersion of device  100  into a liquid. 
     As shown, speaker housing  302  is formed within a main cavity  304  within device housing  106 . Speaker housing  302  includes an internal cavity that is separate from main cavity  304 . In the example of  FIG.  3   , the internal (inner) cavity of speaker  300  includes first chamber  306 A, second chamber  306 B, and third chamber  306 C. Speaker membrane  309  is disposed in second chamber  306 B which is disposed between first chamber  306 A and third chamber  306 C. First chamber  306 A forms a front volume of the speaker that is adjacent to the output port  308 . Third chamber  306 C forms a back volume for the speaker. 
     In the example of  FIG.  3   , speaker membrane  309  is operated to generate sound by speaker circuitry  311  (e.g., one or more magnets, one or more coils, and/or additional speaker control circuitry such as signal processing circuitry or other processing circuitry). Device circuitry  321  such as a central processing unit, a sound card, and/or other dedicated audio circuitry may generate control signals for speaker  300  and may provide those control signals to speaker circuitry  311  via a control line  313 . Control line  313  may be a wire, a cable (e.g., a coaxial cable) or a flexible integrated circuit (as examples) coupled to one or more electrical contacts on speaker housing  302 . Device circuitry  321  is disposed in main cavity  304 . Device circuitry  321  may be liquid-sensitive circuitry that would be damaged if exposed to moisture or liquid. Moisture and/or liquid from outside of device housing  106  is prevented from reaching device circuitry  321 , by a barrier formed, at least in part, by audio component housing  302 . In this way, device  100  is provided with a sealed internal cavity  304  within which sensitive electronics are located, while ambient access is also provided for audio and environmental-sensing components. 
     In the example of  FIG.  3   , pressure sensor  314  is mounted on an outer surface of speaker housing  302 . An opening  312  is provided in a wall  315  of speaker housing  302 . Pressure sensor  314  is mounted to housing  302  adjacent opening  312  so that ambient air that has passed into the interior cavity of speaker housing  302  is provided to pressure sensor  314  via opening  312 . Pressure sensor  314  may include a sensor housing having a port (not explicitly shown), aligned with opening  312 , into which the ambient air flows, or pressure sensor  314  may have a pressure sensing membrane or material mounted directly adjacent opening  312  as in the example of  FIG.  3   . Pressure signals generated by pressure sensor  314  may be provided to processing circuitry  321  via a signal line  316  communicatively coupled to the pressure sensor. Signal line  316  may be a wire, a cable, or a flexible integrated circuit (as examples). 
     In the example of  FIG.  3   , an encapsulation layer  318  is provided over pressure sensor  314 . Encapsulation layer  318  seals pressure sensor  314  over opening  312  to prevent moisture or gas from within the internal cavity of speaker housing  302  from passing into main cavity  304  of device  100 . Encapsulation layer  318  may be formed from, for example, a resin or epoxy material or another suitable water impermeable material. In this example, speaker housing  302 , pressure sensor  314 , and encapsulation layer  318  cooperate to form a sealing barrier between opening  108  and main cavity  304 . One or more sealing members  329  may be provided at the interface of speaker housing  302  and device housing  106  to prevent passage of liquid or gas through a space between speaker housing  302  and device housing  106 . In some implementations, an additional interface structure may be provided (e.g., sealingly disposed) between port  308  of speaker housing  302  and opening  108 . 
     In some scenarios, moisture may enter into the internal cavity of speaker housing  302  (e.g., into port  308 , chamber  306 A or  306 B), which can negatively affect the performance of speaker  300  and/or pressure sensor  314 . In some scenarios, speaker membrane  309  may be actuated to purge water from the internal cavity of speaker housing  302  out through port  308  and opening  108 . 
     In the example of  FIG.  3   , pressure sensor  314  is mounted to an external surface  317  (located interior to device housing  106 ) of speaker housing  302 , without any portion extending into opening  312 . However, this is merely illustrative. In other configurations, pressure sensor  314  may be formed at least partially within opening  312 . 
       FIG.  4    shows an example of pressure sensor  314  in an implementation in which the pressure sensor is disposed within opening  312 . As shown in  FIG.  4   , opening  312  may be sufficiently wide to accommodate pressure sensor  314  therewithin. In the example of  FIG.  4   , the entirety of pressure sensor  314  is disposed within opening  312  and pressure sensor  314  is attached to flexible circuit  316  which lays flush on the external surface  317  of speaker housing  302 . The portion of pressure sensor  314  that is disposed within opening  312  may be contained within opening  312  or may extend into the internal cavity of speaker housing  302 . 
