PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11310585-B2
Application Number: US-202017067611-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Compact speaker

Abstract:
An electronic speaker comprising: a device housing defining an interior cavity and including a sidewall extending around the interior cavity between an upper portion and a lower portion of the device housing; first and second sound channels formed at opposing locations along the sidewall, each of the first and second sound channels comprising a plurality of openings formed through the sidewall; a passive radiator array comprising first and second passive radiators disposed within the interior cavity, spaced apart from each other in an opposing relationship and aligned to project sound through the first and second sound channels; an active driver disposed in the device housing and configured to generate sound in response to an electrical signal, the active driver comprising driver housing disposed at least partially between the first and second passive radiators, a magnet disposed within the driver housing, a voice coil and a diaphragm facing downwards towards the lower surface of the device housing; and an annular sound channel disposed along the bottom portion of the device housing adjacent to the diaphragm of the active driver.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electronic speaker, comprising:
 a device housing defining an interior cavity and including an exterior sidewall extending around the interior cavity between an upper portion and a lower portion of the device housing; 
 first and second sound channels formed at opposing locations along the exterior sidewall, each of the first and second sound channels comprising a plurality of openings formed through the exterior sidewall; 
 a passive radiator array comprising first and second passive radiators disposed within the interior cavity, spaced apart from each other in an opposing relationship and aligned to project sound through the first and second sound channels, wherein each of the first and second passive radiators comprises a frame, a radiator mass element and a secondary suspension coupling the radiator mass element to the frame in a manner that allows the radiator mass to move within the frame, and wherein the radiator mass element has first and second opposing ends and a central section extending along a length of the radiator mass element between the first and second opposing ends with a width of each of the first and second opposing ends being greater than a width of the central section; 
 an active driver disposed in the device housing and configured to generate sound in response to an electrical signal, the active driver comprising driver housing disposed at least partially between the first and second passive radiators, a magnet disposed within the driver housing, a voice coil and a diaphragm facing downwards towards the lower surface of the device housing; and 
 an annular sound channel disposed along the lower portion of the device housing adjacent to the diaphragm of the active driver. 
 
     
     
       2. The electronic speaker set forth in  claim 1  wherein the device housing further includes a cone-shaped inner sidewall projecting away from a bottom portion of the device housing towards the active driver and wherein the exterior sidewall and the annular sound channel surround the cone-shaped inner sidewall. 
     
     
       3. The electronic speaker set forth in  claim 1  wherein the lower portion of the device housing comprises a plurality of ribs disposed radially around the device housing and extending from the exterior sidewall towards a bottom surface of the device housing defining a plurality of slits that form the annular sound channel. 
     
     
       4. The electronic speaker set forth in  claim 3  wherein the plurality of ribs disposed radially around the device housing includes a first set of ribs extending from the exterior sidewall to the bottom surface of the device housing and a second set of ribs extending partially between the exterior sidewall and the bottom surface of the device housing. 
     
     
       5. The electronic speaker set forth in  claim 4  wherein the plurality of ribs disposed radially around the device housing includes an alternating pattern of one or more ribs from the second set of ribs disposed between each adjacent pair of ribs in the first set of ribs. 
     
     
       6. The electronic speaker set forth in  claim 3  wherein each rib in the plurality of ribs is spaced equally apart from its adjacent ribs by a distance between 1.0 to 5.0 millimeters. 
     
     
       7. The electronic speaker set forth in  claim 1  further comprising a touch responsive input device disposed at an upper surface of the device housing. 
     
     
       8. The speaker set forth in  claim 1  further comprising a planar foot coupled to the device housing. 
     
     
       9. The speaker set forth in  claim 1  further comprising an acoustic fabric woven in a mesh configuration and wrapped around the device housing providing a consistent exterior surface for the electronic speaker. 
     
     
       10. The electronic speaker set forth in  claim 1  wherein the device housing comprises separate upper housing, middle housing and lower housing components affixed to each other to form the interior cavity. 
     
     
       11. The electronic speaker set forth in  claim 1  wherein the frame of each of the first and second passive radiators comprises an annular outer rim extending fully around an outer periphery of the frame and first and second connection members protruding from opposing ends of the outer rim. 
     
     
       12. The electronic speaker set forth in  claim 11 , wherein each of the first and second passive radiators in the passive radiator array further comprises:
 a rigid diaphragm disposed within a central portion of its respective frame; and 
 a primary annular suspension coupling the diaphragm to the annular outer rim of the frame in a manner that allows the diaphragm to move within the frame; 
 wherein the secondary suspension in each of the first and second passive radiators comprises a first spider element coupled between the first connection member of the frame and the first end of its respective radiator mass, and a second spider element coupled between the second connection end of the frame and the second end of its respective radiator mass. 
 
     
     
       13. The electronic speaker set forth in  claim 12  wherein the central section of the radiator mass element has a generally concave shape and wherein radiator mass element is coupled to the secondary suspension such that the concave portion of the radiator mass element is facing away from the diaphragm. 
     
     
       14. The electronic speaker set forth in  claim 12  wherein each of the first and second spider elements is formed from a thin sheet of rubber between 1-2 mm thick. 
     
     
       15. The electronic speaker set forth in  claim 12  wherein each of the first and second spider elements is thermo-formed into a wavy pattern along a length of the spider. 
     
     
       16. The electronic speaker set forth in  claim 12  wherein the frame has a generally oval shape and includes first and second connection ends protruding from opposite ends of the frame. 
     
     
       17. The electronic speaker set forth in  claim 12  wherein the first spider element is adhered to the first end of the radiator mass element along a first connection portion of the first connection end that has a width greater than a width of the central section, and wherein the second spider element is adhered to the second end of the radiator mass element along a second connection portion of the second connection end that has a width greater than a width of the central section. 
     
     
       18. An electronic speaker, comprising:
 a device housing defining an interior cavity and including an exterior sidewall extending around the interior cavity between an upper portion and a lower portion of the device housing; 
 first and second sound channels formed at opposing locations along the exterior sidewall, each of the first and second sound channels comprising a plurality of openings formed through the exterior sidewall; 
 a passive radiator array comprising first and second passive radiators disposed within the interior cavity, spaced apart from each other in an opposing relationship and aligned to project sound through the first and second sound channels; 
 an active driver disposed in the device housing and configured to generate sound in response to an electrical signal, the active driver comprising driver housing disposed at least partially between the first and second passive radiators, a magnet disposed within the driver housing, a voice coil and a diaphragm facing downwards towards the lower surface of the device housing; and 
 an annular sound channel disposed along the lower portion of the device housing adjacent to the diaphragm of the active driver; 
 wherein the lower portion of the device housing comprises a plurality of ribs disposed radially around the device housing and extending from the exterior sidewall towards a bottom surface of the device housing defining a plurality of slits that form the annular sound channel; 
 wherein the plurality of ribs includes a first set of ribs extending from the exterior sidewall to the bottom surface of the device housing and a second set of ribs extending partially between the exterior sidewall and the bottom surface of the device housing and arranged in an alternating pattern with the first plurality of ribs such that one or more ribs from the second set of ribs is disposed between each adjacent pair of ribs in the first set of ribs; and 
 wherein the device housing further includes a conical inner sidewall projecting away from a bottom surface of the device housing towards the active driver, the annular sound aperture surrounds the conical inner sidewall, and each rib in the first set of ribs includes an angled portion adjacent to the bottom surface that extends inward towards the conical inner sidewall. 
 
     
     
       19. An electronic speaker, comprising:
 a device housing defining an interior cavity and including an exterior sidewall extending around the interior cavity between an upper portion and a lower portion of the device housing; 
 first and second sound channels formed at opposing locations along the exterior sidewall, each of the first and second sound channels comprising a plurality of openings formed through the exterior sidewall; 
 a passive radiator array comprising first and second passive radiators disposed within the interior cavity, spaced apart from each other in an opposing relationship and aligned to project sound through the first and second sound channels, each of the first and second passive radiators comprising: a frame having an annular outer rim extending fully around an outer periphery of the frame and first and second connection ends protruding from opposing ends of the outer rim, a rigid diaphragm disposed within a central portion of the frame, a primary annular suspension coupling the diaphragm to the annular outer rim of the frame in a manner that allows the diaphragm to move within the frame, a radiator mass element having first and second opposing ends and a central section extending along a length of the radiator mass element between the first and second opposing ends where a width of each of the first and second opposing ends is greater than a width of the central section, and a secondary suspension coupling the radiator mass element to the frame in a manner that allows the radiator mass to move within the frame; 
 an active driver disposed in the device housing and configured to generate sound in response to an electrical signal, the active driver comprising driver housing disposed at least partially between the first and second passive radiators, a magnet disposed within the driver housing, a voice coil and a diaphragm facing downwards towards the lower surface of the device housing; 
 an annular sound channel disposed along the bottom portion of the device housing adjacent to the diaphragm of the active driver; 
 wherein the device housing further includes a conical inner sidewall surrounded by the exterior sidewall and the annular sound channel and projecting away from a bottom surface of the device housing towards the active driver. 
 
     
     
