PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9014394-B2
Application Number: US-201213607491-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Systems and methods for retaining a microphone

Abstract:
Systems and methods for retaining a microphone using a microphone boot are disclosed. The microphone boot may include a sound channeling structure for receiving and delivering sound, and a microphone retaining block for retaining a microphone and passing the sound to the microphone. The sound channeling structure may be secured to a housing of an electronic device. The sound channeling structure may include a sound tube and a hooking component that may be insertable into a tunnel and a slot, respectively, of the microphone retaining block. The sound tube may deliver the sound into the tunnel for passing to the microphone. The hooking component may lock into the slot to secure the sound channeling structure to the microphone retaining block. Thus, the microphone boot may be tightly sealed to prevent leakage of the sound, and may fix the microphone within the electronic device even in the presence of external force.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A microphone boot comprising:
 a sound channeling structure comprising:
 a frame, 
 a sound tube, and 
 at least one hooking component, the sound tube and the at least one hooking component extending away from a first side of the frame; and 
 
 a microphone retaining block comprising:
 a front face, 
 a microphone retaining cavity, 
 a tunnel extending from the front face to the microphone retaining cavity, and 
 at least one slot, 
 wherein the tunnel is operative to receive the sound tube and each slot of the at least one slot is operative to releasably couple a respective one of the at least one hooking component when the sound channeling structure is coupled to the microphone retaining block. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The microphone boot of  claim 1 , wherein the first side of the frame is flush with the front face of the microphone retaining block when the sound channeling structure is coupled to the microphone retaining block. 
     
     
       3. The microphone boot of  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises a sound receiving aperture on a second side of the frame, the sound receiving aperture integrally formed with the sound tube. 
     
     
       4. The microphone boot of  claim 1 , wherein the sound tube comprises a sound delivering aperture at one end. 
     
     
       5. The microphone boot of  claim 4 , wherein the sound delivering aperture faces the microphone retaining cavity when the sound channeling structure is coupled to the microphone retaining block. 
     
     
       6. The microphone boot of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one hooking component comprises two hooking components. 
     
     
       7. The microphone boot of  claim 6 , wherein the sound tube is disposed between the two hooking components. 
     
     
       8. The microphone boot of  claim 1 , wherein the microphone retaining block comprises a retaining cavity aperture in a bottom face of the microphone retaining block, the retaining cavity aperture leading into the microphone retaining cavity. 
     
     
       9. The microphone boot of  claim 1 , wherein the microphone retaining block comprises a plurality of relief cuts on the front face. 
     
     
       10. The microphone boot of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of relief cuts are disposed around the tunnel. 
     
     
       11. The microphone boot of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of relief cuts are operative to change in at least one of shape and size when the sound channeling structure is coupled to the microphone retaining block. 
     
     
       12. The microphone boot of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of relief cuts are operative to flex in response to entry of the sound tube into the tunnel so that an outer dimension of the microphone boot does not change as a result of the coupling between the sound channeling structure and microphone boot. 
     
     
       13. The microphone boot of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one slot comprises two slots. 
     
     
       14. The microphone boot of  claim 13 , wherein the tunnel is disposed between the two slots. 
     
     
       15. An electronic device comprising:
 a housing having a housing aperture; 
 a microphone having a microphone aperture; and 
 a microphone boot having a first boot structure and a second boot structure releasably coupled to each other, the first boot structure comprising:
 a sound delivering channel having an opening at each end, a first one of the openings being aligned with the housing aperture and a second one of the openings being disposed in a tunnel formed in the second boot structure, 
 wherein the microphone resides within the second boot structure, and 
 wherein the microphone aperture is aligned with the second one of the openings. 
 
 
     
     
       16. The electronic device of  claim 15  further comprising a circuit board, wherein the microphone is mounted on a portion of the circuit board. 
     
     
       17. The electronic device of  claim 16 , wherein the portion of the circuit board resides within the second boot structure. 
     
     
       18. The electronic device of  claim 15  further comprising a plurality of acoustic meshes disposed between the first boot structure and the housing aperture. 
     
     
       19. The electronic device of  claim 15  further comprising an acoustic mesh disposed within the second boot structure. 
     
     
       20. A method of integrating a sound channeling structure with a microphone retaining block to form a microphone boot, the sound channeling structure comprising a frame having a sound tube and a hooking component disposed thereon, the microphone retaining block comprising a tunnel and a slot, the method comprising:
 mating the sound tube with the tunnel; and 
 releasably coupling the hooking component to the slot to form the microphone boot. 
 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 20 , wherein the mating comprises aligning the sound tube with an opening of the tunnel. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 21 , wherein the mating further comprises inserting the aligned sound tube through the opening and into the tunnel. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 20 , wherein the releasably coupling comprises aligning the hooking component with an opening of the slot. 
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 23 , wherein the releasably coupling comprises inserting the aligned hooking component through the opening and into the slot. 
     
     
       25. The method of  claim 24 , wherein the releasably coupling further comprises hooking the hooking component onto a support surface within the slot. 
     
