PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-10728638-B2
Application Number: US-201816041674-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Micro speaker assembly having a manual pump

Abstract:
A transducer assembly including a transducer enclosure having an enclosure wall separating a surrounding ambient environment from an encased space, and a transducer module positioned within the encased space. The transducer module has a module wall that divides the encased space into an exterior chamber and an interior chamber and defines a fluid port between the exterior chamber and the interior chamber, the exterior chamber is between the module wall and the enclosure wall, the interior chamber is between the module wall and a sound radiating surface positioned within the transducer module, and the interior chamber is acoustically coupled to an acoustic port to the surrounding ambient environment. The enclosure wall is movable relative to the module wall and movement of the enclosure wall causes ejection of a fluid out of the interior chamber to the ambient environment.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A transducer assembly comprising:
 a transducer enclosure having an enclosure wall separating a surrounding ambient environment from an encased space; and 
 a transducer module positioned within the encased space, the transducer module having a module wall that divides the encased space into an exterior chamber and an interior chamber and defines a fluid port between the exterior chamber and the interior chamber, the exterior chamber is between the module wall and the enclosure wall, the interior chamber is between the module wall and a sound radiating surface positioned within the transducer module, the interior chamber is acoustically coupled to an acoustic port to the surrounding ambient environment, wherein the enclosure wall is configured to move relative to the module wall, and movement of the enclosure wall causes a volume of air within the exterior chamber to flow through the fluid port to the interior chamber and water within the interior chamber to flow through the acoustic port to the ambient environment. 
 
     
     
       2. The transducer assembly of  claim 1  wherein the module wall comprises a top module wall that is parallel to a top enclosure wall of the enclosure wall, and the fluid port and the acoustic port are formed through the top module wall. 
     
     
       3. The transducer assembly of  claim 1  wherein the interior chamber comprises a length dimension, and the fluid port is spaced a distance from the acoustic port that is at least ½ the length dimension of the interior chamber. 
     
     
       4. The transducer assembly of  claim 1  wherein the fluid port comprises a surface area sufficient to allow for passage of at least 0.1 cc of air from the exterior chamber to the interior chamber. 
     
     
       5. The transducer assembly of  claim 1  wherein the flow of the volume of air through the fluid port to the interior chamber pushes the water through the acoustic port to the surrounding ambient environment. 
     
     
       6. The transducer assembly of  claim 1  wherein the module wall comprises a top module wall and a side module wall that is perpendicular to the top module wall, and the fluid port is formed through the top module wall and the acoustic port is formed through the side module wall. 
     
     
       7. The transducer assembly of  claim 1  wherein the interior chamber comprises a length dimension, and the fluid port is spaced a distance from the acoustic port that is less than ½ the length dimension of the interior chamber. 
     
     
       8. The transducer assembly of  claim 1  wherein the fluid port comprises an angled interior surface to direct a flow of air generated by the movement of the enclosure wall from the exterior chamber toward the acoustic port. 
     
     
       9. The transducer assembly of  claim 1  wherein the flow of the volume of air through the fluid port to the interior chamber creates a reduced pressure region within the interior chamber that pulls the water out the acoustic port. 
     
     
       10. The transducer assembly of  claim 1  further comprising:
 an air permeable water barrier positioned over the fluid port, wherein the air permeable water barrier is permeable to air and resistant to water. 
 
     
     
       11. The transducer assembly of  claim 1  wherein the transducer module comprises a micro speaker module. 
     
     
       12. An integrated micro speaker and pump assembly comprising:
 a micro speaker enclosure having an enclosure wall separating a surrounding ambient environment from an encased space; and 
 a micro speaker module positioned within the encased space, the micro speaker module having a module wall, the module wall defining an acoustic chamber and a fluid port, the acoustic chamber acoustically coupling a sound radiating surface within the micro speaker module to an acoustic port that is open to the surrounding ambient environment, the fluid port fluidly coupling the acoustic chamber to the encased space surrounding the micro speaker module, and wherein the fluid port allows for passage of a first fluid from the encased space surrounding the micro speaker module to the acoustic chamber to drive a second fluid out of the acoustic chamber to the surrounding ambient environment, wherein the first fluid is different than the second fluid, and 
 wherein the enclosure wall is movable in response to an external force against the enclosure wall, and the external force is in a direction of the micro speaker module. 
 
     
     
       13. The integrated micro speaker and pump assembly of  claim 12  wherein the sound radiating surface is a micro speaker diaphragm that generates a sound output, and the fluid port and the acoustic port face a direction parallel to a direction of the sound output. 
     
     
       14. The integrated micro speaker and pump assembly of  claim 12  wherein the fluid port is spaced a distance from the acoustic port sufficient to allow the first fluid from the encased space surrounding the micro speaker module to enter the acoustic chamber and push the second fluid out of the acoustic chamber. 
     
     
       15. The integrated micro speaker and pump assembly of  claim 12  wherein the sound radiating surface is a micro speaker diaphragm that generates a sound output, and the fluid port faces a direction parallel to a direction of the sound output from the micro speaker diaphragm and the acoustic port faces a direction perpendicular to the direction of sound output. 
     
     
       16. The integrated micro speaker and pump assembly of  claim 12  wherein the fluid port is spaced a distance from the acoustic port sufficient to allow the first fluid from the encased space surrounding the micro speaker module to enter the acoustic chamber and create a negative pressure area near the acoustic port. 
     
     
       17. The integrated micro speaker and pump assembly of  claim 12  wherein the enclosure wall is movable between a first position and a second position, and a movement of the enclosure wall between the first position and the second position causes a volume of air to flow through the fluid port to the acoustic chamber. 
     
     
       18. The integrated micro speaker and pump assembly of  claim 12  wherein a volume of the acoustic chamber is smaller than a volume of the encased space surrounding the micro speaker module. 
     
     
       19. The integrated micro speaker and pump assembly of  claim 12  wherein a surface area of the fluid port is smaller than a surface area of the acoustic port. 
     
     
       20. The integrated micro speaker and pump assembly of  claim 12  further comprising:
 a water resistant membrane positioned over the fluid port, wherein the water resistant membrane comprises polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). 
 
     
     
       21. A micro speaker system comprising:
 a micro speaker having a front volume chamber that acoustically couples a sound radiating surface to an acoustic port for outputting a sound generated by the sound radiating surface to a surrounding ambient environment; 
 an electronic device enclosure surrounding the micro speaker, the electronic device enclosure having an enclosure wall that forms an exterior chamber around the micro speaker, the exterior chamber having a larger volume than the front volume chamber, and wherein the enclosure wall comprises an interior surface that shares a volume with the exterior chamber and an exterior surface that forms a cosmetic surface of the electronic device enclosure that is exposed to the surrounding ambient environment; and 
 a nozzle formed between the front volume chamber and the exterior chamber, the nozzle to allow for passage of a volume of air from the exterior chamber to the front volume chamber such that a volume of liquid within the front volume chamber is pumped out the acoustic port to the surrounding ambient environment. 
 