       20. The electronic speaker set forth in  claim 19  wherein the secondary suspension comprises a first spider element coupled between the first connection member of the frame and the first end of the radiator mass, and a second spider element coupled between the second connection end of the frame and the second end of the radiator mass.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/074,230 filed on Sep. 3, 2020 the disclosures of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety and for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to an electronic smart speaker that has a compact size and shape and high quality audio playback. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Voice-activated/smart speakers are becoming a common household item where many households have at least one or more such devices. Voice-activated speakers allow a user to listen to and control music playback, access the internet and control various home automation devices in response to voice commands that follow an initial command phrase. While there are a number of different smart speakers on the market, new and improve smart speaker designs are continuously being sought. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     This disclosure describes various embodiments of a compact electronic smart speaker. Embodiments of the disclosed smart speaker can have a small footprint while also accurately reproducing music and other audio streams. In some embodiments, the smart speaker can include a supporting foot that has a relatively large surface area, planar bottom surface that distributes the weight of the speaker over a relatively large contact area of a supporting surface (e.g., a table top or desk top) as opposed to multiple smaller contact points of individual feet as is done in some compact speakers. The relatively large contact area of the supporting foot provides a higher degree of protection to the supporting surface that the speaker might be placed on. The foot can include a suspension system that isolates vibrations generated by the speaker, reducing the amount of vibrations that transfer through the foot to the supporting surface thus helping to ensure the speaker does not create an undesirable buzzing or other noise or shift or hop across the supporting surface due to such vibrations. 
     In some embodiments an electronic speaker is provided. The speaker can include: a device housing that defines an interior cavity and has a sidewall extending around the interior cavity between an upper portion and a lower portion of the device housing; first and second sound channels formed at opposing locations along the sidewall, each of the first and second sound channels having a plurality of openings formed through the sidewall; and a passive radiator array including first and second passive radiators disposed within the interior cavity, spaced apart from each other in an opposing relationship and aligned to project sound through the first and second sound channels. An active driver can be disposed in the device housing and configured to generate sound in response to an electrical signal. The active driver can include a driver housing disposed at least partially between the first and second passive radiators, a magnet disposed within the driver housing, a voice coil and a diaphragm facing downwards towards the lower surface of the device housing. The speaker can further include an annular sound channel disposed along the bottom portion of the device housing adjacent to the diaphragm of the active driver. 
     In various implementations, the electronic speaker can include one or more of the following features. The device housing can further include a cone-shaped inner sidewall projecting away from a bottom portion of the device housing towards the active driver and the exterior sidewall and the annular sound channel can surround the cone-shaped inner sidewall. The lower portion of the device housing can include a plurality of ribs disposed radially around the device housing and extending from the exterior sidewall towards a bottom surface of the device housing defining a plurality of slits that form the annular sound channel. The plurality of ribs can include a first set of ribs extending from the exterior sidewall to the bottom surface of the device housing and a second set of ribs extending partially between the exterior sidewall and the bottom surface of the device housing. The plurality of ribs can be arranged in an alternating pattern where one or more ribs from the second set of ribs is disposed between each adjacent pair of ribs in the first set of ribs. The device housing can further include a conical inner sidewall projecting away from a bottom surface of the device housing towards the active driver, the annular sound aperture can surround the conical inner sidewall, and each rib in the first set of ribs can include an angled portion adjacent to the bottom surface that extends inward towards the conical inner sidewall. Each rib in the plurality of ribs can be spaced equally apart from its adjacent ribs by a distance between 1.0 to 5.0 millimeters. 
     In various implementations the electronic speaker can further include one or more of: a touch responsive input device at an upper surface of the device housing, a planar foot coupled to lower portion of the device housing, and/or an acoustic fabric woven in a mesh configuration and wrapped around the device housing providing a consistent exterior surface for the electronic speaker. Also, the device housing can include separate upper housing, middle housing and lower housing components affixed to each other to form the interior cavity. The passive radiator array can include a frame having an annular outer rim extending fully around an outer periphery of the frame and first and second connection members protruding from opposing ends of the outer rim, a rigid diaphragm disposed within a central portion of the frame, a primary annular suspension coupling the diaphragm to the annular outer rim of the frame in a manner that allows the diaphragm to move within the frame, and a radiator mass element having first and second opposing ends and a central section extending along a length of the radiator mass element between the first and second opposing ends, and a secondary suspension coupling the radiator mass element to the frame in a manner that allows the radiator mass to move within the frame. A width of each of the first and second opposing ends of the radiator mass can be greater than a width of the central section. The secondary suspension can include a first spider element coupled between the first connection member of the frame and the first end of the radiator mass, and a second spider element coupled between the second connection end of the frame and the second end of the radiator mass. The central section of the radiator mass element can have a generally concave shape and wherein radiator mass element is coupled to the secondary suspension such that the concave portion of the radiator mass element is facing away from the diaphragm. The first and second spider elements can be formed from a thin sheet of rubber between 1-2 mm thick, and/or each of the first and second spider elements can be thermo-formed into a wavy pattern along a length of the spider. The frame can have a generally oval shape and include first and second connection ends protruding from opposite ends of the frame. The first spider element can be adhered to the first end of the radiator mass element along a first connection portion of the first connection end that has a width greater than a width of the central section, and the second spider element can be adhered to the second end of the radiator mass element along a second connection portion of the second connection end that has a width greater than a width of the central section. 
     An electronic speaker is provided in some embodiments that can include: a device housing defining an interior cavity and including an exterior sidewall extending around the interior cavity between an upper portion and a lower portion of the device housing; first and second sound channels formed at opposing locations along the exterior sidewall, each of the first and second sound channels including a plurality of openings formed through the exterior sidewall; a passive radiator array including first and second passive radiators disposed within the interior cavity, spaced apart from each other in an opposing relationship and aligned to project sound through the first and second sound channels; an active driver disposed in the device housing and configured to generate sound in response to an electrical signal. The active driver can include a driver housing disposed at least partially between the first and second passive radiators, a magnet disposed within the driver housing, a voice coil and a diaphragm facing downwards towards the lower surface of the device housing. And, the speaker can further include an annular sound channel disposed along the bottom portion of the device housing adjacent to the diaphragm of the active driver, and the device housing can further includes a conical inner sidewall surrounded by the exterior sidewall and the annular sound channel and projecting away from a bottom surface of the device housing towards the active driver. In some implementations each of the first and second passive radiators can include: a frame having an annular outer rim extending fully around an outer periphery of the frame and first and second connection ends protruding from opposing ends of the outer rim, a rigid diaphragm disposed within a central portion of the frame, a primary annular suspension coupling the diaphragm to the annular outer rim of the frame in a manner that allows the diaphragm to move within the frame, a radiator mass element, and a secondary suspension coupling the radiator mass element to the frame in a manner that allows the radiator mass to move within the frame. 
     An electronic speaker according to some embodiments can include an axisymmetric device housing defining an interior cavity and a conical recess at a bottom portion of the device housing where the device housing includes: (i) an outer sidewall extending around the interior cavity between a top surface and a bottom surface of the device housing defining an aperture at the top surface, and (ii) a centrally located conical sidewall surrounded by the outer sidewall and projecting upwards from the bottom surface of the device housing to a distal tip spaced apart from the top surface to define the conical recess. The electronic speaker can further include a touch responsive input device disposed within the aperture at the top surface of the device housing; first and second sound channels formed at opposing locations along the outer sidewall, each of the first and second sound channels comprising a plurality of openings formed through the outer sidewall; a passive radiator array comprising first and second passive radiators disposed within the interior cavity, spaced apart from each other in an opposing relationship and aligned to project sound through the first and second sound channels; an active driver disposed in the device housing and configured to generate sound in response to an electrical signal, the active driver comprising a driver housing disposed at least partially between the first and second passive radiators, a magnet disposed within the driver housing, a voice coil and a diaphragm spaced apart from and facing downwards towards the distal tip of the conical surface; an annular sound channel disposed along the bottom portion of the device housing surrounding the conical surface; and a foot assembly partially disposed within the conical recess and coupled to the device housing, the foot assembly comprising a planar foot operable to support the electronic speaker and a suspension system operable to dampen vibrations generated by the active driver before the vibrations are transmitted to the planar foot. 
     According to still additional embodiments, an electronic speaker can include: a device housing that defines an interior housing cavity; an audio driver disposed within the interior housing cavity; and a foot assembly coupled to the device housing and operable to support the electronic speaker. The foot assembly can include: a foot assembly sidewall having an outer sidewall perimeter extending outwardly away from a central neck; a planar foot having an outer foot perimeter proximate the outer sidewall perimeter where an upper surface of the planar foot cooperates with an interior surface of the foot assembly sidewall to create an internal cavity within the foot assembly; a suspension system disposed within the foot assembly internal cavity and coupling the planar foot to the foot assembly sidewall. The suspension system can include: an isolator plate disposed within the internal cavity of the foot assembly and mechanically coupled to the planar foot where the isolator plate includes a channel projecting perpendicularly away from the planar foot towards the device housing; an isolator stop fitted within the channel and having an aperture formed through the isolator stop aligned with a length of the channel; and an isolator fastener coupled to the foot assembly sidewall and disposed within the channel. The isolator fastener can extend through the isolator aperture formed through the isolator stop and can be operable to allow the foot assembly sidewall to translate with respect to the planar foot. 
     In various implementations, the electronic speaker can include one or more of the following features. The device housing can further define an exterior recess at a bottom surface of the device housing and the foot assembly can be disposed at least partially within the exterior recess. The isolator plate can include a plurality of channels and the suspension system can include a respective plurality of isolator stops and a respective plurality of isolator fasteners and each channel in the plurality of channels can have one isolator stop from the plurality of isolator stops fitted within the channel and one isolator fastener from the plurality of isolator fasteners disposed within the channel and extending through the aperture formed through its respective isolator stop. The foot assembly sidewall can include a plurality of fastener holes and each isolator fastener can be coupled to the foot assembly sidewall through one of the plurality of fastener holes. A vibration damper comprising a low durometer compressible material can be included in the speaker and disposed directly between the planar foot and the foot assembly sidewall. The vibration damper can include an annular body disposed proximate the outer foot perimeter surrounding the suspension system. The vibration damper can further include a plurality of teeth spaced radially apart from each other along the annular body and the plurality of teeth can extend away from the annular body toward the planar foot. 