     The portion of pressure sensor  314  that is disposed within opening  312  may include a pressure sensing element (e.g., a MEMS element, a piezo element, a membrane coupled to a capacitive or resistive transducer circuit, etc.) and processing circuitry for the pressure sensor. In other implementations, processing circuitry for the pressure sensor may be disposed above the opening  312  (e.g., at least partially within main cavity  304 ) and coupled to flexible circuit  316 . The portion of pressure sensor  314  that is disposed within opening  312  may, in some implementations, include a sensor housing in which the pressure sensing element and the processing circuitry are enclosed (e.g., a sensor housing with a sensor port that allows airflow into the housing to the pressure sensing element). In some implementations, pressure sensor  314  may be provided without a sensor housing (e.g., the portion of pressure sensor  314  that is disposed within opening  312  may include the pressure sensing element and the processing circuitry on which the pressure sensing element is disposed without a covering or housing, or the portion of pressure sensor  314  that is disposed within opening  312  may include the pressure sensing element, with the processing circuitry on which the pressure sensing element is disposed being located above opening  312  without a covering or housing over the pressure sensing element or the processing circuitry). 
     In the example of  FIG.  4   , encapsulation layer  318  is formed over a portion of flexible circuit  316  and opening  312  to seal opening  312  to prevent moisture or gas from passing through opening  312  into main cavity  304  of device housing  106 . In various examples, the components of pressure sensor  314  may substantially fill opening  312  (e.g., a sensor housing of the pressure sensor may be press fit into opening  312 ), a portion of opening  312  surrounding pressure sensor  314  may be free of material, or an encapsulating material such as a portion of encapsulation layer  318  may be disposed within opening  312 . 
     In the examples of  FIGS.  3  and  4   , an opening is provided in the speaker housing through or within which ambient air pressure can be sensed by pressure sensor  314 . In these examples, speaker membrane  309  is entirely disposed within the internal cavity of speaker housing  302  and pressure sensor  314  receives ambient air through or within an opening in that speaker housing. However, in other implementations, pressure sensor  314  may be fully integrated with speaker  300 . For example, pressure sensor can be an integrally formed portion of speaker  300  such that pressure sensor signals are provided from pressure sensor  314 , and control signals for speaker  300  are transmitted, through a common connection to the integrated speaker/sensor module. 
     For example, pressure sensor signals can be transmitted through a flexible circuit  313  that is communicatively coupled to speaker  300  (e.g., via contacts on speaker housing  302 ) and that carries control signals for speaker membrane  309 . 
       FIG.  5    shows an example of a fully integrated speaker/sensor module. In the example of  FIG.  5   , pressure sensor  314 ′ is integrated into a portion of speaker housing  302 . For example, pressure sensor  314 ′ may include a pressure sensing element (as described herein) embedded within a recess in an internal surface  502  of speaker housing  302 . An embedded pressure sensor  314 ′ as shown in  FIG.  5    may include a sensor housing that is mounted within the recess or the embedded pressure sensor may be provided without a separate sensor housing. For example, in various implementations, the embedded pressure sensing element may be a MEMS sensor directly mounted within the recess or a pressure actuatable membrane mounted on a control circuit such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that is mounted within the recess. In some implementations, pressure sensor  314  may be a MEMS or other actuable structure that is etched or printed into the material of speaker housing  302 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  5   , electrical routing such as connector  500  (e.g., one or more wires, a cable, a flexible circuit) that is interior to speaker housing  302  may be provided to transmit pressure signals from pressure sensor  314  to an external connection on speaker housing  302  for speaker  300 . Alternatively, some or all of connector  500  may be embedded within or may pass through speaker housing  302 . For example, connector  500  may be implemented as one or more conductive posts that pass through a portion of housing  302  to form (or couple to) separate contacts for pressure sensor  314 ′ on an exterior surface of speaker housing  302  (e.g., separate from additional contacts for speaker circuitry  311 ). 
     In the examples of  FIGS.  3 - 5   , pressure sensor  314  (or  314 ′) is disposed adjacent to first chamber  306 A. It has been discovered that pressure effects generated by the operation of speaker membrane  309 , which can negatively affect pressure sensor measurements for a pressure sensor in the vicinity of a speaker) can be reduced when the pressure sensor is mounted within or adjacent to the front volume (e.g., first chamber  306 A) of a speaker housing having a back volume (e.g., third chamber  306 C) and a speaker membrane disposed in a chamber (e.g., second chamber  302 B) that is disposed between the front volume and the back volume. For example, a pressure sensor that is mounted within or adjacent to the front volume (e.g., first chamber  306 A) of a speaker housing may experience a lower particle velocity and a lower oscillatory pressure from the speaker membrane than a pressure sensor mounted in other locations on the speaker housing. However, other considerations may cause pressure sensor to be mounted at other locations on or within housing  302 . 