     
     
       22. The micro speaker system of  claim 21  wherein the enclosure wall is movable between a first position that is a first distance from the micro speaker and a second position that is a second distance from the enclosure wall, the second distance being less than the first distance, and a movement of the enclosure wall from the first position to the second position causes the volume of air to flow through the nozzle to the front volume chamber. 
     
     
       23. The micro speaker system of  claim 22  wherein repeating the movement of the enclosure wall from the first position to the second position more than once causes the volume of air to flow through the nozzle to the front volume chamber. 
     
     
       24. The micro speaker system of  claim 22  wherein the front volume chamber comprises a negative pressure region between the nozzle and the acoustic port, and the negative pressure region draws the volume of liquid out the acoustic port. 
     
     
       25. The micro speaker system of  claim 21  wherein the nozzle comprises an air permeable mesh that is resistant to liquid.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The application is a non-provisional application of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/585,425, filed Nov. 13, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD 
     This application relates generally to a micro speaker assembly from which a liquid can be manually ejected, more specifically, a micro speaker assembly having a pump for manual liquid ejection therefrom. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In modern consumer electronics, audio capability is playing an increasingly larger role as improvements in digital audio signal processing and audio content delivery continue to happen. In this aspect, there is a wide range of consumer electronics devices that can benefit from improved audio performance. For instance, smart phones include, for example, electro-acoustic transducers such as speakerphone loudspeakers and earpiece receivers that can benefit from improved audio performance. Smart phones, however, do not have sufficient space to house much larger high fidelity sound output devices. This is also true for some portable personal computers such as laptop, notebook, and tablet computers, and, to a lesser extent, desktop personal computers with built-in speakers. Many of these devices use what are commonly referred to as “micro speakers.” Micro speakers are a miniaturized version of a loudspeaker, which use a moving coil motor to drive sound output. The moving coil motor may include a diaphragm (or sound radiating surface), voice coil and magnet assembly positioned within a frame. The input of an electrical audio signal to the moving coil motor causes the diaphragm to vibrate and output sound. The sound may be output from the sound output surface of the diaphragm to a sound output port through a front volume chamber that acoustically couples the sound output face to the output port. A back volume chamber may further be formed around the opposite face of the diaphragm to enhance sound output quality. In some cases, however, a volume of liquid may unintentionally enter the front volume chamber through the output port, and in turn, impact a sound quality output. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, the invention is directed to a transducer assembly, for example, a micro speaker assembly, having an integrated manual pump for fluid (e.g., water) ejection from the assembly. More specifically, in one aspect, the assembly includes aspects that allow for the manual ejection of liquids from a front cavity (e.g., front volume chamber) of the micro speaker. For example, in one aspect, the air trapped inside of a mobile device enclosure (within which the micro speaker is positioned) is used to create an air stream towards the exit of the micro speaker. This high velocity air stream then displaces, for example pushes, a volume of the liquid (e.g., water) within the front cavity. When the air stream displaces the volume of liquid in the front cavity, a pressure difference develops a net force over the liquid and the liquid is displaced until it is removed from the front cavity, via the exit port. The process may be repeated several times until the front cavity is completely clear of the liquid. In another aspect, the system pressure that results from the introduction of an air stream into the front cavity is used to pull or suck the volume of liquid from the front cavity. In addition, in some aspects, the nozzle, vent or fluid port which allows for the displacement of air from the mobile device enclosure into the front cavity, can be strategically placed to ameliorate modal issues arising from certain geometries of the front cavity. For example, the lambda/4 and 3lambda/4 acoustic resonances of the exit port can be ameliorated by strategically placing the fluid port along the cavity to achieve a desired leakage. 
     Representatively, in one aspect, the invention is directed to a transducer assembly including a transducer enclosure having an enclosure wall separating a surrounding ambient environment from an encased space. A transducer module may be positioned within the encased space and have a module wall that divides the encased space into an exterior chamber and an interior chamber and defines a fluid port between the exterior chamber and the interior chamber. The exterior chamber may be between the module wall and the enclosure wall and the interior chamber may be between the module wall and a sound radiating surface positioned within the transducer module. Still further, the interior chamber may be acoustically coupled to an acoustic port to the surrounding ambient environment. By “acoustically coupled” it is meant that an acoustic signal or output (e.g., a sound) can be transmitted from interior chamber to acoustic port. The enclosure wall may be movable relative to the module wall and movement of the enclosure wall causes ejection of a fluid out of the interior chamber to the ambient environment. Representatively, the module wall may include a top module wall that is parallel to a top enclosure wall of the enclosure wall, and the fluid port and the acoustic port may be formed through the top module wall. In some aspects, the interior chamber may have a length dimension, and the fluid port may be spaced a distance from the acoustic port that is at least ½ the length dimension of the interior chamber. Still further, the fluid port may include a surface area sufficient to allow for the passage of at least 0.1 cc of air from the exterior chamber to the interior chamber. In some aspects, the fluid is a liquid within the interior chamber, and the enclosure wall is movable in a manner sufficient to cause a volume of air within the exterior chamber to flow through the fluid port to the interior chamber and push the liquid through the acoustic port to the surrounding environment. In other aspects, the module wall may include a top module wall and a side module wall that is perpendicular to the top module wall, and the fluid port may be formed through the top module wall and the acoustic port is formed through the side module wall. Still further, the interior chamber may include a length dimension, and the fluid port is spaced a distance from the acoustic port that is less than ½ the length dimension of the interior chamber. The fluid port may have an angled interior surface to direct a flow of air generated by the movement of the enclosure wall from the exterior chamber toward the acoustic port. In addition, the fluid may be a liquid within the interior chamber, and the enclosure wall is movable in a manner sufficient to cause a volume of air within the exterior chamber to flow through the fluid port to the interior chamber and create a reduced pressure region within the interior chamber that pulls the liquid out the acoustic port. The assembly may further include an air permeable water barrier positioned over the fluid port, wherein the air permeable water barrier is permeable to air and resistant to water. In some cases, the transducer module may be a micro speaker module. 