     According to some embodiments, an electronic speaker is disclosed that includes: a device housing defining an interior housing cavity; an audio driver disposed within the interior housing cavity; and a foot assembly coupled to the device housing and operable to support the electronic speaker. The foot assembly can include: an anchor having a neck and a sidewall surrounding and extending radially away from the neck to an annular edge; a planar foot having an outer perimeter proximate the annular edge of the anchor and an annular channel inset from the outer perimeter and within a circumference of the anchor sidewall, where an upper surface of the planar foot cooperates with an interior surface of the anchor to create an internal cavity within the foot assembly; and a suspension system disposed within the foot assembly internal cavity and coupling the planar foot to the anchor. The suspension system can include: an isolator plate disposed within the internal cavity of the suspension system and mechanically coupled to the planar foot, the isolator plate comprising a plurality of channels projecting perpendicularly away from the planar foot towards the device housing; a plurality of isolator stops, each isolator stop fitted within one of the plurality of channels and having an aperture formed through the isolator stop aligned with a length of its respective channel; a plurality of isolator fasteners coupled to the anchor where each isolator fastener can be disposed within one of the plurality of channels and can extend through the isolator stop aperture of its corresponding channel allowing the anchor to translate with respect to the planar foot; and an annular isolator comprising a low durometer compressible material disposed with the annular channel between the planar foot and the anchor sidewall. 
     In some embodiments, a compact speaker sized to be placed on a table is provided. The compact speaker can include: a device housing that defines an interior housing cavity and an exterior conical recess at a bottom surface of the device housing; an audio driver disposed within the interior housing cavity; a foot assembly operable to support the electronic speaker on a surface of a table, where the foot assembly is disposed at least partially within the exterior conical recess and coupled to a bottom portion of the device housing. The foot assembly can include: an anchor having a central neck with an aperture formed through an upper surface of the neck, a sidewall surrounding and extending radially away from the neck to an annular edge, and a plurality of fastener openings formed along the sidewall; a fastener extending through the aperture in the neck and coupling the anchor to the device housing; a planar foot spaced apart from the anchor in an opposing relationship, the planar foot having an outer perimeter proximate the annular edge and an annular channel inset from the outer perimeter and within a circumference of the anchor sidewall, wherein an upper surface of the planar foot cooperates with an interior surface of the anchor to create an internal cavity within the foot assembly; and a suspension system disposed within the foot assembly internal cavity and coupling the planar foot to the anchor. The suspension system can be operable to dampen vibrations generated by the audio driver and can include: an isolator plate coupled to the planar foot and disposed within the internal cavity of the suspension system between the planar foot and the anchor, the isolator plate can include a planar surface spaced apart from the planar foot and a plurality of channels projecting perpendicularly away from the planar surface towards the device housing, where each of the plurality of channels can include an inner perimeter surface extending from the planar surface to a terminating surface and an aperture formed through the terminating surface; a plurality of isolator stops, where each isolator stop can be fitted within one of the plurality of channels and have an aperture formed through the isolator stop aligned with the channel aperture; a plurality of isolator fasteners where each isolator fastener can be disposed within one of the plurality of channels and can extend through the isolator stop aperture and channel aperture of its corresponding channel into one of the fastener openings formed in the anchor sidewall to mechanically attach the isolator fastener to the sidewall, and where each isolator fastener is operable to translate within its respective channel; and an annular isolator comprising a low durometer compressible material disposed with the annular channel at the upper surface of the planar foot and the sidewall of the anchor. 
     To better understand the nature and advantages of the present invention, reference should be made to the following description and the accompanying figures. It is to be understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the scope of the present invention. Also, as a general rule, and unless it is evident to the contrary from the description, where elements in different figures use the same reference numbers, the elements are generally either identical or at least similar in function or purpose. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a simplified perspective view of a smart speaker according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 2A  is an exploded view of various components housed inside a smart speaker according to some embodiments; 
         FIGS. 2B-2D  are additional exploded views of various components housed inside a smart speaker according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 3  is a simplified cross-sectional view of the smart speaker shown in  FIGS. 2A-2D  after the speaker is assembled; 
         FIG. 4A  is a simplified top perspective view of an embodiment of a top enclosure of a smart speaker according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 4B  is a bottom plan view of the top enclosure shown in  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 5A  is simplified cross-sectional side view of an upper portion of a compact smart speaker and a user interface according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 5B  is an exploded view of a portion of the compact smart speaker and user interface shown in  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 5C  is an exploded view of various components housed inside a smart speaker according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 5D  is a simplified top view of portions of selected components of a user interface according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 5E  is an exploded view of various components housed inside a smart speaker according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 5F  is a simplified perspective view of the components shown in  FIG. 5E  in an assembled state; 
         FIG. 6A  is a bottom perspective view of a touch sensor component according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 6B  is a simplified cross-sectional view of a portion of a user interface according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 6C  is a simplified illustration of a plurality of capacitive touch pixels formed on the touch sensor of  FIG. 6A  in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a middle housing portion of a smart speaker according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 8  is a simplified perspective view of a heat spreader according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 9A  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a passive radiator array according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 9B  is a simplified rear plan view of one of the passive radiators in the passive radiator array shown in  FIG. 9A ; 
         FIG. 9C  shows a cross-sectional view of the passive radiator shown in  FIG. 9B ; 
         FIG. 10A  is a bottom up perspective view of a bottom enclosure of a compact smart speaker according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 10B  is a top down perspective view of the bottom enclosure shown in  FIG. 10A ; 
         FIG. 10C  is an exploded view of various components housed inside a smart speaker according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 10D  is an expanded view of a portion of  FIG. 10C ; 
         FIG. 11A  is a simplified exploded view of an embodiment of a foot assembly that can be coupled to and support a compact speaker according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 11B  is a simplified side plan view of the foot assembly depicted in  FIG. 11A ; 
         FIG. 12A  is an exploded view of various components housed inside a smart speaker according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 12B  is a simplified perspective view of an isolation ring that can be included in a smart speaker according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 12C  is a simplified cross-sectional view of a foot assembly according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 12D  is an expanded simplified cross-sectional view of a foot assembly according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 13  is an exploded perspective view of a power cable assembly for a smart speaker according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 14  is a simplified perspective view of an embodiment of a smart speaker with the power cable depicted in  FIG. 13  assembled; 
         FIG. 15  is a diagram indicating different types of connected electronics that can communicate and/or interact with a smart speaker in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; and 
         FIG. 16  is a block diagram illustrating communication and interoperability between various electrical components of a smart speaker in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Representative applications of methods and apparatus according to the present application are described in this section. These examples are being provided solely to add context and aid in the understanding of the described embodiments. It will thus be apparent to one skilled in the art that the described embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessary obscuring the described embodiments. Other applications are possible, such that the following examples should not be taken as limiting. 
     In the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the description and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in accordance with the described embodiments. Although these embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable one skilled in the art to practice the described embodiments, it is understood that these examples are not limiting; such that other embodiments may be used, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the described embodiments. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a simplified perspective view of a compact smart speaker  100  according to some embodiments. Compact smart speaker  100  can include a body  102  having a continuous, aesthetically pleasing exterior surface with a symmetrical and generally spherical shape. For example, body  102  can have an outer surface in which the points along given horizontal cross-sections through body  102  are equidistance from a central axis extending through the body perpendicular to the cross-sections. 
     Body  102  can include one or more enclosure portions (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) coupled together to define the shape and appearance of compact smart speaker  100 . In some embodiments an acoustic fabric  104  can cover body  102  providing a consistent and aesthetically pleasing exterior finish and surface while concealing various audio ports and other components of smart speaker  100 . Acoustic fabric  104  can be a woven mesh configuration that can have minimal impact on the volume or audio quality of any audio playback exiting the compact smart speaker. For example, audio waves exiting the compact smart speaker  100  can pass through acoustic fabric  104  without any interference. In some embodiments, acoustic fabric  104  can have a pattern specifically chosen and designed to conceal components or features position beneath acoustic fabric  104 . 
     An upper portion of compact smart speaker  100  can include a user interface  106  which can allow a user to adjust settings such as track selection and speaker volume changes for compact smart speaker  100 . In some embodiments, user interface  102  can be a touch sensitive surface or the like. User interface  102  can also include one or more light sources (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) that illuminate various regions of user interface  102  to help a user interact with user interface  102 . 
     Smart Speaker Housing and Overall Architecture 
       FIG. 2A  is a simplified exploded view of a housing  200  for a smart speaker according to some embodiments. Housing  200  can be an implementation of body  102  discussed in  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 2A , housing  200  includes three primary components: an upper housing  210 , a middle housing  220  and a lower housing  230 . Also shown in  FIG. 2A  is a foot assembly  240  that can be coupled to lower housing  230  and an acoustic fabric material  250  that can be representative of fabric  104  and can be wrapped around housing  200  to provide a consistent and aesthetically pleasing exterior finish and surface of a smart speaker that includes housing  200 . 
     Housing  200  can define a symmetrical and generally spherical shape of a smart speaker by stacking the three housing enclosure portions (upper housing  210 , middle housing  220  and lower housing  230 ) together to define an interior cavity that can house the various components of the smart speaker as described below. For example, the upper housing  210  can include a planar top surface  212  with a conical sidewall  214  that extends both downwards and outwards from planar top surface  212 . Middle housing  220  can include a curved sidewall surface  222  that extends between an upper surface  224  and lower surface (not numbered). Lower housing  230  can include a planar bottom surface (not visible in  FIG. 2A ) and a curved sidewall  232  that extends upwards from the planar bottom surface. 
     The generally spherical shape of housing  200  is formed when upper housing  210 , middle housing  220  and lower housing  230  are coupled together in a stacked relationship. When stacked in this manner the curvature of sidewall surface  222  can be aligned with the curvature of sidewalls  214  and  232  to form an outer surface having a continuous curvature from planar top surface  212  to the planar bottom surface of lower housing component  230 . Each of the bottom surface of upper housing  210 , the top and bottom surfaces of middle housing  220 , and the top surface of lower housing  230  can include features (e.g., lips, channels, tabs or the like) that enable the upper housing and lower housing portions to be properly aligned and mechanically attached to each other to form overall housing  200 . 
     The housing enclosure portions  210 ,  220 ,  230  can be coupled together using any suitable attachment technique or mechanism. For example, in some embodiments the housing components can be joined together by one or more of the following: mechanical fasteners, such as screws, bolts, wire fasteners or the like, an adhesive glue or an adhesive tape, or by laser or ultrasonic welding or the like. In some embodiments, each housing portion is configured to fit over, around, and/or under one another while giving the appearance of a smooth and seamless junction between the connection points of each housing portion to one another. Acoustic fabric  250  can be wrapped around housing  200  to provide a consistent and aesthetically pleasing exterior finish and surface while concealing potential seams in the housing, various audio ports and other components of the smart speaker. 