       FIG.  6    is a top perspective view of speaker housing  302  in accordance with various aspects. In the example of  FIG.  6   , opening  312  can be seen in wall  315  of housing  302  in the front volume location shown in  FIGS.  3  and  4   . In the example of  FIG.  5   , embedded sensor  314 ′ would be disposed interior to the location at which opening  312  is shown in  FIG.  6   , without an opening in the housing. However, it should be appreciated that opening  312  and pressure sensor  314  or pressure sensor  314 ′ can be formed at other locations on housing  302 .  FIG.  6    shows portions  600  and  602  of speaker housing  302  that correspond, respectively, to second chamber  306 B and third chamber  306 C of the internal cavity of speaker housing  302 . 
     As shown, an opening  312 ′ can be formed in the wall of portion  600  corresponding to the second chamber  306 B or an opening  312 ″ can be formed in the wall of portion  602  corresponding to the third chamber  306 C (as examples). In yet other examples, openings can be formed in a bottom surface or on a sidewall of speaker housing  302 . 
     In implementations in which pressure sensor  314  receives ambient pressure via an opening such as opening  312 ,  312 ′, or  312 ″, the pressure sensor is mounted over, or within, the opening and encapsulated (as shown in  FIGS.  3  and  4   ) at any suitable location of the opening. An embedded pressure sensor  314 ′ can be formed in any suitable wall surface within speaker housing  302  (e.g., a top surface of second chamber  306 B, a top surface of third chamber  306 C, a sidewall surface, or a bottom surface within housing  302 ). 
     In accordance with some aspects of the subject disclosure, a portable electronic device is provided that includes a device housing having an opening. The device also includes an audio component having an audio component housing that is disposed within the device housing, the audio component housing having a sensor opening and a port. The port is disposed adjacent to the opening in the device housing to allow flow of air and sound between an internal cavity of the audio component housing and an environment outside the device housing through the opening via the port. The device also includes an audio component membrane disposed entirely within the internal cavity of the audio component housing. The device also includes a pressure sensor fluidly coupled to the environment outside the device housing via the opening in the device housing, the port, the internal cavity, and the sensor opening in the audio component housing. 
     In accordance with other aspects of the subject disclosure, a portable electronic device is provided that includes a device housing having an opening. The device also includes an audio component having an audio component housing that is disposed within the device housing, the audio component housing having a port and an internal cavity defined by an inner wall of the audio component housing. The port is disposed adjacent to the opening in the device housing to allow flow of air and sound between the internal cavity of the audio component housing and an environment outside the device housing through the opening via the port. The device also includes a pressure sensor at least partially embedded within the inner wall. 
     In accordance with other aspects of the subject disclosure, a smart phone is provided that includes a device housing defining a sealed internal cavity, the device housing having an opening. The smart phone also includes processing circuitry disposed within the sealed internal cavity. The smart phone also includes a speaker having a speaker housing disposed within the sealed internal cavity. The speaker housing includes a port sealingly coupled to the opening in the device housing, a first chamber adjacent the port, a second chamber adjacent the first chamber, and a speaker membrane in the second chamber. The smart phone also includes a pressure sensor that is fluidly coupled to an environment external to the device housing via the opening in the device housing and via at least a portion of the first chamber. 
     Various functions described above can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, in computer software, firmware or hardware. The techniques can be implemented using one or more computer program products. Programmable processors and computers can be included in or packaged as mobile devices. The processes and logic flows can be performed by one or more programmable processors and by one or more programmable logic circuitry. General and special purpose computing devices and storage devices can be interconnected through communication networks. 
     Some implementations include electronic components, such as microprocessors, storage and memory that store computer program instructions in a machine-readable or computer-readable medium (alternatively referred to as computer-readable storage media, machine-readable media, or machine-readable storage media). Some examples of such computer-readable media include RAM, ROM, read-only compact discs (CD-ROM), recordable compact discs (CD-R), rewritable compact discs (CD-RW), read-only digital versatile discs (e.g., DVD-ROM, dual-layer DVD-ROM), a variety of recordable/rewritable DVDs (e.g., DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, etc.), flash memory (e.g., SD cards, mini-SD cards, micro-SD cards, etc.), magnetic and/or solid state hard drives, ultra density optical discs, any other optical or magnetic media, and floppy disks. The computer-readable media can store a computer program that is executable by at least one processing unit and includes sets of instructions for performing various operations. Examples of computer programs or computer code include machine code, such as is produced by a compiler, and files including higher-level code that are executed by a computer, an electronic component, or a microprocessor using an interpreter. 