     In other aspects, the invention is directed to an integrated micro speaker and pump assembly having a micro speaker enclosure having an enclosure wall separating a surrounding ambient environment from an encased space and a micro speaker module positioned within the encased space. The micro speaker module may have a module wall defining an acoustic chamber and a fluid port. The acoustic chamber may acoustically couple a sound radiating surface within the micro speaker module to an acoustic port that is open to the surrounding ambient environment and the fluid port may fluidly couple the acoustic chamber to the encased space surrounding the micro speaker module. By “fluidly couple” it is meant that a fluid, such as a liquid or gas, may flow through the fluid port. The fluid port allows for the passage of a first fluid from the encased space surrounding the micro speaker module to the acoustic chamber to drive a second fluid out of the acoustic chamber to the surrounding ambient environment. In some cases, the sound radiating surface may be a micro speaker diaphragm that generates a sound output, and the fluid port and the acoustic port face a direction parallel to a direction of the sound output. The fluid port may be spaced a distance from the acoustic port sufficient to allow the first fluid from the encased space surrounding the micro speaker module to enter the acoustic chamber and push the second fluid out of the acoustic chamber. In other aspects, the fluid port may face a direction parallel to a direction of the sound output from the micro speaker diaphragm and the acoustic port may face a direction perpendicular to the direction of sound output. In addition, the fluid port may be spaced a distance from the acoustic port sufficient to allow the first fluid from the encased space surrounding the micro speaker module to enter the acoustic chamber and create a negative pressure area near the acoustic port. The enclosure wall may be movable in response to an external force against the enclosure wall, and the external force may be in a direction of the transducer module. In some cases, a movement of the enclosure wall between a first position and a second position causes a volume of air to flow through the fluid port to the acoustic chamber. A volume of the acoustic chamber may be smaller than a volume of the encased space surrounding the micro speaker module. In addition, a surface area of the fluid port may be smaller than a surface area of the acoustic port. Still further, a water resistant membrane may be positioned over the fluid port, and the water resistant membrane may include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). 
     In other aspects the invention is directed to a micro speaker system including a micro speaker having a front volume chamber that acoustically couples a sound radiating surface to an acoustic port for outputting a sound generated by the sound radiating surface to a surrounding ambient environment. The system may further include an electronic device enclosure surrounding the micro speaker, the electronic device enclosure having an enclosure wall that forms an exterior chamber around the micro speaker, the exterior chamber having a larger volume than the front volume chamber. In addition, the system includes a nozzle formed between the front volume chamber and the exterior chamber. The nozzle may allow for the passage of a volume of air from the exterior chamber to the acoustic chamber such that a volume of water within the acoustic chamber is pumped out the acoustic port to the surrounding ambient environment. The enclosure wall may be movable between a first position that is a first distance from the micro speaker and a second position that is a second distance from the enclosure wall, the second distance being less than the first distance, and a movement of the enclosure wall from the first position to the second position causes the volume of air to flow through the nozzle to the acoustic chamber. In addition, repeating the movement of the enclosure wall from the first position to the second position more than once causes the volume of air to flow through the nozzle to the acoustic chamber. Still further, the front volume chamber may include a negative pressure region between the nozzle and the acoustic port, and the negative pressure region draws the volume of water out the acoustic port. The enclosure wall may include an interior surface that shares a volume with the exterior chamber and an exterior surface that forms a cosmetic surface of the electronic device that is exposed to the surrounding ambient environment. The nozzle may include an air permeable mesh that is resistant to water. 
     The above summary does not include an exhaustive list of all aspects of the present invention. It is contemplated that the invention includes all systems and methods that can be practiced from all suitable combinations of the various aspects summarized above, as well as those disclosed in the Detailed Description below and particularly pointed out in the claims filed with the application. Such combinations have particular advantages not specifically recited in the above summary. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The aspects are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” aspect in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same aspect, and they mean at least one. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of one aspect of a transducer assembly. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a simplified schematic cross-sectional view of the transducer assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a simplified schematic cross-sectional view of the transducer assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of another aspect of a transducer assembly. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a simplified schematic cross-sectional view of the transducer assembly of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a simplified schematic cross-sectional view of the transducer assembly of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a magnified cross-sectional view of one aspect of a transducer assembly port. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a magnified cross-sectional view of another aspect of a transducer assembly port. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates one aspect of a simplified schematic view of one aspect of an electronic device in which one or more aspects may be implemented. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a block diagram of some of the constituent components of an aspect of an electronic device in which one or more aspects may be implemented. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In this section we shall explain several preferred aspects of this invention with reference to the appended drawings. Whenever the shapes, relative positions and other aspects of the parts described in the aspects are not clearly defined, the scope of the invention is not limited only to the parts shown, which are meant merely for the purpose of illustration. Also, while numerous details are set forth, it is understood that some aspects of the invention may be practiced without these details. In other instances, well-known structures and techniques have not been shown in detail so as not to obscure the understanding of this description. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper”, and the like may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element&#39;s or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. 
     As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising” specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     The terms “or” and “and/or” as used herein are to be interpreted as inclusive or meaning any one or any combination. Therefore, “A, B or C” or “A, B and/or C” mean “any of the following: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B and C.” An exception to this definition will occur only when a combination of elements, functions, steps or acts are in some way inherently mutually exclusive. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of one aspect of a transducer assembly. Transducer assembly  100  may include, for example, an enclosure  102  within which a transducer module  104  is positioned. The enclosure  102  may be, for example, the cosmetic enclosure of an electronic device (e.g., a portable electronic device), which separates a surrounding environment from an encased space  106  therein. Representatively, enclosure  102  may include enclosure walls  102 A,  102 B,  102 C and  102 D, which each have an exterior surface  120 A facing the surrounding environment and an interior surface  120 B facing (or sharing a volume with) the encased space  106 . One or more of enclosure walls  102 A- 102 D, and more specifically the exterior surface  120 A, may form the cosmetic surface of an electronic device that is visible to, or can be manipulated by, a user during operation of the device. For example, in one aspect, enclosure wall  102 B may be considered a front wall that forms the surface of the display screen of the electronic device, while walls  102 A,  102 C and  102 D form a first side wall, a second side wall and a back wall, respectively, of the electronic device. For example, the exterior surface  120 A of enclosure wall  102 B may be a touch sensitive surface of the display that allows for user input to the device. 