     
       26. The method of  claim 20  further comprising retaining a microphone with the microphone retaining block.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This can relate to systems and methods for retaining a microphone, and more particularly, to systems and methods for retaining a microphone using a microphone boot. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Oftentimes during usage, an electronic device may be subjected to deliberate external forces (e.g., improper handling of the electronic device). These deliberate forces may transfer vibrations to various components housed in the electronic device, and may cause these various components to move within the electronic device. For example, the deliberate forces may transfer vibrations to a microphone of the electronic device. In particular, these vibrations may mechanically couple into the microphone, which may cause undesirable sounds to be input into an audio system of the electronic device. When the electronic device is subjected to such deliberate forces continuously over time, the performance of the microphone may be affected. 
     In addition, because a microphone is typically best suited to receive sound from a single sound path, it may be desirable to ensure that substantially all of the sound received by an electronic device (e.g., via a housing aperture) is relayed to the microphone (e.g., to a diaphragm of the microphone) via a single sound path. As an example, oftentimes in conventional microphone systems, multiple sound paths may exist between the outside of the electronic device and the microphone. When this occurs, sound entering the electronic device via these multiple paths may interfere with each other, causing constructive and destructive interference of sound waves. This creates high and low peaks in the frequency response of the microphone, which may prevent the microphone from accurately detecting the incoming sound. As another example, if the electronic device includes a speaker housed within, sound exiting or radiating from the speaker&#39;s walls may be picked up by the microphone. This can cause an undesirable echo when the electronic device is used in speakerphone mode, for example. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Systems and methods for retaining a microphone using a microphone boot are provided. 
     In some embodiments, a microphone boot may be provided. The microphone boot may include a sound channeling structure including a frame, a sound tube, and at least one hooking component. The sound tube and the at least one hooking component may extend away from a first side of the frame. The microphone boot may also include a microphone retaining block including a front face, a microphone retaining cavity, a tunnel, and at least one slot. The tunnel may extend from the front face to the microphone retaining cavity. The tunnel may be operative to receive the sound tube and each slot of the at least one slot may be operative to releasably couple a respective one of the at least one hooking component when the sound channeling structure is coupled to the microphone retaining block. 
     In some embodiments, an electronic device may be provided. The electronic device may include a housing having a housing aperture, a microphone having a microphone aperture, and a microphone boot having a first boot structure and a second boot structure releasably coupled to each other. The first boot structure may include a sound delivering channel having an opening at each end. A first one of the openings may be aligned with the housing aperture and a second one of the openings may be disposed in the second boot structure. The microphone may resides within the second boot structure. The microphone aperture may be aligned with the second one of the openings. 
     In some embodiments, a method of integrating a sound channeling structure with a microphone retaining block to form a microphone boot may be provided. The sound channeling structure may include a frame having a sound tube and a hooking component disposed thereon. The microphone retaining block may include a tunnel and a slot. The method may include mating the sound tube with the tunnel, and releasably coupling the hooking component to the slot to form the microphone boot. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other aspects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 
         FIG. 1A  is a schematic view of an illustrative electronic device, in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 1B  is a front view of the electronic device of  FIG. 1A , in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 1C  is a back view of the electronic device of  FIG. 1A , in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 2A  shows a view of a portion of the electronic device of  FIG. 1A , including a microphone boot, from a first perspective, in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 2B  shows a view of the portion of electronic device of  FIG. 1A , including the microphone boot of  FIG. 2A , from a second perspective, in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 3A  shows an exploded view of the portion of the electronic device of  FIG. 1A , including the microphone boot of  FIG. 2A , from a first perspective, in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 3B  shows an exploded view of the portion of the electronic device of  FIG. 1A , including the microphone boot of  FIG. 2A , from a second perspective, in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 3C  shows a cross-sectional view of the microphone boot of  FIG. 2A , taken in a −m direction of  FIG. 2B  on a plane formed by the lines W and V of  FIG. 2B , in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 4A  shows a perspective view of a sound channeling structure of the microphone boot of  FIG. 2A , in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 4B  shows a top view of the sound channeling structure of  FIG. 4A , taken along a line C of  FIG. 4A , in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 4C  shows a front view of the sound channeling structure of  FIG. 4A , taken along a line D of  FIG. 4A , in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 5A  shows a perspective view of a microphone retaining block of the microphone boot of  FIG. 2A , in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 5B  shows a view of a rear face of the microphone retaining block of  FIG. 5A , in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 5C  shows a view of a top face of the microphone retaining block of  FIG. 5A , in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 5D  shows a view of a side face of the microphone retaining block of  FIG. 5A , in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 5E  shows a view of a front face of the microphone retaining block of  FIG. 5A , in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 5F  shows a cross-sectional view of the microphone retaining block of  FIG. 5A , taken from line A-A of  FIG. 5E , in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 5G  shows a cross-sectional view of the microphone retaining block of  FIG. 5A , taken from line B-B of  FIG. 5E , in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 6A  shows a front view of the microphone retaining block of  FIG. 5A , similar to the view shown in  FIG. 5E , including an additional rear-impinging structure, in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 6B  shows a rear view of the microphone retaining block of  FIG. 5A , similar to the view shown in  FIG. 5B , including the additional rear-impinging structure of  FIG. 6A , in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 6C  shows a view of a top face of the microphone retaining block of  FIG. 5A , similar to the view shown in  FIG. 5C , including the additional rear-impinging structure of  FIG. 6A , in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 6D  shows a cross-sectional view of the microphone retaining block of  FIG. 5A , similar to the view shown in  FIG. 5F , including the additional rear-impinging structure of  FIG. 6A , in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 6E  shows a cross-sectional view of the microphone retaining block of  FIG. 5A , similar to the view shown in  FIG. 5G , including the additional rear-impinging structure of  FIG. 6A , in accordance with at least one embodiment; and 