     In some instances, the surface (e.g., the top surface of a desk or table) that a compact speaker, such as a compact smart speaker, is placed upon (sometimes referred to herein as the “supporting surface”) can have an adverse effect on the sound quality of the compact speaker. Because of this, a number of previously known speaker and smart speaker designs include multiple individual feet that elevate the speaker a small distance above the surface upon which the speaker rests. The individual feet distribute the weight of the speaker to relatively small points of contact with the supporting surface. The relatively small points of contact can, over time, result in damage to the supporting surface in the form of dents, scratches or other markings. While reducing the weight of a compact speaker can reduce the likelihood and/or extent of such potential damage, high quality audio components can be heavy and using lighter or smaller components can be a trade off that sacrifices audio quality for weight. 
     Some embodiments of the disclosure provide a foot assembly  240  that is coupled to lower housing  230  and provides a single, substantially flat large contact area that distributes the weight of the compact speaker over the large contact area as opposed to multiple smaller contact points of individual fees as done by a number of known compact speakers. Towards this end, in some embodiments, foot assembly  240  includes a large planar foot  242  that evenly distributes the weight of a compact speaker amongst entire surface area of planar foot  242  and the support surface that the compact speaker device is placed upon. In some embodiments, foot assembly  240  can also serve as a damper to isolate and reduce the amount of vibration projected to the contact surface. Further details of an implementation example of foot assembly  240  are described below in conjunction with  FIGS. 11A-11B and 12A-12D . 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 2B-2D , which are simplified perspective views of housing portions  210 ,  220  and  230 , respectively, along with selected components of a smart speaker that can fit within the interior cavity enclosed by the housing portions in accordance with some embodiments. As shown in  FIG. 2B , a touch module assembly  216  can be coupled to upper housing  210  to allow a user to interact with and control various features of a smart speaker according to some embodiments. Touch module assembly can be, for example, a touch sensitive input device and can include a display that presents information and/or controls (e.g., volume controls) to a user. Details of an example touch module assembly in accordance with some embodiments are described in conjunctione with  FIGS. 5A-5F and 6A-6B . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2C , a main logic board  226  can be coupled to the upper surface of middle housing  220  while a passive radiator array  228  can be fitted within the portion of the housing interior cavity defined by middle housing  220 . Main logic board  226  can fit within a cavity formed by upper housing portion  210  and can include multiple integrated circuits, such as a processor that controls the operations of the smart speaker, along with various components that receive, transmit, and deliver electrical signals to the components disposed inside interior cavity of compact smart speaker  200 . The passive radiator array  228  can take sound generated by an active audio driver (e.g., speaker  234  discussed below) disposed within the housing  200  and create low frequency sound waves that increase the bass response of the speaker without including a voice coil or magnet assembly that is included in the active speaker. For example, the passive radiator array  228  can resonate with the air inside the enclosure and be excited by output from active audio driver  234  to move the diaphragms of the passive radiator. Thus, passive radiator array  228  can be tuned to provide more low frequency output for a compact speaker, improving the audio playback quality as compared to a speaker design that has just a single (active) audio driver. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2D , an active audio driver  234  can be coupled to the upper surface  236  of bottom enclosure  230  and positioned such that the diaphragm of the audio driver faces downward directly towards bottom enclosure  230  and foot assembly  240 . When the compact speaker is fully assembled, an upper end of the active audio driver  234 , including the driver&#39;s magnets and other components, can be disposed within the portion of the interior cavity defined by middle housing  220  between portions of the passive radiator array  228 . Audio driver  234  is configured to convert electrical audio signals to audio waves using a dynamic or electrodynamic driver and, in some embodiments, can include a coil of wire suspended in the air gap of a magnetic circuit to generate audio playback from an input. 
     Audio driver  234  can also include a diaphragm (not visible in  FIG. 2D ) in the shape of a cone that moves back and forth to create air pressure waves. The diaphragm can be mounted on the edge of a cone shape frame and can be forced to move in a direction perpendicular to the frame by the force on the force applied to the coil of wire by passing electrical current through it while disposed in a magnetic field created by one or more magnets. The resulting back and forth movement of the diaphragm generates pressure differentials that travel in a direction away from the diaphragm as an audio wave. Lower housing  230  can include a cone shaped projection  235  extending from its bottom surface towards audio driver  234 . The air pressure waves generated by active audio driver  234  travel towards cone projection  235  and can be forced radially outward from the speaker housing through an annular sound channel  238  formed around conical projection  235  in the lower portion of lower housing  230 . In some embodiments, annular sound channel  238  can include multiple slits or openings formed between adjacent ribs as shown in  FIG. 2D  and discussed in more detail with respect to  FIGS. 10A-10D  below. Audio driver  234  can further include a driver housing  237  made of electrically conductive materials where electrical signals and power can be routed to and from the driver housing by wires. 
       FIG. 3  is a simplified cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a fully assembled smart speaker  300  according to some embodiments. Smart speaker  300  can be an implementation of smart speaker  100  and can include upper, middle and lower housing components  210 ,  220  and  230  discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 2A-2D  that combine to form a housing interior cavity  205 . Speaker  300  can also include foot assembly  240  and be wrapped with an acoustic fabric  250  as discussed above. In some embodiments, acoustic seals can be situated between each of the adjacent housing components and between the upper housing component  210  and touch module assembly  216  to enable a sealed back-volume for speaker  234 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , touch assembly module  216  can be positioned at an upper surface of smart speaker  300  providing a touch-sensitive user-interface that enables a user to control various aspects of smart speaker  300 . For example, in some embodiments the touch-sensitive user-interface allows a user to control one or more of the following features: speaker volume, advancing audio tracks, or turning the smart speaker on and off. Main logic board  226  can be positioned directly below touch assembly module  216  and can be mechanically attached to an upper portion of middle housing component  220  as shown. 
     Active speaker  234  can be disposed in a central location within the housing of smart speaker  300  such that it is directly above foot assembly  240  and directly below the main logic board  226 . The active speaker can be mechanically attached to lower housing portion  230  with its voice coil and magnet portion extending up into the portion of interior cavity  205  mostly defined by middle housing component  220 . A diaphragm  239  of the active speaker can face downward towards foot assembly  240  and direct sound waves towards conical portion  235 . Sound from the speaker can be forced, by conical portion  235 , radially outward through annular sound aperture  238 . 
     One or more sensors can be included within smart speaker  300 . As one specific example, a temperature sensor can be included within interior cavity  205 . The temperature sensor can provide input to a processor or other controller on main logic board  226 , which in turn, can cause the ambient temperature of the environment the smart speaker  300  is positioned within to be displayed, in some embodiments where the display has sufficient resolution, on a display portion of the touch module assembly and/or can use the temperature information to inform other aspects of a smart home system that are communicatively coupled to smart speaker  300  through, for example, a wired or wireless network. In some specific implementations, a temperature sensor can be positioned within the housing of speaker  234 , such as in area  233  and can have a direct port through one of housing portions  210 ,  220  or  230  to the environment external the smart speaker. 
     Top Enclosure 
       FIG. 4A  illustrates a top perspective view of an upper housing  400  that can be representative of upper housing  210  shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , and  FIG. 4B  is a bottom plan of upper housing  400 . As shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , upper housing  400  can include a sidewall  404  extends from an upper surface  402  to a bottom surface  406  of upper housing  400 . The upper surface  402  can be in the form of a substantially flat rim  410  that surrounds an aperture  408 . While aperture  408  can have any suitable shape, in the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4A , aperture  408  has a circular shape. Rim  410  can have a diameter that is just slightly larger than the diameter of aperture  406  and can create a narrow ledge that surrounds the aperture. In some embodiments, rim  410  can include one or more indentations, alignment features or mounting features to enable internal components to be mounted to and supported by the upper housing. 
     In some embodiments top enclosure  400  can be a unitary structure that is generally conical in shape and that defines an internal space or cavity which is surrounded by sidewall  404 . Upper housing  400  can be made from any suitable material and in some embodiments is made from a solid and/or stiff plastic polymer material that can be molded to retain a specific shape. As non-limiting examples, the plastic polymer material can be polycarbonate or any moldable plastic material that can retain a specific shape to act as a protective structure for the internal components and to give shape to top, approximate third, portion of the compact smart speaker. As discussed herein, various electrical and other components can be housed within the internal cavity and protected by upper housing  400 . 
     Aperture  408  can be a planar opening that allows for a touch-controlled portion of a touch module (not shown in  FIG. 4A ) to be accessed by a user. Sidewall  404  can radially expand outwards and downwards from upper surface  402  towards bottom surface  406  of the upper housing  400  such that the diameter of sidewall  404  increases gradually from a smallest diameter portion at upper surface  402  to a largest diameter portion at bottom surface  406 . In some embodiments sidewall  404  is generally conical in shape and is in the form of a solid smooth piece of plastic polymer. 
     Sidewall  404  can include one or more openings, such as openings  412   a - 412   d , positioned spaced apart along the sidewall. Each opening can extend completely through the sidewall  404  and can facilitate the attachment of one or more components to the upper housing  400 . As an example, openings  412   a - 412   d  can be openings configured to receive a fastening mechanism, such as a screw  218  shown in  FIG. 2B , to secure components mounted inside the internal cavity defined by sidewall  404  or to couple upper housing  400  to the middle housing. 
     As shown, bottom surface  406  defines the end of sidewall  404  and thus the bottom of upper enclosure  400 . Bottom surface  406  can have a similar cross-sectional shape as upper surface  402 , which in some embodiments can be circular. Since sidewall  404  extends radially outward from upper surface  402  to bottom surface  406 , the bottom surface can also have a diameter that is larger than the diameter of upper surface  402 . In some embodiments, bottom surface  406  can be configured to receive a protrusion formed on an upper surface of the middle housing component as discussed below. 
     User Interface 
       FIG. 5A  is a simplified cross-sectional view of a user interface module  500  fit within a portion of upper housing  400 , and  FIG. 5B  is an expanded view of a portion of the user interface module shown in  FIG. 5A . The user interface module  500  can include a touch display  502  that can be mounted to upper housing  400  by a mounting frame  504 , a shroud  506  that supports a diffuser  508  and multiple light emitting diodes (LEDs)  510 . In some embodiments the mounting frame can be affixed to upper housing  400  by fasteners  505 , such as screws, and one or more sealing elements can be disposed between the two components to create a strong seal between the mounting frame  504  and upper housing  400  as shown in  FIG. 5C . The sealing elements can include, for example, an o-ring  545  and one or more adhesive layers. The touch display  502  can display information to a user and recognize and detect the location of a user&#39;s touch on the surface to control various aspects of a smart speaker. In some embodiments, touch display  502  can be a multilayer module that includes an upper protective top cap  512  (e.g., a transparent resin layer), a transparent window  514  and a transparent touch sensor  516 . An optically clear adhesive  513  can be used to adhere top cap  512  to window  514 . 
     In some embodiments touch display  502  can include a convex exterior touch surface  503  as the upper most, outer layer of the touch display  502 . For example, top cap  512  can have a convex disc shape where a top surface forms the exterior touch surface of user interface module  500 . To accommodate for the spherical geometry of the compact speaker device, the top cap  512  and/or transparent window  514  can be thicker in a middle portion than at an edge portion. 
     In some embodiments, touch surface  503  can have a circular display area (in addition to or instead of a convex exterior surface) and user interface module  500  can include various mechanical and material layers arranged in the three-dimensional space of the user interface module  500  to achieve a desired roll-off and diffusion of lighting that illuminates the touch display  502 . For example, user interface  500  can include one or more of the following features to achieve the desired illumination at touch surface  503 : the LEDs  510  can be positioned beneath and arranged in a particular geometry to project light upwards towards touch surface  503  in a uniform and dispersed manner, multiple apertures can be formed at locations around and within the user interface module to control brightness distribution, optical masking can be employed along outer edges of components, various components can be coated with paint that has particular reflection and abosorbtion properties to control light reflections within the interface module, and/or the optical clear adhesive  513  can be selected to have an index of refraction that further controls light diffusion properties within the module. As an additional specific example, window  514  can be configured to absorb and recycle some of the light emitted from the LEDs  510  to create a roll off effect described further herein 