     Transducer module  104  may be positioned within encased space  106  of enclosure  102 . Each of the components of a transducer, for example components of a speaker assembly as will be discussed herein, may be positioned, or otherwise enclosed within, transducer module  104 . In some aspects, transducer module  104  may include a wall  104 A, a wall  104 B and walls  104 C- 104 D, which form a top side (or top wall), a bottom side (or bottom wall) and side walls, respectively, of transducer module  104 . The wall  104 A may be substantially parallel to the wall  104 B, and walls  104 C and  104 D may be parallel to each other and perpendicular to walls  104 A and  104 B. For example, walls  104 C and  104 D may connect wall  104 A to wall  104 B. In addition, at least one of the wall  104 A or the wall  104 B, and in some cases side walls  104 C- 104 D (alone, in combination, or in combination with another encased transducer component) may form all, or a portion of, an acoustic channel or port  108 . For example, in one aspect, the acoustic channel or port  108  may be formed through top wall  104 A of transducer module  104  and top wall  102 B of enclosure  102 , such that the assembly is considered a “top firing” transducer. The acoustic channel or port  108  may acoustically connect a volume within transducer module  104  to the surrounding environment. For example, in the case of a micro speaker, the acoustic channel or port  108  may be a port (or elongated channel) that is acoustically coupled to a sound radiating component of the transducer and outputs sound (S) produced by the sound radiating component to the surrounding environment, as illustrated by the arrow. 
     In one aspect, the transducer may be, for example, an electroacoustic driver or transducer that converts electrical signals into acoustic signals (e.g., audible acoustic signals such as sound) that can be output from the device within which the transducer module  104  is integrated. For example, the transducer may be a micro speaker such as a speakerphone speaker or an earpiece receiver found within a smart phone, or other similar compact electronic device such as a laptop, notebook, tablet computer or portable time piece. In some aspects, for example, the transducer module  104  may include a 10 mm to 75 mm driver, or 10 mm to 20 mm driver (as measured along the diameter or longest length dimension), for example, in the case of a micro speaker. 
     In one aspect, one of the components of the transducer (e.g., speaker assembly components) positioned within the transducer module  104  may include a sound radiating surface (SRS)  110 . The SRS  110  may also be referred to herein as an acoustic radiator, a sound radiator or a diaphragm, or a portion of one of these structures. SRS  110  may be any type of flexible plate, membrane or other structure, capable of vibrating in response to an acoustic signal to produce acoustic or sound waves. SRS  110  may include a top face  110 A, which generates and outputs sound in a direction as indicated by arrow  122 . The sound output by top face  110 A travels through a first chamber to port  108 , where it is output to the surrounding ambient environment, as illustrated by arrow (S). SRS  110  may also include a bottom face  110 B, which is acoustically isolated from the top face  110 A, so that any acoustic or sound waves generated by the bottom face  110 B do not interfere with those from the top face  110 A. The top face  110 A may be referred to herein as the “top” face because it faces, or includes a surface substantially parallel to, the top module wall  104 A. Similarly, the bottom face  110 B may be referred to herein as the “bottom” face because it faces, or includes a surface substantially parallel to, the bottom module wall  104 B. In some aspects, SRS  110  may have an out-of-plane region as shown (e.g. for geometric stiffening) or be substantially planar. 
     In some aspects, SRS  110  may be suspended within transducer module  104  by a suspension member  116 , which is connected to one or more of module walls  104 A- 104 D by a support member  118 . Representatively, suspension member  116  may be a flexible membrane connected to a perimeter of SRS  110  along one side, and support member  118  along another side. The suspension member  116  may be, for example, a water resistant membrane and may attach SRS  110  to member  118  in a manner that seals SRS  110  to the module walls  104 A- 104 D so that water cannot leak past SRS  110 . For example, suspension member  116  may be overmolded to SRS  110  and/or support member  118 . In addition, in some aspects, suspension member  116  may be a solid membrane that extends from one support member  118  to another, and SRS  110  may be a stiffening layer positioned on a top surface of suspension member  116 . Still further, in some aspects, suspension member  116  may be connected directly to, for example, one or more of module walls  104 C- 104 D, and support member  118  omitted. The support member  118  may be an additional wall, for example an interior wall, of transducer module  104 . Support member  118  may be a separate structure that is attached to, for example an interior surface of one or more of module walls  104 B- 104 D, or a structure that is integrally formed with one or more of module walls  104 B- 104 D. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , module walls  104 A,  104 B,  104 C and/or  104 D may divide the encased space  106  of enclosure  102  into an exterior chamber  106 A and an interior chamber  112  (within module  104 ). The exterior chamber  106 A may surround the transducer module  104 , and therefore also the interior chamber  112 . Said another way, the exterior chamber  106 A may be defined by, or otherwise be considered between, the interior surface  120 B of enclosure walls  102 A,  102 B,  102 C and/or  102 D and an exterior surface  140 A of one or more of module walls  104 A,  104 B,  104 C and/or  104 D. The interior chamber  112  may be defined by, or otherwise considered between, an interior surface  140 B of one or more of module walls  104 A,  104 B,  104 C and/or  104 D, and top face  110 A of SRS  110 . 
     SRS  110  (in combination with suspension member  116  and/or support member  118 ), may in turn, separate the interior chamber  112  of transducer module  104  from a further chamber  114  within transducer module  104 . Interior chamber  112  may acoustically connect top face  110 A of SRS  110  to acoustic channel or port  108 , and therefore be considered a front volume chamber. Chamber  114  may be acoustically coupled to the bottom face  110 B of SRS  110  and therefore be considered a back volume chamber. In this aspect, the interior chamber  112  (or front volume chamber) may be considered between, and formed in part by, the top face  110 A of the SRS  110  and top module wall  104 A, and in some cases a side module wall  104 C or  104 D. Chamber  114  may, in turn, be considered between, and formed in part by, the bottom face  110 B of SRS  110  and wall  104 B, and in some cases wall  104 C (or other side walls). The interior chamber  112  may be acoustically isolated from chamber  114  so that sound generated by top face  110 A and bottom face  110 B do not mix or otherwise interfere with one another. 
     As previously mentioned, interior chamber  112  is acoustically connected, or otherwise open, to port  108  and therefore serves as an acoustic channel or duct for outputting sound generated by SRS  110  to the surrounding ambient environment. Since port  108  is, however, open to the surrounding ambient environment, it can also serve as a conduit for fluid entry to interior chamber  112 . For example, a liquid such as water could potentially enter port  108  and flow into interior chamber  112 . It is noted that since interior chamber  112  and chamber  114  are isolated, or otherwise sealed off from one another, the water remains within interior chamber  112  and does not reach chamber  114 . As such, the water will not interfere with any of the electronic components that may be housed within chamber  114 . Any water within interior chamber  112  could, however, negatively impact a sound output of the transducer. It is therefore desirable to remove any water from interior chamber  112  as efficiently as possible. In this aspect, transducer assembly  100  further includes a manual pump assembly or mechanism for manually removing a liquid that may be contained within interior chamber  112 . 
