PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-8290546-B2
Application Number: US-39116309-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Audio jack with included microphone

Abstract:
A connector for receiving a cylindrical plug includes a body defining a plug aperture and a cavity for receiving the cylindrical plug. A plurality of electrical contacts in communication with the cavity make electrical connections with the cylindrical plug and retain the cylindrical plug. A microphone is coupled to the body such that the plug aperture and the cavity provide an acoustic path to the microphone. The microphone may be at an end of the connector opposite the plug aperture or on a side of the connector adjacent the plug aperture. The connector allows a microphone to be added to a device, such as a mobile telephone, without the need for an additional external aperture. The microphone in the connector may operate with a second microphone and processing electronics in the device to provide audio processing functions such as noise cancellation or audio beamforming.

Claims:
1. A connector for receiving a cylindrical plug, the connector comprising:
 a body defining an aperture and a cavity for receiving the cylindrical plug; 
 a plurality of electrical contacts in communication with the cavity, the plurality of electrical contacts making electrical connections with the cylindrical plug when received in the cavity, at least one of the electrical contacts mechanically engaging and retaining the cylindrical plug when received in the cavity; and 
 a microphone directly connected to the body such that the aperture and the cavity provide an acoustic path to the microphone in addition to receiving the cylindrical plug. 
 
     
     
       2. The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the microphone is mechanically supported by the body. 
     
     
       3. The connector of  claim 2 , wherein the connector includes a plurality of electrical terminals that provide electrical connections to the plurality of electrical contacts and to the microphone. 
     
     
       4. The connector of  claim 3 , wherein the connector is a surface mount device (SMD) and the plurality of plurality of electrical terminals are surface mount terminals. 
     
     
       5. The connector of  claim 2 , wherein the aperture is at a first end of the cavity and the microphone is supported by the body at a second end of the cavity opposite the first end. 
     
     
       6. The connector of  claim 2 , wherein the body is substantially a rectangular solid, the aperture is defined in an end face of the rectangular solid, and the microphone is supported by a side face of the rectangular solid that is adjacent the end face. 
     
     
       7. A handheld device, comprising:
 a housing; 
 processing electronics supported by the housing; 
 an electrical connector supported by the housing and electrically coupled to the processing electronics, the connector having a plug aperture and a cavity for receiving a cylindrical plug; and 
 a first microphone directly connected to the connector and electrically coupled to the processing electronics, the first microphone and the plug aperture being acoustically coupled by the cavity for receiving the cylindrical plug. 
 
     
     
       8. The handheld device of  claim 7 , wherein the first microphone is mechanically supported by the electrical connector. 
     
     
       9. The handheld device of  claim 8 , wherein the electrical connector includes a plurality of electrical contacts in communication with the cavity, the plurality of electrical contacts making electrical connections with the cylindrical plug when received in the cavity, at least one of the electrical contacts mechanically engaging and retaining the cylindrical plug when received in the cavity. 
     
     
       10. The handheld device of  claim 9 , wherein the electrical connector includes a plurality of electrical terminals that provide electrical connections to the plurality of electrical contacts and to the microphone. 
     
     
       11. The handheld device of  claim 10 , wherein the electrical connector is a surface mount device (SMD) and the plurality of plurality of electrical terminals are surface mount terminals. 
     
     
       12. The handheld device of  claim 7 , further comprising a second microphone electrically coupled to the processing electronics, wherein the processing electronics perform at least one of audio beamforming, noise suppression, noise cancellation, echo cancellation, and sound source localization using input from the first and second microphones. 
     
     
       13. The handheld device of  claim 7 , further comprising a speaker electrically coupled to the processing electronics, wherein the processing electronics perform noise cancellation by combining input from the first microphone with a signal provided to the speaker. 
     
     
       14. The handheld device of  claim 7 , wherein the handheld device is configured for telephony. 
     
     
       15. A communication device comprising
 a housing; 
 an electrical connector supported by the housing; and 
 a first microphone directly connected to the electrical connector and acoustically coupled to the outside of the housing of the device by a first acoustic path which passes through the electrical connector. 
 
     
     
       16. The communication device of  claim 15 , wherein the first microphone is mechanically accommodated inside the electrical connector. 
     
     
       17. The communication device of  claim 16 , wherein the first microphone is accommodated in an arbitrary area inside the electrical connector. 
     
     
       18. The communication device of  claim 15 , further comprising a second microphone connected to the outside of the housing of the device by a second acoustic path which passes through the housing apart from the electrical connector. 
     
     
       19. The communication device of  claim 18 , further comprising processing electronics supported by the housing and electrically coupled to the electrical connector, the first microphone, and the second microphone, the processing electronics to perform at least one of audio beamforming, noise suppression, noise cancellation, echo cancellation, and sound source localization using input from the first and second microphones. 
     
     
       20. The communication device of  claim 15 , further comprising a speaker and processing electronics supported by the housing and electrically coupled to the electrical connector, the first microphone, and the speaker, the processing electronics to perform noise cancellation by combining input from the first microphone with a signal provided to the speaker. 
     