     Touch sensor  516  can be secured to an upper portion of window  514  and the window  514  can vary in thickness in order to accommodate for the curvature of the spherical geometry of the compact smart speaker where a middle portion of the window can be thicker than an edge portion. In some embodiments, the touch sensor can be calibrated during assembly to adjust for the curvature at the exterior surface of the top cap  512  and enable a consistent user input to be achieved across the entire exterior touch surface of the touch display  502 . In this manner, situations in which touch inputs are read at a different speed in the center than along a periphery of the touch sensor can be avoided. In some embodiments, window  514  can be coated with a layer of ink that further diffuses light passing through the display. 
     Top cap  512  can take the form of a layer of glass or transparent polymer material such as a polycarbonate material to provide a smooth surface upon which a user can comfortable make touch inputs. Top cap  512  can include a depicted pattern that includes symbols corresponding to increasing and decreasing a setting within a smart speaker, such as compact smart speaker  100 . For example, in some embodiments, plus (+) and minus (−) signs can be visible on opposing sides of touch surface  503  and can be represented by separate touch zones that allow a user to raise or lower the volume or skip tracks in a song. As an example of one particular implementation for such an interface, a short press of the touch display in the area of the plus (+) symbol can be configured to increase volume while a long press of the plus (+) symbol can be configured to skip to the next track of a media playlist. Similarly, a short press of the minus (−) symbol can be configured to decrease volume while a long press of the minus (−) symbol can be configured to skip back to the previous track of a media playlist. 
     Touch display  502  can be supported by mounting frame  504 . In some embodiments, the mounting frame  504  can include an annular flange portion  540  that supports touch display  502 . A foam insert  542  can be disposed between an inner surface of the mounting frame  504  and shroud  506  enabling the shroud to be press-fit against the mounting frame. In some embodiments foam insert  542  includes two separate foam pieces disposed in an opposing relationship along a portion of the annular mounting frame as shown in  FIG. 5E . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5E , shroud  506  can be a unitary structure that has a generally circular shape with a body that defines ribs as discussed below. Two outward protruding flanges  556  can be formed on opposite sides of the shroud each of which includes a channel  544  that accepts the foam inserts  542 . Each foam insert  542  can be sized to provide a gap between the bottom surface of the flange portion  540  and a top surface of the shroud  506  as shown in  FIG. 5B . 
     Mounting frame  504  can have a circular ring shape that fits within an inner perimeter of the sidewall of upper housing  400  and can be coupled to a region of the upper housing near the top aperture  402 . The ring shape of mounting frame  504  enables the mounting frame to define a central space within upper housing  400  that accommodates various components of the user touch interface module  500 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 5B , which is an exploded view of a portion of  FIG. 5A , mounting frame  504  and upper housing  400  can combine to form a channel  530  that extends around an inner periphery of upper housing  400  and can receive an end portion of an acoustic fabric covering  532 , which can be an implementation of acoustic fabric  250  discussed with respect to  FIG. 2D . Channel  530  allows the end of the acoustic fabric to be conveniently wrapped around mounting frame  504  along channel  530  and bonded to the upper housing. In some embodiments, channel  530  can be sized to provide an interference fit between the soft acoustic fabric and the hard top cap  512  of the touch display thus ensuring there is no open cosmetic gap between the fabric and display. 
     A light emitting component  510  can be disposed on a control board  520  and positioned to project light towards window  514  to illuminate an upper surface of touch display  502 . In some embodiments, touch display  502  provides an edge-to-edge display within the aperture  408  of upper housing  400  and the components of the user interface module  500  work together to minimize or eliminate illumination hot spots and color separation or break-up on the display while providing a uniform luminance profile and color contrast across the display. For example, in some embodiments the light emitting component  510  is a set of LEDs arranged in a ring-like pattern that aligns with the circular shape of aperture  408  and thus the circular shape of touch display  502 . 
     Reference is made to  FIG. 5D , which is a simplified plan view of a portion of user interface module  500  that depicts the layout of LEDs as light emitting component  510  in accordance with some embodiments. As shown in  FIG. 5D , light emitting component  510  can include a central LED  510 ( 1 ) surrounded by a first, inner ring of five LEDs  510 ( 2 ) and a second, outer ring  510 ( 3 ) of 12 LEDs. Each of the LEDs in LED groupings  510 ( 1 ),  510 ( 2 ) and  510 ( 3 ) can be mounted on control board  520 . 
     Shroud  506  can include an inner baffle  522  that surrounds various groupings of the LEDs to constrain the angular spread of illumination from each LED. As shown, the inner baffle  522  includes an inner ring  524  that surrounds central LED  510 ( 1 ), an outer ring  526  that separates inner LED ring  510 ( 2 ) from outer LED ring  510 ( 3 ), and three separate ribs  528  that connect the inner and outer rings  524 ,  526  to the main body portion of shroud  506  and that also separate groups of the LEDs in each of the inner and outer LED rings from other LEDs in the same rings. The separate groups of LEDs can be individually controlled to create an optical roll off where light emitted by the LEDs are concentrated as a central location and the light emitted dissipates as it reaches the outer edges of touch display  502 . 
       FIG. 5E  provides a simplified exploded perspective view of a portion of user interface module  500  including the shroud  506  and its baffle  522  and  FIG. 5F  is a simplified perspective view of the portion of the user interface module  500  shown in  FIG. 5E  in an assembled form. As shown in  FIGS. 5E and 5F , shroud  506  can further include a bottom surface and feet  552  that can facilitate attachment of the shroud to control board  520  by a pressure sensitive adhesive layer  554  that lines the bottom surface and feet  552  of the shroud. The shroud  506  can be disposed above the LEDs  510 ( 1 )- 510 ( 3 ) and can support diffuser  508  within a circular recess  548  that positions the diffuser in the illumination path of the LEDs below touch display  502  and spaced apart from both the LEDs and display. An adhesive or glue layer  550  can secure the diffuser within recess  548 . Diffuser  508  can be made from a semi-transparent material that is selected to blend the light generated by LEDs  510 ( 1 )- 510 ( 3 ) to reduce hot spots and other undesirable artifacts spreading the light from LEDs  510 ( 1 )- 510 ( 3 ) evenly across the touch display  502 . 
     In some embodiments, diffuser  508  can take the form of a single piece of glass that spreads the light from each of LEDs  510 ( 1 )- 510 ( 3 ). In other embodiments, diffuser  508  can include multiple discrete lenses that aid in the blending and spreading of the light emitted by the LEDs. In some embodiments, diffuser  508  can be formed from a clear polycarbonate resin that is doped with particles having a different index of refraction than the clear polycarbonate resin. For example, the polycarbonate resin can be doped with titanium oxide particles that give a white appearance to the diffuser  508  and help further diffuse the light passing through the diffuser  508 . Diffuser  508  can also have a dome-shaped upper surface in some embodiments to help the diffuser  508  achieve the same curvature as the outer surface of touch display  502 . In various embodiments shroud  506  can be made from a relatively dark, light absorbing plastic and the curvature of an upper surface  546  of shroud  506  can help further reduce hot spots by restricting the spread of light between the LEDs and touch display and absorbing reflected light. 
     Each of the LEDs  510 ( 1 )- 510 ( 3 ) can be operable to emit multiple colors of light, for example red, green and blue light. The LEDs can also be configured to cooperatively generate various designs associated with a touch interface assembly  500 . The color each of the LEDs emits can be associated with a touch interface region within touch display  502 . Light emitted by the LEDs can be modulated in accordance with touch inputs processed by a touch sensor  516  of the touch display  502 . Touch sensor  516  can be designed to allow light to pass through the sensor into window  514  and protective resin layer  512  while also receiving a user&#39;s input through a series of sensor regions defined on a surface of the touch sensor as described further herein. In one particular embodiment, two volume control regions can be formed by touch display  502  in the shape of plus and minus symbols (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 1 ) associated with increasing and decreasing, respectively, the volume of the smart speaker. In some embodiments, light emitted by LEDs  510  and diffused by the aforementioned diffusive elements can cooperatively generate a mix of light where the brightness is concentrated at a desired location within top cap  512 . 
     Touch Display 
       FIG. 6A  is a simplified bottom perspective view of a touch sensor assembly  600  according to some embodiments. Touch sensor assembly  600  can include a touch sensor  602  disposed within and coupled to a touch frame  604 . Touch sensors  602  can be an implementation of touch sensor  516  discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 5A-5D  and touch frame  604  can be, for example, mounting frame  504  also discussed with respect to  FIGS. 5A-5D . Touch frame  604  can include a plurality of apertures  615  that enable the frame, and thus the touch sensor  602 , to be secured to other components of a smart speaker, such as circuit board  520 , with a fastener. Since touch sensor assembly  600  can be disposed in the optical path between illuminating source  510  and touch display  502 , touch sensor  602  can be positioned directly under the touch display that is generally transparent to light. Electrical traces  605  for the touch sensor can be routed around an outer perimeter of the sensor to a flex circuit  610 , which can electrically coupled touch sensor  600  to control circuitry (e.g., on the main logic board) and other components in the smart speaker by the flex circuit  610 . 
     Electrical traces  605  can be bonded to flex circuit  610  by any appropriate means and in some embodiments are coupled to the flex circuit  610  by an anisotropic conductive film (ACF) adhesive  608 , which is a heat-bondable electrically conductive adhesive film that includes a thermosetting epoxy/acrylate adhesive matrix randomly loaded with conductive particles. The particles allow interconnection of circuit lines through the adhesive thickness after bonding, but are spaced far enough apart for the ACF adhesive to be electrically insulating in the plane of the adhesive. In some embodiments the touch sensor includes an outer region  606 , adjacent to where electrical traces  605  are bonded to flex circuit  610 , that has a high curvature bend. Region  606  creates design space for ACF adhesive  608  and helps prevent display artifacts. surrounding sensing region  602 . Electrical traces  605  can be made from a silver paste into silver nanowires that can be laminated into a desired geometry allowing the traces to be bent with the the portion of touch sensor  600  in region  606  to enable the high curvature bend.  FIG. 6B , which is a simplified cross-sectional view of a portion of touch sensor  600  coupled to mounting frame  504 , further illustrates how touch sensor  600  can be laminated into a non-flat geometry. Specifically, high curvature area  606  is shown at an outer edge of touch sensor  600 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6C , the touch sensor  600  can include multiple different sized and shaped capacitive touch receptive pixels  620 . In some embodiments, the touch sensing portion  602  includes a silver paste layer that has silver nano-wire printed onto the surface in a particular pattern of traces  622  to allow for the separation and designation of each individual pixel  620 . The silver nano-wire defines the shape and size of each pixel  620  and forms the boarder of each pixel. As shown, some pixels  620  are larger in area than others and some pixels  620  can have a similar or different shape than others. Each set of silver nano-wires  622  is routed to an outer periphery of the touch sensing portion  602  from where the nanowires are routed into flexible cable  610  as described above. 
     Middle Enclosure 
       FIG. 7  is a simplified perspective view of a middle housing  700  according to some embodiments. Middle housing  700  can be representative of middle housing  220  discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 2A-2D . Middle housing  700  can include a sidewall  704  that extends between upper and lower surfaces,  702  and  706 , respectively. Sidewall  704  defines an interior cavity  710  extending from a top aperture  712  to a bottom aperture (not labeled). Middle housing  700  can be a unitary structure made of a solid and stiff plastic polymer or other appropriate material. Middle housing  700  can be made of the same or different material (e.g., plastic polymer) than the upper housing  500  and lower housing  1000  (discussed below) In some embodiments, middle housing (and each of the upper and lower housing components) has a smooth finish at its exterior surfaces. 
     Middle housing  700  can include a lip  720  that protrudes from upper surface  702  and is inset a small distance from the outer periphery of sidewall  704 . Lip  720  can define the shape and size of top aperture  712  and can be operable to engage with a corresponding feature on upper housing  500  to secure the two housing components together. When middle housing  500  and upper housing  300  are joined together, top aperture  712  aligns with a bottom aperture through upper housing  500 . 
     Lip  720  can include a ledge  722  around portions of the inner periphery of the lip that can accept a logic board, such as main logic board  226  shown in  FIG. 2C  or control board  520  shown in  FIG. 5A . A support bridge  724  can span portions of top aperture  710  providing additional support for the main logic board or other components. The support bridge  724  can include one or more arms (not labeled) that are provide ledges on which the main logic board can be mounted and/or secured. As shown in  FIG. 7 , support bridge  724  is a “Y” shaped structure that connects to three different locations along an inner perimeter of the lip  720 . In some embodiments, middle housing  700  (including lip  720 , support bridge  724  and other elements of the middle housing) is a single unitary structure formed by an injection molding process. In other embodiments, however, various components of middle housing  700 , such as support bridge  724 , can be formed separately and joined together by mechanical or chemical means (or both) previously described. 