     In one aspect, the manual pump assembly or mechanism may be considered integrally formed with the transducer assembly  100  because it utilizes various components of the enclosure  102  and transducer module  104  to eject, or otherwise pump, the water out of the interior chamber  112 . Representatively, in one aspect, a nozzle or fluid port  142  may be formed through transducer module wall  104 A to fluidly connect the exterior chamber  106 A to interior chamber  112 . The term “fluidly connected” is used herein to mean that a fluid, for example air, can flow or pass through fluid port  142 , between exterior chamber  106 A and interior chamber  112 . This passage of fluid, or air, from exterior chamber  106 A to interior chamber  112  in the direction as illustrated by arrow  146 , can in turn, be used to displace a volume of liquid (e.g., water) within interior chamber  112  out acoustic port  108 . The displacement of the liquid may occur by pushing or pulling the liquid out port  108 , depending on a location of fluid port  142  with respect to acoustic port  108 . The term “pushing” is used herein to refer to the application of a force against the liquid, in a direction of the port  108 . The term “pulling” is used herein to refer to the application of a force that draws or sucks the liquid toward port  108 .  FIG. 1  illustrates an assembly in which the fluid port  142  is relatively far from acoustic port  108  so that the water is pushed out port  108  by the air flow into interior chamber  112 . This mechanism will be described in more detail in reference to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 4 - FIG. 6  illustrate an assembly in which fluid port  142  is relatively close to acoustic port  108  so that the water is pulled out port  108  by a suction force. It is further noted that although a fluid port  142  having a single opening is illustrated, fluid port  142  could be made up of a number of smaller openings, which in combination, have the same surface area as a single opening. 
     This pump assembly mechanism may further include a barrier  144  positioned over, or otherwise covering, fluid port  142 . Barrier  144  may, for example, be an air permeable water resistant barrier that allows for the passage of air while being resistant to water passage. In other words, barrier  144  allows the air within exterior chamber  106 A to pass through fluid port  142  to interior chamber  112 , but prevents the water within interior chamber  112  from passing through fluid port  142  to exterior chamber  106 A. Barrier  144  may, in one aspect, be made of a porous material having pores sized to resist the passage of water while still allowing for the passage of air. Representatively, barrier  144  may be an air permeable water resistant mesh or porous membrane. More specifically, in one aspect, barrier  144  may include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). In still further aspects, barrier  144  may be a stack up of materials, for example, a layer of mesh in combination with a pressure sensitive adhesive layer. Barrier  144  may have a similar size, shape and/or surface area as fluid port  142 , and be mechanically or chemically attached to portions of module wall  104 A surrounding fluid port  142  such that it completely covers fluid port  142 . 
     Returning now to the various components of the transducer assembly  100  within transducer module  104 , a voice coil  126  is positioned along a bottom face  110 B of SRS  110  (e.g., a face of SRS  110  facing magnet assembly  128 ). For example, in one aspect, voice coil  126  includes an upper end directly attached to the bottom face  110 B of SRS  110 , such as by chemical bonding or the like, and a lower end. In another aspect, voice coil  126  may be formed by a wire wrapped around a former or bobbin and the former or bobbin is directly attached to the bottom face  110 B of SRS  110 . In one aspect, voice coil  126  may have a similar profile and shape to that of SRS  110 . For example, where SRS  110  has a square, rectangular, circular or racetrack shape, voice coil  126  may also have a similar shape. For example, voice coil  126  may have a substantially rectangular, square, circular or racetrack shape. 
     Transducer assembly  100  may further include a magnet assembly  128 . Magnet assembly  128  may include a magnet  130  (e.g., a NdFeB magnet), with a top plate  132  and a yoke  134  for guiding a magnetic circuit generated by magnet  130 . Magnet assembly  128 , including magnet  130 , top plate  132  and yoke  134 , may be positioned such that voice coil  126  is aligned with magnetic gap  136  formed by magnet  130 . For example, magnet assembly  128  may be below SRS  110 , and in some cases, between SRS  110  and the bottom, or second enclosure wall  104 B. In addition, in some aspects, top plate  132  may be specially designed to accommodate an out-of-plane region (e.g., a concave or dome shaped region) of SRS  110 . For example, top plate  132  may have a cut-out or opening within its center that is aligned with the out-of-plane region of SRS  110 . In this aspect, the additional space created below the out-of-plane region of SRS  110  allows SRS  110  to move or vibrate up and down (e.g., pistonically) without contacting top plate  132 . In this aspect, the opening may have a similar size or area as the out-of-plane region. In addition, although a one-magnet assembly is shown here, although multi-magnet motors are also contemplated. 
     In addition, although not shown, transducer assembly  100  may include circuitry (e.g., an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) or other external components electrically connected to the transducer to, for example, drive current through the voice coil  126  to operate the transducer. 
     Referring now in more detail to the operation of the pumping assembly or mechanism for removing liquids,  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  illustrate the operation of the pumping mechanism of  FIG. 1 . It should be noted that  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  are simplified schematic views in which various details of  FIG. 1  have been removed, for simplicity. In particular,  FIG. 2  shows interior chamber  112  formed by module wall  104 A and the top face  110 A of SRS  110 . From this view, it can be clearly seen that interior chamber  112  is essentially an acoustic channel or tube through which sound can travel to acoustic port  108 . Similarly, a liquid  202 , for example water, within interior chamber  112  can travel to acoustic port  108  and out to the ambient environment if a sufficient driving force is applied along the channel. In this case, the driving force may be a flow of air passing from exterior chamber  106 A to interior chamber  112  through fluid port  142  and barrier  144 . Since, in this aspect, the flow of air is going to be used to push the volume of liquid  202  toward acoustic port  108 , it is important that the flow of air enter interior chamber  112  at a point where it can push a maximum volume of liquid  202 . In this aspect, fluid port  142  should be relatively far away from acoustic port  108 . Representatively, fluid port  142  may be near one end of interior chamber  112 , and acoustic port  108  may be near an opposite end of interior chamber  112 . More specifically, where interior chamber  112  is considered to have a length dimension (L 1 ), fluid port  142  should be spaced a distance or length dimension (L 2 ) from acoustic port  108  that is at least one-half that of length dimension (L 1 ). For example, the distance or length (L 2 ) between fluid port  142  and acoustic port  108  may be more than one-half that of length (L 1 ), two-thirds that of length (L 1 ), three-quarters that of length (L 1 ) or substantially equal to length (L 1 ). 