         FIG. 7  shows an illustrative process  700  of integrating the sound channeling structure of  FIG. 4A  with the microphone retaining block of  FIG. 5A  to form the microphone boot of  FIG. 2A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Systems and methods for retaining a microphone using a microphone boot are provided and described with reference to  FIGS. 1-7 . 
       FIG. 1A  is a schematic view of an illustrative electronic device  100 . In some embodiments, electronic device  100  may perform a single function (e.g., a device dedicated to storing image content) and, in other embodiments, electronic device  100  may perform multiple functions (e.g., a device that stores image content, plays music, and receives and transmits telephone calls). Moreover, in some embodiments, electronic device  100  may be any portable, mobile, or hand-held electronic device configured to control output of content. Alternatively, electronic device  100  may not be portable at all, but may instead be generally stationary. Electronic device  100  may include any suitable type of electronic device operative to control output of content. For example, electronic device  100  may include a media player (e.g., an iPod™ available by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.), a cellular telephone (e.g., an iPhone™ available by Apple Inc.), a personal e-mail or messaging device (e.g., a Blackberry™ available by Research In Motion Limited of Waterloo, Ontario), any other wireless communication device, a pocket-sized personal computer, a personal digital assistant (“PDA”), a tablet, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a music recorder, a still camera, a movie or video camera or recorder, a radio, medical equipment, any other suitable type of electronic device, and any combinations thereof. 
     Electronic device  100  may include a processor or control circuitry  102 , memory  104 , communications circuitry  106 , power supply  108 , input component  110 , output component  112 , and a detector  114 . Electronic device  100  may also include a bus  103  that may provide a transfer path for transferring data and/or power, to, from, or between various other components of device  100 . In some embodiments, one or more components of electronic device  100  may be combined or omitted. Moreover, electronic device  100  may include other components not combined or included in  FIG. 1A . For example, electronic device  100  may include motion detection circuitry, light sensing circuitry, positioning circuitry, or several instances of the components shown in  FIG. 1A . For the sake of simplicity, only one of each of the components is shown in  FIG. 1A . 
     Memory  104  may include one or more storage mediums, including for example, a hard-drive, flash memory, permanent memory such as read-only memory (“ROM”), semi-permanent memory such as random access memory (“RAM”), any other suitable type of storage component, or any combination thereof. Memory  104  may include cache memory, which may be one or more different types of memory used for temporarily storing data for electronic device applications. Memory  104  may store media data (e.g., music, image, and video files), software (e.g., for implementing functions on device  100 ), firmware, preference information (e.g., media playback preferences), lifestyle information (e.g., food preferences), exercise information (e.g., information obtained by exercise monitoring equipment), transaction information (e.g., information such as credit card information), wireless connection information (e.g., information that may enable device  100  to establish a wireless connection), subscription information (e.g., information that keeps track of podcasts or television shows or other media a user subscribes to), contact information (e.g., telephone numbers and e-mail addresses), calendar information, any other suitable data, or any combination thereof. 
     Communications circuitry  106  may be provided to allow device  100  to communicate with one or more other electronic devices or servers using any suitable communications protocol. For example, communications circuitry  106  may support Wi-Fi (e.g., an 802.11 protocol), Ethernet, Bluetooth™, high frequency systems (e.g., 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, and 5.6 GHz communication systems), infrared, transmission control protocol/internet protocol (“TCP/IP”) (e.g., any of the protocols used in each of the TCP/IP layers), hypertext transfer protocol (“HTTP”), BitTorrent™, file transfer protocol (“FTP”), real-time transport protocol (“RTP”), real-time streaming protocol (“RTSP”), secure shell protocol (“SSH”), any other communications protocol, or any combination thereof. Communications circuitry  106  may also include circuitry that can enable device  100  to be electrically coupled to another device (e.g., a computer or an accessory device) and communicate with that other device, either wirelessly or via a wired connection. 
     Power supply  108  may provide power to one or more of the other components of device  100 . In some embodiments, power supply  108  can be coupled to a power grid (e.g., when device  100  is not a portable device, such as a desktop computer). In some embodiments, power supply  108  can include one or more batteries for providing power (e.g., when device  100  is a portable device, such as a cellular telephone). As another example, power supply  108  can be configured to generate power from a natural source (e.g., solar power using solar cells). 
     One or more input components  110  may be provided to permit a user to interact or interface with device  100 . For example, input component  110  can take a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, an electronic device pad, dial, click wheel, scroll wheel, touch screen, one or more buttons (e.g., a keyboard), mouse, joy stick, track ball, a microphone, and combinations thereof. For example, input component  110  may include a multi-touch screen. Each input component  110  can be configured to provide one or more dedicated control functions for making selections or issuing commands associated with operating device  100 . 
     Electronic device  100  may also include one or more output components  112  that may present information (e.g., textual, graphical, audible, and/or tactile information) to a user of device  100 . Output component  112  of electronic device  100  may take various forms, including, but not limited, to audio speakers, in-ear earphones, headphones, audio line-outs, visual displays, antennas, infrared ports, rumblers, vibrators, or combinations thereof. 
     For example, output component  112  of electronic device  100  may include an image display  112  as an output component. Such an output component display  112  may include any suitable type of display or interface for viewing image data captured by detector  114 . In some embodiments, display  112  may include a display embedded in device  100  or coupled to device  100  (e.g., a removable display). Display  112  may include, for example, a liquid crystal display (“LCD”), a light emitting diode (“LED”) display, an organic light-emitting diode (“OLED”) display, a surface-conduction electron-emitter display (“SED”), a carbon nanotube display, a nanocrystal display, any other suitable type of display, or combination thereof. Alternatively, display  112  can include a movable display or a projecting system for providing a display of content on a surface remote from electronic device  100 , such as, for example, a video projector, a head-up display, or a three-dimensional (e.g., holographic) display. 
     In some embodiments, output component  112  may include an audio output module that may be coupled to an audio connector (e.g., a male audio jack) for interfacing with an audio device (e.g., a headphone, an in-ear earphone, a microphone, etc.). 
     It should be noted that one or more input components  110  and one or more output components  112  may sometimes be referred to collectively herein as an I/O interface (e.g., input component  110  and output component  112  as I/O interface  111 ). It should also be noted that input component  110  and output component  112  may sometimes be a single I/O component, such as a touch screen that may receive input information through a user&#39;s touch of a display screen and that may also provide visual information to a user via that same display screen. 