     
       21. The communication device of  claim 15 , wherein the electrical connector is configured to receive a cylindrical plug, the connector including a plurality of electrical contacts to make electrical connections with the cylindrical plug when received in the cavity, at least one of the electrical contacts mechanically engaging and retaining the cylindrical plug when received in the cavity. 
     
     
       22. The communication device of  claim 15 , wherein the communication device is configured for telephony.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     Embodiments of the invention relate to the field of electrical connectors; and more specifically, to electrical connectors that include a microphone. 
     2. Background 
     Handheld computing devices, “palmtops”, “palmhelds”, personal digital assistants (PDAs), or handheld computers typically weigh less than a pound and fit in a pocket. These handhelds generally provide some combination of personal information management, database functions, word processing, and spreadsheets as well as voice memo recording and telephony functions. Because of the small size and portability of handhelds, strict adherence to hardware constraints, such as input hardware, must be maintained. It is conventional to have buttons or switches on the handheld computer for providing user input to the handheld computer. Handheld computers may also include one or more electrical connectors that provide for connecting auxiliary devices to the handheld computer. 
     If the handheld computer includes a microphone, a sound input aperture is conventionally located at some discrete location on the handheld computer housing, using limited housing real estate on the handheld computer. Other conventional implementations of sound input devices for handheld computers include external microphone devices that may be plugged into an electrical connector. In addition to using housing real estate, sound input apertures and electrical connectors introduce openings in the housing and breach the barrier that protects components inside the housing. 
     Accordingly, there is a need to minimize the requirement for openings in a housing of a handheld device to accommodate microphones and electrical connectors. 
     SUMMARY 
     A connector for receiving a cylindrical plug includes a body defining a plug aperture and a cavity for receiving the cylindrical plug. A plurality of electrical contacts in communication with the cavity make electrical connections with the cylindrical plug and retain the cylindrical plug. A microphone is coupled to the body such that the plug aperture and the cavity provide an acoustic path to the microphone. The microphone may be at an end of the connector opposite the plug aperture or on a side of the connector adjacent the plug aperture. The connector allows a microphone to be added to a device, such as a mobile telephone, without the need for an additional external aperture. The microphone in the connector may operate with a second microphone and processing electronics in the device to provide audio processing functions such as noise cancellation or audio beamforming. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention may best be understood by referring to the following description and accompanying drawings that are used to illustrate embodiments of the invention by way of example and not limitation. In the drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements: 
         FIG. 1  is a pictorial view of a portion of a handheld device that embodies the invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a cylindrical plug that may be used with the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a pictorial view of a portion of a connector that embodies the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view of the connector shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a pictorial view of a portion of another connector that embodies the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view of the connector shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a pictorial view of a handheld device that embodies the invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a block diagram of processing electronics that may be used for noise cancellation. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known circuits, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure the understanding of this description. 
       FIG. 1  is a pictorial view of a portion of a handheld device  100  that embodies the invention. The handheld device  100  includes a housing  102  which may be formed in two or more parts. The figure shows a portion of a lower part of the housing. An upper part of the housing that would be provided to close the handheld device is not shown to allow the invention to be seen more clearly. 
     A portion of a printed circuit board  104  that is supported by the housing  102  is shown. The printed circuit board  104  may support and electrically connect processing electronics that provide functions for the handheld device  100 . The handheld device  100  further includes a connector  106  for receiving a cylindrical plug. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a cylindrical plug  200  that is typical of the type of plug that may be received by the connector  106 . Such connectors are well known and are frequently used to electrically connect audio devices such as microphones and headphones. 
       FIG. 3  is a pictorial view of a portion of the connector  106 .  FIG. 4  is a plan view of the connector  106 . The connector includes a body  300 , the upper portion of which is not shown to allow the invention to be seen more clearly. The body  300  defines an aperture  302  and a cavity  304  for receiving the cylindrical plug  200 . 
     A plurality of electrical contacts  306 ,  308 ,  310 ,  312  are in communication with the cavity  304  of the connector  106 . While four electrical contacts are shown, it will be appreciated that the connector may have other numbers of electrical contacts. The plurality of electrical contacts make electrical connections with the cylindrical plug  200  when it is received in the cavity  304 . At least one of the electrical contacts  306  mechanically engages and retains the cylindrical plug  200  when received in the cavity  304  of the connector  106 . 
     A microphone  314  is coupled to and supported by the body  300  such that the aperture  302  and the cavity  304  provide an acoustic path to the microphone. The connector  106  includes a plurality of electrical terminals  316  that provide electrical connections to the plurality of electrical contacts  306 ,  308 ,  310 ,  312  and to the microphone  314 . The connector  106  may be a surface mount device (SMD) in which the plurality of plurality of electrical terminals  316  are surface mount terminals as shown. Other forms of terminals, such as through hole terminals, may be used. While the body  300  is shown with an exterior surface that is a substantially rectangular solid, it will be appreciated that the body may be of other shapes. 
     The aperture  302  may be at a first end of the cavity  304  and the microphone  314  may be supported by the body  300  at a second end of the cavity opposite the first end as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . In other embodiments, the microphone may be supported by the body in other positions. 