     In addition, the volume, velocity and/or direction of air flow may be controlled to ensure a sufficient amount of liquid  202  is pushed out acoustic port  108 . For example, in one aspect, the displacement of a volume of air from exterior chamber  106 A to interior chamber  112  that is equivalent to, or greater than, a volume of interior chamber  112  may be sufficient to force liquid  202  out of interior chamber  112 . For example, in one aspect, exterior chamber  106 A may contain a volume of about 8 cubic centimeter (cc) to about 10 cc, and interior chamber  112  may have a volume of from about 0.1 cc to about 0.2 cc. Accordingly, in one aspect, the displacement of at least 0.1 cc of air, at least 0.2 cc of air, or more than 0.2 cc of air from exterior chamber  106 A to interior chamber  112  may be sufficient to force liquid  202  out of interior chamber  112 . 
     Still further, the velocity and/or direction of the air flow may be controlled by controlling the size, surface area and/or shape of the fluid port  142  and/or aspects of barrier  144 . For example, the fluid port  142  and/or barrier  144  may be selected so that they are more/less resistant to fluid (e.g., air) flow. The specific aspects relating to the features of fluid port  142  and/or barrier  144  that can be used to control a velocity and/or direction of the air flow will be discussed in more detail in reference to  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 . 
     Returning now to the mechanism for generating the stream or flow of air, in one aspect, the stream or flow of air may be generated by moving one or more of enclosure walls  102 A- 102 D with respect to transducer module  104  so that a volume of air (e.g., 0.1 cc or more) is transferred from exterior chamber  106 A to interior chamber  112  and pushes out any liquid (e.g., water) therein. More specifically, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , an external force can be applied in a direction of arrow  208  against enclosure wall  102 B. For example, the external force may be a user&#39;s finger pressing, and in some cases holding their finger against, enclosure wall  102 B (e.g., a display screen). In this aspect, enclosure wall  102 B can serve as the actuator or actuating mechanism for the pumping operation. It is noted that enclosure wall  102 B is positioned over fluid port  142  and may therefore provide a relatively direct mechanism for forcing air through fluid port  142 . An external force could, however, be applied to other walls of enclosure  102  (e.g., walls  102 A,  102 C and  102 D) to drive air through fluid port  142 . 
     Returning now to the movement of enclosure wall  102 B specifically, the application of external force in the direction of arrow  208  causes enclosure wall  102 B to move from a first position in which it is a first distance (D 1 ) from module wall  104 A (as shown in  FIG. 2 ), to a second position in which it is a second distance (D 2 ) from module wall  104 A (as shown in  FIG. 3 ). As can be seen from  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , the first distance (D 1 ) is larger than the second distance (D 2 ), such that in the second position, enclosure wall  102 B is closer to module wall  104 A than in the first position. In other words, the external force applied in the direction of arrow  208  squeezes enclosure  102  so that the volume of air within exterior chamber  106 A is compressed. Since fluid port  142  is the only opening from exterior chamber  106 A, a volume of air within exterior chamber  106 A is forced to flow through fluid port  142  to interior chamber  112 . This air stream continues in a direction of arrows  204  along interior chamber  112  toward acoustic port  108 , thereby displacing the volume of liquid  202  therein. For example, when the air stream displaces the volume of liquid  202  in interior chamber  112 , a pressure difference develops a net force over the liquid  202  and the liquid  202  is displaced until it is removed from interior chamber  112 , via acoustic port  108 . This process may be repeated several times until interior chamber  112  is completely cleared of liquid  202 . It is noted that since the barrier  144  covering fluid port  142  is more resistant to liquids such as water than acoustic port  108  (and the flow of air is pushing the liquid  202  away from fluid port  142 ), a liquid  202  (e.g., water) does not pass, or otherwise leak back through, fluid port  142 . In addition, it is noted that while  FIG. 1 - FIG. 3  illustrate a top ported device in which acoustic port  108  is through a top wall (e.g., top enclosure wall  102 B and/or top module wall  104 A), a similar pumping mechanism could be used in a side ported device to drive a fluid (e.g., water) out a side port. Moreover, in some cases, a single application of an external force can be applied, and held for a short or long period of time, to actuate the pumping mechanism, for example by a user pressing and holding their finger down on enclosure wall  102 B. In other cases, the external force may be applied repeatedly, and held for short or long periods of time. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 4  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of another aspect of a transducer assembly. Transducer assembly  400  is substantially similar to transducer assembly  100  described in reference to  FIG. 1 - FIG. 3 , and therefore the same components will not be described again. In this aspect, however, transducer assembly  400  is a side ported or side firing device and fluid removal is achieved by a suction or pulling force (as opposed to pushing) which ejects the fluid out of the interior chamber  112 . More specifically, similar to transducer assembly  100  previously discussed in reference to  FIG. 1 - FIG. 3 , transducer assembly  400  includes an enclosure  102  (e.g., a cosmetic enclosure of an electronic device) within which a transducer module  104  is positioned. Enclosure  102  may include enclosure walls  102 A- 102 D, which each have an exterior surface  120 A facing the surrounding environment and an interior surface  120 B facing (or sharing a volume with) the encased space  106 . Transducer module  104  may include module walls  104 A- 104 D. One or more of the module walls  104 A- 104 D, in combination with SRS  110 , may form interior chamber  112  that is acoustically coupled to an acoustic port  408  (e.g., exit port) to the surrounding ambient environment. Here, however, acoustic port  408  is formed within a side wall of transducer module  104 , for example side module wall  104 D. Side module wall  104 D may be considered a “side wall” as opposed to a “top wall” or “bottom wall” because it is perpendicular to, for example, the top face  110 A of SRS  110  or a module wall (e.g., wall  104 A) that is parallel to SRS  110  (and top face  110 A). Since acoustic port  408  is formed through a side wall of module  104 , and therefore the sound output (S) is out the side of module  104  (as shown by the arrow), transducer assembly  400  may be considered a side ported or side firing device. Other aspects of acoustic port  408 , such as the size, shape, dimensions, surface area, etc., may, however, be similar to acoustic port  108  previously discussed in reference to  FIG. 1 - FIG. 3 . 
     In addition, fluid port  410  is similar to fluid port  142  of  FIG. 1 - FIG. 3 , except that in transducer assembly  400 , fluid port  410  faces a different direction than acoustic port  408  and is positioned relatively close to acoustic port  408 . For example, fluid port  410  faces a direction parallel to a direction of sound output from SRS  110  (e.g., a direction of arrow  122 ) or the same direction as top face  110 A. Acoustic port  408 , on the other hand, faces a different direction, for example, a direction perpendicular to the direction of sound output from SRS  110  or perpendicular to a direction faced by top face  110 A. 
     Moreover, fluid port  410  is positioned relatively close to acoustic port  408  so that the exchange of an air volume between exterior chamber  106 A and interior chamber  112 , as previously discussed, can be used to create a negative, low, or otherwise reduced, pressure region near acoustic port  408 . This negative, low or reduced pressure region is then used to pump a fluid from interior chamber  112  and out acoustic port  408  using a suction or pulling force. This type of pumping operation will now be discussed in reference to  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6  illustrate a simplified cross-sectional schematic diagram of the transducer assembly and pumping mechanism of  FIG. 4 . In particular, as can be seen from  FIG. 5  and previously discussed, interior chamber  112 , which may be formed by module wall  104 A and the top face  110 A of SRS  110 , forms an acoustic channel or tube through which sound can travel to acoustic port  108 . Similarly, the liquid  202  (e.g., water), within interior chamber  112  can travel to acoustic port  408  and out to the ambient environment if a sufficient driving force is applied along the channel. In this case, the driving force may be created by a flow of air passing from exterior chamber  106 A to interior chamber  112  through fluid port  410  (and barrier  144 ), in combination with a low or negative pressure region  602  formed near acoustic port  408 . 