     Detector  114  may include one or more sensors of any suitable type that may capture human recognition data (e.g., face data) that may be utilized to detect the presence of one or more individuals. For example, detector  114  may include an image sensor and/or an infrared sensor. The image sensor may include one or more cameras with any suitable lens or number of lenses that may be operative to capture images of the surrounding environment of electronic device  100 . For example, the image sensor may include any number of optical or digital lenses for capturing light reflected by the device&#39;s environment as an image. The captured light may be stored as an individual distinct image or as consecutive video frame images of a recording (e.g., several video frames including a primary frame and one or more subsequent frames that may indicate the difference between the primary frame and the subsequent frame). As used herein, the term “camera lens” may be understood to mean a lens for capturing light or a lens and appropriate circuitry for capturing and converting captured light into an image that can be analyzed or stored by electronic device  100  as either an individual distinct image or as one of many consecutive video frame images. 
     In some embodiments, detector  114  may also include one or more sensors that may detect any human feature or characteristic (e.g., physiological, psychological, physical, movement, etc.). For example, detector  114  may include a microphone for detecting voice signals from one or more individuals. As another example, detector  114  may include a heartbeat sensor for detecting heartbeats of one or more individuals. As yet other examples, detector  114  may include a fingerprint reader, an iris scanner, a retina scanner, a breath sampler, and a humidity sensor that may detect moisture and/or sweat emanating from any suitable portion of an individual&#39;s body. For example, detector  114  may include a humidity sensor that may be situated near or coupled to one or more portions of input component  110 , and that may detect moisture and/or sweat from an individual&#39;s hands. It should be appreciated that any detector  114  may include any sensor that may detect any human feature or characteristic. 
     In some embodiments, detector  114  may also include positioning circuitry for determining a current position of device  100 . The positioning circuitry may be operative to update the current position at any suitable rate, including at relatively high rates to provide an estimation of speed and distance traveled. In some embodiments, the positioning circuitry may include a global positioning system (“GPS”) receiver for accessing a GPS application function call that may return geographic coordinates (i.e., a geographic location) of the device. The geographic coordinates may be fundamentally, alternatively, or additionally, derived from any suitable trilateration or triangulation technique. For example, the positioning circuitry may determine the current location of device  100  by using various measurements (e.g., signal-to-noise ratio (“SNR”) or signal strength) of a network signal (e.g., a cellular telephone network signal) that may be associated with device  100 . For example, a radio frequency (“RF”) triangulation detector or sensor integrated with or connected to device  100  may determine the (e.g., approximate) current location of device  100 . Device  100 &#39;s current location may be determined based on various measurements of device  100 &#39;s own network signal, such as, for example: (1) an angle of the signal&#39;s approach to or from one or more cellular towers, (2) an amount of time for the signal to reach one or more cellular towers or device  100 , (3) the strength of the signal when it reaches one or more towers or device  100 , or any combination of the aforementioned measurements. Other forms of wireless-assisted GPS (e.g., enhanced GPS or A-GPS) may also be used to determine the current position of device  100 . Instead or in addition, the positioning circuitry may determine the current location of device  100  based on a wireless network or access point that may be in range or a wireless network or access point to which device  100  may be currently connected. For example, because wireless networks may have a finite range, a wireless network that may be in range of device  100  may indicate that device  100  is located in within a detectable vicinity of the wireless network. In some embodiments, device  100  may automatically connect to a wireless network that may be in range in order to receive valid modes of operation that may be associated or that may be available at the current position of device  100 . 
     In some embodiments, detector  114  may also include motion sensing circuitry for detecting motion of an environment of device  100  and/or objects in the environment. For example, the motion sensing circuitry may detect a movement of an object (e.g., an individual) about device  100  and may generate one or more signals based on the detection. 
     Processor  102  of device  100  may control the operation of many functions and other circuitry provided by device  100 . For example, processor  102  may receive input signals from input component  110  and/or drive output signals through display  112 . Processor  102  may load a manager program (e.g., a program stored in memory  104  or another device or server accessible by device  100 ) to process or analyze data received via detector  114  or inputs received via input component  110  to control output of content that may be provided to the user via output component  112  (e.g., display  112 ). Processor  102  may associate different metadata with the human recognition data captured by detector  114 , including, for example, positioning information, device movement information, a time code, a device identifier, or any other suitable metadata. Electronic device  100  (e.g., processor  102 , any circuitry of detector  114 , or any other component available to device  100 ) may be configured to capture data with detector  114  at various resolutions, frequencies, intensities, and various other characteristics as may be appropriate for the capabilities and resources of device  100 . 
     Electronic device  100  may also be provided with a housing  101  that may at least partially enclose one or more of the components of device  100  for protecting them from debris and other degrading forces external to device  100 . In some embodiments, one or more of the components may be provided within its own housing (e.g., input component  110  may be an independent keyboard or mouse within its own housing that may wirelessly or through a wire communicate with processor  102 , which may be provided within its own housing). 
     Electronic device  100  may include one or more microphones (e.g., as part of I/O interface  111 ) for capturing sounds from the environment (e.g., a user&#39;s voice). It should be appreciated that various criteria may be used to select the type of microphone for inclusion in an electronic device. For example, it may be preferable to use microphones that draw minimal power, that are compact, and that are easy to manufacture and integrate into electronic devices. As another example, it may be important to choose a microphone that provides a suitable frequency response. For example, a microphone may have a suitable frequency response if it can receive sounds over a range of frequencies that are audible to humans. MEMS microphones can provide one or more of these features. For example, MEMS microphones are smaller than conventional counterparts, and may allow an electronic device to be made smaller. MEMS microphones are also easy to integrate into electronic devices and can provide suitable frequency responses. 
       FIG. 1B  is a front view of electronic device  100 . As shown in  FIG. 1B , housing  101  may at least partially enclose I/O interface  111 . Moreover, housing  101  may include a microphone  160  (e.g., a MEMS microphone) and an aperture  120  through a portion of housing  101  (e.g., cut through a glass portion of housing  101 ). Aperture  120  may be situated on a bottom surface of electronic device  100  and may face the −Y direction. Microphone  160  may be situated within housing  101  and adjacent aperture  120  such that, when a user holds electronic device  100  close to the user&#39;s face, sound from the user&#39;s mouth may pass through aperture  120  and travel towards microphone  160 . 