     While the above discussion primarily refers to microprocessor or multi-core processors that execute software, some implementations are performed by one or more integrated circuits, such as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). In some implementations, such integrated circuits execute instructions that are stored on the circuit itself. 
     As used in this specification and any claims of this application, the terms “computer”, “processor”, and “memory” all refer to electronic or other technological devices. These terms exclude people or groups of people. For the purposes of the specification, the terms “display” or “displaying” means displaying on an electronic device. As used in this specification and any claims of this application, the terms “computer readable medium” and “computer readable media” are entirely restricted to tangible, physical objects that store information in a form that is readable by a computer. These terms exclude any wireless signals, wired download signals, and any other ephemeral signals. 
     To provide for interaction with a user, implementations of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented on a computer having a display device as described herein for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointing device, such as a mouse or a trackball, by which the user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide for interaction with a user as well; for example, feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, such as visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input. 
     Many of the above-described features and applications are implemented as software processes that are specified as a set of instructions recorded on a computer readable storage medium (also referred to as computer readable medium). When these instructions are executed by one or more processing unit(s) (e.g., one or more processors, cores of processors, or other processing units), they cause the processing unit(s) to perform the actions indicated in the instructions. Examples of computer readable media include, but are not limited to, CD-ROMs, flash drives, RAM chips, hard drives, EPROMs, etc. The computer readable media does not include carrier waves and electronic signals passing wirelessly or over wired connections. 
     In this specification, the term “software” is meant to include firmware residing in read-only memory or applications stored in magnetic storage, which can be read into memory for processing by a processor. Also, in some implementations, multiple software aspects of the subject disclosure can be implemented as sub-parts of a larger program while remaining distinct software aspects of the subject disclosure. In some implementations, multiple software aspects can also be implemented as separate programs. Finally, any combination of separate programs that together implement a software aspect described here is within the scope of the subject disclosure. In some implementations, the software programs, when installed to operate on one or more electronic systems, define one or more specific machine implementations that execute and perform the operations of the software programs. 
     A computer program (also known as a program, software, software application, script, or code) can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, declarative or procedural languages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as a stand alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, object, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program may, but need not, correspond to a file in a file system. A program can be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programs or data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markup language document), in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store one or more modules, sub programs, or portions of code). A computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers that are located at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network. 
     It is understood that any specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the processes disclosed is an illustration of example approaches. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the processes may be rearranged, or that all illustrated blocks be performed. Some of the blocks may be performed simultaneously. For example, in certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the embodiments described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all embodiments, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single software product or packaged into multiple software products. 
     The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. Pronouns in the masculine (e.g., his) include the feminine and neuter gender (e.g., her and its) and vice versa. Headings and subheadings, if any, are used for convenience only and do not limit the subject disclosure. 
     The predicate words “configured to”, “operable to”, and “programmed to” do not imply any particular tangible or intangible modification of a subject, but, rather, are intended to be used interchangeably. For example, a processor configured to monitor and control an operation or a component may also mean the processor being programmed to monitor and control the operation or the processor being operable to monitor and control the operation. Likewise, a processor configured to execute code can be construed as a processor programmed to execute code or operable to execute code 
     A phrase such as an “aspect” does not imply that such aspect is essential to the subject technology or that such aspect applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to an aspect may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. A phrase such as an aspect may refer to one or more aspects and vice versa. A phrase such as a “configuration” does not imply that such configuration is essential to the subject technology or that such configuration applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to a configuration may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. A phrase such as a configuration may refer to one or more configurations and vice versa. 
     The word “example” is used herein to mean “serving as an example or illustration.” Any aspect or design described herein as “example” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or design 
     All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or, in the case of a method claim, the element is recited using the phrase “step for.” Furthermore, to the extent that the term “include,” “have,” or the like is used in the description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprise” as “comprise” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20180719
Publication Date: 20230214
Grant Date: 20230214
Priority Date: 20170720
Inventors: LEE, WILLIAM S.
CATER, TYLER B.
YANG, SHANNON X.
Crosby, Justin D.
LUI, TIMOTHY S.
NYLAND, ERIC N.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G01K7/02", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/025", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R3/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/03", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2499/11", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01K1/16", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M2250/12", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/08", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/023", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/03", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M2250/12", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/025", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1041", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0412", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/023", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2499/11", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/08", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/023", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0412", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M2250/12", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/08", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1041", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/03", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01K7/02", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R3/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/025", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01K1/16", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2499/11", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 63244999