     In particular, similar to the pumping mechanism of transducer assembly  100 , in transducer assembly  400 , a volume of air from exterior chamber  106 A is forced through fluid port  410  (and barrier  144 ) into interior chamber  112 . For example, by applying an external force in direction  208  against enclosure wall  102 B, as previously discussed. In transducer assembly  400 , however, fluid port  410  is positioned relatively close to acoustic port  408 . For example, in transducer assembly  400 , a distance or length (L 3 ) between fluid port  410  and acoustic port  408  may be one-half a length (L 1 ) or less, or one-quarter a length (L 1 ) or less, or one-eighth a length (L 1 ) or less than that of acoustic chamber  112 . 
     When fluid port  410  is positioned near acoustic port  408  in this manner, the stream or flow of air through fluid port  410  can be controlled such that it passes over the liquid  202  within interior chamber  112  and is directed toward acoustic port  408 , as shown by arrow  604  in  FIG. 6 . The velocity of this stream or flow of fluid air shown by arrow  604  creates a reduced or low pressure (−P) over the liquid  202 , for example, lower than a pressure (+P) within interior chamber  112 . In addition, a reduced, low, or negative pressure region  602  is created near acoustic port  408  (e.g., the pressure is less than ambient pressure). This pressure difference generated inside the device (e.g., around 1.5 kPa) can then be used to displace the liquid  202  within the low or negative pressure region  602 , and the remaining fluid within region  608  of interior chamber  112  is carried out by the pressure difference generated by the fluid being displaced by the air flow. 
     Referring now to one exemplary mechanism for generating the air flow and pressure regions, in one aspect, the external force is applied in direction  208  to enclosure wall  102 B to cause a stream or flow of fluid (e.g., air) to pass through fluid port  410  from exterior chamber  106 A to interior chamber  112 , as illustrated by arrow  604 . It is noted that it is desirable for the air to flow relatively quickly into interior chamber  112 . Therefore to control or otherwise increase the speed or velocity of the fluid flow, fluid port  410  may have a particular size, shape, surface area, or other aspects, found suitable for achieving the desired flow speed. For example, fluid port  410  may have a relatively small surface area, for example, smaller than a surface area of acoustic port  408 . Some specific aspects of fluid port  410  (and fluid port  142 ) will be discussed in more detail in reference to  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 . 
     This initial introduction of a stream or flow of air into interior chamber  112 , as illustrated by arrow  604 , creates a reduced, low or negative pressure region  602  between fluid port  410  and acoustic port  408 , as well as a relatively low pressure region in the remaining fluid region  608 . These low and/or negative pressure regions  602  and  608 , in turn, create a suction force that pulls liquid  202  out acoustic port  408  in a direction as illustrated by arrow  610 . In some cases, this action of applying force in a direction of arrow  208  (e.g., squeezing) is repeated more than once to create these low or negative pressure regions, and remove liquid  202 . For example, in one aspect, a first push or squeeze of enclosure wall  102 A is used to drive a fluid (e.g., air) from exterior chamber  106 A to interior chamber  112  and create one of the low or negative pressure regions (e.g., region  602 ) and then a second push or squeeze on enclosure wall  102 A is used to eject the remaining amount of fluid (e.g., fluid in region  608 ) out acoustic port  408 . Each squeeze pulls the liquid  202  out acoustic port  408  in a step-by-step manner, therefore multiple fast squeezes may be used to completely remove liquid  202  from interior chamber  112 . 
     The particular size, shape, surface area, and/or other aspects, of the fluid port which can be selected to achieve the desired pumping operation will now be described in more detail in reference to  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8  illustrate magnified cross-sectional views of aspects of the fluid port and barrier of  FIG. 4 - FIG. 6 , however, the description here may also apply to the fluid port and barrier illustrated in  FIG. 1 - FIG. 3 . 
     Returning now to  FIG. 7 ,  FIG. 7  illustrates fluid port  410  and barrier  144  positioned in close proximity to acoustic port  408 , as previously discussed. As previously discussed, it is desirable for the air stream traveling through fluid port  410  and barrier  144  to flow at a relatively fast speed and toward acoustic port  408  as illustrated by arrow  604 . To help direct the air stream toward acoustic port  408 , fluid port  410  may have a sloped or inclined surface  702 . The sloped or inclined surface  702  may be sloped or inclined at an angle sufficient to direct the air stream toward acoustic port  408 . For example, the sloped or inclined surface  702  may slope or taper toward interior module wall surface  140 B. In other words, inclined surface  702  is tapered so that module wall  104 A becomes thinner in a direction from surface  140 A toward surface  140 B. 
     In addition,  FIG. 8  illustrates the additional aspects of a surface area  802  or pathway thickness (T) of fluid port  410  being specially selected to achieve a desired speed or rate of fluid flow into interior chamber  112 . For example, in some cases, surface area  802  of fluid port  410  may be smaller or narrower than surface area  804  of exit port  408 . For example, surface area  802  could, in one aspect, be of a size suitable for accomplishing a second function, for example, that of a barometric vent. In addition, in some cases a thickness (T) of fluid port  410  may be increased or decreased to increase or decrease a resistance of the pathway to fluid flow, and in turn, control the speed of the air stream flowing into interior chamber  112 . Moreover, as previously discussed, although fluid port  410  is shown having a single opening, fluid port  410  could be made up of multiple openings or perforations. The multiple openings could each have a same surface area, shape and/or size, or different surface areas, shapes or sizes. Each of the openings, however, could in combination, have a desired overall surface area similar to that of the single opening disclosed in  FIG. 8 . 
     Still further, it should be understood that aspects of barrier  144  may also be used to control a direction, speed, velocity, volume, or other aspects, of the passage of fluid through fluid port  410 . For example, barrier  144  may have a particular stiffness, transparency to air flow and/or resistance to fluids such as water, which may also impact the passage of air flow into the interior chamber  112 . In one aspect, barrier  144  may be made of a mesh material that is considered transparent to acoustic and air passage, but resistant to the passage of water there through. In addition, barrier  144  may be made of a material, or have a structure, so that it is relatively rigid while still being open to air passage. In one aspect, barrier  144  could be a mesh made of PTFE. In still further aspects, barrier  144  could include multiple layers of material, for example, a layer of PTFE and a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive material. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates one aspect of a simplified schematic view of one aspect of an electronic device in which a transducer (e.g., a micro speaker), such as that described herein, may be implemented. As seen in  FIG. 9 , the transducer may be integrated within a consumer electronic device  902  such as a smart phone with which a user can conduct a call with a far-end user of a communications device  904  over a wireless communications network; in another example, the speaker may be integrated within the housing of a tablet computer  906 . These are just two examples of where the speaker described herein may be used, it is contemplated, however, that the speaker may be used with any type of electronic device in which a transducer, for example, a loudspeaker or microphone, is desired, for example, a tablet computer, a desk top computing device or other display device. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a block diagram of some of the constituent components of an aspect of an electronic device in which one or more aspects may be implemented. Device  1000  may be any one of several different types of consumer electronic devices. For example, the device  1000  may be any transducer-equipped mobile device, such as a cellular phone, a smart phone, a media player, or a tablet-like portable computer. 