     Although typical electronic devices may only include a single microphone, electronic device  100  may include a plurality of microphones. For example, electronic device  100  may include an aperture  122  through another portion of housing  101  (e.g., cut through another glass portion of housing  101 ) and may, in addition to microphone  160 , include a microphone  161  (e.g., another MEMS microphone). Aperture  122  may be situated on a front surface of housing  101  (e.g., adjacent a receiver  130  that may be a component of detector  114 ) and may face the +Z direction (e.g., out of the page shown in  FIG. 1B ). Microphone  161  may be situated within housing  101  and adjacent aperture  122  such that, when a user holds electronic device  100  with the front surface facing the user (e.g., during a video conference using a camera  132  of electronic device  100 ), sound from the user&#39;s mouth may pass through aperture  122  and travel towards microphone  161 . Situating microphone  161  on the front surface of housing  101  may more efficiently capture sound during such a video conference call, since the sound from the user&#39;s mouth may not be sufficiently directed towards the bottom surface of housing  101  for microphone  160  to capture. 
       FIG. 1C  is a back view of electronic device  100 . As shown in  FIG. 1C , electronic device  100  may include an aperture  124  through another portion of housing  101  (e.g., cut through yet another glass portion of housing  101 ) and may, in addition to microphones  160  and  161 , include a microphone  162  (e.g., yet another MEMS microphone). Aperture  124  may be situated on a back surface of housing  101  (e.g., near a top portion of the back surface) and may face a direction opposite the +Z direction of  FIG. 1B . Microphone  162  may be situated within housing  101  and adjacent aperture  124  such that, when a user holds electronic device  100  with the back surface facing the user (e.g., during a video conference using a camera  134  of electronic device  100 ), sound from the user&#39;s mouth may pass through aperture  124  and travel towards microphone  162 . Situating microphone  162  on the back surface of housing  101  may allow more efficient capture of sound during such a video conference call, since the sound from the user&#39;s mouth may not be sufficiently directed towards the front or bottom surfaces of housing  101  for any of microphones  160  and  161  to capture. 
     Oftentimes during usage, an electronic device may be subjected to deliberate external forces (e.g., improper handling of the electronic device). These deliberate forces may transfer vibrations to various components housed in the electronic device, and may cause these various components to move within the electronic device. For example, the deliberate forces may transfer vibrations to a microphone of the electronic device. In particular, these vibrations may mechanically couple into the microphone, which may cause undesirable sounds to be input into an audio system of the electronic device. When the electronic device is subjected to such deliberate forces continuously over time, the performance of the microphone may be affected. 
     In addition, because a microphone is typically best suited to receive sound from a single sound path, it may be desirable to ensure that substantially all of the sound received by an electronic device (e.g., via a housing aperture) is relayed to the microphone (e.g., to a diaphragm of the microphone) via a single sound path. As an example, oftentimes in conventional microphone systems, multiple sound paths may exist between the outside of the electronic device and the microphone. When this occurs, sound entering the electronic device via these multiple paths may interfere with each other, causing constructive and destructive interference of sound waves. This creates high and low peaks in the frequency response of the microphone, which may prevent the microphone from accurately detecting the incoming sound. As another example, if the electronic device includes a speaker housed within, sound exiting or radiating from the speaker&#39;s walls may be picked up by the microphone. This can cause an undesirable echo when the electronic device is used in speakerphone mode, for example. 
       FIG. 2A  shows a view of a portion of electronic device  100 , including a microphone boot  200 , from a first perspective.  FIG. 2B  shows a view of the portion of electronic device  100 , including microphone boot  200 , from a second perspective. As described below, microphone boot  200  may be configured to channel sound received by electronic device  100  to microphone  160  with minimal sound leakage, and protect microphone  160  from movement within electronic device  100  even when electronic device  100  is subjected to external force. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , microphone boot  200  may include a sound channeling structure  202  and a microphone retaining block  252 . Sound channeling structure  202  may be configured to receive sound (e.g., that may pass through housing aperture  120  in a +n direction, as shown in  FIG. 2B ) and deliver the received sound to microphone retaining block  252 . Sound channeling structure  202  may also couple to microphone retaining block  252  such that there is minimal to no leakage of air between coupling faces of sound channeling structure  202  and microphone retaining block  252 . For example, sound channeling structure  202  may couple to microphone retaining block  252  in a relatively tight seal. Microphone retaining block  252  may include a retaining cavity (described later) that may be configured to retain microphone  160 , for example. A tight seal between sound channeling structure  202  and microphone retaining block  252  may allow sound channeling structure  202  to deliver substantially all of the received sound to microphone retaining block  252  (and thus, to microphone  160 ). 
     Each of sound channeling structure  202  and microphone retaining block  252  may be composed of any suitable material. In some embodiments, microphone retaining block  252  may be softer or more compliant than sound channeling structure  202 . For example, sound channeling structure  202  may be composed of metal, whereas microphone retaining block  252  may be composed of any material that may be softer than metal (e.g., durometer  50  silicone). As described below, a softer (or more compliant) microphone retaining block  252  may at least partially expand (e.g., internally) when portions of sound channeling structure  202  are inserted into corresponding portions of microphone retaining block  252 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2B , sound channeling structure  202  may couple to internal surface side  101   i . This may secure sound channeling  202  (and thus, the entirety of microphone boot  200 ) within electronic device  100 . In this manner, microphone  160  may be fixed within electronic device  100  and isolated or protected from undesired movement that may be caused from, for example, forceful contact of electronic device with an external object. 
     Sound channeling structure  202  may couple to internal surface side  101   i  via one or more adhesives. In particular, sound channeling structure  202  may directly couple to an adhesive  304 , which may, in turn, couple to a cosmetic mesh  402 . Cosmetic mesh  402  may include any filter that may block external contaminants (e.g., water, dirt, dust, etc.) from entering microphone boot  200 . Cosmetic mesh  402  may directly couple to an adhesive  302 , which may, in turn, couple to internal surface side  101   i . Adhesive  302  may be similar to adhesive  304 , and may be composed of any suitable material (e.g., acrylic PSA, silicone, etc.) that may adhere to various surface types (e.g., the surfaces of cosmetic mesh  402 , internal surface side  101   i , and sound channeling structure  202 ). 