     In some embodiments, sidewall  704  can include a sound channel  730  that can be, for example, a series of geometrically designed slots formed at various points around the perimeter of the body that are aligned with the passive radiator array  228  discussed herein. For example, sound channel  730  can be formed at two, opposing locations on sidewall  704  as shown in  FIG. 7 . Sound channel  730  allows for improved audio quality by enabling audio output through sidewall  704  in a manner as to radially distribute sound 360 degrees evenly around the compact smart speaker while providing a surface and structure for an outer acoustic fabric layer, such as acoustic fabric  750 , to be attached to middle housing  700 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , various ones of the slots in sound channel  730  can be sized differently to maximize audio performance. For example, as shown, the series of slots in sound channel  730  can be formed in such a manner such that the slots combine to form a general oval shape as the slots  730   a  at opposing ends of the oval are shorter than the adjacent slots  730   b , which in turn, are shorter than slots  730   c  in the middle portion of the oval-shaped sound channel. While the slots in sound channel  730  depicted in  FIG. 7  are generally elongated slits or lines, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited to any particular shape slots, and in some embodiments, sound channel  730  can include slots or cutouts that are circular, rectangular, hexagonal or the like with rounded or with angled corners. 
     Heat Spreader 
       FIG. 8  is a simplified perspective view of a heat spreader  800  that can be housed within cavity  710  defined by middle enclosure  700 . Heat spreader  800  can be a unitary structure with a specifically designed geometry designed to conduct any heat generated by components inside the smart speaker away from other components that can be heat sensitive. Heat spreader  800  can vary in size and shape depending on the amount of heat that needs to be exchanged in a given embodiment. Generally, the surface area of heat spreader  800  determines the amount of heat conduction. A larger surface area will increase the effectiveness of heat exchange while a smaller surface area will allow for a more compact and lighter weight heat spreader. For example, a geometric shape with a large surface area will be more effective at conducting heat away from an area than a geometric shape of a smaller surface area. In addition, the direction of exchange can also be controlled by the shape of a heat spreader. Heat spreader  800  can be made from a high thermal conductive material that can retain a specific shape, such as copper or other appropriate metals or thermally conductive materials, such as aluminum, diamond, silicon carbide or a mixture of one or more different thermal conductive materials. 
     In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 8 , heat spreader  800  includes a horizontal surface  802  extending to a step transition portion  804 . A sidewall  806  extends downwardly away from step  804 . Horizontal surface  802  can be planar and positioned to redirect and radiate heat generated from inside the interior cavity away from upper housing  500  to protect heat sensitive components, such as a main logic board  520 . In some embodiments, horizontal surface  802  can be coupled directly to a spacer (not shown) positioned under the main logic board  520  to ensure optimal operating efficiency of the main logic board and its components due to any potential interference from other components within the smart speaker. For instance, the spacer can acts as an EMI shield to shield the magnets of an audio driver away from the magnetic sensitive components on a main logic board  520 . In essence, the spacer can be form from a gasket material that can block EMI field generated from another adjacent component. In some embodiments, heat spreader  800  can also be directly coupled to thermally sensitive components on the main logic board by a thermally conductive adhesive or the like. 
     Heat spreader  800  can also redirect soundwaves away from the top portion of middle housing  700  downward towards a bottom opening of the middle housing. In some embodiments, main logic board  520  can include vibration sensitive components mounted thereon and heat spreader  800  can serve as a barrier layer that blocks and redirects soundwaves away from main logic board  520  and thus away from the vibration sensitive components. For instance, horizontal surface  802  of heat spreader  800  can be sufficiently large in surface area to cover most or all of top aperture  712  of middle enclosure  700  to redirect both soundwaves and heat away from main logic board  520 . In other instances, the combination of horizontal surface  802  and support bridge  724  can cover the entirety of top aperture  712  of middle housing  700  to redirect soundwaves away from the main logic board. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , step portion  804  extends into a vertical surface of sidewall  806  that is generally perpendicular to horizontal surface  802 . Sidewall  806  can be disposed adjacent to sidewall  704  of middle enclosure  700  such that the sidewall  806  is parallel to a portion of sidewall  704  that does not include slots  730 . In some embodiments sidewall  806  is a planar surface but in other embodiments sidewall  806  can have a curvature that, for example, matches that of sidewall  704 . 
     Passive Radiator Array 
     In some embodiments, heat spreader  800  can be disposed in a portion of interior cavity  712  between opposing radiators of a passive radiator array. The passive radiator array can take sound generated by an active driver (e.g., speaker  234  shown in  FIG. 2D ) disposed within the housing of the smart speaker and create low frequency sound waves that increase the base response of the speaker without including a voice coil or magnet assembly that is included in the active speaker. While the passive radiator array can include any reasonable number of individual passive radiators distributed radially around the enclosure at equally spaced intervals, in some embodiments two passive radiators are included within the housing in an opposing relationship, which beneficially results in a force cancelling design. Also, in addition to heat spreader  800  being at least partially positioned between the passive radiators, the active driver (or a portion of the active driver) can be disposed between the spaced apart passive radiators. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 9A-9C  where  FIG. 9A  is a simplified perspective view of a passive radiator array  900  that includes first and second passive radiators  910   a  and  910   b  positioned in an opposing relationship,  FIG. 9B  is a back plan view of the passive radiator  910   a  shown in  FIG. 9A , and  FIG. 9C  is a top plan view of passive radiator  910   a . Due to space constraints imposed by the speaker housing (e.g., housing  200 ) in some embodiments, passive radiators  910   a  and  910   b  have a unique and efficient shape to both fit within the housing and create the desired low frequency audio components for the compact speaker. As shown in  FIG. 9A , passive radiators  910   a  and  910   b  can be essentially identical to each other and spaced apart in an opposing relationship from each other by a distance, D. In some embodiments, distance D is larger than the width, W 1 , of horizontal surface  802  and/or a width, W 2 , of sidewall  806 , and/or the diameter of the voice coil or magnet assembly that is included in the active speaker. While not shown in  FIG. 9A , each of the two passive radiators  910   a ,  910   b  can be positioned directly adjacent to an arrangement of slots  730  or other openings that allow sound waves to pass through the sidewall  704  of middle housing  700 . 
     Each of passive radiators  910   a ,  910   b  can include a central diaphragm  912  surrounded by a primary suspension  914  that can be connected to frame  916 . Frame  916  can be mechanically secured to a structural member of the housing  200 , such as to an inner perimeter of the upper surface  702  and/or lower surface  706  of middle housing  700  that define apertures through the upper and lower surfaces, respectively. A secondary suspension can be provided by spider members  920  that couple a radiator mass  922  to frame  916 . The secondary suspension system provides rotational stiffness to the passive radiators while reducing unwanted rotational vibrations. 
     The compact design of housing  200  limits the clearance between the passive radiators  910   a ,  910   b  and the active speaker driver  234 . To provide sufficient mass for radiator mass  922  to enable the passive radiators to generate desired low frequencies, and to provide sufficient bonding surface of spider members  920  to the radiator mass  922 , in some embodiments mass  922  has a dog bone shape to it. For example, as shown in  FIG. 9B , first and second opposing ends  930 ,  934  of mass  922  can have a wider width than a central portion  932  of the mass. Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 9C , radiator mass  922  can have a slight concave shape to such that additional space is provided between the central portions  932  of the two passive radiators  910   a ,  910   b  as compared to the space between the corresponding end portions of the two passive radiators. The additional space provided by the narrowing of central portion  932  and the concave nature of the passive radiators allows active driver  234  to be slightly larger than otherwise would be possible and allows other components to be fit inside of housing  200 , all of which can result in improved sound quality from the small, compact size of the speaker. 
     In some embodiments, the spider members  920  can be made from a rubber material that has been thermally compression molded into a wavy pattern that includes a series of adjacent peaks and valleys coupled together to define a single unitary structure as seen in  FIG. 9C . In some embodiments, the spider members  920  can have a rectangular shape and be between 0.2 and 2.0 millimeters thick, and approximately 1.0 to 1.2 millimeters thick in some instances. The spider members  920  allow for the support frame  914  to provide rotational stiffness by reducing any unwanted rotation vibrations generated within the interior cavity of the speaker housing, such as interior cavity  205 . Respective spider members  920  can be coupled by a coupling mechanism, such as a silicone based glue, to first and second ends  930 ,  934  of radiator mass  922 . In some embodiments radiator mass  922  is a unitary piece of metallic material that has been formed into a dog bone shape with portions removed, cutouts, on a top side and bottom side of the radiator mass as described above and shown in  FIG. 9B . The cutouts allow for the accommodation of a portion of the audio driver  234  to be disposed between each of the passive radiators  910   a ,  91   b  in a space or region  915 . In some embodiments, radiator mass  922  is made of stainless steel that is considerably thicker than the thickness of the spider members  920 . In some embodiments, passive radiator array  900  can be positioned inside interior cavity  710  in a manner such that each passive radiator is aligned with sound channel  730  formed in sidewall  704  of middle housing  700  so that sound waves generated from the passive radiator array  900  can be directed out of slots in the sound channel  730 . 
     Bottom Enclosure 
       FIG. 10A  is a simplified bottom perspective view of a lower housing  1000  according to some embodiments, and  FIG. 10B  is a simplified top perspective view of lower housing  1000 . Lower housing  1000  can be representative of lower housing  230  discussed above with respect to  FIG. 2  and can be part of the overall housing of a compact smart speaker, such as compact smart speaker  100 . Referring to both  FIGS. 10A and 10B , lower housing  1000  can have a generally inverse conical shape and include a sidewall  1004  that extends fully around an outer periphery of the housing between an upper surface  1002  and a lower surface  1006 . Sidewall  1004  defines an interior cavity  1010  that opens to an aperture  1008  at top surface  1002 . In some embodiments, lower housing  1000  can be a unitary structure made of a solid and stiff plastic polymer with a substantially smooth outer finish. Lower housing  1000  can be made of the same or different plastic polymer as upper housing  500  and/or middle housing  700 . 
     Lower housing  1000  can be mechanically secured to middle housing  700  by various attachment features. As an example, lower housing  1000  can include a channel  1020  that runs along a periphery of upper surface  1002  inset slightly from an outer perimeter of the lower housing. Middle housing  700  can include a rim along its bottom surface that aligns with and fits within channel  1020 . Additionally, middle housing  700  can include fastener holes that align with holes  1022  on lower housing  1000  that are spaced evenly apart at 90 degree intervals between channel  1020  and the outer periphery. Mechanical fasteners, such as screws, can be inserted through holes  1022  and threaded into the corresponding holes on middle housing  700  to afix the two housing components together. In some embodiments a thin flexible seal ( FIG. 10C, 1060 ) can be placed in channel  1020  between the channel and the rim on middle housing  500  to acoustically seal the connection between the two components. In still other embodiments, a thicker seal can be placed in channel  1020  that is slightly thicker than the depth of the channel. Middle housing  500  can then include a substantially planar mating surface that aligns with the outer perimeter of upper surface  1002  and covers perimeter channel  1020  including the relatively thick seal. When the middle housing is clamped to the lower housing (e.g., by screws that affix the two components together), the seal compresses into the channel under the compression force and remains in contact with the mating surface of the middle housing. 
     Since the middle housing can be mechanically secured to upper housing  500  and lower housing  1000 , the three separate upper, middle and lower housing components can combine to create an overall device housing for a smart speaker that includes a continuous interior cavity running through all three housing components. While the continuous cavity can be interrupted by various structural members of the different housing components (e.g., structure members shown in the figures of this disclosure), the interior cavity provides space for an audio driver (e.g., speaker), control circuitry and other electronics, a passive radiator array, a heat sink, and a user interface among other components. In some embodiments the audio driver can be mechanically secured to an upper surface of lower housing  1000 , such as inner rim  1016 , and positioned such that the audio driver diaphragm faces directly downward (see  FIG. 10C ). For example, lower housing  1000  can include screw holes  1024  spaced radially apart along an inner perimeter of the housing inset from channel  1020 . In some embodiments, screw holes  1024  can be located at the same radial positions, and thus aligned with, as openings  1022 . The audio driver can include fastener features (e.g., holes or u-shaped hooks) that align with screw holes  1024  and enable the audio driver to be secured to lower housing  1000 . 