     In this aspect, electronic device  1000  includes a processor  1012  that interacts with camera circuitry  1006 , motion sensor  1004 , storage  1008 , memory  1014 , display  1022 , and user input interface  1024 . Main processor  1012  may also interact with communications circuitry  1002 , primary power source  1010 , speaker  1018  and microphone  1020 . Speaker  1018  may be a micro speaker such as that described in reference to  FIG. 1 - FIG. 8 . The various components of the electronic device  1000  may be digitally interconnected and used or managed by a software stack being executed by the processor  1012 . Many of the components shown or described here may be implemented as one or more dedicated hardware units and/or a programmed processor (software being executed by a processor, e.g., the processor  1012 ). 
     The processor  1012  controls the overall operation of the device  1000  by performing some or all of the operations of one or more applications or operating system programs implemented on the device  1000 , by executing instructions for it (software code and data) that may be found in the storage  1008 . The processor  1012  may, for example, drive the display  1022  and receive user inputs through the user input interface  1024  (which may be integrated with the display  1022  as part of a single, touch sensitive display panel). In addition, processor  1012  may send an audio signal to speaker  1018  to facilitate operation of speaker  1018 . 
     Storage  1008  provides a relatively large amount of “permanent” data storage, using nonvolatile solid state memory (e.g., flash storage) and/or a kinetic nonvolatile storage device (e.g., rotating magnetic disk drive). Storage  1008  may include both local storage and storage space on a remote server. Storage  1008  may store data as well as software components that control and manage, at a higher level, the different functions of the device  1000 . 
     In addition to storage  1008 , there may be memory  1014 , also referred to as main memory or program memory, which provides relatively fast access to stored code and data that is being executed by the processor  1012 . Memory  1014  may include solid state random access memory (RAM), e.g., static RAM or dynamic RAM. There may be one or more processors, e.g., processor  1012 , that run or execute various software programs, modules, or sets of instructions (e.g., applications) that, while stored permanently in the storage  1008 , have been transferred to the memory  1014  for execution, to perform the various functions described above. 
     The device  1000  may include communications circuitry  1002 . Communications circuitry  1002  may include components used for wired or wireless communications, such as two-way conversations and data transfers. For example, communications circuitry  1002  may include RF communications circuitry that is coupled to an antenna, so that the user of the device  1000  can place or receive a call through a wireless communications network. The RF communications circuitry may include a RF transceiver and a cellular baseband processor to enable the call through a cellular network. For example, communications circuitry  1002  may include Wi-Fi communications circuitry so that the user of the device  1000  may place or initiate a call using voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) connection, transfer data through a wireless local area network. 
     The device may include a microphone  1020 . Microphone  1020  may be an acoustic-to-electric transducer or sensor that converts sound in air into an electrical signal. The microphone circuitry may be electrically connected to processor  1012  and power source  1010  to facilitate the microphone operation (e.g., tilting). 
     The device  1000  may include a motion sensor  1004 , also referred to as an inertial sensor, that may be used to detect movement of the device  1000 . The motion sensor  1004  may include a position, orientation, or movement (POM) sensor, such as an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a light sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, a proximity sensor, a capacitive proximity sensor, an acoustic sensor, a sonic or sonar sensor, a radar sensor, an image sensor, a video sensor, a global positioning (GPS) detector, an RF or acoustic doppler detector, a compass, a magnetometer, or other like sensor. For example, the motion sensor  1004  may be a light sensor that detects movement or absence of movement of the device  1000 , by detecting the intensity of ambient light or a sudden change in the intensity of ambient light. The motion sensor  1004  generates a signal based on at least one of a position, orientation, and movement of the device  1000 . The signal may include the character of the motion, such as acceleration, velocity, direction, directional change, duration, amplitude, frequency, or any other characterization of movement. The processor  1012  receives the sensor signal and controls one or more operations of the device  1000  based in part on the sensor signal. 
     The device  1000  also includes camera circuitry  1006  that implements the digital camera functionality of the device  1000 . One or more solid state image sensors are built into the device  1000 , and each may be located at a focal plane of an optical system that includes a respective lens. An optical image of a scene within the camera&#39;s field of view is formed on the image sensor, and the sensor responds by capturing the scene in the form of a digital image or picture consisting of pixels that may then be stored in storage  1008 . The camera circuitry  1006  may also be used to capture video images of a scene. 
     Device  1000  also includes primary power source  1010 , such as a built in battery, as a primary power supply. 
     While certain aspects have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such aspects are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that the invention is not limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the various speaker components described herein could be used in an acoustic-to-electric transducer or other sensor that converts sound in air into an electrical signal, such as for example, a microphone. The description is thus to be regarded as illustrative instead of limiting. In addition, to aid the Patent Office and any readers of any patent issued on this application in interpreting the claims appended hereto, applicants wish to note that they do not intend any of the appended claims or claim elements to invoice 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the words “means for” or “step for” are explicitly used in the particular claim.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20180720
Publication Date: 20200728
Grant Date: 20200728
Priority Date: 20171113
Inventors: LEONHARDT, Oliver
ILKORUR, ONUR I.
Crosby, Justin D.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04R1/026", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R7/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/323", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/42", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/025", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/025", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/323", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R7/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/025", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/026", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 66433661