     As described above, microphone  160  may reside within a retaining cavity of microphone retaining block  22 . Because microphone  160  may also be mounted on a portion (not shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B ) of a circuit board  170  (e.g., a flex or flexible printed circuit board (“PCB”)), the retaining cavity may be configured to also retain that portion of circuit board  170 . This portion of circuit board  170  may couple to portion  170   b , which may reside on internal surface side  101   i . The portion of circuit board  170  and portion  170   b  may couple to each other via a connection  170   c  that may be configured to bend and at least partially reside within a hole  101   h  of internal surface side  101   i . Connection  170   c  may be configured to bend in this manner based on spacing requirements within electronic device  100 . For example, by positioning connection  170   c  at least partially within hole  101   h , microphone boot  200  may be positioned closer to internal surface side  101   i  (e.g., in the −m direction), allowing electronic device  100  to be made smaller. 
       FIG. 3A  shows an exploded view of the portion of electronic device  100 , including microphone boot  200 , from a first perspective.  FIG. 3B  shows another exploded view of the portion of electronic device  100 , including microphone boot  200 , from a second perspective. As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , adhesives  302  and  304  may include apertures  302   a  and  304   a , respectively. Each of apertures  302   a  and  304   a  may be similar in size to housing aperture  120 , and may allow sound (e.g., that housing aperture  120  may receive from external surface side  101   e ) to pass to microphone boot  200 . Although  FIGS. 3A and 3B  show cosmetic mesh  402  as solid throughout an entirety of its surface, it should be appreciated that cosmetic mesh  402  may also include one or more holes. These holes may be large enough to pass the received sound, but may also be small enough to block or impede contaminants (e.g., water, dirt, dust, etc.) from traveling into microphone boot  200  (and thus, into microphone  160 ). 
     To add an extra layer of protection for microphone  160  (e.g., from external contaminants), an acoustic mesh  502  may also be included. In particular, sound channeling structure  202  may include a recess  222  that may be configured to retain acoustic mesh  502 . Acoustic mesh  502  may couple to recess  222  via an adhesive  306 , which may also reside on recess  222 ). Adhesive  306  may be similar to any of adhesives  302  and  304 . Although  FIGS. 3A and 3B  show acoustic mesh  502  as solid throughout an entirety of its surface, it should be appreciated that acoustic mesh  502  may also include one or more holes. These holes may be large enough to pass sound, but may also be small enough to block or impede contaminants (e.g., water, dirt, dust, etc.), which may affect microphone  160 &#39;s ability to effectively capture sound, from traveling into microphone boot  200  (and thus, into microphone  160 ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 3A , sound channeling structure  202  may include a frame  204 , a platform  206  that may raise from frame  204 , a sound tube  212  that may protrude from platform  206 , and hooking components  208  and  210 . Sound tube  212  may include a hollow channel along its longitudinal length that may extend from a sound receiving aperture  212   r  to a sound delivering aperture  212   d.    
     As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , sound channeling structure  202  may align with each of adhesive  306 , acoustic mesh  502 , adhesive  304 , cosmetic mesh  402 , adhesive  302  and housing aperture  120 . In particular, sound channeling structure  202  may align with these components such that substantially all of the sound (e.g., that housing aperture  102  may receive) may pass through aperture  302   a , cosmetic  402 , aperture  304   a , cosmetic mesh  502 , and adhesive  306  (e.g., in this order), and into sound channeling structure  202  via sound receiving aperture  212   r . The hollow channel of sound tube  212  may deliver the received sound via sound delivering aperture  212   d  with minimal to no leakage. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , microphone retaining block  252  may include a retaining cavity aperture  274   a . Retaining cavity aperture  274   a  may lead into a retaining cavity (not shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B ) that may be configured to self-center and retain microphone  160  and portion  170   a  of circuit board  170 . As described above, microphone  160  may be mounted on portion  170   a . Thus, retaining cavity aperture  274   a  may have a size large enough to allow the combination of microphone  160  and portion  170   a  to pass therethrough into the retaining cavity. Moreover, the retaining cavity may also be large to accommodate the combination of microphone  160  and portion  170   a , but may be small enough to prevent movement of the combination of microphone  160  and portion  170   a  while residing therein. Microphone retaining block  252  may also include an adhesive  308  that may secure portion  170   a  (and thus, microphone  160 ) to an inner surface of microphone retaining block  252 . Adhesive  308  may be similar to any of adhesives  302 ,  304 , and  306 , and may include an aperture  308   a  that may allow sound to pass into microphone aperture  160   a . Moreover, adhesive  308  may also form an air-tight seal between microphone retaining block  252  and microphone  160  when microphone  160  interfaces or contacts a concentrator ring (not shown in  FIG. 3A ) residing within microphone retaining block  252 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3B , microphone retaining block  252  may also include an aperture  270   a  that may lead into a tunnel  270 . Aperture  270   a  may be configured to receive at least a portion of sound tube  212 . For example, aperture  270  may be configured to receive at least a portion of sound tube  212  that may extend from sound delivering aperture  212   d  to anywhere between sound delivering aperture  212   d  and sound receiving aperture  212   r . As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , aperture  270   a  may align with sound tube  212 , as well as each of adhesive  308 , a circuit board aperture  172 , and microphone aperture  160   a . In particular, microphone retaining block  252  may align with these components such that substantially all of the sound (e.g., that sound tube  212  may deliver via sound delivering aperture  212   d ) may pass through aperture  308 , circuit board aperture  172  (e.g., in this order), and into microphone aperture  160   a . In this manner, microphone  160  may capture substantially all of the sound (e.g., received via housing aperture  120  from outside of electronic device  100 ) with minimal to no leakage. 
     As described above, microphone retaining block  252  may be composed of material that may be softer than the material of sound channeling structure  202 . This may allow portions of sound channeling structure  202 , that may insert into corresponding portions of microphone retaining block  252 , to snug fit within the corresponding portions. In particular, an outer circumference of sound tube  212  may be slightly larger than each of the circumferences of aperture  270   a  and tunnel  270  such that, when sound tube  210  is inserted into tunnel  270 , an outer surface of sound tube  212  may snug fit and apply force (e.g., radially outward forces) onto an inner surface of tunnel  270 . In such a snug fit configuration, substantially all of the sound, that may be delivered via sound delivering aperture  212   d  of sound tube  212 , may enter microphone retaining block  252  with minimal to no leakage. 