       FIG. 5  is a pictorial view and  FIG. 6  is a plan view of another connector  506  that embodies the invention. The connector  506  includes a body  500 , the upper portion of which is not shown to allow the invention to be seen more clearly. The body  500  defines an aperture  502  and a cavity  504  for receiving the cylindrical plug  200 . The aperture  502  is defined in an end face of the body  500 , and the microphone  514  is supported by a side face of the body that is adjacent the end face. While the microphone is illustrated as being supported in the bottom face, which would be against a supporting circuit board, it will be appreciated that the microphone may be supported by any of the faces of the body of the connector. It will be further appreciated that, while the microphone is illustrated as being supported near the second end of the cavity opposite the first end that includes the aperture, the microphone may be supported at a position that is closer to, even adjacent, the first end of the body. 
       FIG. 7  shows a handheld device  700  that embodies the invention. The handheld device  700  may be configured for telephony, such as a device that can function as a cellular telephone. The handheld device  700  includes a housing  702 , processing electronics (not visible) supported by the housing, and an electrical connector  506  supported by the housing and electrically coupled to the processing electronics. The connector  506  has a plug aperture  502  and a cavity  504  for receiving a cylindrical plug  200  as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 5 . A microphone  514  is disposed in the connector  506 . The microphone  514  and the plug aperture  502  are acoustically coupled by the cavity  504 . The microphone  514  is electrically coupled to the processing electronics. The microphone  514  may be mechanically supported by the electrical connector  506 . The electrical connector  506  may provide connectivity for an external device such as an earphone, an external microphone, or a power supply. 
     The electrical connector  506  includes a plurality of electrical contacts  506 ,  508 ,  510 ,  512  in communication with the cavity  504 . The plurality of electrical contacts make electrical connections with the cylindrical plug  200  when received in the cavity  504 . At least one of the electrical contacts  506  mechanically engages and retains the cylindrical plug  200  when received in the cavity  504 . 
     The electrical connector  506  may include a plurality of electrical terminals  516  that provide electrical connections to the plurality of electrical contacts  506 ,  508 ,  510 ,  512  and to the microphone  514 . The electrical connector  506  may be a surface mount device (SMD) in which the plurality of plurality of electrical terminals  516  are surface mount terminals. The electrical connector  506  may allow the connector and included microphone to be conveniently assembled to the printed circuit board of the processing electronics as a single assembly. 
     The handheld device  700  may further include a second microphone  704  electrically coupled to the processing electronics. A variety of audio enhancements may be performed using two microphones such as audio beamforming, noise suppression, noise cancellation, echo cancellation, and sound source localization. 
     Audio beamforming may use the audio input of the two microphones to provide an aimable directional input, which may be advantageous if the handheld device is used as a speakerphone or recording device for a sound source at some distance from the handheld device  700 . 
     Noise suppression may use the audio input of the two microphones to estimate the voice signal of the user speaking into the device and then suppress everything else. 
       FIG. 8  is a block diagram of processing electronics  800  that may be used for noise cancellation. The audio signal generated by the microphone  514  disposed in the connector  506  may provide an approximation of the ambient noise that is combined with an audio program signal which is then provided to a speaker  708 . The processing electronics  800  may generate an out of phase approximation of the ambient noise that is added to the audio signal provided to the device speaker  708  to cancel the ambient noise heard by the user. 
     Noise cancellation may also use the audio input of the first microphone  514  to estimate the noise signal affecting the device  700  and then cancel the noise in the audio signal generated by the user speaking into the second microphone  704 . The processing electronics  800  may generate an out of phase approximation of the ambient noise that is added to the audio signal received from the second microphone  704  to cancel the noise in the received speech signal. 
     Acoustic echo cancellation may use the audio input of the two microphones to estimate and cancel the acoustic signal being picked up by the microphones  506 ,  704  from the device speaker  708 . 
     Sound source localization may use the audio input of the two microphones to estimate to position of a sound source; sound source localization may be used to aim audio beamforming. 
     The second microphone  704  may be connected to the outside of the housing  702  of the device  700  by a second acoustic path which passes through the housing at a substantial distance from the plug aperture  502 . Having the first and second microphone openings spaced apart on the housing may be advantageous for performing audio enhancements using two microphones. For example, it may be desirable to locate the two microphones adjacent the two opposing ends along the length of the device  700 . In a typical audio beamforming application, the microphone spacing determines the cut-off frequency. The smaller the distance, the higher the cut-off frequency, with the distance equal to one-half the wavelength at the cut-off frequency. Some noise suppression algorithms require a larger microphone spacing so the voice signal and background noise signal can be well separated. 
     While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this 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. The description is thus to be regarded as illustrative instead of limiting.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20090223
Publication Date: 20121016
Grant Date: 20121016
Priority Date: 20090223
Inventors: CHEN SHAOHAI
TAMCHINA PHILLIP GEORGE
DINH RICHARD HUNG MINH
LEE JAE HAN
WEBER TRENT
YU MICHELLE
MITTLEMAN ADAM D.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04M1/03", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/083", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R2201/16", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R2105/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/083", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R2201/16", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/66", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R24/58", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R2105/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/66", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/703", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/03", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/703", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R24/58", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 42631451