     The bottom portion of lower housing  1000  can include a conical portion  1030  that extends upward into cavity  1010  as shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B . Conical portion  1030  is centered within the lower housing and projects upward directly towards the diaphragm of the audio driver to a tip  1032 . In this manner, conical portion  1030  receives and redirects air pressure generated by the diaphragm of the audio driver  234  radially outward and towards a lower side portion of lower housing  1000 . In some embodiments the surface of conical portion  1030  within cavity  1010  as it extends from tip  1032  to the bottom of the conical section is sloped at an angle between 5 and 45 degrees and between 10 and 30 degrees in other instances. 
     The redirected sound waves can exit housing  1000  through an annular opening  1040  formed around the lower portion of sidewall  1004 . Annular opening  1040  can extend around an entire periphery of lower housing  1000  to provide a large acoustic area for sound from acoustic driver  234  to exit the housing. A large number of evenly spaced ribs  1042  can extend completely across the annular opening  1040  from a top edge  1044  of the opening to a bottom edge  1046  of the opening providing beneficial structure to the lower housing and maintaining a physical connection between sidewall  1004  and bottom surface  1006  across opening  1040 . Ribs  1042  also provide support for the acoustic fabric (e.g., acoustic fabric  250 ) that can be wrapped around the housing. To provide additional support for the acoustic fabric, an additional set of ribs  1048  can be positioned between ribs  1042  that extend from top edge  1044  of the sidewall  1004  partially into the annular opening  1040  terminating at a location spaced apart from bottom surface  1006  as shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B . In some embodiments ribs  1042  and  1048  are spaced between 1-5 mm apart from each other as shown in  FIG. 10D  by spacing S, and in some embodiments the rib spacing, S, is between 2-3 mm. The spacing of the ribs, position and shape of conical portion  1030  and position of audio driver  234  can provide omnidirectional sound with increased high frequency output from the speaker. In some embodiments ribs  1042  can include an angled portion  1050  where the rib is attached to the outer periphery of conical portion  1030 . As seen in  FIG. 10D , the various ribs  1042 ,  1048  can include an alternating pattern of a long rib  1042  disposed adjacent to a short rib  1048 . In some embodiments, long rib  1042  curves inward as it extends downwards towards bottom surface  810  to form angled portions  1050  while short rib  1048  does not include a similar curved section. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 10B , in some embodiments, a barometric mesh  1045  can cover a port formed through lower housing  1000  that helps the internal pressure of the smart speaker equalize. Additionally, a second port  1047  can be formed through the lower housing where a a flex circuit (shown in  FIG. 10C  as flex circuit  1052 ) can exit the internal volume and provide sensor values (e.g., from a reference microphone and a temperature and humidity sensor) from the environment to internal components of the smart speaker, such as components on the control board. Referring now to  FIG. 10C , at the end of flex circuit  1052  can be an acoustic seal or plug  1054  that can be, for example, made from a rubber or similar compliant material that includes a slit in its middle to allow the flex to extend through the through the seal. A temperature humidity sensor and a reference microphone (neither of which are shown) can be positioned adjacent to the seal near port  1047 . In some embodiments the reference microphone can be a digital microphone placed in the front volume of the smart speaker. An additional port  1049  can be positioned near port  1047  to allow for a power cable (e.g., cable  1300  shown in  FIG. 13 ). Positioning the reference microphone near the power cable can help isolate the microphone from a user&#39;s voice since, in a typical use case scenario, the smart speaker is likely to be positioned with the power cable away facing a wall or at least facing away from an area where user&#39;s congregate. 
     Foot Structure 
       FIG. 11A  illustrates a perspective partially exploded view of a foot assembly  1100  that can be coupled to a compact smart speaker  100  according to some embodiments. Foot assembly  1100  can be an implementation of foot assembly  240  discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 2A-2D . Foot assembly  1100  is configured to support the weight of compact smart speaker  100  above a supporting surface, such as a desk or table top. Foot assembly  1100  is also configured to isolate vibrations propagating through the smart speaker  100  and prevent the lateral movement or hopping of the speaker across the supporting surface when the speaker is in operation. As shown in  FIG. 11B , which is a simplified side view of foot assembly  1100 , the foot assembly includes a neck  1102  that enables the foot assembly to be attached to the housing of smart speaker  100 , a planar foot  1106  and an exterior sidewall  1104  that is angled upwards from foot  1106  towards neck  1102 . In some embodiments the profile of sidewall  1104  enables a substantial majority of foot assembly  1100  to be concealed from a user when the foot is attached to speaker  100  as the sidewall  1104  can fit within the sloped recess  1034  formed at the bottom surface  1006  of lower housing  1000  by conical portion  1030 . 
     Foot  1106  can be a planar foot that is designed and intended to be a single dispersed point of contact with the supporting surface upon which the speaker  100  is placed. As discussed above, some compact speaker designs include multiple small feet spaced apart along a bottom surface of the speaker (e.g., at the corners of a rectangular speaker or along an inner radius of the bottom portion of a circular speaker) to raise the compact speaker off its supporting surface. Each of the multiple small feet presents a concentrated point of contact with the supporting surface that, over time, can damage the supporting surface by causing an indentation, scratch or other disfiguring mark on the surface. Instead of having multiple, smaller concentrated points of contacts with the supporting surface that are the result of multiple small feet, embodiments of the disclosure provide a single wide area foot that has a planar bottom surface that can be positioned on a supporting surface of a desk, table or other structure such that the entire planar surface of the singular foot is in physical contact with the supporting surface. 
     While such a design provides benefits in reducing the chances that the compact speaker may mark or otherwise damage the supporting surface, having a single, wide area contact foot presents other challenges. For example, when speaker  100  is playing music or otherwise under a working condition, electromagnetic forces are generated between the speaker coils and permanent magnets as electrical signals that pass through the coils of the speaker. The moving parts of the speaker (e.g., the coils and diaphragm) vibrate in response to the electromagnetic forces. Due to the large contact area between the foot and the supporting surface, any such vibrations generated by the speaker that are transmitted to the foot can cause an undesirable buzzing noise or cause the entire speaker to vibrate sufficiently that the speaker can shift positions and move or hop across the supporting surface. Obviously, either such buzzing noises or movement can be undesirable. In some embodiments the planar foot can be made from a glass filled polycarbonate material. Additionally, and as described below, embodiments of the disclosure provide a internal suspension system within foot  1100  that dampen vibrations from the speaker improving the stability of the speaker and preventing or greatly reducing the likelihood that any such vibrations will be sufficient to move the speaker. 
     Reference is made to  FIGS. 12A-12D , collectively, where  FIG. 12A  is a simplified exploded perspective view of a foot assembly  1200  that can be an implementation of foot assembly  1100 ,  FIGS. 12C and 12D  are simplified cross-sectional views of portions of foot assembly  1200  according to slightly different embodiments and  FIG. 12B  is a perspective view of an isolator ring that can be included within foot assembly  1200  in some embodiments. As shown in  FIGS. 12A-12D , foot assembly  1200  includes an anchor  1210  and a planar foot  1220 . Anchor  1210  can include a central neck  1212  with an aperture  1213  formed through an upper surface of the neck, a sidewall  1214  surrounding and extending radially away from the neck to an annular edge, and a plurality of fastener openings  1216  formed along the sidewall  1214 . In some embodiments, anchor  1210  can provide clamp the acoustic fabric (e.g., acoustic fabric  250 ) in place and can also provide a mounting surface for the foot suspension system as discussed below. 
     Anchor  1210  can be mechanically secured to lower housing  1000  by a fastener, such as anchor screw  1260 , which can extend through neck  1212  and aperture  1213  and mate with a corresponding threaded hole centrally disposed at bottom surface of lower housing  1000 , e.g., formed by the structure of conical portion  1030 . Once attached, the anchor fits within hollowed out space  1034  of lower housing  1000  by conical portion  1030 . In this manner, foot assembly can be largely hidden within the lower housing. In a fully assembled state, planar foot  1220  can spaced apart from anchor  1210  in an opposing relationship. The planar foot  1220  can have an outer perimeter  1222  proximate an annular edge  1224  of anchor  1210 . Planar foot  1220  can also include an annular channel  1226  inset from outer perimeter  1222  and within a circumference of anchor sidewall annular edge  1224 . 
     An upper surface of planar foot  1220  can cooperate with an interior surface of anchor  1210  to create an internal cavity  1215  within the foot assembly  1200 . A suspension system  1230  can fit within foot assembly cavity  1215  between the planar foot and the anchor fastener and couple anchor  1210  to the planar foot  1220 . Suspension system  1230  can be operable to dampen vibrations generated by the audio driver disposed within the speaker housing and allows planar foot  1220  and anchor  1210  move with respect to each other. For example, when compact speaker including suspension system  1230  is picked up and placed on a supporting surface, the weight of the compact speaker can force suspension system to compress such that anchor  1210  (and thus the speaker) moves towards foot  1220 . 
     Suspension system  1230  can include an isolator plate  1232 , a plurality of isolator fasteners  1234 , a plurality of isolator stops  1236 , and an annular isolator ring  1238 . The isolator plate  1232  can be mechanically attached to the planar foot (for example, by one or more fasteners  1235  that extend through holes  1243 ), and can include a lower planar surface  1231  facing the planar foot and a plurality of channels  1233  projecting perpendicularly away from planar surface  1231  towards the device housing  1000 . Each of the plurality of channels  1233  can include an inner perimeter surface  1225  extending from planar surface  1231  to a terminating surface  1237 . Each channel  1233  can further include an aperture  1239  formed through a central location on terminating surface  1237 . Each of the isolator stops  1236  can be fitted within one of the channels  1233  and can include an aperture  1241  bisecting a length of the isolator stop  1236 . 
     The isolator stops  1236  can provide a soft limit to the distance planar foot  1220  can travel away from the housing when it is not loaded. In some embodiments, the isolator stops limit the travel when the planar foot is unloaded such that the isolator ring  1238  is still loaded. In doing so planar foot  1220  does not feel loose to a user holding the speaker. Then, when the planar foot  1220  is loaded (e.g., when the speaker is placed upon a table top), the isolator stops  1236  can disengage in the axial direction and only provide centering to the isolator fasteners  1234 . By being disengaged in the axial direction the stiffness of suspension system  1230  can be defined by the stiffness of isolator ring  1238 . 
     Each of the isolator fasteners  1234  can be disposed within one of the plurality of channels  1233  extending through the isolator stop aperture  1241  and channel aperture  1239  of its corresponding channel  1233  into one of the fastener openings  1212  formed in the sidewall (e.g, sidewall  1104 ) of anchor  1210  to mechanically attach the isolator fastener to the sidewall, and wherein each isolator fastener is operable to translate within its respective channel. In some embodiments, fasteners  1234  can be can be a screw or a bolt. The end  1242  of each isolator fastener opposite end where the fastener couples to anchor  1210  can be slightly wider than the aperture in isolator stop  1241  and can be slidably moved within the aperture stop. This, combined with a small air gap between the end of each isolator fastener  1234  and planar foot  1220 , allows each isolator fastener to translate within its repsective channel under the weight of the speaker forcing end  1242  towards planar foot  1220 . Opposing this movement is annular isolator ring  1238 . 
     The annular isolator ring  1238  can be made from a low durometer compressible material, such as a silicone material. The isolator ring  1238  can be disposed with the annular channel  1226  at the upper surface of planar foot  1220  between the planar foot and an outer peripheral portion  1224  of anchor  1210 . An edge or lip of peripheral portion  1224  can extend into a portion of channel  1226  to conceal isolator ring  1238  from view. The annular isolator ring  1238  can compress under the weight of the speaker allowing the isolator fasteners  1234  to move down in their respective channels  1233  towards foot  1220 . Isolator ring  1238  is chosen to have a thickness and compressibility that supports the weight of the speaker keeping the speaker suspended over support plate  1220  by the isolator ring. Thus, isolator ring  1238  prevents the rigid surfaces of anchor  1210  from contacting the rigid surfacers of planar foot  1220  under normal operating conditions thereby isolating vibrations from within the speaker before they reach planar foot  1220 . In some embodiments, isolator ring  1238  can include a number of teeth  1244  distributed along its periphery. Each tooth  1244  can have a consistent shape and thickness. In some embodiments the isolation ring  1238  can be positioned in annular channel  1226  with teeth  1244  facing downwards into the channel towards planar foot  1220 . In other embodiments, the teeth  1244  can face upwards towards the top of the smart speaker. 