     Because microphone retaining block  252  may be softer or compliant, the shape or outer dimensions of microphone retaining block  252  may change (e.g., expand) when sound tube  212  is inserted into tunnel  270 . Such a change in shape or size of microphone retaining block  252  may affect other components that may reside near microphone retaining block  252  within electronic device  100 . To prevent this from occurring, microphone retaining block  252  may include one or more relief cuts  280 . Relief cuts  280  may surround aperture  270   a , and may each extend from front face  252   f  to a predefined distance within microphone retaining block  252 . Relief cuts  280  may be configured to provide relief to the structure of microphone retaining block  252  when sound tube  212  is inserted into tunnel  270 . For example, when aperture  270   a  (and thus, tunnel  270 ) expands radially outward due to insertion of sound tube  212 , each of relief cuts  280  may absorb the expansion by decreasing in size, thus preventing a potential bowing effect that may distort the overall shape (and size) of microphone retaining block  252 . In this manner, even when a larger sound tube  212  may be inserted into a comparatively smaller aperture  270   a  and tunnel  270 , the overall outer dimensions of microphone retaining block  252  may remain substantially intact (e.g., without any deviation to its intended dimensions). 
     A snug fit of sound tube  212  within tunnel  270  (e.g., as described above) may at least partially secure sound channeling structure  212  to microphone retaining block  252 . However, in some embodiments, microphone retaining block  252  may further secure to sound channeling structure  212  via one or more dedicated securing features. In particular, microphone retaining block  252  may include slots  258  and  260  that may be configured to receive hooking components  208  and  210 , respectively. Although not shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , each of slots  258  and  260  may include a support edge/surface onto which a corresponding hook end  208   h  and hook end  210   h  may rest, or otherwise latch onto. For example, when each of hooking components  208  and  210  are inserted into corresponding slots  258  and  260 , hook end  208   h  and hook end  210   h  may each latch or lock onto the corresponding support edge/surface. In this manner, sound channeling structure  202  may securely couple to microphone retaining block  252 . It should be appreciated that any of a length of the hooking component, a distance of the support edge from an opening of the slot, and a length of sound tube  212  may be defined such that, when sound tube  212  is inserted into tunnel  270  and when hooking components  208  and  210  are inserted and locked into corresponding slots  258  and  260 , a front face  202   f  of sound channeling structure  202  may be substantially flush with front face  252   f  of microphone retaining block  252 . For example, the dimensions of the aforementioned components may be defined such that sound channeling structure  202  may form a tight seal with microphone retaining block  252  via front faces  202   f  and  252   f . In this manner, microphone retaining block  252  may secure to housing  101  (e.g., via sound channeling structure  202 ) to protect microphone  160  from movement within electronic device  100 . Moreover, substantially all of the sound, that may enter electronic device  100  via housing aperture  120 , may be channeled by microphone boot  200  directly to microphone  160  with minimal to no leakage. 
     In some embodiments, an additional structure (not shown) may be included to further secure microphone boot  200  to housing  101 . For example, the additional structure may be configured to apply a bias force in the −n direction onto one or more portions of rear surface  252   r  of microphone retaining block  252 . 
     In some embodiments, sound channeling structure  202  may be detachable from microphone retaining block  252 . For example, each of hook ends  208   h  and  210   h  may be released from the corresponding support edge of the corresponding slots  258  and  260 . In these embodiments, microphone retaining block  252  may include a slit  275  that may allow insertion of one or more tools therein. For example, a tool may be inserted into slit  275  to move one or more of hook ends  208   h  and  210   h  into release positions (e.g., where hook ends  208   h  and  210   h  are released from the corresponding support edges of slots  258   h  and  260   h ). In these release positions, sound channeling structure  202  may be detachable from microphone retaining block  252  (e.g., by applying one or more appropriate forces to any of sound channeling structure  202  and microphone retaining block  252 ). 
       FIG. 3C  shows a cross-sectional view of microphone boot  200 , taken in a −m direction of  FIG. 2B  on a plane formed by the lines W and V of  FIG. 2B . As shown in  FIG. 3C , sound channeling structure  202  may couple with microphone retaining block  252  to form microphone boot  200 . Sound tube  212  may reside within tunnel  270 , hooking component  208  may reside within slot  258 , and hooking component  210  may reside within slot  260 . Each of slots  258  and  260  may include corresponding support surfaces  258   s  and  260   s  that may allow hook ends  258   h  and  260   h  to lock or latch thereon. 
       FIG. 4A  shows a perspective view of sound channeling structure  202 .  FIG. 4B  shows a top view of sound channeling structure  202 , taken along a line C of  FIG. 4A .  FIG. 4C  shows a front view of sound channeling structure  202 , taken along a line D of  FIG. 4A . As shown in  FIGS. 4A-4C , sound channeling structure  202  may include sound tube  212  that may protrude from raised platform  206  in a direction facing away from front face  202   f . Each of hooking components  208  and  210  may also protrude from raised platform  206  in a similar manner. Although  FIGS. 4A-4C  show sound channeling structure  202  including raised platform  206 , in some embodiments, one or more of sound tube  212  and hooking components  208  and  210  may instead protrude directly from frame  204 . 
     As described above with respect to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the outer circumference of sound tube  212  may be at least slightly larger than circumferences of aperture  270   a  and tunnel  270  of microphone retaining block  252 . In this configuration, sound tube  212  may snug fit into tunnel  270 , which may at least partially expand tunnel  270  into relief cuts  280 . As part of this configuration, sound tube  212  may have a first diameter d1 near sound delivering aperture  212   d , and may have a second larger diameter d2 near raised platform  206  such that (e.g., forming a convex shape), when sound tube  212  is inserted into tunnel  270 , a larger diameter portion of sound tube  212  may snug fit within aperture  270   a  of tunnel  270 . 
       FIG. 5A  shows a perspective view of microphone retaining block  252 .  FIG. 5B  shows a view of a rear face  252   r  of microphone retaining block  252 .  FIG. 5C  shows a view of a top face  252   t  of microphone retaining block  252 .  FIG. 5D  shows a view of a side face  252   s  of microphone retaining block  252 . As shown in  FIG. 5A , microphone retaining block  252  may include retaining cavity aperture  274   a  that may reside on bottom face  252   b  of microphone retaining block  252 , and that may lead into retaining cavity  274   c . As shown in  FIG. 5B , microphone retaining block  252  may also include slit  275 . Although slit  275  may be shown to have a thickness t, it should be appreciated that slit  275  may include any suitable thickness that may allow one or more tools to be inserted therethrough. 
       FIG. 5E  shows a view of front face  252   f  of microphone retaining block  252 .  FIG. 5F  shows a cross-sectional view of microphone retaining block  252 , taken from line A-A of  FIG. 5E .  FIG. 5G  shows a cross-sectional view of microphone retaining block  252 , taken from line B-B of  FIG. 5E . As shown in  FIGS. 5F and 5G , retaining cavity  274   c  may be shaped to retain microphone  160  and portion  170   a  of circuit board  170 . Further, tunnel  270  may extend from aperture  270   a  to an internal aperture  270   b  that may lead into retaining cavity  274   c . Retaining cavity  274   c  may also include concentrator ring  276  (e.g., shown as portions of concentrator ring  276  in  FIGS. 5F and 5G ) that may surround a perimeter of internal aperture  270   b . Protrusions  276  may be composed of any suitable type of material (e.g., foam), and may be configured to impinge (e.g., at any suitable force) onto various portions of portion  170   a  of circuit board  170  (e.g., when microphone  160  and portion  170   a  are residing within retaining cavity  274   c ). In this manner, retaining cavity  274   c  may secure microphone  160  within retaining cavity  274   c , which may prevent microphone  160  from falling out of retaining cavity aperture  274   a.    
     As described above with respect to  FIGS. 4A-4C , the outer circumference of sound tube  212  may be slightly larger than the circumferences of aperture  270   a  and tunnel  270  of microphone retaining block  212 . In this configuration, sound tube  212  may snug fit into tunnel  270 , which may at least partially expand tunnel  270  into relief cuts  280 . As part of this configuration, tunnel  270  may have a diameter d3 near aperture  270   a , and may have a second smaller diameter d4 near internal aperture  270   b  (e.g., forming a convex shape) such that, when sound tube  212  is inserted into tunnel  270 , the portion of sound tube  212  having diameter d1 may reside within the portion of tunnel  270  having diameter w4, and the portion of sound tube  212  having diameter d2 may reside within the portion of tunnel  270  having diameter d3. 
     In some embodiments, microphone retaining block  252  may also include a rear-impinging structure that may be configured to further secure microphone  160  within retaining cavity  274   c .  FIG. 6A  shows a front view of microphone retaining block  252 , similar to the view shown in  FIG. 5E , including rear-impinging structure  290 .  FIG. 6B  shows a rear view of microphone retaining block  252 , similar to the view shown in  FIG. 5B , including rear-impinging structure  290 .  FIG. 6C  shows a view of a top face of microphone retaining block  252 , similar to the view shown in  FIG. 5C , including rear-impinging structure  290 .  FIG. 6D  shows a cross-sectional view of microphone retaining block  252 , similar to the view shown in  FIG. 5F , including rear-impinging structure  290 .  FIG. 6E  shows a cross-sectional view of microphone retaining block  252 , similar to the view shown in  FIG. 5G , including rear-impinging structure  290 . As shown in  FIGS. 6A-6E , microphone retaining block  252  may include rear-impinging structure  290  that may be inserted into an opening (not shown) of rear face  252   r  of microphone retaining block  252 . 
     Rear-impinging structure  290  may include a plurality of protrusions  292  that may span throughout a rear end of retaining cavity  274   c  when rear-impinging structure  290  is inserted into microphone retaining block  252 . Protrusions  292  may be composed of any suitable type of material (e.g., foam, the same material as microphone retaining block  252 , etc.). In some embodiments, protrusions  292  may be formed during manufacture of microphone retaining block  252  (e.g., at the time of molding of microphone retaining block  252 ). Each one of protrusions  292  may have a shape and/or composition that may allow it expand into surrounding empty space. In this manner, protrusions  292  may apply a load or force to microphone  160  toward concentrator ring  276  without deforming or changing the outer shape of microphone retaining block  252 . Protrusions  292  may, additionally or alternatively, be present on an outer surface of the microphone retaining block  252 , and may similarly apply a load or force to microphone  160  toward concentrator ring  276 . 
       FIG. 7  shows an illustrative process  700  of integrating sound channeling structure  202  with microphone retaining block  252  to form microphone boot  200 . Sound channeling structure  202  may include frame  204  having sound tube  212  and hooking component  208  disposed thereon. Microphone retaining block  252  may include tunnel  270  and slot  258 . Process  700  may begin at step  702 . At step  704 , the process may include mating the sound tube with the tunnel. For example, the process may include mating sound tube  212  with tunnel  270 . In particular, the process may include aligning sound tube  212  with tunnel  270 , or more specifically, aligning sound delivering aperture  212   d  with aperture  270   a . The process may also include inserting sound tube  212  into tunnel  270 . For example, the process may include moving sound channeling structure  202  in the +n direction of  FIG. 3  and/or moving microphone retaining block  252  in the −n direction of  FIG. 3  to insert sound tube  212  into tunnel  270 . 
     At step  706 , the process may include releasably coupling the hooking component to the slot to form the microphone boot. For example, the process may include releasably coupling hooking component  208  to slot  258  to form microphone boot  200  (e.g., as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B ). In particular, the process may include aligning hooking component  208  (and hook end  208   h ) with an opening of slot  258 . The process may also include inserting hooking component  208  (and hook end  208   h ) through the opening and into slot  258 . The process may further include hooking or latching hook end  208   h  onto support surface  258   s  within slot  258 . 
     In some embodiments, the process may also include retaining a microphone within a retaining cavity of the microphone retaining block. For example, the process may include retaining microphone  160  within retaining cavity  274   c  of microphone retaining block  252 . In some embodiments, step  704  may result in alignment between the sound tube to a microphone aperture of the microphone. For example, step  704  may result in alignment between sound tube  212  to microphone aperture  160   a  of microphone  160 . This may allow sound to be delivered from the sound tube  212  (e.g., via sound delivering aperture  212   d ) to microphone  160 . 
     Moreover, in some embodiments, step  706  may result in the securing of the sound channeling structure to the microphone retaining block. For example, step  706  may result in the securing of sound channeling structure  202  to microphone retaining block  252 . In this manner, microphone  160 , which may reside within microphone retaining block  252 , may be fixed in position within microphone boot  200 . 
     It should be appreciated that, although process  700  has been described to include coupling only one hooking component with one slot, process  700  may also include coupling a second hooking component (e.g., hooking component  210 ) with a second slot (e.g., slot  260 ). 
     It is to be understood that the steps shown in process  700  of  FIG. 7  are merely illustrative and that existing steps may be modified or omitted, additional steps may be added, and the order of certain steps may be altered. 
     While there have been described systems and methods for retaining a microphone using a microphone boot, it is to be understood that many changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. It is also to be understood that various directional and orientational terms such as “up and “down,” “front” and “back,” “top” and “bottom,” “left” and “right,” “length” and “width,” and the like are used herein only for convenience, and that no fixed or absolute directional or orientational limitations are intended by the use of these words. For example, the devices of this invention can have any desired orientation. If reoriented, different directional or orientational terms may need to be used in their description, but that will not alter their fundamental nature as within the scope and spirit of this invention. Moreover, an electronic device constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention may be of any suitable three-dimensional shape, including, but not limited to, a sphere, cone, octahedron, or combination thereof. 
     Therefore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention can be practiced by other than the described embodiments, which are presented for purposes of illustration rather than of limitation.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20120907
Publication Date: 20150421
Grant Date: 20150421
Priority Date: 20120907
Inventors: COHEN SAWYER
WITTENBERG MICHAEL
PAKULA DAVID
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04R1/04", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/04", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 50233297