     Power Receptacle 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a power receptacle  1300  which can extend into the space between passive radiators  910   a ,  910   b  in some embodiments to route power from an outside power source to various components within the compact smart speaker. Power receptacle  1300  can be electrically coupled to a power supply unit (not shown) of main logic board (e.g., board  124 ) by an electrically conductive cable  1302 .  FIG. 14  is a simplified illustration of a smart speaker  1400  with power receptacle  1300  coupled to a lower portion of the speaker. 
     Processor and Control Circuitry 
       FIG. 15  shows a diagram indicating different types of connected electronics that can communicate and/or interact with speakers disclosed herein, such as speaker  100 . In some embodiments, the disclosed speaker (referred to generically below as speaker  100  for convenience) can act as a central hub to facilitate home automation. Memory on-board speaker  100  or memory accessible through a network, which is accessible by speaker  100 , can be used to store rules governing the interaction of the various depicted device types. Speaker  100  can then send instructions to the disparate devices in accordance with the stored rules. Microphones disposed within speaker  100  can be configure to receive voice commands to carry out specific actions related to connected electronics within a user&#39;s home. In some embodiments, convex user interface can receive commands for adjusting various settings on a particular connected electronic device. For example, speaker  100  can be configured to receive commands to make adjustments to smart locking device  1502 . In some embodiments, speaker  100  can include instructions allowing it to lock and unlock smart locking device  1502  in response to a voice command. Furthermore, speaker  100  can be configured to alert occupants within a house that smart locking device  1502  has been unlocked. In some embodiments, speaker  100  can announce the identity of the user who unlocked smart locking device  1502 . In such a circumstance, smart locking device  1502  can be configured to open in response to a command received from an electronic device such as a mobile phone. Speaker  100  can then identify the user when a user is associated with that mobile phone. In some embodiments, speaker  100  can be configured to interact with other devices in response to actuation of smart locking device  1502 . For example, speaker  100  could direct the illumination of one or more of lights  1504  and adjust a temperature of an HVAC system associated with smart thermometer  1506  in response to the unlocking event. 
       FIG. 15  also shows communication between speaker  100  and smart garage opener  1508 . In response to detecting an opening event of smart garage opener  1508 , speaker  100  could be configured to perform similar actions described above with respect to the operation of smart locking device  1502 . In some embodiments, different ones of lights  1504  could be illuminated in anticipation of the user entering the housing from a different direction. 
     Speaker  100  could also be configured to operate different smart devices in accordance with various calendar events associated with an electronic calendar. For example, the speaker could be configured to disable surveillance camera  1510  during an event located in the same room as surveillance camera  1510  when that event is marked as private. Speaker  100  could also be configured to notify one or more users if window sensor  1512  indicates a window remains open after a particular time of day or night. In some embodiments, speaker  100  can act as a media hub cooperating with other components such as television/monitor  1514  to present both video and audio content in response to various user inputs and/or smart device activities. For example, televisions/monitor  1514  could present a status screen and/or progress monitor indicating the status and/or activity being performed by other components that may or may not have the ability to present a graphical interface to a user of speaker  100 . In some embodiments, speaker  100  could be configured to remotely direct refrigerator  1516  to send the user images of interior areas of refrigerator  1516  shortly before a user has a grocery shopping trip scheduled. While these various operations could be stored in internal memory of speaker  100 , speaker  100  can also be in communication with a cloud service provider helping to coordinate various activities with users that may or may not be connected with a local area network with speaker  100 . For example, a user could connect remotely with speaker  100  with a device such as a smart phone to activate certain tasks for smart components with which speaker  100  is in communication. 
     In some embodiments, speaker  100  can be configured to interact with wearable display  1518 . Wearable display  1518  can take the form of augmented reality or virtual reality goggles that present digital content to a user. When wearable display  1518  is an augmented reality display, wearable display  1518  can overlay various control interfaces around speaker  100 . For example, virtual content could overlay convex user interface atop speaker  100  to make the user interface larger. In some embodiments, the enlarged user interface could include an expanded display and enlarged control manipulation regions that allow a user to control speaker  100  with more efficiently and/or with a greater degree of options. 
     In some embodiments, wearable display device can be configured to receive optical commands from speaker  100 . For example, a display associated with a user interface can be configured to output particular patterns of light. Optical sensors of wearable display device  1518  can identify the patterns of light and in response vary the display in some manner. For example, the type, size and orientation of virtual controls displayed by wearable display  1518  can be varied in accordance with the output of the display associated with the user interface. 
       FIG. 16  shows a block diagram illustrating communication and interoperability between various electrical components of speaker  100 . Processor  1602  can be in communication with the depicted electrical components. User interface  1604  can receive user inputs that are then received by processor  1602 . In response to the user inputs, processor  1602  can interpret and relay signals corresponding to the received user inputs to other electrical components. For example, user interface can receive user inputs directing an increase in output of both subwoofer  1606  and audio driver assemblies  1608 . In some embodiments, the electrical components can all be linked together by electrically conductive pathways established by components such as flex connector  1820 , which is able to route electrical signals to various electrical components distributed throughout a device housing of speaker  100 . Speaker  100  can also include display system  1612 . Display system  1612  can be configured to provide visual feedback to a user of speaker  100 . For example, the visual feedback can be provided in response to interaction with a voice assistant such as the Siri® voice assistant produced by Apple Inc., of Cupertino, Calif. In some embodiments, an array of colorful mosaic patterns could be presented while a voice request is being processed and/or as the voice assistant is waiting for the voice request. speaker can also include a computer-readable medium  1614 . Computer-readable medium  1614  can be configured to store or at least cache an amount of media files for playback by subwoofer  1606  and audio driver assemblies  1608 . In some embodiments, the media files stored on computer-readable medium  1614  can include, e.g., movies, TV shows, pictures, audio recordings and music videos. In some embodiments, a video portion of a media file can be transmitted to another device for display by wireless communication system  1616 . This could be desirable even when display system  1612  is showing the video portion since another device may have a larger or more easily viewable display for a particular user. For example, the other display device could be selected in accordance with a user&#39;s position within a room. 
       FIG. 16  also shows RAM/ROM component  1618 . RAM/ROM component  1618  can include RAM (random access memory) for short term caching of frequently used information and/or information cued just prior to playback. ROM (read only memory) can be used to store computer code such as device drivers and lower level code used in the basic operation of speaker  100 . In some embodiments, RAM/ROM component  1618  can take the form of two separate components. 
       FIG. 16  also shows how speaker  100  can also include a sensor array  1620  that includes microphones, proximity sensors, touch sensors, accelerometers, temperature sensors, humidity sensors and the like. Microphones of sensor array  1620  could be configured to monitor for voice commands. In some embodiments, the microphones could be configured to process voice commands only after recognizing a command phrase indicating the user&#39;s intent to issue a voice command. Microphones can be interspersed radially along the outside of the device housing so that the housing doesn&#39;t mask or obscure the voice commands. Multiple microphones can also be utilized to triangulate a position of a user within the room. In certain instances it may be desirable to optimize audio output or cue additional smart devices (see  FIG. 15 ) in accordance with a determined location of the user. 
     In addition to identifying a user&#39;s location by triangulation with spatially dispersed microphones, proximity sensors can be distributed along the exterior surface of speaker  100  in order to help identify the presence of users and/or obstructions surrounding speaker  100 . In some embodiments, the proximity sensors can be configured to emit infrared pulses that help characterize objects surrounding speaker  100 . The pulses reflected back to the sensor can be processed by processor  1602 , which can then make a characterization of any objects surrounding speaker  100 . The reflected pulses and audio triangulation data can be combined to further refine the position of a user delivering instructions to speaker  100 . Sensor array  1620  can also include touch sensors that allow a user to input commands along an exterior surface of speaker  100 . For example, touch PCB  1514  of the convex user interface depicted in  FIG. 15  is configured to detect user gestures made along top cap  1542  and interpret the gestures as various instructions to be carried out by one or more components of speaker  100 . 
     Sensor array  1620  can also include one or more accelerometers. The accelerometers can be configured to measure any tilt of speaker  100  with respect to a gravitational reference frame. Since speaker  100  is optimized to evenly distribute audio content in a room when positioned on a flat surface, placing speaker  100  on an inclined or declined surface could negatively impact the acoustic output of speaker  100 . In response to the accelerometer determining speaker  100  is tilted at an angle of greater than 2 degrees, speaker  100  could be configured to prompt the user to find a flatter surface to place speaker on  100 . Alternatively, the speaker can be configured to alter the sound output to compensate for the tilted angle. In some embodiments, accelerometers could also be configured to monitor for any resonant vibrations within speaker  100 . Processor  1602  could then be configured to adjust the audio output to help subwoofer  2306  and/or audio driver assemblies  1608  avoid or reduce the generation of frequencies that cause speaker  100  to vibrate at one or more resonant frequencies. 
     The various aspects, embodiments, implementations or features of the described embodiments can be used separately or in any combination. Various aspects of the described embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware or a combination of hardware and software. The described embodiments can also be embodied as computer readable code on a computer readable medium for controlling operation of the compact smart speaker  100 . In some embodiments, the computer readable medium can include code for interacting with other connected devices within a user&#39;s home. For example, the compact smart speaker  100  could be configured to use its ambient light sensor to identify human activity and to learn when to activate and deactivate certain devices within the user&#39;s home. The computer readable medium is any data storage device that can store data, which can thereafter be read by a computer system. Examples of the computer readable medium include read-only memory, random-access memory, CD-ROMs, HDDs, DVDs, magnetic tape, and optical data storage devices. The computer readable medium can also be distributed over network-coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion. 
     The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the described embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. For example, the planar foot structure and suspension system described herein can be used to support an electronic speaker having an internal configuration very different than the single audio driver system described with respect to  FIG. 3  and in some embodiments, the disclosed planar foot and/or suspension system can be used in conjunction with an electronic speaker that includes multiple audio drivers, such as an array speaker. 
     Additionally, it is well understood that the use of personally identifiable information should follow privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining the privacy of users. In particular, personally identifiable information data should be managed and handled so as to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly indicated to users.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20201009
Publication Date: 20220419
Grant Date: 20220419
Priority Date: 20200903
Inventors: DELLA ROSA, Jason C.
Gould, Alexander R.
JUHNKE, Ethan W.
Sheerin, John H.
TRAINER, GLENN K.
MASSIAS, ARIEL A.
ANDERSON, EDWARD V.
VIEITES, PABLO SEOANE
YANG, JUNYI
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04R2400/11", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R9/06", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R9/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/2803", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/025", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/021", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R9/06", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2231/003", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2207/021", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2307/207", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/2834", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R7/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2201/028", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R7/24", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R5/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2307/204", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R7/20", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R9/06", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/2803", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R5/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 74859856